Can't Get Any Gooder!

Proverbs 16:16
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

A few years ago I was preaching with an evangelist friend in Baltimore. We were just two country preachers from the south who loved Jesus. During that week my accent seemed to be thick and funny to those in the congregation. I was a babe preacher and the evangelist that I was with was seasoned and his accent was much thicker than mine. What was funny was when we went out through the city on visitation that weekend before the meeting started and met many people who talked different than we did. Needless to say, I tried my best to not let my country tongue interfere. I suppressed it daily but my friend on the other hand did not. At the close of the meeting he announced from the pulpit our appreciation. I will never forget his words, "Me and brother Steve would like to thank all y'all for everything. It couldn't have been any gooder."

When I read this scripture today I was taken back to that moment. Their hospitality and care for us was second to none. It was much better than many others had treated us and God began to stir in my heart about this scripture. "It's much better than gold!" said Solomon. Understanding is rather to be chosen than silver! I would rather have God's wisdom and understanding than gold or silver!

We would do good today to just stop and thank God for His wisdom and understanding as if we were running our fingers through gold and silver. Page after page of gold and silver! How valuable! How immeasurable! How priceless! God, I am so thankful for your Word. I am thankful for your wisdom and understanding. How much better it is than anything I've ever known... It couldn't get any gooder!

You're Better Off With It

Proverbs 16:8
Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

God's Word is so deep sometimes with truth but so shallow sometimes that even the youngest person can understand it. Do you know what is the hardest thing to convince people of? That they don't need something they want.

When someone's mind is set on something that they want it's almost impossible to get them to think of anything else. Let me use myself as an example. I love musical instruments. When I see one that I really like, then my like turns into a need. I'll usually say, "Patti, I like that guitar." Then a day, sometimes a moment later, I'll say, "You know I could use that guitar. I need it." I don't even have to tell you of her response. Before long I can't get the guitar off of my mind. I begin to think of cutting back on meals to have the money. Bologna and cereal aren't that bad right? I'm consumed by what I want.

While that example may be on a smaller scale the principle is still the same. Many, many people (even professing Christians) have sold out to their wants. The Bible tells us that just a little with righteousness is better than great revenues or riches without right. Some will allow their desires for what they want in life to override their walk with Christ and bring them into sin. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who allowed their desires for great revenues to bring them into sin and its destruction.

Listen to God this morning as He is telling us, "You're better off with it." My parents used to say, "Son, you're better off without that..." Which is absolutely right! I'm better off without the riches this world can offer me. But I love how God used the scriptures to show me the same lesson with a greater meaning. I'm better off with it! I'm blessed to have little with righteousness than to own the whole world through sin. I love being the poorest rich man!

Be Careful With Today

Psalms 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

As we follow Christ we can get out of focus at times. One example would be living in the past. We could use our day to think and share about everything we used to do or used to be for Jesus. I know that many days I'm tempted to do this. I want to look back at my days of evangelism and tent revivals. I love to think about those who have come to Jesus throughout the years of my life.  If I'm not careful I could spend my whole day thinking about all I have done for Christ.

On other days I think of all I want to do, or will do for Christ. I talk about dreams and ambitions of souls who would come to Jesus. I think of the books and messages that I would someday like to write and preach. I set goals for church and ministry in my future. Using every minute of that day thinking of what I could do tomorrow or be for Christ in the future. But again, if I'm not careful I could spend the whole day thinking of what I want to do for Jesus.

Please understand me. Looking backward in our lives brings encouragement. It shows what God has done for us and how His grace has been there all the time. Looking forward gives us hope that He will continue to be with us. It's with anticipation we look forward to His coming. But if you're not careful you will bypass the day that He has given you today. Honestly, yesterday is gone! Tomorrow is not promised! But THIS is the day that the Lord hath made!!!

What will you do with today?

Training Wheels

Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

When my boys were little I can remember teaching them how to ride a bicycle. They both started with training wheels. They thought it was the greatest thing ever. Jumping right on the bike and taking off. It was simple and fast. Pedal and steer was the only skill set needed. But then came the day when the training wheels needed to come off. They hated it. I remember Andrew throwing his bike down and not wanting to try it anymore cause it was too hard. But they had to come off in order to grow. A two or three year old looks normal with training wheels but a twenty year old looks a little different.

God has called us to move forward with Him but some can't let go of the training wheels. He wants to take us to bigger and better places of ministry but we will not let Him. We can't go because of the training wheels.

Do you know what is more disturbing than a twenty year old with training wheels on his bike? A child of God that has spent the majority of their lives on spiritual training wheels. Never able to go farther for the Lord because they didn't grow up.

God, remove whatever is holding me back from growing up. I'm ready for you to remove my training wheels. Stop being taught and become a teacher.

My Chains

Luke 8:29, 35
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) ... Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

A few days ago I was watching one of my favorite television shows called "How It's Made". On this episode they were making chains. Some of them were huge logging chains and others were smaller chains. I watched as link after link was put together. These machines would stretch the material to a certain diameter, cut and bend it on a machine, weld some of the links together and finally run it through heat and water to strengthen their breaking points. I was fascinated. You could say I was chained to it.

Some chains are made to hold things down such as the ones in our scripture this morning. They were placed on this man because of his demonic behavior and the safety of those around him or even himself. Over and over this man would break free only to be captured and chained again. But then came Jesus...! When Jesus came to his life and spoke freedom to him, those chains fell off. No longer was he naked and chained to demons. Now he was seated at the feet of Jesus clothed and in his right mind. Praise the Lord!

Something else that hit me during this show I was watching was that some people still wear chains. Some are chained to their sin as Legion was. It will not leave them because they are bound to it. But some people have chains of glory. They are bound unto Jesus Christ as a servant. Chained to Him through love. Those old logging chains of sin are gone and have fallen off, but I see some people with a gold chain around their necks carrying a golden cross. Our Savior was bound to that cross because of our sin, but that cross necklace linked around our necks are a testimony of our lives bound to Jesus! Victory in Jesus!

Son, Be a Man!

1 Kings 2:2-3
I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

In our scripture we find King David talking with Solomon about his days being few here on earth. David said that the time for him to die, just as all others on earth, was soon. So in his final words to his son David said, "Be strong son, show yourself as a man."

What does this mean, show yourself to be a man? If you don't play manly sports such as football, baseball or rugby then you're not a man huh? If you can't take a whoopin' without crying then you're not a man huh? What if you don't carry a long barrelled 45 and spit tobacco? Still not a man some would say. But what is David telling Solomon? Show yourself as a man. Be a man son! We could speculate on what David was getting at or we could read the Word of God and see exactly what David classified as a man. Now remember, this was the David who tore bears and lions into with his hands and cut off the head of the greatest soldier that came against Israel.

A man is one who would "keep the charge of the Lord thy God." A man who would "walk in his ways."  A real man who would "keep his statues' commandments, judgments and his testimonies (written word) found in the law of Moses." I can hear David, "Solomon, when you do these things as a man of God, you will prosper in all that you do and wherever you go."

Dads, what is your standard for being a "man"? If it's not after this pattern, which is actually God's pattern more than it was David's, then you are measuring up your child with the wrong ruler.

The Way We "Were"

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

What a motley crew of people listed here. Fornicators, which includes all manner of sexual sinners. People who worship idols and false gods. Adulterers that have cheated and lied to their spouses. Effeminate, which deals with men acting like women or without natural affection, dealing with bisexual or homosexuality. Those who have abused their bodies with sex and other things. Those who steal and covet. A drunkard, fighter or those who extort money.  The scripture plainly says WILL NOT inherit, or enter, the kingdom of God (which speaks of the blessing of Heaven). 

Now I know that some of you have just placed the halo atop of your head, considered your life and come up with the conclusion that this isn't you. But if you will look closer you will probably find that we are are guilty of at least one of these sins mentioned. 

I'm so thankful the story doesn't end there!  The scripture goes on to say... "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name or the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God". My favorite part of this scripture is just before this section... "And such were some of you:"  if you knew who I was before Christ you would find that I just about fit the bill in everyone of these categories. But thanks be to Jesus for the word "were". 

If we have been washed in His blood then don't wallow in sin.  If we have been sanctified, then don't entertain sinful temptations. If we have been justified, then live in and through the name of Jesus!  Remember, you "were" that way, not that you "are" that way. 

I am not what I need to be, but thank God I'm not what I used to be!

Fear Not

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.

Fear is a common feeling today. The news pumps it out like sewage to our televisions, radios and newspapers. Reports of beheadings, suffering and threats are all too common. From adults to children, the common talk is about what is going on in the world and the fear it brings. We have become a people that only speaks of what is wrong or sinful with the world. The "fear factor" is key in anything that is spoken. 

Hezbollah, ISIS, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, etc... Fear, fear and more fear. This is one of the greatest tools of satan. He loves and thrives on fear. Every attack recorded about satan invokes fear. People live in fear of his appearance. They think he shows up with the horns, forked tongue and pitchfork. If he only would show up like that...maybe people would not listen to his lies. You see he doesn't come like that. He comes beautifully subtle and aggressive in his lying speech. He aims precisely and injects fear. It's even told to all that he will use this approach in the last days of judgment. 

But what about our Great God?  He says, "Fear not..."  27 times just in the New Testament alone. God does not want His children to live in fear. 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Pray with me this morning. Lord please help me, us and our nation. Help me Jesus to obey your word and not fear what men may do. Help us to follow your commands and preach the Gospel. Lastly help our nation to turn unto your wisdom and repent of our ways. Lord remind me right now that if I can't start with me that I cannot focus on us our where we live. Do a work in me Lord. In Jesus Name...

Just a Greeter

Psalms 84:10

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,

than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

What is the church?  Well it is not the brick and mortar. It's not the carpet or the chairs. It's the people that enter into it. The body of Christ. The church is a fitly joined together living body. The members consist of those washed in the blood of Jesus. No one can join apart from salvation. Those in this body must have been adopted into His family. 

But in some sense people call the place where they worship the church. There is nothing terribly wrong in doing this. It's our way of relating where we worship. Look at David this morning and what He says about the house of God. He said he would rather be a doorkeeper at God's house than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. David is telling us that when it comes to the Lord and His house that he doesn't have to be the one in charge. He doesn't have to be the one with the biggest seat or position. He would be just as fine opening the doors for the ones entering than to sit on the highest of counsels. He said that dwelling in the wicked tents could never compare to keeping the doors at the house of God. 

This was so true in David's life. You know the scriptures tell us that David wanted to build the house for the Lord. He wanted to build the Temple but God wouldn't let him. He told him no. God said his son, Solomon, was going to build the house for the Lord. David didn't argue with God. He just loved God so much, and wanted to be where He was so bad, that he would be happy opening the doors. 

How many of us love the house of God like that?  If you're not the singer, are you going?  If you're not the preacher, are you going? What if the only thing left to do was opening the door?  I say that a day in is courts are better than a thousand and just to open the door, what a privilege to be the greeter at the house of God. 

I Heard It Somewhere

Matthew 5:43-44

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Years ago I preached a Sunday morning message on gossiping. After the morning service my family and I went home for dinner. While my wife was cooking in the kitchen the telephone rang. I heard her answer it and then I heard these words, "Hold on, I'll get him for you". When I walked into the kitchen she handed me the phone with a smile. I took the phone and said, "Hello". Then a stern voice on the other end said, "Brother Steve, this is Sister..."  I knew the gloves were off, hahaha. 

This older and absolute Godly woman had a bone to pick with me about the message that was preached. She said to me, "I want you to know something. I felt as if you were pointing at me this morning. You stared at me the whole time. Brother Steve, I don't gossip! And another thing... I don't lie!  If it was a lie when I told it I didn't know it, that was just the way I heard it". At this time I had to put the phone down to my side because I was laughing out loud and I didn't want her to hear me. My wife was looking at me like I was crazy. I said, "You're not gonna believe what she just said". 

Isn't it funny how truth has a way of coming out. By the time the conversation was over she was confessing to me that she had a problem talking about things too much on the phone to others. She said, "You know what brother? That message was probably just what I needed". I thank the Lord often for that woman of God. I'm so glad the Lord allowed us to worship together. My prayer is that maybe she is up there in Heaven today talking to the Lord about me. Hahahaha. 

In our scripture this morning Jesus is addressing things that have been said out of context. He says, "You've heard it been said..."  Start today!  Right now! Tell people just the Holy Words of God. Don't add anything to it. Don't repeat things you've heard spoken or quoted in church. Give them the pure, unadulterated Words of Jesus. See those religious leaders added hating the enemies but if you will read the Word you will never find that. When people ask you the message don't say, "I heard it somewhere". Tell them the facts!

For the Love

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Nothing compares to people telling how much they love the Lord Jesus.  I love to hear how great He has been to them. In church we will have times of testimonies. This is times where Christians will stand up and speak of their love for God. Some will tell of their past and how He saved them by Grace. Some will tell of a situation that just happened and how God is teaching them through it all. But everyone ends up with telling others of how much they love the Lord. To see these people living in the love of God, nothing compares. 

But you know, nothing compares to those who stand and declare how much they love Jesus only to walk away and take His very name in vain. I'm sure you've seen some stand and speak of how thankful they are and how much they are in love with Jesus, and then you see them on the very next day or weekend doing things that are not of Christ. You see, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". Many people will always say they love God, but our obedience will SHOW how we love God. 

A wife can say all day that she loves her husband, but if she is unfaithful to him then she has lied about her love for him. Husbands can tell their wives everyday and every moment that they love them with all of their heart, but if they continue to beat them and abuse them they have lied!  Just the same, a Christian can testify over and over of how much they love God, but if they continually do that which is contrary to God's Word, then they also have lied. 

If you love me, it will SHOW!  For the Love!

Let Me See Your Glory

Exodus 33:18

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Moses was about to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He was a man who was humble and not very self confident. He knew that there was no way he could do this without the hand of God leading and guiding him. He even said earlier in this chapter that he didn't even want to go if God wasn't going to be with him. But now, right before the march through the desert, Moses is found talking to God as a man would talk to his friend. God was telling Moses what was about to take place and Moses asked God for one thing... "Show me your glory"

This was a big request by Moses, but he knew God was his friend so he asked. God knowing that Moses' physical body couldn't handle the glory of the Lord, He allowed Moses to see only part of His glory. God took many steps so that Moses could see His glory. He placed him in a cleft of a rock, covered His hand over him and lifted it only in time for Moses to see the back of God passing by. But even in this glimpse of glory, Moses had to cover his face to the congregation of people because he was glowing. 

Did you know that throughout your life God has strategically placed you in a position to see His glory?  He wants to reveal Himself to you. Maybe it's time you lead yourself, your family, or even your church to the place God wants to take you and you are asking for His glory to be revealed. Maybe it's between a rock and a hard place so that you would be able to see His glory!     

You Look Confused

Daniel 9:8
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Daniel is praying! Oh, brother is he praying! God has moved upon Daniel's heart during this prayer time with Him. Daniel is confessing the sins of the nation of Israel and then says these words, "to us belongeth confusion of face,..." He was telling God that he was ashamed. Daniel was telling God, on behalf of Israel, that they were ashamed. The kings were ashamed. The princes were ashamed. The fathers were ashamed. Why? Because we have sinned.

There is a shame that comes from being caught and there is a shame that comes from realizing that you are guilty. These two shames are not the same. One causes you to be sorry because you were caught or seen in the act of sin. The other causes you to feel a Godly sorrow because you committed sin. One fears the punishment and the other fears the disappointment and disobedience.

Daniel was saying that "confusion of face" belonged to all the people. Sin is confusing. Confusion is sin. The bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Sin, either in the life of the believer or non-believer, is destructive. One thing is for sure, sin should bring shame! In the believer of Jesus it should show on our faces.

You look confused... Come to Jesus in shame of sins and leave with joy in repentance. Don't confess because you get caught. Confess because you committed sin.

"He's a Purdy Yeller Dog"

Ephesians 2:4-8

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Have you ever seen the movie "Old Yeller". Of course you have!  Everyone's seen that movie. I love Ollis, the baby brother. He is one tough kid. Remember when old Yeller came running through the garden chasing the rabbit? Travis was being dragged behind the mule and plow?  That was the first time he laid eyes on the old yellow dog. Then later Ollis tells how he needs him a good hunting dog. 

The movie progresses and the dog has now eaten their meat that was hanging outside overnight. Well Ollis comes outside and finds Travis about to warp the dog with a stick. Remember how Ollis picks up a stick and fights Travis back? Mom comes outside and asks whose dog it is and Ollis says these words, "He's my dog and there ain't nobody gonna try an hurt em'". Travis says, "He's just an old ugly yeller dog". But Ollis says, "He's a Purdy Yeller dog". 

Think of what we looked like to our God when we came to Him in our sins. We were filthy and nasty. We were in darkness and disgusting sin. Nothing but an old ugly sinner. Satan even said, "Look at them, they will never be any count, they will never fully serve you, they will never be anything but an old, ugly sinner". It excites me to know that's when Jesus spoke up and says, "They're not an ugly old sinner, but they are a Purdy Child of God.  And there ain't nobody gonna try and hurt em'". Praise The Lord!  

I'm so thankful that we serve a God that sees what we could be if we would just surrender our lives unto Him. We can never be what He sees unless we surrender. You sure are Purdy!

Laughing in the Tent

Genesis 18:14
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...

God had just finished up communing with Abraham and Sarah when this was spoken. He had told them both that He was going to bless them with a son, even in their old age. God made a promise to them. While both of them at one time laughed about this promise from God, that didn't make it any less valid. God was going to move in a mighty way to show that it was Him in the promise and not humanity. If we would be honest this morning we would probably laugh also. This is a huge promise!

Throughout my life I have made promises and wasn't able to keep them. I've made promises to my children, my wife, my fishing buddies of how many we would catch. While I tried my best to keep everyone of them I have fallen short many times. The task of performing the promise was more difficult that just speaking it. God made a promise and because there was no one greater than Himself, He promised by Himself or on His own word.

After God spoke His promise Sarah laughed inside the tent. God spoke again to Abraham... "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Think about that this morning. What could be too hard for the LORD?

Satan would love to convince you that the LORD is just too busy or that your situation is much to big for God. God doesn't live in a thimble, no He flung the stars off of His finger tips! God doesn't live in a box, not the earth cannot contain Him! God is not confined to a book, nope His word says that their are not enough books to hold the things that are about Him! What could you possible think is too hard for Him?