The Preacher's Voice

Divine Kingship

2009-07-06T22:39:00.003-05:00

The Pharaohs of Egypt believed that they were
descendants of the gods. They were considered
immortal and almost invincible by their people.

Discovered tombs contain outlandish claims of
their prowess, such as the following about
Ramses II: "He drove his chariot single-handily
into the enemy and slew thousands with his bow!"

Sure he did! (Where did he keep all those arrows?)

Consider now why Pharaoh said to Moses, "Who is
your God that I should listen to Him?"

Now you will understand why God said what he did
in Exodus 7:1. He declared that he was going to
make Moses a god.

What he meant was that he was going to make Moses
to appear AS a God before Pharaoh. Each time
that a miracle was performed, you will find that
Moses commanded Aaron to perform it.

So, it appeared to Pharaoh that Moses was a god
like him and Aaron was his prophet.

Pharaoh did the same thing. When Moses commanded
Aaron to turn his rod into a snake, Pharaoh commanded
his magicians to do the same thing.

Only one problem. Aaron's snake consumed all of
the others.

There is only one King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

His name is Jesus!

God Has No Match

2009-07-06T22:31:00.003-05:00

No other God (if there were such a thing) can match
our God!

Elijah had a contest with the prophets of Baal to
prove this very thing.

He allowed them to worship Baal all day without the
slightest result. In fact, he got in a few digs
along the way.

Afterward, he repaired the altar, dug trenches, and
caused 12 barrels of water to be poured over it
before he prayed.

Fire fell, consuming everything, even lapping up the
water.

Interesting when you consider the fact that water was
the element that Baal was supposed to control. He
was known as "The Lord of the rain and the dew".

Baal was no match for Jehovah God! Whatever your
situation is today, it's no match for your God!

No matter how big the giant that is in front of
you, it is not match for your God!

God is greater!

Sin

2009-05-25T19:54:00.002-05:00

Sin cannot cure itself.

Sin needs redemption. Sin
needs a redeemer.

The lady with the issue of
blood tried everything the
world could offer with no
cure.

Her only cure was Jesus.

Our only cure is Jesus.

Not matter how hard we try,
or what we try, we will never
overcome sin on our own.

Like a drowning man we cannot
save ourselves.

We need a saviour.

Romans 10

2009-05-11T11:09:00.004-05:00

The Baptists are right. All you have
to do to be saved is believe.

Anyone can do it. "Whosoever will" can
be saved.

In other words, there are no other
requirements. You do not have to
"ascend into heaven" or "descend into
the deep".

The whole point of Romans 10 is not
to define salvation but to define who
is eligible for salvation. "The Lord
is rich unto all who call upon him."

Paul was just reminding the Church in
Rome that Jesus didn't discriminate
based on race. The kingdom of God is
open to all.

The Baptists are also wrong. The reason
they are wrong is because they are
using Romans to define salvation.

Clearly, Jesus declares the believing
is followed by baptism. (Mark 16:16)

Baptism is followed by receiving the
Holy Ghost. (Acts 2, 10, 19)

The question remains; What does it really
mean to "believe"?

Anointing

2009-04-29T23:36:00.003-05:00

The oil flowed down Aaron's head and
beard to the rest of his body.

The oil represents the anointing of
God.

Anointing, like oil, always flows down,
carrying with it the flavor over that which
it has already passed.

The anointing in the ministry flows
down from those in leadership to those
below.

What flavor are you passing on to those
who receive their anointing from you?

This is a sober reminder that those in
leadership hold a sacred responsibility
to maintain the highest of standards so
that those beneath them will receive the
purest anointing possible.

Discouragement

2009-04-27T11:06:00.002-05:00

Discouragement is not a product
of circumstances.

It's a condition of the mind.

David encouraged himself despite
vile circumstances.

If you are discouraged, a change
of scenery is not what you need,
but rather a change of mind.

We can be discouraged anywhere.

We can also be encouraged anywhere.

It's your choice.

The Distant Disciple

2009-04-11T22:41:00.002-05:00

Peter was a distant disciple.

He followed from afar.

Just a few moments before, he
had declared himself ready to
follow Jesus all the way to
death.

Just hollow words.

Before the break of day, he
found himself denying Jesus
three times.

Don't get too involved Peter,
you might get hurt.

Don't get too loyal Peter,
you might get branded.

Don't get too concerned Peter,
you might get crucified.

We need more people like this.
People who don't muddy the water,
who know how to keep religion in
it's place.

People who reek with mediocrity.
People who know how to keep their
distance.

Distant Disciples.

America has made the transition
from a Christian nation to just
a nation of citizens because of
people like this.

What we need is a place of
repentance like the one Peter
found.

Wake Up, America! Repent before
it is too late!

Peter wept bitterly.

He went from a distant disciple
to a dynamic disciple in one
prayer meeting.

He ignited the early church on
the Day of Pentecost with his
Holy Ghost message and thousands
were baptized.

If it can happen for him it can
happen for anyone.

Won't you wake up today? Won't you
make the transition today?

Hey, just to let you know. Sin
always requires you to give up
more than God does!

God Gave

2009-02-20T10:40:00.002-06:00

God gave up heaven and came to earth
so that we could give up earth and go to heaven.

God gave up spirituality to take on humanity
so that we could give up humanity to take on spirituality.

God gave up life to take on death
so we might give up death and take on life.

God gave up holiness to take on sin
so we could give up sin and take on holiness.

God went to hell and took the keys
so we could take the keys and go to heaven.

There is no God like our God!

Humility

2009-02-09T23:34:00.003-06:00

Envy, jealousy, and pride are
marks of carnality.

Humility is the mark of
spirituality.

Humility and carnality cannot
co-exist.

When we reach the place that we
are willing to see the abatement
of our kingdom for the advancement
of God's, we have experienced true
humility.

John the Baptist declared such when
he said, "He must increase, I must
decrease."

Only when we lose do we win in the
Kingdom of God.

God helps the humble and resists the
proud.

We should approach God as the publican,
with head bowed low, not feeling as if
we are worthy of anything.

We can do nothing without God. We may
plant, we may water, but only God can
give the increase.

Of what value is planting or watering
without an increase?

In these last days, let us strive to
be humble and spiritual.

Greed's Penalty

2009-01-21T23:36:00.003-06:00

The penalty of greed is the destruction of your
family. When you go down, you don't go down alone.

Achan thought that taking a few pieces of silver
and a garment was harmless. Not only did he die,
but his family and animals died also.

What a shame.

Greed destroys you and everyone you are connected
with.

It is like a cancer that eats away at the soul.
Greed consumes you until you are blind to the
consequences of your actions.

There is always another rung on greed's ladder.
Those who lust after silver can never be satisfied
by silver.

Ironically, that which the greedy would give anything
to have, we gain for free as a gift from God.

In God's economy you lose in order to gain. Give
in order to receive.

If only the world could understand.......

Greed and Success

2009-01-15T21:57:00.002-06:00

Greed and Success

Greed is never satisfied. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons
of Eli, were destroyed by greed.

The reason greed is never satisfied is that human satisfaction
is not based on having but being. After all, we are human
beings!

If you derive your satisfaction and feelings of success from
your possessions, then you will never have enough possessions
to feel successful.

You will always be able to find someone who has more stuff than
you do.

Maybe that's why Paul warned against "...comparing ourselves
among ourselves." My measurement of success is not determined
by my brother's achievements.

My success is determined by how far I have come from where I
started.

Maybe we would have many more happy saints and pastors if we
would stop looking into our neighbors backyard and desiring
what they have.

Maybe we need to stop trying to measure our success by theirs.

I have learned to be content in the state I am in.

Now, that's success!

The Fountain Gate

2008-08-29T19:56:00.002-05:00

In Old Jerusalem there was a Fountain Gate.

So named because of its proximity to an artesian well
within the city walls.

We need a fountain in our lives. Jesus declared that
for the thirsty there could be rivers of water within
the soul.

The prophet Jeremiah prophesied that Israel in his day
had traded a reservoir for a broken cistern.

A cistern does not have it's own supply. It is left
to catch water from wherever it can.

We need a fountain with a trusted, pure, source not
a cistern of questionable source.

Too many today are using a cistern to fill their
lives with worldly junk. If you fill your self
with polluted water, you will have a diseased
soul.

Why settle for a cistern when you can have a
fountain?

Losing Weight

2008-08-04T22:09:00.002-05:00

Losing weight...some shudder at the very mention
of these dreaded words.

Recently I have endeavored to change my lifestyle.
In the process, I have lost 19 pounds.

I can tell you that it's not easy. No more Dr. Peppers,
doughnuts, or double cheeseburgers.

I have come to the conclusion that it's easier to
maintain weight than to lose weight.

Moderate, haphazard exercise is all that is required.
Maybe eating less or drinking more water than coke.

But it's not as hard as losing weight.

Losing weight requires consistent, aggressive exercise.

Losing weight requires more than eating less. It
requires eating right. It requires commitment.
Lifestyle change.

Funny thing...the Bible talks about losing weight.

Lay aside every weight...so that you can properly
run the race.

How about you? Are you just maintaining or are you
losing weight?

Oh, it's much easier just to maintain. Low commitment,
little effort, small change.

One problem. I don't think you can finish the race
that way.

You see to lose weight requires great commitment, great
effort, and great change.

It even requires dedication that goes above and beyond the
ordinary.

Do you have what it takes?

The Language Of Repentance

2008-07-22T01:40:00.005-05:00

King Saul said, "I have sinned. Let's go worship."

This is not the language of repentance.

He showed no remorse for his disobedience. In fact,
he was up on the mountain building a monument to
his supposed victory when Samuel found him.

Acknowledgment without remorse is just
declaration.

Declaration without repentance is like a trigger
without a gun.

King David demonstrated the language of repentance.
"Purge me with hyssop," he said.

The publican would not even look up toward heaven
as he prayed for forgiveness.

Peter wept bitterly.

Jesus preached it. "Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand."

Let us not pretend that we can carry on life as usual
with sin present. It must be repented of and while
using the proper language with the proper attitude.

If we fail to repent, then perhaps God will reject
us as he rejected King Saul.

Judgment and Mercy

2008-07-07T23:29:00.003-05:00

Mercy is greater than judgment.

Judgment has no power to change.
It can only condemn.

We have not received condemnation
because we have received mercy. God's
mercy has changed our lives.

Mercy is reciprocating. It has to be
given to be received.

When we fail to be merciful, we trouble
our own soul and spirit. We halt the
cycle of mercy.

If we are quick to give mercy, we affect
not only the receiver of that mercy, but
ourselves as well.

You see, mercy changes the giver as well
as the receiver.

Remember however, to be received, mercy
must first be given.

Show mercy today.

Understand God?

2008-06-25T13:47:00.002-05:00

Recently I stood beside the casket of a two month old baby.
There are very few times in my life that I wish I wasn't
a pastor.

This was one of them.

What do you say to a grieving mother and grandmother to
minister to them after a useless, preventable death?

What do you say when they ask the "Why did God allow this?"
question?

I have done some thinking on this matter and I have concluded
that I don't want to understand God.

If I could understand God he wouldn't be much of a God. And
I need a big God. One who is greater and stronger than all
of my troubles.

Buddha can be easily understood by man for he is made by man.
Jehovah God is not a created being. He is just the great
"I Am".

So, the price that we pay for having a God we cannot under
stand is that sometimes he is going to allow things that hurt
us and we don't understand why.

At the point of the end of our understanding, trust must begin.
We must learn how to trust a God whose ways are past finding
out and whose riches are unsearchable.

We must hold tightly to his hand at all times, and trust him
to do His best for our lives.

Isn't trust what living for God is all about anyway?

You need a God you cannot understand.

Crooked Nails

2008-06-21T23:01:00.003-05:00

God loves crooked nails.

I recently built a house for my family. What an adventure!

I learned a lot of things, among which is that there is
much waste created when you build.

Especially nails.

I am still finding nails on the ground after a rain. I
suppose that's going to go on for awhile.

Nails are discarded by the carpenter because they are
of no use to him. Crooked nails can't be driven.

They are tossed aside, useless, stepped on and over like
trash.

I was working one day and my stapler jammed. I looked
around for a nail to unjam it and found a straight one.

I quickly learned that a straight one wouldn't work. I
needed a crooked nail.

Since there was no shortage of them, I quickly found one
and it worked perfectly.

Amazing...What the carpenter had tossed aside as useless
actually was useful after all.

Then it hit me. God loves crooked nails. He loves to
take the crooked nails of our society and use them.

People that have been tossed aside, considered useless,
stepped on and over by most are actually valuable to
God.

Of such is the kingdom of heaven. And oh, I'm glad it's
that way.

Today, if you feel useless, don't despair, there is yet
hope for you for when you are weak, He is strong.

Alone

2008-06-16T00:13:00.004-05:00

Alone

Do you feel alone?

You are not the first nor will you be the last. We can be in a room full of
people yet still feel as if we're all alone.

Elijah felt that way once. He was alone.

In a cave.

Elijah declared to God that he was the only one left that still served Him.

God quickly set him straight by telling Elijah that there were 7,000
others who had not bowed a knee to Baal.

Imagine...

Elijah thought he was alone and there were 7,000 others just like him.

Elijah was alone because he never connected with those who were just
like him. Why did he not connect?

Was it because he didn't take the time or thought he didn't have time?
Maybe he meant to but never got around to it. Or perhaps he was so
selfishly involved in himself that he failed to see the others.

Or....maybe he knew about the 7,000 but because they didn't meet his
standards he didn't think they were in the church?

Are you alone? Maybe today would be a good day for you to reach out
and connect to someone.

You may find that you will no longer be alone.

Personal

2008-06-05T13:12:00.002-05:00

This posting is on a personal matter.

I am six months away from being forty. Doesn't seem possible.

I am feeling a need to take better care of my body. So, I am beginning, not just a diet, but a life change in my eating and exercise habits.

To begin this momentous occasion, I am going to endeavor to lose thirty pounds by September the first. In order to motivate myself, I am asking for sponsers for at least $1 per pound for every pound I lose.

The money raised will go toward Sheaves For Christ. For those of you who may not know, SFC is the youth fundraising arm of the UPCI. Most of the money raised helps missionaries, people who are near and dear to my heart.

Sooooo, will you come on board and help me become a new me and help missionaries all over the world as well?

Sign up today and I will keep you posted on my progress via email.

God Bless You!

Daryl Clenney

Rest

2008-06-05T12:54:00.003-05:00

Rest

Picture coming home after a good day's work. Picture yourself in your recliner with a tall, cold, glass of ice tea. A good book in your lap.

Or maybe an Astro's game on the radio.

That's rest. Or at least restful.

But that's not real rest.

Noah sent out a dove from the ark. She flew all over her world and never found rest. When she returned to the ark, Noah took her in. Noah's name means "rest".

You will never find rest in the world. Only in Jesus. "Come unto me," Jesus said. "And I will give you rest."

People look for rest everywhere but in Jesus. They waste their lives trying to satisfy their soul with things that are temporary.

True rest can only be found in Jesus.

Do you need rest today? Try Jesus. You will find...

REST

Higher

2008-05-31T09:17:00.000-05:00

HIGHER!

Drawing closer to God always requires separation. We cannot have a deeper walk with God without leaving something behind.

When the three disciples that Jesus chose went up to the Mount of Transfiguration, they left some things behind.

This is why the Lord commands us to come out from among the world and be separate. He desires for each of us to have a close relationship with him, but he knows it can never happen until we are ready to leave the world behind.

There is danger in going higher. The danger is pride. You look down from your high and lofty perch and began to think that you are better than everyone else.

"Let's build three tabernacles and stay," was the demand of the disciples.

But Jesus made them come down from the mountain.

You cannot stay once you arrive. You must come down. For every mountain there is a valley.

Yet when you come down, you are different from when you went up.

You are carrying with you an experience that will never be forgotten. An experience that will forever change your life. An experience to dwell on and learn from until your next trip...

HIGHER!

New Beginnings

2008-05-26T22:24:00.000-05:00

I love new things. There is nothing like the smell of a new car, the feel of a new pair of shoes, or the excitement of wearing a new suit or tie for the first time.

This is a new beginning for me. I am excited about it. I love to write; to share the things that God lays on my heart. I hope that they will bless you as they have me.

I guess one reason I like new things is because, "...if any man be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, all things are new."

Being a Christian is about new beginnings. Every day is a new day. As fresh as the morning dew is God's mercy.

God Bless You!

Daryl