Be Careful What You Ask For

James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Have you ever thought that you could be praying the wrong way? It could be that you are praying for the wrong thing or really don't know what you're asking for.  Just the other day I was in a school bus class and someone asked a question about technology. Their question seemed to be a great idea and had good intentions. The question was addressing the overbooking of the classes and if the trainer thought that it would ever just go to being an online class that we could do from home. No one in that room thought it to be a bad idea until the instructor made his case.

He said, "Be careful what you ask for. Sometimes we want a quick technological fix but often forget that it will take away from jobs. We don't realize that if all things go to the internet then instructors loose their jobs. Then it's only a matter of time before our school systems can go to this same system. Which means a need for only a handful of teachers, and no more bus drivers." This man's question had the potential of being his loss of job and retirement.

What our instructor was saying was that we need to be very careful what we ask for. It has the potential of being our own destruction. When our prayer life is consumed with our flesh, and the lusts thereof, then we have nothing. We ask amiss, we ask for the wrong reasons. Be careful what you ask for, it may not be what you really want.

Striking Another Match

2 Corinthians 3:3

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

I'll never forget when I first learned to drive. My dad beat the floor with his foot so hard that people probably thought we had 15" woofers in the car. One day he stopped me by pulling the emergency brake up and began to tell me that I was definitely going to run into someone or something backwards someday. He opened his Bible to the front cover, you know the blank page on the inside of the Bible?  He then proceeded to write, in his best phonetical English... "Steve will run into something backin' up". (If I'm not mistaken he still has the Bible)  I'll never forget the final words as he pointed to the writing, "You can bank on it, I wrote it down". 

Things written on paper have a tendency to fade or wither away but not things in stone. A friend of mine, Evangelist Junior Hill, once told a story of a woman who's husband died. She went to purchase a tombstone and was asked what to place on it. She asked him to make it read, "The light of my life has now gone out."  Well months later she returned to the salesman and asked if it could be changed. The salesman said, "No ma'am. That's written in stone. You can't change things written in stone."  So she replied, "Where it says, "The light of my life has gone out... Change the period into a comma and add these words... But I have struck another match."  

Looking at today's scripture we see that what God has given unto us, He has wrote upon our hearts. Thank you Lord that your Word never changes. Thank you that your Word needs no additions or revisions. Thank you Lord that you have spoken to our hearts. When we think of the Holy Word of God being applied to the fleshly hearts it sure does make a lot of sense to hide it in our hearts so that we may not sin against God. 

Maybe you would like to add commas or phrases to what God has already told you in His word. You would be wrong in doing this. The Light of God's Word is sufficient and accurate. You don't need a PHD to understand it, only the Holy Spirit of God. Allow His Word to flood your heart today. 

Ooooohhhhh, and I may back up into something today, but so far... Still good. 

It's All In How You Look At Things

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

I love the scripture this morning. It shows us that God can look so much deeper into our lives to see who we are. The depth of this verse teaches us that God doesn't look upon talents, gifts, beauty or popularity. He looks for desire, commitment, love, honor and humility. God is not impressed with us but rather He wants to impress upon us (make an impact upon us). Many today think that we must be a vessel that is filled up with qualities and great characteristics before God chooses to do great things in our lives. It's just the opposite of that. He wants us to be empty. Totally empty of who we think we are or qualities we think we should have. 

God knew King Saul and his big stature and qualities and didn't choose him. But He saw David and his disposition... 1 Samuel 16:18. "Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him."

One old preacher man once said, "God doesn't call the equipped, but equips the called". God knows what you can be!  Stop trying to be someone that you aren't. God may desire to use you today and you can't get caught up in the inabilities or insecurities you may have. God used Moses who couldn't speak well. God used Elijah who sometimes had a whiney streak. God used Jonah to preach one of the greatest revival messages of all time, but He first had to bring him back from messing around with the fish. God used Peter to speak His word, after taking Peter's shoe out his mouth many times. 

God is looking today, right now!  He searching for followers, leaders, teachers and preachers. You may not feel equipped. You may be the one praying for help in leadership. Don't look on the outside, ask God to search the heart. Ask Him to direct you. 

Bathroom Theology

Exodus 17:14

And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua...

Before you jump up against me this morning please read all the devotion... 

Some time ago I went into a gas station bathroom...stay with me. Now I know you're not supposed to read the sayings on the bathroom wall, but I couldn't help myself. One that stuck out to me was in plain sight and plain print. It said, "Jesus Saves". But underneath it in scribble it said, "Moses Invests". 

My first thought on this was confusion. I had no idea why someone would put that with the statement of salvation. I had to stop and remind myself that it was bathroom theology. After washing my hands, grabbing a coke and paying for my purchases, it was still bothering me. I got into my truck and continued to dwell on it. "Jesus Saves... Moses Invests, Jesus Saves... Moses Invests?"  It was driving me crazy. 

The true meaning of this phrase is supposed to be a joke against Jewish people. It is intended to speak of Jews being tight with their money and investing it instead of spending it. But that day, and forever since, God showed me something quite different. I know that we can't put much stock in bathroom theology, but let me explain to you what Christ showed me. 

From studying the Word of God I clearly see that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. By trusting and placing your life into His, we are forever saved. So it is very evident that Jesus Saves!  

John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

By studying deeper I have found that Moses couldn't save anyone. He could only lead people to God by investing in their lives. No matter the preacher or Christian, we can never save them as Christ Jesus can and will. We will only be able to invest into their lives. Remember the first scripture?  Moses rehearsed the things of God into their ears. People will have to ultimately make a decision on their own. We are called to invest!  

So you see sometimes, definitely not all, the bathroom theology could teach us something great. Of all the things That I have seen on the walls of a gas station bathroom, this one is a lesson I'll never forget. Thanks to Moses for investing, but thanks be unto Jesus for His salvation. 

Could You Say That?

Acts 3:4-6

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Our scripture this morning tells us of a story about a man who laid at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. He asked for money everyday. The reason that he laid at the gate is because of his condition. He was a lame man. Day after day, this man had to have someone take him to this place to beg for help. Same routine, many of the same faces, somedays it would rain and others the sun would shine brighter than it had days before. Everyday his routine wouldn't waver much. He would just beg everyone who passes by. 

But on this day someone finally spoke up. Look at what Peter tells this man. He says, "Look on us". He asked this man to look at them. He wanted the attention of the lame man to be focused. Noticed what the lame man does..."He gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them". This man looked upon Peter and John expecting maybe some money or some food but instead he received something far greater. 

Peter tells this man that he didn't have any silver or gold, but what he did have was from Jesus Christ. On this day, the lame man walked away from the gate that his friends brought him to everyday. No more begging! No more depending on others to carry him!  

Look at how it all started. "Look upon us", said Peter. He then pointed him straight to Jesus Christ. Can we tell the world that is lost and hurting to look upon us? Can they look upon us to find Jesus?  Looking upon us for good deeds or a good heart isn't enough. They must see Jesus in us. So, can they say this about you?  Could you say that?

Lord Jesus, please help us today to be just as you. Help us today to portray the very likeness of you to the lost and hurting. When people need you, may I please say, "Look upon us". 

First of All

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Don't you love a to do list? What about a set of instructions?  Many of you immediately said no. I'm sure you have your reasons. Most of the time people hate lists or instructions because of the order they are given. I cannot stand putting something together at the house that has a book with it. I want to get straight to the finished product. I also want to do that last thing on the "to do" lists. It makes us feel like we have accomplished more by doing the last thing. But if we have bypassed all the others on the list then we've done nothing. 

The words, "first..., first of all..., start with..." are very important words. In a book, these words cannot be overlooked. If you skip over these words you'll never understand anything from that moment on. If it is an instruction booklet you cannot skip over "Step 1". If you do, you will have parts left over that you'll have no idea where they go. 

This morning, if you have passed over receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you can't deliver it to anyone else. If you have not made Jesus the Savior of your life then you can't share Him with anyone else. How can we speak of someone we don't know personally?  We can know things about Him, but not enough to share Him. 

Too many today are trying to tell others about a Jesus that they don't personally know themselves. They try to share the truth of His Love without receiving His Love. Speaking of His Grace without experiencing His Grace. This is why there is such a misconstrued view of who Christ really is. It's why we have a distorted understanding of His a Grace, Mercy and Wrath. 

Before you tell others about Jesus, make sure you have received Jesus. Not just believing in Jesus, but believing upon Jesus. Trusting Him as your Savior. Making sure you are in Christ before you share Christ. Some learned a hard lesson in the Bible about this very thing. 

Acts 19:13-16

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Paul said he preached what he received. Lord help us to do the same. 

What's Wrong With The Water?

Exodus 15:23

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

This week I set out to make some mint, lemon and cucumber water to drink. I cut the lemons. I sliced the cucumbers. Lastly, I chopped up some mint and put it in the water. I tasted it and it wasn't that strong, actually it was pretty good (at least I thought it was). 

After bed that night, I woke up to get me a cool glass of my new drink, which I thought was still good. I went throughout the day drinking it from time to time. I left for my afternoon bus route and couldn't wait to get back home for another cold glass of the cucumber water. Well, when I walked in the door of our house I went straight to the fridge. Placing my cup under the spout, the fresh water came out. I took it up and drank it down. I let out a big, "Ahhhhh". Then out of nowhere  Jacob, my son, said, "Dad! That water is nasty! Something is wrong with it!"  I almost spit the water in my mouth out because of him. He said, "It taste funny! Like it's bitter". 

The children of Israel came to a place where there was a well. The place was called Marah, which means bitter. The people couldn't drink the water because of its bitterness. And much like the waters, they began to murmur and complain about it. What is so amazing is that our God has a great way of teaching us lessons. The children of Israel had been bitter in their attitude toward Moses, Aaron and even God. So God brought them to a place that appeared to be water and rest and it was bitter. Do you find that funny?  I can't help it, but I do. It seems like their bitterness came back to them. 

Today, this morning, you have to make choices. You will make a choice to rise from bed and begin to work. You have a choice to stay in bed and rest. You have a choice to be bitter or to be sweet. I know that we don't know what the day will bring, but whatever happens we have choices to make. We choose to be bitter. Bitterness is a root of sin that infects the gardens of our minds. What we need is for the Holy Spirit of a God to remove the roots of bitterness from us. Many times bitterness comes from unforgiveness. 

Imagine if people came to you, drew from your well, and spit out what they tasted. What if they said, "Don't drink that! Something is wrong with that water! It taste funny, like it's bitter!"?  One old preacher once told me, "What's in the well, the bucket brings up". Choose to confess your bitterness. Choose to be the pure, clean, refreshing water of life. 

Do you know what's really cool?  God told them to put this certain kind of tree in the waters and it turned them sweet. After this, they began to enjoy the waters of the well because they were no more bitter. If you would confessyour sins to Jesus. If you would allow the man who hung on the "Old Rugged Cross" into your life, your bitter water would become sweet. Your hate would become love. Choose Jesus!

Until...

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Not stoping at a stop sign. Running a red traffic light. Driving 55mph in a 25mph zone. Drinking alcohol under the age of 21. Prostitution, murder, gambling, drug dealing, sex trafficking, etc...  These are laws written that should be obeyed. But day after day, hour after hour, people disobey these laws. They disobey because they have no respect for those laws. Until someone breaks the law and it directly effects them or their family. 

Most people would say that there is no harm in running a stop sign or a red light every now and then. Until that one day an innocent running of the stop sign finds you in a ditch because someone has just t-boned your vehicle. Many in society would say it's alright to drink a little and do a little drugs. Even some of our famous singers write lines like... "We grew up in pink houses, made out on living room couches, blowin' that smoke on Saturday night, a little messed up but we're alright". Until those drugs take you to a place of addiction you've never been before and you find yourself stealing air conditioning units to strip it of copper so you can buy one more hit. Then suddenly you find yourself handcuffed in someone's front yard and now headed for jail. 

The Amazing Grace of God is just simply that, Amazing. There is such freedom and relief in His grace. The way to this grace has already been accomplished. It's through Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. He died so that you could have access to this grace. And now, by faith, we receive this grace. You can receive this grace! 

There is a law written, not only on stone tablets, but in the hearts of men and women. It's the law of sin. It reads, "Sin equals death" in Romans 6:23. But Jesus defeated death and set us free from the law of sin. 

You may be going through life thinking... "I've got plenty of time, there is no need to rush to Jesus", "Do you think He will really care if I do this or that?", "it's just a stop sign, just a red light, just a few hits or sips, it's no big deal". 

Until... Life is finished and you never accepted the Love of God's Grace and your now judged by the law of sin. 

"But the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". The law says you're a sinner and death is your sentence, but Grace says you're loved and offered life. Turn to Jesus right now. Pray for forgiveness and ask Him this morning to be your Lord. He will not turn you away. 

If you know you are a saved child of God then take this post and copy it (without this sentence) and paste it somewhere. Facebook, email, print it off and hand it to someone today. It may be the message of God's Grace they need. There is no guilt if you don't. Just allow The Lord to lead you. 

Itty Bitty Living Space

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

I love the movie "Aladdin". (The cartoon from Disney)  My favorite part is where the genie of the lamp is explaining his conditions as a genie. His line of the movie, that makes me laugh, is... "Phenomenal cosmic power...(where he is now pictured as this huge muscular man juggling the cosmos) ...with itty bitty living space... (where he now is pictured cramped inside of the lamp). 

So often we are guilty of this very thing. We as Christians brag on God and His awesome powers while we are on the mountain or being blessed. Then when tragedy or persecution comes, we look at God as if He is cramped into a small lamp. 

Never forget that God can control anything. The key is if we are willing to allow Him to do it. Remember when the word of God says "nothing is too hard", that it means absolutely nothing. 

I love a song that says...

I can't take a heart that's broken, make it over again

But I know a man who can

I can't take a soul that's sin sick, and make it white as the snow

But I know a man who can

Some call Him savior, the Redeemer of all men

But I call Him Jesus, for He's my dearest friend

If you feel that no one loves you and your life is out of hand

Well I know a man who can!

My God has...

"PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER, AND GREAT BIG LIVING SPACE" 

Watch it here:  http://youtu.be/SfTfXLLJlzM

How He Deals With Us

Psalms 119:65-72

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,

O Lord, according unto thy word. 

Teach me good judgment and knowledge:

for I have believed thy commandments. 

Before I was afflicted I went astray:

but now have I kept thy word. 

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 

The proud have forged a lie against me:

but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 

Their heart is as fat as grease;

but I delight in thy law. 

It is good for me that I have been afflicted;

that I might learn thy statutes. 

The law of thy mouth is better unto me

than thousands of gold and silver.

In my family, it was just me and my brother. My parents had us five years apart from one another. It is so funny to think about our differences while we were growing up. He was an athlete and I wasn't very good at sports. He was quiet around people and I just loved to have fun. I was always interested in things and how they worked, he was interested in keeping his body in shape. Our differences were many, even down to the television shows that we would argue about watching. 

Our parents had it too. They had to figure out how to treat us equal but also individual. They had to take my brothers strength and expound on them. They had to take my weakness and build me up. Even down to our discipline, it had to be different. They had to deal with us in different ways, but the same. 

Isn't it great that God does each of us the same way?  He treats us all equally and has no respect of persons. He also treats us as an individual. Aren't you glad that God doesn't treat you like the other persons you know?  

Let's look at how God treats us... He deals with us through the Word. The "law" is a representation of the Word of God. God saves us through the preached Word. God keeps us through the living Word. God teaches us through the written Word. God deals with us through His Word. 

Fully Persuaded

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have you ever read the scriptures about a man named King Agrippa?  You can find it in the book of Acts Chapter 26. Paul is given an opportunity to speak the Gospel before this King. He shares his testimony of what Jesus Christ had done for him. Paul also shares how Jesus now sends him to preach the Gospel to the lost. It's awesome to see how Paul, who is saved, now shifts the attention to King Agrippa. He says, "I wasn't disobedient..."  Paul explains that we must trust and believe in Jesus as our Savior. If we are disobedient in our belief then we will die in our sins. 

As Paul was sharing his heart with the King, one of his successors called Paul a crazy man. Probably because of his excitement for Jesus. You see, Paul was not undecided, no he was fully convinced!  Now he is asking Agrippa if he also is convinced. 

Look at Agrippa's answer... 

Acts 26:27-29

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Agrippa wasn't convinced, even though he believed. He didn't believe to the point where he was fully persuaded. This morning, move from the seat of belief to the throne of being fully persuaded. God has told us that nothing shall separate us from His love. Not death, not angels, not principalities, not powers, not height, not depth, nothing can separate us from the Love of God. 

Because Paul was persuaded many came to faith in Jesus. Because we are persuaded many may come to faith in Jesus. Being persuaded is believing in action. Persuading someone to trust Jesus is putting faith in motion. I'm FULLY persuaded, are you?

The Man

Galatians 1:11-12

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

You've seen it. Men beating on their chests like a silverback gorilla yelling, "I'm the man!"  Men are constantly bragging on themselves. This kind of pride has even spilled over into our pulpits, and it should have no place in the pulpit. Preachers, Pastors, Sunday School teachers, etc... are on this move. 

This movement is not new. It was around in the early church days as well. At one point church members were choosing who they would rather listen to. Paul said that some of you say I'm of Paul, while others say I'm of Peter and Apollos. Imagine the differences in these men. One with great education and speech. One with great wisdom and the mystery of the Gospel.  And the other, a fisherman who held the keys to the church. Wow!  I can see how easy it would be to get caught up in following one or the other. I can easily see it because it happens today. Some choose Billy Graham, while others choose Billy Sunday. Some choose education while others choose entertainers. Some choose the loud screamer and others the quiet one. 

All serve a purpose!  You see, if men point to their wisdom and abilities then we are missing it. If they point to their growth and number system, then we are missing it. If they depend more on their abilities than the almighty, then they are missing it. If we lean upon our plans and programs, then we will miss it!  Or more so, we will miss Him. 

Paul said that the Gospel didn't come from "a" man, but "the" man. Jesus Christ is that man and no one will ever fill His shoes. Paul says he didn't receive it from man, or was taught it from man, but by Jesus Christ "The Man". 

Is That You Final Answer?

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Do you remember the game show from the late 90's called "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"  Regis Philbin was the host of the show. He coined the phrase, "Is that your final answer?"  The show would build and build the closer they got to the million dollar question. The lights would drop. The music would become intense. The crowd would get quiet. Now all eyes would be upon the contestant and Regis' microphone would be turned up a little louder. He leans in and says... "Is that your FINAL answer?"

Well, there you are. Sitting at your desk working, riding a bus to school or serving a customer and in comes an unbeliever asking you the million dollar question. The lights may not dim. The sound of everything around you may or may not intensify. The crowd or others present may not even stop talking. All eyes may not be on you, but there are definitely one set of eyes looking to you. It's not Regis!  It's the person who asked you for a reason of your hope. What would your answer be?  What scriptures? What testimony? What would you say?

STOP!  Really think about your answer. What would you tell these people that are looking for hope?  You know something? It could be your final answer. If could be your last opportunity to share the hope you have in Jesus. Not many people get a second chance at the million dollar question, but you do. So prepare yourself right now by prayer and study. 

Oh, and is that your FINAL answer?

Letting Jesus Love You

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel;

be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:

the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee:

thou shalt not see evil any more.

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not:

and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;

he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;

he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

All Jesus wants to do is love you. His wrath and judgment are holy filled and not hate filled. He loves you so much that he died instead of you. Did you hear that?  He died instead of you. You and I were the ones who deserved death. You and I are the ones who deserve punishment. But instead, He loves you. 

Even when Israel was at their worst and sin prevailed in the followers, Jesus still loved them. We want to look at how Jesus called them hypocrites and say that he didn't like them. We look at how He ran them out of the temple with a whip and say that Jesus was cruel and mean. But the reasons for his discipline is because he loved them. He said in one scripture, "How many times I would have gathered you up as a mother hen would gather her chicks but you would not let me". In other words, "I wanted to love you, but you wouldn't let me". 

God rejoices over you!  He loves you so much!  Even while we were in our sins He loves us! (Romans 5:8)

Listen to the words of this song an old Gospel group I knew used to sing...

When you're all alone and blue, no one to tell your troubles to,

I know One, He really loves you

When this old world has let you down, and not a true friend can be found,

I know One, He really loves you

His name is Jesus, He Really Loves You

Are you letting him love you?

What's That I Hear?

Luke 23:42

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

They came and got Him in the garden while He prayed. As an enemy, they grabbed Him with force. The beating began... The slaps, the kicks, the punches, the spitting... But much more than that, the verbal attack upon Jesus began. 

All night the Jews sought witnesses to speak evil of Jesus. Person after person came and told of things that were not true against Him. During all of this no one said anything on His behalf. Peter stands beside the fire warming his hands from the cold while they mocked and tortured Jesus. One person came to Peter and said, "I know that you were with Jesus, your speech gives you away". And he said, "I know not the man". Over and over false accusations arise against Jesus and again there is no one to defend Him. 

On the morning Jesus is taken to the Romans. He has been bruised and battered throughout the night and now He stands before Pilate. The Jews are still talking lies about Jesus with no one to say other wise. Pilate looks at Jesus and says, "Don't you know I have power to release you?" Jesus assures him that he has no power unless His Father gave it to him. Still no one in the crowd yells, "Stop, that's my Lord". No they continually yell, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"

As His hands and feet are nailed to the cross, again there is no one to speak up for Him. When they lifted Him up between Heaven and Earth, the crowd mocked and shamed Him louder and louder... "If you're the Son of God, come down..." Yell after yell... Screams of wrath and hate are shouted all over the hill of Calvary. 

...But then out of the screams... Something that Satan never counted on... Something that even the demons in Hell tremble at... It could be heard over the Pharisees mockery. It was louder than the soldiers gambling at His feet. This voice was amplified from a sinners heart as he said, "Lord, remember me..." He moved from saying, "If you're the Christ, save us..." To crying out for salvation. Out of all the screaming and mockery that day Satan never bargained on a sinners prayer from a dying thief.

Through all the chaos and turmoil God still hears the prayer of a repentant sinner. "And there may I though vile as he wash all my sins away Lord!"

The Big Frog

3 John 1:9-11

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

The desire to be the biggest, best and popular seems to be inside of every human. Now some will tell you that they have no desire to be first in everything, and I understand this. But everyone, even you, love to be heard in their opinion. All people desire to be the best at something. The difference is that some desire to be the best in what they are called to do and there is no sin in this. While others desire to be the best in everything and over everyone. They love the preeminence. What is that? It is the desire to have supremacy over all people. 

The Bible describes these people in our scripture this morning. Look at it closely. 

  - They only receive those who do as they say

  - Tearing others down with their words is vital to their happiness

  - Never Satisfied

  - Will not receive the body of Christ

  - Target everyone who receives the brethren 

  - Kick out anyone who doesn't see things as they do

The best illustration I can come up with on the "Diotrephes" person is a frog. Not just any frog, but THE frog. The bullfrog to be more accurate. When their ways are yielded to, they seem to be the loudest in the pond. Always bossing and imposing their poison upon all in their path. "Croak, croak, croak..." Then when the truth is being preached, arms are folded and the famous "look like a blowed up bullfrog" statement comes to mind. 

Although the illustration is of a bullfrog. The truth of the matter is that they are false teachers and liars. If there is one big frog of the pond, it should be, and is, Jesus Christ. We should all sound off the Gospel which we have heard and received. Croaking the Gospel of Jesus until the day we croak in Jesus!

Cake Batter Christians

2 Peter 1:5-9

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

How many times have we been fooled by people you thought had it all together?  You know the ones...nice home, smiling faces, laughing children, helping hands. Only to find out that inside, they were full of turmoil and even sin. 

This morning take a good look at our scripture. He tells us that we, as Christians, need to add some things to our lives (walk). Now there is nothing that can be added unto salvation. Jesus completed all that on Calvary. Everything we need in salvation is found in Jesus. But after our salvation, new-birth, we must learn to walk in Jesus. Read over the list of things that we need added to our walk. Notice how He tells us, "if these things be in you...", they make you a fruitful Christian. 

I like to call these people, "Cake Batter Christians". Because they are first of all filled with the right ingredients. When making a cake you need eggs, milk, flour, etc... You would not make a cake out of 5W30 motor oil, sawdust, milk of magnesia, etc...  If you would, then please show it to me so I can give my piece to someone else. 

Are you filling your batter bowl with everything else except these things? Then you're not going to have a very tasty cake. I don't know about you but whenever I cook, I want people to love every bite of it. Sometimes when I cook things I go a little overboard with flavoring it and the taste is no good. Sometimes I under flavor it and the taste is bland and dull. That's the reason God has given us this recipe for a great cake batter Christian. So there is no guesswork. 

Last of all, consistency is key!  If you just throw things together and never measure them out, you will find that your consistency will be off. Nothing ruins a good cake batter than poor consistency.  We have a tendency to go overboard on some things and lack in others. We need a right balance of temperance, patience, virtue, kindness, love, etc... We need to walk in these everyday in every way. Christians are guilty of beating the doors down of the church one month and then the FBI can't find them the next month. They knock on doors and share Jesus one week and then they will not answer their door the next. Why is this?  The consistency of the cake batter. 

Lord Jesus, we cannot be a great sweet smelling or tasting cake unto you without your help. Thank you for the recipe this morning. Thank you for the model and guide that you are to us. Please help us to be consistent "Cake Batter Christians" for you and the Gospel. We love you Jesus. 

Soft and Sweet

Matthew 12:36-37

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Someone once told me... "Make the words you speak today be sweet to the taste, because they may be the ones you eat tomorrow". 

How often do the words we say come back to us?  Seems like my words are way to often a size 12 1/2. I try to guard my mouth and keep my words calm and edible. I have found that sometimes it's best just to be quiet. But you and I both know that we can't always be quiet. We must speak. So we must learn how to speak. 

Before we speak we need to realize certain things...

  - These words are recorded!

God's word teaches us that He is recording every word, all the way down to even the idle word that you mumble under your breath. So before we speak, we need to remember that His perfect ears are listening and recording. 

  - These words will judge us!

He also tells us that we will give an account for the things we speak. These recorded words will try us. We will either be justified by them or condemned by them. 

Lord Jesus, please help guide the words of my mouth. Please let them honor you through every breath. Let my words be stern with love, bold with grace and saturated with mercy. Please help guard my speech. Let it be seasoned with your Amazing Grace!  In Jesus' name. 

Heart Melting Words

Joshua 14:8

Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

A man named Caleb in the Bible was strong and faithful. He and Joshua were two of the twelve spies that went into Canaan. They both saw things that God had promised the children of Israel. Their report of the land was true and with enthusiasm. I can see these two right now... Rejoicing and punching each other in the arm as they try to out do each others memory of what they saw. "Those clusters of grapes where huge... The soil of the land was so rich... Did you ever think we would see such beauty?"

In our scripture this morning, Caleb recalls his brethren and their response. He had just spoken about what God promised through the mouth of Moses. He said, "I was forty years old when I spied the land". He said, "I have wholly followed The Lord my God". Caleb knew that what God had promised, He would perform. 

But notice what he said about his brethren that went up with him. He said their words, "made the peoples heart melt". The words of these negative friends made the people disbelieve and melt. The power of a negative influence is very strong. 

Being negative requires no work, it can begin on its on through very little force or desire. Out of 12 spies, 2 were solid and believed, but the negative words spoken had spread and caused the encouragement from these two to fade out.

How are you influencing people today?  Are you following God wholly? Or just being negative?

A Day I will Never Forget

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Yesterday I had the privilege to attend an old fashion Campmeeting. Oh what a time we had. There was singing and shouting. People in the altar praying unto God. Special music that would fill your hearts with the Spirit. Preachers declaring the Gospel of Jesus with passion and truth. 

I was praising God for the moment He saved me. I had just finished singing a song that says, "I'm free, so free... I'm in the Spirit and the Spirit's in me... I'm rejoicing because, I'm not what I was... Thanks to Calvary's tree, I'm free". My tears began to flow and my heart began to rejoice because of the freedom I now have in Jesus. For so many years I was lost without hope, but thanks to Jesus and what He did on Calvary I'm now saved. I'm free!  The scripture this morning says, "To whom the Son sets free, is free indeed"!  

As I was having a great time in The Lord, a man named Lloyd Thomas stood to preach. This man was older than any other preacher that had preached thus far. He began by introducing himself. Then he made this statement... "I've just been saved over 40 years ago". That caught my full attention. I started rejoicing even more. I thought, "How awesome! I've just been saved over 40 years ago". 

Don't you get it?  It's not that the man had been saved over 40 years. If he had been saved over 400 years ago, it wouldn't shock me, because God is faithful that promised. The Lord Jesus who saved us is also able to keep us. Don't get me wrong, I love the security of the believer but that is not the chord of my heart that God plucked. It was the beginning... "I've just been saved..."  

What makes me so excited this morning is that no matter if we've been saved 4 years, 40 years, or 400 years it changes us so much that it seems like it was just yesterday. Praise God!  Ask a prisoner the date they were released and they will tell you, probably along with the time. Ask a drug addict when they found freedom from those chains and they could probably tell you the last time they took a hit. Ask a drunkard about the day they got victory over the chains of alcohol and they could tell you about the last sip they had. 

Ask me about the day God saved me... I'll tell you how the sins rolled away.  I've just been saved over 22 years ago. 

Our Amazing God

Mark 6:51

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Jesus had just blessed the lunch of a boy and fed five thousand people. He then left the disciples to go pray on a mountain alone while they crossed the waters of Galilee. At about three o'clock in the morning they see Jesus walking by and they cried out. Jesus says, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". As Jesus steps into the boat, the winds ceased which also caused the waves to cease. The disciples looked at one another with amazement. The scripture says that they were "sore amazed in themselves beyond measure". 

These men had just seen two fish and five loaves of bread feed a multitude of people. What else could have amazed them?  The Lord Jesus had just made them wonder in their hearts. I can hear them say, "Wow! What an amazing God". 

You know, isn't it like that with us?  We may be starving and not know where the next meal may come from, but it comes and we are amazed. We may not know when the storms will cease, but it ceases and we are amazed. When God does these things in my life, my jaw still drops. I'm amazed at His grace, love and mercy. It amazes me that He could love me so much. It makes me want to shout! It makes me want to sing!

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see!

To explain the grace, love and mercy of God, what word could you use other than amazing?  It is the amazing saving power of Jesus. It is the amazing love of Jesus that sought me. It is the amazing blood of Jesus that bought me. It is the amazing grace of Jesus that will take me home. Lord, I'm amazed!