This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,^[a] he desires an honorable position.” ² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. ³ He must not be a heavy drinker^[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

⁶ An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.^{[d] 7} Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. ~ 1Timothy 3:1-7

I cannot tell you the importance of this scripture. It is not in here just to sound good but to help the body of Christ be all it should be. I can tell you story after story of men and woman who have had hidden issues in their lives, hoping to conquer it after entering into full time ministry and they end up falling into the devil’s trap. And as for me I was the worst of them all.

Is it possible to live without any of these issues in our lives? YES and a million times I say YES again. I used to sit on a board that over saw all the pastor’s in our district, and reviewed and interviewed EVERY single new pastor coming into ministry. I can tell you that every single pastor that has fallen is due to one of these issues in their life that they kept hidden, it even goes as far to say “manage your family” and that the people of your community must speak well of you. WHY?

Being a pastor/elder is a great honor and a great responsibility as you are charged with the responsibility of hundreds of people…. when a pastor falls if affects all those in your care, their families, neighbors, friends, and scores of more we do not even know about. The devil knows this and his job/goal is to KILL and DESTROY you and everyone connected to you.

The only way to live in this life is being CLEAN before God and before MAN — nothing is hidden from him even though we may hide it from the world. Sooner or later it will be exposed!! Rest in Him — Live in Him – WE MUST LIVE IN THIS VERSE DAILY —

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. ~Hebrews 4:12

The body of Crist (the church) need men and women who are real, clean and can lead others in the same place. RESTING IN THE LORD!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For,

Last night I had a dream, in this dream I was in a building with hundreds of people, I was on the stage and leading them in some way… I am not sure exactly what was taking place but I directed everyone’s attention to the big screen and I told them to wait for the message. I didn’t know what was coming so we all sat staring at the screen…..it seemed like an eternity in total silence and then it appeared, it came through like a “tweet” and it read like this:

God @God  “He calls out moments”

And the place erupted with yells, shouting, dancing, singing, excitement and praise …. it went on and on for a very long time. It was like a brand new revelation and fresh word from God, and the feeling in the building was like fresh rain falling on a parched dry land. Soon the sounds of excitement turned to weeping, I mean deep weeping….and I woke up.

I could not shake that dream and I tossed and turned rest of the night — you know one of those dreams that you know is from Him. Rest of the night and into the morning I spent trying to figure out exactly what that means to me, to the body of Christ or even if it really was from Him or was it just one of those crazy dreams? About 5:00 am I felt the Holy Spirit say “ask me” and I had to laugh a little … I think I laughed out loud laying in bed as Diane slept. So I prayed and asked……

I know this is for me, but I feel like it’s for ALL OF US. We are always looking for “what do you want me to do?” or “What is your plan for my life?” You know we want God to show us our future, speak it clear as day as to what he wants from us for the next 50 years….I believe he has called us all to GREATNESS and mighty things. But He calls out ONE MOMENT at a TiME for all of us!!

In the Bible he called out many men and women that have done amazing things but it was always one moment at a time and as they followed him there life became His fully. For me, man I am not a young man any longer, I’m always telling God how He has called me, what is your plan? I want to do this and I want to do that……My time is short God what is YOUR plan? I envision myself doing great things and going out of this life with a bang…..when are you going to bust a move God?

I told Him 3 years ago I am willing to do whatever you ask and if you ask me to never preach again I am willing…. I meant what I said……I am willing. God is showing me that He calls out movements in my life and they are very important moments…. grab hold of them and be all that He has called me to be. These moments could look so many different ways…. as small as smiling at someone, it could be preaching a sermon, visiting someone, praying, giving, being a servant…. this is the LIEFSTYEL of a believer but within this life there are moments that are life changing, kingdom building, transforming moments.

I will keep searching out the answer to this dream… but at 7:30 am I feel like I’ve got a pretty good insight on why he gave it to me. I am humbled and thankful. And I do believe that this is for ALL OF US!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.  ~ 1Timothy 1:15-16

I LOVE this!!! Paul says that EVERYONE should say this. Is one sinner worse than another sinner? Is your sin worse than mine or mine worse than yours? NO!!! SIN IS SIN. There is such great power in our testimonies, the difficult part is for us to realize just how dirty we are! There are so many that go into a church or event and the message is “be a better you, be happier, be richer, secure your eternity” you know make this part of your life, your goals, etc…. then raise your hand to receive Jesus and BAM you are now secure for eternity. They walk away with no repentance, no understanding that EVEN the BEST of us is filthy dirty before God.

Can God use this type of Christianity? Of course He can and He can lead someone to repentance… but it’s very difficult if you don’t think you are the worst of all sinners. The Bible says “we are filthy rags before a holy God” —

A Christian life is about humility, repentance, being a servant to your spouse, children, church and community, it’s about being a new creation, a new heart. Take what the writer says here and walk in that. Your humility and life will draw people into the world of Jesus as King of Kings. A very good word today indeed!!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. ⁴ Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations,^[a] which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.^[b]

⁵ The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. ⁶ But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. ⁷ They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. – 1Timothy 1:3-7

I really shouldn’t have to say much about this, it is very direct and TRUTH. But it’s taking place more and more in this world. There are SO many teachings, So many doctrines, denominations, movements, religious organizations and conflicting truths. How is one to know what is true?

Have you ever really noticed how some want to draw you into a deep discussion on what they believe and want to convince you that you are wrong? The bottom line in most cases is you just can’t change their minds and you will argue until you are blue in the face, until you get angry, blah blah blah. It’s just not worth it. But it happens, or you change your view on something. Paul says it’s a waste of time and energy. They are so good at taking a “piece” of scripture and making it out to be something it’s not,

When I was in college we did a really fun project, we had to take a “section of scripture” and build an entire denomination around it. It was FUN and boy did we come up with some great and stupid things… it all sounded good and it was based on this one scripture. BAM there you have it –

How do you know truth? THE WORD and the WORD alone. A scripture, A chapter, A book in the bible, and ultimately the entire Bible. Scripture always proves Scripture!!! If someone comes to you and wants to argue over a scripture or a “doctrine” that has heaven or hell endings…. they will fight tooth and nail trying to convince you… do not waste your time!!

KNOW the WORD — KNOW the WORD and KNOW the WORD!!!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!

¹⁰ Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. – Galatians 1:10

Paul just finished writing them about following false teachings…. people who come along and make a false gospel sound good and close enough to the “true” gospel that man fall for it. He goes as far to say that anyone who preaches a false gospel and not the one he taught them that they should be cursed! He said EVEN IF an Angel comes and brings false gospel they should be cursed. This is huge and truth!!

There are so many churches, teachings, books, speakers, teachers that have a gospel that sounds good and even sound right but if it’s not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ it’s not true and worthless. People use the bible to make a point, a “truth”, a doctrine and it’s close enough to sound true and right. BEWARE!!!

So the question is “how do you know if it’s truth or false”?

Let me give you a very simple answer — KNOW HIM — KNOW HIS WORD – KNOW TRUTH — you have to know Him and the ONLY way as I have said over and over again — HIS WORD!! Study, read, study some more and read some more. I’ve been reading the Bible for over 30 years and still today I get fresh new insights and revelations as I read it…. it’s a life long quest. The payoff is: REALATIONSHIP with Jesus… falling in LOVE.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today,

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4

This is how the body of Christ works. We are friends, family, the church, it is so important that we learn to walk in humility and take care of one another. Spiritually as well as physically. Paul is talking to the CHURCH asking them to be of one mind, to complete HIS joy. Paul is paying a very high price to bring the Gospel to others, to lead others to Christ and to teach the church on how to walk in this life.

The key word in this entire thought is “humility” we find it throughout the Bible…. as long as we think we are a somebody we will always be looking out for ourselves. I believe that the church will be come one with “true-believers” preparing for the return of Christ, in other words denominational walls will fall and true Christ followers will emerge and that will be the church, or body of Christ. This life is NOT about us…it’s about one another ushering in Jesus!! If you look at it from this standpoint we have a long way to go.

Help your brothers and sisters in this life, become a servant and lowest…. it is then the Lord will lift your head….. two words to end this up… LOVE and HUMILITY

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. ~ Philippians 1:28-30

We have to remember that we have an enemy, he wants to KILL you, your family, your church, your marriage…everything you have and are. He uses good people and is able to deceive good people that will affect our lives. DO NOT by intimidated, in other words STAND FIRM in who you are in Christ. Remember this the enemy can only do what you allow him to do. Situation pop up in our lives and the way we react to them is so important.

He says in this scripture “we are in this struggle together” that is ALL brothers and sisters in the Lord, crossing denominations etc… our prayers are meaningful, our words are life and our actions are game changers. How do you respond?

Keep your eye on the goal and support, love and pray for others.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
³  ~ Psalm 1:1-3

One of my favorite scriptures speaking of the life we have available to us. He is NOT saying stay away from ungodly and sinful people — he is saying do not take advice, counsel from them. Be a light, stay true to the wisdom and life of the Lord. And, look at the promise….

He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

This is the sweet spot of life….. KNOW HIM… LOVE HIM… FOLLOW HIM…OBEY HIM and you will NOT BE SHAKEN in this world.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

Here is a beautiful song about this…

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
⁹ Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice. ~ Proverbs 31:8-9

I have spent 31 days going through the Proverbs and to me this is a perfect way to close it out. Speak up — Ensure Justice for those being crushed…. see that they get justice!! All of the Proverbs are about wisdom, knowledge, how to live life, treat family and friends and here he ends it to stretch out to ALL of the world.

What does justice mean? (taken from the Bible Encyclopedia)

jus’-tis (tsedhaqah; tsedheq; dikaiosune): The original Hebrew and Greek words are the same as those rendered “righteousness.” This is the common rendering, and in about half the cases where we have “just” and “justice” in the King James Version, the American Standard Revised Version has changed to “righteous” and “righteousness.” It must be constantly borne in mind that the two ideas are essentially the same.
See RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1. Human Justice:
Justice had primarily to do with conduct in relation to others, especially with regard to the rights of others. It is applied to business, where just weights and measures are demanded (Lev 19:35,36; Dt 25:13-16; Am 8:5; Prov 11:1; 16:11; Ezek 45:9,10). It is demanded in courts, where the rights of rich and poor, Israelite and sojourner, are equally to be regarded. Neither station nor bribe nor popular clamor shall influence judge or witness. “Justice, justice shalt thou follow” (Dt 16:20 m; compare 16:18-20; Ex 23:1-3,6-9). In general this justice is contrasted with that wickedness which “feared not God, and regarded not man” (Lk 18:2).
In a larger sense justice is not only giving to others their rights, but involves the active duty of establishing their rights. So Israel waits upon God’s justice or cries out: “The justice due to me (literally, “my justice”) is passed away from my God” (Isa 40:27). Yahweh is to show her to be in the right as over against the nations. Justice here becomes mercy. To “seek justice” means to “relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isa 1:17; compare 11:4; Jer 22:15,16; Ps 82:2-4). The same idea appears in Dt 24:12,13; Ps 37:21,26; 112:4-6, where the translation is “righteous” instead of “just.”
In this conception of justice the full meaning of the New Testament is not yet reached. It does not mean sinlessness or moral perfection. Job knows the sin in his heart (Job 13:23,26; 7:21), and yet speaks of himself as a just or righteous man (12:4; 13:18). The Psalmist confidently depends upon the righteousness of God though he knows that no man is righteous in God’s sight (Ps 143:1,2; compare 7:8; 18:20-24). It is not a lack of humility or dependence upon God when the Psalmist asks to be judged according to his righteousness. In relation to God, the just, or righteous, man is the one who holds to God and trusts in Him (Ps 33:18-22). This is not the later Judaistic legalism with its merit and reward, where God’s justice is simply a matter of giving each man what he has earned.
The word “justice” does not occur in the New Testament, and in most cases where we find “just” in the King James Version it is changed to “righteous” in the American Standard Revised Version. The idea of justice or righteousness (remembering that these are essentially the same) becomes more spiritual and ethical in the New Testament. It is a matter of character, and God’s own spirit is the standard (1 Jn 3:7; Mt 5:48). The mere give-and-take justice is not enough. We are to be merciful, and that to all. The ideal is righteousness, not rights. As Holtzmann says, “The keynote of the Sermon on the Mount is justitia and not jus.”

This says it all — help those who are being oppressed, hurt, not able to speak. The list is endless in this world.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!