Romans 14:1 “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” NKJV

Life Lesson: We should not waste time arguing about stuff that really doesn’t matter.

A few years ago, there was this argument about “WWJD – What would Jesus drive?”  Would He drive an SUV or a golf cart?  The whole thing was laughable, but the sad part was that it created a distraction from the message of the gospel.

There are always going to be people who just want to argue.  From Bible versions to the style of worship music, from spiritual gifts to the day of the week you worship, there is always some point of contention that they want to focus on.  What gets forgotten in the argument?  The very thing we are called to do – be salt and light – show the world Jesus.  Do not play that game. Do not waste time with petty arguments.

Titus 3:9-11 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” NKJV

Some things are very clear from scripture and well…some things that are not.  How we are saved is very clear.  The kind of car to drive is not in the scriptures.  We should major on the majors and minor on the minors.  Christians love to argue about the Bible.  I wonder why that is?  Could it be that it distracts them from the parts of the Bible that convict them?  Friend, in love, if you are one of these people, you need to go to God and refocus on what is important.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the salvation of Your Son Jesus. Lord, help me to not engage in divisive conversation or arguing. I recognize that petty disagreements and arguing can drive a wedge between me and others. More importantly, I realize that my bickering can confuse those who do not already know You. I ask You to forgive me for the times I have not been sensitive to this. Help me to start fighting for the souls of the lost by laying down my disagreements at Your feet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot
336.996.6880

1 Chronicles 3:1-3 “Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess;2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.” NKJV

Life Lesson: We should ask for God’s help in raising and disciplining our children.

David had eight wives, twenty-one children, ten concubines and their children. That is a lot of children with a lot of responsibility. Although David was an incredible military leader, he was not a very good leader with his children.  There are several instances recorded in the Bible where David should have disciplined his children, but he did not.  We see the fruit of his slack in discipline with his son, Absalom, who led a rebellion against David.

Friend, Christian families are under attack.  Your home is a battleground for Satan.  He does not bother with the crack houses or bars because there is no struggle there – he has won those fronts.  He wants to infiltrate Christian homes and cause strife and division.  He wants to subvert and destroy what God has ordained.  This is why it is so important that we look to God for help in raising and disciplining our children.  It is time for men to take a stand and be spiritual leaders in their homes.  Satan likes nothing more than to find a Christian home with a weak spiritual leader.  Father – Mother – that means, if you have slacked off in attending church or neglected your prayer and devotional time, you have placed your family in the line of fire.  But wait, you may ask. If I do these things, does that mean that we are safe from attack?  Absolutely not! It does mean, however, that you and your family’s foundation are strong for when the attack does come.  Take a moment to pray.  Are you being the strong spiritual leader in your children’s lives?  Are you attentive to what they are doing and who they are friends with?  Are you paying attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling you about your children?  If you are not certain, you need to ask God to point out the areas you are slack.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the salvation of Your Son Jesus. Lord, I give all praise and glory to You for my family. Bless my family. Help me to lead my family with a strong foundation, and help me, to lead my children to You. Lord, give me courage when situations among my family are difficult. Help us to be long-suffering and gentle toward one another and fill us with your Sprit of peace and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOt
336.996.6880

Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Forgive.

What a blessing it was to have Gayle Erwin share with us this morning.  Over the course of the last two days, we held a Servant Leadership conference here at Calvary Chapel.  Pastor Gayle Erwin chose to end the conference this morning with a teaching about forgiving others.  Why would he do that?  Because when we are serving the Lord alongside one another, we are likely to grate on each other.  The book of Proverbs refers to it as iron sharpening iron…

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” NKJV

As we serve together, there are times that friction occurs and when that happens, we can sometimes pick up an offense.  What you do with that offense is up to you friend, but holding onto an offense is bondage.

God is doing a progressive work in each of us.  I am reminded of the story of an old sculptor.  One day, someone pointed out a marble lion and asked the sculptor how he could sculpt such a beautiful thing from the slab he started with.  The sculptor said, “That’s easy.  I just chip away the bits that don’t look like a lion.”  That is what God is doing with us while we serve alongside one another.  Friend, be thankful. You are being conformed to the image of Christ and the person that really grates on your nerves…well…God is using them for that purpose.  Let us be quick to forgive.  God has forgiven each one of us of a debt we could never pay.  Let us be quick to show that same grace and mercy to others.  I know, it can be hard, but you know the key to forgiving others?  Pray for them the way that you pray for yourself.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy. In You , I find rest and peace. Lord, just as you have demonstrated Your own love toward me in the forgiveness of my sins, help me to be forgiving to others. Help me quickly show the same grace and mercy to others and pray for their needs above my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
336.996.6880

1 Chronicles 2:1-2 “These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.” NKJV

Life Lesson: God chooses people.

Here we have a list of the twelve tribes of Israel.  Almost every time the twelve tribes are listed, either they are in a different order or a tribe is left out. Why? I do not know. I could speculate, but it is just that…nothing conclusive.  I am glad there are mysteries in the Bible.  I am happy that not everything is spelled out.  I love the treasure hunt! When God reveals something new to me that had previously been hidden, it is just an awesome moment.

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” NKJV

Although I love the search, I understand that I do not have to know ‘why’ because it is God’s prerogative.  The same goes with the people God uses.  I do not always understand how or why God is using a certain person in ministry, but He does not have to explain to me why.  There is a great mystery in our free will and God’s predestination.  How does it work?  I do not know and I am fine with that.  Does it worry you?  If it does, here is the solution… abide in Christ.  If you abide in Christ, you do not have to worry.  Abide in Christ and let God do the rest.  Then, my friend, God will use you in mighty ways of which you will be amazed.

Dear Father,

Thank You for choosing me to know and experience Your grace.  I thank You for the opportunity to live in Christ and I look forward to those things You have planned for me …even the things that are yet a mystery.  I do not know what those things are, but I do know that they are good.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” NKJV

Life Lesson: We should love one another

The law says don’t do anything bad. Love says do something good. We are all in love-debt to one another. When does it end? Never – we will always owe one another love.

Matt 22:37-40 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” NKJV

God is the initiator. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Now, it’s our turn to be initiators of love … love starters. Love is a commitment. Do things that demonstrate your love for others. Help others rack up their love-debt. Look at everything you do and question whether it’s out of love. You might find you need to make some adjustments. Let’s kick Christianity up a notch and take following Jesus and loving people to a whole new level.

Dear Father,
Thank You for Your love, for Your grace and for Your mercy. Lord, you freely give these things to me, help me to also be quick to show love, grace and mercy to others. Please forgive me for times when I have hoarded your love to myself instead of opening it up to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

1 Chronicles 1:50-54 “And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Hadad died also. And the chiefs of Edom were Chief Timnah, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Remember where you came from, who you are and where you are going.

Remembering where you came from and where you are going makes up your individual one-of-a-kind testimony.  There is power in the testimony of your life.  Revelation 12 talks about believers overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.  So what if your past does not include the seedier things of life – the Bible is clear that we were all on a death row sentence.  Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Through His grace and the faith-gift of God, He saves you.  Now, you are a child of God – a priest and a king.  There are two people in the Bible who are called both a priest and king – Jesus and you.  Now, you are saved and will spend eternity with God.  Friend, in a world that is wrecked with fear and uncertainty, people need to hear your testimony.  Share it and talk about it.  Share not in a prideful or bragging way, but out of the joy of your heart.  Your testimony could be the very thing that leads someone else to come to Jesus.  It might be what they have been waiting for.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Son. I am so grateful for the grace and mercy You have given me. Lord, I want to be vessel used to glorify Your name. Give me the boldness to share my testimony without fear and uncertainty. Give me the spirit of humility so that I may be used to minister in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,

Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

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.” NKJV

There are some verses that I love and others that, quite frankly, disturb me.  All of scripture is given for our instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” NKJV

We aren’t to observe some scripture and then sweep others under the rug. In Romans 13, we are instructed to be subject to authority – but what is the limit? What are the exceptions?  There is something very telling about ourselves in the moment we read this verse. We try to think about what the exceptions could be. I know you did – I did too.  I do not like paying taxes.  I can’t drive 55!  When this scripture was written, the Roman government was pretty messed up.  Nero was the Emperor and he would torture Christians – even burn them alive as living candles to illuminate his garden.  Yet Paul says, we should submit to every ordinance.  Jesus could have summoned legions of angels, yet He submitted to Pilate.  David had several opportunities to take Saul out and rightfully claim the throne, but he didn’t.  Certainly, there are times when civil disobedience is called for, but those times are rare.  If the government told me I could not teach the Bible anymore, I would be in jail! Ok, that’s an extreme circumstance but the truth is that when we submit, we honor God.  Is there an area of your life where you harbor rebellion?  Take some time and seek the Lord about it.   What is He telling you?

Dear Father,
Thank You for giving us Your Bible.  Lord, if there is any place in my life that I am being rebellious or harboring a rebellious attitude, please reveal it to me.  Please teach me to be in submission to the authority you place over me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

2 Kings 25:8-10 “And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.  He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.  And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.” NKJV

Life Lesson: When we drift from God, we also drift from His protection and provision.

After years of slowly drifting away from the Lord, we reach this sad chapter in the history of Israel.  The first temple is destroyed, the walls are broken down and the city of God, Jerusalem, is sacked.

Recently, our President, Barak Obama made the decision not to participate in the National Day of Prayer and prior to that, he had declared that the United States was not a Christian nation.  Maybe those things were shocking to many, but it really was just recognition of the obvious.  The United States has forgotten her Christian heritage.  The decline of our country’s heritage didn’t happen suddenly; rather it had been a gradual decline, with consequences ever increasing in severity.

We cannot lay all of this at the feet of our elected officials.  Let us look at ourselves.  Friend, have you drifted?  Did you once have daily devotions and memory verses?  Do you attend church like you once did? Was there a time when you were faithful in tithing?  What about the spiritual stewardship over your wife and children?  Take a moment and reflect.  Where have you drifted?  Where have you allowed concessions to creep in?  Be careful friend.  When we drift from God, we also drift from His protection and provision.  Our concessions yield a much bigger crop than we realize…perhaps spanning many generations.  What is the spiritual legacy you will be handing to those who follow you?  These are weighty things, but we must not back away from them.  This nation is made up of individual families each serving someone or something.  It starts in our homes.  If we commit honoring God in our homes and serving Him, God will place His hand of blessing back on us.

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” NKJV

Dear Father,
Thank You for loving me and my family.  Please forgive me for concessions I have made.  Lord, help me to be a strong spiritual leader for my family and reclaim spiritual ground I have handed over to satan. I pray for President Obama and all of our government officials. Grant them wisdom and place Godly men and women in their lives who will not shun from speaking into their decisions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,

Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

Had a great time with Billy Buchanan and his group. They really did an excellent job leading worship. Here’s a video from the altar call this past Sunday.

Romans 12:11 “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” NKJV

Life Lesson: We should be passionate about our spiritual lives.

I have spoken in the past about being a spiritual ‘Eeyore’ verses being a spiritual ‘Tigger.’ Eeyore, from the old Winnie the Pooh children’s novels, is an old gray donkey who mopes about saying such bright and cheery things as, “We can’t all, and some of us don’t. That’s all there is to it,” and “When someone says ‘How-do-you-do,’ just say you didn’t.” Tigger, on the other hand, is a spring-tailed ball of enthusiasm that is always bouncing about and throwing himself into life with gusto.

There are Christians that go about their lives as spiritual Eeyores.  Don’t do that!  These folks mope about with all the enthusiasm of a concrete block serving their risen King as if to seem spiritually burdened, but they really come across as spiritually lacking.  Now, now, Pastor David…you’re just getting off on a tangent. If you are truly spiritual, you will be suffering…after all, we are called to take on the attitude of Christ in 1 Peter 4, right?  Well, yes, that is correct, but let me ask you…What do you think is the attitude of Christ?

Jude 24 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,” NKJV

John 15:11-12 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” NKJV

Friend, if you think your spiritual mope will make others want to come to eternal life in Christ, you are sadly mistaken. People want to be happy and seek joyful fulfillment in their lives.  If they observe you, Christian, flogging yourself with pity, they will not want what you have.  Jesus in His earthly ministry attracted crowds.  There was something about Him that they wanted…the joy of living completely and totally for God.  Got joy?

Dear Father,
Thank You for Your gift of eternal life. Lord, please forgive me for the times I mope around meaninglessly. I know it is not being a good witness to the lives of others. Give me the power to stand joyfully in the Spirit expectantly grasping all life in Christ has to offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot