Practice What You Preach

1 Corinthians 9:14

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

"Get your Christian t-shirts! You're Jesus bumper stickers and little fish right here! You're armpit Bibles, and all other things that say you are a messenger of the gospel!"  

So many, too many, are professing to be Christians today and do not live out what they say. What if someone came to you and said I'm the fastest person on the earth and they ran a 2:00 minute forty-yard dash?  What if someone said they are the best at sewing and you were to have them make you a dress only to find that the hem fell out moments later. What would you think of these people?  You probably would say, "Fastest person on the earth? I don't think so."  "Seamstress? Yeah right!"  

So how do people see you?  Your shirts, stickers, Bible?  Wouldn't it be a shame if Christians ever got to the place where they say they are saved and live like they are not changed at all?  

Here is a difference maker though... Someone who says they want to be the fastest person on the earth will practice and practice at getting faster and faster. Although they will not start out running the fastest, they will continue the practice. Although they will fail and fall at times, they will get up and practice again and again. Too many today have set their practice aside and still declare themselves to be the Christian that they need to be. 

What would you say to that?  "Yeah, right!"

On the Eve

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I can remember as a child being so excited about Christmas. I was that sneaky one who would always search the house from too to bottom in search of my presents. I started looking in November. My parents would hide them in the craziest places, but without fail I would find them. Then when they began to catch on to my hunting, mom would wrap them early and place them under the tree thinking that would deter me. But once again, I would precisely cut the tape, pull out the present and place them back without any notice. (I know what you're thinking. You are wishing you had a child just like me, hahaha)

It seemed to just drive me crazy!  I would think for days on end about what I knew I had for Christmas. I would beg my dad to let me open them weeks before Christmas was here. I remember one year telling my dad to just go ahead and let us have them on Christmas Eve because I knew what I was getting anyway. He said, "What?"  That's when I proceeded to tell him piece by piece and present by present of what was under our tree. But he never caved (much). It was always... "We open presents on Christmas Day!"  

As I think of that it reminds me of God's Word. As Christians, we long so much for the land that He has gone to prepare. A place where there is no more death, sorrow, pain or crying. A place of perfect peace where our Lord is. A place where our family in Christ have gone.  What kind of joy would you have if you knew today was the eve of your arrival in Heaven?  You see I'm often trying to search for those promises (presents) in His Word. I pray for sneak peaks. I say as John in Revelation, "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus". 

Are you looking forward to Heaven and what Jesus has prepared?  We should be!  It's going to top any G.I.Joe train set or Michael Jackson microphone that I received on earth. 

Just Another Brick in the Wall

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In the late 70's and early 80's a song came on the radio called, "Another Brick in the Wall". It was a song that spoke of being another face in the crowd. In the video it has school children with clone/style faces and being nothing but another brick in the wall. But this teaching, along with many other worldly lessons, is dangerous. It causes people to feel that no one cares, or that no one loves them. But this is not true!  

God loves you!  I know you've heard it from every preacher that has run off with a lady in the church. I know you've heard it from every Christian who has said it while stabbing you in the back. But have you ever heard it from someone who loves you?  Someone who took your punishment?  Someone who has never ran off, lied, cheated or stabbed anyone in the back?  

To Jesus, you are NOT another brick in the wall. You are NOT just another face in the crowd. You are valuable!  So valuable that He paid the greatest price ever!  NO ONE, no one has loved you more than Jesus has. 

So all in all, your NOT just another brick in the wall!

Moving from Crying to Worship

Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and CRIED unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and WORSHIPPED him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters 'table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

How do we approach the King of Kings with our petitions and requests?  Some think that because they are faithful in church or because their moms and dads are saved that God should listen up. Few think that because they pay tithe, or give of themselves that the King of Kings should pay attention. Approach is everything!  

Remember when you were young?  You knew the right moment to approach your parents about things. You could sense when they were in the right moods. You knew exactly what to say to them and how to approach the situation. 

Well the woman in this scripture didn't know how to approach Jesus with what she needed. Her need was very great and heavy on her heart. Notice that she tried first to claim it.  She called Him "Thou Son of David". Tying herself together with the Jews and claiming rights to what they had in God.  Look at Jesus' response... He said nothing. 

Then something great happened!  This woman realized her approach was wrong. See she CRIED for something that didn't belong unto her. She changed her CRY into WORSHIP!  Her approach now was to worship the King of Kings and ask for Help. "Then she came and WORSHIPPED Him, saying, Lord Help Me". It was then that Jesus answered, "It's not right to give food from the table to the dogs". Which meant she was trying to receive a blessing by claiming heritage, but she was a Gentile. But then she said, "Yes, but even the dogs get crumbs". All she wanted was the crumbs. She knew the crumbs would be sufficient from the King of Kings. She no longer claimed the best, but just wanted God to bless her. When we do this, humble ourselves in worship, we will receive nothing but the best. 

I wonder how long it took for her to realize that she approached it wrong?  How long will it take you?  Today you may need the Lord Jesus to move in your situation. Maybe you have approached the situation wrong. Claiming something that doesn't belong unto you. Thinking that because your parents know Christ that He should do this for you. Or because you do things (works) for God that He should take notice quickly. Why not fall before Him in worship?  Show Him our great need and broken heart. Move from crying about it to worshipping Him and knowing that He can and He will help. When we do, He will help. 

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Prayed for by the Savior

John 17:20-21

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

The prayer before Jesus entered into the Garden of Gethsemene was, "Lord make them one like you and I are one". In other words, make them like me and you Father. Take their love for each other to the same level our love is for each other. 

Have you ever seen the "Avengers"?  It's a movie made about the Marvel comic book stars. It has the Hulk, Ironman, Thor, Captain America, Hawk Eye and others. During the movie they showed the strengths and the flaws of each character. The Hulk had somewhat of a problem with rage. Captain America was a little gullible. Ironman was prideful and very conceited. Thor had horrible family issues.  But when they saw their need for each other and came together, they won a great victory. 

We, the family of God, have many flaws. Some weaknesses are found within the immune system of our body. That's why we need Him!  That's why we can't do it without Him!  There are many members of the body of Christ. But we are supposed to be functioning together as one through Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

Being a part of the body of Christ means that there are broken toes, withered fingers and hands, limping legs, hurting backs, strong arms and great seeing eyes. There are Ironmen, Hulks, Hawk Eyes, etc...  We all have some great strengths as individuals, also great weaknesses. But TOGETHER, oh the things that Christ can do.

Don't miss this now!  If we were all in the same mind, spirit, church or house and Christ is not there, we are NOT together. Only Jesus can bring us together for victory. Only Jesus can bring us together through His strength. And the best part of all..? He's already prayed for this to happen!  He wants us to be one! He wants us to win!  Through all of our flaws, sins, weaknesses, He can make us one for victory. 

I heard an old, old story. How a Savior came from glory

How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me

I heard about his groaning, of His precious blood atoning 

Then I repented of my sins and won the Victory

Oh Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever

He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood

He loved me ere' I knew Him and all my love is due Him

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood  

Dear Lord, make me one with you so that I can be one with my wife, with my sons, with my family, with my church family.  Let me love like you love and let me live like you desire me to live. I want to be one with you. Thank you for praying for me. 

Did Everyone See That? Hahaha

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:

Have you ever tripped and fell to the ground? Only to quickly jump up and scan all around to see if anyone saw you?  Why is it that we are programmed to do this?  Maybe it's because we know someone is waiting at any moment to laugh at us. 

Now to be honest, we all somewhat laugh inside if no one is hurt. But believe this or not, there are people that wait for you to fail only so they can laugh at you. They love for others to fall down so they can point it out to everyone. As I was driving my school bus route the other day a young boy dropped his books and they scattered through the isle. Everyone that saw this starred at him. There were some that offered help and others that just got out of the way. But then those lurking for the moment to point and laugh showed up. There is only a few who thrive from this behavior. They feed off of others embarrassments and mess ups. 

More now than ever our world is adopting this attitude. From the television to radio news. From the barbershops to the beauty parlors. From the work places to the dining tables. From the back rooms to the pulpits. People are rejoicing in the wrongs of others. They are excited when people get what's coming to them. Why is this?  Because people love it when they see someone fall. It's funny to them. Because it takes the eyes off of their own failures. 

Well what if we all got what we deserved?  What if God laughed at us every time we fell?  You see He loves us so much that He is willing to pick us up over and over again. The reason is because He looks at us through "Father eyes". He understands the hurt from falling. He understands the pain is real. So therefore He loves us and picks us up. 

How do you look at those who fall?  Eyes of scorn? Eyes of laughter? Eyes of rejoicing? Eyes of compassion?  Eyes of mercy?  Eyes of help?  

Lord help me today not to laugh at the fallen but to reach out and help them. Always keeping in mind the times that I have fallen and needed help myself. Thank you for loving me and picking me up. 

"Looked like a Tick about to Pop"

Matthew 27:25

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Do you remember the movie "A Christmas Story"?  Remember Ralphie's little brother and the day his mom was getting him dressed for school?  She put so many layers of clothing on him that he couldn't move. Then Ralphie says, "My kid brother looked like a tick about to pop". Hahahaha. When she finally finished him up, he couldn't even talk. I laugh at that part of the movie every time I see it. When he has his arms out to his side and she keeps trying to put his arms down and they just keep popping back up. Hahaha. When they are all walking to school and the little brother falls and rolls on the snow like a turtle upside down on its shell. Hahahaha

                                 

Just like Randy, (Ralphie's little brother) our children are walking through life with weights placed on them by their parents. In the scripture today it deals with those Jewish people who cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus. They said, "We don't care how innocent you think he is, and we will not hold you accountable Pilate.  Let his blood (death) be upon us". And was it ever!  Look at how the Jewish nation suffered, and still suffers, because of their decision. 

And just like those Jewish mothers and fathers of old, we pass along our wrong decisions and sinful actions to our children. We weigh them down with our adult wrongs and expect them to carry it all. We place upon our young children our mess ups then send them out the door to carry it around with ease. They hear our cursing, they see our addictions, they understand our sinful actions as they are, SIN! We place on them our divorces, financial problems, etc... And expect them to tote it all. Yet we still send them out there in the snow and tell them to walk straight and upright. We question why they are on their backs in the snow like a flipped over turtle. Never realizing the pressures and heartache we've placed on them. 

God help us today to realize sin is not hereditary! Alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery, lying, stealing, gambling, homosexuality, etc... Is not hereditary! It's a choice. One that is sometimes passed down, or placed upon, our children by us.  Don't let the actions you do today be the weights upon your children. Free them up today so they can walk without heartache and failure. 

How?  By confessing your sin to a loving Savior.  By talking with your children about what they have seen in your life and ask them for forgiveness and help in keeping that away from you. By surrendering to Jesus and realizing that what you do doesn't just effect you, but it effects those after you and it could effect generation after generation. 

Matthew 27:25

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

"Ain't Scared"

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I love hiding behind a door or lying down in a closet floor waiting for my wife to come by. I can honestly lie there for a long time. Normally she is not a scared person or someone that is afraid, but when she walks by a dark closet and feels a hand reach out from the floor to grab her foot she screams like a banshee. I cannot describe the thrilI I get from this every time I do it. (By the way, it's really awesome when it's one of your tough teenage boys).

You see fear can make even the strongest people do strange things. Fear is something we sometimes have no control over. That's why we need God to help us in this area of our lives. We all will be faced with fear at one time or another. Satan loves nothing more than to lie in the shadows and reach out to attack us at the most unexpected moments. (This does not mean that because I love to scare my wife and boys that I am in any way acting like Satan, hahaha)  He wants nothing more than to strike fear into our hearts. 

Look at what we are facing today...

Evil driven people are running into school buildings, with arsenal that soldiers use, killing our innocent children and striking fear into all children's hearts. They are going to movie theaters with weapons and actions you see on the screen killing any that are in their view for no reasons at all. They are placing backpack bombs in our malls, running venues and everyday places of comfort while striking fear over and over again.  

Only with Jesus Christ can we have true peace in a world that is offering only fear. There is no way you could find LOVE, POWER and a SOUND MIND in the things that we have on this earth. Come to Jesus today and ask Him for the LOVE you've been needing. Ask Him for the POWER to overcome the tactics of Satan. And ask Him for the PEACE OF MIND that you need in the chaotic world that you live in. 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.

Pushing Them To Victory

Psalms 127:1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

A few months ago I have the great opportunity to run in a 5k race with all of my family. (Although my wife and younger son didn't go with any enthusiasm, haha) Me and my oldest son ran together and my younger son ran with his mother. 

Now my oldest could out run me easily. He holds back much of the time because he doesn't want his dad to feel bad (or at least that's what I think). Well as we were running we were talking and having a great time. At one point we were sharing some water and laughing. Then we came to some hills and slowed the pace down a little bit but he hung right in there with dad. Then we came to a straight and flat road, so we picked up the pace a little and again he hung right in there with dad as I hung in there with him. 

As we entered back into the town, and close to the finish line, we were neck and neck. I took my earphones out and told him, "Go ahead buddy". And he said, "No sir". I kept arguing with him about it and telling him louder and louder, "Go". And he wouldn't respond. He didn't want to beat dad. He would have rather crossed last than to beat dad. So I did what every good dad would have done in this situation. I left him in my dust!  Hahaha, just kidding. Although I may have wanted to do that, I more so wanted to build him up. I want him to be a winner. Even if it means beating his dad. So I gave him the final shove across the finish line. 

Sometimes we want our children to win in everything they do. We want to build them up. Even to the point that we as parents will do anything and everything to accomplish this task. But the actual truth is that unless we are praying to God for wisdom and direction we could be building our children on wrong foundations and with the wrong blocks. 

Parents, we need to allow Christ to build us and pray that He would build our children as well. This may involve them failing at some things the world would have them to succeed in. Let us allow Christ to move in our lives and in the lives of our children. This doesn't mean to allow them to do whatever they want. But it means as we LABOR in raising them that we MUST have direction from Christ. 

Remember, we are the LABORER, but God knows what He wants them to be because He is the BUILDER!

Lord help me to be a carpenter led only by you. 

Washing the Pig

2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour:so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

What good could ever come from washing a pig?  In that same thought, what good can come from sin in the life of a Christian. You have been given something by Christ that should be precious and valued. It's your testimony! Your testimony is everything to you as a believer in Christ. Once tainted, it's hard to recover.  Your salvation costed you nothing, but costed Christ everything. Your testimony costs you nothing, but could cost someone else everything. 

Just one folly (act of sin in a foolish manner) can ruin our testimonies. If we are going to continue in sin as a believer then what were we ever saved from?  If we are going to continue to act and live as the world, then why declare that we are different?  Note that I said "continue and live in" sin. I know that mistakes will often be made by believers walking toward Christ but no Christian should live in and enjoy sin. 

Too many times people come to Jesus and trust upon Him for Heaven but never trust in Him to live Holy while on earth. Just like a pig that has been washed, we return to the mud hole again and again. 

This kind of living not only hurts you, but can severely damage others. You will become a stumbling block to others. You will not only walk contrary to God and His Word, but you could cause the lost to reject Christ as well. See we are a light that should be shining the way, not a flicker. We should desire to be a beacon of hope, not a dim light hidden under a basket. 

     - Will you be an EXAMPLE? (A reference point of what to be)

     - Will you be TRUE? (A light that shines on Fridays as well as Sundays)

Will you be a NEW CREATURE, Or JUST THE SAME OL' PIG?

Coaching can make a difference!

I was thinking this morning as I was driving my bus and listening to the comments from the students. The Alabama fans were making excuses, and the Auburn fans were gloating in victory. Many of the phrases were... "What about last year?; What about this year?; It was our kickers fault; You got beat!..." And on and on...

Truth is that coaching can and did make a huge difference. No matter what team you pull for, me being a Tide fan, you must have seen this! The Auburn coach made his team believe in themselves this year. He kept things simple and drove the ball down the throats of Alabama's defense. And pulled his team to one of the greatest Auburn victories ever. It will be remembered by many for a long time.

Think about this Dads... How is your coaching? Are you one that puts belief in your sons heart? Do you encourage or tear down? (Which sometimes tearing down things are necessary if it's harmful to their spirit or body). Moms how are you coaching? Do you convince your daughter to believe in God first and then herself as a beautiful young woman? Dad's, do you hear your sons say the same things you say? Do the same things you do? Coaching can make a huge difference in their lives. A good coach can take gifted players and place them in the right positions and win some games. But a GREAT coach can take a team that is not even supposed to be playing in a game and make them believe they can win and do it!

Also, we have seen that 0:01 can create a game changing event. If it goes one way and the kick is good then the one team will win. If the kick is short and returned 109 yards (grrrrrrrr) then the other team wins. Just like that, Dads and Moms, one flaw or foolish, prideful, selfish act in sin can cause a life changer for those you are coaching.

Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

It only takes 1 moment of selfish sin to change the way our little players will play. 1 act of rage, 1 act of drunkeness, 1 act of adultery, just 0:01. And the difference is that BOTH teams go away with a loss!

But the great news is that if 1 act of poor coaching can cause a loss, then 1 act of great, Godly, Christ-like coaching can change them forever. Cool thing is that BOTH teams can walk of the field of life with a Victory! And that Victory can only be found in Jesus.

God help me be a Hall of Fame coach to my wife and boys. And when you give me the victors crown may I lay it humbly at your nail-pierced feet.