A Hungry Heart

Psalms 119: 33 – 40, Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths, for I know how delightful they really are. Help me to prefer obedience to making money! Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you. Reassure me that your promises are for me, for I trust and revere you. How I dread being mocked for obeying, for your laws are right and good. I long to obey them! Therefore in fairness renew my life, for this was your promise-yes, Lord, to save me! Now spare me by your kindness and your love. Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust your promises. TLB

There are a whole lot of distractions in the world that can lead us astray from the Lord and into temptation. The key to overcoming the diversions that are sent to you by Satan is to watch for anything that tries to pull you or your heart away from serving the Lord. We’re all humans; and on occasion, we can get blindsided by our flesh and become distracted spiritually.

The psalmist teaches us how to guard our hearts from the trappings of our flesh that can cause us to stray from God’s path for our life. We must be willing to admit to ourselves, and to the Lord, that we have weaknesses; and we must also pray to the Lord that He will keep us from being led away into temptation through our flesh nature. Our humble heart will show the Lord that we know our weaknesses, and that we desire to walk in His ways and obey His will. It also invites the Lord to be our shield and defense from subtle attacks of the enemy that could cause us to sin against the Lord.

If you haven’t already, you will discover that there is a waiting period between your obedience to God and in Him releasing the promise in your life. There is always a season of testing between believing in God and coming to know God beyond any doubt. It is in the waiting seasons of life that we must be on guard against the strategies of the wicked one. It is also during these times that our flesh can become weak and cause us to entertain thoughts concerning giving in to pleasures of this present world.

The psalmist teaches us to be mindful of God’s goodness and faithfulness when we find ourselves growing weary while waiting on the Lord. He sought the Lord to keep him from slipping away from loving God more than himself. This prayer is an admirable one for believers to pray. It shows the Lord that we hunger after Him more than we desire to indulge in the world’s delicacies. We should love the Lord more than the pleasures of this world.  After all, our existence on this earth isn’t about having pleasures; it is about receiving life for our soul so that we can live for God. Do you have a hungry heart for God, but struggle to show that hunger? I pray that this word today will give you the enlightenment that will help you remain true to your convictions and to the Lord. God rewards those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.

Seeking to Be Filled with God’s Goodness,
Pastor Asa Dockery

A Mighty Harvest

Luke 5: 4 - 7, When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. NKJV

While I was praying recently, the Holy Spirit brought this story to my mind about Peter and the great catch. During my prayer time, I was asking the Lord to send us help to reach the “sea” of humanity that is lost and in need of spiritual direction in their lives. The main purpose of our ministry, “Keys to Kingdom Living,” is to teach believers both about the kingdom of God and how to become disciples of Christ.

In the above story, we read that Simon replied to Jesus’ command to let down his nets for a catch. He told Jesus that they had toiled all night and were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, when Jesus gave the command to let down their nets, He knew that the barren season for the fisherman was about to end. All that Jesus required of them in order to receive a mighty catch of fish was for them to believe His instructions and to act on them.

Much to Simon’s amazement, the catch far exceeded his expectations. The net was not enough; Simon and the other fisherman soon realized that they would need others to assist them in gathering all the fish into the ships so that none would be lost. Simon called on his “partners” to help him bring in the great catch.

Today, I am reaching out to our viewers and our devotional subscribers to ask you to prayerfully consider becoming a “Kingdom Builder Partner” with us so that together we can reach this world for Christ. We have been carrying the message of the kingdom of Christ to the nations around the world via television for more than four years. So far, this year we have reached over 130 nations through Cross.tv, which is only one of the ministries that carries our programs.  

The demand on this ministry is increasing, and we would love for you to partner with us to help bring in the harvest of souls and to disciple them. Every week, we receive reports from viewers/subscribers in various nations telling us how Keys to Kingdom Living programs and Kingdom Moments Devotions have greatly impacted their lives.

If you have read our devotions and/or viewed our programs for a while and would like to take the next step and become a financial partner with this ministry, it would help us fulfill the Great Commission. I sense very strongly in my spirit that the time has come for me to establish a partnership so that others can also reap the blessings that are on these ministries by standing with us with prayer and financial support.

Philippians 4: 15 – 17, Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. NKJV

There came a time in Paul’s ministry that he needed the support of others in order to carry out the calling of God on his life to teach others about Christ. He said, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” As we partner together, God will reward you for your participation in this ministry through partnership.

Please consider becoming a “Kingdom Builder Partner” with us today so that together more souls can hear about the goodness of our Lord Jesus. I have asked the Lord for 100 partners to help with a monthly donation of $20.00 so that we can let down our “nets” for a great harvest of souls.

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please go to www.whcnorth.org. On our website, you will learn about our core values, beliefs, and vision statement. We have been established in full-time ministry for more than 12 years.  

In His service,
Pastor Asa Dockery
pastorasadockery@whcnorth.org

Protection

Proverbs 4: 20 – 23, My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. NKJV

As believers in Christ, we have been redeemed from the curse of sin and death. Consequently, we must place our faith in this truth without wavering, lest we open the door of our hearts to the enemy. The Word of God not only tells us that our God is just in all His ways, and that He loves us; it also gives us countless examples, which prove He is faithful to His people. If you’re wondering why I mention the character of God while teaching on afflictions, allow me to explain. We must arm ourselves with the truth about God so that we will be able to stand when we find ourselves afflicted by Satan.

Paul teaches us how to be effective in spiritual warfare by putting on the whole armor of God. Therefore, it is crucial that we get into the Word of God and learn about Him and His divine nature. If we don’t know intimately the God that we say we believe in, then Satan can use pain and disappointment to find an opening in our armor. Not only do we need to know our God so that we can be strong in battle; we must know what He has said in His Word about us.

If we should go into a season of affliction and not have a good understanding of God’s ways and His nature, then we are susceptible to being hurt. This brings us to the reason for today’s word. Once our hearts are wounded by the enemy concerning our faith in God’s goodness, we can begin to see things in a different perspective. A perfect example of this is when Satan convinced Eve that God didn’t want her to eat of the tree of knowledge because she would be like God. She didn’t know God’s ways the way she should have. Therefore, she became hurt at God and began to see what was forbidden as something that was favorable for her future.

Eve took on a “wounded spirit” mentality. Consequently, she saw herself as a victim of God’s doing. Satan was successful in turning her heart against God without her realizing that Satan was the instigator. When a believer becomes wounded in their heart during a time of battle or affliction, it can cause them to become cynical (distrustful, pessimistic, sarcastic) about God and His Word.  

I can tell when a Christian has been wounded in their heart and has allowed cynicism to replace faith. Instead of them walking in agreement with me as their pastor, or in agreement with the promises of God, or what God’s Word declares about them in Christ, they begin to “find fault” with authority and spiritual matters. It is because they have allowed a lying spirit of the enemy to convince them of something that isn’t true about God concerning their situation. When a person becomes cynical, they can be easily led down a dark and foreboding path of bitterness and of isolation away from God’s presence.  

There is so much that can be taught on this subject. However, I pray that what I’ve written will help you to guard your heart. If you are hurt, or you experience hurt in the future, be careful that you don’t open yourself to believe a lie about God and what He has declared over you as one of His children. One of the signs of believing a lie is a change in your perception of God. God never changes. Therefore, it is us who has changed how we view God. If God be for you, then who can be against you?

Keeping Our Hearts Protected,
Pastor Asa Dockery

Faith To See The Invisible

John 6: 26 – 27, Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." NKJV

What an intriguing story. In it, we learn there’s a difference between someone who follows Jesus in order to get their desires met and someone who follows Him because they believe in Him as the Son of God. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus could discern so quickly the wrong motives of the people who had come out to see Him? Because Jesus was the Word of God incarnate, He knew what was in the hearts of men. Consequently, He was never moved by whether their actions toward Him were favorable or adversarial. The only power contained in a man’s heart that could move Jesus was faith.

It is crucial that believers in Christ understand what it means to be driven by desires versus being led by our faith in Jesus. One of the best indicators of true faith is having consistency in our walk with Christ, especially in times of lack. When a person is driven by desire, they can only see as far as the desire is being met. However, faith gives us the ability to see God as more than the provider of our needs and desires. He is our very life. Faith will cause a believer to hold on to God even when the bills aren’t getting paid, and there’s no food in the pantry. If the desire of a person is not provided for, then the strength of desire will fail and cause them to doubt the goodness of God. Ultimately, they will turn away from God and look for another way to meet their needs.

We’re told in Jeremiah that the man (or woman) who trusts in the Lord and places their hope in Him is BLESSED! Now wait just a minute. On the surface, that scripture sounds really inviting. However, if you dig deeper into it, you will find that trust is harder than you might have originally imagined. To trust in God means that you don’t see or have what you’re believing God for… yet. To place your hope in God doesn’t mean you see nor have what you are hoping in God to give you… yet. Nevertheless, if you don’t have or can’t see what you believe for, and you still trust in God, then you are blessed.  

The writer of Hebrews tells us that God rewards those who DILIGENTLY seek Him. There are times during trials and seasons of disappointment when we must seek God diligently. In other words, in order to exercise true faith, we have to place self and its desires in submission to God’s will. Faith gives us the power to die to ourselves and the desires that could lead us away from Christ. Faith also gives us the victory to overcome this world and its pleasures so that we can live a life that pleases our heavenly Father. In the end, God will reward those who by faith die to self and endure steadfast to the end, knowing that He is faithful. Faith believes, and faith hopes in Christ.

Following Christ by faith,
Pastor Asa Dockery

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

1 Chronicles 16: 8 – 12, Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth… NKJV

Let me be one of the first to say, “Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!”

I chose this particular scripture to commemorate this special day because it is very upbeat and joyful. The writer encourages us to lavish our thanksgiving, adoration, and love upon the Lord while making melody in our hearts for the great things that He has done for us.

It was the Lord, who designed the plan of redemption and offered His Son in our place so that we could know God and have eternal life. Imagine that! God has given us all of eternity to express to Him how grateful we are that He has saved us from our sins. He has bestowed to us every good and perfect gift so that we might live the abundant life in Christ. We DON’T have to go to the world for an unmet need. Everything we will ever need is ours through Jesus.

Therefore, we have every right to rejoice and to be exceedingly glad because we have the BEST of this life and the one to come. It blesses our heavenly Father when we get excited and declare His praises to those around us for all that He has done in us and for us. God wants us blessed, but He also wants us to be thankful.

Today, as you take the time to be with those you love and those who love you, remember all the answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and the favor that you have received from your heavenly Father this year. Now you can go throughout this day with a heart filled with gratitude. After all, isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?

Happy Thanksgiving from the Dockery’s to you!     

Boldness

Hebrews 10: 19 – 22, Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. NKJV

Are you a bold Christian, who is fearless when it comes to entering the presence of God and enjoying His goodness? You might be surprised to learn that many believers struggle with being near Him. However, there’s a very good explanation as to why even believers are “bashful” when it comes to entering the presence of God.

Today, my main focus is the way people react differently to His holy presence in a church service. Many believers sit as far back in church as they possibly can, thereby, getting lost in the crowd. They’re very timid and shy in God’s presence. Nevertheless, they possess a hunger to be there. As a pastor of many years, I have discovered that if you bring attention to someone who struggles with being in God’s presence, it can cause them to back away altogether.  I you are bold, this tendency may seem a little immature or backwards to you; therefore, allow me to share some insights with you today.

The subject the Lord has me addressing today isn’t about a personality trait. It is a spiritual issue among many in the church. The writer of Hebrews does a masterful job at describing why believers aren’t bold in God’s presence and why many will run if they’re called on in a service. He writes that we must draw near to God with a true heart in FULL assurance of faith. This tells us that we must learn how to be developed through our faith in Jesus so that we can gain the boldness to be in God’s presence, unafraid and unashamed. He goes on to address the importance of having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. These are the primary roots that cause believers to be apprehensive about being in God’s holy presence. Therefore, it is a spiritual issue.  

Where did this backwards attitude originate, and how can children of God overcome it and have boldness to enter? It originated in the garden with the fall of man. When Adam heard God’s voice, he hid himself from the presence of God. Part of the answer for this dilemma can be found in Psalms 103; here, we’re told that Israel knew the ACTS of God, but Moses knew the WAYS of God. Why was there a distinction between Moses and Israel? Moses obeyed God from the beginning of his relationship with God. Through an obedient heart to God’s commands, he had his heart purged of the evil conscience of his past.  

Although Moses initially struggled with his inadequacies while in God’s presence, God quickly taught him to look to the Lord for assurance. As a result of Moses’ obedience to the voice of God, he could learn the ways of God. However, Israel didn’t have a deep desire to obey God. This lack of want-to caused them to fall prey to their guilty conscience, and it kept them from entering into God’s presence. When God invited His people to know Him at Mount Sinai, after bringing them out of Egypt, they rejected His invitation because of fear. The reason was very simple. Because of their unbelief, they had no desire to obey His voice and overcome timidity.

If you are fearful about being in God’s presence, or you feel “unworthy” or “dirty” in His presence, then this is a word from the Lord for you today? Instead of looking at your weaknesses and failures, which are unbelief, begin to focus on hearing and obeying God’s voice in your life. As you develop a hunger to know God’s will and then obey it, His Word will begin to purge your conscience from the residue of sin, which causes guilt and shame. Before you know it, you will develop the boldness to come into the presence of God, bask in the warmth of His Light, and not feel ashamed. Faith has to have a beginning; therefore, why not start right now? Submit to His will, and the Lord will do the rest. It all begins with a decision to trust and obey the Lord.  

Nothing like His Presence,
Pastor Asa Dockery

A Little While

Hebrews 10: 35 – 39, Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. NKJV

Are you waiting on God to move on your behalf? Are you in a season of trouble and looking for the Lord to deliver you from evil? Are you standing on God’s promises and believing in Him for a miracle or a need to be supplied? If so, then let me ask you another question. How long are you going to wait on the Lord?

It sure would be nice if while we’re waiting on Him to move, the Lord would let us know just exactly when He’s going to manifest His promise so that we don’t have to WAIT. Nevertheless, why does the Lord require us to wait on Him before He gives us the need or fulfilled promise? Our willingness to wait on God shows that our complete trust is in Him. Even so, living by faith prepares us for His emanate return. God requires that the JUST live in a state of preparedness. We are commanded to be instant in season and out. In other words, God requires us to wait on Him so that we might learn how to be consistent… no matter the test.

If I wait on the Lord, then I am disciplining myself to operate by faith instead of being moved by my flesh nature. However, the question that needs to be addressed today is this: How long should we be willing to wait on the Lord when we are looking to Him for an answer or a need to be met? We must determine in our hearts that we will wait on the Lord until He moves on our behalf. After all, it isn’t going to be on our terms, but on God’s. Once we make the decision to wait on the Lord “until,” the length of time won’t be an issue.

If we focus on a specific time frame, it can cause us to grow weary while we wait. We may also be tempted to act or jump prematurely. However, if we leave the timing in God’s hands and simply trust His will over our need, then we will be able to rest in full assurance that He is faithful; and He won’t leave us hanging. God cannot lie. If He said it, He will perform it. Nonetheless, we must be willing to wait until He comes through for us. Are you waiting on the Lord?

I Know in Whom I Have Believed,
Pastor Asa Dockery