Help Me To Remember

Psalms 78:42

They remembered not his hand,

nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

Remembrance is very powerful. It can be a memory of good times or bad times. It could be a memory of one you would want to forget. Or it could be one you never want to forget. Did you know that our memories could last forever?  It's true. Think about the rich man feasting from his table one minute and dead the next. What happened to him?  It says, "In hell he lift up his eyes and were in torment. Then he begins to recall his life and all the good things that he had. Finally, the rich man, begins to think about his other brothers that he wanted to warn of this awful place. "Please send him back so he can tell my brothers. 

Imagine the memory of a last chance. Last invitation... They remembered not his hand. God has been there all the time for us. He has helped us and showed us His hand of guidance. We must remember that God delivered us from. He has delivered is from the enemy. Lord help me to never forget.

The things that I love

I hold dear to my heart

They are borrowed and

Not mine at all

Jesus only let me use them

To brighten my life

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Roll back the curtain of memory now and then

Show me where you brought me from and

Where i could have been

Just remember I'm a human and humans forget

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Nothing good have i done

To deserve God's own Son

I'm not worthy of the scars

In His hands

Yet he chose the road to Calvary

To die in my stead

Why He loved me i can't understand

Roll back the curtain of memory now and then

Show me where you brought me from and

Where i could have been

Just remember I'm a human and humans forget

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Just remember I'm a human and humans forget

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

I Ain't Tearing It Down!

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

For as long as I can remember, we have always had this small concrete block building behind the home of my parents. My dad built it years ago with money that his grandmother gave him. It doesn't hold much at all inside the building. Just some mowing equipment and a few tools. So I have told my dad on occasions that we needed to tear it down. His answer is an immediate, "NO! My granny gave me the money to build that building and I ain't tearing it down." He's nothing like the man in the Bible who tore down his smaller barns and built bigger. No, he's more like the guy who filled up the smaller one and then built another one, and another one, and another one.

As I think about this scripture today I think of those words from my dad... "I ain't tearing it down...someone gave me the money to build that!" To often people today are quick to destroy their home that has taken so long to build. A problem comes along or a bump in the home, people just walk away and abandon it altogether.

Stop and think for a moment. If you are a born-again child of God, isn't it God who gave you this family? Isn't it God who gave the means to build a home? Not the brick and lumber, but the actual home? Our scripture says, "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands." This would almost be like an artist who painted a masterpiece. One of their greatest works from their hands and destroying it with a knife or burning it in the fire. Maybe like a child working all day to build a beautiful sand castle with a bridge and flags on top, to only stand on top of it when they leave and destroy it. I know that the waves may attack and destroy it, or another child (the enemy) stomp on top of it because of jealousy, but to destroy it with your own hands doesn't make much sense.

What are you doing with the house that God has blessed you to build? Is the hammer in your hand building up or tearing down?

One Cup of Cold Water

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

If there ever was a scripture that spoke straight to my broken heart, it would be this one. Years ago when I first began to Pastor at a church, I was struggling with the calling He had put on me. I prayed so hard and God continued to call me to Pastor this church. I told the Lord that He would have to do it. He would have to show me how. He would have to give me a Pastor's heart for the people.  I had been in evangelism for about seven years and was comfortable with that calling.

I was at the church for about a year and a half and prayer was being made daily about what the Lord wanted me to do when an older member of that church asked me and my wife to attend a Pastor's Conference with them. I asked when it was and she told me that it was from Thursday until Monday. I turned it down because I knew there was no way that I could miss a Sunday of preaching. I was the Pastor of the church. I can't miss on Sunday! She wouldn't take no for an answer and neither would the church so they sent me and my wife to this conference.

Little did I know that I would drive from Warrior, Alabama to Jacksonville, Florida for a cup of cold water. Around me were fifteen thousand pastors and wives. So many of them who looked as if they had it all together and there sat me and my wife. I was twenty-five years old and she was twenty-three. I was looking for this huge answer. I was praying for the sky to roll back and for the Lord Jesus to say, "Steve, do this..." but what He gave me was in a one cup of cold water. Dr. Junior Hill stood on the platform that day. I had never heard him preach before, but when he spoke the Word of God it went straight to my heart. He used this scripture that we have read today. I don't have the time to explain all the words he spoke that helped me but as he spoke it was refreshing, just like a cup of cold water. When my questions and discouragement come in ministry, I think of this cup of cold water.

Maybe this morning you are thirsty and need a refreshing cup of cold water, may I tell you that Jesus is the one who can give you living water? I'm praying that someone comes your way today and gives you a cup of cold water. Maybe you could be the one who needs to give a cup of cold water to a thirsty brother or sister, do it. You never know how much of a blessing you can be with a simple cup of cold water.

What a Hothead

Proverbs 14:17
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly:...

Most of our ugliest moments in sin come from anger. Anger that is immediate or anger that is not dealt with. It's almost like a lion waiting to pounce at times. It lies there dormant and still until the right moment or the right conditions. It strikes with such force and passion that we say things like, "I didn't see that coming..." or "I can't believe I acted like that..." My absolute hated line I've used is, "I'm so sorry I said that.  I don't know where that came from."

Did you notice the scripture and how it tells us "soon angry"? Anger in itself is not sin or sinful. It can actually be a great driving force against evil and sin. Imagine the engine in your car. There you sit holding a steering wheel in your hand while a fireball is just feet in front of you. But the combustion fireball is controlled and contained. It's fiery force sends the power to the transmission and transfers that to the wheels. If it were not for the fireball you would be walking. The Bible even tells us to be angry and sin not.

But this scripture speaks of someone who is angered easily. A fireball that is quick and out of control. Everything said or done brings anger to them and they will deal with others foolishly. How can this change? Take the anger that is suppressed or hidden and deal with it. Don't be quick to react, but rather respond. Ask God to let the mind of Christ be in you.

Pray it with me this morning... Lord you know me better than anyone. You know my faults and my quickness to anger. Please forgive me and help me to learn better. Let my anger, if any, be controlled by your righteousness. In Jesus name... Amen

Sorry About Your Wait

Psalms 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord;and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

"Sorry about your wait." Don't you just love that statement? It is usually heard at the doctor's office, the bank, the DMV and among many other places. Now I know what you are thinking. They really aren't sorry right? Well some of them could actually be sorry that you had to wait for them... yea, you're probably right, not most of them.

What comes with waiting patiently? I remember as a child waiting for my birthday or Christmas to come. I really don't recall ever being let down because of my waiting. I also remember being told that I had to wait until I could drive a car or motorcycle. What about back in the old days of waiting till your parents got off the phone so you could call someone? I wonder how much time could we tally up that we spent waiting in our lives? Waiting is hard sometimes.

I am so glad that the scripture doesn't stop at the waiting patiently for the Lord. Don't get me wrong, I understand waiting upon the Lord and being patient with His answer. For He knows best and what is best for us. I love the latter part of this scripture. It actually helps me with my waiting patiently.

"He inclined unto me..." Can't you just see the Lord leaning over to listen at this point? Almost as if He cups His ear toward me with acknowledgment. Then look at the last portion... "and heard my cry."

God I will patiently wait upon you. I know that you are working it for good in my life and especially for your glory. I will wait because I know that you will hear my cry. You teach me to wait, but then you teach me how to wait. You're my Awesome God!

Just Another Morning?

Psalms 3:5
I laid me down and slept;
I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

Awake for another day right? "It's just another day and another dollar" some would say, but it's really not. God, who is rich in mercy me grace, has given you this day. Yes just like David we laid down last night and just like David we have awakened this morning, but believe me it's not just another day. This is the day that the Lord has made right? Sure it is! But it is also a day that the Lord has given.

During the Psalm, David was fleeing from his son Absolom. It is during one of David's darkest times. His son is pursuing him for his life and David says that everyone is against him. In the middle of his darkness he makes this statement in song. He says that he laid down and slept. In the weakness of running from his son, David needs some rest. He closes his eyes with the possible idea that he may never open them again. But God was gracious unto David and gave him another day.

Maybe you have woke up this morning with the same trials and perils as David did in his day. If so, try and not see it as just another day. Try and see it as a day that God has made, but also has given you to accomplish or change the situation that you are in.

What if today is the breakthrough day? Either way, it's a day. Not ordinary, but extraordinary. Not just another day, but rather one more day.

Walking, Standing to Sitting

Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Read this scripture over and over again and try and see it. No there is no secret code hidden in it. The thing that we need to see is very obvious.

First, we see the person who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, or stands with sinners in the way, or sits in the seat of the scornful is blessed. Blessed meaning favored and full of joy in God. We can see right off the bat that we are blessed people of God when we walk in His ways and honor Him with our lives.

Think of this, the older we get the slower our steps are. We struggle with the next steps sometimes to the point of having to stand or sit. Our age gets the best of us. Our strength is at a loss at times because of our age and it slows us.

Second, and the thing I want you to see today, is the slow effects of sin. Notice what God says happens to the person who lives ungodly. They start out walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Then find themselves standing now in the way of sinners. Eventually they find themselves sitting in the seat of the scornful. From walking, to standing and then to sitting.

Don't be tempted by the sin of walking in the counsel of the ungodly. If you listen to their counsel you will stop your walk and stand with them in their sin. If you stand and linger with sin and sinners you then will find a seat among the scorners.

Way Too Common...

Acts 2:44
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Common means shared by, coming from, or done by more than one. Our scripture this morning says that the first century church had all things common or together. They pooled their resources together and sold their goods because they thought the kingdom of God was coming immediately. These people shared their food as well as their struggles with one another. All things were common to them.

A few years ago I heard a testimony of a friend about he and his wife losing their baby to a miscarriage. Although I'm sure the doctor didn't mean any implications of unconcern, the doctor made a statement of it being a common thing. Something that happens often to young couples and mothers. My friend said, "It is maybe a common thing, until it happens to you." How true a statement! The sad truth is that we don't become concerned about something until it happens to us.

Years of war could go by overseas and no one becomes concerned but when our homeland is struck then it's not so common. Death happens around us all the time but it's blow of grief doesn't burden us until it strikes our family. Sin has become one of those things that happens more and more common today. It is openly paraded in our world, nation and God forbid even through our Christian churches. It is not something new, it is common, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't drive us to our knees in weeping prayer.

Sin has become so common today that maybe you are no longer effected by it. Maybe murder, abortion, rape, adultery, lies, theft, hate, and other common sins no longer tug at your heart. I remember, and also read in the Word of God, where people used to come before God weeping about the sinful condition of their world, nation, family and church. I'm afraid that sin has become so common that it's hard to even find the ones who will weep for the sin that they themselves have committed, much less the sins of others. Is it really that common to you today?

Thank You Lord For My Heartache

2 Samuel 24:10
And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Aren't you glad and thankful for the Holy Spirit? We all love when we worship and the Spirit begins to move upon our lives don't we? When we read in His Word something that we need, we love how God's Spirit hits us and speaks to us. What about when you've done wrong? Some would say that they really don't like that.

Seems like everyone loves it when the Spirit makes us happy, joyful or excited. What about when God strikes your heart when you are wrong? Why don't you rejoice at that?  Maybe I'm crazy, but I am so very thankful when the Spirit attacks my heart when I have sinned. It shows me that I belong to God.

Do you remember when you were young and got caught doing something you shouldn't have been doing? I know I can. I remember getting a whipping or having to sit out of playing because we did something we shouldn't have done. Some kids didn't get the whooping or discipline and I would wonder why. It didn't seem fair that my parents, who said they loved me, would discipline me like this. But now that I'm older I realize that it was their true love for me.

The next time you think God is picking on you or being unfair to you because of the foolish sin you have committed, try confessing it to Him. Really that's what He wants.

God I want to tell you thank you today for making my heart ache when I commit sin. Thank you for your discipline and love for me.

The First Thing

Philemon 1:4
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Would you consider prayer as a last resort or a priority? Seems that among believing Christians today they would view it as the last resort. Almost as if it is the final hope. No, no, no. Christians, we need to open our eyes to the truth today! Prayer is a priority privilege.

When thankfulness comes to our minds we should take it to God in prayer. When suffering comes to our lives, we should take it to God in prayer. When blessings come to our heart we, should take it to God in prayer. When temptation and trials come our way, we should take it to God in prayer. When questions and confusion come to our thoughts, we should take them to God in prayer. When sickness and disease inflicts our bodies, we should take it to God in prayer.

For some reason this phrase is common among the people of God... "I can't do anything for you but I can pray." What?! That is the best thing you could ever do. Prayer is the spoken or written faith to God about the situation at hand. It is asking in humility for the God of Heaven and Earth to hear your request. Prayer is knowing that He is listening and that He will answer in His time.

Hear me again, prayer is not a last resort. No, it is the first answer.

When I have been discouraged or burdened there is absolutely nothing that has filled my heart with greater joy than knowing that someone is praying.  To any who have ever prayed for me, thank you. Keep praying, always and forever.

No Need to Thank Me

Proverbs 27:2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;
a stranger, and not thine own lips.

How tempted we could be to praise our own works at times. Can I tell you something? That would be the flesh leading you to do so. I have been around some that I wanted to ask if it hurt or not. They were hard at work in slapping themselves on their own back.

Don't let these next things I say discourage you, but think about them. If your praise comes from yourself then wouldn't that be prideful and glorying in yourself? When you feel the need to tell of the things you do at work, or even the labor for God, this can lead to glorifying yourself instead of God. Now don't misunderstand me. When you are telling of what God has done in or through your life, Jesus always gets the glory. When you draw it out with "I, me, mine" that has a tendency to sound like self glorification.

Do this with me... Do your labor, whether for an employer or Christ Jesus, and let the labor speak. Let it show forth the glory of God. Don't bring praise and draw people to yourself, but rather let your praise be unto the Lord who has strengthened and guided you in this labor. If there is any praise , let it not come from your lips.

When I read this scripture I think of what I heard once about a woman who cut the grass, washed the car, clothes and dishes. She fed and changed all the babies, and even did the taxes. The man knowing he should also help, bent over and picked up a piece of trash that had fallen from the garbage can. Instead of throwing it away, he brought it into the room where his wife was and said, "Can you believe this fell out of the trash? I got it though, no need to thank me."

May I Have Some More

James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

As if His grace wasn't enough, He tells us that He gives more grace. Maybe today you think that God's grace is running low. Maybe you think there is some kind of shortage on the grace of God. I want you to know that nothing could be farther from the truth.

Have you ever stopped to think of the grace of God? This grace is best explained as...God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace is a sinless man being born unto a virgin woman. This same son living a life of honor and devotion unto His Father's will. Being obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. This same grace is found in His Father raising Him from the dead. Then the grace of all grace, Jesus reaching to your broken heart to save you and lead you home. Wow! That's enough right?

As I heard a friend preach once, "But wait there's more!"  What about when you are hurting? What about when you need a healing? What about when you are dying? Is His grace available for this also? Yes, yes, yes! He giveth MORE grace.

But there's a catch. What's that you say? You must leave your pride aside. I have seen, and still see it today, that many people can't find the grace they need because of their pride, our pride. I know men who will hold on to their pride until they die. They would rather die thinking they had pride, when what they really needed was grace.

Grace is found in humility. When we realize that we don't deserve this grace our God extends to us,  we can then receive it. Remember when dinner was so good that you would ask for more? Lord, may I have some more of your undeserved grace today?

Need Help?

Isaiah 50:7
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

I have needed help on many occasions and felt like I could find none. Have you ever felt this way? Maybe you're just like me. Maybe you don't get the help you need because you haven't asked for help.

I am the worst person at asking someone to help me. It's just not in me. I suppose I could say it was because of the way I was raised. I could probably say it's because I don't want to bother anyone. But the fact of the matter is that sometimes we all need help and we don't ask. How much burden could we relieve if we would just simply ask for help in the beginning? So often I have tried to do things all on my own and end up being so physically beat that I became hurt or even sick.

Now on the other hand, I have always loved to help others. I would help stranger or friend, doesn't matter to me. I love to help and I can't stand it when people won't let me. Then one day it hit me... I love to help and won't let people help me. That's wrong. Other people may love to help and I may be like the ones who won't let them.

Think of this... Our Lord loves to help and will help. But will you let Him? Have you asked Him? Today before you leave for work or school, ask for help from our Lord. He would love to do it. Don't try it on your own.

Thank you Lord for all your help in my life. I know that I could never do it without you! I love you.

To Know Him More

Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Can we stop for a moment this morning and think of something? First, how much do we know about Jesus? And second, how far are we willing go to follow Him? Think about it before you read on.

Most of us know about Jesus, really much of the world knows of Jesus, but do we KNOW Him? There is no question that Christ knows us. The scriptures tell us that He loved us and died for us while we were yet sinners. When we say we know Jesus, what do we actually mean? We know that He loves us. We know that He gave His life for us. We know that He is willing to rescue and save us. We know that He has promised to protect and supply our our needs according to His riches in glory. We know that He will walk with us every step of the way. To follow someone like this should be simple right? I mean it is basically laid out that He will help in every step and situation when we call on Him. So why don't we follow like we should?

Maybe it's because all we really want are the thornless roses. We want Heaven without death. We want blessings without sufferings. We want a perfect life without any persecution or trials. But once we get to know Jesus, the one from our Bible and not the one some preach today, we understand that He suffered all of these things that we are discussing. He endured them all so that He could say, "I'm here right beside you, I know exactly how you feel, come on one more step." So many think of Jesus as the way out... No, He is the way through and to!

Could you be honest enough this morning to say that you would like to know Jesus more? Can you say it like Paul did? "That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;" Lord lead me on... I'm following you.

If...

2 Timothy 2:12-13
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Don't you love the "if's"? An if is almost always inserted to bring you to an action or decision. Like this for example... If you come to my house, I'll cook you dinner. If you will cut my grass, I'll pay you for it. If you will come to church I think you'll enjoy it. Some of them at times could also point out a definite truth. Just like in our scripture this morning.

Look at what He is telling us. "If we suffer..." Can I say this before we go further? We will suffer. There is no need for an "if" here. We will have trials and suffering in this life. Jesus has already told us this. But our scripture says that if we suffer, we will also reign with Him. Our suffering cannot be compared to the glory that we will share in with Him.

Then it says a truth that needs a decision. "If we deny Him, He will also deny us:" It's hard to understand, but there are many who deny the Lord Jesus. Notice though that He says "if". This means that you don't have to deny Him. You can choose today, right now, to love and serve Him. But know this... If you choose to deny Him don't be shocked when He denies you before His Father.

"If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: he cannot deny Himself." There is nothing more that I would love than for you to believe upon Jesus. My joy would be so full if you surrendered your life to Christ right now. But I understand that I cannot make you. God himself cannot make you, or better yet, will not make you. You can choose to believe right now. You could also choose to not believe in that same manner. But can I tell you that it will not take away from God if you choose to not believe? Also it will not add to God if you choose to come and believe upon Him. God is God.

There are some big "if's" out there for you this morning. Go over them carefully. I love you all!

Follow Me!

Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

A few years ago I went to the place of my birth, Fort Benning, GA. I was born in Martin Army Hospital on the base of Ft. Benning. I was just curious about my beginning I suppose. As we toured the Army base and local town, one of the stops that I wanted to make was at the infantry museum. My dad was an infantry man and I had heard great things about the museum.

When we arrived I saw this huge statue. It was labeled, "Follow Me." I looked at this bronze statue for a moment and tried to think about it being a real soldier. You know what? After reading more and more... Major Eugene Wyles was his name. He is the one who posed for the statue but has always maintained that it was not him, but the infantry men and their spirit.

This statue was a soldier waving his comrades forward with a rifle in his hand. On his face was an expression of urgency to move forward. "Follow Me!" you could almost hear him say. Oh, the men that took in this statue and followed the one in front of him. With every step, knowing that their leader would not lead them astray. Knowing that their leader was in the front taking them to the battle lines of war. Never alone, never left to fight by themselves, always someone there to fight along side of and definitely never, and I mean never leaving anyone behind. Can you hear him? "Forward men! Victory is just ahead... FOLLOW ME!" (Thank you to every one of you reading this who have followed and currently follow. I pray for you often and my family and myself are grateful.)

Today, right now, I'm asking you to follow Jesus! With all the urgency I can muster up, I'm pleading with you to follow Jesus. While I have no doubt that the men who were encouraged to follow this soldier gave everything they had, some even their lives, Jesus must be and has to be the perfect man to follow. Jesus is the only one that I know whose leading has never failed.

Before you decide this morning please understand one thing. Just as the steps of this soldier were not easy or rosey, to follow Christ doesn't mean that it will be easy or everything gravy so to say. The Christian life is a difficult one. Just as the struggle for all the soldiers who followed this man into battle, so it is with the Child of God who follows Jesus. But as promised by Him, He will be there every step of the way. As one Army leader said, "I'll be the first one on the battlefield and the last one off." Christ has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee... I am with thee always, even unto the end."

FOLLOW ME!

Waiting for Daybreak

Psalms 130:6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning:
I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Can you see the people of Israel camped around the tabernacle? Each in the divisions of tribes camped out... three on the west, three on the east, three on the north and three on the south. The night has engulfed them, and all but the fire of God is burning over the holy of holies. They look on in wonder and somewhat fear. That holy fire of God representing the presence of their holy God. But in that night, that is not the only fire that they visibly see. A fire toward the entrance of the gates is seen. It is the fire of the brazen altar. One that continually burned in judgment toward sin.

I can see the Israelite children as parents tucked them into their sandy, wilderness beds. The glow of the presence and judgment of God looming across the ceiling of their earthly tents. Steadily, the fire of the altar is burning as the family falls to sleep hoping for the morning to rise. Over night the fire of the altar dwindles down. All that is left before the night finally falls are embers and a small flame or two.

As the day begins to break, the priest and levites have made their way to their tabernacle duties. One begins to stoke the fire at the brazen altar while the others trim the wicks, check the bread, offer the incense upon the golden altar. Then the morning sacrifice is placed on the brazen altar and the fire laps up the flesh, signifying judgment of sin being atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. The morning wind begins to blow....

As the sun rises, the families are waking up and coming out of their tents to help the tribe. The wind blows in the smell of the sacrifice on the altar. "What's that smell dad?" says one of the children. A dad turns with tears and says, "That's God's mercy son." Oh what joy to know that the lamb had taken their place. Although the judgment seemed to loom over their heads during the night, when the day broke in the morning they found out that God was merciful, forgiving, and graceful!

My soul will wait for you Lord! More than those that wait for the morning! This world may get dark. Judgment may seem as if it is looming over me but the Lamb has taken my place! My sins are gone and I could wake up tomorrow to the daybreak of my first day in Heaven. I'll wait!

That Cat Was Getting It...

Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I know you may think I'm crazy, but then again there wouldn't be much change in your view of me. While I was driving my morning school bus route the other day I saw something that I really needed to see. I love how God reveals Himself in everything. Sometimes we don't see it because we don't have our eyes open or looking for Him.

When I pulled up at a routine home, I saw a big, fat, white dog. I've seen this dog on numerous morning routes. I know the owner and also know that she is eating well. She is an outside dog with an inside home life. So needless to say, she lacks for nothing and fetches the same (hahaha). On this morning things were much different when I pulled up. See a black cat had pranced across the yard of this dog. In just one glimpse, this dog was getting it! She took off after that black cat in a blink of an eye. Now this cat knew her prancing days were over and she better do something quick. That cat was gone! It jumped up in the air, then ran down the side of that brick home. It was out of that yard!

As I saw this I couldn't help but laugh. Then God nudged my heart. I began to cry and pray, "Lord, let that be me! Do that same thing for me! When my flesh prances itself in my life, please let your Spirit in me be strong and well fed so that it runs that fleshly desire away." Our scripture tells us this morning how we can feed the white dog (Holy Spirit) enough to run off the old black cat (flesh). Don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

You know what? I'm sure that old black cat will come back someday. But I guarantee you that it won't be so prissy and prance across the lawn this time. Because that white dog will be waiting and maybe, just maybe this time he will be fed enough to catch him.

Stayed A Little Too Long

2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

Some people for years have taught that David's sin was committing adultery with Bathsheba. But long before he saw her in the bathtub he committed sin. It seems this sin is so common that it is now no longer viewed as sin at all. It's the sin of laziness, which in the case of David in this scripture, and in our case as well, was disobedience.

Can laziness be a sin? Yes! Now before you think I'm talking about sleeping in on a Saturday morning, I am not. According to scripture, laziness is the greatest downfall. Most every sin is hatched from laziness and carelessness.

David was a man of war. God had called and used David to defeat many people and countries in the name of the Lord. He was supposed to be there at war when the kings went forth to battle but David thought that he should take ease. So Joab and some servants were sent in his place. While they were winning the battle on the field of war, David was not so victorious. His tarrying at Jerusalem brought a wondering mind upon him. This is when he discovered Bathsheba. Now, had he gone to war this would have been avoided. Had he obeyed God and been the man God called him to be this wouldn't have happened. As much as David could have said, "The devil made me do it... She shouldn't have been bathing where I could see her... Uriah shouldn't have married such a beautiful woman..." he couldn't. It was his disobedience and laziness that brought this upon him.

Are you hanging around someone or holding on to something that you should let go of? Don't be lazy and think, "Oh, I've got plenty of time and it's really no big deal they don't need me today." Get away from it! Get rid of it! Confess your sin unto Him today. Even if you think it's the smallest thing, it's really not.

Playing Horseshoes

Mark 12:34

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

In this mornings scripture we really need to take the time to read Mark 12:28-34.  It will tell us of a scribe that came to Jesus with a question. This question dealt with what the first commandment was. Jesus answered him with, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."  Jesus told this man that loving God was the greatest of all commandments. 

When the scribe heard the answer of Jesus he responded with, "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:  And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."  The scribe knew his commandments. He was very well learned in the word of God. 

Look at what the response was from Jesus... "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."  Don't you wonder sometimes why Jesus didn't say, "Exactly! Surely you will be with me in the kingdom of my Father"? Jesus said, "Thou art not far from the kingdom". 

This scribe was so close, but yet so far away. Many people believed, even today still believe, that keeping commandments is all that you need to do. But the word of God continually tells us differently. When it comes to salvation, it's by Grace through Faith!  Keeping commandments without placing our faith in Him can be done by many people but only for a little while. But keeping His commandments after we have placed our faith and lives in His hands is a lot easier to walk in and keep. 

This scribe depended on his actions to save him. Why would you play horseshoes with your salvation?  It's not about how close you can get to perfection or being good. It is about surrendering our lives to Jesus. It's about getting closer to Him everyday. Ask King Agrippa about playing with horseshoes in Acts Chapter 26. So close!

But It's Mine!!!

Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Have you ever just sat and watched children play? Yes, those little so-called angels of yours? When it is just one of them there really is no trouble. When you add another one, well now you've got something. I always loved it when my boys were little. Oh the things they would say to one another! Such words of kindness, gratitude and love. Hahaha, not always. One of the phrases that I remember each of them at times saying in a loud and ever so loving voice was... "That's Mine!" I can remember Patti telling them both to come to her and the whole time still yelling, "But Mom, it's mine!"

Listen to David this morning in our scripture as he says the same statement. He tells God, "It's my sin Lord and it is ever before me." You know something that is very funny? When our boys were little, and even at times today, when we pointed out something that had been broken, torn or messed up they immediately became generous. Why their love took over and instantly they gave all the credit to the other brother.

David could have easily said, "Lord, I couldn't help it. She was bathing out in the open. God, everyone else is doing it." No, David said, "It's mine." You know, sin doesn't catch us by surprise. It is the result of wrong thinking, wrong actions and disobedience. Sometimes temptation creeps up and smacks us right in the face, but sin is our choice. Children of God listen this morning... We have a choice when it comes to disobedience. When we can realize that it is OUR sin and not the cause of Satan or someone else, we can find forgiveness. Oh the grace of God that we can have if only we say, "It's mine Lord, please forgive me!"

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer