Call A Timeout

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I love watching sporting events. Baseball, basketball, football, softball, etc...  It doesn't matter to me, I just love competition. One of the common grounds that all these sports share is a timeout. The football coach can call a timeout if the defense lines up in a way that's unexpected. The quarterback will call timeout in order to bring the players back and rethink the strategy. The softball coach will call a timeout in order to walk up to the mound and calm his pitcher down. A basketball coach will call a timeout with just seconds left on the clock in order to call that last miracle play. 

This morning will you do me a favor?  Call a timeout!  Even if you have to say it aloud, call a timeout. Don't wait until the enemy is lined up against you. Don't wait until your tired from pitching and there is nothing else to give. Don't wait until the clock has almost given up its last seconds. Call it right now. 

Look at this amazing scripture this morning. "The God of Hope..." When we are weak and the enemy is against us, take a timeout and realize that we serve the God of Hope. He is the anchor to our soul! Gather your families together and remind them in the huddle that Christ is our God of Hope. Tell them what the God of hope will do for us. 

THE GOD OF HOPE FILLS US... He fills us with His a Joy and Peace. The joy that is unspeakable and the peace that passes all understand. He tells us in the huddle that we must believe. Trust Him! It's through believing in Him. 

THE GOD OF HOPE FULFILLS US... He says we will abound in His hope. God completes us in every area of our lives. He desires that we are completed, perfected, through His hope, joy, peace and love. 

HE DOES THIS THOUGH THE HOLY GHOST... God will do this work through the working of the Holy Ghost. Remember what Jesus said?  I will not leave you comfortless. I will send you a comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. He will teach you all things. Jesus wants you to have joy, peace and fulfillment through the Holy Spirit. He is reminding you today that you are not alone. He says He will be there every step of the way. 

Now, get out of this huddle and go be what Jesus has called you to be. Go live in the joy He has given you. Go rest in the peace He has extended to you. Go and worship in the Spirit He has sent to us. When the timeout is over, take the field!  

Learning From History

2 Chronicles 7:21-22

And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

Someone once said, "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it". How true is that statement today?  This morning let's take the time to learn about the children of Israel and their sins as a nation. Some have told me throughout the years that we have no lessons to learn from Israel and their failures, but I think differently. Israel repeatedly failed in their walk with God. But over and over, God was there to forgive them and bring them back to what they needed. But notice what God says this morning...

He says that their house, which is high, will be a sign to everyone that passes by. How great would it have been if The Lord was speaking about an astonishment of praise and worship? But He was speaking of being and example of those people who used to be blessed but now are not. 

When I went to Israel a few years ago we saw the first century stones that Jesus possibly walked upon. We saw the Temple Mount. We also saw the area where the priests used to walk across to enter the Temple area. It was destroyed, along with the Temple itself, and you could see the heaps of stones. Jesus told them this would happen. When I saw this I immediately began to think of how we will fall to this same ruin if we don't place God and His Son Jesus as our top priority. 

The scripture says they forsook The Lord, The Lord that redeemed them, they laid hold on other gods, worshipping and serving them, and God will make an example out of them.

My prayer this morning, and many mornings, is that God will continue to be gracious and forgive the sins of His people and His church. Some would say it's the worlds fault, but this wouldn't be true. They don't know any better, but the church does. We know the history through scripture. So we should pray for more understanding lest we also repeat the same sins they did. Please don't think I'm negative when I say this, but I feel that we are very, very close to repeating it even today. 

Lord please help us to learn from mistakes and history. Please help us to stay focused upon You!  Lord remind us of what we have in You!  Thank you Jesus, I love you. 

Fantasy Christian League

James 2:1

​My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

We are at the beginning weeks of football season here in the south. Which means lines are drawn and the one-liners are being rehearsed. In Alabama alone there is great adversity when it comes to football. From little league park ball to college ball there is a battle every weekend. Most of the biggest battles are not on the field, but in the stands. At the parks, it seems like there is a fight every week. Some dad, or mom, is being thrown out of the park either for their mouth or fists. At the high school level, I've seen parents jump the fence and take the field. I saw one dad jump the fence and begin punching a player. At the college level, I've seen drunks ranting and raving on who was the best quarterback in the league and who stunk the worse as a player. On the field, most of the time, the players play ball. But the stands tell a different story. Some fans roll trees on their home turf, while other fans poison or even burn those trees. It's crazy!

One crazy thing is how an athlete will be judged by weight room stats, running stats, etc... Then when it comes game time, you can't seem to find them on the field. Others will not weigh in as well and you don't give them much thought. But they unleash themselves on the field and become and impact player. It's so funny to hear people gear up for football in the off season. They begin to pick their players and teams. They pump it up so much!  We've now got a "Fantasy Football League".  Where you can draft your players and build a team. 

Sad thing is... This attitude has bled over into our churches. Not in recent years, it's always had its place in the church. The name is SIN!  One person picks this Christian and another one degrades them. One player messes up and falls and it seems like it is on an ESPN News report. "This just in... Last night #12 starting deacon in The Baptist Church was reportedly seen leaving the town bar. He was later picked up by police for a DUI. What will the Baptist do this year without their starting deacon? Will discipline take place? How could you sit in church with someone who would do such a thing? Now back to you Erin."

Yes, the sin of the deacon is wrong and one the church should address. The sin of picking and choosing is wrong as well. So is the backbiting and tale bearer. So is looking upon people and seeing if they will make a good Christian or not. Seeing who would benefit the church team or not is wrong. Looking upon their riches or poverty is wrong. 

James 2:9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Let God keep the stats, you run the ball!  Let the church leaders do the discipline, you hold the line! Stop picking your Fantasy Christian League and play ball!

Lord, please help me keep my eyes on YOU!  Never let me pick the team, cause we would lose every game. Thank you Lord. I love you!

Finally!

1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

I can remember as a child that I couldn't wait to be twelve so I could be a young teenager. Then I couldn't wait to be sixteen so that I could drive a vehicle. Then I couldn't wait to be eighteen and graduate high school. Then I couldn't wait to be twenty-one so I could be an adult. Then I couldn't wait until I was married. Then I couldn't wait until it had children... It seemed like I was always anticipating the next phase in my life. Constantly I would set the goal ahead of me and couldn't think of anything until I was there. Now that I have made it to these points in my life, I find myself saying, "What now?"  

It's funny how we do things in life and what we talk about that is ahead of us. What is so amazing to me is listening to testimonies from church members during some of our worship services. I've heard all kind of things in testimonies. (Some that maybe should have been kept to themselves) Some of the things that I have heard from our older members are still ringing in my ears, even though they are in Heaven today. 

You would think that they would want to rewind time and do it all over again, but that's not what I've heard. I hear them say things like... "I'm just waiting on my Lord... I can't wait to see my Jesus... I can't wait to see my spouse or family... I can't wait to walk streets of gold... I can't wait to look into the eyes of my Savior... I can't wait to spend eternity with my Lord... I can't wait till He calls me home". 

That is so amazing! Sometimes I feel like I've reached the point in life where I don't have another, "I can't wait..." phrase. But those older saints of God remind me of it again and again. John in the closing book of our a Bible says, "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus". 

And we thought the beginning of our salvation was something, just wait till we receive the end of our salvation!

I'll Have What He's Having

2 Kings 2:9
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Have you ever been out to eat with someone and listen to them order their food? Sometimes when I go to a new place and don't know what to eat I ask the person taking my order what they would get. I figure that they would know much better than me what is good to eat. But if someone takes me to eat I usually listen to them ordering.

When they describe their order I can hear that they have been here before. I can sense that they know what is good and not good. I love it when they know the ones waiting on us or even better the cook! By them knowing these things I feel sure about getting what they order.

Elisha had been watching Elijah. He as observed his actions and devotion unto God. He was sure that Elijah knew God personally and was confident in Him. He saw the devotion that Elijah had unto God and how God moved on and in Elijah. So when the question about what Elisha wanted before Elijah died came up he jumped on the opportunity to say, "I'll have what you're having. Only make mine a double." (like a beautiful order of double hashbrowns...)

Praise God! Today I want what Elijah had. I want what Elisha got double of. I want seconds and thirds. I trust they knew the One prepares and serves it. Here is my plate and cup Lord...

Before I Die

Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

There are two requests mentioned in our scripture this morning. It is a prayer to God. One that is needed before their death. Let's look at them and see if it is something we may be interested in praying also.

First it is a request for removal. God remove from me vanity which is excessive pride and arrogance as well as lies. Lies could be those that were spoken, but since it is joined with the word vanity it no doubt deals with believing lies of prideful thoughts.

The second request is for provisions. He asks God to give him neither poverty or riches. In other words, don't let me focus on how much or how less I have. Lord give me the needs that are convenient for me. Give me those things that will satisfy my needs and not more than I need which will puff up my pride.

I don't know about you but I believe that I'm going to make this my prayer daily. Lord, starve my pride and feed my dependence on You. My prayer today is that I understand this before I die. Let contentment be my daily goal.

Believe it or Not, Will they Know?

Ezekiel 2:4-5

For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

The Lord has given us His word. We are to preach it, teach it, share it. Just as the parable of the sower says to, "Sow the seed", that's what we need to do. It's not our responsibility to grow the seed. We are to sow and water. God is the only one who can give the increase or bring it to life. 

We can agree with the scripture this morning. This land we live in is much like that of the Old Testament Israel. Impudent or disrespectful children. So many times we want to point this scripture to the condition of the lost world or to teenagers, but that would be false. This points to us in the church today. Disrespectful and stiffhearted unto God and His word. 

God sends preacher after preacher to share His word with them. God is putting men into the ministry everyday to preach. We as Christians should be sharing the gospel everyday.

We need to first realize that He has sent us out with the gospel message. Second, we need to know that some will hear His words, but some will not. Some will not change because they are a rebellious house. Lastly, as we share it... understand that some will repent and some will not... but either way let them know your message is from The Lord. The Lord says, "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, YET SHALL KNOW that there hath been a prophet among them". 

When Jesus himself taught and preached many walked away in disbelief. When Paul testified of Jesus, people chose to walk away from his words about Christ. But...when Jesus taught at times, many said didn't our hearts burn within us as he spake and they believed. When Paul preached about Christ, many came to Him and believed. This morning...whether they believe your words about Jesus or not, leave them knowing that they had been with someone sent from God. 

When my life begins to pass and I take an examination of it all. I pray that I will never tally the ones who believed or the ones who didn't, but I pray that when they pass my casket and look in at the old fleshly robe of mine... People will say, whether they have believed or not, ...this man was sent by God and spoke His words!

Case in Point

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

I want to be the leader!  Let me be the leader!  You will respect me!  You will love me! These are statements that can never just be spoken and it all fall into place. I have said my whole Christian life that, "Those who lead, must first follow". 

This year marks 22 years of preaching the Gospel of Jesus and being in ministry for me. I have seen many things that I love.  Some, well I just didn't like very much. I've heard men demand respect, and never achieve it. I've heard people demand love and never find it. I've even heard people telling others that they were going to be friends only for the friendship to never pan out. 

Scripture tells us that a man who has friends must be friendly. It teaches us that men who are loved are those who show love and those who are respected, give respect to all people. So all in all, the Word of God teaches us that in order to lead in something (or obtain something) we must follow in that manner. 

You want to be a leader for Christ? Become the best follower!  Want to have the best of friends? Be the best friend!  Want people to love and respect you? Show ALL people love and respect!  Character is how you treat people that you don't need. 

Jesus knelt down and washed the dirty feet of men that wanted to be great leaders and said, "I have given you and example". His example was one of a leader. You see Jesus knew that to be a great leader you have to do it by example. 

So, are you leading?  If you're not following then your not leading!  Look at the "Case in Point" (that being the example of Jesus). If your not willing to wash dirty feet, what makes you worthy to lead? If you're not willing to be faithful and preach to 3 people, they what makes you worthy to preach to 3000? Be an example!

The Name of Jesus

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Have you ever thought of how your name came to be?  Why did my parents choose to call me Steve?  Some reasons could be... To carry an ancestor's name. To carry a meaning for the parents. It could be that the parents just loved a certain name. There could be a number of reasons for the name that you carry today.  Either way, your parents chose to call you this because it seemed good to them. 

The good in a name will not be the way it sounds or rolls off the tongue. Our scripture this morning tells us about the effects of a good name. But to have that "good name", it takes character. Men and women that have lived good, or right, carry a good name or reputation. This scripture deals more with what a good name could be rather than how to have a good name. Many, many people want a name that will be remembered or famous. People seek the fame and attention for their names. They want the marquees and billboards to be lit up with there names pasted all over them. But how many of those names are good? How many are names you could actually look to for guidance?

The Bible tells us in Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."  His name shall be called JESUS! SAVIOR! The name of Jesus brings healing to a sin infected world. His name is not Neosporin that heals a wound, but it is the precious blood that removes the sin. The name of Jesus is one that is better than ointment to the leper. A name that is better than ointment to a sickness. A name that carries the stripes with which we are healed. A name that bears the  scars with which our guilt is removed. A name that has been spoken throughout the years and still remains undefiled. A name that when spoken can calm the fever stricken body. At the name of JESUS!  

Makes me sing...

Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name

Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus let all Heaven and Earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name

Call Ahead

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time

Doctor appointments, dinner appointments, dates with your spouse, etc... We all have appointed times for our lives. Nothing compares to calling ahead and reserving a spot though. Scheduling a doctor appointment is the best thing to do if you want to be seen quicker, well at some places. Calling ahead at the resturaunt can be very beneficial also. 

Look at the blessed hope of Jesus Christ. Scriptures tell us that The Lord has saved us through this lively hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He saved us from our deadness of sin unto life eternal in Him. Not to a pew of the local church to sit and do nothing. Not to castle on the hills of Scotland. Not to a high rise apartment in the biggest city of the world. But to an inheritance!  One that is incorruptible, undefiled, never fading and reserved! (Insert Hallelujah here)  

God has something for us in, or through, His will. He has made us heirs with Him. If we are heirs, then we have access to the benefits of what He has reserved for His children. Men haven't touched it to corrupt it. Flesh has not influenced it to defile it or cause it to fade or die. No one else's name could have been on the reservation than the name of Jesus. 

Do you think we will ever receive these benefits? If we have called ahead, then yes we will. I know that sometimes the waiting is the hardest part, but it is worth the wait. The scripture says we are kept by the power of God. How? Through faith unto salvation. It also says it's ready to be revealed in the last time. What an inheritance! What a blessing! Thank you Jesus!   Have you called ahead? If not, call upon Him right now. 

One more thing, notice how we came to obtain this inheritance... "according to His abundant mercy..." (insert one more Hallelujah)

King of the Hill

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Back in my day you could sit on the front porch on a Saturday morning and hear these words... "I'm King Of The Hill". Well, usually it was my brother yelling that while I was rolling down the hill. It was a game to see who could make it to the top of the hill first. But the game didn't stop there. If you made it first, this didn't mean an instant or forever victory. Many times as a child I was quick and would make it to the top first. Only to have my brother, who was much stronger than me, come to the top and throw me as far as he could off of the hill. I would get up and run back to the top and quickly find myself rolling back down. I can remember him standing there with his arms folded waiting on my attempt again and again. I never made it back to the top of the hill by myself. There were some glimpses of victory when multiple people would play and I could sneak to the backside, but as soon as he turned, well you know. 

The other day I was reading about the fall of creation, and it hit me. Ever since the beginning of creation there has been a race to the top of the hill. Satan tried for the hill and fell to earth and sought vengeance. As he saw Eve one day, the time had finally come. Eve reached for the fruit in lust and fell to sin... Adam disobeyed God and fell to sin and death... It had finally seemed that Satan had now made it back to the top of the hill. He had achieved his task of causing division between God and man. He also caused division between man and woman. It seemed like he was rolling them off the hill left and right. Laughing atop with his arms folded in victory. 

Later in our scriptures (John 18-19), it seems as if Satan had done it again!  He has God's very own Son bleeding and suffering from a beating at the hands of the strong Romans. He is kicking and spitting on him from the crowd of unbelievers. Satan has Jesus' sweat and blood pouring out upon the ground that God created. He is whipping him with the cords of a Roman soldier while he tracks up a hill called Calvary. After he falls down, a man picks up his cross and helps him finish the walk to death. Now he stands over him while the soldiers drive nails into is body. It seemed as if every time Jesus gathered his strength, Satan was there to throw him off the hill. As Jesus' life is fleeting, he calls out to the Father and says, "It Is Finished". Satan now laughs and cheers. Screams are heard from the flames of Hell and Satan stands there with arms folded in a sense of victory. 

But can I tell you again that the scriptures go on (John 20)... They teach us that Jesus was buried but rose again on the third day. Jesus didn't sneak back up the hill and catch Satan by surprise. He walked up the hill. He took the beating. He took the spitting. He took the mocking. He took the nails. It may have seemed like he was loosing ground, but He Never Did!  He took the pain and the death, but rose again the Victor!

This morning rejoice in the fact that Jesus... IS THE KING OF THE HILL CALLED CALVARY! Never will Satan overthrow Him! but there is something different about this King of the hill. He doesn't stand there with His arms folded in victory. No! They are stretched out in victory for you. Reaching to pull you up to himself. Thank you Jesus for being my King.  I love you. 

Dumb Ways to Die

John 8:24

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

My boys showed me an app game a few months ago. It's called, "Dumb Ways to Die". I really didn't know what to expect when they were showing it to me because of the title. But it's a simple game that teaches them to be safe around trains and to use common sense around dangerous things. Like using fire around your hair, putting a fork in a toaster, eating two day old unrefrigerated pies, pushing red buttons that you don't know what they are connected to, poking a grizzly bear with a stick, eat medicine that's out of date... the list goes on and on. 

Well this morning all I can think of is the dumbest way to die. It would be to die in your sins. Have you ever given any thought to what happens to you after death?  The Word of God is clear on this. 

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

I know you don't want to think of this, but if you died today, would you die in your sins or in the Lord?  Because those are actually the only two ways to die. Our scripture this morning says if we believe not that Jesus is Christ we will die still in our sins and spend an eternity separated from God in Hell. If we have trusted Jesus as our Savior, we will die in the Lord. 

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Apparently there are many dumb ways to die, but only one that could be damaging and damning for an eternity. It would be to die without Jesus while in your sins. Confess to Him right now. Trust upon Him for your salvation. Give your whole heart and life to Him this morning. 

The Next Day

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John the Baptist was baptizing people in the river if Jordan. He was the prophesied forerunner of Jesus. Which means he preached about preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. John was preaching and sharing about repentance. He told the people that they needed to make the crooked paths straight and prepare to meet God. I can see him now... Long robe, soaking wet from the many baptisms. Burly beard with stains of honey and locusts. Asking people to come to the truth and to accept the message. 

John begin to tell of the Messiah who would come after him. He told of how he would one day rule all nations. Imagine the days that came and went. Day after day, minute by minute people continue and hear that we need to get ready. 

Then in a day he least expected, here comes Jesus around the side of the mountain. John catches eyes with Jesus and says some of my favorite words throughout the whole Bible. "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world". 

Behold (look), the Lamb of God (Jesus), who takes away the sin of the world. But look at something else this morning. Look at where the scripture is this morning. 

So many days we talk about Jesus coming again. What of it was tomorrow?  I imagine it went something like this.,, while they were talking of the coming of Jesus, boom, here comes Jesus walking up. 

The Bible says it was the next day. Can you stop for a moment and imagine what it would be like if Jesus comes tomorrow.  What if you knew the rapture will take place tomorrow?  Would you live like it?  What if you knew that your life would end and Jesus would be standing ready for you and He was the first one that you see?  

You know what?  It could be tomorrow. It could be the next day, the next breath, the next blink or twinkling of an eye. Jesus is coming soon!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2 Timothy 2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Lionel Richie's breakup might have been easy, easy like a Sunday morning but being a Christian isn't. I have heard so many people say that the Christian life is so easy. They say that God handles everything, which is implying that He doesn't allow any difficulties to come your way. Preachers have reduced their messages of suffering for the cause of Christ, to never suffering because we are entitled. 

The Word of God reveals to us a different message. It tells us that hardness or hardships will come. It doesn't say IF the righteous are afflicted, it says many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalms 34:19). It doesn't say that IF trouble comes, it says He is an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). Scripture tells us that suffering will happen as long as we are following Jesus. 

This mornings scripture tells us that we need to endure hardness. Enduring hardness does not account for righteousness before God. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Enduring the hard times and afflictions draws us to a closer relationship with Him. It teaches us to depend upon Jesus for our strength. Look at how the Word tells us that we should do this as a "good soldier" of Jesus. Soldiers suffer hard times and hardships. 

Do you think Sunday morning are easy?  Maybe that's where this phrase comes in to play with our churches. Many, many Christian churches today have abandoned their nightly or weekly services. Making it easy like Sunday morning. "It's difficult to be devoted to Sunday night Pastor"... "Wednesday? I work way too late, or I would rather watch my favorite shows"... Making Sunday morning easy!  

Well when we make Sunday mornings easy, what happens when things aren't easy? What about when difficulties come?  When the wind blows? If we forsake our studies, fellowship, discipleship, and prayer time we will be so weak. We are setting ourselves up for failure when we see things in God's army as, "Easy Like Sunday Mornings". Really and truly, Sunday's are easy compared to Monday when you don't feel like reading the Word. Or Tuesday, when you don't feel like praying. Or Wednesday, when you don't feel like going. Or Thursday, when you fight to stay above water all day. Or Friday, when everything has fallen apart. Or Saturday, when you have to work to make ends meet. The Christian life is not easy like a Sunday morning. It's difficult and Jesus tells us to endure hardness as a good soldier. 

God's Perfect Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Have you ever felt that you couldn't take another step?  Maybe felt like you were running on fumes or even empty?  Have you ever felt that your strength was all gone? Well that is awesome! Because it's right where God desires us to be. 

This morning, Paul found himself at a place in his life where he was battling with something that bothered him very much. We really don't know what it is that was bothering him, but we do know that it was causing him to struggle. He said it was a thorn in the flesh given unto him to keep him from being proud. Some people believe that it could have been Paul's eye sight. Some lean toward the beatings he received that had battered his body. Either way it doesn't matter. The emphasis should never be put on the thorn, but on the reason and remedy. 

Prosperity preachers have a hard time dealing with this verse because God actually tells Paul "No". He will not remove the thorn. He wanted Paul to carry this suffering for a reason. The things we suffer in this world, because of Christ, are for our growth and for His glory. 

Although God did not remove the thorn, He gave a great remedy. He said, "My strength is made perfect in weakness". God tells him that when he feels like he's on fumes or even empty, that He would be his strength. How awesome! God tells us that HIS strength is made PERFECT in OUR weaknesses. 

Maybe this morning we should stop and thank Him for His strength in our weakness. We should rather glory in our infirmities (physical or mental weakness) so that God's glory could rest upon our humble lives. I would rather live with the power of Christ upon my life than to own the oceans and all the land. 

Thank you Jesus for being my strength when I have none. Thank you for filling my tank when I am way below the "E" mark. Thank you Jesus for humbling me. And thank you most of all for telling me "No" when you are working things for my good. I love you so much.  

Learning from the Scars

Philippians 1:12

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

When we fall down, how quick are we to get up and shake it off without anyone noticing?  You know what I'm talking about?  You are walking out in the yard, all alone, and your foot slips into a hole or trip on a rock. You jump back onto your feet as quick as possible, and scan the area to see if anyone saw you. It could be that you cut your flesh or had a surgery before that has left a scar. Now you spend so much time trying to cover up the scar. For some reason we don't want people to know that we have fallen or that we have scars.  

The Word of God tells us about Paul and the things he suffered for the Gospel. But God wants us to understand that the things he went through were to strengthen him. Many of us would just see the persecution he went through as a strengthener, but what about the life he lived even before Christ?  Sin can scar your mind and body. I have scars in my mind and upon my body because of the sin before and after I gave my life to Jesus. I am forgiven of all sin I committed, but I still bear the scars and effects from those sins. But like Paul, understand that I don't dwell on if because God has forgiven me of them, I confess every fall, and every persecution for the furtherance of the Gospel. 

Why do we hide our scars? Why do we hide our sins?  The Bible tells us that, "Blessed is the man who confesses his sins". We have spent countless hours on covering our scars from sin, when the world needs to see that we have fallen, that ALL have fallen. Don't misunderstand me...we should not wear our scars as badges of honor, but as an opportunity to share what Jesus has saved us from. Too many want to sit and brag on the life they lived without Jesus, and that isn't the Gospel. We were cut, bruised, battered and scarred up from sin, but they are healed by Jesus. 

You know why we have healing from our wounds of sin? Because Jesus died on the cross. He bears the scars today because of sin, and the greatest thing is... He never sinned. It was our sin. It is our sin that He has forgiven and healed us from. 

Share what Jesus has done for you today with someone. Reveal the scars from falling with humility. Sharing the Gospel is what we are called to do, but don't ever forget that we must SHOW the Gospel. (Not as hero wounds, but as humility and through the message of Jesus)

Face to Face

Galatians 2:11
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Paul was facing a difficult situation in his ministry. He was up against the wall about something and he didn't even put himself there. Another brother in the ministry placed him there. Paul was preaching the grace of Jesus and how all are the same in the eyes of God. But Peter was doing something wrong. He was showing a difference between Gentile and Jew.

Imagine Paul and his dilemma. He was a newly saved Christian that was commissioned by Christ to preach the Gospel. Peter was a long follower of Jesus and an eyewitness to many miracles by the very hands of Christ. He was the one who had the keys to the message of Jesus and was in the wrong about something. First of all we should understand that no one is perfect. No one gets everything right all the time. We all are guilty at times of allowing the flesh to corrupt our walk or even our decisions.

Let's take note of how Paul went about this. Paul was now faced with trying to right the wrong of Peter. When Peter came to Antioch, Paul meet him face to face. Too often we want others to do these things. People so easily find fault with the walk of others but are not willing to meet them face to face about their walk. Paul didn't meet him with pride, because he would have also fallen into the same thing. Paul knew that he wasn't perfect either in saying "not as though I have attained..." Paul was also guilty of letting his flesh get in the way of a few desicions he made in life.

When helping a brother or sister in their walk, please make sure your walk is right. When helping them to come to the understanding of their faults, always remember our faults. When righting the wrong of another, make sure you're right and most of all humble. Last of all, do it face to face and not through another brother or sister.

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

John was sharing with us about his writing to the church. He had penned down the inspired words of God to give His church. It seems as if the church was ready to receive these words, but then a man named Diotrephes appears in the scene. 

Never have we heard anything about this man prior to our scripture here. Usually the ones named in our God-given word are people that we need to remember. People that don't easily need to be forgotten. Diotrephes, a man whose name has never appeared in scripture until the Word begins with these people dealing harshly and not accepting people. It tells us that he spake maliciously against the people. He had the "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" attitude. 

At one of my first jobs, I worked along side of a lot of guys with different ideas and characteristics. Some that had many, many ideas, mostly ideas of how to get out of work. Some worked harder at getting out of work than they did just doing the job before them. I will never forget two of these men. The one was always trying to get out of work, and the other was always trying to top everyone. 

One day while digging in a ditch, I was doing all the work... Wanna guess which one of these men I was with at the time?  While he was walking hard at getting out of work, the other one pulled up in a work vehicle. His position was greater than ours. Well when he pulled up, my worker said, "Oh no, he is here to tell us how to do it better". I laughed because I knew he was probably right. And sure enough, he stepped out of the vehicle and told me that I was holding the shovel in the wrong hand and that it could be better if I did it the other way. He smiles real bug and gets back into his vehicle. Then all of the sudden, I heard my worker singing... "Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you". 

So funny!  If your heart is like Diotrephes, then you will speak negative and indifferent with all you're around. It's a spirit of Diotrephes. Don't speak malicious to others. And also, if you have those Diotrephes around you, then leave them where they are. Walk away!  

Can I say something?  No one can serve God like you!  No one can do it but you!

I'm Not A Hypocrite!

Job 27:8

For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained,

when God taketh away his soul?

A few years ago, my son Jacob was going through a stage of wrapping his ankles and arms up with bandages. We would come home from work or school and he would have his ankle wrapped up with an ace bandage. Some evenings it would be his forearm or elbow. When we would ask him what happened he would say, "Nothing, it's just hurting". I would just laugh and call him my little hypochondriac. 

One evening we came home and he went straight to the room and wrapped his knee. I just smiled at him, his mother looked at me and rolled her eyes, and his brother started laughing out loud. Then Jacob looked at us and said, "I'm not a hypocrite!"  To which I busted out laughing as well as everyone in the house. 

Isn't it funny that we act a certain way and we don't want people to call us out on it?  Although he was young and didn't understand, he showed me a great lesson. We sometimes act certain ways and then hope for some reason our words are louder than our actions. 

 What is the definition of a hypocrite? Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which ones own behavior does not conform. In simple terms, one who says they follow Christ with their mouths but deny it in their actions. What are the benefits of a hypocrite? Earthly benefits could be many because they change in ever situation like the chameleon. Heavenly benefits are not found at all. What hope is found in hypocrisy? None!  

Maybe you're like Jacob, you spend most of your time telling everyone that you're not a hypocrite. Spending much time trying to convince people that you're not a hypocrite, only to have your actions speak much louder than your words. 

If we are of Christ, let us live as Christ. 

What is Your Desire?

Psalms 27:4
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Desire is a strong feeling of wanting something or longing for something to happen. What would happen in your life if your desire for a relationship with God was stronger than your desire for anything else? We all have desires about things in our lives. We have desires for deep and grounded things just as well as things that are small and pleasurable to the flesh. Like right now I have a huge desire to be sitting in a boat with about three crappie rods hanging off the bow. All of them tight-lined with big slab crappie on them.

But above those small, sometimes meaningless things, what if your desire to know God more was greater? David said in this psalm that he desired "one thing". He said that this is what he would "seek after". He wanted to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life so that he could behold the beauty of God. David wanted to be with God everyday of his life. He desired that fellowship and guidance of the Lord so much that he didn't want to leave the house of God.

I know people right now that I am completely amazed at their desire to be at the house of God. Just this past week an older member went to the hospital that morning because their heart was out of rhythm and by that evening they were back home and worshiping the Lord. Some people shake their head at Christians like that and say, "Why don't they just stay home? You know they don't feel good." It's because of a desire they have for the beauty of the Lord. They have a insatiable desire to hear more, praise more, seek more, pray more and receive more from the Lord. You must know that it is not to be seen by others or to even hear from others. If it were for those reason then they would have left the house of God years ago. It's about being in the presence of the Lord. It's about the "one thing" they have desired of the Lord and seeking after it.

One of the greatest things in a Christians life is their church. It's their part of the body of Christ. It's where the beauty of the Lord is shown unto them. And let me tell you this... When you have a desire for the Lord you'll do everything to fill it. What is your desire? Your true desire?