There is an answer to stress. Learn more in this Recharge video
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Plan for Blessing (Luke 11:28)
Jesus shares a two-step plan for blessing in your life.
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Thursday, January 22, 2015
Your To-Do List (Luke 10:37)
A familiar story provides instruction for today. Learn more in this Recharge video.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The Real Reason to Rejoice (Luke 10:20)
Jesus says that we should not rejoice in things we can do but in our relationship to God.
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Monday, January 19, 2015
Your Blind Spot
(On a mobile device you may have to enlarge the picture to do the visual experiment)
You are partially blind! Oh, you don't think so. Allow me to prove my point. Look at the picture at normal reading distance. Close your left eye and look at the magician's wand. Slowly move the picture in and out. As you do, you will notice at a particular point the rabbit will disappear. Go ahead and try it, I'll wait until you get back. So, why did the rabbit disappear? The back of your our eye, the retina, has a place where the nerve endings for the light receptive cells join the optic nerve. At this point there are no light receptive cells and hence a blind spot. When the rabbit is in this blind spot it "disappears." Fortunately the Lord placed this spot 12 degrees to one side. If it were located in the middle of our retina we would have a serious disability. Why don't we notice this blind spot all the time? When both eyes are open the mind combines both images into the 3-D view that we are used to seeing. In combining the two pictures the two blinds spots are covered by the information supplied by the other eye. Even when we only have one eye open we do not see a blind spot because the brain fills in the missing information with detail similar to that nearby.
Now that I have proven one blind spot allow me to prove another. We do not see ourselves as we truly are. Jesus said we could easily see imperfection in others but miss it in ourselves. He said, ... how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's." Matthew 7: 4-5 A moat is a small speck of dust that we can see with 20/20 vision in someone else, the beam is like a 2X4 but we cannot see it. This blind spot is linked to the pride that is part of all of us (see I John 2:16). We do not like to admit that there are imperfections in us. After all if we admit to our imperfections we are admitting weakness and this is painful to our pride.
Since we have such a blind spot and since we should want to correct our own faults how do we go about correcting our vision problem. There are two resources that our Lord has given to enable us to see ourselves in spite of our blind spot. The first is other people. Proverbs 27:6 says it this way, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend;" A true friend will tell us of our shortcomings even though these may be painful to hear. Since we need others, God desires that His children be an active part of a local church. Those who claim to be Christians but find no time for participation in a local church are at the worst not real Christians or at best Christians who are remaining in blind immaturity. (If the preceding sentence seems harsh, consider it the wound of a friend). The second resource is the Word of God. Please take a moment and read James 1:22-25. James states that one who hears the word of God but does not practice it is like a man who takes a quick look in the mirror but does not do anything to improve his appearance. To be what God wants us to be we must look long and hard into the mirror Word of God that perfectly shows us what we are like. Just as I am totally sure you will look into a mirror today to check on your outward appearance be sure this day and every day, to look into God's mirror and make the corrections necessary. If a church and the Bible are part of your life then your natural spiritual blindness is in the process of being healed. Make sure you do not continue in blindness!
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Thursday, January 15, 2015
Least = Great (Luke 9:48)
Jesus says the way to greatness is not by being number one.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Hear Him! (Luke 9:35)
A voice from heaven shows us the significance of Jesus' message.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Re: Temptation
Temptation is something we all face and something that our enemy is always in our face about. He is a specialist at sending what will tempt us the most when we are in a moment of weakness or a moment of opportunity for him.
- If you are prone to laziness - he will give you unsupervised time
- If you are prone to bitterness - he will remind you of past hurts
- If you are prone to lust - he will send something to catch your eye
- If you are prone to anger - he will send some irritation
- If you are prone to gossip - he will send scandalous news your way
- If you are prone to greed - he will send something for you to grasp
- If you are prone to pride - he will tell you how great you are
- If you are prone to depression - he will tell you how pathetic you are
- If you are prone to selfishness - he will tell you how deserving you are
- If you are prone to envy - he will tell you how undeserving others are
- If you are prone to being judgmental - he will tell you how right you are
- If you are prone to doubts - he will tell you how wrong you are
The solution? Spend time with God daily, every single day; do not miss a day. Time in the Word and time in prayer will allow the Spirit freedom to work; it will give you strength to stand and prepare you for the temptation that will come. Have you spent time with God today?
Friday, January 09, 2015
The Ultimate Question (Luke 9:20)
How we answer the question of Jesus identity has eternal consequences Learn more in this Recharge video.
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You have a story to tell (Luke 8:39)
The story of you can be a powerful tool to influence and encourage other.
Saturday, January 03, 2015
A Flawless Record (Luke 7:22)
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Decisions, Decisions and Prayer (Luke 6:12-13)
Praying over every decision will pay big dividends in life.
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Friday, December 26, 2014
Forgiven (Luke 5:20)
There is no greater or lasting blessing than knowing your sins are forgiven. Learn more in this Recharge video.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014
What Christmas is all about, really (Luke 2:11)
Christmas celebrations sometime fall short of recognizing the spiritual meaning of Christ's coming? Learn more in the subject of this Recharge video.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Follow? (Luke 5:7)
If you had to reduce the message of Christ down to two words what would they be? This is the subject of this Recharge video.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
God's Word on board (Luke 4:4)
What emergency equipment do you carry with you? Maybe there is something you need to add to your collection find out more in this Recharge video.
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Saturday, December 13, 2014
Blessed are the believers
When Mary travelled to be with Elizabeth in the early days of her pregnancy with Jesus she no doubt was looking for comfort and understanding. I am sure she found these in her three-month stay with her elderly relative but in addition to Elizabeth's other words she spoke these words to Mary.
"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45
Not only for her, but for you and I, there is the enduring promise of blessing to those who believe. We as Christians often times have our struggles with belief . We also should not be shocked that those on the outside have a problem with belief is well. After all the gospel asks us all to believe:
• There is an eternal almighty God who can't be seen
• He made everything through a process that can't be understood or duplicated
• God became a man
• Jesus was born of a virgin
• He lived a 100% perfect life
• He healed the sick, raised the dead an performed numerous miracles
• Even though He is God he was killed by man
• Even though He was dead he came back to life after 3 days
• He literally rose into the sky and now resides in heaven
• He will one day return to the earth He left
But believe we should and blessed we will be if we do. To believe requires a choice on our part to do so. To believe is to know and accept that He is, that He is at work and act accordingly! Are you looking for some blessings? Then believe!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Repentance is not a bad word (Luke 3:3)
A U-turn is always allowed by God. Learn more in this Recharge video
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
The Father's Business is your Business (Luke 2:49)
The one look into Jesus childhood reveals what our lives are all about. Learn more in this Recharge video
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Death, Taxes and Christmas (Luke 2:1)
God can bring good even out of the difficult and unpleasant events in life. Learn more in this Recharge video
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Christmas is all about.... (Luke 2:14)
It is easy to make everything all about us, but God's perfect plan has a higher purpose. Learn more in this Recharge video.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
What is in a name? (Luke 1:31)
Have you ever considered the meaning of Jesus' name? It's meaning reveals His heart for you. Learn more in this Recharge video
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
The Theory of Everything (Luke 1:37)
While mankind looks for explanations for why things are as they are we can learn from an angelic message that all things can be explained. Learn more in this Recharge video.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Guard your Heart (Proverbs 4:23)
Of all the things you protect, value and keep safe - your heart is the most important, make sure you watch over it. Learn more in this Recharge video
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Don't Quit! (Job 1:21)
No matter what life hands you, it is always too soon to quit. Learn more in this Recharge video.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
To help you forget (Isaiah 43:18)
There are many things we must remember but there are some things we must forget. learn more in this Recharge video.
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Thursday, November 06, 2014
Will you take God's call? (Isaiah 50:2)
There are times when we choose not to take a phone call, but what do we do when God calls? learn more in this Recharge video
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
God's business card (Isaiah 48:12)
How does God describe Himself? In today's recharge we learn learn who God is without the filter of human opinion.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Sold for nothing (Isaiah 52:3)
We have not only sold ourselves short we have sold ourselves for nothing but God has the remedy, learn more in this Recharge video with Pastor Jesse Waggoner.
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Friday, October 24, 2014
Some visual and Scriptural inspiration for you
I took this picture in our front yard last summer - when Julie's butterfly bush was in full bloom. I think about the road a butterfly has to take to reach maturity - egg, caterpillar, pupa, adult - this reminds me that we don't become beautiful instantly. It takes a lifetime of growth and development for us to move toward the ideal God has for us. That is to be remade in the image of Christ, as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says; in His time He makes all things beautiful. So keep following, keep growing and be patient with yourself and others - growth takes time.
I am planning to share more of my photographic work and scriptural thoughts in this way. Your feedback or comments are always appreciated. Feel free to share the picture or this blog post with any one you care to.
Blessings,
Jesse
Just click on the picture above to view a larger image.
Five reasons not to fear (Psalm 56:3)
We have many reasons to fear but we have even more reasons to trust, Pastor Waggoner reveals five of these in this Recharge Video.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
God hears (Psalm 66:20)
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
When you can't sleep (Psalm 77:4, 11)
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Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Top five reasons to love people (1 Tim. 4:13)
Not everyone is easy to love but we must love everyone. Find out the reasons we should in this Recharge Video
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Thursday, October 02, 2014
Top five reasons to read the Bible (1 Tim. 4:13 )
We know we should read the Bible but do we? Find out the reasons we need to read in this Recharge Video.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Top five reasons to pray (1 Thess 5:18)
Are you taking advantage of one the greatest resources we have in life? Find out in this Recharge Video
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Five reasons to go to church (Matthew 16:18)
The church is a gift of God to you are taking advantage of this gift? Find out in this Recharge Video
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Seeing God? (Psalm 75:1)
Even if we cannot see God with our eyes are there ways of detecting His presence in our lives? Find out in this Recharge Video
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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Dull of hearing (Hebrews 11:5)
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Tuesday, September 09, 2014
Remove the filters (Matthew 13:9)
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Thursday, September 04, 2014
Invite God to speak (1 Samuel 3:9)
Have you ever directly invited God to speak to you? This may be a key step in your hearing His voice. Learn more in this Recharge Video.
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Listen (Luke 9:35)
Do we really listen to God's voice - find out in this Recharge Video
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Be still (Psalm 46:10)
In order to listen to God's voice we must stop making noise! Learn more in this Recharge Video with Pastor Jesse Waggoner
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Make the Most of Today -Video Series
A new video series has gone online - taken from the Archives of Recharge Video. In this video teaching series I will show you how you can make the most of today.
Life is too short to waste even a single day and the scriptures show us how we
should view and treat this day to make it what God meant it to be for us.
So take a few moments and be encouraged as you make the most of today.
To access the entire series go to the Mt. Calvary Website.
Blessings,
Jesse
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Who owns today? (Psalm 118:24)
Discover who is ultimately responsible for today in this Recharge Video
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Thursday, August 21, 2014
How to end your day (Psalm 4:8)
Discover the best way to end this day and every day in this Recharge Video with Jesse Waggoner
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
How to start your day (Psalm 63:1)
Discover the best way to start this day and every day in this Recharge Video
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Thursday, August 14, 2014
Mission Impossible? (Luke 1:37)
Find out what God can do with the impossible situations in your life in this Recharge Video
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Either way - it's good (Phil. 1:21)
In any extreme of life we can find good - discover more in this Recharge Video
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
What the Bible Says about Heaven
Here is a video preview of the Bible teaching series entitled - "What the Bible says about Heaven" you can enjoy it in person or online at Mt. Calvary Baptist church. I hope you can be part of it.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
The Risk of obeying God - Acts 5:29
Sometimes we face pressure from others to disobey what we know to be the right thing to do. But even with the risk obedience is always best. Learn more in today's Recharge Video
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Saturday, August 02, 2014
100 years' journey to joy
I WAS shocked at her simple beauty. Even through the 1920s styling of her clothes and the yellow tint of the photograph, she stood there smiling and confident with an expression of being at peace with the world. The faded image bore no outward resemblance to the woman I had come to know.
I was her pastor. I had visited in her home many times, talked with her, prayed with her and sought to encourage her. But the woman I knew was nearing the century mark. Time had ravaged her body and robbed her of even the mobility to leave her tiny home. The silent thief of Alzheimer's disease had stolen the best part of her mind.
I knew from the often-repeated stories that she was an orphan, her mother dying in the process of giving birth. She was raised by friends of the family, never enjoyed the company of a brother or sister. She never married, never knew the companionship of a loving husband or the tender touch of a nursing baby. She never traveled, and she saw the ocean only once in her 100 years.
She was never able to finish high school as the need for an income outweighed the need for an education. She worked in a factory making shoes. I make more in a few days than she ever made in a month.
She has no retirement, no savings and, apart from the family of church, no one to care for her. She survives on a small Social Security check and prayer.
I have wondered if this is the future she envisioned as she posed for that picture somewhere in the distant past. A future of loneliness, hard work, hard times and poverty? A future without the fulfillment of the dreams that most of us hold dear. The expression in the picture is one of confidence and hope; from every outward standard of measurement, her life has been anything but marked by happiness.
But if you knew her, in spite of a spotty memory and confusion, you would know that she has something money and achievement cannot purchase. Her spirit was one marked by an inner strength, a peace that goes beyond my ability to understand.
In spite of it all, she is content. In fact, she is joyful and thankful, rather than petty and bitter. She is always focused on what God has given her and not for a second on what God chose for her to do without. Her only disappointment is that God has seen fit to leave her here so long when she wants to go home.
The outward expression on a time-worn picture is a reality that is now seen in the inward images of the heart. This woman has found joy! The kind of joy I want to experience every day, every moment. I have come to her to give, to minister. Instead I have been ministered to. I have been encouraged and I have been wounded. I have been rebuked by how often I have taken the misguided path that believes lasting contentment and joy can be found in the trinkets and experiences of this world. Her life, the one I can see as whole from the picture I hold in my hand and the face that is before me, teaches me that joy can come only from things that touch eternity. It comes only from a person beyond this Earth and beyond this life. It only comes from a relationship with our Maker.
Psalms 16:11 expresses the idea in divine terms: "In Your presence is the fullness of joy."
One ultimately finds real and lasting joy in being with the God of the universe. It is not found in the stuff of the world. It is not found in possessions, in achievement or position. It is found in a simple dependence and contentment that has its origin in Him.
Why not take a few moments and take a look at the joy level of your life? Please do not confuse joy with happiness. The comings and goings of happiness are determined by the circumstances of this life. Joy is determined by our being in His presence and is independent of the circumstances of life. Joy is attainable, but only through a relationship with our Heavenly Father, gained through Jesus Christ.
She found this joy and lived it and lives it still. This is the goal I wish to pursue. I encourage you to make the journey as well.
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