General

As I walked away from the polls today with the “I voted today” sticker I was reminded that I am so privileged to be able to cast a vote according to my conscience and beliefs. We as Americans still have the fabulous responsibility and privilege to vote and to influence the our nation’s political direction. However, as great as the responsibility and privilege we as Christians have to vote, we have a much greater responsibility and privilege. That is to share the Good News that Jesus saves. On this Super Tuesday remember that the greatest need in our country is the salvation of the lost and the revival of Christians. Let’s look for ways to share the Good New today!

“Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” Psalm 86:17

When was the last time you had “One of those days?” The type of day when everything goes wrong and then some. What do you do when all of life seems to be against you. It is easy to let discouragement take root and to keep looking down rather than looking up to the only One who can truly help.

David, the author of this Psalm, was having more than just a bad day. His own son, Absalom, was seeking to take his life. Talk about discouraging! It is in this dismal situation that David provides us an example of what we ought to do. He sought God for strength and encouragement. Particularly he was asking God to show him a token for good. Let’s ponder this token that David was asking for and then realize that we can come to God with the same request and expect that He will graciously answer.

1. This token is a blessing. “…for good…” David was asking for God to show him a token for good. The word good is defined as something that is agreeable, pleasant and has the idea of being good in the widest sense of the word. David was asking for an extraordinary blessing from God. I am thankful that we can come to God in time of need and request a some good in the widest sense of the word. Something that would overwhelm us with the knowledge that God is in control of all things and is concerned with our particular situation.
2. This token is a pledge. “…a token…” The word token means a sign, banner, pledge or proof. David request was for something that would stand as proof of God’s care in his life. God promises us in Hebrews 13:5 that He “…will never leave us nor forsake us.” That is fact! Maybe you, like David, just need something visible to reinforce that fact and promise – a token for good.
3. This token is from God. David was seeking this token from God. We must remember in the midst of trials and discouraging situations that our God is the one we must seek for strength and encouragement. Too often we don’t seek encouragement from Him first. We run to friends and spill our hearts. We go on shopping sprees. We pop three bags of popcorn, open a Pepsi and go on a Andy Griffith Show marathon. We get on Facebook and publish our misery. There are many ways that people deal with discouraging situations. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” God alone has the ability to help us. Like David, we ought to seek a token for good from Him.
4. This token is for you. “…me…” Have you stopped to think that God cares about you specifically? When you come to God seeking this token He will respond with exactly what you need. It will be custom-made for you. Further, this token is exclusively for the child of God. Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.” 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Be encouraged that God cares for you in specific and desires to prove that to you.
5. This token is a testimony. “…that they may see it…”  Here David was referring to his enemies – those that abhorred him. David desired that this token would cause his enemies to be ashamed. The word ashamed means to be confounded or humiliated.  A token for good is a testimony causing the believer’s enemies to be confounded. Joshua 5:1 “And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.”Furthermore, when God delivers a token for good in your life He is magnified as the One who gives help and comfort. Remember that God’s working and blessing in your life will be a testimony for God to all around.
6. This token can be requested. “…shew me…” David requested this token and so can you. Maybe you have found yourself in a situation that is discouraging, frustrating and draining. Praise the Lord that we can come to Him and request a visible sign of His care toward us!
7. This token is readily given.  God did show care for David in the midst of his trouble. God allowed Absalom’s hair to be caught in tree while riding, he was killed by Joab and David’s life was no longer in danger. Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” God stands ready to grant a token for good in your life as soon as you ask.

For Noah and his family, the world that welcomed them back from a voyage over God’s judgement must have been a little discouraging. As they offered a sacrifice to God, He chose in Genesis 9:13 to give them a token for good – A Rainbow, a pledge that God did care for them and would always remember them. There have been many times that I have come to God and asked for a token for good. Just in the last month I asked Him for one and He answered the next day through something said to me in a conversation. Do you need some proof that God cares for you? Do you need a little love note from your heavenly father saying I have it under control and you’ll be just fine. Do you need something from God to prove to you that He has not forgotten your situation. Ask God for it and expect that it’s on its way!

1. My salvation and my loving heavenly father who continues to work on me.
2. My wife, Sheila, who is an inspiration and constant blessing to my life.
3. My son, Jack, who never fails to be excited about everything he sees.
4. My daughter, Sabrina, who loves to laugh and tease.
5. My parents, Jim and Dawn Kagin, who raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
6. My 5 siblings who often times are a spiritual encouragement to me.
7. My mother and father -in-law, Karen and Robert Shaw, who are not only a great influence in my life but in my children’s as well.
8. My church family at Grace Baptist who I look forward to meeting with every chance I get.
9. The Teens 4 Christ at Grace Baptist who have a desire to grow in the Lord and are willing to listen and follow admonition.
10. The privilege to be in the ministry and the responsibility to preach God’s Word.

God is so good to me and I am grateful to Him for every blessing He as given me. My desire is that in this 28th year of life that I would fulfill all the will of God for this year to the fullest.

Mark 10:13-16 “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Have you ever wondered what might have been going through the minds of the Disciples as they kept the little children from getting to Jesus. Were they thinking that He was too important to bother with children? Maybe they would be too loud and interrupt Christ’s teaching. Were they worried that the children might make a mess that they would have to clean up? We could wonder all day but this much we know, the Disciples had very strong feelings against those children getting to Jesus.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and Jesus still wants the little children to come to Him. He still is “much displeased” when we in someway stand in their way of coming to Him. Certainly children can be loud, interrupt formality and make messes, but none of those things should stop us as believers from allowing them to come to Jesus. In a sense, we ought to roll out the red carpet and clear all obstructions within the church to get children to Jesus. Just remember that children are special to Jesus and He says, “Suffer [allow] the little children to come unto me.”

This excerpt is from E.M. Bounds book The Possibilities of Prayer

“Prayer is a direct address to God. (Philippians 4:6 In everything…let your requests be known unto God.) Prayer secures blessings, and and make men better because it reaches the ear of God. Prayer is only for the betterment of men when it has affected and moved Him to do something for men. Prayer affects men by affecting God. Prayer moves men because it moves God to move men. Prayer influences men by influencing God to influence them. Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.

The utmost possibilities of prayer have rarely be realized. The promises of God are so great  to those who truly pray, when He puts Himself  so fully into the hands of the praying ones, that it almost staggers our faith and causes us to hesitate with astonishment. His  promise to answer, to do, and to give ‘all things,’ ‘ anything,’  ‘whatsoever,’  and ‘all things whatsoever’ are so large, so great that we stand back  and give ourselves over to questioning and doubt.

Let us ever keep in mind…that God means all of what He says in all of His promises.”