March 9th, 2010 by Pastor Ben
No comments »
Fairy Tales
Scripture Reading:
2 Timothy 3:14 (HCSB) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing those from whom you learned,
Devotion & Meditation:
There are a lot of myths being perpetrated in Christianity today, and that is why it is so important for every believer to know God’ s word and measure any strange teaching he might hear against it. One myth I hear often is this: “Christians never doubt.” How ridiculous! Christians do doubt…and it does not mean they have lost their faith. In fact, doubts can strengthen our faith, confirming our beliefs by examination. Doubt can be a stimulus to growth and maturity, a goad to get to the truth. Another popular Christian myth is “Christians are always passive people.” The truth is, most Christians I know are passionate people!
When I read my Bible I see that many of them considered their faith to be something worth dying for— hardly a passive response! Hebrews 11 tells us that some early believers were actually sawed in two because of their belief! A radio preacher once told a story about a Quaker who was milking his cow. While he milked, the cow kicked over a bucket, and the Quaker turned the bucket upright and started the chore over again. Then the cow stepped on his foot, but the man just leaned into the cow until he moved over. Finally, the cow kicked the Quaker backwards, and when he did, the Quaker said “Thou knowest that I cannot strike thee, but if thou doth not behave, I shall sell thee to a Baptist!” (That would do it, would it not?) Christians doubt, Christians take action, and Christians even suffer and die. So test these “myths” and make sure you continue in the things you have learned, knowing from whom you have learned them.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
March 8th, 2010 by Pastor Ben
No comments »
Kick in the Pants
Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 3:11-12 (HCSB) Do not despise the LORD’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in
Devotion & Meditation:
I must reluctantly wonder whether the average person checking in on a daily devotional seeks praise instead of reproof, and a pat on the back instead of a kick in the pants. However, I’m finding that I’m continually judging myself, attempting to reprove myself, as sometimes there is no one else around to do it, except the Spirit. When it comes to daily devotionals, I believe that reproof is as much needed as praise, and, personally, I would prefer reproof most of the time, over being schmoozed. I know I’m a sinner in need of daily realignment and continual growth, and I would hope that’s how everyone else would feel too. God disipplines those He loves, and these days a good spiritual chastisment is so hard to come by. You’re more likely to get, “Oh, that’s okay, don’t be too hard on yourself. God loves you anyway, knowing you’re the product of a dysfunctional family.” Who will discipline us in righteousness, if not the church? We love to bask in the warmth and mercy of the “suffering servant”, but have we repressed the reality of the approaching “conquering King”, whose holiness consumes sin like dried stubble? Has the church become too soft, too conciliatory in our day? Is righteousness and obedience being promoted as strongly as they should be? It is a pet peeve of mine, but I loathe those flashy “shock and awe” churches… You know the ones that put more emphasis on the presentation than the Word. They spend 30-45 minutes in “praise” music and give you about 10-15 minutes of the Word of God. How offensive.
Who dares call anything sin any more? It’s as if we now believe in universal salvation, because everything has an explanation, and is justifiable in its own relative context. God has been reduced to the one who cleans up all our messes. He is our servant, who makes things right again, after we have allowed ourselves to experiment with unlimited self-fulfillment. God has become the icing on the cake, not the Bread of Life. And then there are those who believe godliness is the end point of man’s own spiritual evolution, as if all we needed was enough time to get there on our own, with Jesus, Buddha, and whoever else we might admire setting the example to follow. All interesting psychology, but erroneous theology. How does one incorporate original sin, moral depravity, and sanctification into a light and fluffy devotional? The kind of devotional we need should be entitled, “Your Daily Kick In The Pants”!
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
March 7th, 2010 by Pastor Ben
No comments »
Sticks and Stones
Scripture Reading:
Ecclesiastes 10:12 (HCSB) The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Devotion & Meditation:
King Solomon recognized the dangers of putting a little person in a big position. Just let a fool talk, he reasoned, and his words will get the better of him. Words are powerful things. Used rightly, they bless, encourage and instruct. Used haphazardly, they can wound, confuse and destroy. Leaders-in-training at West Point are taught economy with words early in their careers. They begin their freshman year with a severely limited vocabulary. Plebes may answer questions from their superiors in only four ways: Yes, sir; No, sir; No excuse, sir; and Sir, I do not understand. “Yes, sir” and “No, sir” teach the value of being direct. “No excuse, sir” ensures that they learn to think in terms of teamwork and success. “Sir, I do not understand” impresses cadets with the importance of making sure instructions and expectations are crystal clear.
It is a rather limited vocabulary—but it works, and any system for developing leaders that has been honed for nearly two centuries probably has as much to teach us ordinary folks as it does future generals. The bottom line is this: a wise man (or a wise woman) carefully measures his words. Jesus told his followers to “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” A fool says too much, and often says it recklessly. Understand the impact and the power of words. I learned many years ago that before I give my profound opinion based on excellent insight, I had better get all the facts that are available and seek the whole truth, not just a piece of it. The fool is indiscreet, but the wise man measures his words.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
March 4th, 2010 by Pastor Ben
No comments »
Progressive Revelation
Scripture Reading:
Romans 8:26 (HCSB) In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.
Devotion & Meditation:
When the Christian prays, the Holy Spirit in him speaks to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. In other words, the whole Trinity prays with us! Isn’t that something? The Holy Spirit is getting more attention these days, but it seems that His role is frequently misunderstood. Sometime back I was attending a Promise Keepers event—The Katinas, a band that includes all brothers whom were raised by a Marine Corps father, were the musicians. Before the event began, I was introduced to some folks, including a young man who wanted me to meet the members of his Bible study group. I went over and said hello, and they told me they had been studying the Holy Spirit for over a year and a half! “Let me ask you a question,” I said. “You’ve been studying the Holy Spirit all this time…I wonder if you could tell me what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is in your life?”
It was not a trick question, but they were not sure. They looked at one another for help. “Do you know? No. You? No. You? No, me neither.” Now if you have been studying the Holy Spirit for a year and a half, you might have a clue about His role. But no one wanted to venture a guess. The Holy Spirit is not here to bring honor or attention to Himself. He is not here to be worshipped. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us and points us to Jesus Christ. That is His primary purpose.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
March 3rd, 2010 by Pastor Ben
No comments »
Living for God
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 69:3 (HCSB) I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Devotion & Meditation:
It was a beautiful snow-filled Saturday morning — not a ray of sun in the sky. After a long and harsh week, here we are again. Except today is dunk day at the lake. After collecting some salt and my ashes, I was ready for a drive down my luge run (my driveway about 100yds all down). To get over to the dunk, this was really the only option available, unless we chose to go across 4-5′ of snow for about 500 yards. Eventually we got out but trips back to check on the dogs would be on foot, and not in the relied upon transport of the car.
I walked back through the Restaurant parking area and I remarked to myself, ”Wow, I sure miss a lot of the details in the parking areas when you drive past.” It was a simple, but truthful, comment, which stayed with me all day long. I noticed the water run-off tunnel and a Geo Tracker with its front wheel in the hole, and the back wheel about 8 inches off the ground. I noticed cars parked here and there. They were stuck in snow drifts, spinning wheels, abandoned vehicles. There were some with fender damage, others with side damage all the while each and every vehicle was somehow covered with snow and/or salt stains. As I walked back, I began looking at people with the same attention to detail. There were 600 people at the lake for the dunk and they ranged from those dressed as WWF Wrestlers to real State Troopers. All of this was on the outside, however the inside is what the Lord sees. I began looking for glimmers of God in everyone. Those without the glimmer, I felt needed a little light in their life and I talked with them about what we are doing and why. They could not understand we simply wanted to give them a gift of hand-warmers, coffee and cocoa. Our efforts were an attempt to show Jesus.
Afterwards I began to look at my life and the events of the day, through the spectral scope of “where is God”? Did I do my best or did I get caught up in the activities? What an awesome Father in heaven we have, who cares so much to reach into our lives and gently guide us back into the fold! He can do that for each of us, and He will do it. Let each of us be alert today for the unexpected ways that God can speak to us and draw us closer to Himself in repentance and faith.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
