Cover Your Mouth

Proverbs 30:32
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Oh how many times the hand of my mom or dad came around the back of my neck to cover the words I was in mid-stream of saying or about to say. Do you remember those days? Think of how every time you had a cold or cough and people would tell you, "Cover your mouth!" You would have been coughing for days, hour upon hour and sometimes forget but Praise the Lord there were always those germ police to enforce the law. (I'm joking, it was for a great benefit)

Let's read our scripture again this morning. It says if we have done foolishly by boasting or lifting ourselves up then to put our hand over our mouths. This simple means to stop. Stop lifting up ourselves. Stop the pride and arrogance of praising our works. As Christians we should understand that there is nothing that we can do apart from Christ who dwells in us. People used to say to me, "Be careful up there on that high-horse, it's a nasty fall from that height." What could we actually boast of that we do? Think of it like this... I love to build with lumber. I love the design, cutting, fabricating of it all. I love to stand back and know that I have been able to do something like that, but I can't take the credit. God, who loves me so, taught me and gave me the strength and ability to do these things. It is the Lord who receives all credit.

Also our scripture says something that really speaks to me. If we have an evil thought, put our hands over our mouths.  Hahahaha, don't you love the way God is so plain in His wisdom that He speaks to us? Some think that in order to understand the scriptures we need a PHD or high education. No, it is simple. It's always and only understood through the Spirit of the Lord.

God is telling us that it is best to walk around with your mouth covered than to spew out the contagious, evil bitterness and pride. I would love to see Christians put their hands over their mouths before they pass it along. Let's learn a lesson from God today and "Cover Our Mouth".

Still as Strong!!!

Joshua 14:6-11
Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

This scripture gets me so excited! I love to hear Caleb's testimony here. He is saying to Joshua that he is as strong in his faith than ever. He starts by reminding him that he was forty years old when he started this journey of faith and now he is eighty-five. But something he says really stirs up my heart. He says, "I have wholly followed the Lord." Wow! What a faith and trust in the Lord.

Caleb was just like us. He heard the people and their negative reports on the land. I imagine that everytime he got pumped up and excited about going into the promised land he heard the voices of those naysayers. Maybe Caleb would have a few men gathered around him saying, "Men, brethren, the land is just over that horizon. We can do this! God will be with us!" Then those around him murmuring, "Yeah, like He was in Egypt? Someone told me that the people in this land were twice as big as the Egyptians..." "Yea, we're like grasshoppers to them..." another would say. And as Caleb said, the people's words would melt their hearts. The sound of discouragement often made the people feel defeated.

Caleb wholly followed the Lord. Would you? Or better yet, do you? Even when the people tell you how worthless your stance is? Even when the naysayers degrade the Word of God that you have preached for years?

Caleb said that his strength was strong then, and today it's still as strong, in faith as well as in body. Thank you Lord for my calling! It is just as fresh today as it was in the day you called me. The Gospel is just as true and powerful today as it was back then when I trusted and believed.

Passing Him Along

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Lately one of my strongest prayers is that I would leave the truth of God's Word with my family, especially my sons. I find myself focusing my prayers toward making a difference in the lives of those around me. Not that I want to be remembered or anything prideful, but that my life would make a difference through Christ and for the cause of the Gospel. I have prayed, "God I don't want to be better than others, I just want to be the best I can be."

There have been many, many saints of God that effected my life. Some are now walking the streets with Jesus Himself while some are still walking beside me. I often reflect and think of their ministries and they way they ministered to me. The other day I passed a church sign that a member hand made. I remember him welding the posts and painting the sign. Every year during the spring and summer, when the grass would grow, he would make sure that the grass was cut and everything looking good around that church sign. Well my friend passed away and went home to be with Christ. After about two years the sign began to fade and the grass was overtaking the sign. A few months ago I passed by this same sign and you couldn't even see the name of the church.

God really began to show me something. Too often our ministries die with us. We somehow forget, or just don't know how, to pass on our ministries to those around us. Is it because we are the only ones who thinks it is important? Is it because we are too prideful? I think it's probably because we don't know how to ask people to help us or how to pass it along.

Let me ask you something, Will your ministry die with you? Will your legacy die with you or will you somehow pray that you can teach your children? Will those that replace you in your life love and respect the Lord like you do?

Block Down

Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

I know that many of you reading this are preparing for the football season to begin this year. I see the commercials priming everyone for ticket sales. I see our local high school practicing every afternoon in hopes of the winning season. With all of the hype of football around us, I thought of this scripture. 

It makes me think back to some great speeches that were given to us in football practice during high school. As we would practice with the hogs (offensive and defensive linemen) coach would tell us that we needed each other. He would say, "If you see your buddy next to you getting handled, then if possible, block down for him." 

Do you know what one of the hardest things for a big strong lineman was? Knowing you were getting beat and asking someone for help. But there were times that we knew if we were gonna overcome and score that we needed help. Thankfully we had some guys who would be team players and help with a block. 

What if they were alone? What if the one beside them didn't want to help? Well I've got great news. JESUS said He would never leave you and that He is always ready to block down for you. 

Lord, thank you for others beside me who are willing to block down in my life. My wife, sons, parents, brother, deacons, church and friends. But most of all You! 

Muddy Shoes

Psalms 40:2
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

I had an opportunity to help with some friends of mine in laying sod in their new yard. The job was huge, but there was a lot of help and we got the job done pretty efficiently and fast. One of the obstacles was that the night before it had rained... a lot! So needless to say the soil was wet and clotting on our shoes.

As I was laying the sod alongside other workers, I begin to inquire about who they were. Some were from churches, others from Christian-based programs. One man begin to tell me his story of coming to Christ. He told me of his life of crime and prison before he came to Christ through this program. He then began to share of how he reunited with his parents, who also didn't know Christ. He said, "I didn't try to push it on them, I just tried to show them what happened to me." He said his parents now know Christ and attend worship also. All this was said through tears in his eyes.

Remember now that during all of this...the sun was beating down on an August day and my feet were sore because they now weighed much more than when I started. Step after step, the mud just kept on building on my shoes. But then it came! We finished! I was so ready to change my sweaty clothes and get those heavy shoes off. Finally I reached down and slipped them off. I'm not sure but I think my feet shouted for joy!

All they way home from working that day I couldn't help but think about this man that Christ saved. Did you know that my life was the same? Step after step in the sin of the world my life became so bogged down. I was so tired and defeated because sin ruled my life. Then Christ came and pulled me out of the miry clay of sin. He set my feet upon a rock, The Rock, Jesus Christ. Those old muddy shoes that me and my sod laying friend used to wear are now sitting at the foot of the cross.

Lord, thank you for the simple parables and illustrations that you show me everyday. You help me to see  and understand you so much better. I love you!

I Have a Question

Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

After reading this scripture this morning let's just dive straight into the point. Have you given Jesus your all? This woman came and placed everything that she had in to the ring. Now don't misunderstand me at all, I'm not speaking about money or tithing. I have found out over the years that the tithing will handle itself when people are right with God and excited about serving. No, what I am asking you is if you have given Jesus everything?

Have you surrendered your life to Him? Surrendered to His Lordship and authority? There can be no room for giving God half of your life or even a percentage of your life. You must surrender it all. Is there a way that you can have your old life and the new life in Christ? No. The old must perish and the new must flourish.

Lastly this morning, have you given all your sin unto Him? Is there anything that is holding you back? An unconfessed sin is like a infection. It lies dormant at times but is still there, lurking throughout the body. It continues to build slowly and steadily until finally it has your body into complete subjection and defeat. Allow the Holy Spirit to point it out to you this morning. Confess them all. No matter how small you believe they may be, sin is still sin.

So I leave you with the question, Have you given it all to Jesus?

Ready, Set, Go!

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.

Do you know that God has a specific thing for you to do? I mean God has a plan for your life. You remember David in the Bible don't you? He was a great man of war for the Lord. Many battles were won because of the leadership and calling of King David. But there is one thing that David wanted to do and it was to build the Lord a house. God told David that he could not do that because his hands of war shedding blood, but he told him that his son Solomon would do it. He promised days of peace for Solomon and that he would build the house of God in those days.

Then the story comes to this portion of scripture. "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God;" When is the time? Now! What should we do? Set our hearts and souls to seek God. Turn all of our attention upon Jesus and His plan for our lives.

Then secondly He says that we should arise. In other words we should get set! Set to do the work. We should gather up the plan, desire and means to accomplish what God is using us to do. If you are set for the work then you must have first been ready for it.

Last of all, He tells us to do. He tells us to go. He told Solomon to build the house. What's great is that his father David prepared the means and materials for the house of God. He made sure that his son was equipped to fulfill the call God had for his life. So then Solomon built it!

What about you? Are you ready? Are you set? Then Go!

Check-Up Time

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Years and years of my life I dreaded going to the doctor. Every time I had to go for a checkup, or because I was sick, I knew what they would say... "Mr. Abney, son, you could stand to lose a few pounds." Over and over those words would be spoken to me. They would say, "Your blood pressure is high, Your BMI is high, Your sinus infection is bad, Your diabetes is high..." Telling me this as if I didn't already know. Then the only thing that they would lower would be my checking account after paying for copays and medication.

Well listen to God's word this morning. It tells us that we need to examine ourselves. We should test and see if we are truly in the faith. We should prove or try ourselves. Do you know where my desire to care for my body came from? A self examination! I was displeased with myself and the destruction of my body. God convicted me time and time again, but on one particular day I looked myself over. I tested and tried myself and saw that it wasn't any one's fault but my own. So I asked for help and Christ helped me.

Let me ask you something this morning... Where are you in your walk with Christ? How is your faith in Jesus right now? Will you do something? Will you take the time to examine yourself this morning? Before you do anything else, take a few minutes to see where your relationship is with Christ. If we are honest with Him in prayer today, He has probably said, "You could stand to lose a few habits, You're low on desire, You're low on studying the scriptures, You're low on your prayer life." Ask the real doctor to help you spiritually to become better.

Is There Any Wonder?

Matthew 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

It is with a broken heart that I write you this devotion today. As I have tried to wrap my head and heart around the situation of our churches and society I have come to this conclusion... Is it any wonder? We seem to blame the children and teenagers of our day for the sinful society in which we live. But I must tell you that I have seen the root of it all.

We complain about the sexual promiscuity of young teenagers but yet tell them to overlook the adultery involved in an affair. We hear the tragic stories of young men and women hooked on meth while parents pop Loritabs and other prescription drugs as if they are candy with no reason. We send our children to school for learning in a safe environment while the wolf behind the desk is luring them into their bedroom for after school sex. We tell them to not drink and then have a "dad" or "mom" night out drinking with the friends. We stand before the ministers of the Gospel and promise to love, honor and cherish one another until death do we part and then go to the lawyer to get our divorces. We make our vows at church and cut the ties at the courthouse!

Is there any wonder why children don't listen? Is there any wonder why our generation of youth and young adults don't understand the truth? Why they don't understand the words...commitment, security, peace, honor, truth and holiness? It's because of those around them that honor, or say, one thing but live another. With their lips they say one thing, but with their hearts they live another.

In my adult years, I have heard preachers declare themselves one thing while sleeping with multiple women. I have witnessed presidents who have declared, and took what used to be the position of the most honorable man in the United States of America, only to defile it by fornication and lies. Is there any wonder that people don't know what to think?

God raise up some men like Daniel! Raise up some women like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was blessed among women. God raise up some Elijah's who will build your altar! Send leaders who will seek you, and if they fall to sins deception help them to be honest and seek you in forgiveness. In Jesus' name and for His Glory I pray this - Amen

Fixing Our Woes

Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

What is "Woe"? It is anguish, grief, affliction, sadness, misery, calamity or trouble. God says that all these things are upon those that call evil good, and good evil. I know that it is hard to believe, but we have some that are attempting this very thing today among us. I can remember back in the eighties, when I was growing up, we would say, "Man, that is bad!" But what we meant was that whatever we were talking about was really good or awesome. Parents would make fun of us because they knew we had our words backwards.

But this morning, it takes on a whole different meaning. We have taken evil things that are really bad and have called them good. We have taken sports players that have raped, beaten and lived such a drug and alcohol abused lives and called them heroes. We have promoted people who have once been portrayed as a man and now as a woman. We call them brave and heroic. We take the unnatural lifestyle and call it an alternative lifestyle. We have taken the sanctity of marriage and reduced it to just a common agreement. We have committed the sin of adultery and call it an affair. Is there any wonder why we have such anguish, grief, affliction, sadness and misery in our society today?

Society is passing out light bulbs with no filament to produce light. We've traded our sweet Spirit for sour sins. We have to stop calling evil good and good evil. Lord please help us by shining your light upon us. Help us to allow your sweet Holy Spirit to guide us.

You Ain't Shoutin' Yet?

Nehemiah 9:16-17
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

As I read the scripture today I want to shout! First, go back and read what God had done for the children of Israel. He chose them and brought them out of bondage. He lead them to a land that flowed with milk and honey. He removed those that were in it and gave the land unto them. He blessed and blessed them more than they could have ever imagined. Oh what a God we serve! He has done this very thing for us as well. He redeemed us from the death and slavery of sin. He leads us into a better life through walking with Him. So amazing is our God.

But look at what these scriptures tell us. After every thing that God had done for them, they dealt proudly with God. They walked away from His commandments. They didn't even care about the wonders and creation of God. Even in their rebellion, they appointed a captain who brought them back into bondage. Doesn't this want to make you shout, "What are you thinking!?"

But my reason for shouting comes next in the scriptures... "But thou art a God ready to pardon , gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not" Come on now! That ought to make even the deadiest person shout! Although they rebelled, He was ready!  Although they sinned, He pardoned.  Although they were unmerciful, He was merciful. Although they hardened their necks, He reached down His hand. Although they forsook Him, He didn't forsake them.

You ain't shoutin' yet? Oh, what a God we serve! He's ready to pardon! He's gracious and merciful! He's slow to anger and of great kindness! He has never left you or forsaken you! What about now? Shoutin' yet? You should be!

What's In Your Mouth?

1 Kings 17:24

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

Don't you love how parents of small children are always on their toes?  They walk around with this look of awareness. They are always watching, eyes scanning, and radar antenna up at it's highest point. Ready to ask those questions... Where are they? What are they doing? What are you eating? What is in your mouth?  I know it's not funny, but it does bring a smile to my face at times. 

Look at what this woman said about the prophet Elijah. She said, "The word of The Lord in thy mouth is truth". She not only believed that this man's words were the very words of God, but she believed that the words were true. True because he believed them and obeyed them. Today there is a problem with many who claim the word of The Lord out of their mouth but don't believe it or live it. When we do this we make the Word of God seem false (although it never will be false because of our actions). We will be false prophets of his word. When we proclaim something, and live in a totally different way, we are false and the Bible calls us liars. 

So I ask you this morning... What's in your mouth?  What you speak should be what you are. If we say we are of Christ, then we should follow after the ways of Christ. If we say it, we should live it!  What's in your mouth?  Is it God's words? Is it true?  

Lord let the words of my mouth be honest, true and simply about you!

Chewing on the Fat

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

My wife loves to eat a steak that I have cooked for her, but she will not eat the fat around it. She will get nauseated just thinking about it. Since I know this weakness of hers I will cut my fat off and tease her with it. She will not even look at it. Sometimes we will eat with people that love to eat the fat on their steak. I make it a point to show her (hahaha). There they are, chewing and chewing on the fat. They say, "This is what makes it taste better". 

In our Bible teaching today, some have adopted this way of cooking. They think if we add our thoughts (the, "I think it means this" attitude) that it will taste better. And evidently it does because so many are eating it up...chew after chew. A theory of adding flavor or searching the scriptures with a preconception of what it should tell us instead of what it does tell us is prevalent among many, many people today. 

But the Word of God needs no flavoring!  It needs no additive!  It needs no fat added to the edges!  It is told to us this morning that we should pray for the right dividing of the scriptures. Many Christians never open their Bibles until a question about how they are living is asked of them. Then they read through God's Word in order to try and prove their point. Adding flavor and fat along the way. Many people are chewing on the fat today because it tastes good, or sounds good. Many Christians are even serving people their own portion (theories) to people as if it were God's Word. 

If you hear nothing else this morning please hear this. The meat of God's Word is enough!  It's our nourishment. 

Psalms 119:140

Thy word is very pure:

therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalms 119:89

For ever, O Lord,

thy word is settled in heaven.

Thank you God for your Word. I love it!

Wait for it... Wait for it...

James 5:8

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Don't you love waiting in line?  I'm going to be honest with you, I hate it!  Especially when those you are with just love to see you squirm. They stand there in line watching you. They say things like, "Patience is a virtue... Good things come to those who wait..." Don't misunderstand me, it's not that I will not wait, it's that I just don't like waiting. 

Now before you get that holy look in your eye I'm pretty sure that just about everyone of us is this way at sometime or another. You see I might not like waiting outside a stadium to get into a football game but you don't mind. But you may not like waiting in a doctors office for them to see you, but it doesn't bother me. We all at times are impatient in waiting for things or something to happen.

I remember one time meeting a older man that thought my patience was silly. I was cutting grass for the place I worked and he approached me. He was bringing me a cold drink. I thought he was awesome!  As we began to talk he asked me where I was from and what else did I do besides cutting grass. I told him that I was a preacher of the Gospel. Then he replied with, "I've heard that Jesus was coming back all my life an He hasn't come yet". To which I replied, "That doesn't mean He is not coming". 

Let me remind you this morning that the coming of our Lord is sure. He will come again. He told us that He would and He even added that if it wasn't the truth that He would have never told us in the first place. The word of God tells us to wait for Him. Although I don't like waiting sometimes, I'll gladly wait for Jesus. Maybe you think He should come now or should have already come. Be patient, He will come when the Father tells Him.

Remember, just because he hasn't come yet doesn't mean He's not coming at all. Look up, it could be today!

Dealing With Us

Psalms 119:65

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,

O Lord, according unto thy word.

Doesn't The Lord know how and when to speak?  You could be minding your own business and He speak in such a powerful way. Or you could searching and searching and miss it because you are looking for Him to open the windows of Heaven and speak through thunder and lightning. 

In Job 38 & 40, God spoke to Job in a whirlwind. How cool would that have been? In 1 Kings, Elijah said that he searched for God in the earthquake, in the whirlwind, and didn't find Him there. But he found Him in the still small voice. Both men seeking God and found Him in different avenues. 

Whatever the avenue, it's still the word of God. He wants to speak to you today. You may be waiting on a whirlwind. Or even a still small voice. You may be waiting on a huge sign or something special. I want you to know that you've already got something special. You have the Holy Word of God. You have the #1 best seller of all times. You have the pure unadulterated Words of Jesus right at your fingertips. 

Stop asking for signs when they are written in His Word. Stop listening for thunder and listen to the Spirit as you read what He has told us. 

What are you waiting for? Talk to Him today, let Him talk to you.  

The Faithful God

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Have you ever heard... "I'll be there" only to disappoint you because there was no truth in it?  I've heard so many promises, but the crazy thing is the ones that were broken stick out the most. Why is that?  Maybe it's because they hurt us. Or because we depended on them the most and we were shocked when they were broken. Or it could have been because of the one who promised had never broken one until then. The Word of God tells us to not make a promise if we are not going to keep it. (Ecclesiastes)  

But you know something?  I think it's time for us to stop focusing on the hurts from broken promises. This attitude could cause us to miss out on the promises that have been made, and kept. By only remembering broken promises we will never trust future promises. 

We should learn to trust those who have never broken the promises they have made us. Like our Faithful God!  He is called "The Faithful God". Why is that?  Because He has never broken His promises. He told us that He wouldn't tell us of great things He has for us if it wasn't true. 

John 14:1-4

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Listen to the "Promise Maker" not the "Promise Breaker" He tells us that He will come back for us, Hallelujah!

Lord, Help Me Understand

Mark 9:32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

"The only dumb question, is the one not asked". Remember that statement? Every year, teacher after teacher would start off by saying this statement. We were taught that there were no wrong questions. This is an absolute truth!  

How much pain and confusion comes because we don't talk to the Lord? We are so often left in the dark because we don't want to ask a dumb question. God is our Father!  The greatest Father ever! He wants us to talk to Him. He desires us to ask of Him. 

He says if we seek for wisdom and understanding in our lives to come and ask Him. He wants us to ask through faith and not doubt it. 

James 1:5-8

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

He says the reason for our lack, is because we don't ask. And also, we don't have because we ask for the wrong reasons. 

James 4:2-3

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Have you talked to our Father this morning?  Have you asked Him the questions that are within your heart?  Are you afraid to talk to Him? Have you asked in love and the right desire and motive?  Then patiently wait for the answer. 

I Need This One...

Luke 10:39-42
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

"I need this!" is a phrase that I'm used to hearing. Now you may think that I'm speaking of hearing my wife or sons say this, but you would be wrong. It's a phrase that I often hear rumble through my head and rattle out of my mouth. I really don't think anyone has ever had any trouble buying birthday or Christmas gifts for me. I'm usually always blabbing about the things I need. If we go to the fishing stores... I need one of those... I need this... If we go to a music store... Oh, this is what I've always needed! I haven't been able to find one of these...boy I need it.

Isn't it always something that we need? Some have gone as far as telling God that He said He would supply all of our needs. God, I need this, I need that! Stop for a moment. Are you sure it's a need, or could it be a want? That's right, it is mostly a want or desire and almost never a need.

What is it that you think you need from God this morning? In our scriptures Martha thought that the need was for her sister to help in serving the meal. But Jesus said, Mary chose the one thing that was needful. What was the one thing needful? Worship, adoration, a heart seeking the Lord. Mary knew that she needed a moment at the feet of Jesus. Do you realize that all those other things that we think we need have an expiration date on them? Our ministries, service, etc... will eventually be taken away and given to another. But the one thing that is needful and can never be taken away from us is our time in worship, adoration, especially our times of prayer. People may preach in our place, they may serve in our place, they may labor in our place, but they can never pray and worship in our place.

Do you know what is carried all the way up the Heaven right now? Something that is significant and so personal that there is none alike? It's not a message preached or the seed sown. No, it's your prayers. They belong to you and your Lord. No prayer is the same and they go up before God right now as you pray them. It is your time with the Lord. It is the "ONE THING" that is needful for your life. Tell Him how much you need this time with Him today. I hope that you have realized what is needful.

Hide and Seek

Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

When we were kids our favorite game to play was hide and seek. We especially loved to play it when it had gotten dark outside. It was much easier for a chubby kid as myself to hide in the dark. I can remember all the counters leaning against a tree with their eyes closed and counting out loud. "1...2...3...4...5...20...21...22...25...Ready or not, here I come!" Then the search began. Around the sides of the house we would run. Scanning everywhere for a the ones that were hiding. Stopping every now and then to listen for the giggles of those who just couldn't be quiet. We would always stay close to the counting tree though because it was base and eventually those hiding would have to make it to the tree in order to be safe.

Maybe this morning you have leaned against the tree, counted out your prayers and now you are seeking for God. Let me tell you that He is not hiding. He has told us this morning that we shall seek Him, and FIND HIM. God has given you a promise. A promise is His commitment. It's His word and He will keep it. But don't just stop at the beginning of our scripture. Look at the most important part, which is at the end. "...when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Do you remember those kids who played hide and seek with you that would count, look for a minute or two, and then give up to go in the house? They wouldn't seek for us. They would love for you to seek them. They could hide forever, but when it came their time to count and come find you they would quit. Seemed like they always wanted to make up another game when they had to seek. Their hearts weren't in it. Maybe because the seeking part of the game was difficult or took effort.

You have closed your eyes, prayed your prayer, and now you wait for God to stick His head out and say, "I'm right here, do this...." What about seeking Him and the answer in His Word? Are you seeking Him with all your heart? Seriously, all of it? Or is that just too difficult and you want to change the rules up? God has given you a promise and it says that when you seek Him that you will find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart. My joy today is knowing that God isn't hiding from me! When I seek Him, He is found.

A Spirit-Filled Reminder

1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up on the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto thou hast attained.

Some people tie a string around their fingers so that they don't forget something important. Many set an alarm or reminder because they are so busy and never want to forget an appointment. The Word of God reminds us of something today.

First of all it reminds me to put the brethren in remembrance of these things. What things? All things! I should remind the body of Christ (Christians) every day of the words of our Lord. We should remind one another of what Christ has told us to do. We should set an alarm so that we are sure to be awake and doing the work of the Lord until He comes. Another thing, and sometimes difficult, is that we should remind one another that we are not our own but we are bought with a price. If we see a brother or sister in Christ doing something that is against or contrary to Christ, we should remind them.  So many times we are guilty of reprimanding them instead of reminding them.

What if you were to remind them instead of reprimanding them? Maybe show them in the scriptures where God has said to abstain or depart from whatever it is that Satan has convinced them is okay? I wonder what kind of reaction and responses we would get if we would be those who reminded people of their commitment to Christ? It could be that they realize the death found in that sin and repent.

Do you know how many times that I had to remind my boys of something dangerous? Even today, as they are a little older, I still remind them of certain dangers. I still remind them of commitments. I still even remind them to take out the trash! I have been guilty at times of not reminding them in the mornings and come home to reprimand them. What if I take the time to remind and bring it to their attention every day? What have I wasted? Nothing! I have actually headed off some heartache when I come home from work in the evenings.

Don't wait until people are waist deep in their sin to reprimand them for their Christian walk. No, remind them today that they are bought with the precious blood of Jesus and should strive to live holy until He comes. You know what you'll be if you do this? A good minister of Jesus Christ and that's all I've ever wanted to be since the day He saved me.

Fidget Spinners and Bell Bottoms?

Colossians 2:6-7
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Having been a preacher of the Gospel now for close to twenty-three years, let's just say I've seen a lot of things. Things that people call God, the Spirit, an answered prayer, a movement, etc... Some of them I believe were that very thing, but some of them were just the next big thing.

Have you ever stopped and taken notice of how our society runs? We seldom go back to things of the past unless they are revamped or revitalized. Sure, bell bottoms may have come back but thank the Lord they are gone again. Actually, I'm praying that these "skinny-jeans" find their way to the back of peoples closets. But seriously, we are designed as a people of society to jump on board with the next big thing. The biggest thing in 2017... a fidget spinner. People have gone absolutely crazy over these things. Only to find out that next year there will be something else that classifies as the "Next Big Thing".

I've seen people, who I believe are truly saved and disciples of God, allow themselves to do this very thing with their walk in Christ. They hop from ministry to ministry, church to church, pastor to pastor... in following the next big thing. In God's Word, He teaches us many times to be "rooted", "built up" and "established..." He tells us that the wicked are like the troubled sea. Wave after wave, big thing after big thing. They are always searching. He tells us that we shouldn't be this way. We shouldn't be searching for every new wind of doctrine, but be grounded and rooted.

Sometimes I want to tell these Christians to STOP! Be still for just one moment and listen to the Lord's calling on your life. There is nothing wrong with trying to find what God wants you to do, but once you know it... then do it. Stop always looking for the next big thing to come your way. Stop looking for the next big ministry, the next big church, the next big pastor or preacher. Stop looking for big positions to serve God in because if you haven't been faithful in the small positions He has given you then you will never be faithful, rooted, grounded, established and fruitful in the next thing He calls you to. Stop moving from place to bigger place, position to bigger position, ministry to the next big ministry. Get your eyes off of being the "next big thing".  If you don't, you'll be nothing more than a forgotten fidget spinner or a pair of bell bottoms that people talk about. "They sold like crazy when they came out. They were the next big thing, but not anymore." You'll be discussed as a big thing of the past and not something that is rooted and grounded in God's work today.

A Threefold Plan

Titus 2:6-8
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Isn't it funny that all of us can identify the problem with young men, but never give the solution? Well God gives a threefold plan for us today. Although this scripture applies to the young men, we could all learn a valuable lesson from it.

First He tells us that we should live right. We should be sober minded. Live in the Spirit and not in our own thinking and ways. In all things show a pattern of good works. This means to live according to God's Word in all things. Giving God glory in everything we do.

Second, we should be sound or grounded in doctrine. In our lessons of faith we should be established firmly and forever. Don't be corrupt in doctrine, but be sure, steadfast and unmovable. We should study the Word of God and its doctrine so that we understand how to live in Him. Think right!

Last and the most important, finding the words to say can be the hardest thing to do. How to say it or what to say. We could over think it at times and then again we could not think about it enough. The words we speak are so powerful! They have the power to build or break. They have the potential to be heard or ignored. Sometimes the words we choose to speak could be a matter of life or death. So God says let your speech be sound, not able to be condemned and speech that you will not be ashamed of that gives someone the oppotunity to say something evil about you.

It's a simple threefold plan laid out for us. Live right! Think right! Speak right! This is God's desire for us all. If you are a young man, remember this plan. When you don't know exactly what to do, follow these three steps.