Can God Trust You to Raise His Sons?

Luke 2:39-40

Galatians 4:1-7

Imagine God having trust in any human being to raise HIS SON Jesus?  God trusted Joseph to do the right things for His Son!  Just goes to show you how merciful our God is…to trust a mortal man to raise our Sovereign Lord! My God...

Our earthly dads are sort of like Joseph; teaching and training Someone else’s child.  You are the foster parents responsible for being the examples for God’s children.  When you think about it that way, it makes you take a closer look at your position in a child's life.   

Being a dad is a great responsibility and one should not take that job lightly.  It’s vitally important to give God’s children good advice, sturdy and consistent discipline, encouragement, understanding and positive reinforcement.  Be the role-model your sons and daughters will follow by setting forth good examples.

Remember dads: your children are watching YOU live - and what you are shouts much louder than anything you can ever say. 

Let your character and integrity speak louder than your words...

Be blessed on this Father's Day Sunday!

Memorial Day Thanks!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

I am just reflecting on the reasons why I am celebrating this holiday today.

Thankful to the numerous woman and men who sacrifice their lives for ALL people, both American and abroad every single day

Thankful to every person who has stayed up all night so that we could sleep in peace

Thankful to every person who has stood guard to protect the innocent

Thankful to every person who has left families and loved ones behind to fight for a GOOD cause called Freedom

It's more than just US that live in this world and it's time we recognize all military who fight for a good and righteous cause.  War is harsh but there's a time for it as God speaks of it in Ecc...a time of war, and a time of peace.

Today, I am reflective of the peace that war afforded over 2000 years ago.  So as we enjoy our families and partake of BBQ, enjoy cool beverages at home, by the lake, or where ever your destination, let's remember the Vets who gave their lives for ALL freedom, both here in America and abroad -- but most of all, I am thankful for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid on behalf of God's people by fighting the biggest war that gave us the ultimate freedom called...salvation!!!

May God bless America and everyone who belongs to Christ!!!

Pastor D

I'll Have A # 5 Please!

I consider the month of May my grace month.  Five is the number of divine grace for it is by grace we are saved and I am so grateful!   Not by works or human standards or law but by Grace, God's Grace!

Here are a few nuggets for you to meditate on:

The number 5 is the number of God’s grace or goodness toward humankind.  The number is mentioned 318 times in the Bible. The Ten Commandments have 2 sets of 5 Commandments..
5 toward God and 5 toward our neighbor.  It's about grace relationships...

The Psalms are divided into 5 books. The 5 books of the Law are also known as the Pentateuch. The 4 Gospels + Acts =  5 books or the New Testament Pentateuch — revealing Jesus’ teachings concerning the Law and the Prophets.  Love God, love your neighbor -- on these 2 Commandments hang ALL the law and prophets (Mt 22.40)...nothing else folks!

The apostle John wrote 5 books centered on the grace of God and eternal life.  Five is the number of grace, and 5 x 5 = 25, or "grace upon grace" (John 1:16).  So, I thank God for giving me this unmerited gift called...Grace!

Thank you Lord for my #5! Amen!

Words of Wisdom

"Mothers: teach your daughters to be responsible ladies while they are still girls.  When they mature, they will remember the lessons and not accept lame excuses"

"Fathers: teach your sons to be respectful men while they are still boys.  When they grow up to be men, they will remember the lessons and not find excuses"

Parents: Apply principles 1 & 2 for your children while they are still young...

All: It takes a village...

Let's all take some responsibility and make a better world -- together you and I.

Have a blessed rest of the month!!

- Pastor D

Don't Be Greedy

My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.” My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. Proverbs 1:8-19

 

So many people spend their lives trying to get rich while mis-using others to get there.  All to often, it's for the wrong reasons -- greed and power.  I mean, how much is enough?  Hundreds of Thousands?  Millions?  Billions?  How many autos can you own and drive?  How many houses can you own and live in?  How many rooms can you sleep and entertain in?  Four --Not enough?  Five? How about 12? 15?  All that wasted space to heat and cool...so much wasted energy...

 

America, it's time for us to SHARE the wealth.  How about we save a life by feeding the hungry?  Help a student pay for college?  Give shelter to the homeless who really need assistance. (You can't help folks who don't want to be helped) 

 

If each one would reach one -- teach one -- then help one, we could help to reduce the gap on poverty in our world.  After all, nothing we've accumulated on earth goes with us to heaven so why live in hell trying to maintain it???  Those "things" remain here on this finite earth and will be passed on for someone else when you're gone OR fight over -- possibly be destroyed by the ignorance of not understanding wealth.  So what's the big deal in sharing because you can't take "it" with you?  My mama always said, " you don't lose anything by helping somebody"...

 

Purposely give something away then asses how much more you still have left over to enjoy.  C'mon...share the wealth...don't be greedy!!! Don't let greed rob YOU of your precious life. After all, we only have one life to live on this side of heaven so  -- why not make it a good one???

Word!

Springtime Expressions

Springtime is here!  It's the changing of a new season and I am so grateful to be blessed to see it!  Ecclesiastes 3:1 says for everything there is a season...so, what season are you in? 

Are you giving birth to a plan or laying it to rest?  What are you planting?  Are you plucking up what you planted?  Is it a good harvest?  Are you killing a lost soul or will you help give life to what others consider to be a lost cause?   Are you in the healing process?

Who are you breaking down or are you helping to build them up?  Is it your season to weep or laugh?  Are you mourning over a lost loved?  Is your mourning in vain? 

Will you dance in this new season?

Will you cast away stones of deception or gather up stones of truth?  Will you embrace that which is productive for you or will you refrain from embracing those non-productive things?

In this springtime season, will you seek God or lose your salvation?  And what will you keep close to you?  If it's no good for you, will you cast it away?  Will you tear or sew?  Re-member or dis-member?   What does your mirror image reflect?  

Can you keep silent about non-democracy issues or will you speak up and be heard?  Will you fall in love with Christ? Do you hate what is evil?  Can you fight for a godly cause or jump on the bandwagon of foolishness?  Will you practice peace or just talk about it?  How will you spend your new season? 

I pray that in all things, you seek the Lord and that you spend your season seeking for His guidance.  Love God and others.  Appreciate the fine qualities in YOU and give something away other than your sanity.  Hug your loved ones and tell another how much you care.

I pray that this new season provides you with more clarity and purpose; and that your long-awaited blessings will unfold, as God's will is done in your lives.   Manage yourselves and your blessings carefully and watch God bless you beyond measure. Never take your favor for granted and always remember that God is love.

Be blessed and have a wonderful springtime season!!!

- Pastor Deckard

Saturday Fellowship: CRock Skate

Happy Friday and Blessings to Everyone!


Join CRock at Southern Skates Roller Rink tomorrow from 1pm-5pm for our Skate Event. Feel free to invite your family and friends to tag along.  We are looking forward to some fun and fellowship as we "ROCK", skate, roll....and bounce to the music!

Location: 2939 East Ledbetter Drive, Dallas, TX 75216 (214) 670-1190

Don't forget to wear your CRock T-shirts and receive a special discount @ the door! Admission is $3 + $3 for skate rentals (if you do not have your own skates).

Be ready to get your ROLL on...roll on...roll on....See you there...

- Pastor

Wednesday's Devotion

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9(NIV)


Have you ever tried something and got the results you wanted and then tried the same thing again and got different results? This happened to Moses in the Bible. The Israelites needed water and God told Moses to strike the rock. He struck the rock and water flowed out freely. Another time they needed water again, and God told Moses, “Speak to the rock.” Do you know what Moses did? He went over and struck the rock. He thought, “Hey, it worked last time; it’ll work this time.” But God had a different plan. Water did come from the rock but Moses struck the rock instead of spoke to the rock as God commanded. Moses never received the chance to live in the Promised Land because he tried an old way in a new season.

Have you ever tried an old method in a new season???  Did it work?...
The point is, we have to stay open and make adjustments to stay in tune with God’s plan so we can live in the promise. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to lean not unto our own understanding but seek God’s will in ALL that we do…

You can do the same thing the same way you did last time and get different results but -- is it a part of God’s plan? It may not be something major but like Moses, maybe it’s just something small.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (KJV)
The steps (not leaps) but the steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord...

Sometimes a small tweak or a small adjustment can make a major difference in the outcome and you will live in the promise. Today, make sure you aren’t doing things just because it’s the way you always did it before. Instead, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit of God inside. Follow His leading and stay in sync (in step) with the wonderful plan He has for you and your promises will not forfeit but flourish!!!

Today's Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I submit my mind, my will, and my heart to You. Help me to see clearly what Your plan is for me. Help me to stay close to You always; not living in the past but pressing forward to the new things You have in store for me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don't Worry

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

"Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice." 

Here are 36 tips to what you CAN do to have a worry-less life...

1. Pray always...

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to [capable] help.

6. Simplify and un-clutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are sometimes too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places before time instead of arriving late.

9. Pace yourself and spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.  After all, God made the world at the same pace...

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, let God handle it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have back-ups for extra car keys, house keys, stamps, clothes in case of emergency.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the “Kid-In-You” every day. (play, run, jump, swing, slide, hop-scotch)

16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in long lines.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat well-balanced meals.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a motivational CD while driving; that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone with God.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray about them.

24. Make lasting friendships with godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures handy.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus!'

27. Laugh often; even if it’s at yourself.

28. Laugh some more…even if it’s at yourself!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself so much. You are forever evolving and subject to     change so don't be surprised or disappointed if you don't turn out the way you planned...

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego or leave it at home.

33. Talk less; listen more. God gave us 2 ears and one mouth. Must be a good reason for that…

34. Slow down, you’ll get there at God’s appointed time.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe; God is…

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Remember: GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Now, enjoy this life that God has given us.  Don't worry yourself to death...

Today's Prayer

Dear God,

I know that sometimes we get impatient and frustrated because we can’t see the purpose of our trials.  We don’t always understand the cause of the chaos that is present around us but we know that YOU are in control.  You will never leave Your children nor forsake us.  You are our rock!!!

I pray for peace through the storms because we know that they are short-lived.  We are Victorious in You Lord God, because Your Word said it and we believe it!  Your People will experience a mighty harvest soon.  A harvest in spirit, peace, joy, gladness, and richness in YOU.  The seeds we've planted have been purposed by YOU and we will soon have all that we need, according to YOUR riches, in Jesus name, Amen!

Saturday Afternoon Prayer: Thanks Dad!

Father God, thank You for this day; a day that was not promised.  Thank You for waking me up this morning, clothed in my RIGHT mind.  Thank You for seeing my through another week.  Thank you for continued safety and for keeping Your promises to protect me from dangers seen and unseen.

Lord, I appreciate You for all you've done to spare me from what could have been a fatal accident this week.  I could have been badly hurt; even lost my life but you saw fit to keep me from harm.  The only thing banged up is my car and my nerves but -- you are taking care of those too. 

Abba Father, thank You for sparing my life and thank You for giving me another chance to be with my family and loved ones.  Thanks Dad!

Love your daughter,

Doris

Thursday's Devotion: Humility and Favor

Esther 2:15 (NLT)
Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai's uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.

“Incompetent and lazy, vain as a peacock, arrogant.” This is how writer William Shirer described Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi Germany’s foreign minister from 1938-1945. Another person spoke for many when she wrote, “I detest him. He terrifies me. He could walk over dead bodies.”

Ribbentrop spent his life ruthlessly pursuing his goals. Driven to impress others, he never hesitated to use people to advance his career. For example, one Jewish couple had been helpful in his career,
but when they faced trouble, he did nothing. Although his natural parents were reasonably well off, he convinced his aunt to “adopt” him so he could add “von” to his name, just to gain added prestige and influence. In the end it might be said that he was “successful,” for he held important positions and became famous and wealthy. But his life ended wretchedly when he was executed for war crimes.

Today, we see all too clearly the tragedy of a life spent pursuing the wrong goals. Many in the world are following the same patterns—focused on their careers, driven to impress, willing to compromise, lie and deceive,  and ready to take advantage of others.  Of course careers are good and being self-driven is fine but at what cost and to whose expense? 

God offers a better way to success; a way exemplified by Esther. She lived a life characterized by selfless humility. She listened to advice and honored her superiors. She let God direct her path. She was willing to put her faith into action. As a result, God blessed her with favor…from everyone!

Would you like favor in your life?
Favor from God?
Favor in business?
Favor in relationships?
Favor in finances?

Then follow the example of Esther. Seek to be humble. Listen. Seek to serve God with your whole life, not only when others are watching. 

Today's Inspirational Prayer
Father, I humble myself before You. Direct my life. I seek first Your Kingdom. Use me to impact others for the Gospel, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Devotion inspired by Evangelist D. Dean