10 Years Ago

Ten years ago, on September 11, 2001, I had just sat down to a meeting in downtown Tampa.  For some reason, Pat had the TV on in his office, when the news broke of a "small" plane hitting the Trade Center.  We were both surprised by this, but the gravity of what had happened didn't immediately sink in. 10 years later, I'm stunned more by the thought (or fear) that I believe that people today, still do not understand fully, the seriousness of the enemy that encroaches on us.  


So I sit here in the quiet, remembering 911 and lives that have been changed from it – like Sujo.  God saved Sujo on September 11, 2011, and through the ashes of that tragedy, this man has rededicated his life.  Please watch the short digital from I Am Second.


http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/sujo-john/


http://sujojohn.com/

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

The Gospel

The Gospel is not an invitation to give your life to Christ. It's a declaration that Christ gave his life for us. The blood of the goats and bulls forgave our sins, but Christ took away our sins.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Like Father, Like Son

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." – John 5:19

In verses 1-15 of Chapter 5, Jesus was accused of violating the Sabbath. In His reply, Jesus said that He cannot act apart from God because of the father/son relationship. And while father/son relationships here on earth may not be perfect, in this relationship, the Son is true to the Father, and must act in accordance with the Will of God. 

The implication here, is that if Jesus is acting in obedience to God's will, then He cannot sin. So if Jesus has violated the Sabbath as accused, so then has the Father.

How often do we hear the Will of God, but act according to the world, for fear that we may stand out? The time is rapidly approaching where we will be called to take sides.  We will choose to either stand with Him, or against Him.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

War and Peace

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:18-20

> Put on the full armor of God
> For our struggle is not against flesh and blood
> When the day of evil comes, stand your ground
> Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist
> With the breastplate of righteousness in place
> Fit your feet with the readiness
> Take up the shield of faith
> Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit


In warfare, whether it is the first wave of attacks, or the second, third or fourth, if you are not fully prepared, you can be taken out at any time.   But with preparation, intensity and passion, comes the staying power essential for victory.  


Our spiritual enemy is extremely dangerous.  He is patient, cunning and relentless.  And because we can't see him coming, he is much more treacherous.  He comes at you from every direction, searching your soul for weakness. If you prepare with intensity and passion, beginning each day by donning the full armor of God, grounding yourself in the gospel, shielding yourself by faith, girding yourself in truth,  guarding yourself with righteousness, and protecting yourself with the salvation provided through Christ, the enemy is rendered powerless.  


As Christians, we are soldiers for Christ. Prayer polishes our armor, and weakens the enemy. Pray always, unceasingly with supplication. And peace will be with you.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

A Whack on the Side of the Head

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." – Ephesians 6:17

A warrior would never go into battle without a helmet to protect his head from blows from the sword or ax. And likewise, a Christian would never allow himself to enter a spiritual battle unprotected, leaving his mind exposed.


In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is not just writing about salvation, but everything that is based in salvation; which includes all the promises of salvation and the ultimate promise, which is our hope. The hope is that faith founded in salvation, will save us from daily conflict and sustain us through the spiritual battles. And it is the same salvation that delivers us from the penalty of sin, and into God's Kingdom for eternity.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

The Missile Defense Shield

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."– Ephesians 6:16


All of the battle equipment that we have studied this week has been tie to, strapped to, or held in place.  The shield is a defensive weapon that can be rapidly moved to the position where and when needed.  


The enemy will never attack you where you are strong.  But looks for the weaknesses in your soul, and strikes when you least expect it.


With faith in God shielding you, what harm could come your way? The fact is, when I become a fully obedient warrior of Christ, equipped with faith in God, not flaming arrows nor fiery missiles launched by the enemy, can pierce His defenses.  To receive full protection, we must surrender to the Will of God – in full. We must choose between truth and deceit, good or evil. With God, there is no moral relativism.


God is not a god of convenience, to be compartmentalized to an hour on Sunday, or a service on Christmas Eve or Easter morning.  To those who receive Him, He is 24 x 7 x 365, and present in every walk of life.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Cleated

"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."– Ephesians 6:15


Roman soldiers wore thick sandals that were studded with cleats.  The cleats enabled them to battle with firm footing. The Christian, to stand in the midst of deception, must also be equipped and fitted to have a solid under-footing. He must be powerfully prepared with unshakable courage, born from a deeply rooted knowledge in the gospel.  Without these provisions, the battle is lost before it ever begins.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Biblical Kevlar

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place"– Ephesians 6:14


Truth is that which is in accordance with fact or reality. And righteousness is that which is morally right and virtuous. As Christians, we associate both with the gospel. Truth and righteousness are everything that God is.  


This verse encourages us not yield our ground, but to stand strong with the army of Christ. For the combat we are about to enter is not against humans, but darkness. 


In ancient days, a Roman warrior would never go into battle without his loins tighten around his waist, nor without a breastplate. The girt supported the sword and held the armor in place. To the Christian, the belt represents the truth of the gospel, holding our Christian armor in place, protecting our heart, and supporting the sword of the Spirit. 

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Armor All

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." – Ephesians 6:13


Some say "the day of evil" is referring to the day when the enemy begins his assault on Christ at the end times. Others say that it refers to any day when the enemy launches an assault against us.  Regardless, because of the power of the enemy, we need to be prepared to withstand all that he will surely throw our way.  


This is spiritual warfare with the greatest of intensity.  And we had better be prepared with courage, and the strength that can only come from Him. Without God, we stand no chance.  Our only defense is God's full armor.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

War of the Worlds

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." – Ephesians 6:12


While we may struggle in this world, the primary source of our struggle is not of this world. But an unseen wickedness that seeks to spiritually destroy us. In this war that we fight, the most advance weapons are powerless, and the strongest armies have no strength.  Our only defense is found in Him and through Him.


We know that we live in a fallen world, and "they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” – Revelation 17:14

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Help Me with My Unbelief

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."  – Ephesians 6:11


Tonight I watch the movie "The Rite" with Anthony Hopkins. The movie takes part of it's theme from the experiences of two actual priests. I watched as the young man, studying to become a priest, struggled with doubt in his heart. And through some dramatic spiritual warfare, not only found his soul, but learned that his faith was very real, as IS his God.


I am going to be brutally honest with you all. For more than a year now, I have been in a season of testing and struggle.  And while I have about an hour of intense conversation with God everyday, and mini prayers throughout the day, I still struggle with fear, anxiousness and doubt. I know in my heart what I believe, I know the words that I write here in BND, but the experiences of this world don't completely release its grip. I pray for God to help me with my unbelief. The unbelief that cause fear, anxiousness and doubt.


I saw the same conflict in the young priest in the movie.  And as the movie unfolded, I was reminded of Ephesians 6:11-20.  And with this, comes our next series of study.


I know the unbelief that lingers is a scheme of the enemy.  A trick to try and convince me that God is not who He says he is. And because the enemy is constantly trying to find weaknesses in my soul, it is imperative that I am girded in God's word, His Armor, each and every day.


I encourage you to join me over the next several days as we study from Ephesians.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever!

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." – Psalms 23:6

When we are in the midst of a heart-breaking loss, anxiousness or trying experiences, it's hard to see the goodness and mercy that follows us.  But after we pass through those valleys, God's mercy becomes abundantly clear, and we realize that He was with us all along. Do you know what the coolest part is?  Above all else, His gift of eternity awaits us!

I began this series with excitement, as I have always loved the prose of this passage. But having studied the verses in singularity, I am forever moved by the depth of God's graciousness and love that He has for me, for us.

The LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
        
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
        
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

You Anoint My Head With Oil

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." – Psalms 23:5

He is a gracious God who provides and blesses us with much, even in times of difficulty or anxiousness. Our cup is not only full,  He sees to it that it overflows with abundance. And aromatic oil is poured on our heads, a practice reserved only for the most distinguished guests. 

> The Lord is my shepherd:  He is my provider.

> He makes me lie down in green pastures:  He is my guide and protector.

> He restores my soul:  He refreshes me from my weariness.

> I will fear no evil: He is always with me.

> You anoint my head with oil:  You provide for me, and you honor me.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He

I Fear No Evil

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." – Psalms 23:4 

God never promises that our walk as Christians will be easy.  He knows at some point in our lives, we will walk through valleys. We will be tested.  And while we may walk through (not stand, but walk) the shadows of darkness, with God leading us, we have nothing to fear, because He is walking with us. For I know that in the light of God, the shadows in my life will disappear, and I will be strengthened.

> The Lord is my shepherd:  He is my provider.

> He makes me lie down in green pastures:  He is my guide and protector.

> He restores my soul:  He refreshes me from my weariness.

> I will fear no evil: He is always with me.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

He Restores My Soul

"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake." – Psalms 23:3

When I am weary, worn down or melancholy, the Lord my shepherd,  returns life to my soul.  He refreshes me, and He restores me. He also leads me in the ways of the truth, on the path that leads me to straight to Him. Through His name, that He be honored.

> The Lord is my shepherd:  He is my provider.

> He makes me lie down in green pastures:  He is my guide and protector.

> He restores my soul:  He refreshes me from my weariness

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Beside Still Waters

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." – Psalms 23:2

Sheep are fearful animals and have no way of defending themselves.  They are easily frightened, and can only lie down when they are 100% secure. David's analogy of lying down in green pastures," indicates that the sheep are not only secure, but are fully fed, satisfied and lying in tender grass. And because sheep are easily spooked, they will only drink from quiet, calm waters. They are 100% dependent on the Lord for everything.

When we as Christians fully surrender to His will, we understand for the first time that we are also 100% reliant on the Lord for everything. And when we submit to His leading, we realize just how dependent we are.  Among the things we depend on Him for are our health, clothing, shelter, food and "security."

> The Lord is my shepherd:  He is my provider

> He makes me lie down in green pastures:  He is my guide and protector

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

The Lord is "MY" Shepherd

Thank you very much to Pastor Michael Hailey for the inspiration behind this series. His teaching over the last several weeks has been something in which I have cherished, and found great comfort and knowledge.

Perhaps there is no scripture more widely read than Psalms 23.  If you are like me, unfortunately you associate these verses with funerals. But as I studied along with Michael's teaching, I realized this scripture, while offering comfort at times when we grieve, should really be giving us daily assurance as we live.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." – Psalms 23:1

While we focus on the word "shepherd," perhaps the most important word here is "MY." He watches over MY life.  Cares for me and meets MY needs.  He is MY protector and MY guide. His love for me while undeserved, is unquestioned, unwavering and unconditional.  So complete are His provisions, that I desire for nothing. I have everything that I need through MY shepherd.

Philippians 4:11 says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content..."

> The Lord is my shepherd:  He is my provider.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

One If By Land

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ – Ezekiel 33:6


One if by land, two if by sea."  Those are the famous words from Paul Revere's midnight ride.  A night in our country's history that marked a beginning point in our quest for independence.  Some may say, because of our complacency over the years, that we are again at a critical crossroad.  Here again is a clamoring, warning Americans to awaken.  General Jerry Boykin (of Black Hawk Down fame) is said by some to be a modern day Paul Revere.  The two links below are from a recent speech given by General Boykin.  You will need several minutes to watch both, but please accept my encouragement to do so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q2y4WOVuho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncJzR-EoHdA

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

The Eve of Destruction

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” – Luke 12:48

This past weekend, while attending the Florida Homeschool Convention, I heard one of the speakers (Rick Green) say: "Whenever you give of what you've been given, you honor the giver of your gifts." He went on to speak on our responsibilities as citizens of our great country. Later on in the conference I attended two sessions headed by General Jerry Boykin. Echoing Mr. Green, General Boykin reminded us that "God's truth is real and self-evident. That freedom comes from God, and liberty is a gift from Him."

All of this got me thinking about the overwhelming odds that our founders overcame in order to give birth to our country. In the book "1776," author David McCullough does a masterful job at laying out just how bleak the chances for victory really were. And without the hand of providence, we, as a country, most certainly would not be here today.  

So how has the greatest country in the history of the planet, glorified God for all that He has given to us?  

Well, we have banned prayer from school and most sporting events (NASCAR, they are coming after you next!).  We have aborted 55 million unborn children. We forbid the teaching of Intelligent Design. The Ten Commandments are being removed from public display. We are abandoning Israel. And we have become embroiled in a battle between moral relativism and moral absolutes.

Have we grown so powerful that we no longer need God? Do we no longer believe God governs the affairs of man? Have we as Christians grown so complacent, that we allow the secular world to lead us around like sheep?  2 Chronicles 7:14 says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Friends, judging the state of affairs that we now find in America, perhaps we should return to our roots. Find humility. Fall to our knees and seek His face. God has entrusted us with much, and of us, He is expecting more.

http://www.kingdomwarriors.net

http://wallbuilders.com/

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.