Luke Crain's Blog

Practicing Hospitality December 7, 2009

As I was reading today, I came across a two word sentence: “Practice Hospitality.”  This is found in Romans 12:13.  It was a quick reminder to me of our local church Faith Fellowship.  They always seem to be ready to share with someone who is in need.  Throughout November and December it seems that needs are magnified with Thanksgiving and Christmas, like so many others, there are many more needs right here in our body than a year ago. 

I am so thankful as needs are brought to the attention of the church, they always respond.  Can I brag a minute on God and the heart he has given Faith Fellowship.  We have had all of our children adopted for the Angel Tree for Christmas.  We have had every  family gift card taken to help families and others in need.  As I watched people select tags, there was a joy on their face as they practiced hospitality in giving.

I look forward to the opportunities we all have in providing goodies to our community leaders and schools this next week.  Faith Fellowship thank you for your obedience to the Lord and by willingly practicing hospitality to one another.

Deferring Praise November 30, 2009

As I was reading this morning, I see how vitally important it is that we do not consume what is rightfully God’s and His alone.  All praise is to be deferred to God!  Paul and Barnabas understood that they deserved no praise for the healing of the crippled man.  God alone is the Healer.

Acts 14:8-18 (New Living Translation)

 ⁸ While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting ⁹ and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. ¹⁰ So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

 ¹¹ When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” ¹² They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. ¹³ Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

 ¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, ¹⁵ “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. ¹⁶ In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, ¹⁷ but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” ¹⁸ But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. How easy would it be to accept praise for this miracle of God, or to give God partial praise for what happened.  Paul and Barnabas knew who they were in Christ and that all honor and glory goes to God.

In the previous chapter of Acts 12:21-23 it says:

Acts 12:21-23 (New Living Translation)

²¹ and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. ²² The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

 ²³ Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Herod did not deny but accepted worship himself as “god”.  There were consequences for not denying and deferring worship and praise back to God alone.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, God can and will use you if you are willing to spread the Good News of Christ to your world.  Remember that it is God’s working in and through you, so always be quick to defer worship and praise back to the only One who can transform your life and others.

God Be Made Big! November 24, 2009

As I have been reading the past couple of days, I have noticed a few places where Jesus said, “it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”  John 11:4.  In all things we should give all glory and honor to the Lord God.  Whether the time is favorable and life is going “our” way, or when we are  hard pressed and facing difficult challenges in our daily life.  Look to God and give Him the opportunity to work His miracle in your life.

Lazarus was a friend of Jesus, they loved each other very much.  Lazarus came ill and died.  Jesus was not in a hurry because He knew that a miracle was going to happen.  Through the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, God was glorified and many people believed in Jesus Christ and God the Father.  Later in the next chapter people were still talking about Lazarus being raised from the dead and others continued to believe in the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we don’t understand why we are walking through peaceful times or challenges in our life.  I believe though if we will press on in faith and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ we will come to an understanding that He will be glorified and people both believers and non-believers will see God’s greatness and salvation for all.

He Knows Where to Find You! November 19, 2009

In today’s reading is one of my first verses I committed to memory as a child.  I love what is written about this man Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector.  Here is a man who is short, not well liked because of his profession and how he did “business” with the local people of the community.  In this life he had some perks of power, wealth, and authority, but those areas could not earn him eternal life. 

I don’t know if he was even looking for salvation that day but there was something within him, that compelled him to want to see Jesus even if it was from a distance of a high tree.  Little did he know, that the Messiah, Jesus Christ would take notice of this “bad” sinner he was.  Jesus noticed him, spoke to him, wanted to spend time over a meal with him.  During this time, Zacchaeus was convicted of how he did business, of holding on to the great wealth he had.  In response to the Holy Spirit conviction he gave half his wealth to the poor and paid back 4x the amount he had cheated people out of.

Jesus today cares about you and your whole life.  He comes knocking on the door of your life, seeking to know you and longing for your to recieve salvation.

The passage I love to speak daily is the following:

Luke 19:10 (New King James Version)

¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

May we keep our eyes on the Savior today, who can transform anyone’s life.  Let us go and meet Christ today.  Maybe you will have the opportunity to introduce someone to Christ our Savior.

Busy, Busy, Busy November 16, 2009

In the last week I have felt very “busy”, many people would describe busyness as a productive time, it can and should be!  Sometimes “busyness” is just that, being busy.  How many times have we placed more on our plate than we should have for the day.  It is so easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated not only with yourself but others who are enjoying their day.

I have been there before.  In my personal experiences those days has happened when I did not have quality time or time at all spent in presence of God.  Look at the following passage:

Luke 10:38-42 (New Living Translation)

 ³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”The difference between these two sisters is Mary had caught what was more important for life.  That is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening, soaking in the teaching and simply being in His presence.

Martha’s intentions were good, but she had not caught what was more valuable for her life, making dinner or being at the feet of Jesus, in His presence.

So be careful with each of your days, not to be caught up in being “busy”, but intentionally spending time in the Lord’s presence.

Times of Prayer November 12, 2009

Prayer in the life of a believer is vital for our ongoing personal relationship with God.  When we go without praying we feel disconnected, out of the loop, frustrated, weak, and many others feelings. 

I remember a few words to a song from when I was in college and it went like this, “Six days without prayer makes one weak!”  That is so true.  If you have ever gone a day, or two without a sincere prayer time you understand what I am saying here.  This week I have not had the closeness of prayer times as I would have liked, and I know it throughout many areas of my life, how I act, react, motivation, having a clear mind to think, etc.

Jesus though has given you and I a wonderful model of spending time in prayer to God.  Jesus would pray in the good times, in the times of trial, he prayed for others, as  well as himself, through His prayers he also prayed for God’s will and submitted Himself to God.

Mark 14:32-42 (New International Version)

Gethsemane

 ³²They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” ³⁵Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” ³⁷Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? ³⁸Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” ³⁹Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. ⁴¹Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴²Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Christ submitted himself to God, will you take the time today to submit yourself to God through times of prayer and intercession that His will be done within your life.  Today I too have submitted myself to pray to the Lord.  Whether it be morning, noon, or evening, they are all good times to pray!

Be Still November 9, 2009

It is so easy in our “worlds” we live in to run like crazy, always “doing” something or going somewhere.  There are people to see, more to add to my “to do” list, and it can go on and on.  For a while we all can go at this pace, but sooner or later,  we all can become tired, exhausted, mentally, physically, and emotionally.  This is where in life so many things appear to us as “out of control”.

What should we do in these moments?  Call on Jesus! 

The disciples and Jesus was traveling by boat one day, and Jesus took  a nap on the boat.  Suddenly a storm came and began to flood the boat.  The disciples were scared and panicking, but Jesus was still asleep at rest.  The disciples woke Jesus up and questioned him by asking “do you even care about us and all that is happening?”

Jesus, simply got up and told wind to die down and said to the crashing waves, “Peace, be still!”  The winds died down and it was completely calm.

Are there storms raging through your life today?  Believe in Jesus, call on Jesus.  He has the authority and the power to transform the “storms” you are facing today.  He is able to speak peace to your life and what you are walking through today.  Jesus will not leave or abandon you, but He is here with you today, just as he was with the disciples on the boat.  Mark 9:35-41

Who is Christ November 5, 2009

What a great day to discover and get to know Jesus.  I learned today that Messiah is a Hebrew word for Christ and the Greek term is Christ.  They both mean “Anointed One”.  I want to daily understand and to learn more of God’s Word.  As I learn His Word, I then will also grow in understanding of who Jesus really is?  Jesus asked his disciples who others say he is, the reply was a variety of other people.  Then he asked Peter, and he proclaimed Jesus as the Anointed One, the Son of God.

Matthew 16:13-16 (New Living Translation)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

 ¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”^[a]

 ¹⁴ “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

 ¹⁵ Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

 ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Who do you say Jesus is today?

Our Words… November 3, 2009

There is a verse in Matthew 12 I have used for  quit a bit of my life in ministry.  Have you ever gotten yourself in trouble by what you said?  Trust me I have and I cannot keep count.  Then there have been times when the words that came out of my mouth actually were good, encouraging, and maybe inspiring to another.  What I have learned and is still learning is that my words don’t only affect others and myself but I myself will give an account to God for the words that come from me.

Matthew 12:33-37 (New International Version)

 ³³“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. ³⁴You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” What comes out of my mouth is in reality what is in my heart.  What is flowing forth from your heart  today?  Words of  life, encouragement, gossip, hate, etc.?

What can you do today to fill your heart with the life of God?  What do you need to speak that would bring life and encouragement to another?  Don’t wait but let the wonderful words of God flow from your life.

In His Grip,

Pastor Luke

Beginnings November 2, 2009

Hi all, our church is beginning a 60 day journey of reading the New Testament together.  Through this time I will be sharing parts of the Scriptures with you that the Holy Spirit impresses on me.  You are welcome to dialogue and share the passage or verse the Holy Spirit lays on your life for the day.  May we each commit to reading and learning God’s Word today.

This is  a tough one this morning because there are some many passages that speak right to me.  Giving, serving, praying, faith, miracles, it seems endless.

Prayer is where the Lord is showing me today.  In Matthew 6:5-15  Jesus is teaching on how we ought to pray, what is our motive and attitude in our prayers, He also gives us a great skeleton/model which should be expanded in our daily prayer time.

Our prayers should not be done for show or to draw attention to us.  Jesus isn’t saying for no one to pray out loud or in a public setting, but teaching us to pray to Him and Him alone, Christ being our motivation and pray to Him.

Understand your prayers do not have to be complicated or filled with “churchy lingo”.  God knows you and He simply wants you to pray and communicate with Him with reverance and respect, as you would a parent or a friend.

verses 9-13 – is a beautful outline of what our prayer time can be like: a. Praise and give the Lord thanks.  b. Ask the Lord for His will to be perfected in your life and surroundings.  c. Ask the Lord to meet your needs, that is the essentials, our daily bread.  d. Forgive us of our sins, even ones we may not be aware of, and with the same measure that Christ has forgiven you, may you also forgive others.  e. Help me to avoid all temptation and deliver me from Satan and his works and attacks.

verses 14-15 – this deals with forgiveness that is a two way street:  we are to forgive others who hurt us, speak bad of us, when we do so our Heavenly Father forgives us.  If we refuse to forgive, then it says your Father will not forgive your sins.

If you need to forgive someone, do it quickly, in a timely manner.  The longer you hold on to the unforgiveness, what happens is then we allow bitterness and possibly anger and hatred to move into our lives and take hold.

So pray and call out to our God who can do anything within your life today and be aware of forgiving others.  Have you talked to God today?  Have you prayed for another person who  is in need?  Will  you forgive the individual who has hurt you?

Look forward to what the Holy Spirit is showing you in the Scriptures.

Pastor Luke