Author: Stephen Trammell

Confession and Cleansing

(Personal Note: Starting January 1, 2015, I will be transitioning from posting devotionals every day to posting devotional thoughts with you on a weekly basis that will continue to come to your inbox. My desire is to encourage you in your journey with God.) “The Lord said to Moses, ‘You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.’” Exodus 30:17-18 (ESV) The second step to intimacy with God involves “the basin of water” found in the Old Testament Tabernacle. We are touring the furnishings within the Tabernacle. After acknowledging God’s gift of salvation through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross as symbolized by the altar of burnt offering, we now move to the basin of water. The basin of water represents our cleansing provided by the shed blood of Jesus. In our prayer time, we move from praising God for His salvation gift to confessing sin and receiving His forgiveness. How can a Christ follower stay clean while living in a dirty world? You stay clean by consecrating your life before the Lord daily. Being conscious of your sin is not enough to obtain cleansing. Confess your sin specifically and say the same thing about your sin that God says about it. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3 (ESV) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (ESV) Confess sin specifically and confess sin instantly. As soon as the Holy Spirit convicts you of specific sin in your life, confess it without hesitation. Don’t give the devil a club to hit you with. Choose to stay close and clean by practicing instant confession of sin. Don’t allow sin to linger. Receive God’s forgiveness and walk victoriously in the strength Christ provides. You are a new creation. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Intimacy Prayer Tabernacle

Portrait of Intimacy

(Personal Note: Starting January 1, 2015, I will be transitioning from posting devotionals every day to posting devotional thoughts with you on a weekly basis that will continue to come to your inbox. My desire is to encourage you in your journey with God.) “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.” Exodus 27:1-2 (ESV) When you think about relationships, there are different levels of intimacy. Some relationships are emotionally distant and surfaced whereas some relationships have the capacity to be more consistent and feature an element of closeness. Then there are those relationships where the interaction is meaningful, transparent, and magnetic. The Encarta Dictionary defines the word intimacy as a close personal relationship; a detailed knowledge resulting from a close or long association. One of my favorite definitions of intimacy is: “in to me you see.” God desires intimacy with you. In the Old Testament, the portrait of intimacy was the formation and utilization of the Tabernacle. God made a way for His people to experience intimacy with Him through a religious relationship. As you enter the Tabernacle, the first item you encounter is the altar of burnt offering. The New Testament equivalent is the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for your sin. As you pray through the Tabernacle, spend some time at the “altar of burnt offering” to praise God for His ultimate love gift and for Jesus being willing to pay the penalty for your sin. You determine the level of intimacy with God. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8). God took the initiative to provide the way for you to enjoy an intimate love relationship with Him through faith in Jesus. What are you doing with the relationship God has made available to you? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal life God's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Possession

(Personal Note: Starting January 1, 2015, I will be transitioning from posting devotionals every day to posting devotional thoughts with you on a weekly basis that will continue to come to your inbox. My desire is to encourage you in your journey with God.) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) God created you for eternity. You have a birth date that you celebrate and calculate annually. You know exactly how long you have been breathing oxygen and you know the mountaintop and valley experiences of life by name. As you look into the rear view mirror of life, you can trace God’s hand and perhaps identify some specific spiritual markers. You are well acquainted with your life. However, your life is more than your past. Your life is more than your beginning. God has designed you for the greatest possession. Once you receive the gift of eternal life by faith alone through grace alone, you become the recipient of the greatest possession. Nothing you have can compare to having the assurance of heaven and eternal life. Being reconciled to God and living in harmony with God provides you with peace that surpasses understanding. Knowing where you will spend eternity alleviates fear and unleashes joy unspeakable and full of glory. Once you get a vision of living for eternity, your immediate challenges become opportunities for God to reveal His glory and to equip you to live in victory. Embracing a lifestyle of living with eternity in mind creates a life of expectancy and focus. Instead of wasting your life, you invest your life to make an eternal difference. You begin to place an accurate value on that which is temporal and you reorient your life around the reality of eternity. There is so much more that God has in store for you. As you allow the gift of eternal life to take full possession of you, think about what will be different in eternity because of your life fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Excluded God's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Exclusion

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) As you celebrate the birth of Christ on this Christmas Day, consider the reason He chose to leave the glory of heaven to come to the earth. God loves you so much that He initiated a love relationship with you. Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you (Jer. 1:5). Long before you knew anything about God or His love, God chose to do something for you that no other Christmas gift could ever accomplish. God provided you with the opportunity to leave the broad road leading to destruction so that you could enter through the narrow gate and travel the road that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28 (ESV) “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 (NIV) You don’t have to perish. You don’t have to go to hell. You don’t have to live eternally separated from God. You can come into a personal intimate love with relationship with God through Christ. Enter through the narrow gate by placing your trust in Jesus alone for salvation. Be the recipient of the greatest exclusion. Be excluded from hell by receiving the gift of eternal life. If you already benefited from the greatest exclusion, commit to bring others into that saving reality. If you have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and placed in the kingdom of light, then invest the rest of your life sharing the love of God and shining the light of Jesus. May multitudes experience the greatest exclusion because of the faithful witness of your life. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Believe Gad's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Simplicity

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) Life can get so complicated at times. During the Christmas season the traffic increases, last-minute shopping intensifies, and stress elevates. There are so many expectations to meet and so many lists to complete. Then there is the challenge to find gifts for family members who already have so much. In the midst of a life of complexity, the greatest simplicity is knowing the way to respond to God’s offer of salvation. God has given you His very best, Jesus, to become the Lord and Savior of your life. God gave His Son to be the sacrifice for your sin and to purchase your salvation. He has paved the way for you to come into an abiding relationship with Jesus. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Rom. 10:9-10 (ESV) “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (ESV) The gift of eternal life has been made available to you. Now it is time for you to receive what God has provided for you. The greatest simplicity involves the decision to place your faith in Jesus alone for salvation. To believe in Jesus is to place your total confidence in His redemptive work on the cross and to believe that He was raised from the dead. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Nature Invitation John 3:16

The Greatest Invitation

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) Of all the invitations you will receive in a lifetime, there is no invitation that comes close to the significance and magnitude of the greatest invitation extended to you by God. His invitation affects your level of living on earth and your eternal destiny. Your response to the greatest invitation will determine where you spend eternity. “Whoever believes” includes you. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 (ESV) “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9 (ESV) To believe in Jesus is to place your total confidence and trust in His redemptive work. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, experienced a miraculous resurrection, and ascended to heaven. What will you do with what He has done for you? How will you respond to the greatest invitation? The miracle of the manger can become your miracle. Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to this broken planet in order to provide you with the greatest invitation to come into a personal relationship with the Savior of the world. I responded to the greatest invitation on March 28, 1979, by transferring my trust from myself to Jesus alone for salvation. In that moment, I became a child of God, filled with His Spirit, and adopted into His forever family. Have you made peace with God by responding to the greatest invitation? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Character John 3:16 Sacrifice

The Greatest Sacrifice

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) What comes to mind when you think of the concept of sacrifice? I immediately think of the soldier fighting on foreign soil to preserve our freedom. I think of the single mom delaying personal gratification in order to purchase school supplies for her children. The middle-aged married couple serving as the primary caregiver to a parent is another portrait of sacrifice. Another example that comes to mind is that of an elderly person living on meager means in order to support the ministry of the local church. I think of the newly weds embracing a frugal lifestyle in order to focus on completing the requirements for advance degrees. The greatest sacrifice is God providing for our redemption through sacrificing His Son on the cross. Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth to provide for the removal of our sins and to purchase our salvation. His sacrifice changed our forever. God gave us His best so that we could have an abiding relationship with Jesus that is personal and eternal. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8 (ESV) “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil. 2:8 (ESV) Are you a recipient of God’s sacrificial love? Because of the greatest sacrifice, you can know true meaning and purpose, fulfillment and life-giving relationships. Because of the greatest sacrifice, you can have immediate peace and eternal security. God gave His Son so that you could know Him personally and invest the rest of your life making Him known. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Generosity God's Character John 3:16

The Greatest Giver

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) God’s generosity flows out of His love for humanity. Even though we have chosen, in our humanity, to rebel against God and to turn from His perfect will, He chose to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive. The gift of eternal life is a tangible expression of God’s generosity. Long before we decided what to do with God, He decided what to do with us. In spite of our selfishness and sinfulness, God took the initiative to build the ultimate love bridge by giving us the gift of eternal life. God gave us His best. God took the initiative to become like us so that we could become like Him. The gracious gift of eternal life extended to us is the perfect portrait of generosity in action. The greatest gift you can give anyone is the opportunity to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you share the plan of salvation with others, you are reflecting the generosity of God. Since you are a recipient of the generous activity of God, choose to extend His generosity to others by sharing your faith intentionally. Nothing you give this Christmas will have the eternal impact that sharing the plan of salvation will have. When someone places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation, they receive the greatest gift known to mankind. There is no greater gift because there is no greater love made available to you than the love that changes your forever. Are you generously sharing your faith with others? You are never more like Jesus than when you are giving. Jesus gave His all so that you could have a personal and eternal relationship with Him. Who will benefit from your generosity? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternity God's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Number

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) God so loved the world. John used world (Greek: kosmos) 78 times in his Gospel and 24 times in his letters. The world refers to the realm of humanity arrayed in opposition to God. Jesus entered our world in His incarnation, knowing that hostility would result and that sacrifice would be needed to redeem the world. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who embrace darkness habitually. Humanity is fallen and flawed. The human condition is hopeless and helpless without divine intervention. God took the initiative to become like us so that we could become like Him. God came to rescue people groups who embody distinction culturally. The current world population exceeds 7 billion people. Two-thousand years ago, God provided for the salvation of our souls. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and purchased our salvation. Every person on the planet can be saved, but every person on the planet will not be saved unless each individual receives the gift of eternal life by faith. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who experience or escape damnation individually. For God so loved the fallen world that He gave His one and only Son to rescue those living in darkness so that they could become citizens in the kingdom of light. Each person must individually place their faith in Jesus alone for salvation. You cannot receive the gift of eternal life for someone else. Each person is responsible for his or her decision in response to the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. As followers of Jesus Christ and recipients of His grace, we have the awesome privilege and responsibility to make Jesus known throughout the earth. How many people will be in heaven because of you? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Love God's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Lover

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) Have you ever questioned your own value and worth? That’s a normal part of life. Everyone wants to feel valued and valuable. God established your value by taking the initiative to rescue you from your sin and to robe you in His righteousness. God has made His righteousness known through His Word and the Word made flesh (John 1:14). When you place your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross, you receive the righteousness of Christ. The truth is that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory. We have missed the mark of His perfection and His holiness. Yet, God chose to justify us freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Jesus. God took the initiative to demonstrate His selfless and sacrificial love. Before you turned to God, God turned to you! Your value is measured by the price He paid to remove your sin and to robe you in His righteousness. You are valued and you are valuable to God. His love for you is the certification of your value. God is the greatest lover. He loves unconditionally, personally, and eternally. God is love and His love never fails. There is nothing you can do to cause God to love you more and there is nothing you can do to cause God to love you less. God’s love for you is perfect. What will you do with the love God has shown you? Have you expressed your appreciation to God for the love He has lavished on you? Share the gift of His love with others. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Fatherhood of God God's Nature John 3:16

The Greatest Father

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) How would you describe your dad? Think about his qualities. What made him special to you? How did he best communicate love to you? Recall some of your favorite memories. Perhaps your heart is moved by the warmth of the memories the two of you made together. My dad was so special. He had an exceptional sense of humor and could have you laughing in a matter of seconds. My brother and I would lean into my dad with anticipation and ask him to make funny noises with his mouth. He would have us rolling in laughter. My dad was meticulous about the yard and attentive to his appearance. He took us fishing, threw ball with us in the yard, taught us to water ski, and got us into motocross racing. My mom and dad were affectionate toward each other and toward us. I wish I could have hit the pause button to prevent the impending shift. Our whole world changed when my dad chose a path that led to his becoming an alcoholic. Soon after my seventh birthday, my parents divorced. The trauma induced by the severed relationship placed me on a search to alleviate the immense pain of my heart. On March 28, 1979, just one month before my tenth birthday, I was introduced to the Greatest Father and received His gift of eternal life. Have you met the Greatest Father? His love for you is unconditional and His plan for you is personal. The Creator of the universe has made Himself knowable. You can have a personal intimate relationship with the One who created you. The Greatest Father will never leave you and never forsake you. (Personal Note: My dad resides in Louisiana and has a personal relationship with the Greatest Father.) Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Abiding in Christ Decisions Fruit

Focus on Abiding

“‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.’” John 15:5 (ESV) God will never ask you to do anything without equipping you to do it. God has an assignment for you to complete during your time on earth. God’s assignment requires His empowerment. You cannot fulfill God’s agenda without God’s provision. God’s assignment for your life flows out of your abiding relationship with Christ. God’s command is not for you to bear fruit, but rather to focus your energy on abiding in Christ. Your fruitfulness will be proportionate to your level of intimacy with Christ. Don’t bypass your love relationship with Christ in order to seek to bear fruit. Your passion is not to be channeled in the area of bearing fruit. As you stay connected to Christ and allow His energy, His strength, and His life to flow through you, you will bear much fruit. Because He is the vine, you are fruitful. Jesus is the source! Stay connected to Him. Guard your love relationship with Him. Protect your daily walk with Christ. Don’t allow anything or anyone to rob your relationship with Him. Ensure that your abiding relationship with Christ gets your best and not your leftovers. Don’t give Jesus your crumbs. He deserves your passionate pursuit. Are you connected? Are you abiding? You are the branch. Remain in Him and He will bear His fruit through you. Focus on abiding! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Decisions I am sayings Jesus

Discover the Gate

“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.’” John 10:7-9 (ESV) That path that ensures eternal life is through one particular gate. Have you discovered the gate? Jesus identifies Himself as the gate. Whoever enters through Him will be saved from eternal damnation and will receive the gift of eternal life. How do you enter through Jesus? What does it take to access the gift of eternal life? In speaking about salvation, Charles Spurgeon said, “You and your sins must separate or you and your God will never come together.” Parting from your sin is the process of repentance. Confess your sins specifically and place your faith in Jesus alone for salvation. Faith is the key that unlocks the gate of eternal life. Enter through the gate by turning from your sin and trusting in Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty of your sin, and was raised from the dead. What Jesus did on the cross is applied to your life through the vehicle of faith. In a post-resurrection appearance, Jesus told Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29 ESV). Do you believe that Jesus is God’s son? Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is? Do you believe that Jesus provided for the purification of your sins by shedding His blood on the cross? Enter through the gate! Jesus is the gate! Don’t delay and flirt with the flames of hell and a future without God. Turn from your sin and turn to Jesus now and be saved! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Decisions Heaven Hell

Path of Eternal Life

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) Life comes fully loaded with options. There are so many choices and allurements seeking your attention like guided missiles. You are bombarded with compelling advertisements fishing for your time, energy, and resources. Of all the decisions you will make in a lifetime, there is one decision that determines your eternal destiny. Every decision you make points you in a direction and your direction will ultimately determine your destination. Jesus captured the essence of life with two distinct paths. All of life can be condensed to one of two paths. There is a narrow road that leads to life and a broad road that leads to destruction. The narrow road leads to heaven and the broad road leads to hell. Both paths intersect at the cross of Calvary. The substitutionary work that Jesus completed on the cross 2,000 years ago is the point of distinction. Your decision regarding that pivotal moment in history determines the path you travel and the destiny you embrace. Enter through the narrow gate. Choose eternal life by turning from your sin and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. The broad road will never deliver what it promises. The broad road is littered with deception and emptiness and artificial happiness. Many enter through the wide gate and forfeit life that is truly life. Take the immediate exit off of the highway leading to eternal damnation and enter through the narrow gate to travel the narrow road leading to abundant life and eternal life. Don’t gamble with eternity. Your decision determines the direction and destination of your life. God has paved the way for you to enter through the narrow gate! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Expectation Pace Prayer

Expect Great Things

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) When anxious thoughts race through your mind, uneasiness permeates your emotions. You begin to fear the unknown. Indecision imprisons you. Questions linger. That’s exactly the kind of season the Israelites experienced when they were exiled to Babylon from their homeland of Jerusalem. They were displaced, discouraged, and confused. Yet, in just the right moment, God met them at their point of need. He delivered these words through His prophet, Jeremiah. We serve an “on time” God! He is never late and He always knows exactly what you need. Therefore, you can trust Him to accomplish His perfect plan in you and through you. He knows you by name and even the hairs upon your head are numbered. Wow! He’s good! Are you ready for the final letter in our PACE acrostic? The “E” is for expectation. At this point you pray with your hands outstretched parallel to the ground (as though you are trying to fly) with the palm of your hands facing upward. Then you say, “I expect great things to happen today!” Recognize God’s sufficiency and PACE yourself each day by embracing this spiritual discipline. Lift your hands toward heaven and say, “Lord, I praise You. I accept Your acceptance of me. I surrender to Your control. I expect great things to happen today!” Pace yourself for the day God has for you. Maintain a vertical focus by keeping your focus on God’s will. Make His smile the goal of your life. Passionately pursue Him each day and allow Him to accomplish His plan through you. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Prayer Surrender

Surrender to His Control

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15 (ESV) Who’s your boss? To whom are you yielding allegiance? I hope your answer is Jesus. His desire is not only to be the Savior of your life, but to also be the Lord of your life. In the language of the New Testament, “Lord” means one who has control over. Thus to make Jesus Lord of your life is to yield to His control. The Lordship of Christ denotes submitting to His authority and embracing His agenda. Let’s continue to unfold our PACE acrostic. The letter “C” is for control. Include this in your daily routine: Lift your hands toward heaven and turn your palms upward and say, “I surrender to Your control.” Now it is time to practice: Lift your hands toward heaven and say, “Lord, I praise You. I accept Your acceptance of me. I surrender to Your control.” Just in case you have not turned your life over to Jesus and allowed Him to become your Savior and Lord, consider this wonderful promise from God: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 ESV). Surrender to the Lord’s control moment-by-moment to live in continuous victory. Enthrone Jesus as the Lord of your life. Yield every fiber of your being to His Lordship and leadership in your life. Allow Jesus to have His way to mold you and to shape you into the vessel of honor He has created you to be. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Acceptance Discipline Jesus

Accept His Acceptance

“And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.” Acts 15:8 (ESV) Have you accepted God’s acceptance of you? That’s step number two in order to PACE yourself for the day. Remember, you start your day off by lifting your hands toward heaven and saying, “Lord, I praise you.” Then as you keep your hands lifted you turn the palm of your hands toward each other and say, “I accept Your acceptance of me.” How did God demonstrate His acceptance of the Gentiles in the book of Acts? He demonstrated His acceptance by allowing the Holy Spirit to take up residence in them. God indwelt them by His Holy Spirit. He took the initiative through the shed blood of Jesus to make them fit for His habitation. God demonstrated His acceptance of us by saving us and enabling us to become the walking tabernacle of His presence (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Who made us acceptable? Jesus! What should our response be to His acceptance of us? Accepting others! “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 ESV). If you have a difficult time accepting someone, think for a moment about Jesus’ acceptance of you. As you accept others you are extending to them what you have received from Jesus. Let’s practice: Lift of your hands and say, “Lord, I praise You.” Now turn your uplifted hands toward each other and say, “I accept Your acceptance of me.” Now live in fullness everyday by accepting His acceptance of you. There’s nothing you can do to cause Jesus to love you more and there’s nothing you can do to cause Him to love you less. Jesus accepts you! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discipline Pace Prayer

PACE Yourself

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (ESV) How do you begin each day of your life? Do you jump right out of bed and hit the floor running or do you slowly drag yourself from beneath the sheets and gradually wake up to the approaching day? Either way, let me share with you a wonderful way to PACE yourself for each day that Dr. Adrian Rogers taught me years ago. Let’s consider using PACE as an acrostic to get our day moving in the right direction with the Lord. The “P” stands for “Praise!” The psalmist models this attitude and action by saying, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.” To praise God is to give Him honor for who He is. To praise God is to acknowledge His sovereignty, His power, and His holiness. Step number one: When you awaken each morning, lift your hands toward heaven and say, “Lord, I praise You!” As soon as your feet hit the ground lift your hands and speak it with sincerity and with passion. You may even choose to look up toward heaven as you say those precious words to our Living Lord. Each of the next three days we will unlock each letter of the word PACE to explore a simple yet captivating daily exercise to start each day off right. Now, let’s practice this first step. Lift your hands toward heaven. Look up and say it with me, “Lord, I praise You!” Pace yourself by starting your day with a verbal expression of your awareness of God’s abiding presence. He is worthy. We are so blessed to have the privilege of connecting with the Creator of the universe in such a personal way. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Jesus Union Yoke

Total Reliance

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) Jesus is always on time. He knows just what we need right when we need it. His invitation to join Him and to find rest in Him is the antidote to our fast pace lifestyle. As one person said, “If we don’t learn to come apart, we will come apart!” Why do we feel guilty when we slow down? Why do we gravitate toward the performance trap and end up equating productivity with spirituality? Sometimes the most spiritual move we can make is to slow down and experience the rest Jesus offers. Be sure to notice in our verse for today that there is a prerequisite to encountering His rest. We must be willing to come to Him. We must be willing to take the initiative to respond to His invitation. That just doesn’t fit our adrenaline addicted society. We tend to long for the next high or the next rush. Will that deliver what we need most? Perhaps the invitation is to come to the place of total reliance upon God. If I yoke up with Him, then I will have to be willing to go where He goes and embrace the pace He sets. Remember, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Rely on the strength Jesus provides. Articulate your need to Him through prayer. Have a meaningful conversation with the One who gave His life for you. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God Moments Joshua Journey

Journey with God

“And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.” Joshua 4:18 (ESV) The Christian life is a life of faith. To be a fully devoted follower of Christ, your life with be marked by a journey of faith. Faith is taking God at His Word and entrusting your life to His care. As you walk in daily dependency upon the Lord, you will discover the joy of seeing God at work and seizing opportunities to join God in His activity. Crossing the Jordan River on dry ground was a tremendous experience of faith for the priests carrying the ark. They remained in the middle of the river while the children of Israel passed through on dry ground. Once the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place. God had worked a miracle and involved the people in the process! Continue to walk in faith. Sometimes your journey will be as clear as crystal, but at other times the way may appear foggy. You will experience seasons of high spiritual energy and focus and at other times, you will experience seasons of uncertainty. That’s part of the faith journey! The scenery changes and the pace shifts from time to time. Don’t get so fixated on the destination that you miss the God-moments along the way. Enjoy the process of knowing and obeying God. Enjoy the journey. God has some Jordan’s for you to cross. He will turn your obstacles into opportunities for you to see His glory and for your faith to be exercised. Obey what you know! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Ark of the Covenant Joshua Miracle

Standing On Dry Ground

“Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” Joshua 3:17 (ESV) If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. What stands in your way? What obstacle are you facing that seemingly hinders the future God has for you? Your obstacle can be the greatest opportunity for God to reveal His sovereignty and strength. If God allows something to come into your life, He will use it to demonstrate His sufficiency. God is omnipotent! There’s nothing He cannot do. God is omniscient! There’s nothing God does not already know or see. God is omnipresent! There’s nowhere God is not. God demonstrated His power and His faithfulness by providing a way for the Israelites to go through their obstacle. God parted the water and enabled the Israelites to cross the Jordan on dry ground. God made a way when there seemed to be no way. God did the impossible to bring ordinary people into an extraordinary land flowing with milk and honey. What is keeping you from trusting God to do what He says He will do? What Jordan stands in your way? In God’s perfect timing, your obstacle that appears to be a wall to climb will become a bridge to cross. God will bring you into the future He has for you regardless of what stands in your way. God is not limited by your limitations. God is not held hostage by your impending challenge. God does His best work in circumstances that appear hopeless. Nothing can thwart God’s will and no one can prevent God from accomplishing His will. Pray and ask God to build your faith to match the assignment He has for you. Be still. Trust in God’s impeccable timing. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discerning God's Will Faith Prayer

Never Been This Way

“At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, ‘As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.’” Joshua 3:2-4 (ESV) You have never been where you are going. Life is a journey, not a destination. As a result, the scenery changes and the terrain vacillates. Sometimes the way is crystal clear and the path is marked with confirmation. At other times, fog sets in and skews the view. Joshua was preparing to lead the Israelites to cross the Jordan. He gave the officers clear instructions to communicate to the people. They had never been where they were going. Uncertainty permeated the landscape. Joshua knew that they would need divine intervention in order to remain in the center of God’s will. How would they know which way to go since they had never been this way before? They were instructed to simply move from their positions and to follow the ark of the covenant. Henry Blackaby says, “You cannot stay where you are and go with God.” The Israelites had to leave their comfort zone and move out from that which was familiar in order to go with God. Crossing the Jordan required faith and obedience. They had to place their faith in God’s provision. The ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. Following the ark of the covenant was synonymous with following God. Will you trust God to show you the next step that He wants you to take? Will you obey what God’s reveals to you? Obeying God is always the best way. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Elijah Revelation

Spiritual Checkup

“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV) God has chosen to reveal Himself to us through His Word. As you read the Bible, you come to know the heart of God for world redemption and you gain insight into God’s nature and character. The ultimate revelation of God is His Son, Jesus. Jesus is God incarnate. Jesus became flesh, lived a sinless life, and died to purchase our salvation. God’s Word is nourishment for your soul. God has provided the way for us to walk in relationship with Himself and to walk in relationship with other believers. Elijah had chosen to leave his servant. As a result, his depression escalated in proportion to his isolation. One of Satan’s most effective tools is that of isolation. He wants to remove you from relationships because God designed you for relationships. In fact, the first “not good” in the Bible is where God said that it is not good for the man to be alone (Gen 2:18). It’s time for a spiritual checkup. What are you currently doing for refreshment? What adjustments do you need to make in order to get more rest? Are you having a consistent intake of God’s Word? Do you have a life-giving friend? Ask God to help you in these four specific areas to help you grow through depression. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Elijah Rest

The Value of Rest

“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.‘ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.” 1 Kings 19:5-6 (ESV) When Elijah reached the lowest point of his life and prayed that he might die, God provided Elijah with physical nourishment and rest. You will spend one-third of your life sleeping. For your body to operate at maximum capacity, rest is a nonnegotiable. So how’s your sleep? Do you feel rested when you awake each morning? Sleep deprivation will negatively affect your mood, your energy, and your stress level. To help ease your mind at night, have a notepad and pen close to your bed so you can jot down the items that are bothering you. No need to count sheep, just talk to the Shepherd! Pray through whatever you are worrying about and anything that God brings to your mind. When your mind is at peace, your rest will be sweet. Your pillow, mattress, sheets, and comforter do impact how well you sleep. If your room is too bright, you may want to think of ways to make your room darker. Another tip is to locate your alarm clock away from your face and place it across the room. If total silence helps you sleep better, then eliminate noise. If soft music helps you relax and fall asleep, then turn on the music. God wants you to take care of your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, do whatever it takes to ensure a good night’s rest. When you are well rested, you will feel the difference and you will have more energy to live for God’s glory. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Elijah Rest

The Value of Rest

Depression Elijah Suicide

Rock Bottom

“Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.‘” 1 Kings 19:3-4 (ESV) Have you ever reached a point in your life where you had just had enough? In our fast-paced culture, it is easy to reach the breaking point. Frustration, fear, fatigue, and financial pressure along with other stress in life can lead you to the place of depression. When you are depressed, your resistance to the stress of life weakens and your ability to bounce back may be inhibited. What did God do to bring relief to the depression Elijah was experiencing? “And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.‘ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.” 1 Kings 19:5-6 (ESV) “And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:7-8 (ESV) Your body requires refreshment. God has designed your body to operate effectively and efficiently with the proper consumption of healthy food. Food is fuel for your body. What kind of fuel are you putting into your body? Elijah ate the food God provided for his refreshment. You could call it Angel food cake. Sometimes you may feel depressed simply because of a nutritional deficit. Depression can also be the result of the unhealthy food we choose to eat. Start experiencing God’s refreshment by eating properly and exercising consistently. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Fear Perspective

Loss of Perspective

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’” 1 Kings 19:1-2 (ESV) Loss of perspective leads to confusion. Elijah confronted idolatry and the forces of evil with courage and boldness. He aggressively opposed the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Elijah was able to raise his hands in victory after the fire of God fell on Mt. Carmel to consume the sacrifice. The public victory had been won. Privately, Elijah shifted from faith in God to fear of the wicked woman, Jezebel. Elijah confronted the prophets with utter courage and now is running for his life as a coward because of a threat from Jezebel. Elijah displayed confusion as a result of losing his perspective. He falls into deep depression. What are some causes of depression? Frustration can lead to depression. Frustration over the circumstances you find yourself in can lead to depression. Sometimes frustration related to a strained relationship can cause depression. Fear can certainly bring you down into the pit of despair. When you stop viewing life through the eyes of faith and start viewing life through the eyes of fear, depression seeps in. Fatigue has a way of opening the door to depression. When you are exhausted, you can quickly lose perspective. Then, of course, there is the bandit of financial pressure. That kind of perpetual pressure can lead you down the alley of depression. Do you currently have God’s perspective on your life and on your circumstances? Have you experienced any level of depression in recent days? There’s hope! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Elijah Prayer Victory

Victory Spiral

“And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.’” 1 Kings 18:36-37 (ESV) When you hear the name Elijah, your first inclination is to think of the major victory he experienced on Mt. Carmel. Elijah took on the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who ate at Jezebel’s table. Elijah is kind of like the “Rocky Balboa” of the Old Testament. He was not about to back down from the featured match between good and evil. “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” 1 Kings 18:38 (ESV) “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.’” 1 Kings 18:39 (ESV) What a major demonstration of God’s power! What a miraculous response to Elijah’s prayer! God allowed Elijah to see and experience God’s favor. Elijah truly had a mountain top experience on Mt. Carmel. How could Elijah ever doubt God or deny God’s power after such a magnificent encounter? You are most susceptible to sin after a major victory. Elijah experienced the downward spiral from victory to depression. How would God respond to Elijah’s desperation? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal life Hope Jesus

Ready to Live

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (ESV) Where do you go to find life? Are you waiting for life to come sometime in the future? Are you putting life off until you have paid off your car, paid off your home, or entered into retirement? What are you waiting for? Life is not around the corner. Life is found in one person. Life is a gift given by God. The life that is eternal is in God’s Son. If you have the Son you have life. If you do not have the Son you do not have life. Until you receive God’s gift of eternal life found in His Son, you will not know life. Until you are ready to die, you are not ready to live. Finding life involves preparing for death. When you accept the reality of your mortality and choose to accept God’s gift of eternal life, then you find life. Life is in God’s Son. Jesus is the answer. Jesus affirmed that He is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Do you know Him? Now that you know Jesus, you have the privilege and responsibility to make Jesus known. Just as you have found life, you can help others find life by sharing Jesus with them. If they have the Son they have life. If they do not have the Son they do not have life. Give them the opportunity to have life! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Comfort Death Heaven

The Bridge Called Death

“‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.’” Matthew 13:44 (ESV) When I stood behind the pulpit to speak at the funeral of the surgeon who saved my life, it was as though time stood still. He had been our family doctor during my childhood and teenage years. He was a devoted husband, father, and deacon at my home church. Every scar on my body bears his workmanship from stitching up deeps cuts to performing emergency surgery following my Jet Ski accident during my junior year in High School. He was a godly man my family treasured. There’s something about death that makes us measure the value of life. When someone dear to us dies, we experience the agony of their loss and the joy of their gain. Knowing that we will see them again in heaven brings such comfort. Knowing that they are in the Presence of God beholding the face of Jesus and walking on streets of gold generates the affirmation of our faith. Jesus shared a parable that helps us understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. When a man found treasure hidden in the field, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all that he had and bought that field. The kingdom of heaven is to be treasured. The kingdom of heaven is worth being treasured. Your most valued possession is the gift of eternal life that you received at the moment of your conversion. When Jesus became the Lord of your life, you became secure for eternity. You became a kingdom citizen. Death is not a wall to climb, but a bridge to cross. Jesus has made a way for you to face death with certainty and clarity. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell