While studying Hebrews 10:24-25 (and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. NASB) I ran across this quote from Warren Wiersbe from his book "Be Confident", "It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what the believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the assembly."( pg 115) Maybe it's time that we stop taylor making churches to fit the culture and its "needs" and start declaring the unashamed Gospel. Those who want to follow can contribute to the cause by being apart of this Divine calling or they can move out of the way, stop complaining that we are not fun enough like the church down the street, and rethink their salvation experience. Because, evidently they are focused on the wrong things and wrong person. Sometimes it just has to be said.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A FATHER'S DAY MESSAGE
John 10:40 NASB
And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.
A father's approval of us is very important. In fact that approval is so important that it can make or brake a child in life. It is also important that the child hears this approval straight from the father not just hear say that comes from others.
My dad deeply loved me I have no question. There were moments that he revealed that with a hug, word of encouragement, or a form of needed advice. But I would have given anything to have heard him personally tell me what he told others when he was proud of me as his son. Those moments were rare. I felt that my last days with dad ended much the same way as they were lived...in one form of turmoil and conflict or another.
In John chapter 10 we read of Jesus having a conflict with the Jews. He had basically put them in their place by stating three things: they were not the children of God because they were not following Him (verses 22-30); He and the Father were one (verse 30); and that the works He performed and words He spoke were from God His Father (verses 32-39). This lead them to attempt to capture Him and stone Him but it states that He eluded them. Where does He go afterwards? To a place where it all seemed to have started, the place of His baptism. Why here? What is the significance of this place? In the three Synoptic Gospels the answer is given; this was the place where His Father gave Him His public approval, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). The cool thing about this is that the Father gives this blessing long before Jesus does anything.
So fathers today start doing something that maybe your father never or rarely did. Show your loving approval for who your children are not just what they accomplish. And make sure you do it a lot and in the open. I know that James will be experiencing it a little more than I did. And if your father is still alive give him a big hug!
Please contact me with any questions or speaking engagements you may want to include me in on at StevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
A SUBSTANCE OF LIFE
JAMES 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(KJV)
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
(NASB)
Years ago I had a friend who would not pray for patience because he felt God might bring trials into his life to produce that patience. This was all based on the King James rendering of James 1:3. In reality my friend just simply did not want to go through difficult times in life. In 1st Corinthians 13:4 Paul states that love is patient or long suffering (KJV). The point is we do not know what degree of patience, love, or faith we have unless it is first tested. The degree of those three things is found in the degree of endurance we show under trying circumstances.
Our Lord Jesus showed this best on the cross. Hebrews 12:2 states that He “…endured the cross, despising the shame,…” The greatest love was shown in great patience toward the whole human race which was crucifying Him because of their sins. Through the testing of the cross we see love demonstrated through patience because of, “…the joy set before Him…” That joy of knowing that if we place our faith and confidence in what He did on the cross for us and based on His bodily resurrection, we would spend eternity in Heaven with Him spurred Him forward. It was love and patience placed to the ultimate test because Jesus could have easily called a legion of angels to His rescue (Matthew 26:53). The key is that He did not, but suffered in our place instead.
My question is have you ever looked at what was done on the cross seeing God’s great love and mercy for you? Have you ever thought about what all Jesus went through for you (us)? Have you ever trusted Him as Savior based on that great love?
If you are a Christian please put this at the forethought of your mind today. If we really love our spouses, children (grandchildren), co-workers, neighbors, church members, ect. then we will show the same love through patience that Jesus showed to us on the cross. So go and grow in God’s good grace and in patience.
I am open for speaking engagements. If you wish to invite me for a speaking engagement please contact me atStevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
All Bible verses quoted are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
WHO DO YOU SHOW THE GREATEST ALLIANCE TO?-A MEMORIAL DAY DEVOTION
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 NASB
12 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. 15 Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. 18 He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 19 So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. 21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. 22 Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
My three year son taught me a very interesting lesson the other day. When he was two and a half he discovered the 1967 version of Spiderman. Then about two months ago he discovered Batman. Then a month ago he discovered Superman. As I was wondering through Wal-Mart the other day L spotted a cheap, but colorful cup with Spiderman on it, so I bought it. When we got home I washed it and presented it to him receiving a negative response that he no longer liked him. My mom had told me the same thing happened with some Spiderman plates she bought for him. In that situation he informed her that Superman was his favorite. About thirty minutes. after the cup incident he was sitting watching Spiderman talking about how he was his favorite. It was a conflict of alliances.
As we read through Deuteronomy 10:12-22 we see that no such conflict was to exist with alliances in regard to Yawhew, the God of eternity. There are several things in this passage which show the form of dedication that Yahweh expected from the Hebrews: Speaking to them He uses the word require (v.12); He also states in verse 13 that He wants them to respect Him, walk with Him, love Him, and serve Him with all their being (existence) ; verse 14 brings out that they were to "keep" His commandments for their own good; they were implored in verse 16 to circumcise their hearts and warned not to stiffen their attitudes toward God's commandments; this nation of people were expected to cling to God according to verse 20; and in verses 21-22 they were expected to praise Him for all His goodness.
The reasons were given for this: In verse 15 God states His love for them and choice of them; and He declares Himself as total LORD over all and greatness over everything in verse 17.
The question comes to beg for those of us today as to where our alliances belong. Do they belong to political parties? Do they belong to some ridged ideology that shows no Biblical truth to it? Are we given to the past unwilling to change? Or so bent on the future we are unwilling to see the benefits of the past?
Today as we have remembered those who have fallen let's not forget the One who has given us life. Let's not forget how He sacrificed His life for us and then rose from the dead. Let's cling to Him.
Please contact me with for any speaking engagements you might be interested in having me speak.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
HELP NEEDED IN DISASTER RELIEF
Just a reminder; with all the disasters going on around us make sure you are careful about where you give money. Three basic groups who are safe to give to are the Red Cross, Texas Baptist Men, and Carter Blood Center. The Red Cross needs hard cold cash not supplies. Many groups like Walmart will donate or sell on a very low end supplies to the Red Cross. They know best what to get and how to get it. The Texas Baptist Men will go in and help some with relief recovery but also act as a place to supply warm meals for those who are working. They also supply needed counseling to those who request it. Last the Carter Blood Centers need your blood. At a moment like these blood shortages can happen quickly. So if you want to help contact one of these groups.
Remember when giving financially you will be helping not only Moore, Oklahoma but the residents of Shawnee, Oklahoma who were hit the night before by several twisters. Also the people of Granbury and Cleburne, Texas are still in need of help from the tornado that hit last week. That is not to forget the good folks in West, Texas who are still suffering from the fertilizer plant explosion a month ago.
As always your prayers are needed. Below are the websites to go to to help out.
http://www.redcross.org
Text $10 donation to the Red Cross at 90999
Call with donations at 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-27677)
http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/Donations
Thank you for your help,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
Thursday, May 2, 2013
HOW SERIOUS DO YOU TAKE GOD?
"Moreover you shall make the tabernacle...the work of a skillful workman."
Exodus 26:1 (NASB)
As I'm reading through
the book of Exodus chapters 22-31 three things struck me as God was giving
Moses instructions about building the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.
First He expected the very best. The very best from them; the very best of them;
and the very best materials were to be used. In fact this is true of
everything that God would say to them from the sacrificing of the sheep to the
way they would deal with each other. While reading through these chapters
I noticed that He always tells Moses what materials to use and how it is
to be handled, what is to be used, how big it should be, and who should handle
it. God expected the very best of and from them on every level. In fact
that has never changed. God still expects us to give our very best. The other thing was that they were to take it
seriously. They were not to do it half-heartedly or as they wanted done.
Finally they were to follow instructions. There was a way God wanted it done.
Let ask you some questions: How do you respond to God in your life?
Do you give Him your very best? Or do you give Him whatever is left over?
That's one good reason for going to church the first day of the week, we
give Him all of us upfront. Then do you take Him seriously? I mean how
important is your life before God? Last do you take time to read His word
everyday and put it into action? You see God expects the very best from
us because through Jesus Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection He
gave His very best for us.
Let me know what you think.
AS A REMINDER I DO ACCEPT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS. GET IN CONTACT WITH ME AT StevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
AS A REMINDER I DO ACCEPT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS. GET IN CONTACT WITH ME AT StevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
All verses quoted are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Friday, April 19, 2013
THE NEWS MEDIA WAS WRONG AGAIN!!!-THE BOSTON BOMBERS WERE NOT RIGHT WING CONSERVATIVES
Okay we now know who the bombers are (where) and while we are
still getting information in we can rule out domestic right wing terrorism. In fact I suspect we can
rule out domestic terrorism altogether. Therefore I am doing something I rarely
do, I will begin to accept apologies from those of you who said or hinted
toward either of these.[1] [2] This does not mean that there will be not be a day when
those speculations are not right, but I think we need to hold our opinion until
the facts are in. Those of us who are Constitutionalist believe in the rule of
law and as a result do not think or feel that such acts of barbarism will
result in any good. There are other ways of handling it and the Constitution
gives us those avenues. To top it off, for those who feel that Bible thumpers
such as myself are part of the problem, I would ask for you to look in the
mirror really quick. For the most part in the 2000+ years of Christianity,
pagans, atheists, and those of liberal mindset have started far more wars. In
the last three situations that have occurred (the two shootings and the
California rogue police officer) those of us who believe in the Second
Amendment have been blamed and the claim was that these people belonged to
right wing conservative groups. However when everything was all said and done
they were either mentally ill or belonged to some left wing socialist group. So
please be careful when pointing fingers. Again, we still do not have the whole
story on this situation.
Let me know what you think.
Also, as a reminder I do accept speaking engagements so please get in contact with me at StevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
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