Do You Love Me?

Walking in the Word
John 21 : 15-17 

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”    <sup>“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things you know that I love you"

Responding to the word

That's one of the coolest stories in the Bible.  The Resurrected Jesus making breakfast for His disciples.  And did you see what He said to Peter?  He asked Him if he loved Him three times!  Peter was somewhat insulted.  He thought his actions may have proved it.  Even though he had denied Jesus three times, he had just jumped out of a floating boat to run to Jesus.  Be Jesus had his own purposes for that early morning visit.  He was there to restore Peter.  He was preparing Peter for upcoming days when Peter would be boldly preach the name of Jesus Christ and the life-changing message of the Gospel.  Sometimes we mess up too.  We may not "deny Jesus" but we do sin and fall short of God's standard.  Isn't it great to realize the Jesus offers forgiveness to all who ask.</sup>


Praying in the Word

Father, How I praise you this morning the third day of VBS.  Thank you for bringing every child to Vacation Bible School.  I pray we would bring Glory to You in everything we do.  Thank you for offering forgiveness for all who ask in the name of Jesus Christ.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Golden Ticket

Walking in the Word

John 12:21

²¹ Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Responding to the Word

I loved the movie, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."  I am referring to the original version.  Remember the golden ticket?  Remember the joy and anticipation that erupted after a poor white child named Charlie found it?  I believe that same joy and anticipation filled the hearts of the Greeks who came and asked to see Jesus.  Those five words are life-changing.  "We wish to see Jesus!"  

Today, you and I have privilege of meeting with and talking with Jesus on a daily basis.  We don't need to go to Philip and then to Andrew like the Greeks did in the Bible.  We don't even need to go to a Pastor or Teacher to talk with Jesus.  We simply bow our heads, clear our minds and talk with Jesus as if He's sitting right beside you.  
Praying in the Word

Father, Help us to talk with You as if You are in the room with us.  Please forgive any sin that interferes between our love for You.  Father, thank you for great night of Prayer-Walking last night.  I pray you bring several to the Kingdom and to VBS. In Jesus' Name, Amen 

Putting It In God's Hands

Walking in the Word
One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” John 6:8

Responding to the Word

The Bible tells us that Jesus knew what he was about to do the whole time.  He tested Philip when he asked the question, "How will we feed them all?"  But it was Andrew who came closer to hitting the bullseye.  Andrew also knew they didn't have the funds to feed everyone, but he did have faith enough to put the issue in Jesus' hands.  Sometimes we look at difficult circumstances and wonder how we're ever going to get through them.  The answer is to put it in Jesus'  hands.  He can to more than you can ever image.  The question is, "Do we trust him to do these things?" 

Praying in the Word

Father, I could not image the response of the people who where filled full of food that came from a little boys lunch.  All that we have Father, we put in your hands.  Would you please use us and vessels to do Your good and perfect will.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Best Water on Earth

Walking in the Word
¹³ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”  

John 4:13-14

Responding to the Word

I love living in Plant City, FL.  I don't know about you but I always try to do any outside work in the morning or the early evening.  I just try to be smart about it and beat the heat.  So why was this women coming to the town well during the hottest part of the day?  She was an outcast!  She had done some pretty bad things in the town she lived in and didn't want to face the ridicule from the other women in the morning.  I love the way Jesus sat by that well and began a dialog that led to her incredible salvation!  And not only did it lead to her salvation, but also to her being an instant missionary.  Jesus is the living water.  He satisfies in ways we never thought possible.  He give peace to our hearts and joy to our lives.  He is everything to me.  Is He everything to you? 

Praying in the Word

Father, Forgive us when we search for the treasures of this world in order to fill our lives with  peace, joy and love.  Those things only come from above in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.  How thankful we are to know that Jesus satisfies every inch of our lives.  I pray we drink freely in Your love and assurance and that You in turn find us faithful to Your call.  In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen  

Right Side Up Values in a Upside Down World

Walking in the Word


John 3:30
³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.


Responding to the Word


John the Baptist had a following.  That means that there were people who allowed John to baptize them and even followed and listened to him.  They learn about the Kingdom of God and enjoyed hearing John preach.   It would be only "human" to get a little "jealous" when someone else came on the scene and gathered more of a following than you.  But that was not John's reaction.  He knew that "someone" was none other than Jesus Christ and the larger the following became for Jesus, the happier He was.  John's assignment was to get the people ready for the Messiah - Jesus Christ.  We too must be careful to guard our hearts from this foolish type of pride.  When we sing in church, let's give all our attention to God and not on ourselves.  When we give, do so in secret so that God may bless your obedient action.  Jesus must increase and we must decrease.  Go ahead and give it a try, it's worth it.


Praying in the Word


Father, please teach us to allow Jesus to shine in our life.  Allow Him to shine in a dark and sometimes scary world.  Father thank you all the saints who came out last night for Faith Evangelism.  I pray their obedience produced much fruit for Your kingdom.  In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen  

Keeping It Fresh

Tebow sporting the coolest verse in the Word

Walking in the Word


John 3: 16-18
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
¹⁸ “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.


Responding to the Word


Most of you all know John 3:16 by heart.  We learn in Sunday school at a very young age and see it plastered on signs, billboards and even under the eyes of some really cool football players.  But there is a danger in that also.  People have a habit of "ignoring" those things we see and do repeatedly.  I can hear it now.  "Yah, Yah, I know that verse.  I had to memorize and say it in Sunday school or Ra's."  But don't fall into that trap.  There is incredible power in in John 3:16-18.  It is the PROMISE from God where we find "everlasting life" in His Son Jesus Christ.  


Praying Through the Word


Father, How I thank you for an incredible night of prayer and worship Sunday night.  It was both powerful and humbling to hear the voice of God's saint praying for the World, our nation and for our families.  Help us to never the forget the powerful truth that Life is found in the Resurrected Christ.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Good News

My son Jacob attempting to fly at the Air Show

Walking in the Word


 ¹ Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ² But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. ⁵ Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but is risen!   Luke 24 1-6a


Responding to the Word


There could not be a more classic question than "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  Yesterday I had the chance to be with my friend Mike Collins as his family gathered to bury Mike's grand mom.  Now there is a common thread that runs through all the cemeteries of the world - they're full of people who have died.  But that's not the case when you visit the burial location of Jesus.  There is no body in the tomb.  The common thread that runs through all the cemeteries is broken!  Jesus arose from the grave!  He conquered death and lives with the Father in Heaven!  But that's not all.  He's coming again.  And this time not as a baby, but as a conquering king!  We are given the chance today to ask Him to be our "Lord and Savior."  But a day is coming upon His return when every knee will bow in heaven, on Earth and under the Earth and confess that He is indeed Lord over all!


Praying through the Word


Father, How incredible it must have been for the women who first discovered the empty tomb and be the first eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  May we also be a witness to the world in declaring the good news of the Jesus Christ.  We lift our voices to You declaring that You are Righteous and that your Son is Lord!  Let our hope not be found in the things that are here today and gone tomorrow, but may our hope rest in the abandoned tomb - the resurrection of Your Son.  In Jesus Name, Amen