I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Text: Luke 9:56-62
 
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
 
John 6:66-69
 
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
 
Introduction: A missionary once said, “If your CHRISTianity COSTS nothing, GIVES nothing or SUFFERS nothing, it is WORTH NOTHING.” Jesus describes (3) kinds of people today:
 
1. COUNTERFEIT CHRISTians (Luke 9:57-58)
“Though none go with me… I still will follow… no turning back.”
 
2. BARGAINING BROTHERS (Luke 9:59-61)
“The cross before me… the world behind me… no turning back!”
 
3. DEDICATED DISCIPLES (Luke 9:62)
“I have decided to follow Jesus…”
 
Conclusion: “No man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). A person plowing -“hand to the plow” – does not LOOK backward but rather FORWARD! 
 
The BEST is yet to come!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


The Favor of God

Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

Introduction: Don’t you want the FAVOR of God on your life? Are we willing to do what it takes to get the BLESSINGS of God? The priest, Ezra gives us a record of a man named Jabez who was “more honorable than his brethren” (1 Chron 4:9). “Honorable” is the Hebrew word kabob, which means “enjoy honor of man.”
 
Even though he was born with sorrow, Jabez called upon the Lord and gives us (4) reasons why we need the FAVOR of God:
 
1. Do we need the FAVOR of GOD for those AROUND us? (1 Chron 4:10) – “And Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed.”
• Be blessed
• Be a blessing
 
2. Do we need the FAVOR of God for opportunities AHEAD of us? (1 Chron 4:10) – “Enlarge my coast”
• Opportunities of blessings AHEAD
• Opportunities of blessings BEHIND
 
3. Do we need the FAVOR of God because of who’s AFTER us? (1 Chron 4:10) – ” That thou wouldest keep me from evil”
• False accusations
• Intimidations
 
4. Do we need the FAVOR of God because of who’s ALWAYS with us! (1 Chron 4:10) – “That thine hand might be with me”
• His hand of protection
• His hand of provision
 
Conclusion: The best part…. “And God granted him that which he requested”! Nothing equates to God’s FAVOR and BLESSING! Remember: The FAVOR of God is not just for us, but for those AROUND us, AHEAD of us, and AFTER us…. because God is ALWAYS with us!
 
Why not call upon Him now?
 
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese


Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Text: Psalm 40:1-11
 
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.”
 
Introduction: Have you ever been caught between a rock and a hard place? What do you do? Where do you go? Where do you turn?
 
There are (3) steps that are guaranteed to bring relief:
 
1. You go to the ROCK of our SALVATION (v. 1-2)! – “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry… and brought me up out… horrible pit…”
  • The POWER of PRAYER
  • The CURE for CARE
2. You sing the SONG of CELEBRATION (v. 3-5)! – “He… put a New Song in my mouth…”
  • The POWER of PRAISE
  •  PRAISE on the mountain top, or in the valley
3. You go and tell the LORD’S FAITHFULNESS to all GENERATIONS (v. 6-11)! – “I have declared thy FAITHFULNESS…”
  • God has been FAITHFUL
  • David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
Conclusion: God has proven Himself to us in the PAST, in the PRESENT, and therefore, we can TRUST HIM in the FUTURE… whatever it holds!
 
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese


It’s All How You Look At It

Introduction: Does it feel like the OUTSIDE is wearing out? Aches & pains… what don’t hurt, don’t work!! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand our bodies are decaying… but God is strengthening our inner being by His Spirit, according to Paul’s writing. Somebody said, “I’m at the place, where my belt won’t buckle but my knees will!”
 
There are (3) reasons for believers to rejoice:
 
1. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:16) – ” For this cause we faint not; But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 
 
The word “faint” means to lose courage.
• Our old body has a Limited warranty
• Our new body has a Guarantee through eternity
 
2. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:17) – “For this light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
 
The word “affliction” is thlipsis, which means pressure.
• Troubles seem to last
• Troubles & trials turn into Testimonies
 
3. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:18) – “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
 
• What you see is not what you get
• What you DON’T see is what you get
 
Conclusion: If Paul is right, and he is, then this body comes with a LIMITED WARRANTY! Sorry. While that’s a sobering reality, it’s also true that we have an UNLIMITED WARRANTY with what’s on the inside (the Spirit will take on a glorified body – 1 Cor 15:37-56).
 
That gives HOPE & COMFORT during this life, giving us REASONS to REJOICE!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese


Losing Your Cutting Edge

Text: 2 Kings 6:1-7
 
“And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.”
 

Introduction: Ever been discouraged? I got a call yesterday from a man, 73 years old, that said he felt, “DOWN in the DUMPS!” I asked him why. He responded, “While watching the news – the decision to open up our communities so soon, really bothered me.” So… we talked, read Scripture, and PRAYED together. Finally, he regained his “CUTTING EDGE” even though he couldn’t control things. In the days of Elisha, a problem occurred but a solution was found. There are (3) ways to get back your CUTTING EDGE:

1. ADMIT we’ve got a problem (v. 5)! – “But as one was felling a beam, the axe head FELL into the water.”
  • It’s hard to admit when we are wrong or when we have a problem!
  • In the end, it’s LIBERATING!
2. After ADMITTING we’ve got a problem, take our PROBLEM to JESUS (v. 6)! – In this case, His man Elisha. “Where fell it!”
  • When did we lose it (fellowship with God, anger and resentment toward people, BAD DECISIONS that effect others)?
  • Where was it lost?
3. Get your CUTTING EDGE back (v. 6-7)! – “And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did SWIM… take it up… and he put out his hand, and took it.”
  • God honors humility.
  • He will make a way.
Conclusion: I love the story of the strong, young woodsman who was hired with a logging firm along with an older man. The younger man was faster and could cut more trees than the older man without stopping to rest, unlike the older man who stopped to rest while SHARPENING his chainsaw. After several days of this, the older man OUT-CUT the younger man – to his surprise. The young man asked, “How can it be? The older man replied, “I learned a lesson from the BIBLE.” 
 
“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
 
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese


Calling Doctor Jesus

Text: Luke 8:26-56
 
Introduction: Aren’t you glad that when you call Doctor JESUS, He doesn’t tell you to press #1 to talk to Michael… or #2 to talk to Mary… There are (3) reasons we ought to CALL DR. JESUS:
 
1. When you’ve got a SPIRITUAL problem, it’s not a HOPELESS condition with Dr. JESUS (v. 26-39)!
  • deadly demons destroy
  • divine Deliverer delivers
  • changes to “right mind”
 
2. When you’ve got an EMOTIONAL or PHYSICAL problem, it’s not a HELPLESS case with Dr. Jesus (v. 43-48)!
  • a weary woman who was worn down and worried
  • she reached out and touched Jesus and because of her “faith” she was “made whole”
 
3. When you’ve got an ETERNAL problem, it’s not beyond a HEALING cure for Dr. Jesus (v. 41-42, 49-56)
  • desperate daddy with a dying daughter
  • Dr. Jesus has a cure for sin’s sickness
 
Conclusion: With Dr. Jesus, you don’t have to make an appointment days or weeks in advance! He will not send you to a specialist; since He made us, He knows how to cure us!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


Happy in an Unhappy World

John 14:1-23
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Introduction: Why are so many people unhappy? Are you unhappy? Fill in the blank. If I could just___ __? Get another job. Meet the right person. Lose some weight. Be pain free. Get out of debt. Have a nicer car. If I just had some more money. Or…the list goes on. Since Jesus knows all about us, then He knows what will make us HAPPY. Consider (3) choices you can make now that will make you HAPPY!

1. Find something to do with MEANING and PURPOSE! (John 14:10-14)
” He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.”
• Do nothing – waste of time
• Find something to make a difference

2. Find someone to LOVE that brings AFFIRMATION and security! (John 14:15-27)
” If ye love me, keep my commandments…he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him.”
• The LOVE of the FATHER
• The LOVE of the Son

3. Find something to look forward to with HOPE and ASSURANCE! (John 14:1-3)
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me….In my Father’s house are many mansions:…I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again, and receive you unto myself.”
• Heaven’s for real
• Jesus will come again

Conclusion: “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psa 144:15). According to Jesus, a person can find MEANING and PURPOSE, LOVE and AFFIRMATION, HOPE and SECURITY in a relationship with the Father. That brings HAPPINESS! Are you HAPPY yet?

Be HAPPY in the Lord!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


The Power of Praying for One Another

James 5:13-17
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

Introduction: Is there really POWER in prayer? Have you prayed for anybody today? Finish this statement: When we pray for one another there is ____? James, the half-brother of Jesus, gives us (believers), (3) instructions for praying for each other:

1. When should we PRAY? (James 5:13, 14)
” Is there any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you: let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• When we face Adversity
“Afflicted” – kak-op-ath-eh-o, which means to suffer – endure – evils (hardships, troubles)
• When we are sick
“Sick” – as-then-eh-o, which means to be weak, feeble, to be without strength.

2. How should we PRAY? (James 5:15, 16)
” And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
• God answers PRAYER
• The PRAYER of faith

3. Whose PRAYERS have GREAT strength? (James 5:16)
“Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
• “Effectual fervent” – en-erg-eh-o, which means to be operative, be at work, put forth power
• “Availeth” – is-khoo-o, which means to be strong, to have power, strength to overcome

Conclusion: Would you agree? The PRAYER of faith brings both mental and physical healing….according to the WORD of God and the WILL of God. Faith is cultivated by a need, planted by a promise, and harvested by the Lord of the Harvest- Jesus Christ. Do you know anybody that needs PRAYER?

Let’s PRAY.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


Liberated Living

Isaiah 55:1-13
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
 
Introduction: Why are so many people depressed these days? One study reveals (5) out of every (10) adults are “dealing with being down in the dumps.” The Jews (Israel) in Isaiah’s day were facing the same… yet God had a plan for them. He has a plan for you (us) as well. Are you feeling down? Why not accept Jesus’ (3) INVITATIONS for LIBERATED LIVING:
 
1. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION to enjoy a LIFE of SATISFACTION? (Isaiah 55:1-5)
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy….Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? .. .let your soul delight itself in fatness…I will make a everlasting covenant with you even sure mercies of David.”
• Some things money can’t buy (vv. 1, 2) “The exchanged life” (Gal 2:20)
• Some things only God can do (vv. 3-5) “He gets glory”
 
2. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION and experience the JOY of RESTORATION! (Isaiah 55:6, 7)
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near…let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.”
• Go back to God
• Call out to God
• He cares
• He pardons
 
3. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION which gives HOPE of EXPECTATION! (Isaiah 55:8-11)
” For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord…For as the heavens are higher than the earth….so are my ways…thoughts than yours….For as the rain cometh down….and returneth not but watereth the earth…..so shall my word be that goeth forth…it shall not return void, but it will accomplish that which I please.”
• God’s character never changes
• God’s Word always changes
 
Conclusion: Why are so many depressed today? You maybe? Could it be that while the world has so much to offer, JESUS has so much more? The life of SATISFACTION, the joy of RESTORATION, and the hope of EXPECTATION, are all included in JESUS’ INVITATION.
 
You can’t beat that!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


If That Isn’t Love

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Introduction: Remember the song, “If that isn’t LOVE, the ocean is dry”! Paul understood the LOVE of God…..and gives us (3) reasons we ought to LOVE Him and let Him have His WAY with us: 

1. st Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LOVE with a Brand New MOTIVATION! (2 Cor 5:14, 15)
“The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all….that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (constraineth – soon-ekh-o, which means “to hold together” – motivates – Jesus is holding us together!)
• Choice – live for SELF
• Choice – live for the Lord

2. nd Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LORD with a Brand New TRANSFORMATION! (2 Cor 5:17)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away…all things are…new.”
• Brand new owner (under new management!)
• Want-to’s changed

3. rd Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LIFE with a Brand New DESTINATION! (2 Cor 5:18-21)
“Who hath reconciled us to him by Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…Now then we are ambassadors for Christ….For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” That’s SHOUTING ground!
(“reconciled” – katalasso, which pictures exchange of coins, ” ambassador” – presbeuo, representative)
• Love for the Lord shows
• Love for the Lord goes

Conclusion: Have you noticed? God’s Word is diametrically opposed to the world’s philosophy of life.
“Live for SELF!”
“Live around SELF!”
“It’s all about SELF!”

But Jesus lived (gave Himself), died, and arose again, and gives us HIS life to live “in us” and “thru us” thus producing a life that’s impossible to live without Him, and yet it includes the ultimate fulfillment of His LOVE expressing thru us as we yield to Him.

No wonder it’s…
– Higher,
– Deeper,
– and Wider, than anything on this earth.

“If that isn’t LOVE, I don’t know what is!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese