Category Archives: Christian

Elohim (Genesis 1:1), May 26, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today we start looking at the names of God. He is called a lot of different things in scripture. We will start looking at what His names mean to us today.
Scripture
1. Genesis 1:1; Psalms 19:1
2. In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below.
3. The celestial realms announce God’s glory;

the skies testify of His hands’ great work.

Devotional
1. The Bible starts with the words we just heard, In the beginning, God created everything.
  1. Elohim is an interesting name for God.
  2. Hebrews used it as singular, but ‘im’ usually makes the word plural
  3. Usually means the God of great power
  4. Can mean God of gods, power of powers
2. Hebrews began their basic understanding of God with this word
  1. God of gods, supersedes anything or anyone we might try to put in His place
  2. Power of powers, Elohim is greater, more powerful than anything or anyone Satan may try to use to defeat us.
  3. God is above all
    1. In strength
    2. In knowledge
    3. In wisdom
    4. In goodness
    5. In grace and mercy
    6. In dealing out justice for those who deserve His wrath
  4. Before anything was, God was there and created it
3. When we think about the name Elohim, we also see the triune God-head encapsulated in the name
  1. The word is plural
  2. Singular when referencing God, the creator
  3. Recognition that God is more than one, but one, three in one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  4. Those who wrote the words believed in one God, monotheistic society
  5. Still used the plural name, inspired by God
4. As you think of this first name used by the Hebrews to describe our God, think of what qualifies Him to carry this name
  1. Creator
  2. God of gods
  3. Power of powers
  4. Here before the beginning to put in place all there is, nothing exists apart from His spoken word bringing it into existence
5. Elohim, God of power and might
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Better than Christmas (Revelation 22:20), May 25, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
This is better than Christmas…maybe. It depends on who you believe.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:20
2. The Anointed One: Yes. I am coming soon.
Devotional
1. I enjoy watching my grandkids as special days start to approach.
  1. Birthdays
  2. Christmas
  3. Start counting very early
  4. Anxious for its arrival
2. We sometimes do the same with
  1. Vacations
  2. Weekends
  3. New jobs
  4. Retirement
3. Jesus talks about an event without a date
  1. He says He is returning soon
  2. His disciples have been looking for that day since He ascended into heaven a few days before Pentecost
  3. Some did some things Paul and others warned them against
    1. Sold all their belongings
    2. Stopped working
    3. Sat and waited
4. We’re not to stop everything and just sit in a room and wait
  1. We have a task to complete
  2. Told us to teach
  3. Share the message
  4. Make disciples
  5. We should be growing in grace and becoming more like Him
  6. That takes work and can’t be done by sitting and waiting for His return
5. Also says He will return at a time we don’t expect
  1. Only the Father knows the time and day of His return
  2. Comes like a thief in the night
  3. Promised to return
  4. Wants to give us every opportunity to come to Him
  5. His delay is not failure to keep His promise
  6. Opportunity to see His grace and mercy at work
  7. Wants all to come to know Him as Lord
6. He will come
  1. Soon is relative when thinking about eternity
  2. But He is coming soon to claim His own
  3. Be ready
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Who Am I? (Revelation 22:16), May 24, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
People spend a lot of money trying to figure out who they are and what they should be doing. Jesus was pretty clear about His own identity.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:16
2. Jesus: I, Jesus, have sent My messenger to show you and guide you so that you in turn would share this testimony with the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.
Devotional
1. The self-help industry is huge
  1. 2014 estimated $10 Billion business
  2. Books
  3. Coaches/mentors
  4. Programs
  5. Across all disciplines
    1. Business
    2. Health
    3. Relationships
    4. Mental acumen
    5. Spiritual growth
2. We want to know who we are and how to get better because we don’t like the way we are right now
  1. Improvement is good
  2. Obsession over finding something you are not is not so good
  3. There is a place to find help in knowing yourself and the path you should take
  4. Jesus gives us the answer to following the right path
3. “I have sent my messenger to show you and guide you
  1. Holy Spirit knows what’s best for us and how our lives should progress through the journey of life
  2. He was there at the creation, the beginning of all things
  3. He will be here at the end, when time stops
  4. His task from the Father and Son
    1. Teach
    2. Guide
    3. Convict
    4. Convince
    5. Comforter
    6. Advocate
4. John tells us in His letter the words Jesus spoke about this messenger that will help us through this life.
  1. God’s presence with us and in us
  2. He is the best helper we can get
  3. Better than self-help because we don’t know the path God wants us to take unless we ask and allow Him to guide us
  4. Doesn’t tell us what next year will be like or even tomorrow
  5. Gives us the next step to take on the journey

If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Barred from the gate (Revelation 22:14-15), May 23, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today’s words remind me of the pictures I’ve seen of those high end nightclubs. I’ll tell you how in just a moment.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:14-15
2. Jesus: Blessed are those who wash their garments. In the end, they have rightful access to the tree of life and will enter the city through its gates. 15 The dogs, the sorcerers, those who commit immoral acts, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception must remain outside the gates for all eternity.
Devotional
1. I’ve never been to a club, but if the most popular are anything like depicted on TV shows and some documentaries, they remind me of these words of Jesus.
  1. Someone larger than the average NFL linebacker stands at the door
  2. A line stretches around the corner filled with people wanting to party
  3. The linebacker keeps the number of people inside just below the maximum allowed by the fire marshall
  4. Some of the more attractive or that look like special partiers are pulled out of line to enter ahead of the crowd
  5. Anyone the linebacker thinks wouldn’t add to the atmosphere of the party inside is barred from entering the door
2. Heaven will be more selective than those nightclubs
  1. At the end of time there will be a judgment
  2. Those who believe in Jesus will have their names written in the Book of Life, authorization for entry
  3. Those not found worthy because of their unrepentant heart, their unforgiven sin will be barred from entry
  4. Jesus gives us a short list of the kinds of characters barred
    1. The dogs,
    2. the sorcerers,
    3. those who commit immoral acts,
    4. the murderers,
    5. the idolaters,
    6. all who love and practice deception
3. Jesus has something much better than the NFL linebacker
  1. Remember the Garden of Eden
  2. Angel blocked the entrance to keep Adam and Eve from returning
  3. Pillar of fire blocked the Egyptian army from reaching the Israelites before they reached the Red Sea
  4. Jesus has a legion of angels at His disposal to block the unforgiven from the entrance
4. Those who enter will live eternally without evil destroying the kingdom
  1. All evil banished
  2. All will be finally separated from the broken world in which we live
  3. All there will be surrounded by nothing but good
  4. No tears, no dying, no evil
  5. Only God’s presence, His holiness, His grace
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What will your check look like? (Revelation 22:12-13), May 22, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Everyone likes payday. What will your check look like when Jesus comes?
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:12-13
2. The Anointed One: See, I am coming soon, and I will bring My reward with Me. I will pay back every person according to the deeds he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First One and the Last One, the beginning and the end.
Devotional
1. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like payday.
  1. Gets confusing
    1. Retirement comes on one day
    2. Part-time work on another
    3. Consulting work comes at odd times
  2. Never get the days straight and it just appears since most of them are direct deposit into my accounts
2. We like to get paid what we expect to be paid
  1. First check was a disappointment
    1. Taxes
    2. Social security
    3. medicare/medicaid contribution
    4. Insurance
  2. Seemed like other people got more of my check than I did after working for two weeks
  3. Tax Freedom Day this year was April 23, the day the average American earned enough to pay his or her taxes
  4. Jesus told a parable about some workers in a vineyard who agreed to wages and then thought they had been gypped because they didn’t get more than what they agreed
  5. We’re like that sometimes
    1. Put in extra effort
    2. Come up with more efficient ways to do things and reduce the time required and reduce our hours
    3. Want recognition, award, strokes
3. Jesus is coming back
  1. We have a payday coming
  2. We will receive what we earned
  3. Payday based on our deeds Jesus says
  4. I used to wonder how our whole past could be recorded for all to see
  5. With the advent of video, iPhones, security cameras everywhere, digital storage, I’m not longer surprised that our whole life could be stored somewhere
  6. Jesus knows our deeds
  7. We’re just now smart enough to think He could really know everything
  8. He can play it back for all to see
4. Payday is coming. What will your check look like?
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What does it take to make you happy? (Revelation 22:7), May 21, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
What does it take to make you happy? Think about that for a second.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:7
2. The Anointed One: Look now, I am coming soon! The one who remains true to the prophetic words contained in this book will truly be blessed.
Devotional
1. What does it take to make you happy?
  1. Harvest Ministries says this about the word blessed:
  2. So what does it mean to be blessed? The word blessed Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount is from the Greek word makarios, which means to be happy or blissful, but it also means a self-contained happiness. The Greeks called the Island of Cyprus “the happy isle.” They believed that because of its geographical location, perfect climate, and fertile soil that anyone who lived on Cyprus had it made in the shade. And the term they associated with the island was makarios. They believed everything you needed to be happy was right there on Cyprus.
  3. If only…
    1. Lived on Cyprus
    2. Lived in the right neighborhood
    3. Had more money
    4. Had a different job
    5. Had a different spouse
2. World says something here can make us happy
  1. All these things around us can make us happy
  2. They don’t
  3. They take time away from us
  4. They add responsibility and worry
  5. They make us want more because we find they just don’t satisfy
3. Jesus tells us how we can be happy, though.
  1. Right here in Revelation 22:7. “The one who remains true to the prophetic words contained in this book will truly be blessed.”
  2. Just keep the words in the book
  3. What have they said?
  4. Follow Him
  5. Remain faithful to Him
4. The Greeks thought you could be happy and blissful if you could move to Cyprus.We can’t all move to Cyprus, but our happiness is independent of our circumstances. It is self-contained, meaning that regardless of what is happening to us externally, we can be truly happy internally. We can be genuinely blessed as followers of Jesus Christ.
5. So you want to be happy? You want to be blessed? Just follow Jesus.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What have you done to prepare? (Revelation 16:15), May 20, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
They tell us home invasion is on the rise. What have you done to prepare?
Scripture
1. Revelation 16:15
2. A Voice: See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the person who watches and waits, dressed and ready to go, so as not to wander about naked, exposed to disgrace.
Devotional
1. I remember the days when people didn’t lock their doors at night.
  1. Went on vacation once and forgot to lock the door, but really didn’t worry about it
  2. Then started locking the doors when we left but not when we were home
  3. Then started locking the doors at night
  4. Then started putting gates around our communities
  5. Community watch
  6. Now alarms systems, cameras, guns under mattresses
  7. Prepared for thieves that might try to slip through the gate
2. If we knew thief was coming
  1. We’d be ready
  2. Doors and windows locked
  3. Cameras recording
  4. Police at the door
  5. Valuables secured
  6. Thief wouldn’t have a chance
  7. Captured and arrested
3. Thief doesn’t come when we are prepared
  1. Comes when least expected
  2. Comes when our guard is down
  3. Comes at his convenience, not ours
4. Jesus says He will come like a thief in the night
  1. Be ready
  2. Like the Jews prepared for the first passover
  3. Dressed and ready for a journey
  4. Shoes on their feet, staff in their hand
  5. Everything they need to take packed and ready to go
5. I attended a funeral just this week for a friend
  1. He was getting ready to take his wife to the hospital for surgery the next day
  2. Instead he had a massive stroke and never regained consciousness
  3. We don’t know how long we have
  4. We don’t know when our next breath will be our last
  5. We may live until Jesus returns to take His bride away
  6. We may be victims of a car wreck or some random act of violence or a freak accident or an illness or any number of things
  7. The message is we need to be ready
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What does the future hold? (Revelation 4:1), May 19, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Wouldn’t it be nice to look into the future and know what was going to happen in the next few days or weeks? Then you could prepare for it and maybe even avoid some of the crises that are headed you way. Well, we do not what happens next if we will pay attention to Jesus’ words.
Scripture
1. Rev 4:1
2. A Voice: Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.
Devotional
1. I like Chinese restaurants
  1. Décor
  2. Food
  3. Fortune cookies
    1. Disappointed if they don’t give them to you at the end of the meal
    2. Usually don’t say anything worthwhile
    3. Always want to see what they say, though
2. We want to know what’s ahead
  1. Card readers
  2. Palm readers
  3. Fortune tellers
  4. Horoscopes
  5. Astrologers
  6. Psychics and mediums
  7. $2 billion industry
3. Interesting that not a large percentage of those spending those $2 billion spend much time looking into the book that tells them what the future will really be like
  1. Every prophecy laid out in scripture has come true in its time
  2. Read through the Old Testament and watch all those prophecies come to pass the prophets gave the kings
  3. Red the prophecies about Jesus and see them fulfilled in the New Testament
  4. Now Jesus gives this vision to John as he sits in exile on the Isle of Patmos
  5. If all the other prophecies have come to pass, why wouldn’t we think the things Jesus tells John in this book will not take place?
4. We want to know the future
  1. It’s good to be prepared for contingencies
  2. It’s good to know a little of what will happen so we’re not surprised
  3. It’s good to know God knows what is happening so we are assured He has everything under control
  4. It’s good to know none of the brokenness that continues to fracture this world shakes the Eternal from His throne
  5. It’s good to know God will stand with us and live in us to help us through the roughest times of life when we give ourselves to Him
5. We don’t need psychics and mediums, palm readers and fortune cookies to tell us about tomorrow
  1. In plain sight for us if we just read God’s word
  2. He tells us what to expect and how to prepare for it
  3. His book isn’t that long, but making it the volume you go to everyday as your number one self-help book, will certainly change you more than anything else you could do
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Laodicea, today’s church? (Revelation 3:14-22), May 18, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Many say the letter to the church at Laodicea describes the church today. What do you think?
Scripture
1. Revelation 3:14-22
2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Laodicea. “These are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation:

I know your works. You are neither cold with apathy nor hot with passion. It would be better if you were one or the other, but you are neither. So because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. You claim, ‘I am rich, I have accumulated riches, and I need nothing’; but you do not realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. So here is what I suggest you do: buy true gold from Me (gold refined by fire so that you can be truly rich), white garments (to cover you so that you can keep the shame of your nakedness from showing), and eye ointment (to treat your eyes so that you may see clearly).

“Those I love I also correct and discipline. Therefore, be shamelessly committed to Me, and turn back. Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me.

“The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death I will place next to Me on My throne, just as I Myself conquered and took a place of honor with My Father on His throne.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”

Devotional
1. Remember The story of the King who had no clothes?
  1. Tailors fooled him into accepting a fine suit of clothes made from such fine cloth that only the wisest could see it.
  2. No one would tell the king they couldn’t see he was naked for fear they would be thought unwise.
  3. Finally a child looked up and asked why the king was parading through the street naked and all in the crowd, including the king, recognized he had been duped.
2. That’s what’s happening to many churches today
  1. God’s word isn’t true
  2. He doesn’t really mean what He says
  3. Surely He wouldn’t send anyone to hell for disobeying if He really loved us
  4. God doesn’t really care what we do
  5. We can always ask forgiveness at the end of life and everything will be okay
3. We have lost the fire and passion of the early church
  1. No sacrifice
  2. Leftover time
  3. Leftover money
  4. Leftover worship
  5. God takes something other than first place
  6. We’re lukewarm in devotion
4. The result – He’ll vomit us out of His mouth and out of His kingdom
  1. Lukewarm doesn’t cut it.
  2. Think we’re okay
  3. But just going through motions
5. What’s your spiritual temperature?
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Opportunity knocks but once (Revelation 3:7-13), May 17, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We’ve heard it, opportunity knocks but once. But is it true? I’m glad God doesn’t feel that way.
Scripture
1. Revelation 3:7-13
2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia. “These are the words of the holy One, the true One, and the One who possesses the key of David, which opens the possibilities so that no one can shut them. The One who closes all options so that no one can open:

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I have done this because you have limited strength, yet you have obeyed My word and have not denied My name. Watch, and I will make those of the congregation of Satan—those who call themselves ‘Jews’ but are not because they lie—come before you penitent, falling at your feet. Then they will know how much I have loved you. Because you have obeyed My instructions to endure and be patient, I will protect you from the time of trial which will come upon the whole earth and put everyone in it to the test. I will soon return. Hold tight to what you have so that no one can take away your victor’s wreath.

“As for the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will plant that person as a pillar in the temple of My God, and that person will never have to leave the presence of God. Moreover, I will inscribe this person with the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, New Jerusalem—which descends out of heaven from My God—and My own new name.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”

Devotional
1. We’ve heard the idiom
  1. Opportunity knocks but once
  2. You only get once chance to achieve what you really want to do
  3. Don’t pass up the opportunity when it comes, you might not get another
2. Sometimes it is true
  1. Perhaps in financial opportunities
  2. Stocks go up and down and if you get in at the right time you make money if you don’t you lose money
  3. Businesses come and go and timing is often critical to their success or failure
3. But God comes to us again and again
  1. Never gives up on us
  2. Keeps calling us to repentance
  3. Wants us to join Him in eternity
  4. God gives us ample opportunity to say yes to His calling
4. We can still refuse, but God keeps asking us to accept His gift of salvation
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”