The Pastor's Pocket

by Pastor Bruce Freeman

Practical, personal, powerful truths from God's Word with fresh and relevant content for today's generation, The Pastors' Pocket is a series of devotions written by Pastor Bruce Freeman with the intent of enriching your walk with the Lord during your quiet time.  
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The Pastor's Pocket

Just One Thing

2 Kings 5:1, “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.” 

Naaman had it all. A position of power and prestige as the captain of the Syrian forces, a large military armed with soldiers at his command. A great man by all accounts with favor from his superior. He had the reputation of being a fine soldier himself. Through his leadership many victories in battle went his way which led to an accumulation of great wealth. Here was a man with pretty much everything except for just one thing. He was a leper, and that was raining on his parade, spoiling his life in many ways. Naaman obeyed the instructions from a man of God, Elisha, the prophet in Israel. He experienced a miracle and was healed from that one thing. 

Naaman’s physical condition pictures humanity’s spiritual condition. A sin nature, an empty spot in life, a whole in the soul. A spiritually lost condition, far from God. Regardless of where that person lives, whether rich or poor, no matter their ethnicity, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 You can be healed from sin. Follow the instructions in the Bible to, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31). A simple act of faith and you are forgiven, cleansed spiritually, and your sins washed away through the precious blood of Jesus, the Great Physician.

 My friend, don’t allow just one thing to ruin an otherwise good life. There is only one cure, it’s not in a bottle or a pill, it’s in a name, JESUS. 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

A Move Toward God

When was the last time you made a move toward God? My thoughts today are about the woman with the issue of blood. The narrative is found in Mark 5:24-34. Jesus is on His way to minister to a little girl on her death bed. There was a throng of people around Him. At this point in His ministry, there was a crowd everywhere He went. On this day, a certain woman who had a real problem moves through the crowd to get to Jesus. She believes if she can just touch the hem of his garment, she will be healed of her serious illness. She has suffered twelve long years, had seen many doctors, but was still sick. She is desperate. 

When the woman heard that Jesus was passing by, she made her move toward him. Because of her faith, she was healed, and saved. He called her “Daughter”. God always honors our reach in faith.

I’ve been preaching the Word of God for over 40 years now. I’ve preached the gospel a lot of places, to a lot of people. Thousands have heard the good news from my mouth and yet so many have missed their opportunity to reach out, in faith, and receive Jesus as their Savior. He was passing their way and they failed to make a move toward God.

 Friend, if you have a serious condition; spiritual, emotional, physical, whatever your condition, make your move toward the God today. Only He can fix what’s wrong in your life.

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

The Language of Crows

I was staying at a hotel recently with the window open. Several crows were up in the trees doing what crows do, “crowing” to each other. It made me wonder, what are they saying? I’m sure they understood each other. Will we someday, in the future, understand the language of the birds and animals? Perhaps. 

All creatures have quite a sophisticated language by which they communicate with each other. Whales, elephants, lions, cows, and birds make distinct noises. We humans may not grasp what they are saying, but they are “talking”. 

The Bible says that one day God will bring ALL things together in Christ. ALL things will be under His Lordship. He will gather as one universe, heaven and earth, and all of its creatures. In that grand scenario, why would we not understand each other? 

You remember that the serpent spoke in such a way that Eve understood (Genesis 3:1). In Numbers 22, we are told that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him when the Lord opened its mouth (verse 28), then Balaam spoke to the donkey (verse 29), and the donkey spoke to Balaam (verse 30). That was an actual conversation between man and beast. 

If God did that once or twice before, He could surely do it again. Maybe someday I will understand “crow” talk. What do you think?

 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

God Knows Everything

God knows every detail of our life. He knows what we’re capable of and He knows what would destroy us. Whatever we encounter, whatever we go through, He knows about it. Remember this principle; if you can’t handle it, God won’t allow it. 

In the first chapter of Job, we’re told of all that Job encountered. God knew the character of this man and he knew he could survive the test. He said to Satan, “have you considered my servant Job?” (Job 1:8). 

Life can seem hopeless at times. Many situations can bring on that sense of hopelessness. Satan is the master of robbing people of hope. Hope of -improvement, hope for change, hope for a better day, hope for a solution to the problem. The devil wants to get us down and keep us down. He will if we let him. When we are in despair, we must change our focus and look to God for strength. Change your focus, and you change your feelings. 

In Psalm 42, the psalmist said that he would hope in God, praise Him, and he would remember all the times God was his source of strength.

 God can instantly change the situation we’re facing. He can change our hurt into healing, our weeping into joy and laughter, our poverty into prosperity, our despair into hope. Trust God with your present trial. He will come through for you.

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

Guard Your Mouth

Have you ever surrendered your mouth to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Most believers understand the concept of Lordship – meaning we are to be totally surrendered to Jesus. But few think of Lordship in regards to their mouth.

If we examine the scriptures we find many verses that admonish us to use wisdom and discipline with regards to what we say.  Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth”. Ephesians 5:4, “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting”. Jesting means coarse, or harsh jabs at someone. Matthew 5:37, “let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Colossians 3:9, “Lie not to one another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” I Corinthians 10:10, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

The average person thinks about 3000 thoughts per day.  I’m convinced that some people say about 3000 things per day. You don’t have to say everything you think. It requires mental and spiritual discipline to guard your mouth and to use discretion in what you say.  James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” 

Most of us would do well to heed these scriptures and to bring our mouth under the Lordship of Christ.  Let’s work at using kind words. Let’s refrain from saying everything we think.  This world will be a kinder place to live if each of us will do a better job at managing our mouth. 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

Two Crucifixions

In Galatians 6:14, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Let’s pay close attention to what he said next, “by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” I see two crucifixions here: one in which the world was dead to Paul in his generation. Secondly, Paul was dead to the world. 

Crucifixion in the first century meant death. There was no other outcome for those who were crucified. Paul uses crucifixion to indicate a death, a separation, and it was inevitable. As Paul preached the cross of Christ, His death and resurrection, the world wanted nothing to do with Paul. They made that clear many times.

 But you know what? Paul was dead to the world. He cared nothing for its attractions, his only focus was to preach Christ to all who would listen. We as believers have divine instruction to not love the world and the things that are in the world (I John 2:15). As Christians, this world holds nothing for us. We are citizens of another country. We should be dead to this world’s pleasures and attractions. 

We will be leaving soon. This old world will be happy we are gone and we will be happy to leave it behind. 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman


Courage

We could all use some courage in these trying days we live in. Joshua was given the assignment of leading the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the land of promise after Moses had been their leader all those years in the wilderness. In Joshua 1:6, God said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage”. Verse 7, “Only be thou strong and very courageous”. Verse 9, “Have I not commanded the? Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” 

Knowing that Joshua would need some courage after serving under Moses in the wilderness, the Lord commanded him to be strong and full of courage. In chapter three of Joshua, we read of how this bold and fearless leader, full of courage, led the people across the Jordan River, into the land of Canaan, the land full of milk and honey, yet filled with many unknowns and many challenges. 

We too have big challenges ahead as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. Our world is changing so much, with every passing day. However, this is not the time to tremble with fear. God’s people need a huge dose of courage. We need to be strong and courageous, knowing that the Lord is with us. 

Will you join me in prayer, that the Church in these last days would be strong, bold, and full of courage? Then ask the Lord to fill you with courage to face whatever is in front of you. That is a prayer He is sure to answer.

 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

The Power of a Pure Heart

We must consistently pursue the power of a pure heart out of which comes an effective prayer life (2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 5:8).

 Let’s face reality; sinful attitudes and activities are way too abundant in today’s church.  Yet the Christian is called to resist temptation and to go further. We are to hate sin, to reject it, and to love righteousness. If the church of today is to experience revival and to witness an outpouring of God’s glory and power, we must develop a heart for God.  We must want to live for God and to shun evil and iniquity.  The Lord will hear our prayers when we shun evil and wage war on iniquity in our lives. 

The key to spiritual power is maintaining a pure heart.  Remember, Jesus has a bride, He doesn’t want girlfriends.  Our heart must not be divided.  We cannot love Jesus and love the things of this world too (Matthew 12:25, 15:8).

I love the words to the song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”.  There is the secret. If we stay focused on Him, sin temptation and ungodly attractions grow dim to our eyes and ears.  Sin is not attractive to us when our heart is engulfed in Jesus. 

Let’s stay in the Word.  Stay in church. Stay near the power of His presence.  Keep your heart warm and in tune with the Lord.  Then, He will hear us when we pray. Are you ready to take your prayer life to the next level my friend? 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

Learn to Linger Long Enough

Lamentations 3:25 / Psalm 16:11 / Isaiah 40:28-31 

We will only linger around something we love. Think about it. If we love the Lord, lingering in His presence should be our delight, our joy. Waiting upon the Lord has tremendous benefits if we are patient enough to linger in His presence. 

Waiting is hurry’s enemy. Satan wants us to rush, rush and hurry through life, bypassing the joy that comes from enjoying the present moment we have with the Lord. Patience brings power, vision, motivation, and perseverance. True change occurs in the presence of God. 

If we learn to linger long enough and wait upon the Lord, anger will subside, confusion will disappear, and the fear of man will die.  While we are waiting, we can hear His voice, hope can be birthed, our countenance will change, wounds can be healed, true joy will return, mistakes can be exposed, instruction and direction are given, a fresh anointing is imparted, love is reignited, and God gives renewed strength for tomorrow’s challenges. 

All of this and more is available to those who linger and wait upon the Lord. The next time you spend time with the Lord, whether at church, in your quiet time, or whenever you are alone with Him, don’t rush it.  Don’t get in a hurry. Linger in His presence for awhile. You will be glad you did. 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

The Blessing of The Bible

The Blessing of the Bible

In the prayer of Jesus to His Father, He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17. Jesus is praying for His disciples, for their growth. How are they to grow and be sanctified? Through the truth, the Word of God. 

For all of us, the truth is found in the Bible, the written revelation from God to man. What a blessing it is to have the Bible. Some of us have more than one, perhaps even many. The Bible is divine truth, absolute truth which makes it one of the most valuable gifts God could have given the world outside of Jesus, God’s Son. 

It’s no wonder the Bible has been assaulted, de-valued and dismissed throughout the ages. It’s no wonder the devil battles the preacher who is committed to preaching it. It’s no wonder we face resistance when we determine to read it, to study it. The Bible is life-changing! The Bible is a blessing from God! 

When was the last time you picked up your Bible or downloaded a Bible app and determined to apply some divine truth to your soul? Remember this my friend; the more you get into the Word, the more the Word will get into you!

 

ThePastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman