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This past January Winfall Baptist Church was averaging around 30 in attendance. I believed God had/has more for us a church so I prayed and asked God to give us goals to meet as a church to accomplish by the end of the year. This past January I stood up in front of our church and as boldly as I could told them I believed there were two goals we would accomplish before the end of the year.

The first goal was to have at least 80 people in attendance. In the past couple of months we have been averaging a little over 50, but this past Sunday for our Officer Appreciation Sunday we had over 80 in attendance. This was a big goal because it showed us all that it is truly possible to fill our little church building. Not only did we have over 80, but our church worked hard, and ultimately fed everyone with so much extra we were able to donate the leftovers to a local shelter.

The other major goal (and more important) was to baptize at least 5 people before the end of the year. One of the long time deacons here told me once this church had gone about 4 years at one point without even 1 baptism. This Sunday, September 17th we will be baptizing our 5th of the year, to God be the glory.

The only reason, (God knows my heart), I tell you this is not to brag. In fact, I don’t even consider myself a great leader! I tell you this because I know God is doing something great in this church and He isn’t finished. I tell you this because if you are looking for a place to worship and to see God move, you have found it at Winfall Baptist Church. Come and see for yourself.

There were two friends who enjoyed fine art. One of the two stumbled on a piece of art and he called his friend immediately to come and see it. His friend excitedly raced across town to the museum to view this piece his friend discovered. When he got to the museum he was extremely disappointed as the painting his friend “discovered” was blurry and lacked any artistic value at all. “That’s what I thought when I saw it for the first time as well. In order to enjoy this painting you have to get a little closer, and a little lower.” His friend was a little skeptical but humored his friend. He got a little closer and a little lower, but the painting was still blurry. His friend pushed a little more so he got a little closer and a little lower. He pushed him a little more until he found himself kneeling at the foot of the painting, when the man looked up he saw a perfect picture of Jesus hanging on a cross.

You see most people look at the Bible as just a book that doesn’t make a lot of sense, it seems really blurry. However, when you approach this book humbly, you will see a perfect picture of how much God truly loves you and this world. Go back to the Bible that you put down so many years with a fresh look. Humbly approach Him, and see if you don’t see Him in a totally new light.

You don’t have to be a follower of Jesus very long to realize a very important reality, you can’t live the Christian life in your own strength. Yesterday morning I had one of those reminders and I got on my knees and begged God for help. I prayed He would take every part of my life. God, my feet are yours, take me where you want me to go. God, my mouth is yours, help me to say only what you would want me to say. God, my mind is yours, may I only think on things that please you.

I guess I could have spent a lot of time in prayer yesterday morning, but I felt like God wasn’t through with me. I believe God wanted more. God impressed on me that what He wanted more than just my mind, my feet, and my mouth; He wanted my heart. You see when God gets a hold of your heart everything else will automatically follow.

David said it best, “Create in me a clean heart and renew and right spirit within me.” (Psalms 37:5) It might also be why Solomon wrote, “Guard your heart, for everything you do comes from it.” (Prov. 4:23) How is your heart today?  I realized the other day that I’m not very good at taking care of my heart, but I can give it to God and I will always be assured it is safe there. Give your heart to Him today.

This morning I was reading Revelation 5. No, I don’t normally read Revelation for devotions, just happened to do it today. I was mesmerized by the beauty of worship that is taking place in Heaven at this very moment. Countless people around the Throne singing,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

to receive power, wealth, wisdom, honor, glory and blessing (vs. 12)

To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing, honor, and might forever and ever (vs. 13)”

I look at my own act of worship, and the fact I do so little, and I am convicted. Where is my worship? Where is my urgency to lift up His Name? How could I be so distracted in my life that I miss this time with God? What could I be doing that is more important than giving God the praise He desires.

This morning I got on my face before the King and begged for His mercy. I asked for forgiveness for not making Him the priority of my life. I praised Him for His goodness, and for the blessings I have taken for granted. Don’t make the same mistake, come with me to the throne. Time at His throne is the best time you will spend all day.

In the aftermath of the riots in Charlottesville, VA this past week we contemplate what went wrong, and maybe more importantly how we can keep this from happening again. Some point to the ignorance of racist people, (which certainly seems reasonable) and offer education as the answer. Hating someone simply because of the color of their skin goes beyond comprehension. Seeing as though the arrogant, prideful person who hates had absolutely nothing to do with the color of their own skin either. Maybe educating them is the key.

Another possible solution is to take down every statue, relic, and flag that reminds us of an era of the sins of our ancestors. This possibility has gained steam as of late. We can re-write history to not include a large part of our country’s heritage. After all, out of sight out of mind, right?

The only problem with these solutions, and quite literally any other human solution, is that the root of the problem is not a lack of education, or to many flags, the real problem is our sinful nature. The root of racism and hate is not in how, or where, we were raised, but the sinful nature within all of us. In order for us to get rid of the hate, we have to get rid of the sin.

Thankfully, there is One who can do just that! The love of God through Jesus can overcome our hate (1 John 4:7) . His sacrifice on the cross will erase our sin (1 John 1:9). Our life in Him can bring us together in unity (John 17:21). Jesus truly is the answer for Charlottesville and our entire world. He is the Way, Truth, and Life. (John 14:6)

In a room filled with anxiety and fear Jesus tells His disciples He would never leave them and if they asked for anything in His name, He would give it to them. Then Jesus added one more thing, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Honestly, my first thought after reading this verse was, of course I’ll be obedient! You just said you would never leave me. You just said you would provide for all of my needs, of course I will obey. I mean what kind of jerk would take advantage of this unbelievable offer you are giving without giving back love and devotion to you through obedience.

I then look at seasons of my own life and think, I’m the jerk who takes advantage of His offer. Did you know Jesus repeats this statement not just once, but five different times, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” It’s like He knew it was going to be a problem, but I don’t believe Jesus said this to make me feel guilty, in fact, I think it is exactly the opposite.

You may have thought your spiritual life was always going to be boring and uneventful, but when you place your faith in God and His faithfulness, a whole new world will open for you. Your Christian life will become more of a lifestyle of following God then simply knowing facts about Him. Your prayer life will take on new meaning. You begin to live out God’s purpose for your life, instead of your own. When your faith meets His faithfulness then God will do magnificent things with your life.

There is a scene in John 14 where it seems everything is going wrong. Jesus has just told his disciples He is going to be arrested. He told them He was going to die. Jesus then told His disciples one of them was going to betray Him. For the disciples this is probably the worst case possible. They were afraid, stressed out, and ready to run, literally.

Jesus knew their heart and knew they needed help. Within three short chapters Jesus repeated something not just once, but 5 different times to reiterate to not only His disciples, but to you and I as well. "If you ask anything in my name, I will give it to you." Essentially, you are afraid and need courage, ask me for it. You need wisdom, ask me. You want peace that goes beyond understanding, ask me, and I will give you more than you could ask for.

I believe Jesus was not only talking to His disciples, but to you and I today. Ever feel uncertain about the future? Have circumstances ever produced fear in your life? You need to know Jesus knows what you are going through, and He wants you to know something, "If you need anything (peace, love, courage, wisdom, etc.) come and ask for it in His Name and He will give it to you. His love, grace, and mercy will far outweigh any circumstance in your life. You need but to ask Him.

I am one of those people who believes God created the world in six, 24-hour days (Moses described each day, “the morning and the evening were the first day” Gen. 1:5). On the fourth day God created the sun and moon and almost as an afterthought it seems, “He made the stars also.” (Gen. 1:16) Scientists say the light from the galaxy of Andromeda would take 2.5 million years to reach us. However, when God created those stars their light was already visible on earth. One conclusion, God created the stars purely for our enjoyment.

Some read the starts to determine their future. Every time I look up at the night sky I’m reminded of how God took the time to reveal His love to me. I am reminded of how magnificent His power is. I am humbled that such a God, who is so powerful, would love someone like me. To some, those distant stars may just be made of hydrogen and helium and various gases, but quite literally, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalms 19:1

Have you ever prayed and asked God to help you see people like Jesus saw/sees people? The world saw a thief and a tax collector, but Jesus saw an apostle (Matthew). The world saw a man demon possessed, but Jesus saw a future preacher (Mark 5). Saul was a serial killer, but Jesus saw a missionary. Do you know what I want for the person who is reading this right now? I want for you to see yourself just like Jesus sees you. So often we believe the lie that we are a failure and will never amount to anything. You have allowed your past, and the world, to define your future. Break the chains of the past and see yourself as Jesus sees you.

In Mark 5, there was a man possessed with a demon, correction, he had multiple demons. The town was afraid of him and this man had no future. Thankfully, Jesus saw potential and a future in him. Jesus got rid of the demons and this man literally became a preacher! This (formerly) demon possessed man spread the message of Jesus to 10 different cities! Many of us would have never spent a minute of our time to help such a lost cause, but not Jesus, He loved that man and believed in what he could become.

Jesus sees your potential. Through Him, all things are possible (Phil. 4:13). Through Him you can break addiction, overcome hatred and anger, and become the person God has wanted you to become all along. It all begins with seeing yourself as He does. Give Him a chance. What do you have to lose?

Every morning when I get to church I start the first hour of my day in prayer. I go into the main sanctuary and go to the front row. Sometimes I just sit down, grab a Bible and then pray. Sometimes I kneel to simply pray. Yesterday morning I came to the front row and for some reason I thought, “Should I sit or kneel?” There’s no one in the entire building, no will care what I do. Does God really care if I sit or kneel? In that moment I knelt and prayed….

     God I kneel in love because you first loved me so much

     I kneel in mercy because I’m a sinner in need of your help

     I kneel in worship as You are the One, True, and Living God who is over every god.

     I kneel in praise because you are worthy as the One who was, is, and is to come

     I kneel in humility because you are the King and I am Your servant.

There is probably no difference in sitting or kneeling, and I’m certain God is pleased when we come to Him no matter our “posture.” From my “small” experience though there certainly felt like a difference. I think from now on I’ll go ahead and kneel. I hope to find you there as well.