Matthew 11:1-3
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
One of my favorite scriptures is found in John 1:29. It says that John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. John knew when he saw Jesus that He was the One. The One who would take the sins away. No more covering up of sins. No, now the One had come to remove our sins. I wonder what it was about Jesus that made him boldly say this? I know it was revealed unto him by the Spirit of God, but I wonder if it was a look that Jesus gave? What if it was a glow or a feature about Him? No matter what it was, John knew Jesus was the One.
Well look at the scripture this morning. Although John had already declared Jesus the One, something had happened. He is now in prison under the guard of Herod. He was hearing of the miracles that Jesus had been doing. Maybe it was that Jesus was not revealing yet that He is the Christ. It could be that John was hearing about when Jesus said my time is not yet come and wondered what He was waiting for. Either way, John is now seen questioning if Jesus is the One who would come or should we look for another. Wow! John the Baptist knew who Christ was even in the womb. Remember he leaped inside his mother's womb when she heard the news of Mary's pregnancy. But now he is questioning. What if it was because he couldn't see Jesus? What if it was because he couldn't see the miracles? John now had to just simply trust in the word of Christ.
It could be that you are looking for some kind of sign or miracle today and because you can't see Jesus you think that He could be missing or you need to look for another. Let me remind you today to trust His Word. Don't lean on what you feel, see or don't see. Trust His Word! Believe me, HE IS STILL THE ONE!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Get Away From That!!
Psalms 37:27
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Is there a problem in the translation of this scripture? It plainly tell us that we should depart from evil. In other scriptures it tells us to run from evil or to eschew evil. To get as far away as possible from evil. Some people say that we should get away from the very presence of evil but that is impossible. Paul said that when he would want to do good that he always found that evil was present. This means there is always a choice to do evil. So how can we depart from evil?
When evil presents itself we should chose to say no. Simple right? Well not so simple. See we are tempted to do evil. It's by the devil right? No. Scripture says that we are tempted or lured by our own lusts. We see people enjoying sin and fall right into the same things because it is desirous. People see the fun on the alcohol commercials of swimming pools, swimsuits and hot dogs on the grill and think that looks fun. The commercials never show you the drunk man beating his friend or wife half-to-death. They never show you the woman on the side of the road being cuffed and placed into a police car because she has just ran over a child with her car. They never show you the coffin of the spouse who is in disaster because cirrhosis of the liver has taken their love.
God has been so clear to us. He is never gray on issues like this. He says to depart from evil. Get away from it by making the right choice. Those who are of the world don't know any better. Yes it's common for them to drink with one another, sleep with one another, kill one another. But NOT YOU saved, child of God. Depart from evil! Stop justifying your sin and lusts and say it... Lord forgive me. Lord I choose you today! When you resist the devil and evil he will flee from you.
If you are thinking about doing evil then please depart from it right now. If you have chosen to do evil then please repent of it right now. Do the righteous works of Christ and live in Him evermore. It is never what you do that allows you to live forever with Christ, it's what He's done. If we trust in what He's done for us to deliver us from evil, then we should depart always from any and every evil. Lord help the Christians reading this today LIVE what they say.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Is there a problem in the translation of this scripture? It plainly tell us that we should depart from evil. In other scriptures it tells us to run from evil or to eschew evil. To get as far away as possible from evil. Some people say that we should get away from the very presence of evil but that is impossible. Paul said that when he would want to do good that he always found that evil was present. This means there is always a choice to do evil. So how can we depart from evil?
When evil presents itself we should chose to say no. Simple right? Well not so simple. See we are tempted to do evil. It's by the devil right? No. Scripture says that we are tempted or lured by our own lusts. We see people enjoying sin and fall right into the same things because it is desirous. People see the fun on the alcohol commercials of swimming pools, swimsuits and hot dogs on the grill and think that looks fun. The commercials never show you the drunk man beating his friend or wife half-to-death. They never show you the woman on the side of the road being cuffed and placed into a police car because she has just ran over a child with her car. They never show you the coffin of the spouse who is in disaster because cirrhosis of the liver has taken their love.
God has been so clear to us. He is never gray on issues like this. He says to depart from evil. Get away from it by making the right choice. Those who are of the world don't know any better. Yes it's common for them to drink with one another, sleep with one another, kill one another. But NOT YOU saved, child of God. Depart from evil! Stop justifying your sin and lusts and say it... Lord forgive me. Lord I choose you today! When you resist the devil and evil he will flee from you.
If you are thinking about doing evil then please depart from it right now. If you have chosen to do evil then please repent of it right now. Do the righteous works of Christ and live in Him evermore. It is never what you do that allows you to live forever with Christ, it's what He's done. If we trust in what He's done for us to deliver us from evil, then we should depart always from any and every evil. Lord help the Christians reading this today LIVE what they say.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
I'm Staaaavin'
Matthew 4:2-4
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
When our youngest boy Jacob was little he would never come to us and say that he would like something to eat. His words were always, "I'm Staaaavin'." It never failed and was always hilarious. He would walk through the house hollering for his mom and yelling, "Mom, I staaaaavin'!"
Think about Jesus in his time of fasting and prayer. The scripture says that afterward He was hungry. Satan comes to Him and tells Him to command the stones to be turned to bread. Why? Because He is hungry. Could Jesus have done this? Sure! But what Satan didn't understand was that Jesus wasn't just physically hungry, but He was starving for the will of His Father to be done.
How hungry are you today? Right now? I love to watch the FoodTV channel. My favorite show is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But when I watch these shows I am always hungry afterward. To see those burgers, steaks, specialties made by the people and zoomed in by the cameraman, oooooh I could devour them. Do you know that when I study God's Word it has the same effect? When I pray and fast, God gives me a hunger that can only be satisfied by more and more of His Spirit. Sometimes my prayers are, "Lord, I'm Staaaaarvin'."
This physical food can only satisfy the flesh but the hunger for God and every Word that comes it of His mouth is what satisfies my hungry soul. So let me ask you again... How hungry are you? Tell the Lord the morning, I'm Staaaaavin'!"
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
When our youngest boy Jacob was little he would never come to us and say that he would like something to eat. His words were always, "I'm Staaaavin'." It never failed and was always hilarious. He would walk through the house hollering for his mom and yelling, "Mom, I staaaaavin'!"
Think about Jesus in his time of fasting and prayer. The scripture says that afterward He was hungry. Satan comes to Him and tells Him to command the stones to be turned to bread. Why? Because He is hungry. Could Jesus have done this? Sure! But what Satan didn't understand was that Jesus wasn't just physically hungry, but He was starving for the will of His Father to be done.
How hungry are you today? Right now? I love to watch the FoodTV channel. My favorite show is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But when I watch these shows I am always hungry afterward. To see those burgers, steaks, specialties made by the people and zoomed in by the cameraman, oooooh I could devour them. Do you know that when I study God's Word it has the same effect? When I pray and fast, God gives me a hunger that can only be satisfied by more and more of His Spirit. Sometimes my prayers are, "Lord, I'm Staaaaarvin'."
This physical food can only satisfy the flesh but the hunger for God and every Word that comes it of His mouth is what satisfies my hungry soul. So let me ask you again... How hungry are you? Tell the Lord the morning, I'm Staaaaavin'!"
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Lord Teach Us To Pray
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
When our boys were young we would help them learn how to ask the prayer over the food. We started with... "God is great, God is good" prayer. Then we moved up to leading them in a prayer. Eventually they took over the position of praying over the food we would eat totally. What was so funny about it is they would pray, almost to the word, the very same prayer we would pray.
So many times I would talk to them after the prayer and say, "You know guys, you don't have to say the same thing that we did". I always thought they needed to make the prayers their own personal prayer. I spent much time in correcting them about it. Not getting on them about it, but trying to make them understand that they needed to talk to the Lord with their own words. Then it hit me one day... They learned to pray by listening to our prayers. I learned that they would talk to Him in their own way when the time was right. Now I listen to them bring up things in prayer that I haven't even thought of.
These disciples asked the Lord Jesus to teach them how to pray. I wonder how many times that they stuck to the model in this prayer because they learned it from Jesus? But then slowly, and steadfast, they began to use this for what it was and is, a model and not a formula.
This morning...break out of the routine model of habitual prayer and TALK to Him! Take the model and use it, but not as a formula. Take a timeout to tell Him something not found in the model prayer. Be real with Him! Confess your sin, declare your trust, and express your love to Him in prayer this morning. Lord, thank you for teaching us to pray.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Strawberry Jelly and Mustard
Psalms 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Have you ever said or done something that was done in poor taste? I certainly have. A few days ago someone showed me a picture of a shirt from a well know company. In the attempts to possibly honor the military as well as offer a basketball shirt, this company produced a shirt that had a few basketball players raising the goal up as if it was similar to those men who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima. Now I understand that some people became irate about this shirt and demanded that it be taken off of the shelves, which is what I believe should have happened. But also many, many people went to the point of saying that they would never buy anything from this company again.
If this company would have made a statement of "we know what the shirt implies and we are against war and America" then yes they should be boycotted. But what if this truly was a matter of poor taste? What if it is a matter of pushing the envelope on something that Americans have held greatly because of what it represents?
You see, you and I can have poor taste at times also. Our decision making is altered sometimes by the flesh instead of the Spirit. We often say things that we should keep in, and hold in things that we should say. Some of us wear clothing that should never be worn hahaha. It's poor taste at times. All because we are actually eating from the wrong table. What if, because of your poor taste or decision, that people said, "I will never have anything to do with that person again!" There would be no communication on earth because we are ALL guilty.
Let me wrap up with this... I used to eat a Jack's steak biscuit for breakfast. I loved them. The way I liked them was with strawberry jelly and mustard on it. Some of you just said, "Eeeewwwww, Nasty!" But it was so good to me that I wanted my friends to enjoy it. I even once bought my friend a new biscuit because he tried it and hated it. I'll never forget the facial expression from him that morning. In the same manner, the joke that should be held it because it is poorly flavored by the flesh is poor taste. It puts a sour taste into the mouths of others. Listen, we ALL are guilty of doing this but that doesn't give us an excuse. We need to be as this clothing company and remove those things that are poor taste to others in our Christian lives.
Lord Help Me! You know the things on my shelf that I need to throw away. I love you Jesus for showing me this today.
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Have you ever said or done something that was done in poor taste? I certainly have. A few days ago someone showed me a picture of a shirt from a well know company. In the attempts to possibly honor the military as well as offer a basketball shirt, this company produced a shirt that had a few basketball players raising the goal up as if it was similar to those men who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima. Now I understand that some people became irate about this shirt and demanded that it be taken off of the shelves, which is what I believe should have happened. But also many, many people went to the point of saying that they would never buy anything from this company again.
If this company would have made a statement of "we know what the shirt implies and we are against war and America" then yes they should be boycotted. But what if this truly was a matter of poor taste? What if it is a matter of pushing the envelope on something that Americans have held greatly because of what it represents?
You see, you and I can have poor taste at times also. Our decision making is altered sometimes by the flesh instead of the Spirit. We often say things that we should keep in, and hold in things that we should say. Some of us wear clothing that should never be worn hahaha. It's poor taste at times. All because we are actually eating from the wrong table. What if, because of your poor taste or decision, that people said, "I will never have anything to do with that person again!" There would be no communication on earth because we are ALL guilty.
Let me wrap up with this... I used to eat a Jack's steak biscuit for breakfast. I loved them. The way I liked them was with strawberry jelly and mustard on it. Some of you just said, "Eeeewwwww, Nasty!" But it was so good to me that I wanted my friends to enjoy it. I even once bought my friend a new biscuit because he tried it and hated it. I'll never forget the facial expression from him that morning. In the same manner, the joke that should be held it because it is poorly flavored by the flesh is poor taste. It puts a sour taste into the mouths of others. Listen, we ALL are guilty of doing this but that doesn't give us an excuse. We need to be as this clothing company and remove those things that are poor taste to others in our Christian lives.
Lord Help Me! You know the things on my shelf that I need to throw away. I love you Jesus for showing me this today.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Iron and Shine the Front
John 21:24
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
Oh, what a testimony that our Savior Jesus has! The Son of God who humbled himself to become sin for us that we might have the forgiveness of sin. He who lived, died, rose and lives again! What if His testimony wasn't true? What hope would we have if we found out that the testimony of the only one who ever truly loved us enough to die for us was false or tainted? It would have a devastating effect on our whole world. It seems to me that a man's testimony must be pretty important. Our testimony as a Christian should testify of Jesus and not ourselves. It should bring glory and honor to the very one who saved us.
A few years ago I met a man who was a fantastic preacher. His preaching of the Gospel of Jesus and what Christ had done in his life was beyond amazing. I loved to hear him every opportunity I had. Once in a message I heard him say that he and his wife were arguing about his clothing and laziness. As she watched him get prepared for a meeting one time, she noticed that he only ironed the front of his shirt. She said, "Ain't you gonna iron the back of that shirt?" "No ma'am, people only see the front. I'll never take my jacket off." was his reply. Then she noticed that he only shined the front portion of his dress shoes. "You ain't gonna shine the whole shoe?" she asked. "No, what's the big deal?" he said. Then he told us this next phrase and I'll never forget it. "People will only see me coming at them and not walking away, so what is the sense in shinning the back? No one will notice... I only want to shine coming at them."
What if we treated our testimony this way? Half-hearted and lazy! We live only to impress those listening to us and not give our best unto the Holy Lamb of God? We want only a microphone to be heard and not a life that will be an example. Needless to say, this very well-known preacher and leader of seminary finally reaped what he had sown. I'm sad to say that because of his half-committed ironing and shinning some people researched his testimony because stories in his messages started crossing each other. He came forward and confessed that he dressed up his testimony in a time period so that it brought him more preaching engagements. Ironed and shined the front and thought no one would care, or that no one would notice. People did and now his ministry suffers from it. His testimony is tainted because it had things in it that weren't true but exaggerated and fabricated. Not only his testimony but now his preaching of the Gospel is listened to with questioning ears. (He is forgiven and can still be used by God, but now it is with difficulties)
What more could you add to your testimony of Jesus and the Gospel that could enhance its story? Isn't the fact that Jesus died for a sinner such as yourself sufficient? My testimony would be that Christ saved me from my lost and hell-bound condition! He took an old torn and battered shirt, cleaned it and ironed the whole thing. He took the old beat up version of dress shoes that I had played in the miry pits of sin with and washed them clean and gave them the best shine in the world! The whole shoe too! PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU, MAKE SURE YOUR TESTIMONY IS TRUE!
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
Oh, what a testimony that our Savior Jesus has! The Son of God who humbled himself to become sin for us that we might have the forgiveness of sin. He who lived, died, rose and lives again! What if His testimony wasn't true? What hope would we have if we found out that the testimony of the only one who ever truly loved us enough to die for us was false or tainted? It would have a devastating effect on our whole world. It seems to me that a man's testimony must be pretty important. Our testimony as a Christian should testify of Jesus and not ourselves. It should bring glory and honor to the very one who saved us.
A few years ago I met a man who was a fantastic preacher. His preaching of the Gospel of Jesus and what Christ had done in his life was beyond amazing. I loved to hear him every opportunity I had. Once in a message I heard him say that he and his wife were arguing about his clothing and laziness. As she watched him get prepared for a meeting one time, she noticed that he only ironed the front of his shirt. She said, "Ain't you gonna iron the back of that shirt?" "No ma'am, people only see the front. I'll never take my jacket off." was his reply. Then she noticed that he only shined the front portion of his dress shoes. "You ain't gonna shine the whole shoe?" she asked. "No, what's the big deal?" he said. Then he told us this next phrase and I'll never forget it. "People will only see me coming at them and not walking away, so what is the sense in shinning the back? No one will notice... I only want to shine coming at them."
What if we treated our testimony this way? Half-hearted and lazy! We live only to impress those listening to us and not give our best unto the Holy Lamb of God? We want only a microphone to be heard and not a life that will be an example. Needless to say, this very well-known preacher and leader of seminary finally reaped what he had sown. I'm sad to say that because of his half-committed ironing and shinning some people researched his testimony because stories in his messages started crossing each other. He came forward and confessed that he dressed up his testimony in a time period so that it brought him more preaching engagements. Ironed and shined the front and thought no one would care, or that no one would notice. People did and now his ministry suffers from it. His testimony is tainted because it had things in it that weren't true but exaggerated and fabricated. Not only his testimony but now his preaching of the Gospel is listened to with questioning ears. (He is forgiven and can still be used by God, but now it is with difficulties)
What more could you add to your testimony of Jesus and the Gospel that could enhance its story? Isn't the fact that Jesus died for a sinner such as yourself sufficient? My testimony would be that Christ saved me from my lost and hell-bound condition! He took an old torn and battered shirt, cleaned it and ironed the whole thing. He took the old beat up version of dress shoes that I had played in the miry pits of sin with and washed them clean and gave them the best shine in the world! The whole shoe too! PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU, MAKE SURE YOUR TESTIMONY IS TRUE!
Friday, May 19, 2017
The Cost of Living is Going Up
1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
From gas prices to the price of a cantaloupe, it's getting harder and harder to pay for it all. Our cost of living has skyrocketed over the years. Don't you just love listening to people talk about when gas was .15 a gallon? It makes me think of Gomer standing at the gas station telling them that its a nickel for every ding. "We sell gas for a nickel a ding, but water and air are free" he would say. Well if he were working today he would have to tell you a different cost. Gas is definitely not a nickel and air is $1.00 at some gas stations. Let's not even talk about bottling water and selling it at a higher cost than soda or tea.
It's undeniably true that the cost of living is going up, up, up. But let me share something great with you this morning. The cost of living is going up, but some day so am I! If you as a Christian can't get excited about that then maybe you truly haven't been saved. Yes this old world will grow more sinful and grotesque by the minutes, but we are headed to a land that is better.
I love the lyrics to this old song...
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
From gas prices to the price of a cantaloupe, it's getting harder and harder to pay for it all. Our cost of living has skyrocketed over the years. Don't you just love listening to people talk about when gas was .15 a gallon? It makes me think of Gomer standing at the gas station telling them that its a nickel for every ding. "We sell gas for a nickel a ding, but water and air are free" he would say. Well if he were working today he would have to tell you a different cost. Gas is definitely not a nickel and air is $1.00 at some gas stations. Let's not even talk about bottling water and selling it at a higher cost than soda or tea.
It's undeniably true that the cost of living is going up, up, up. But let me share something great with you this morning. The cost of living is going up, but some day so am I! If you as a Christian can't get excited about that then maybe you truly haven't been saved. Yes this old world will grow more sinful and grotesque by the minutes, but we are headed to a land that is better.
I love the lyrics to this old song...
- There’s a land beyond the river,
That we call the sweet forever,
And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree;
One by one we’ll gain the portals,
There to dwell with the immortals,
When they ring the golden bells for you and me. - Don’t you hear the bells now ringing?
- Don’t you hear the angels singing?
- ’Tis the glory hallelujah Jubilee.
- In that far-off sweet forever,
- Just beyond the shining river,
- When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
As the Cost of Living continues to rise always remember Christian, someday we will rise far above it all!
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Did You Lose Your Wallet?
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
I can remember getting my driver's licence when I turned sixteen. I had never carried a wallet around very much until this day. Oh, I had wallets in my time, but I always lost them. I could never seem to keep up with them because I was not used to having a wallet in my pocket. Most of the time I would put my money and licence in my front pocket because I knew that there was a potential losing my wallet.
You know it could have been because I never really had anything in those wallets as a kid. Mom would always put a dollar in there, but if there was ever any money in my wallet it didn't take me long to spend it. (right now my wife and parents are somewhere reading this shaking their heads yes) But when I received my driver's licence things seemed to change. Then as I grew older I got a checking account and a debit card was inserted into my wallet. More reason to not lose it. After I graduated high school I began to carry around my social security card. These were all valuable things placed in my wallet, but the ones that took priority in those days to be most prized possessions was my fishing licence and a picture of my girlfriend. If I lost my wallet I would lose all the valuable things that was inside. I had slowly placed things of importance into this wallet to where it became a valued possession to me.
God tells us this morning to "stand fast, and hold" onto the truths that we have been taught. When so many today are turning back on what the truth is, or what they have held so long as the truth, it's almost like we have lost or wallets with all of its contents. We can't drive because we have no licence. We can't vote because we have no identification. One of the biggest problems, we can't fish because we lost our licence in our wallets. Another great tragedy is that we can't prove that we have a girlfriend because we lost the picture of her and the love comments that were written on the back.
Can I encourage you today to stand fast! Hold on the the Word of God that you have been taught. Slowly over the years God has placed important doctrine and foundational truths into you through the Bible. No matter if anyone wants to hear it, believe it, or people decide not to stand fast in it... You hold on to your Bible as if it was your wallet because the truths in it are much more valuable than any old fishing licence.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
I can remember getting my driver's licence when I turned sixteen. I had never carried a wallet around very much until this day. Oh, I had wallets in my time, but I always lost them. I could never seem to keep up with them because I was not used to having a wallet in my pocket. Most of the time I would put my money and licence in my front pocket because I knew that there was a potential losing my wallet.
You know it could have been because I never really had anything in those wallets as a kid. Mom would always put a dollar in there, but if there was ever any money in my wallet it didn't take me long to spend it. (right now my wife and parents are somewhere reading this shaking their heads yes) But when I received my driver's licence things seemed to change. Then as I grew older I got a checking account and a debit card was inserted into my wallet. More reason to not lose it. After I graduated high school I began to carry around my social security card. These were all valuable things placed in my wallet, but the ones that took priority in those days to be most prized possessions was my fishing licence and a picture of my girlfriend. If I lost my wallet I would lose all the valuable things that was inside. I had slowly placed things of importance into this wallet to where it became a valued possession to me.
God tells us this morning to "stand fast, and hold" onto the truths that we have been taught. When so many today are turning back on what the truth is, or what they have held so long as the truth, it's almost like we have lost or wallets with all of its contents. We can't drive because we have no licence. We can't vote because we have no identification. One of the biggest problems, we can't fish because we lost our licence in our wallets. Another great tragedy is that we can't prove that we have a girlfriend because we lost the picture of her and the love comments that were written on the back.
Can I encourage you today to stand fast! Hold on the the Word of God that you have been taught. Slowly over the years God has placed important doctrine and foundational truths into you through the Bible. No matter if anyone wants to hear it, believe it, or people decide not to stand fast in it... You hold on to your Bible as if it was your wallet because the truths in it are much more valuable than any old fishing licence.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
At first it seems necessary and common, but then it can't get out of control and do much damage. All you need is a spark and a little wind. You could have a multi-billion dollar catastrophe on your hands. Some of the worst fires started as someone who threw a small cigarette or match out of the car window.
Anger can consume you like a fire and not just any fire, one that will destroy homes and lives if possible. Anger in our lives is a continual stirring. Stir, stir, stir... The whole time we grit our teeth and finally become a wild raging fire of anger. Eventually it becomes so hot and overwhelming that we move from a one alarm fire to a three alarm fire. The flames of anger are raging in our hearts.
Then we become the furious man that scripture speaks of. It says we then begin to abound in transgression. It is just moments away after the spark. More and more it will grow, hotter and hotter, higher and higher!
What can we do about it? I can't help it when I get mad Steve! You're right. I can't either. There are things that happen to me daily that get my blood to boiling or my fires sparked. How do we handle it? We responded instead of reacting. We pray instead of pouncing. I remember one slogan in my life... It came from a big bear. He said, "Only you can prevent forest fires." He taught us to soak it with water, then to stir it with a stick and then soak it again. What if you were to saturate your anger with the Holy Spirit? What if you stirred it with the Word of God? Then lastly soaked and bathed it in prayer? It's up to you... Cause only you can prevent anger fires.
An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
At first it seems necessary and common, but then it can't get out of control and do much damage. All you need is a spark and a little wind. You could have a multi-billion dollar catastrophe on your hands. Some of the worst fires started as someone who threw a small cigarette or match out of the car window.
Anger can consume you like a fire and not just any fire, one that will destroy homes and lives if possible. Anger in our lives is a continual stirring. Stir, stir, stir... The whole time we grit our teeth and finally become a wild raging fire of anger. Eventually it becomes so hot and overwhelming that we move from a one alarm fire to a three alarm fire. The flames of anger are raging in our hearts.
Then we become the furious man that scripture speaks of. It says we then begin to abound in transgression. It is just moments away after the spark. More and more it will grow, hotter and hotter, higher and higher!
What can we do about it? I can't help it when I get mad Steve! You're right. I can't either. There are things that happen to me daily that get my blood to boiling or my fires sparked. How do we handle it? We responded instead of reacting. We pray instead of pouncing. I remember one slogan in my life... It came from a big bear. He said, "Only you can prevent forest fires." He taught us to soak it with water, then to stir it with a stick and then soak it again. What if you were to saturate your anger with the Holy Spirit? What if you stirred it with the Word of God? Then lastly soaked and bathed it in prayer? It's up to you... Cause only you can prevent anger fires.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
A Bad Connection
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Don't you hate it when you are trying to talk on the cell phone and you are fully into a story when all of the sudden...click? Or worse than that, what about when you are listening and it sounds like the person who is talking is underwater? A bad connection or bad cell signal is the problem. It could be the mountains that are blocking the signal or just the fact that there aren't any cell towers near by. It really could be a host of things that are causing you not to carry on with your gossip, sorry I mean conversation.
The scriptures tell us this morning that in that same manner our prayers can be hindered. First of all the number one thing that will hinder our prayers is sin. The Bible tells us in other areas that if we hold sin in our heart that the Lord will not hear us. It also says that blessed is the man who confesses his sins and not covers them. If we aren't willing to seek and ask for forgiveness in our prayers to God then why would there be any need for continuing in prayer?
But look at what the scripture this morning points out. If we aren't right with our spouse our prayers will be hindered. What? You mean that our prayers are not getting through to God if we are at division with our spouses? Yep! Just as well as with your brother or sister also. Jesus once told them about a man who brought his gift (prayers, offering) unto the Lord and had ought or division with his brother. What did Jesus say? Leave your gift, go and reconcile with your brother and then come back and offer your gift.
Could it be that your prayers have been reduced to "moments of silence" in more ways than you know? How can we pray and talk to God who we have never seen and be at war with our brother, sister, or spouse that we have and do see? It could be that you have a bad connection. Seek every way possible today to get the line fixed. It starts with confession and always leads to forgiveness.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Don't you hate it when you are trying to talk on the cell phone and you are fully into a story when all of the sudden...click? Or worse than that, what about when you are listening and it sounds like the person who is talking is underwater? A bad connection or bad cell signal is the problem. It could be the mountains that are blocking the signal or just the fact that there aren't any cell towers near by. It really could be a host of things that are causing you not to carry on with your gossip, sorry I mean conversation.
The scriptures tell us this morning that in that same manner our prayers can be hindered. First of all the number one thing that will hinder our prayers is sin. The Bible tells us in other areas that if we hold sin in our heart that the Lord will not hear us. It also says that blessed is the man who confesses his sins and not covers them. If we aren't willing to seek and ask for forgiveness in our prayers to God then why would there be any need for continuing in prayer?
But look at what the scripture this morning points out. If we aren't right with our spouse our prayers will be hindered. What? You mean that our prayers are not getting through to God if we are at division with our spouses? Yep! Just as well as with your brother or sister also. Jesus once told them about a man who brought his gift (prayers, offering) unto the Lord and had ought or division with his brother. What did Jesus say? Leave your gift, go and reconcile with your brother and then come back and offer your gift.
Could it be that your prayers have been reduced to "moments of silence" in more ways than you know? How can we pray and talk to God who we have never seen and be at war with our brother, sister, or spouse that we have and do see? It could be that you have a bad connection. Seek every way possible today to get the line fixed. It starts with confession and always leads to forgiveness.
Monday, May 15, 2017
"Not Even God Himself Can Sink This Ship"
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
On the night that the Titanic was to make its voyage a woman named Mrs. Albert Caldwell overheard a worker on the ship say to a passenger, "Not even God himself can sink this ship". Wow, what a bold and pride-filled statement!
Pride makes someone think that they stand on their own. It is the sin of all sins. It is the very sin that brought Satan to Hell as well as many others who have chosen to follow its guide. Pride is believing that you are the answer within instead of seeking an answer of truth without. Look at what God says about pride. He tells them, through the prophet Obadiah, that the pride of their heart has deceived them. The people of Edom were filled with evil pride. They thought that because of their location, numbers and long running history that they would never fall victim to defeat. Their pride was flowing through every person living among them. "No one can defeat us!" is their chant. "Who shall bring me down to the ground?" were their claims.
The people of Edom were descendants of Esau. They lived among the desert caves in Petra. The people of Edom carved out homes and temples in the sandstone mountains and dwelt high above the valley. They thought much of their position and claimed that they would never be destroyed or brought to the valley low. The Medes, Persians and Greeks had all came and gone, but they were still here. No one could sink us! But God told Obadiah to let them know that humility was coming their way. He said make sure they understand that the pride of their heart is deceiving them.
The claim of the Titanic worker was literally drowned out by the cries of those in the water freezing to death. I'm concerned that America has gotten to this point as well. Our claims of victory and stance as a Nation are filled with pride. Not the pride in being honorable or working with pride in your work, but claiming to stand without the Grace of Our God. Not remembering that we are blessed because we serve the only God. Lord help us to remember today that we stand as a Nation because you hung on a cross.
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
On the night that the Titanic was to make its voyage a woman named Mrs. Albert Caldwell overheard a worker on the ship say to a passenger, "Not even God himself can sink this ship". Wow, what a bold and pride-filled statement!
Pride makes someone think that they stand on their own. It is the sin of all sins. It is the very sin that brought Satan to Hell as well as many others who have chosen to follow its guide. Pride is believing that you are the answer within instead of seeking an answer of truth without. Look at what God says about pride. He tells them, through the prophet Obadiah, that the pride of their heart has deceived them. The people of Edom were filled with evil pride. They thought that because of their location, numbers and long running history that they would never fall victim to defeat. Their pride was flowing through every person living among them. "No one can defeat us!" is their chant. "Who shall bring me down to the ground?" were their claims.
The people of Edom were descendants of Esau. They lived among the desert caves in Petra. The people of Edom carved out homes and temples in the sandstone mountains and dwelt high above the valley. They thought much of their position and claimed that they would never be destroyed or brought to the valley low. The Medes, Persians and Greeks had all came and gone, but they were still here. No one could sink us! But God told Obadiah to let them know that humility was coming their way. He said make sure they understand that the pride of their heart is deceiving them.
The claim of the Titanic worker was literally drowned out by the cries of those in the water freezing to death. I'm concerned that America has gotten to this point as well. Our claims of victory and stance as a Nation are filled with pride. Not the pride in being honorable or working with pride in your work, but claiming to stand without the Grace of Our God. Not remembering that we are blessed because we serve the only God. Lord help us to remember today that we stand as a Nation because you hung on a cross.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Are You Prepared?
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Do you have some of those friends that are prepared for everything? I do. Once my friend went fishing with me and my dad. Evidently he saw the weather report that we didn't. We knew that it was going to be cold. Not just your average cold, it was 27 degrees that day. One thing we didn't know was that there was a chance of rain.
We all met together at my house and planned on leaving from there. When my friend pulled up I remember him carrying this huge bag with him. I never asked what was in it, but I knew he always pretty much carried everything with him. Just in case an earthquake, chemical warfare or any end of the world scenario. We pulled up to the boat launch and began to put the boat in the water and I noticed my friend gearing up. He put on a Gortex rainsuit. He was covered from top to bottom. I thought at the time that it was a bit of overkill. I mean, I had my raincoat on cause it was sprinkling but I didn't have the full suit.
As we headed north to our crappie hole the bottom fell out of the sky. I mean it was raining hard! I looked over as we were riding and saw two things. First I saw my dad who was only wearing a raincoat and his blue jeans which were becoming darker and darker. Then I looked at my friend in his armored suit with a smile of "what's wrong guys?" on his face.
What about Ezra this morning? The scripture says he prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. He was prepared in his walk with God. Way too many Christians are ill-equipped today. We know that the rain is coming but we seem to not think enough of it to be prepared. Look at how Ezra was prepared. He sought after God's Word. He not only sought it out, but he did it! What if my friend would have just carried his bag with him and never put on his rainsuit? He would have been soaked to the bone like my dad. Then last of all, he taught the Word of God to others.
No joke, my dad almost froze that day. Remember it was 27 degrees for the high and he was soaked. He still fished that day and we caught a lot of crappie, but it was miserable for him. You're life doesn't have to be miserable as a Christian. Are you prepared for this day? God's Word - Read it, Live it and Share it!
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Do you have some of those friends that are prepared for everything? I do. Once my friend went fishing with me and my dad. Evidently he saw the weather report that we didn't. We knew that it was going to be cold. Not just your average cold, it was 27 degrees that day. One thing we didn't know was that there was a chance of rain.
We all met together at my house and planned on leaving from there. When my friend pulled up I remember him carrying this huge bag with him. I never asked what was in it, but I knew he always pretty much carried everything with him. Just in case an earthquake, chemical warfare or any end of the world scenario. We pulled up to the boat launch and began to put the boat in the water and I noticed my friend gearing up. He put on a Gortex rainsuit. He was covered from top to bottom. I thought at the time that it was a bit of overkill. I mean, I had my raincoat on cause it was sprinkling but I didn't have the full suit.
As we headed north to our crappie hole the bottom fell out of the sky. I mean it was raining hard! I looked over as we were riding and saw two things. First I saw my dad who was only wearing a raincoat and his blue jeans which were becoming darker and darker. Then I looked at my friend in his armored suit with a smile of "what's wrong guys?" on his face.
What about Ezra this morning? The scripture says he prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. He was prepared in his walk with God. Way too many Christians are ill-equipped today. We know that the rain is coming but we seem to not think enough of it to be prepared. Look at how Ezra was prepared. He sought after God's Word. He not only sought it out, but he did it! What if my friend would have just carried his bag with him and never put on his rainsuit? He would have been soaked to the bone like my dad. Then last of all, he taught the Word of God to others.
No joke, my dad almost froze that day. Remember it was 27 degrees for the high and he was soaked. He still fished that day and we caught a lot of crappie, but it was miserable for him. You're life doesn't have to be miserable as a Christian. Are you prepared for this day? God's Word - Read it, Live it and Share it!
Thursday, May 11, 2017
I Lift My Hands
1 Kings 8:22-23
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
I can see Solomon standing on his feet before this altar. All the people are looking at him wondering what he was going to do. As they watch, he raises his hands in the air unto God. With his hands stretched out toward heaven, Solomon begins to pray. The excitement is growing among the crowd and now they have moved from wondering what he would do to what he would pray. Solomon had every eye of the congregation upon him.
At this time Solomon could have done whatever he wanted to. He could have stretched his hands out to the congregation and said, "Look at what I have built for the Lord." He could have stretched those hands out to these people in hope of receiving praise from them but he didn't do that. He reached toward Heaven to the God of gods. He then said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee..." He professed in front of these present that God was not only his God, but their God as well. Then he points out that the Lord is so great and there is not a God like Him.
When Solomon says, "...in heaven above, or on earth beneath..." He knows better than we do. Solomon had access to any earthly god he could have ever wanted. His statement was that there is NO god like YOU! What makes our God different? He keeps his promise with mercy. He never leaves or forsakes us. He loves us even when we didn't love Him. He is ALIVE and not in a tomb or cemetery!
God, I raise my hands to you right now! No matter who is watching or not watching, I want you to know that my praise is to YOU. I know that there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth. You alone are deserving of my praise and worship. Can you say this?
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
I can see Solomon standing on his feet before this altar. All the people are looking at him wondering what he was going to do. As they watch, he raises his hands in the air unto God. With his hands stretched out toward heaven, Solomon begins to pray. The excitement is growing among the crowd and now they have moved from wondering what he would do to what he would pray. Solomon had every eye of the congregation upon him.
At this time Solomon could have done whatever he wanted to. He could have stretched his hands out to the congregation and said, "Look at what I have built for the Lord." He could have stretched those hands out to these people in hope of receiving praise from them but he didn't do that. He reached toward Heaven to the God of gods. He then said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee..." He professed in front of these present that God was not only his God, but their God as well. Then he points out that the Lord is so great and there is not a God like Him.
When Solomon says, "...in heaven above, or on earth beneath..." He knows better than we do. Solomon had access to any earthly god he could have ever wanted. His statement was that there is NO god like YOU! What makes our God different? He keeps his promise with mercy. He never leaves or forsakes us. He loves us even when we didn't love Him. He is ALIVE and not in a tomb or cemetery!
God, I raise my hands to you right now! No matter who is watching or not watching, I want you to know that my praise is to YOU. I know that there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth. You alone are deserving of my praise and worship. Can you say this?
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Lord Hear Our Prayer
1 Kings 8:33-34
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
A couple of years ago our group sat down and wrote the lyrics to this song...
Lord I'm tired and so weary from this trial that we're in
I thirst for your Spirit to fill us once again
Cause this Nation that I love has turned its back on you
We need your Grace and Mercy to help us make it through
Lord I've read in the Bible, Your precious Holy Word
That if we were to call on you our prayers would be heard
Just like Daniel in the lion's den who prayed three times a day
Lord here I am before you, please answer me today
Lord hear our prayer as on your name we're calling
Hear our prayer dear Lord as on our knees we're falling
Hear our prayer as humbly we pray
And heal our land Lord Jesus as we call on thee today
God has told us the answer. He said that He would hear us is we call upon Him. It must be the prayer of repentance that we pray first. God will not hear us if we are in sin. The Bible doesn't say He can't hear us, it says He will not hear us if we are not willing to confess our sins unto Him.
Could we have revival? Could we come back unto God and walk as a nation upright in the sight of all others? Or are we too far gone? Go and read about Israel, God's people, and see how they walked away from God and His commandments. God continued to stretch His hand out to them. God continued to put His ear out there to listen to their cry of help and healing. Could this same God do the same for us?
YES! Lord, hear our prayer. Give us the land (country) that those before us (father's) had. Please forgive US Lord Jesus and heal us. Our sins are ever before you. We need a moving of the Holy Spirit in the United States of America. We need a repentance to begin at the House of God before it goes to the White House.
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
A couple of years ago our group sat down and wrote the lyrics to this song...
Lord I'm tired and so weary from this trial that we're in
I thirst for your Spirit to fill us once again
Cause this Nation that I love has turned its back on you
We need your Grace and Mercy to help us make it through
Lord I've read in the Bible, Your precious Holy Word
That if we were to call on you our prayers would be heard
Just like Daniel in the lion's den who prayed three times a day
Lord here I am before you, please answer me today
Lord hear our prayer as on your name we're calling
Hear our prayer dear Lord as on our knees we're falling
Hear our prayer as humbly we pray
And heal our land Lord Jesus as we call on thee today
God has told us the answer. He said that He would hear us is we call upon Him. It must be the prayer of repentance that we pray first. God will not hear us if we are in sin. The Bible doesn't say He can't hear us, it says He will not hear us if we are not willing to confess our sins unto Him.
Could we have revival? Could we come back unto God and walk as a nation upright in the sight of all others? Or are we too far gone? Go and read about Israel, God's people, and see how they walked away from God and His commandments. God continued to stretch His hand out to them. God continued to put His ear out there to listen to their cry of help and healing. Could this same God do the same for us?
YES! Lord, hear our prayer. Give us the land (country) that those before us (father's) had. Please forgive US Lord Jesus and heal us. Our sins are ever before you. We need a moving of the Holy Spirit in the United States of America. We need a repentance to begin at the House of God before it goes to the White House.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Bring them to Jesus
Matthew 9:2
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Lyrics from a song that I used to sing were...
Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows, Are you tired of spinning round and round
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life at the feet of Jesus lay them down
CHORUS
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, Wounded hearts, Broken toys
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to Jesus
And he will turn your sorrow into joy
He never said you’d only see sunshine, He never said there’d be no rain
He only promised a heart full of singing about the very things that once caused pain
Sometimes we have no idea what we should do. We know as Christians where to go. We know what to pray, and even if we don't know what to say we know that God will understand us through the Spirit and our groanings. But sometimes we are at a loss for words and wisdom and we don't know what to do. Kinda like when you were a child and had that new toy. It broke and all you knew to do was take it to your dad and see if he could fix it.
Can I help you today? Take whatever the broken thing is in your life and carry it to Jesus. Did you notice that the friends of this man sick with the palsy brought him to Jesus. They picked him up and brought him to the only man they knew who could heal him. The only one who could comfort him.
Bring all those broken pieces and bring them to Jesus.
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Lyrics from a song that I used to sing were...
Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows, Are you tired of spinning round and round
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life at the feet of Jesus lay them down
CHORUS
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, Wounded hearts, Broken toys
Give them all, Give them all, Give them all to Jesus
And he will turn your sorrow into joy
He never said you’d only see sunshine, He never said there’d be no rain
He only promised a heart full of singing about the very things that once caused pain
Sometimes we have no idea what we should do. We know as Christians where to go. We know what to pray, and even if we don't know what to say we know that God will understand us through the Spirit and our groanings. But sometimes we are at a loss for words and wisdom and we don't know what to do. Kinda like when you were a child and had that new toy. It broke and all you knew to do was take it to your dad and see if he could fix it.
Can I help you today? Take whatever the broken thing is in your life and carry it to Jesus. Did you notice that the friends of this man sick with the palsy brought him to Jesus. They picked him up and brought him to the only man they knew who could heal him. The only one who could comfort him.
Bring all those broken pieces and bring them to Jesus.
Monday, May 8, 2017
"Cut That Grass For Free..."
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.
Years ago a movie came out that some of you may know of called, "Forrest Gump". In that movie he was paid to cut the grass of the Alabama football field but then he came into money from a fruit company and he never had to work again. He then made the statement, "And cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free."
Is it the awards you are seeking in serving God? The accolades and trophies? David was anointed to be the King over all of Israel. He had the position of leadership. Awards and praises were a part of his everyday life. He was the one the people praised and said that Saul had slain his thousands and David his ten-thousands. Can't you hear the story of how he faced Goliath being told unto all the children of Israel time and time again? His days of being a shepherd to his now being the King?
But David says in our scripture today, "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand..." One day in your house God is better than a thousand in the field of battle. It is better than standing on an awards block and receiving a gold medal of valor. Then he said, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Just a doorkeeper! Wait a minute, Just a doorkeeper? You are satisfied with just being a servant? Holding the door?
What about you this morning? Have you realized that being in the house of God for a day is better than a thousand days of praise and pampering? Is being a doorkeeper at the house of God is enough? Is serving God your goal, or is being noticed and praised in your serving what you seek?
You can have this world, it's wealth and riches
I don't need earth's power.
It's my desire, to live for Him
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.
Years ago a movie came out that some of you may know of called, "Forrest Gump". In that movie he was paid to cut the grass of the Alabama football field but then he came into money from a fruit company and he never had to work again. He then made the statement, "And cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free."
Is it the awards you are seeking in serving God? The accolades and trophies? David was anointed to be the King over all of Israel. He had the position of leadership. Awards and praises were a part of his everyday life. He was the one the people praised and said that Saul had slain his thousands and David his ten-thousands. Can't you hear the story of how he faced Goliath being told unto all the children of Israel time and time again? His days of being a shepherd to his now being the King?
But David says in our scripture today, "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand..." One day in your house God is better than a thousand in the field of battle. It is better than standing on an awards block and receiving a gold medal of valor. Then he said, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Just a doorkeeper! Wait a minute, Just a doorkeeper? You are satisfied with just being a servant? Holding the door?
What about you this morning? Have you realized that being in the house of God for a day is better than a thousand days of praise and pampering? Is being a doorkeeper at the house of God is enough? Is serving God your goal, or is being noticed and praised in your serving what you seek?
You can have this world, it's wealth and riches
I don't need earth's power.
It's my desire, to live for Him
Friday, May 5, 2017
The Living Dead
James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
It seems that our society is overwhelmed with zombies and death nowadays. In the 70's a movie came out called "The Night of the Living Dead". This movie was about dead people coming out of the ground and feasting on the brains of the living. I remember thinking that we could have solved this problem by sending them all to DC. They would have starved to death looking for brains there, hahaha.
God is telling us this morning that we can't say we are alive and still be dead. Many Christians are living in this nation who are professors of salvation but lack the Spirit. James says you cannot profess the Spirit and have no works. Our works are what shows our salvation unto others. If they don't see our works then how will they see salvation?
How could a faith that can't bring you twenty miles down the road to worship Christ who saved you take you to Heaven? How can a faith that can't bring you to glorify Him through your words and actions bring you into everlasting life with God?
Let me ask you a question... What about your life? It really doesn't matter about others, only you. You are probably alone reading this, so answer it truthfully. Are you walking through life still dead in sin? Are you trying to become something called a Christian, or have you surrendered your life to the master potter who will form and create you into a true Christian? Like a zombie, do you continue to search and search, wondering around? Mindlessly walking about with your arms stretched in front of you but still dead? No life? No breath? No direction? No rest or peace?
Come to the only one I know who can raise the dead unto life. His name is Jesus!
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
It seems that our society is overwhelmed with zombies and death nowadays. In the 70's a movie came out called "The Night of the Living Dead". This movie was about dead people coming out of the ground and feasting on the brains of the living. I remember thinking that we could have solved this problem by sending them all to DC. They would have starved to death looking for brains there, hahaha.
God is telling us this morning that we can't say we are alive and still be dead. Many Christians are living in this nation who are professors of salvation but lack the Spirit. James says you cannot profess the Spirit and have no works. Our works are what shows our salvation unto others. If they don't see our works then how will they see salvation?
How could a faith that can't bring you twenty miles down the road to worship Christ who saved you take you to Heaven? How can a faith that can't bring you to glorify Him through your words and actions bring you into everlasting life with God?
Let me ask you a question... What about your life? It really doesn't matter about others, only you. You are probably alone reading this, so answer it truthfully. Are you walking through life still dead in sin? Are you trying to become something called a Christian, or have you surrendered your life to the master potter who will form and create you into a true Christian? Like a zombie, do you continue to search and search, wondering around? Mindlessly walking about with your arms stretched in front of you but still dead? No life? No breath? No direction? No rest or peace?
Come to the only one I know who can raise the dead unto life. His name is Jesus!
Thursday, May 4, 2017
It Ain't You
Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
From Dr. Phil to Oprah, we hear that the power to do or the power to change is inside of us. We are told that we need to love ourselves and find our strength within us. A "pick yourself up by the boot straps" ideology. But God's Word speaks a different message.
Zerubbabel was a man of God who helped Joshua rebuild the altar of the Lord and then began work on the Temple. He became governor and was a leader to look up to. One day God sent a messenger to speak unto him about things in his life. This angel said, "Look at this lampstand". Zerubbabel did and told him of everything he saw. He said that there was a lampstand that went up and branched out into seven lamps. Think about Zerubbabel seeing these lamps burning and wondering what in the world God was trying to tell him. Then God sent His Word. Did you notice that this Word from God was straight to Zerubbabel? God said, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit..."
Do you see it yet? In the image God shared with Zerubbabel there was a lampstand with seven lamps. These burning lamps were made of gold from the hands of man. They had wicks that were made and trimmed by the hands of man. Lastly they had oil inside of them that was poured by the instruments of men, but was made and given by God Almighty. Sure we plant the seed, water the ground, and pick the harvest. Sure we beat the olives until the oil pours from their brokenness. But the truth is and always will be, God is the one who has made and given the oil.
He was saying to Zerubbabel, "You are the wick that gives off my light, but I am the oil that supplies the flame". It's not our might, or our power, but the Holy Spirit of God who is inside of us that allows us to shine so brightly. Do me a favor this morning... Take the batteries out of the flashlight and let me know how bright it is. Take the oil from this lampstand and you will not have any light.
If you try to receive salvation without the Spirit you're just as dark and dim. If you try to do ministry on your own you will quit because it ain't in you, IT'S THROUGH YOU that He works. Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord!
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
From Dr. Phil to Oprah, we hear that the power to do or the power to change is inside of us. We are told that we need to love ourselves and find our strength within us. A "pick yourself up by the boot straps" ideology. But God's Word speaks a different message.
Zerubbabel was a man of God who helped Joshua rebuild the altar of the Lord and then began work on the Temple. He became governor and was a leader to look up to. One day God sent a messenger to speak unto him about things in his life. This angel said, "Look at this lampstand". Zerubbabel did and told him of everything he saw. He said that there was a lampstand that went up and branched out into seven lamps. Think about Zerubbabel seeing these lamps burning and wondering what in the world God was trying to tell him. Then God sent His Word. Did you notice that this Word from God was straight to Zerubbabel? God said, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit..."
Do you see it yet? In the image God shared with Zerubbabel there was a lampstand with seven lamps. These burning lamps were made of gold from the hands of man. They had wicks that were made and trimmed by the hands of man. Lastly they had oil inside of them that was poured by the instruments of men, but was made and given by God Almighty. Sure we plant the seed, water the ground, and pick the harvest. Sure we beat the olives until the oil pours from their brokenness. But the truth is and always will be, God is the one who has made and given the oil.
He was saying to Zerubbabel, "You are the wick that gives off my light, but I am the oil that supplies the flame". It's not our might, or our power, but the Holy Spirit of God who is inside of us that allows us to shine so brightly. Do me a favor this morning... Take the batteries out of the flashlight and let me know how bright it is. Take the oil from this lampstand and you will not have any light.
If you try to receive salvation without the Spirit you're just as dark and dim. If you try to do ministry on your own you will quit because it ain't in you, IT'S THROUGH YOU that He works. Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
He-Loves-Us Salvation Club
Acts 11:16-18
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
I made a statement the other day about an episode of the "Little Rascals" and their He-Man Woman Haters club. As I was studying the scriptures this morning, God put this in my studies. Now you remember the club right? Spanky was their fearless leader but he wanted Alfalfa to be the president of the club. He said that no one hated women more than his buddy Alfalfa. But we know this wasn't true. Alfalfa was in love with Darla, dear sweet delightful Darla. When the others found out about this love he had they wanted him removed from the club and wanted justice.
Well if you were to take the time this morning to go back and read the whole chapter of Acts 11 you could see this same scenario. Peter had been with the Gentiles and his Jewish friends wanted to know what in the world he was doing with them. How could he have had fellowship with such a people like the Gentiles? Peter begins to explain what happened when he preached unto them. He said when he preached unto them about Jesus that the Holy Ghost fell on them just like it had fallen upon Peter and the others in the beginning.
Then read again what Peter said, "Then remembered I the word of the Lord,..." He recalled the words of Jesus. Jesus told them that John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, through the preached word of God, we are baptized with the Holy Ghost. We receive the Holy Ghost when we believe.
Peter is basically telling his friends, "How could I not let them in the club? Can I withstand God, or can I stop God?" When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped their talk and praised God for what He has done.
Lord, I want to take the time this morning to tell you thank you for letting me in the family. Thank you for your salvation and adoption of me. Thank you Holy Ghost for in-dwelling my life every since the day I believed. I'm very proud to be a part of the He-Loves-Us Salvation Club. Been a member for twenty-two years now. How long have you been in the family?
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
I made a statement the other day about an episode of the "Little Rascals" and their He-Man Woman Haters club. As I was studying the scriptures this morning, God put this in my studies. Now you remember the club right? Spanky was their fearless leader but he wanted Alfalfa to be the president of the club. He said that no one hated women more than his buddy Alfalfa. But we know this wasn't true. Alfalfa was in love with Darla, dear sweet delightful Darla. When the others found out about this love he had they wanted him removed from the club and wanted justice.
Well if you were to take the time this morning to go back and read the whole chapter of Acts 11 you could see this same scenario. Peter had been with the Gentiles and his Jewish friends wanted to know what in the world he was doing with them. How could he have had fellowship with such a people like the Gentiles? Peter begins to explain what happened when he preached unto them. He said when he preached unto them about Jesus that the Holy Ghost fell on them just like it had fallen upon Peter and the others in the beginning.
Then read again what Peter said, "Then remembered I the word of the Lord,..." He recalled the words of Jesus. Jesus told them that John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, through the preached word of God, we are baptized with the Holy Ghost. We receive the Holy Ghost when we believe.
Peter is basically telling his friends, "How could I not let them in the club? Can I withstand God, or can I stop God?" When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped their talk and praised God for what He has done.
Lord, I want to take the time this morning to tell you thank you for letting me in the family. Thank you for your salvation and adoption of me. Thank you Holy Ghost for in-dwelling my life every since the day I believed. I'm very proud to be a part of the He-Loves-Us Salvation Club. Been a member for twenty-two years now. How long have you been in the family?
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
What Just Happened?
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
It was my 12th birthday. I'll never forget it, even though it was twenty-six years ago. Mom and dad gave me a party at the church where we attended. It was in the park the church owned below the church building and I invited everyone I knew. My birthday cards were awesome and I received $92.00 from family and friends, which was really good back then. But then my dad pulled up with my brand new motorcycle. Baby blue, Yamaha 80, street and dirt edition. Oh, it had a headlight, turn signals, chrome details. It was an unforgettable birthday. But that wasn't why it was so unforgettable.
I remember begging them to let me get that motorcycle off of the truck and ride it through the field at my party. Dad said, "No buddy, you can ride it when we get home there is too many kids here." I answered with, "I know what I'm doing, I ain't gonna run over anyone." But he held his ground, as he always did, and needless to say I didn't ride my motorcycle at the party.
As soon as we pulled into our driveway at the house I started. I jumped out of the truck and started unstrapping that bad boy. Got my helmet on and fired it up like it was a Harley. I remember hearing my mom and dad, mom mostly, saying something about taking it easy and being careful. I think I heard something about paying attention as I crossed our street into the church yard across from us. Man I was gettin' it! Switching gears like a pro. Checking out all my switches and knobs. I had it down pat and was only on it for a few minutes. BAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM!
Something threw me off the bike, I flew backwards and my bike hit the telephone pole. I still think it was a Sasquatch that threw me off of the bike, because I had everything in control. I never saw that guide wire. I hurt myself and busted the left turn signal off of my brand new motorcycle.
You know what? You may think you have it all together this morning. Life is good and you are in total control. Why would I need Jesus, church or a Bible study? You don't understand Steve, things in my life are okay and I've got this...BAAAAAAAAMMMM! Watch out for those guide wires. Take heed lest you fall. Tomorrow you could be saying, "What just happened?"
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
It was my 12th birthday. I'll never forget it, even though it was twenty-six years ago. Mom and dad gave me a party at the church where we attended. It was in the park the church owned below the church building and I invited everyone I knew. My birthday cards were awesome and I received $92.00 from family and friends, which was really good back then. But then my dad pulled up with my brand new motorcycle. Baby blue, Yamaha 80, street and dirt edition. Oh, it had a headlight, turn signals, chrome details. It was an unforgettable birthday. But that wasn't why it was so unforgettable.
I remember begging them to let me get that motorcycle off of the truck and ride it through the field at my party. Dad said, "No buddy, you can ride it when we get home there is too many kids here." I answered with, "I know what I'm doing, I ain't gonna run over anyone." But he held his ground, as he always did, and needless to say I didn't ride my motorcycle at the party.
As soon as we pulled into our driveway at the house I started. I jumped out of the truck and started unstrapping that bad boy. Got my helmet on and fired it up like it was a Harley. I remember hearing my mom and dad, mom mostly, saying something about taking it easy and being careful. I think I heard something about paying attention as I crossed our street into the church yard across from us. Man I was gettin' it! Switching gears like a pro. Checking out all my switches and knobs. I had it down pat and was only on it for a few minutes. BAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM!
Something threw me off the bike, I flew backwards and my bike hit the telephone pole. I still think it was a Sasquatch that threw me off of the bike, because I had everything in control. I never saw that guide wire. I hurt myself and busted the left turn signal off of my brand new motorcycle.
You know what? You may think you have it all together this morning. Life is good and you are in total control. Why would I need Jesus, church or a Bible study? You don't understand Steve, things in my life are okay and I've got this...BAAAAAAAAMMMM! Watch out for those guide wires. Take heed lest you fall. Tomorrow you could be saying, "What just happened?"
Monday, May 1, 2017
Waiting on God to Move
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Do you remember what the Bible says in the very beginning? It says that God moved upon the face of the deep. God moved! I don't believe you're understanding this morning, God moved... I love it when God moves. I have read in the scriptures where people had no hope or answer for their situation and God moved upon their lives and rescued them.
Think about it... Moses and the people of Israel were standing with a great sea in front of them and a horrible army behind them. Then God moved... Joshua and these same children of God were standing before high walls of Jericho and were told to march around and around them. Then God moved... Gideon was facing over 190,000 enemies of God with his 300 men and then, yep, God moved... The world was full of sin and denial of God and His glory so He sent His Son to redeem sinful man and we saw God move... Soldiers were guarding a grave of a man that had lived like no other man, a man that had loved like no other man, a man that had died like no other man. Then it happened... God moved! With the greatest love we could ever know, He moved that stone away from the door and brought out His Only Begotten Son that we could have life! Amen!
At times in my life, when I feel that I need God to move, He doesn't do it in a whirlwind, earthquake or etc... It's in His Words. Thank you Lord for moving upon these holy men of God. Thank you for the sweet Holy Spirit that moved upon their lives, hearts, ears and pens as they wrote down the infallible word of God. Please move upon me and these others as we read it again this morning. You may be waiting on a spiritual song, spiritual sign, or etc... to happen in your life. Can I tell you that it's a shame for us to beg God to move in an awesome way in our lives while holding a closed Bible? Open it and let Him move.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Do you remember what the Bible says in the very beginning? It says that God moved upon the face of the deep. God moved! I don't believe you're understanding this morning, God moved... I love it when God moves. I have read in the scriptures where people had no hope or answer for their situation and God moved upon their lives and rescued them.
Think about it... Moses and the people of Israel were standing with a great sea in front of them and a horrible army behind them. Then God moved... Joshua and these same children of God were standing before high walls of Jericho and were told to march around and around them. Then God moved... Gideon was facing over 190,000 enemies of God with his 300 men and then, yep, God moved... The world was full of sin and denial of God and His glory so He sent His Son to redeem sinful man and we saw God move... Soldiers were guarding a grave of a man that had lived like no other man, a man that had loved like no other man, a man that had died like no other man. Then it happened... God moved! With the greatest love we could ever know, He moved that stone away from the door and brought out His Only Begotten Son that we could have life! Amen!
At times in my life, when I feel that I need God to move, He doesn't do it in a whirlwind, earthquake or etc... It's in His Words. Thank you Lord for moving upon these holy men of God. Thank you for the sweet Holy Spirit that moved upon their lives, hearts, ears and pens as they wrote down the infallible word of God. Please move upon me and these others as we read it again this morning. You may be waiting on a spiritual song, spiritual sign, or etc... to happen in your life. Can I tell you that it's a shame for us to beg God to move in an awesome way in our lives while holding a closed Bible? Open it and let Him move.
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