DAD'S DAILY BREAD

5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. Gal 2:5

For Paul, the truth of the gospel is more than an abstract concept; it is a new life of faith and love in Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road. If you say you believe in the saving grace of Christ but you keep returning to the piles of bones, that are pieces of your idols that God has smashed, then how can you really believe that anything has changed? Christ didn’t save you so you could return to your vomit and eat like pigs in the slop! He pulled you out so that you could live a different life. One that honors Him and brings Him glory! One that gives you hope and a purpose!

Lately I have been so focused on other people in my life, praying for them and thinking about ways to help them. But inside of it all the Lord was working on my heart and my life. Showing me there are idols in my heart that I’m still serving. I am returning to the piles of bones from my past and I’m picking them up and trying to use them like I can, all of the sudden, control myself and I don’t need God anymore. Basically telling Him I have a better way and I can control myself… I couldn’t be more wrong!! Thankfully the Lord has removed most of the big sin from my life but there are things that still remain that I’m not OK with carrying. Like King Josiah did when the Lord revealed his sin I want to smash them all to pieces! Turn them into dust and into something that is unrecognizable!

and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. 2 King 23:6

God showed King Josiah what was going on in his heart and he knew he had to do something! So many times God rescued His people and almost every time they would forget and return to there sin. Thank God for His Holy Spirit! We have Christ living in us so we have more help then they had but it still doesn’t make it any easier! Our hearts are idol factories running 7 days a week, 24 hours a day! Without Christ you are fighting a losing battle! Without the hope and faith that come from Christ it would be impossible! Saying you believe is the first step. But that needs to be followed by action! Even with the Holy Spirit filling you with Christ you will have to make a choice! Because sin will always be sitting on your shoulder waiting for you to slip and forget about Christ! Let the truths of Christ dwell inside you and make it your goal to focus on Him. Take your eyes off of yourself and your situation and choose to believe in something greater than yourself! Dwell on those truths until they become facts and staples in your life! Keep fighting even when you slip! Gods grace and love covers anything that you can do! There is nothing that God doesn’t already know about you. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will restore you! Let Him fight your battles and just focus on filling your mind with His Word!

APPLICATION:

Read my Bible. Spend time in prayer! Believe and with faith change the things that need to be changed! Fill my mind with God’s Truth! Use God’s Word in everything I do! Talk about the Lord and what He has done in my life! Humble myself and be patient. Let the Lord lift me up. Let the Lord do all the defending and give Him all control! Pray Pray Pray!

IN HIS NAME!

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— Gal 1:1

As I start Galatians Paul starts by telling us that he didn’t come up with this Gospel. Reminding us that there is only one God and one Gospel. There is only one way to get to Christ. You cannot just change it to fit your life. When things get hard, God’s Word remains the same. Christ gave His life so that we could have a relationship with Him. You cannot have it both ways. As soon as you turn from the truth and start adding and subtracting so that it makes you feel better or makes you more money or comfort you are in sin. You have removed Christ from the throne and put yourself in that place. Your actions will expose what you truly believe. Are you going to be patient and pray and allow God to move or will you just do what you want to get yourself into the best place possible. I don’t believe trying to improve yourself is sinful but it comes down to the attitude of your heart. Who are you serving? Why are you doing the things your doing? So quickly I turn from Christ and serve myself. It happens all day long. But I believe with prayer and study and living it out, pushing into Christ, that it will get easier to keep yourself off the throne. God has given us everything we need. We just have to believe it and put those beliefs into action and those actions will increase your faith! The God of power and comfort has everything you need!

who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age- Gal 1:4

Next Paul hits the very reason we change and pervert the Gospel… To please man…

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10

Like I said earlier He is reminding us that we cannot serve two masters. No matter what we put on the throne, whether it be ourselves or other people or money or success or power or even your own family, it is making those things more important than God’s Word. And once you put anything over that you are going in the wrong direction. You are trusting yourself and your wicked heart will slowly take over and you wont like where you end up. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to do this on my own… It doesn’t work! You run and chase all the things that you think you need until you’re lost and too afraid to even look up because your pride is in control and the truth of God’s Word couldn’t be further from your mind. Lord please forgive me for my sins and all the ways I put myself on the throne of my life! Give me the strength and the faith and the power to be different! You are King and i am not!

24 And they glorified God because of me. Gal 1:24

Lord I pray that Your Will be done and one day my life will be a depiction of that verse! I want people to see my life and GLORIFY GOD! That is my prayer and what I want! Lord please give me the strength to make that happen! May You be glorified! May I stay humble! May I spend the rest of my life in service to You! May I never forget what You did for me and how much I absolutely did not deserve it! May your grace and love cover me as you change me from the inside out! Thank You for everything!!!

APPLICATION:

Stay in God’s Word. I cannot rely on my heart and my thinking! Do not defend myself! EVER! God is my defense and He will take care of everything. I don’t need to worry about anything but being faithful to Him. Turn God’s Word into action. Live it out and use it in my everyday thinking! Don’t be scared to talk about Jesus. Especially at work. Your are the King and i am not. Don’t let me forget that!

IN HIS NAME!

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Rom 16:17–20

As I finish my study of Romans I’m reminded by Paul to always keep on guard. Don’t allow myself to get complacent. I am not sure who said it first but walking with the Lord is like swimming in a river. If you are not actively swimming up stream and putting in the effort then you will be instantly swept backwards. You will lose control and just crash into anything that crosses your path. When you choose to live for the Lord your choosing to be different. Believe me when I say that it is a whole lot easier to just go with the flow and follow everyone else. It is a daily battle that sometimes feels unattainable. Thank God for the hope that comes from knowing Christ!!! Knowing He has already had victory regardless of how I feel!

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom 15:13

At the end of the day that is what we hold on to. Faith in Christ and the hope that one day we will be with Him in paradise. The more you read His Word and the more you pray, the more your faith will grow. And with that comes more belief and more hope and that is followed by true lasting peace. Even in the worst of times God has comforted me with that peace. Lord may I remember that you are the God of all comfort and that You are the only thing I need. Help me to actually materialize that prayer and physically turn to you in my time of need! Thank You for Your Word!

APPLICATION:

Stay in the Word. Read and pray. Think about my actions and use God’s Word as my filter. When I’m needing comfort go to God’s Word and pray. Allow Him to fill me with the lasting comfort that can only come from Him. Pray Pray Pray!

IN HIS NAME

Sermon notes Pastor Kobe Orr

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom 10:13–15

Telling other people about what Jesus has done for you should be the most important thing in your life! What could ever be any more important. Do you really believe that? Stop being selfish and lazy and do work!!! Every Christian is called to reach the nations for Jesus! vs.13 Everyone who calls is saved. This needs to matter! Matt 28:18-19 First and most important commandment! Go and make disciples! There is only 1 way to heaven. Don’t be selfish and take that life saving knowledge to the grave. You could be someone’s only access to Jesus. 45% of people haven’t heard the name of Jesus. John 14:6 If you have truly been saved you should want to share it with the lost! Through our obedience His kingdom is expanded!

Some are called to go. vs.14-15 Do not let your desire to be comfortable ruin your opportunity to spread the kingdom of God. God calls those who are inadequate so that His power and His glory can be put on full display. Do not trust yourself and your feelings. Only rely on the truth that comes from God’s word. Be willing to go because of what God has done and be obedient to your calling. It has nothing to do with my abilities but has everything to do with me being willing to obey. Could this be me? What is God’s plan?

Some are called to send. vs.14-15 Give your time and be devoted to prayer. Set an alarm and pray everyday like it’s a cash deposit in the bank of Jesus!! Most powerful weapon we have! Don’t forget about the power that comes from the Holy Spirit with prayer! Confess we need Him. Ask boldly! Missionaries are regular people too. By faithfully praying we are holding the rope for them as they give their lives in service to the Lord. Another way to give is with financial support. Help missionaries pay their bills and eliminate worldly problems so they can focus on doing the Lord’s work and helping the Lord’s Will be done! Matt 6:21 Give so that our hearts will be changed. Give to break the bondage that money can have on your very being. Don’t let it have power over you! You cannot serve 2 masters! Giving to missions should be over and above your 10% tithe. How am I to send? What is my plan to give? What is my plan to pray? Matt 11:28 John 20:21 Rev 7 All are called to participate and at its core it is 100% an issue of obedience! Get off your butt and tell someone about Jesus right now!

APPLICATION:

Look for opportunities to share the Gospel. Stay in the Word. Stay connected to the power source. Think and pray about going overseas! I am envious of people that are blessed to tell others about Jesus for a living! I pray I find that some day somehow… Pray pray pray

IN HIS NAME

15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Rom 15:1–3

God always gives me everything I need to get through the day. It is hard to put into words but God truly provides everything you need for every situation. When situations arise where you don’t feel strong enough to carry He brings people in your life to help. One great example I have of Christ is my mother. When I think back of all I have done and all the times when she should have been running away from me she was by my side always there to put my eyes back on Jesus. I honestly don’t know where my family would be without her! She has given so much and lost so much and still walks so tall with Christ. She is truly a shining example of Christ’s love and compassion and forgiveness! As she gives selflessly to women and other people struggling with their own battles. I pray you give her Your Spirit and strengthen her today! God gives and He takes away and she has lived that out for us all to see glorifying God regardless of her situation. Thank You for all You have done for me and thank You for my mother!! Bless her today!

I am not here trying to say I’m strong. In fact I feel weaker than ever as I go through my own battles but God has given us a testimony and that story has the power to help other people that are struggling. So whether you feel strong or not get off your butt and stop thinking about yourself and allow God to use your story to help someone in need! We are not guaranteed tomorrow so don’t waste anymore time! Christ gave us a great example of how to put other people first. He was a King that made Himself into a simple servant and HE came down to earth and was spit on and tortured and hung on a cross and was murdered so that I could one day have a relationship with Him. He gave His whole life for me. Who am I to deserve treatment like that…? I DO NOT DESERVE IT FOR A SECOND! No one does but Christ does it regardless. He isn’t doing it because I’m good or because I deserve it. No, He is doing it because He is good and His love and grace and mercies are unexplained! Lord I pray Your Will be done in my family! Help us to see Your plan even in the midst of suffering and let us glorify You with our lives even when we are not getting everything we want. You are the King and i am not. Help me to see Your Greatness regardless of how I feel! Thank you for ALL YOUR promises! May you keep them in the front of my mind today!

APPLICATION:

Keep reading God’s Word. It is my lifeline in ALL of life. Stay plugged in and Do not forget where I came from. God gives and takes. Be OK with both! No matter what I have everything I need. Don’t forget that and don’t rely on how I feel. Feelings cannot be trusted! Only trust God’s Word! Pray pray pray

IN HIS NAME

4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Rom 14:4

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; Rom 14:10

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Rom 14:13

I think if you are in a place where you find yourself judging others it would be exposing a problem in your heart. Like having yourself as an idol. Only when you forget just how wretched we are do we start to judge others. I think for me it’s more envy and anger when I see people that have stuff I feel I deserve or when I feel like I’m not getting what I feel I deserve. Which is exposing the lack of love and trust I have in my heart along with my selfish sinful desires. I love the way the last verse talks about it being a stumbling block. It is all a tool the enemy uses to distract us and enable us to be useless. If the goal of your life is to spread the Gospel then where do you have room to judge others? You should be actively searching to help others. Working to make their lives better and help them to get closer to Christ.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building. Rom 14:17–19

When I get into a funk where I feel like I’m judging or grumpy or just being selfish I need to be reminded of who Christ is and remember what He did. Remember that God gave His son for them as well! No one is righteous, not even one! We are all on the bottom trying our best to crawl out of the hole our sin created. Judging someone is our way of stepping on them to make yourself feel a little bit higher than they are. It is 100% sin. Don’t do it. Christ is there and He will lift you up with truth! Something you don’t have to feel guilty for… He is there and He is reaching down. Lord please help me to see You when I need to find my worth!

APPLICATION:

Stay in the Word. Stay connected with God’s filter locked in. Don’t judge! Be compassionate at all times. Remember how much God loves me and let that overflow to everyone around me. Pray Pray Pray

IN HIS NAME!

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Rom 13:11–14

Wake from your sleep! This verse makes me think about all the ways I have allowed sinful desires and my flesh to render myself useless for the Lord. There were many times I was going through my days living my life and I didn’t even realize I was asleep. The enemy and our flesh are masters at disguising themselves in things that might seem like a good thing. It’s not always a life destroying addiction that renders us useless. Sometimes it can be something good like working towards owning a home or providing for your family. If it keeps you out of your bible then it has got to change! I am not trying to say I have figured anything out but I do know that the only way to Christ is through His Word. If you are not reading it then you don’t know Him! Stop lying to yourself! If reading His Word and spending time with Him isn’t your number one priority then you are not walking with Him and shouldn’t be expecting any help. Without His Word you are cutting yourself from the vine and running on your own power. Trust me when I tell you, you wont make it far.

Coming from a life destroying addiction I can attest then nothing good happens after 7pm. When the sun goes down the creeps come out. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to not make provisions for the flesh. If you don’t want to do sinful things and live in dark places then don’t hang out with sinful people and stay in the light! Darkness is a disease that only grows trying to pull in and eliminate all the light that it can. Don’t get swallowed up! Run to the light before it is to late! Stop wasting time! Whatever your sin is promising it will never compare to the glory found in Jesus!

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:18

That is the hope I have and with the faith given to me by God I will push towards Him with everything I have. Trying to throw off all the sinful things that try to take me out along the way. It is a daily battle and it can be ugly! But it’s worth every minute! I wouldn’t want to be putting my hope into anything else! Lord please give me the faith to change the things I need to change and the strength to keep fighting and the wisdom to know Your Will. Help me to see Your plan and to put myself last! You are the King and I am not! Thank you for all that You are and all that You are going to do! Help me to get out of my own way and put You first in my life.

APPLICATION:

Read my Bible. Stay connected to the power source. Keep the correct filter locked into place! Do the hard work. Don’t be lazy! Stay in the light. Spread the light of Christ into a dark place this week! Talk about Jesus at work! Pray Pray Pray

IN HIS NAME!

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Rom 12:3

To think with sober judgement requires you to be physically sober! Something that took me a really long time to achieve. And I still struggle with it today. When I get home from work everyday I am tempted in some sort of way. Always on the edge and looking for an easy place to jump. My flesh just screams for some sort of comfort. Thankfully God has removed all the serious drugs and activities that destroy my family. But it’s the small ones that are trying to take over and even if they’re not completely sinful in themselves they are rendering me useless and totally destroying my testimony! Why do I still allow the enemy inside? Why am I not fighting against this like my life depended on it? Because it totally does! All it takes is one stupid choice and I could end up alone wondering how I got here again?

I am so truly thankful for the gift of grace that I get from the Lord every single morning I wake up! Knowing that He knows everything. And He still wants me to be His son. No condemnation for those in Christ. He loves me and there is nothing I can do that could make Him love me any less. He has forgiven me for all my sins. He loves me despite all my mistakes and He doesn’t judge me for even a second. Where else can you find that kind of love? NO WHERE!! It doesn’t even make sense because I don’t deserve it! And I never will! Thank you Lord for saving me. And for the gift of grace that I will never deserve. Give me the faith I need to change and be more like Christ! You have given it all for me and now I want to show you how thankful I am by serving you for the remainder of my life! The God of comfort is willing and able to give me all the comfort I need. I just need to believe it and walk it out in faith.

APPLICATION:

When I feel like I’m on edge I need to stop what I’m doing and start praying. Use God’s Word as a weapon against temptation. Don’t get complacent and DO NOT BE LAZY! Nothing good comes easy! Keep God’s filter locked in position! Talk about Jesus to other people! Pray Pray Pray

IN HIS NAME