DAD'S DAILY BREAD

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

Sermon notes Pastor John Dabeck

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:31–35

John 3:16 God loved me first! He saw me as more important then Himself. He knew I had no way to redeem myself. So He gave up His only son so I could have a path to redemption. Jesus came and lived a sinless life and conquered death for us. HEB 10:23-25 Hold fast to Christ without wavering. Meet together. It is not a recommendation! It’s a commandment for a reason! Be obedient! Don’t neglect other people! Gods Word always assumes you are already in a community. Link arms and be reminded of the supremacy of Christ! We have way more power when we are in a community. God commands us to love one another and we obey the best in a community.

We love one another by stirring each other up. HEB 10 We need to be together so that we are constantly keeping each other accountable and challenging each other to be better in all areas of our lives. The Christ in my brother is always stronger than the Christ in me! EPH 4:15-16 Speak the truth in love. Don’t beat up or hurt your brother but build each other up in love. Are you in an environment where you are challenged by others? Are others challenged or stirred up by you?

How can you stir one another if you don’t know each other? Love one another by meeting together. DO NOT MINIMIZE CHURCH TO A RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY!! Get into a community, it is a commandment! God does not play games! 99% Obedience = 100% Disobedience!! Obey the command and trust God! He wants what is best for us! Make church a priority, Get into a life group, and get into serving! Remember that life is not all about you! Pour out and sacrifice together! Being in a group causes us to be vulnerable and open up our hearts to each other- in community! ECCL 4:9-12 Two is better than one!

Love one another by picking each other up. We are to be there to help others when the need comes up. We must be vulnerable in your community and carry each other’s burdens! GAL 6:2 Other people “Community” is a gift from God. Love your brother and sister the same way Christ loves us. No condemnation, no shame, no guilt. Remember that Christ loved us enough not to leave us where He found us. Don’t excuse yourself right out of obedience! Share your life with others just as Christ shares His life with us! Hearts are healed when you’re in a community! A foolish person rejects God’s community! Be wise- listen and obey God’s Word! Are you obeying or ignoring God’s Word about community?

APPLICATION:

Join a life group. Get involved with the men somewhere! Talk to Jesus at work. Pray with my wife at night. Stay in the Word with God’s filter locked into place. Stay humble and thankful at all times! More time in God”‘s Word!

IN HIS NAME!

1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12

Paul is giving it to you with both barrels right here. Because God has given you way more mercy and grace then you will ever deserve you should devote the rest of your life to serving Him! It would not be wise to bite the hand that feeds you. Or better yet the hands that FREE you. Don’t fall into the trap that is always surrounding you telling you that you only need these few things and only need this much money and only need to drive that truck then everything will be OK. The world tells you that you can make yourself happy and all you need to do is put on your big boy pants and get to work! If you have truly been saved and truly love the Lord it will change everything. If you read His Word and meditate on it and think about it, it will start to take over everything that really matters to you. Your priorities will start to align with God’s plan and He will use you to bring more people to Him.

Society sets a bar and without even trying we all try to chase that goal. To have the American dream and own a house, retire early, travel the world and have more and better stuff then your neighbor. While having money is not evil it sure does become a gigantic distraction. When you’re devoted to success and the dream of attaining all these things it begins to immobilize us believers and we forget why we are really here. Are we here to buy stuff and drink margaritas on the beach or does God’s Word say something else? Well obviously it’s saying something else. God’s Word warns us about all these distractions all over the place. We cannot become complacent and forget who we are or where we have came from. More importantly do not forget who did all the hard work. Devote yourself to Him. Tell others about Him and tell them what He has done in your life. Spreading the Gospel is more valuable than any amount of money you can ever attain. Believe it and make Him the most important thing in your life. Don’t fall into the trap! Fight Fight Fight!!

APPLICATION:

Saying all that is so much easier then actually living it so I want to put my money where my mouth is. More time in Gods Word! More time in prayer! Stop chasing all the material things and have an eternal view at all times. Devotion takes time and effort. I want to be devoted to God’s Word. Talk about Jesus at work. Pray with my wife at night. Serve somewhere!

IN HIS NAME

Sermon notes Pastor Kobe Orr

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:6–8

Praise the Lord for Nick!!! Thank You Lord. I pray you keep working in his family! Keep praying for him.

God expects us to give! Every Christian is called to GIVE! All Christians! Wherever your treasure is there your heart will be as well! Don’t forget that God owns everything! Giving has absolutely nothing to do with money and EVERYTHING to do with your heart! We are called to GIVE because it reorients our worship. How do you actually worship God? Is He consuming some of your time?? What is on your mind more often God, or money…? If your honest you will admit that our thoughts are consumed with money. We have got to change our thinking! Does money give you your peace? Prov 23:4-5 Am I struggling to make money?

We are called to GIVE because it changes our attitude about money. Destroy the claim that money has on your life! Free yourself from that pressure that never fulfills your heart. Stop worshiping money! Where do your time, thoughts and hopes suggest where your worship is rooted. Giving changes your heart and attitude towards money. God loves a cheerful giver. Give with the correct attitude. Don’t destroy God’s plan and blessing with your selfishness! Do the right thing, in the right way, with the right attitude. Giving with joy brings God joy. That should be our ultimate desire. Giving doesn’t steal our stuff and our joy but it re-orders the things we love. When you give what does your attitude say about your heart?

We are called to GIVE because it increases our trust in God. Practically speaking your money will show what you trust in. Where is it going. How are you spending your time? DO NOT MISS THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS!! Everything is His! His promises don’t change! He has always provided EVERYTHING I need. What does your wallet say about your practical trust in God? Am I giving 10 percent? Show your faith with your actions! Do not listen to the lies from the enemy or the flesh! They don’t want you to experience God! Don’t wait! This is not about money at all!! ITS ALL ABOUT OBEDIENCE AND TRUST!! Do you trust Him?

We are called to GIVE because it changes our view of the purpose of money. IT ALL BELONGS TO THE LORD! Trust Him that He will provide! 2 Cor 9:11 Be generous in every way! Let others experience God through our obedience. Change your attitude about money! Re-evaluate my giving! God please transform my heart!! He can do more with my 10 then I could ever do with 100! Malachi 3 Watch and see what He will do!

APPLICATION:

Stop using men around as a grading scale. Stop dwelling on the past and my mistakes. Stop thinking about all the money I should have if I wasn’t so stupid as a young adult… Change my attitude about money and I will re-evaluate my giving. Stay thankful and humble. I do not deserve a single thing from anyone! Stay in the Word with God’s filter firmly in place to fight in my mind! God I pray with faith and write it here as proof. Please transform my heart and change me! Make me more like Jesus! Do the work that only You can do!

IN HIS NAME!

18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you…. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. ROM 11

After Paul told me time and time again that I did absolutely nothing to deserve my salvation and that there is nothing I can do to lose my salvation He says this in chapter 11… Kinda makes me step back and really think about everything…. Without trying to go into some super long theological explanation I just decided that I’ll be good either way! The question of ”If” I can lose it or not is not going to change how I live. I am going to live my life as a tribute to Christ either way! Because of what He has done! These verses are a stark reminder of how I should be thinking and living every single day. Do not forget who God is! Fear Him and let that respect run itself into every part of your life! Don’t forget where we get power. Without Him we are nothing! Thinking that my salvation can be lost is a good way to keep myself in check! Same way every time I’m in church during an altar call I’m raising my hands in my head and saying those prayers! I do not want to miss Jesus! So, I am going to keep fighting until I get to see Him face to face. And what a glorious day that will be!! Hallelujah!!!

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ROM 11:28–29 Can I get an AMEN!!!

Once God has got a hold of you there is no going back. Just typing that puts a smile on my face! Thank You Jesus! As I learn to truly believe God’s Word and I feel new things in my faith and my belief I just feel so fortunate to be in God’s family. I don’t ever want to go back! Truly undeserving grace and forgiveness that melts my heart. So thankful for the life I have that I absolutely don’t deserve!

APPLICATION:

Stay in God’s Word. Keep the correct filter in my mind. Talk about Jesus at work! Don’t let fear control me. Pray with my wife at night. Don’t dwell on the past but focus on the things I can control. I don’t deserve anything but a hot spot in Hell! Don’t waste anymore of my life trying to please myself!

IN HIS NAME

“I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” Rom 10:20

Once you come to grips with just how filthy of a scumbag sinner you really are, you should be extra excited when you think about the grace and the forgiveness God gives you every second that your breathing! Thank you Lord!! I am a completely undeserving person to receive a gift of this magnitude. I could sit for hours telling you reasons why there is no way that, this gift is for me… That is why my mind gets blown every time I sit and think about it. God knows everything you have ever said, and done and He even knows the things I only think about doing. And in the midst of all that He comes down in the body of Jesus and gives us direct access! He gives us freedom! I no longer have to worry about being successful enough to deserve God! No longer do the past sins weigh me down and paralyze my spiritual life. With faith I accept that gift and with Jesus helping me every step of the way I will try to live my life as a tribute to Christ for what He has done for me!

⁶ But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless]. Rom 11:6

God didn’t pick me because I was special or because I’m super spiritual or better than anyone else. No, He gives grace to those who He gives grace to. I am just so thankful! Thank You Lord!

APPLICATION:

Do not forget where I came from and don’t forget how much God has done for me! Be humble and thankful at all times! Stay full of scripture with the filter in place! Let my thankfulness to God fuel a life that brings Him glory! Give back by serving others! Pray more. Thank You Lord!

IN HIS NAME!