Go Fly A Kite

Hebrews 13:9; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1


I have always been fascinated with kites. I am certain that it began at the beach when I was a child. We would vacation every year in North Myrtle Beach and I recall people standing on the shore, hanging onto strings that rose hundreds of feet to decorated assemblies of paper or plastic, arrayed in all sorts of shapes and sizes, waving about over the ocean and shoreline. The best could make them dance in the wind, swaying back and forth, diving at incredible speeds and then rushing back to the clouds to be on display for miles around. 

I also recall purchasing a few kites of my own... and watching them crash to the ground, getting caught in a tree, and eventually flying off to a land far away (or at least it seemed). But those guys on the beach made it look so easy. They obviously knew the capabilities and limitations of the particular kite they were controlling, and they were aware of the winds. Some winds are perfect for kite flying and others are dangerous. You don't fly a kite in unstable winds.

Likewise, we shouldn't leave ourselves susceptible to unstable teaching. Ephesians 4:14 tells us we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (NASB) There are wolves among us. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Jesus says in Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (NASB) 

So how do we discern between teachers of truth and wolves propagating false doctrine? Jesus goes on to say "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits." (NASB) vv. 16-20

So let us pay careful attention to which teachings we acknowledge and promote, and as 2 Peter 3:17-18 says, be on (our) guard so that (we) are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from (our) own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. (NASB)

Romans 16:17 (NASB) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Pastor Mike Deese

Time To Heal

Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A couple years ago I injured my knee pretty bad. It was difficult to walk on for months, and even after a year and a half I wasn't able to jog. I had really prayed about this situation. We didn't really have the money for an MRI, yet alone surgery if needed, so I asked my doctor about alternatives. He gave me some exercises to do and the healing process began. I needed to build up some muscle around the area of pain, which provided support for my injury to rest and heal.

This is similar to how the body of Christ is to support one another. God's Word is rich with examples of such. In Galatians 6:2 Paul admonishes us to Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (NASB) It may take weeks, months or even years to see complete healing, so patience is in order. But just like our physical bodies, when the body of Christ builds support around a member in pain, the injured can begin to heal.

So let us build support around the hurting, whether it is physical, mental, financial, spiritual or otherwise. Let us obey God's Word and not merely look out for (our) own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (NASB) We need each other. God made us that way!

Romans 15:1 (NASB) Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

Pastor Mike Deese

Some Trust In Chariots

Psalm 20:7; 1 Kings 22:5; 2 Samuel 2:1; Judges 18:5-6; Judges 20:18

What is the best thing Christians can do for an upcoming election? Get out and vote, right? What should be our first order of protection against an enemy? Build a massive, well trained military? Invest in more powerful, smarter weapons? These things should definitely be near the top of the list, but not our first line of defense.

In 1 Samuel 23,  David goes to Keilah to attack the Philistines, while Saul, having received this information, goes to Keilah in pursuit of David. David comes out victorious and Saul is left running in circles. The difference? Three times in this chapter we see David inquiring of the Lord. Twice, after being informed that the Philistines had attacked Keilah, as to whether he is to go and fight. The Lord assures him that He will deliver the Philistines into his hands. Later, after being told that Saul is closing in on him, he inquires as to whether this is true, and if the people in Keilah (whom he had just rescued from the Philistines) would surrender him into the hands of Saul. Again the Lord gives confirmation, so David escapes.

On the other hand, Saul is never seen inquiring of the Lord concerning this pursuit. He has good information on David's whereabouts and victory would seem imminent. In fact, Saul declared, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.” (v. 7) Saul assumed that the Lord was with him but he didn't stop to seek His direction.

We often assume something so obvious, we don't feel the need to seek the Lord in it; or at least not in a passionate way. However, time and time again the Word of God is clear. We are not to trust in our own strength or in the power of our weapons or military. Our trust should be solely in Him. Proverbs 21:31 says The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord. (NASB)

So whether we are preparing to go to the polls, or go into battle, we should seek the Lord and His perfect plan. He will deliver, if we will just seek Him, pray that His will is accomplished, and trust Him completely.

Isaiah 31:1 (NASB) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!

Pastor Mike Deese

For The Defense Of The Gospel

1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Joshua 1:8; Ezra 7:10; Hosea 4:6

Have you ever given an argument about something for which you have deep convictions? We often get very passionate about things that matter most to us. A quick glance at Facebook will likely reveal such passion.

In Philippians 1:16 (NASB) Paul says that he was appointed for the defense of the gospel. Although Paul had been imprisoned and was possibly under house arrest and chained to a guard at the time of this writing, he knew that through it all this was a divine appointment allowing him the chance to witness and give explanation of the gospel of Christ.

The Greek word for defense used here is transliterated apologia,
which is also where we get our English word apologetics from. I remember thinking it strange when I first heard of Christian apologetics, assuming that it had something to do with apologizing for the faith. Actually, the term was originally used of a speech of defense or an answer given in reply. In a courtroom, after an accusation was made, the accused would attempt to "speak away" (apo-away, logia-speech) the accusation. 

Peter instructs us to always be ready to make a defense (apologia) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:15 NASB), while Jude tells us in verse 3 to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. It is obvious that we, like Paul, have been appointed by God to be ready to defend the gospel. Of course, the only way to defend something is to know it... and know it well. So let us be diligent to present (ourselves) approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB) and always be ready to give an answer for our faith. 

Pastor Mike Deese

Seek Me And You Will Find Me

Jeremiah 29:13; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 55:6; Zephaniah 2:3; Proverbs 8:17; Psalm 27:8

Do you remember playing hide-and-go-seek as a child? I used to be pretty good at it. I could usually find some pretty unique places to hide. I was also patient enough to wait for just the right time to run back to home base, and I was pretty fast so I could usually get there before being tagged out.

As as parent I would play it with my kids, and then with the grand-kids as they came along. However, that is much different than playing with the neighborhood kids growing up. Back then I'd play for keeps. I would give it my all. But as a parent and grand-parent, you have a different goal in mind. You make it so that they can find you pretty easily and then you run just fast enough to stay barely out of their grasp. You want them to find you, and then you want them to keep chasing after you. If you get too far ahead they will give up, but if you stay just out of reach they will continue the pursuit.

Our Father God desires for us to chase after Him in such manner. Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." God wants us to find Him. He longs for us to continually pursue Him. To be sure, there are some things we will never understand about Him... at least this side of Heaven. But we can know Him more and more as we passionately pursue Him. So don't give up. He will make Himself known... if you search for Him "with all your heart."

Acts 17:27 (NASB) that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

Pastor Mike Deese