Day Four
Matthew 1:24-25 Then Joseph being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took him to his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
Oh how may times have I been told by the Lord to do some particular thing in a particular way and not been 100% obedient? Far too many I have no doubt. I tell many stories of miraculous events that have happened in my life simply because I obeyed a command that often made little sense. You see when we in our humanness do something that makes absolutely no sense, but sensible things happen as a result we are greatly moved. One time the Lord told me to cross a street and walk up a particular sidewalk, no knowing why or questioning I did as He commanded. As I approached the sidewalk a man began yelling at me and hit me full force with his fist, I felt nothing! As I stood there in utter shock the man cried out “what are you some sort of preacher!” I answered still in shock and might I add no pain, “why yes sir I am”. The man immediately went to his knees and professed Jesus as Lord as he confessed to every imaginable sin. Now I ask you, did it make sense for me to cross the street, be struck, and feel absolutely nothing? Of course not, and while my macho side would like to say it was because of my superior strength and stamina. However the reality is God did a miraculous work, I was simply the puppet. The question remains however, “how many times have we missed out on such miraculous events either out of disobedience, fear, guilt, shame, or some other completely unjustifiable excuse? I believe that Joseph’s obedience was key to why God chose him; He knew that Joseph would obey even when it didn’t make since. I would like to ask you today to believe that Jesus can use you, if you have been saved one hour or a hundred years, He can and will use you for His glory. He is looking for willing servants, those who care not what man thinks, those who are foolish enough to do things others say should not or could not be done. Why you ask? Because if man can accomplish something, then man is able to explain it away, but when God moves you never know what is going to happen and isn’t that miraculous?
Daily Prayer: Lord may we always be more willing to obey and answer than we are to hide and wonder, may we no longer make excuses but rather make memories of the miraculous things you have done, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
“When what God asks begins to make human sense God can become might small”
Gene Burroughs Servant
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
WHo is this Jesus day 3
Day Three
Matthew 1: 22- 23
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
In Isaiah 7:14 the people are told that God will give them a sign in order that they may know that the one born would be the "Son of God" this child would be born of a virgin and "His name shall be Immanuel". Now here's the thing, there are no documented or recorded occurrences other than that of Mary where a virgin has given birth to a child named Immanuel. This very fact alone should be enough to cause some to wonder," could it be that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah"? Yet most did not wonder, nor did they care, they went about their daily duties completely missing out on the greatest blessing ever presented to mankind. Every day each and every one of us are faced with incredible and often unseen opportunities to experience the blessings, and glory of our God, yet more often than not we are to busy or too preoccupied to even know it. We go about our daily routine caught in the rut of existence never looking up to see what is going on around us. In recent days there have been a number of people I am fellowshipping with who have purposed to seek the Lord ever more diligently in their daily existence. Rather than doing things the way they always have they are instead asking the Lord what He would have them do, and wow is it having an impact. One brother wanted a Magnolia tree for his yard, yet rather than just making the purchase he asked the Lord what He would have him do, that night the neighbor gave him a Magnolia tree with no prompting or knowledge of the desire. Another sister at the prompting and with the assistance of her younger siblings took a Bible and the leftovers usually left in the fridge to die a slow death and went in search of someone who had need. That evening her and they were able to bless a woman who had been asking the Lord for a Bible. All they did was stop as they drove by because they felt prompted to do so by the Lord. Later they were able to bless a street couple with a home cooked meal, and yes you guessed it that was exactly what they were in need of. Another brother washed a young mans windshield simply because the Lord led him to and in the process he shared the love of God by his actions as well as by his later words of encouragement. You see sometimes we just need to ask the Lord what He would have us do rather than assuming that we need do things the way we always have, you never know He may just have something He wants to say, like there's a messiah coming, anyone care?
Daily Prayer: Father may we always be ready to here Your voice, may we wait upon You and obey your promptings in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
"Old and mundane or fresh and new either one will get us there but only has clean ears"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Matthew 1: 22- 23
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
In Isaiah 7:14 the people are told that God will give them a sign in order that they may know that the one born would be the "Son of God" this child would be born of a virgin and "His name shall be Immanuel". Now here's the thing, there are no documented or recorded occurrences other than that of Mary where a virgin has given birth to a child named Immanuel. This very fact alone should be enough to cause some to wonder," could it be that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah"? Yet most did not wonder, nor did they care, they went about their daily duties completely missing out on the greatest blessing ever presented to mankind. Every day each and every one of us are faced with incredible and often unseen opportunities to experience the blessings, and glory of our God, yet more often than not we are to busy or too preoccupied to even know it. We go about our daily routine caught in the rut of existence never looking up to see what is going on around us. In recent days there have been a number of people I am fellowshipping with who have purposed to seek the Lord ever more diligently in their daily existence. Rather than doing things the way they always have they are instead asking the Lord what He would have them do, and wow is it having an impact. One brother wanted a Magnolia tree for his yard, yet rather than just making the purchase he asked the Lord what He would have him do, that night the neighbor gave him a Magnolia tree with no prompting or knowledge of the desire. Another sister at the prompting and with the assistance of her younger siblings took a Bible and the leftovers usually left in the fridge to die a slow death and went in search of someone who had need. That evening her and they were able to bless a woman who had been asking the Lord for a Bible. All they did was stop as they drove by because they felt prompted to do so by the Lord. Later they were able to bless a street couple with a home cooked meal, and yes you guessed it that was exactly what they were in need of. Another brother washed a young mans windshield simply because the Lord led him to and in the process he shared the love of God by his actions as well as by his later words of encouragement. You see sometimes we just need to ask the Lord what He would have us do rather than assuming that we need do things the way we always have, you never know He may just have something He wants to say, like there's a messiah coming, anyone care?
Daily Prayer: Father may we always be ready to here Your voice, may we wait upon You and obey your promptings in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
"Old and mundane or fresh and new either one will get us there but only has clean ears"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day Two
Day Two
Matthew 1:18-21
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph son of David do not be afraid take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived within her is from the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people form their sins."
Joseph and Mary at the time being spoken of are in the one year betrothal period prior to living together and consummating their marriage, Mary is living at home with her parents and Joseph more than likely is preparing their future home. Upon hearing of Mary's pregnancy the natural and lawful course of action would be for Joseph to publicly announce Mary's unfaithfulness, which would more than likely lead to her death by stoning according to Mosaic Law. Yet on his own, prior to the angelic visitation Joseph displays his true character by purposing to keep Mary's condition silent, an action that displays Joseph's deep love and affection for Mary. It is possible that Joseph was considering a quiet divorce from Mary; however this was of course not to be so as an angel appeared to explain the need for this union to take place. Ever since the writing of this story there have been countless efforts to extol the virtues and qualities of Mary, she was obviously a very special woman to be chosen by God to bear His child, but what about Joseph? Here is a man who by all worldly accounts has been shamed by his bride. Mary by worldly accounts has been unfaithful or at the very least surrendered herself to Joseph, both of which are culturally shameful acts on her part, yet he remains by her side. The fact is that Joseph by his actions has shown himself to be a Godly, faithful, and compassionate man one determined by God to be worthy of rearing and providing for His Son. Little is said of Joseph in the Bible and over the years many have speculated about the character of this man, however by his actions he has shown himself to be a man of God a man willing to be publicly humiliated for the sake of mankind. I would suggest that Joseph is a man many of us would do well to emulate and I look forward to the day when I can shake his hand, or whatever it is we will do in heaven. To be a person of few words, faithful, humble, and unassuming is an admirable goal for each and every one of us, I don't know about you but as for me I could stand to be a little more like this man.
Daily Prayer: Father I do ask that You would help me to be short on words, long on thought, and capable of trusting You in all things, and I ask for these attributes in Jesus name, Amen.
"It is better to be unknown than to be known for unfruitful works"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Matthew 1:18-21
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph son of David do not be afraid take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived within her is from the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people form their sins."
Joseph and Mary at the time being spoken of are in the one year betrothal period prior to living together and consummating their marriage, Mary is living at home with her parents and Joseph more than likely is preparing their future home. Upon hearing of Mary's pregnancy the natural and lawful course of action would be for Joseph to publicly announce Mary's unfaithfulness, which would more than likely lead to her death by stoning according to Mosaic Law. Yet on his own, prior to the angelic visitation Joseph displays his true character by purposing to keep Mary's condition silent, an action that displays Joseph's deep love and affection for Mary. It is possible that Joseph was considering a quiet divorce from Mary; however this was of course not to be so as an angel appeared to explain the need for this union to take place. Ever since the writing of this story there have been countless efforts to extol the virtues and qualities of Mary, she was obviously a very special woman to be chosen by God to bear His child, but what about Joseph? Here is a man who by all worldly accounts has been shamed by his bride. Mary by worldly accounts has been unfaithful or at the very least surrendered herself to Joseph, both of which are culturally shameful acts on her part, yet he remains by her side. The fact is that Joseph by his actions has shown himself to be a Godly, faithful, and compassionate man one determined by God to be worthy of rearing and providing for His Son. Little is said of Joseph in the Bible and over the years many have speculated about the character of this man, however by his actions he has shown himself to be a man of God a man willing to be publicly humiliated for the sake of mankind. I would suggest that Joseph is a man many of us would do well to emulate and I look forward to the day when I can shake his hand, or whatever it is we will do in heaven. To be a person of few words, faithful, humble, and unassuming is an admirable goal for each and every one of us, I don't know about you but as for me I could stand to be a little more like this man.
Daily Prayer: Father I do ask that You would help me to be short on words, long on thought, and capable of trusting You in all things, and I ask for these attributes in Jesus name, Amen.
"It is better to be unknown than to be known for unfruitful works"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Food for Thought
Today we began our one year walk through the book of Matthew, a challenge for each of us to become disciplined in reading the word, praying, and spending just a few moments with our God; feeding our Spirit! The reality is whether people read this devotional or whether they are disciplined enough to feed themselves in other ways, the key is daily feeding. It seems rather ironic to me that as my fleshly body becomes hungry I feel the pangs in my stomach, if I wait long enough soon there will be growling followed by discomfort. My desire to eat and feed my flesh cannot be ignored, I have no other option, if I don't eat I will eventually die. There any number of reasons people consume food, we eat to satisfy our emotions, to occupy our mind, to help us get through boredom, we eat socially, sometimes we eat just because its there, not even needing it for sustenance. Feeding our flesh is a habit that all too many of us have become overly familiar with.
Lately I have been studying the definition of evil, it's cause, and effects, something we would all do well to understand a little more. However in a nutshell evil is best defined as, "the absence of God". If our Spirit is the abiding place of the Holy Spirit then evil cannot be present in us, or can it? If spirit is not fed it like our bodies will soon shrivel up and become atrophied. As I ponder this I think about John 1 where we are told that Jesus is "the Word of God." He (the Word of God) is the literal food upon which our spirits must feed in order to be sustained. Truly we do have more control over evil than we have realized, you see we determine the degree to which our spirit is aligned with God's Holy Spirit. We are free-willed beings, that He has made as such, and it is that will which keeps us from, or draws us to Him. What would happen if believers suddenly stopped waiting for their weekly gorging and began to eat healthy, small bites more often, accompanied by a good old fashioned Sunday meal, like the one at Grandmas house? What if we ate of the Spirit when we were bored, needing emotional satisfaction, or for the same reasons that we feed our flesh? Hmmmm now there is some food for thought.
Gene Burroughs Servant
Lately I have been studying the definition of evil, it's cause, and effects, something we would all do well to understand a little more. However in a nutshell evil is best defined as, "the absence of God". If our Spirit is the abiding place of the Holy Spirit then evil cannot be present in us, or can it? If spirit is not fed it like our bodies will soon shrivel up and become atrophied. As I ponder this I think about John 1 where we are told that Jesus is "the Word of God." He (the Word of God) is the literal food upon which our spirits must feed in order to be sustained. Truly we do have more control over evil than we have realized, you see we determine the degree to which our spirit is aligned with God's Holy Spirit. We are free-willed beings, that He has made as such, and it is that will which keeps us from, or draws us to Him. What would happen if believers suddenly stopped waiting for their weekly gorging and began to eat healthy, small bites more often, accompanied by a good old fashioned Sunday meal, like the one at Grandmas house? What if we ate of the Spirit when we were bored, needing emotional satisfaction, or for the same reasons that we feed our flesh? Hmmmm now there is some food for thought.
Gene Burroughs Servant
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day One 8/5/11 "WHo is this Jesus"
Day One
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez, and Zarah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nashon, and Nashon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Reheboam, Reheboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
Reading this passage I am struck with the significance of why the Lord has led me to write a devotional about Jesus from the book of Matthew as opposed to one of the other gospels. The primary purpose of this devotional is for each and every reader to come to a greater understanding of his or her savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew makes it clear in His first sentence that this book is truly about one person, Jesus Christ. Jesus the Son of God is truly the best example that any believer could ever follow, He was God yet man, tempted as we are, flesh as we are, and yet victorious as we can be because of and through Him. When we look at the genealogy of Jesus we may wonder why it really matters who He was descended from, yet to the fulfillment of prophesy and viability of which He is it means everything. If Jesus had not descended from the line of David and back to Abraham it would be impossible for anyone to believe and verify that He was the Messiah. All through the Old Testament there are prophetic utterances which state that the Messiah must come from the line of David (Is 9:1-7 11-15, 2 Samuel 7:12-13 are just two examples) and David from the line of Abraham, both fulfillment's of promises made by God to each of these men. Had Jesus not been traced back through this genealogical line it would have been reason enough not to believe He was who He said He was, after all God cannot lie. Yet since this is true we begin therefore with the factual and provable understanding that Jesus meets the genealogical qualifications to be the Son of God, the Messiah. Growing up I was often mistaken for a person of Hispanic descent, I had the dark skin, the short build, and I could even fake a pretty good accent, however no matter what people thought or how I pretended to be of one race the truth is that because of my heritage I am more American Indian than any other race, and in fact I have no known Hispanic heritage. Therefore I can never be Hispanic, Asian, English, Inuit, or anything other than what I am no matter how hard I may try. Jesus was of the house of David that fact is now history and no one can change it no matter how hard they may try!
Daily Prayer: Father I pray that each one of us would be able to accept our heritage and be proud of who we are, after all You did choose our race, and You cannot make mistakes, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
"To be joyful in who we are is to be grateful to God for who He made us to be"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez, and Zarah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nashon, and Nashon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Reheboam, Reheboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
Reading this passage I am struck with the significance of why the Lord has led me to write a devotional about Jesus from the book of Matthew as opposed to one of the other gospels. The primary purpose of this devotional is for each and every reader to come to a greater understanding of his or her savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew makes it clear in His first sentence that this book is truly about one person, Jesus Christ. Jesus the Son of God is truly the best example that any believer could ever follow, He was God yet man, tempted as we are, flesh as we are, and yet victorious as we can be because of and through Him. When we look at the genealogy of Jesus we may wonder why it really matters who He was descended from, yet to the fulfillment of prophesy and viability of which He is it means everything. If Jesus had not descended from the line of David and back to Abraham it would be impossible for anyone to believe and verify that He was the Messiah. All through the Old Testament there are prophetic utterances which state that the Messiah must come from the line of David (Is 9:1-7 11-15, 2 Samuel 7:12-13 are just two examples) and David from the line of Abraham, both fulfillment's of promises made by God to each of these men. Had Jesus not been traced back through this genealogical line it would have been reason enough not to believe He was who He said He was, after all God cannot lie. Yet since this is true we begin therefore with the factual and provable understanding that Jesus meets the genealogical qualifications to be the Son of God, the Messiah. Growing up I was often mistaken for a person of Hispanic descent, I had the dark skin, the short build, and I could even fake a pretty good accent, however no matter what people thought or how I pretended to be of one race the truth is that because of my heritage I am more American Indian than any other race, and in fact I have no known Hispanic heritage. Therefore I can never be Hispanic, Asian, English, Inuit, or anything other than what I am no matter how hard I may try. Jesus was of the house of David that fact is now history and no one can change it no matter how hard they may try!
Daily Prayer: Father I pray that each one of us would be able to accept our heritage and be proud of who we are, after all You did choose our race, and You cannot make mistakes, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
"To be joyful in who we are is to be grateful to God for who He made us to be"
Gene Burroughs Servant
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Worthy to Endure
Worthy to Endure
Deborah and I were having an all to familiar discussion a few nights ago regarding our paths and the direction the Lord has taken each of us, our families, and friends, when I had a new revelation regarding this walk of faith. There are many revelations and light bulb moments one has when they experience such tragedy as we have in our lives so this was truly nothing new. The depth of this revelation however was extremely unique, it was fresh, it was new, and it was intriguing. It was during our conversation that I realized the suffering, pain, tribulation, persecution, and above all loneliness of Dawn’s passing was an honor that God has given to me. Yes I did say honor. You see in the midst of grief, pain and sorrow we have every reason to feel as if we deserve some form of sympathy, or reward for our suffering. It is perfectly natural for one to feel the woe is me syndrome and many do, and far too many remain in such a place for the rest of their time on earth. However is this what God would have for His children? Would He desire that we who have endured would remain in a place of pain allowing our lights of testimony and faith to grow dim as if He were not enough to sustain us? If I look at the circumstances surrounding my life for the past thirty one years prior to Dawn’s passing from a worldly perspective it could and would be very destructive, not just to myself but in addition to all whom I influence. Think about it; I married my High School sweetheart, we fell deeply in love with each other as we fell deeply in love with the Lord. I served Him for over thirty years many of which were done while holding down sixty plus hour a week positions. I was never unfaithful to my wife and always by the grace of God was able to provide for our family. I haven’t drank in over thirty years, don’t cuss, don’t do drugs or smoke, and while I am far from perfect I try to always please and serve the Lord. Out of obedience I take a struggling Church in a community most people shun, and within two weeks realize my wife has less than a year to live. I care for her for every day for seven months, she goes to heaven and I am left alone with two teenage girls at home a twenty eight year old married daughter, two grandchildren a son, and a Church that cannot support my family. Do you feel sorry for me yet, please don’t! You see that is the way the world looks at my circumstances, but here is the reality; He found me worthy! Yes I am serious, He found me worthy to have spent so many years learning so much, blessed beyond measure, and now He has a new plan for my life.
Let the world say I am a fool, let them say I have reason to complain, let them say whatever they would but above all let them say I was worthy to have endured for His glory! Yes this is an honor, one that I am blessed to have been called to, one that I know I have failed at more than not, but nonetheless He has carried me through. I have been drawn closer to Him, I have learned to trust Him, to love Him, to allow Him to be my all in all, I have learned to appreciate what He allows in my life in order to make me who He desires me to be. I have learned to surrender and obey and I pray that I never forget the lessons learned. Oh what an honor it is to have endured the pain, the pain that causes His light in me to shine bright for His glory! Yes it is easy now to cry out with joy, I have been through the fire and the coolness of His breath of blessing has blown upon me, and it refreshes me every day! He has given me new hope, new love, new joy, a new partner in life and ministry, and new inspiration, and I am eternally grateful to have been called “Worthy to Endure”.
Gene Burroughs
Servant of God
Shasta Lake Church of New Beginnings
Deborah and I were having an all to familiar discussion a few nights ago regarding our paths and the direction the Lord has taken each of us, our families, and friends, when I had a new revelation regarding this walk of faith. There are many revelations and light bulb moments one has when they experience such tragedy as we have in our lives so this was truly nothing new. The depth of this revelation however was extremely unique, it was fresh, it was new, and it was intriguing. It was during our conversation that I realized the suffering, pain, tribulation, persecution, and above all loneliness of Dawn’s passing was an honor that God has given to me. Yes I did say honor. You see in the midst of grief, pain and sorrow we have every reason to feel as if we deserve some form of sympathy, or reward for our suffering. It is perfectly natural for one to feel the woe is me syndrome and many do, and far too many remain in such a place for the rest of their time on earth. However is this what God would have for His children? Would He desire that we who have endured would remain in a place of pain allowing our lights of testimony and faith to grow dim as if He were not enough to sustain us? If I look at the circumstances surrounding my life for the past thirty one years prior to Dawn’s passing from a worldly perspective it could and would be very destructive, not just to myself but in addition to all whom I influence. Think about it; I married my High School sweetheart, we fell deeply in love with each other as we fell deeply in love with the Lord. I served Him for over thirty years many of which were done while holding down sixty plus hour a week positions. I was never unfaithful to my wife and always by the grace of God was able to provide for our family. I haven’t drank in over thirty years, don’t cuss, don’t do drugs or smoke, and while I am far from perfect I try to always please and serve the Lord. Out of obedience I take a struggling Church in a community most people shun, and within two weeks realize my wife has less than a year to live. I care for her for every day for seven months, she goes to heaven and I am left alone with two teenage girls at home a twenty eight year old married daughter, two grandchildren a son, and a Church that cannot support my family. Do you feel sorry for me yet, please don’t! You see that is the way the world looks at my circumstances, but here is the reality; He found me worthy! Yes I am serious, He found me worthy to have spent so many years learning so much, blessed beyond measure, and now He has a new plan for my life.
Let the world say I am a fool, let them say I have reason to complain, let them say whatever they would but above all let them say I was worthy to have endured for His glory! Yes this is an honor, one that I am blessed to have been called to, one that I know I have failed at more than not, but nonetheless He has carried me through. I have been drawn closer to Him, I have learned to trust Him, to love Him, to allow Him to be my all in all, I have learned to appreciate what He allows in my life in order to make me who He desires me to be. I have learned to surrender and obey and I pray that I never forget the lessons learned. Oh what an honor it is to have endured the pain, the pain that causes His light in me to shine bright for His glory! Yes it is easy now to cry out with joy, I have been through the fire and the coolness of His breath of blessing has blown upon me, and it refreshes me every day! He has given me new hope, new love, new joy, a new partner in life and ministry, and new inspiration, and I am eternally grateful to have been called “Worthy to Endure”.
Gene Burroughs
Servant of God
Shasta Lake Church of New Beginnings
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The spirit that seeks to destroy
As we look upon the various events taking place around the world one cannot help but be moved by increased level of attacks upon seemingly innocent people due to perceived social injustice. We witness in so many nations, the unrest of those who feel socially downcast or forgotten. Somehow our word has become a place of getting what we think we deserve as opposed to working hard against all odds to have the things we desire in life. Just last week I watched as many did in horror as a young man in London was brutally attacked by a group of young men. He was beaten and humiliated, then if that was not enough the gang ransacked his backpack either taking or destroying everything within it. Why I asked myself? What would drive people to attack innocent children so viciously for little or no reward? The answer came as I studied the text for this past Sunday’s sermon, covetousness. In 2 Peter chapter 2 Peter speaks of those who are deceivers, liars, destroyers of anyone who will fall prey to them simply because of covetousness. I went on to read very much the same message in the book of Jude, then in Ephesians, Exodus,
1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians and more, the warnings of covetousness. What is covetousness you ask? Here is one definition that sums up many: “The extreme desire to have something you do not have and are willing to gain at all cost”. Satan himself led the greatest revolt of all time resulting in his own eternal judgment due to his coveting of the Lord’s worship and power. This same covetousness falls in the same category as fornication, gossip, lying, heresies, idolatry, and more, hence it is in my opinion to be taken as seriously if not more so than all sin and temptation. Think about it, if you are coveting something that is not yours, it can drive you to make choices that you would never make otherwise. You will act without prayer, speak without thinking, and make accusation without understanding, and in extreme cases steal from those who have what you desire. We are not just speaking of earthly possessions mind you, you can covet someone else’s gifting, blessing, ability, talent and so on, all of which are not yours to own. If you choose to act upon your desire you can also be committing idolatry, yes idolatry! Think about it, if my desire to have something outweighs my faith to wait upon the Lord to provide or not, I have placed that which I desire above the Lord, better known as idolatry!
I am convinced more than ever that today covetousness proposes one of the greatest dangers to a civil society, and the enemy will use it as long as he can. You see our world is experiencing a widening gap between the haves and the have not’s, those who have nothing view anyone with more than they have as someone wealthy. The wealthy are now a target, why because, those who have nothing, want something, anything, because the world has placed such great value upon possessions. The worldly value of a man has become the equivalent of what he owns, or possess as opposed to his character or contribution to society. Character, morals, values, they are all decreasing in importance on a daily basis and the result is utter chaos! My dear friends all you need do is look at the headlines in any nation and you will see the evidence of covetousness being acted out in the most heinous of methods. In the end the same spirit that caused the fall of satan and the angels, as well as the fall of man, will be the same spirit that usher’s mankind into the final judgment.
What do we do? We pray and avoid falling in to the trap of covetousness, the trap that has been laid for all mankind by the enemy of man and God, don’t take the bait!
Gene Burroughs Servant
New Beginnings Shasta Lake
1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians and more, the warnings of covetousness. What is covetousness you ask? Here is one definition that sums up many: “The extreme desire to have something you do not have and are willing to gain at all cost”. Satan himself led the greatest revolt of all time resulting in his own eternal judgment due to his coveting of the Lord’s worship and power. This same covetousness falls in the same category as fornication, gossip, lying, heresies, idolatry, and more, hence it is in my opinion to be taken as seriously if not more so than all sin and temptation. Think about it, if you are coveting something that is not yours, it can drive you to make choices that you would never make otherwise. You will act without prayer, speak without thinking, and make accusation without understanding, and in extreme cases steal from those who have what you desire. We are not just speaking of earthly possessions mind you, you can covet someone else’s gifting, blessing, ability, talent and so on, all of which are not yours to own. If you choose to act upon your desire you can also be committing idolatry, yes idolatry! Think about it, if my desire to have something outweighs my faith to wait upon the Lord to provide or not, I have placed that which I desire above the Lord, better known as idolatry!
I am convinced more than ever that today covetousness proposes one of the greatest dangers to a civil society, and the enemy will use it as long as he can. You see our world is experiencing a widening gap between the haves and the have not’s, those who have nothing view anyone with more than they have as someone wealthy. The wealthy are now a target, why because, those who have nothing, want something, anything, because the world has placed such great value upon possessions. The worldly value of a man has become the equivalent of what he owns, or possess as opposed to his character or contribution to society. Character, morals, values, they are all decreasing in importance on a daily basis and the result is utter chaos! My dear friends all you need do is look at the headlines in any nation and you will see the evidence of covetousness being acted out in the most heinous of methods. In the end the same spirit that caused the fall of satan and the angels, as well as the fall of man, will be the same spirit that usher’s mankind into the final judgment.
What do we do? We pray and avoid falling in to the trap of covetousness, the trap that has been laid for all mankind by the enemy of man and God, don’t take the bait!
Gene Burroughs Servant
New Beginnings Shasta Lake
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