Health

Jeremiah 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Good health is easy to take for granted when you feel well, but when a person’s health fails it becomes the most important thing in their life. Poor health can come to anyone at any time, and even if it doesn’t come to you it might come to someone you love. We’ve all experienced poor health either directly or indirectly at some point in our life, and often the question is, “why?” Why did God allow this sickness?

We need to understand. God’s original design for Creation didn’t include sickness, but when Man first sinned in the Garden, God’s perfect design was polluted, and sickness came into the world. Physical illness is a direct result of the curse that came from Mankind’s original sin.

But the good news is that God brings health and healing in His good time. He is quite capable of bringing health and healing to a person, a family, a church, or even a nation. In fact, Scripture says there will come a day when the curse of sin will be removed and there won’t be anymore sickness or pain. All suffering will end.

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

That’s the future God has planned for those who truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. But in the meantime, we’re to pray for God’s healing hand to touch those who are sick and hurting. May the Lord bring health and healing to His people.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Creation

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…

Recently, I read a news story about a bird, a bar-tailed godwit, that migrated nonstop from Alaska to Tasmania in Australia. That’s 8,435 miles without taking a break. Scientists had tagged the bird with a microchip when it was born, and it was only five months old when it made the trip. It was by all accounts a record-breaking journey. The bird was only five months old, and it had never made the trip before. There was no indication it followed older birds, so the question looms, how did it know where it was going?

Scientists are still stumped when it comes to understanding migratory bird instincts, but people of true faith know the answer. It can be summed up in one powerful word, or better yet, one powerful name. God! God’s attributes are clearly seen in His creation. How does one little bird know how to get from Alaska to Tasmania without a map, a satellite, or GPS? There’s only one clear explanation. God showed it the way.

In the book of Romans Paul tells us we should see God in creation. We should be able to see God in that bird. Every person who has ever lived should have known there is a God simply by experiencing His creation. Whether it be oceans or mountains, redwoods or tulips, elephants or little birds that do amazing things, people who turn a blind eye to creation and claim there is no God are without excuse. God is real, and the wonder of His Creation is the proof.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Disqualified

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

How do you know the difference between a true believer and a false one? Paul makes it clear. False Christians profess to know God, but they deny Him by the way they live their life.

Now there’s something we need to understand here. These people who deny God by their works are abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Those who profess to know God, those who verbally claim to be a saved believer in Jesus Christ yet deny Him by living an unrighteous life, are disqualified from serving in any position in the Church. They can’t preach, they can’t teach, they can’t serve in any meaningful way. They’re disqualified.

In sports, when a player is disqualified that means they are out of the game, sent to the locker room, ejected. They can’t play. They can’t help the team. They’re useless. It’s the same with those who are disqualified from ministry. There’s nothing a disqualified person can do that’s of any value to God.

Paul was always concerned about his qualifications. He said, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) And Paul says also says we should have the same concern. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Examine yourself. Make sure there is nothing going on in your life that would deny God and disqualify you from every good work.

Have A God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Apostle Paul was blessed in his calling by God. He was given great revelations and visions concerning the Lord. As such, he was worried that people might see him or hear him above what he was, just another man with weaknesses and infirmities. But God gave him a thorn in his side to keep him humble, a thorn Paul was so pained by that he begged the Lord to remove it three times.

How did the Lord respond? “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The Lord wouldn’t remove Paul’s thorn, but He gave Paul the grace he needed to endure it, and Paul boasted in his weakness because it was through his weakness that the power of Christ was displayed.

You might be asking, “Why has God allowed this in my life? Why am I suffering? Why am I struggling? Why?” You might be asking God to take something away, to relieve you of some discomfort or some circumstance of life that causes you pain. And the Lord may be answering you the same way He answered Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you.”

The Lord will give you the grace to endure whatever trial He allows in your life. The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace shines through. Like Paul, you can boast in your infirmities because God’s grace is sufficient, and His strength is perfectly displayed through your weakness.

Paul took no pleasure in his pain, and neither will you, but Paul did take pleasure in the fact that Christ’s power was revealed through him. Like Paul, you can take comfort in knowing that Christ’s grace is sufficient, and His power is displayed through your weakness.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Happiness

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.

Most sane people want to be happy. The problem with that is that most people define happiness in worldly terms rather than biblical terms. The world believes happiness comes from material possessions and worldly pleasures, but the Bible defines happiness in a much different way.

In the New Testament the word “happy” is translated from the Greek word, “makarios,” and most of the time that word is translated as “blessed.” Biblically speaking, to be happy is to be blessed. So, if you want to be happy the question you should be asking is, how can I receive the Lord’s blessings?

Peter says you’ll be happy when you suffer for righteousness’ sake. (1 Peter 3:14) He also says you’ll be happy when you’re reproached for the name of Christ. (1 Peter 4:14) James says happy people are the ones who endure trials, (James 5:11) and Jesus said happiness comes from obedience. (John 13:17)

Somehow, suffering, reproach, and obedience doesn’t sound much like the world’s idea of happiness. So how can the world’s definition of happiness and the Bible’s definition of happiness be so far apart? The answer is found in the fact that the world’s idea of happiness is temporary, and the Bible’s is eternal. Those who seek temporary happiness today may suffer eternal misery later, and those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, and are reproached for the name of Christ, and live a life of obedience now will inherit eternal happiness in the future.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; Blessed are those who mourn; Blessed are the meek; Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; Blessed are the merciful; Blessed are the pure in heart; Blessed are the peacemakers; Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” (Matthew 5:7-11) That’s Jesus’ idea of happiness. Don’t trade your eternal blessings for temporary happiness.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Family

Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…

Family is important. God established the family at Creation, and it has been the foundation of society ever since. My brother and I were born to a wonderful mother and father, and on top of that we had great relationships with our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had a large family, and it was a blessing; it still is.

We all have earthly families. But as wonderful as family is, we Christians belong to another family that’s even more wonderful, the family of God. That’s why we believers are called Christians. The whole family of heaven and earth is named after Christ.

When we all get to Heaven there will be a big family reunion at the throne of Christ. Until then, the family of God is joined together in the Church. The Church is where the household of God meets for worship and fellowship. We love each other and support each other. Our relationship with each other is that of brother and sister. We are the adopted Children of God and coheirs with Jesus.

Family is important. There is nothing sadder than to be separated from your family. The same is true of Christians. It’s a sad thing when Christians separate themselves from the Church—their Christian family. If you’ve been neglecting your brothers and sisters in Christ, it might do you well to reconnect with them at Church.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Politics

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

It has often been said that it is not polite to discuss politics and religion. Well, I am about to discuss both. As the Mid-Term Elections approach there is much talk about the Church’s role in the American political landscape. Terms like “Christian Nationalism” and the “Evangelical Vote” often come up in political conversations these days. There are those who would say the Church should stay out of politics, and Christians should not let their faith affect their vote. The call for separation of Church and State is blaring, but we need to consider what the Word of God says.

All governing authorities that exist are appointed by God. That means every government on the face of the earth, whether good or bad, was appointed by God for His good purpose. Some nations have a dictatorship, some a Communist regime, others a monarchy…but here in the United States God has appointed a Democracy, a government by the people. He has blessed each citizen of the United States with a voice in our government and the right to vote, and since God has appointed the governance of this nation to the people, we Christians have a responsibility to use our political voice and our vote to honor God.

The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ cannot avoid broaching political issues, and the people of God must use their vote to uphold His moral and ethical law. So when November comes, it is your Christian responsibility to support God’s appointed government over these United States by exercising your vote in a way that will please Him. God bless America.

Have a God Filled Week,

Brother Donnie

Whom

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Paul makes an important distinction in this verse every Christian must understand. He says “I know whom I have believed…” We cannot overlook the importance of that simple, yet profound statement. Paul didn’t say, “I know WHAT I believe.” He said, “I know WHOM I believe.”

Our faith is not based on “what” we know. Our faith is in “whom” we know. Christianity is not a religious system based on dead works, ancient rituals, and faded traditions. To be a Christian is to believe in Christ. Our faith is based on a very personal relationship with a very real person—Jesus. Any knowledge we have regarding “what” we believe must hinge upon our relationship with “whom” we believe.

We must know whom we believe. We must know Him as Christ. We must know Him as Lord. We must know Him as Counselor, and Comforter, and Friend. Most importantly, we must know Him as Savior.

Do you truly know whom you believe? Or is your faith only based on knowledge that supports “what” you believe. There’s a big difference. I encourage you to get to know whom you believe, and the only way to do that is through God’s Word. So, open your Bible and let God reveal His Son, the Risen Savior to you.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Washed

John 13:8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Most Christians are familiar with the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. As Jesus went down the line cleaning each foot no one complained until He came to Peter. Peter questioned Jesus, “Are you going to wash my feet too?” And Jesus’answer to Peter is of unlimited importance to all of us. “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” If Jesus does not wash you, you have no part with Him.

Scripture has a lot to say about clean and unclean things. Whatever is unclean is unacceptable to God, but whatever God has cleansed we should not call unclean. (Acts 10:15) Peter’s problem was that he felt it would disgrace Jesus if Peter allowed Him to clean his feet. But Peter’s false humility was just a form of pride. We cannot be so prideful that we refuse to allow Jesus to wash us. We cannot cleanse ourselves of sin. If we do not humble ourselves and allow Jesus to wash our sins away, we have no part with Him.

When Peter finally understood that he responded well. “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:9) Wash all of me, Lord. But Jesus told Peter he was already clean. That happened when Peter first believed. Peter, however, still needed his feet washed. The same is true of us. Our sins were washed away when we first believed in Christ. But like Peter, we are all going to step in some sin as we walk through this life, and when that happens Jesus is
continually washing us. Jesus said to Peter (just as He says to us), “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean…” (John 13:10) If you have been washed clean of your sin by your faith in Jesus, don’t be so prideful that you refuse to allow Him to wash your feet. Even clean believers get their feet dirty now and again. We still need our feet washed.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

First

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…

As Christians we must learn to get our priorities in order, to put first things first. It’s easy for us to get distracted by secondary issues, even in the Church. But our greatest priority, the first thing for Christians, has been and always will be, the spread of the Gospel. As Christians we must be careful that we aren’t distracted from the Lord’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations and teach them all the Lord commanded. It’s easy for us to let other things climb to the top of our list, but the mission of bringing salvation to the lost must have priority above all others.

We cannot let other ministries and services become our primary focus. Serving the needy, Bible studies, Sunday School, worship music, youth programs, Church growth… are all wonderful works for the Kingdom of God, but they cannot take priority above the first thing—evangelizing and discipling the lost. We cannot let our secondary missions become a stumbling block for the primary mission.

We see that in Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth. Paul had a lot to say to the Corinthians, but he reminded them that first and foremost was telling them that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and raised from the dead. Telling people the Gospel—the Good News of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ—was first for Paul, and that must be our priority as well.

Secondary missions can be wonderful, God honoring, people serving ministries. But we cannot let them distract us from what must be first, the proclaiming of the Gospel to the lost. We must put first things first.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie