Reflexiones
From Atheist to Authentic Christian
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one." Psalm 53:1-3 (ESV)
The atheist is a fool and believes there is no God. The agnostic believes that there may be a God, but that you cannot know Him. In both cases, the reality is that there is no one who seeks after God. God is the Seeker and pursues us with His redeeming love. Before we had the capacity to know God, in His mercy, God took the initiative to make Himself known. God took the initiative to demonstrate His love for us by allowing His only Son to pay the penalty of our sin in full. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb that was slain for the sins of the world.
- "And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:11-12 (ESV)
As Dr. David Fleming says, "You cannot be wrong about Jesus and right with God." It does matter what you believe about Jesus and it does matter whether you believe in Jesus. Eternal life is found in Jesus alone by grace alone through faith alone. Do you have the Son? Have you transferred your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation?
The bad news is that Jesus is the only way. The good news is that Jesus is the only way. Jesus is our only hope. What will you do with Jesus? Even an atheist can become an authentic Christian by receiving the gift of eternal life found in Jesus alone.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 130: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Unleash God's Love
"And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, 'Mephibosheth!' And he answered, 'Behold, I am your servant.' 7 And David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.'" 2 Samuel 9:6-7 (ESV)
What does your love look like? Is your love reserved for those who can benefit you or do you lavish your love on those who can do nothing in return? Unleash God's love by living a life of love that benefits others.
King David unleashed God's love by blessing the most unlikely person. Mephibosheth was Saul's grandson and Jonathan's son. Mephibosheth was lame in both his feet. King David gave all that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth and offered unlimited seating at the King's table. That's right! Mephibosheth would now eat at the King's table.
- "'So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.'" Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
- "'I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'" Matthew 25:43 (ESV)
When you unleash God's love to benefit others, you are continuing the ministry of Jesus. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Value others the way you want to be valued. Serve the underprivileged. Go beyond yourself to bless and benefit those who can do nothing in return for you. As you love others you will be loving Jesus. As you honor others you will be honoring Jesus.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 129: 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Blessed Nation
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" Psalm 33:12 (ESV)
We acknowledge verbally in our pledge of allegiance that we are one nation under God. How accurate is that statement? Are we really one nation under God? The Psalmist affirms that a nation is blessed whose God is the Lord. God has chosen them as His heritage. Would the United States of America fall into that category?
We desire the blessing of God. Do we choose to bless God as a nation? We want God to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out his abundance upon us, but are we ready to open our hearts and surrender to the Lordship of Christ as a nation?
- "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord." Psalm 36:5-6 (ESV)
- "'O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!'" Psalm 39:4 (ESV)
Affirm the steadfast love of God. Acknowledge the faithfulness of God. Consider the righteousness of God and the soundness of His judgements. Rejoice in the redemptive activity of God.
God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. The Lord God knows the measure of your days and how fleeting you are. Stay humble before the Lord and acknowledge your dependency upon Him. Set the example by honoring Him with your life and validating your faith by your love. Pray for national revival and let it begin in you.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 128: Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Cultivate Gratitude
"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, 'Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!'" 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (ESV)
King David expressed utmost gratitude for what God had done for him. Cultivate gratitude. Put gratitude in your attitude. Consider Jim Elliot's insight, "One of the greatest blessings of heaven is the appreciation of heaven on earth." Be thankful. Be appreciative. Be grateful.
As you cultivate gratitude, you will notice that your perspective on life will become healthier. Your interaction with others will be seasoned with grace. Instead of being critical of others, you will become compassionate towards others. Gratitude will enable you to enjoy what God has given you and will enable you to appreciate the blessings God has lavished on you.
- “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” Psalm 105:1 (ESV)
- "And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'" Revelation 7:11-12 (ESV)
Cultivating gratitude will unleash God's love in you and through you. Be thankful for what God has done to reconcile you to Himself. Be appreciative of God's invitation for you to join Him in His activity. Be grateful for the opportunities God gives you to spread the love of Christ.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 127: 2 Samuel 6-7; I Chronicles 17)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Serve with Gladness
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV)
Through the experience of surviving a Jet Ski accident at age sixteen, God called me to preach. My entire life was redirected. I had always dreamed of becoming an architect to design and build great buildings. God had a different plan for my life. He refocused my life on building lives for eternity. I had the joy of being an interim pastor the summer before I entered college. My first business card had a tag line which stated, "Serving the Lord with gladness."
My mother and mamaw modeled the value of serving the Lord through the local church my entire life. My mother played the piano and my mamaw played the organ. My junior year in college, I met Tonya and we got married a year and a half later. Tonya has faithfully modeled the value of serving the Lord with gladness through the local church. Our desire is to model that consistently before our children.
- "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
Where do you serve? How are you exercising the spiritual gifts God has given you? God has saved you so that you can serve Him with gladness. He made you and you are His.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 126: Psalms 89, 96, 100 - 101, 105, 132)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
My Shepherd
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)
God never intended for you to walk through adversity alone. Maybe you have heard someone say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. That's not true. God will not put more on you than you can handle with His help. When you come to know Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you find the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Pt. 2:25).
The Christian life is not a solo flight. God does not launch you into the world and expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God provides refuge when you need to retreat, strength when you need to endure, and help when you need relief. Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need and the exact moment you need it.
Are you in need of help? Are you hurting, lonely, or discouraged? Share your heart with God in prayer and anticipate His response. No need to count sheep, just talk to your Shepherd. He will lead you beside still waters. His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 125: Psalms 1-2,15, 22-24, 47, 68)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Entrusted with the Gospel
"And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had." 1 Chronicles 13:14 (ESV)
Obed-edom must have been a very special man to be chosen to bring the ark of God into his house. For three months, Obed-edom took care of the ark of God. He was entrusted with the sacred ark. The Lord's favor was upon Obed-edom's household and all that he had was blessed by God.
- "Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (ESV)
- "For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV)
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been entrusted with the gospel. You have been chosen by God to declare His glory among the nations. You have the privilege and the responsibility of making Jesus known. Now that you know Jesus personally, make Him known intentionally.
What are you doing with the gospel entrusted to you? How are you communicating the saving news of Jesus Christ? Think about the opportunities God has given you to make Jesus known. Seize the divine appointments God orchestrates for you to join Him in His redemptive activity. God wants to use you in spreading the fragrance of Christ.
Does your life draw people to Christ? Commit to point people to Jesus. You have been entrusted with the cure for the cancer of sin.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 124: 1 Chronicles 13-16)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Say So
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south." Psalm 107:1-3 (ESV)
One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message.
God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence?
God did not transform your life so that you could become a closet Christian. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ.
Go public with your faith. If you know so, then say so!
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 123: Psalms 106-107)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Ensure Unity
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)
Division breeds disunity. The absence of unity signals the presence of division. Where there is division, there are two visions. God's vision for us is that we will dwell together in unity. As His children, we are the body of Christ. Unity in the midst of diversity is a mark of spiritual maturity. God desires that we do life together in unity as fellow believers in His family.
- "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesian 4:1-3 (ESV)
- "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
Ensuring unity requires sympathy, sensitivity, and humility. Love compels you to place the needs of others before your own. Love inspires you to forfeit your own personal agenda in order to embrace God's agenda. In humility, you ensure unity by being considerate of others and being conscientious of God's will.
Think about the health of the relationships in your life at this time. Is there anyone sowing discord? Is there anything creating suspicion and eroding trust? Do your part to confront the disunity in order to ensure unity.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 122: Psalm 133)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Trust God's Timing
"All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them." 1 Chronicles 12:38-39 (ESV)
Before David became king, he genuinely served King Saul and waited patiently for God's timing. David endured severe persecution and unfair treatment by King Saul. David's own family doubted his suitability. By the world's standards, David did not fit the mold.
- "When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, 'Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.' 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV)
God continued to work and paved the way for David to become king. In God's perfect timing, David fulfilled the position God had established for him. Nothing can thwart God's will and nothing can dismantle God's impeccable timing. God will always accomplish His plan in His perfect timing.
Do you trust God's timing? Is there anything you are worrying about or fretting over? Release your fears and reaffirm your faith in the Living God. Pray specifically about those those things that are weighing you down. Submit your uncertainties and your frustrations to the Lord in prayer. God looks at the heart and He know your heart. Before God formed you He knew you personally and before you were born God set you apart for Himself.
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 121: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11-12)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell