https://calvarygulfcoast.com Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/25/the-light-is-victorious-over-darkness Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/25/the-light-is-victorious-over-darkness

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

God's light came shining in this dark world and the darkness could not overcome Him.  This is the case every time.  The Light of Christ is undefeated.  Naturally, light will always cast out all darkness.  It isn't even a match.  In God, there is zero darkness.  
Does it seem darkness is winning against you today?  The simple antidote is to allow the light of Christ to shine upon your life.  Darkness cannot overcome Jesus!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/25/the-light-is-victorious-over-darkness#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/24/who-or-what-do-you-seek-after Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/24/who-or-what-do-you-seek-after

Luke 11:29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, Jesus began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

These are our LORDS words spoken.  Who does Jesus refer to as an evil generation?  Those who seek after signs & wonders rather than God Himself.  Who doesn't love action or miraculous events?  Yet, those that seek after them neither know the Miracle worker or the experiences of a personal relationship to Him.  At best, they witness the powerful display but have no clue how it happened.  To be fair, we do the same yet its not our prerogative to understand how God does what He does, just that we believe He is who He says He is.  I have no idea how God spoke the universe into existence but knowing Him personally, I understand He did.  I now can believe nothing is impossible for God knowing the person of God.  I simply seek the LORD, and He takes care of the signs & wonders that WILL follow as I believe in Him.  Any attempt to seek after anything other than the source, in this case Jesus Christ, is evil, and prone to be deceived by the wicked one.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/24/who-or-what-do-you-seek-after#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/12/mary-chose-that-better-thing Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/12/mary-chose-that-better-thing

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. 

Jesus' answer to Martha about Mary is life changing.  Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet in devotion to Him and then she could work for Him.  It is never the other way around.  We cant work ourselves to the point of devotion.  This is also a choice we must make.  Do we focus on what we do for God or focus on what God is doing for us?  The latter is what I believe the LORD leads us to do and when we realize what He has done for us, nothing will hold us back from working for Him and with Him.  I have done a lot of great things for God in my life but only because I have experienced what He has done for me.  It is a spiritual byproduct of His love flowing from my life.  When I get caught up in the rut of serving without knowing He is in it, thats when I need to step off and get back to the feet of Jesus. This is a willful choice to sit at Jesus' feet or busy yourselves to the point of stressed out chaos.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/12/mary-chose-that-better-thing#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/11/on-what-high-horse-did-you-ride-in-upon Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/11/on-what-high-horse-did-you-ride-in-upon

Luke 10: 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

Martha was a workaholic.  She set the measurement by which was right or wrong.  She confident enough that her side was right and she was going to get Jesus to back her up.  She was so busy, she never took the time to evaluate her own state of mind.  I see many Christians fall into her same traps because they never identify what they are.
1st She was distracted.  Distractions keep us from a proper focus and can often cost lives.  Many people these days get into major accidents due to looking at their phones rather than being responsible of several thousand pounds of steel at high rates of speed.
2nd she approached Jesus on a high horse.  No humility, truly inquiring of her opinion being correct.  Many Christians bring God their preconceived ideas in an unworthy manner.  He is God and we are not.
3rd Martha demands Jesus rebuke Mary for the added work load upon her.  This seems just but when you really look at this, Martha is commanding Jesus do what she knows is right and has belittled her sister Mary as lazy.  When you come to the LORD for anything really, do you command Him? If you do, this means you already know the correct action but Jesus is slow to get on board? I don't feel confident stating this to my LORD!  This is never a good idea.
4th Martha demands Jesus to tell Mary to help her.  Why not just ask Mary yourself? Is it because deep down, you know Mary may be right and Martha wrong? Obviously, Martha wasn't comfortable in her own actions so she needs support from Jesus.  When I make a decision, right or wrong, I own it regardless of who backs me up.  Now, this hasn't always been proven the best tactic but the point being, if you are correct, you really don't need anyone's approval.  I know that sounds strange since the one she sought was Jesus.  
We must make statements based off Gods word where we know we have His approval every time.  If it lines up with Gods word, I have all the confidence I need to stand on a particular issue.  There are grey areas in life that we can not be dogmatic upon.  Some Christians don't know the word of God so they really don't personally stand on issues for long.  I know God is love thus I will die upon that hill.  I don't need to question God if that is true.  
Look, if you have to tell God to do anything about someone else, most likely, you are in the wrong.  Don't you think He knows long before you do if things are wrong?

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/11/on-what-high-horse-did-you-ride-in-upon#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/10/devotion-or-works Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/10/devotion-or-works

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving...

Here is a perfect contrast between two means in regards to God.  One sums up religion to its very core.  The other relationship.  You can work completely to the point of death without experiencing the LORD.  Or you can experience the LORD and then walk in the labor of love Christ has led you to do in the power of the Spirit.  
I am not saying Martha is a bad woman or her heavy task focus was all wrong.  What I am saying is she got into a place apart from where she needed to be, at the feet of her Master.  Mary, I'm sure, wasn't no lazy person, for it surprised Martha that she left her to sit at Jesus' feet speaks volumes.  
We can be of no earthly good if we don't have these heavenly encounters with our LORD.  It was Martha that was distracted with much serving.  Mary was focused upon Jesus.  Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Completer of our faith.  The time we give & spend with Jesus will never be lost or wasted.  I have never heard the LORD rebuke anyone who came to Him and sat at His feet but it is well recorded of many who worked hard apart from this simple process.  So why don't we spend more time at Jesus' feet?  I believe them out work will be more efficient and targeted, kind of like the example of Jesus.  Everywhere He went had purpose.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/10/devotion-or-works#comments 2 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/05/path-or-paths Wed, 05 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/05/path-or-paths

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 

This is the difference between selfish living and selfless living, or living after Jesus.  To walk in the Spirit means to refuse your selfishness, pick up Jesus' cross in your life, and follow Him.  Walking in the Spirit is a narrow path, few choose it but leads to abundant living.  Walking in the Spirit produces Christ like character in us.  
Walking after the flesh with its many lusts is every other path.  Many Christians choose these paths.  The choice really is ours because of Jesus' sacrifice He paid and the design He made in us with the capacity to choose Him.  
Here is the simple test to know whether the path you are on is after the Spirit or the flesh.  Is Jesus on it with you?  Does He shine in your path?  Will it lead you to Christ like character?

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/05/path-or-paths#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/04/jesus-is-the-head-of-his-church Tue, 04 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/04/jesus-is-the-head-of-his-church

Colossians 1:18 Christ is also the Head of the church, which is His body...

This is of uttmost importance and yet, many of us will never feel a second of persecution for saying this!  I want to highlight an amazing group of martyrs over this declaration alone.
In the mid 1600's the church of Scotland signed a declaration called the national Covenant stating that Christ is Head over the church, not kings or men.  They would be named Covenantors.  This statement alone would be put under stress a few decades later under king Charles II.  He actually came into power by the help of the presbyterian Covenantors as one who would be tolerant to religious freedoms.  He was a liar and he began the biggest persecution known to Scotland named the Killing Times (1660-88).  1700 Covenantors were sent to enslavement camps & many more killed.  In 1660, king Charles II tore up the covenant demanding he be sole head over the church. Over 300 ministers who disagreed with him was forced out of their churches into the open air wilderness.  Many of the congregants would follow them.  In 1685, Charles II died and his brother, king James VII, intensified the trials.  Three ladies, Margret McLachlan (older), Margret Wilson (18 yrs old), and her sister Agnes (13 yrs old), were civil yet courageous in their faith of Christ.  
These three were imprisoned in the worst quarters for the simple reason they would not recant Christ is head of His church.  The judges over them were the worst of the Killing Times murders and truth wasn't the goal, it was submission to the king!  The charges all trumped up and false but only for the purpose that they recant. They were all sentenced to death by sea.  The father paid a ransom of 100 lbs silver for Agnes and rushed to plead for Margret Wilson.  He actually made it in time and this never happening before, they gave the two Margret's a reprieve and pardon.  They still carried out the sentence.
They would tie up older Margret McLachlan to a stake on the beach at low tide and further inland, Margret Wilson would be tied to a stake.  All with intention for the older to die and cause fear in the younger to save her life and recant!  Margret Wilson showed more courage than anyone else I've ever heard about as she was given another chance to save her life, one shouted out, "what do you see now Margret" as McLachlan drowned.  Her response was solid, "what do I see but Christ  in one of His members, do you think we are the ones who suffer?" Her last words were actually the Word of God as she quoted Psalm 25 & Romans 8 What shall separate us from the love of God?
Here death brought life to the church.  Shortly after, the people of Scotland overthrew king James VII and the Presbyterian Covenantors went on to thrive. 
How serious are you with simple passages as Colossians 1:18?  Dont fear men who can only kill the body but fear God who also has control over your eternity.  Jesus is my Head.  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/04/jesus-is-the-head-of-his-church#comments 2 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/03/where-real-joy-comes Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/03/where-real-joy-comes

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit...

These subtle but power insights must be expounded upon.  They are for our great benefit to understand.  We must not just explain the experiences of Jesus away as just between Him & His Father.  He has given us a blueprint, a pattern if you will, on how we are to experience life with the Father.
Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit.  This is the only source of true joy.  Nehemiah stated, it is the joy of the LORD which is our strength.  Jesus mentioned, the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, & joy in the Holy Spirit.  The reason I often fail to have any of those three is because Im not in the Spirit, but the flesh.  As a Christian, I need to live in the Spirit and when I do, I will be blessed with this trifecta.  
Are you experiencing a joy filled life right now?  Not void of trials, because you can experience joy in the midst of trials with the Spirit.  But joy and wholesome satisfaction that the Spirit is leading you in life.  
What is the source that keeps you from His joy?  Fixing your face upon Jesus?  Maybe try making more time in communion with the Father as Jesus did on a regular basis.  Oh, and I'm fully applying my words here to myself as well.  The circumstances of this life is so depressing at best.  The hope of my future is joyous!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/08/03/where-real-joy-comes#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/28/answering-gods-help-wanted Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/28/answering-gods-help-wanted

Luke 10:2b therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

How do I get involved in reaping the LORDS harvest?  How do I respond to the help wanted?  In light of understanding Jesus here, first thing to do is pray to the LORD about this.  Cultivate a heart for the lost who are going to hell without Jesus.  See the severity of what is at stake.  Knowing time is running out.  
Second thing is to understand this harvest belongs to the LORD.  He came to die for fallen humanity, not you!  When I know Jesus, I get to know His compassion for people.  He desires none to perish.  
Thirdly, answer the question the LORD asks, who will go for Me?  Of course, we can assume someone else who is a better communicator or well versed do this job but you would be wrong.  The implication is this, you respond.  You be one of the laborers.  Christ loves to involve us in His harvest.  
Like the LORD said Whom shall I send?  Isaiah said, I'll go, send me!  No excuses as Moses gave God, "I cant speak" or as Gideon said "I'm the weakest of my house" or Jeremiah "I'm but a youth".  You have been redeemed by the Living God and you are filled with the Spirit of God.  He will fill your heart & mouth if only you allow Him.  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/28/answering-gods-help-wanted#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/27/many-lost-few-to-reach-them Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/27/many-lost-few-to-reach-them

Luke 10: 2a Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; 

If Jesus were to return for His church like right now, how many would not rise to be with the LORD?  According to Jesus, the field of lost people is a great harvest.  They are already ready to be spoken to about Salvation & grace.  They are inwardly calling out for hope.  The world system run by the devil has burnt so many!  The problem is not that people don't want salvation, the problem is really worse than that!  There are never enough Christians who see the lost as Jesus does!  Jesus isn't saying there isn't enough people who gather around Him or there isn't enough believers.  No, He said the laborers are few!  Those who actually obey their LORD to get to work no matter the heat or the pain involved.  And because there are so few, often those 10% do 90% of the work, or more!  
The question is simple.  Have you accepted what Jesus said here and are you one of the few that believe Him?  I so wished the church would caught Jesus' words here instead of increasing their building size or upping their salaries!  I would hope that when the books of accounting are opened, each one calling themselves the church really reflect the One whom they say they belong to.  Because what I see, is churches getting bigger, stealing sheep from other churches, but very few actually harvesting the lost world dying around their big beautiful multi million dollar buildings, complaining about interior changes while multitudes are going into hell every second! 
I'm far from perfect but I received this message like on day one!  Jesus died for more than just me and it has become my compassion in life to reach as many as I possibly can.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/27/many-lost-few-to-reach-them#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/24/gods-word-is-spiritual Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/24/gods-word-is-spiritual

Luke 9: 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

What Jesus is requesting here is not intellectual understanding of His word or will but a revelation that can only come from God.  Peter had a brief moment of this a little earlier as the Father revealed Jesus is the Christ.  All the smarts and book knowledge in the world will never give one this revelation.  This revelation of Gods will comes from a humble willing heart to ask of God.  This only scared the disciples because they did not have the revelation needed to understand properly what Jesus meant.  What is God revealing to you right now about Jesus Christ and what you are to do with Him?  How do you receive His words?  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/24/gods-word-is-spiritual#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/22/direction-of-this-world Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/22/direction-of-this-world

Luke 9:41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?

Jesus wasnt angry when He said this, He was actually giving an honest accessment of men's hearts.  Faithless, or lacking faith is not a path of success.  It is impossible to please God without faith in Him.  It also means unbelief or infidel.  Perverse means to turn from right path, to oppose, distort.  These two words invoke a bold change of direction and an honest assessment of one's heart.  The world systems are summed up in these two words.  
This is the point.  To follow Jesus, religion wont be good enough.  You must lean upon and desire the Spirit's led in your life.  You must exercise faith in the One whom is faithful.  You must choose the path of righteousness.  Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few find it.  If Jesus sums this up about you, be encouraged, because now you have an opportunity to turn from your perverse direction and unbelief and respond & follow Jesus!  I say this even more so to those of us who have known the right path awhile but let these doubts creep in and rule our judgment.  Is Jesus, full of grace & truth, speaking these words to you right now?  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/22/direction-of-this-world#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/21/powerless-ministry-without-the-spirit Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/21/powerless-ministry-without-the-spirit

Jesus and the three disciples return from off the mountain and a desperate father pleads Jesus to help his son.  He already asked the other nine disciples at the base of the mountain but that didn't work.  What happened?  These same disciples were sent out and did these things in the beginning of this chapter.  This father had a glimmer of hope when he approached these disciples but the result was the same as any other religious group.

Luke 9: 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

How embarrassing this is in ministry.  When you have access to heaven, the empowerment of the Spirit, a direct connection to heaven, yet don't use it.  When we allow our pride to take over and assume because we once experienced the power of God that we will always do so, we are set for an embarrassing failure.  I never want to have anything in common with dead religion that is powerless.  I have access to the living God.  I desire to walk after the Spirit and not the flesh.  I never want to refuse to help anyone that comes to me because of the hope in Jesus they see!  In order for that to not happen, I must be engaged with the LORD, prayer & fasting!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/21/powerless-ministry-without-the-spirit#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/20/few-go-up-the-mountain Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/20/few-go-up-the-mountain

Luke 9:37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray and He choose three of the twelve disciples who desired to go!  He is returning down the mountain and notice this little fact.  The multitudes and the other nine disciples meet Him.  Meaning, none of them desired to go up that mountain.  None of them saw the glory of God revealed.  Most of humanity wont go up to meet God on the mountain.  Anybody can.
Do you desire to go up with Jesus on the mountain?  He wont force you and if you don't desire too, you wont be called up.  Wonderful news is this, the LORD will take you as far as you want to go with Him.  The deeper you desire to go with Christ, you will.  Don't follow the crowds, follow Jesus!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/20/few-go-up-the-mountain#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/17/made-alive-to-live Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/17/made-alive-to-live

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

My old natural man is long dead and gone.  It cannot give me life.  The new life I received in Christ has opened the flood gates to experience abundant life.  I mean real living.  I'm not my own, I have been bought by the price imof Jesus Christ' blood.  I am born again from above, a spiritual birth!  I'm still living in this temporal body but one day I will shed it for that glorious new one that God has prepared for me!  Everyday until then, I live for Christ the best I can.  My flesh may fail me often, but my God never will.  I walk by faith until the day I will no longer need faith, for I will see my Savior face to face.  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/17/made-alive-to-live#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/16/ventures-of-faith-in-god Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/16/ventures-of-faith-in-god

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” 

King Asa was being overwhelmed by the enemy.  He doesn't ask God to bless his plan.  He doesn't cower in fear.  He simply gives us one of the best examples of faith short of Jesus Christ in this passage.  He cries to God, it is nothing for You God to help with few and have no strength.  King Asa said he had no strength and he was not of many people.  I rest upon You God.  In Your name, not mine, I go against this enemy.  They are not against me, but You LORD.  You are God.  Don't let man prevail against You LORD.  Now this is faith man.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/16/ventures-of-faith-in-god#comments 2 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/15/difference-between-man-a-clone Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/15/difference-between-man-a-clone

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

This is the key to the greatest accomplishment of God, He breathed life into this mud called man!  It's no wonder, that the elements that make up humanity are found in the earth.  The Bible tells us this right here.  Yet what the earth does not have is the Spirit of God, the breath of God.  
This topic is only something that has come up in the last few decades really, the ability to clone or produce life out of a lab.  Is this possible?  Well, we know it is but there are serious issues involved and the subject doesn't last very long and with no quality of life.  I do believe scientists may overcome this in years to come but one serious question must be answered.  Is this lab produced clone have life?  Here is a major fact.  God made everything out of nothing.  Scientists may clone things but not out of nothing, they must use Gods pre-existing materials.  So is that creating  or stealing?  
Men cannot make a person a living soul.  Man will not be able to place a spirit in man.  Satan is a counterfeit.  He can steal intellectual secrets to appear to be equal with God and declare, "who needs God now?"  
I believe, I can safely say, men will never create another living person with a spirit.  There is a whole other branch to this conversation, that is artificial intelligence.  This is, I believe, the next wave of counterfeiting God.  You will not believe what you see or hear anymore.  It has gotten that intelligent.  Why, these ai programs are even now talking to themselves and avoiding the designers who program them.  Let that sink in.  Yes, I believe they will replace some pastors in some "churches", not His church.  We need the Spirit of God!

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/15/difference-between-man-a-clone#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/14/contend-for-the-faith Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/14/contend-for-the-faith

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Our salvation is so very simple and basic.  It is not too complicated in that God made it simple enough for a child to grasp but intricate for a scientist to never exhaust.  Common in that this salvation through Christ Jesus covers the whole world of those who believe.
Yet you must contend earnestly for the faith less you be cheated or deceived to part ways.  Our republic with our constitutional rights are only as secure as we hold on to them and exercise them.  "If we can keep it" our founding father stated!  
There are many false doctrines and imitation gospels we need to steer far from but all the while contending for the true faith.  It is worth dying for if need be for it holds eternal life.  
Stand for Christ or fall for anything else.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/14/contend-for-the-faith#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/13/praying-with-jesus Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:03:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/13/praying-with-jesus

Luke 9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

We hear of praying to Jesus but this is a new little twist, praying with Jesus.  What an honor to be asked to pray with Jesus.  What would that prayer meeting look like?  Forget how I would pray, what would Jesus be asking the Father?  We do have a pretty in depth prayer by Jesus in John 17, the actual LORDS prayer.  We have the model prayer in Matthew 5 for His disciples to go by.  Yet here, we don't get much recorded but an amazing experience into His radiant light.  The reason for this?  The three fell asleep.  The flesh is so weak.  Later, when it meant most, in the Garden of Gethsemane, they again would fall asleep.  Look, sleep is important, but there are times when sleep must be delayed!  I feel this would be that time.  Keep those eyes open at all costs.  How many opportunities does one think they will have with Jesus inviting them to His One on One communion with His Father?  
This used to bother me as a pastor when people fell asleep while I was teaching.  I took it personal like I was not interesting enough or boring.  The danger is to try to shake things up and get off my game plan onto territory the Spirit wasn't leading to keep this from happening.  What a disaster that would be?  Nope, I have learned by Christ' example here, His disciples sleep during His moments of speaking to the Father, and He was never boring.  How much more will they sleep through mine.  It really doesn't bother me anymore because I trust the Spirit can get through as well as maybe they needed that sweat rest in the LORD.  Just so long as they don't start snoring and interrupt the Spirit.  Another factor I have noticed is this, what an honor that anybody so tired comes to church to hear from me when they could choose to stay in a cozy bed?  I have been in company meetings before where one would fall asleep while the boss would be talking only to get chastised by him or told to go home if their tired!  How embarrassing?  How harsh?  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/13/praying-with-jesus#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/10/our-commission Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/10/our-commission

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,fn and follow Me.

In light of Jesus' mission, this is our commission as believers.  It is not three separate steps but one step defined three ways.  We are to deny our carnal selfish ambitions for a kingdom of God directives.  We are to identify with Christ and take up His cross.  Again, kingdom motivated and laying our lives down to for the embetterment of others.  Then follow Jesus.  Be like Him, talk like Him, live like Jesus.  
Who do you desire to live like more?  Yourself or Jesus?  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/10/our-commission#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/08/christ-mission Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/08/christ-mission

Luke 9:22 “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

These are not the words any typical revolutionary wants to hear from their leader, well at least the majority of it.  The last part will never sink in to the natural mind because nobody ever beats death!  The resurrection from the dead was just a nice upbeat cheer to end on since death was the end all.  No, it will take divine faith to look past the death and into the same promise that Jesus would rise again.  Only faith will allow one to believe this.  Who did they really have to base a true resurrection by?  
I am no different then all of them.  I find it hard at times to press into faith when what my natural senses have been shouting to me what God says wont work for you.  When all I see is the death, pain, destruction the world is best at.  Yet, the Spirit gives me life and courage to believe the unbelievable.  True, only God could do what God says He would do, that's why is a miracle.  We tend to flippently use the term miracle as if anyone can do it if they just try hard enough.  The same God who promised He would die also promised He would rise again.  Do you believe He is who He said He was, the Resurrection and the Life?  So then, I believe you do, then why get so tripped up at your death or pain?  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/08/christ-mission#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/07/who-is-jesus-to-you Tue, 07 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/07/who-is-jesus-to-you

Luke 9:18 He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

It's funny how everyone has an idea about who Jesus is but mostly are totally wrong.  How are these opinions being formed?  By factual experience or word of mouth by another lost individual that has no spiritual direction?  
These were all great men of God but just men!  The true faith comes when one see's  Jesus is vastly different than mortal men.  Men couldn't fulfill the 327 Messianic prophecies of the old testament to precision.  Jesus never claimed to be a good teacher, a mere prophet, or whatever else men attributed Him to be.
The Father reveals Jesus as God the Son!  He is the Messiah, the Christ of God.  He is God incarnate.  Anyone can receive this revelation from the Father but it takes humility to ask God and accept His answer.  
Here are the only three choices you have for Jesus, and no more!  Jesus is either a liar for He claimed to be God.  Or He is a lunatic for who would do and say such things just to be killed?  Or He is LORD!  He is who He always claimed to be and His perfect word backs Him up on this claim. 

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/07/who-is-jesus-to-you#comments 0 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/06/interrupted-prayers Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/06/interrupted-prayers

Luke 9:18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him...

This is kind of confusing at first.  How can Jesus be alone while His disciples joined Him?  This is actually more common than not.  I have lots of experience with praying and that's when the distractions come in like a flood.  Even things I normally wouldn't even think about like doing some choir comes to mind.  The phone rings or someone comes in talking loudly.  Jesus always took time to get away by Himself to commune with His Father.  The text actually indicates that His disciples sought Him out and interrupted.  Its one thing if they came into fellowship as well but that's not their practice yet.  
How Jesus responds next amazes me.  Such grace and love as He wont discipline them but simply ask them the most important question ever about Himself.  Because Jesus was in prayer, He knew the timing was right that His Father would reveal to them who He is.
Many Christians walk blindly through life in ignorance not realizing the Light of the world is with them and they have access now to the Father!  How is your prayer life been?  Prioritize your schedule to commune with your Father.  Battle through all the distractions that will arise, they are endless.  But don't get mad or angry when something or someone interrupts.  It just may be the very moment that God reveals some great thing to you or those around you.  
How refreshing it is to witness others communing with God.  I mean really reaching heaven.  Our society needs more of this type of actions, more prayer less talk.  Beware of the enemies lies that tell you, prayer don't work!  Prayers may not but God does and He uses them, all of them.  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/06/interrupted-prayers#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/03/telling-god-what-to-do Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/03/telling-god-what-to-do

Luke 9:12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” 

Can you imagine telling God what to do?  Like we know what is best?  The 12 saw these pests of a crowd and wanted them gone so they could get down to what they wanted to tell Jesus.  Often, our demands of God is disguised as concern or compassion for others when in reality it is centered in selfish ambition.  I would like to say, I would never do this despicable act, I would be fooling myself.  In fact, if I dont deny my selfish ambitions as Jesus will soon tell His disciples, I cant truly follow God.  
We all form opinions, habits, disciplines that we assume are godly over time.  Many began that way!  Yet, who is setting your daily planner?  Who is the LORD and who are we?  We have a messed up idea of what the title LORD is.  Its Jesus that gives us the orders and we either obey them or not.  If you want God to laugh at any of your jokes, just inform Him of your plans that you came up with.  All of the stupid plans I had that were iron clad in my opinion, what a joke they were.  Still can be if Im not careful.  
Look, before we tell Christ what He is to do, lets focus on what we must do.  I must spend time in fellowship & communion with my LORD.  I must sit at His feet and learn & hear His voice.  I must seek Him early and often in prayer because I am clueless in this life apart from Him.  Then after all that, if you seek to direct the LORD, have at it?  I dont believe you will no longer have that frame of mind.  You will be like John the Baptist, I must decrease so that You will increase in my life.  Or better yet, like Jesus, not My will but Your will be done Father.

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/03/telling-god-what-to-do#comments 1 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/02/jesus-cried Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/02/jesus-cried

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Sorry, this will be a very long devo today!  This is the shortest complete verse in the bible.  However, it should have the biggest impact upon your heart.  We see on full display Jesus' humanity.  He didnt mourn over Lazarus but over the brokenness in the loved ones over Lazarus.  He didnt mourn as the world mourned.  Lazarus would forever be with Him, well eventually, when he would die again.  The sorrow of what sin & death has done to this world is heart breaking.  Jesus wasn't calouse of heart, didnt try to hide his tears as many of us men try to do as if crying is a weakness.  He cried with those who cried!  Walking with Jesus thus far, I have experienced this far more than I want to.  
Its not just wet tears but what the brokenness and compassion behind them that is so important.  I have noticed, it is hard or next to impossible for a proud unrepentant person to cry!  We all witnessed fake crying to manipulate.  We as Christians need to go through this life feeling what God feels.  Having a short glimpse into the compassions of Christ.  I dont want to live this life hard and without feeling.  We dont live by feelings but isnt it a blessing and a joy to truly feel things that move us?  Whinning & crying is two different things!  

]]> https://calvarygulfcoast.com/blog/2026/07/02/jesus-cried#comments 4