You Can’t Handle the Truth!

Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Why? Why would we lie to one another? Sometimes I don't just don't understand the human nature. It seems like folks are so quick to lie or not share the full truth with one another. Why would this even be a problem among believers of Jesus Christ? Look at the last portion of this scriputre. It says, "we are members one of another."

If we are members of one another and on the same team, then why would we deceive one another with lies? We should be able to tell the truth to one another. We should be able to talk to one another in a loving way with the truth and no deception. We should be able and share things that are close to our hearts.

Why you ask? Because we are members one of another. We are in this battle of life together. God has told us to put away lying, envy, strife and anger. We should learn to forgive. We should learn to speak the truth. We should learn that we are a part of the family of God.

To everyone who has listened to my burdens and listened to me as I spilled my heartaches, thank you.  Thank you for speaking truth to me. It was in those times I needed understand and wisdom and you gave that to me. Thank you.

Flying Off the Handle

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

A hasty spirit or attitude will lead you in the wrong decisions. When we act out of emotions or in an irrational way we often end up hurting others and ourselves. Here in the south we call it flying off the handle. This illustration is as if we are chopping wood and the axe head suddenly shoots off the end of the handle. You have no idea where that axe head is going to land. There is no way of knowing the destruction that it could cause.

What if you were chopping wood with your children nearby and all of the sudden the axe head flew off? Can you imagine it spinning end over end headed toward a son or daughter? Makes you shiver when thinking about it. Well how much of a difference is there in that situation than when they are around you and you lose total control of your mouth, actions and aim?

If we knew that the axe head was loose, we wouldn't swing at another log. Why? Because we know its potential danger. Anger is the same way. Anger is not a sin. The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. But hasty anger is nasty anger! This type of anger rest in the bosom of fools. It is in the heart of the foolish. They choose to live with anger in their hearts.

Ask God this morning, right now, to remove any known and unknown anger from you. You don't want to end up looking like a fool because of hasty anger...believe me I know. Make sure that the axe head is secure and that you have your head on straight.

What’s On Your Mind?

Mark 14:72
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

"What's on your mind?" is a question frequently asked around my house. We are all always asking this question to each other. Whether it be to my wife, or my boys or even asked of me it happens a lot. "What's wrong? Whatcha thinking about? Are you thinking about something? What's on your mind?..."

Peter definitely had something on his mind. He recalled the conversation between him and the Lord. I know that I have had some conversations with my parents about things that happened to me only hours later. When it happened I quickly recalled those words spoken. I have also had a few of these conversations with my children and they remembered what I had said. Well when Peter heard this bird he immediately remembered what Jesus said and it brought him sorrow.

What is on your mind today? Has the Lord told you something to do, or not to do? Don't wait until it's too late or until you're looking backwards and remembering the words He spoke. Confess it now! Live for Him now and don't get stuck with sorrow from something that was on your mind that you should have done.

So I'll ask one last time, what's on your mind?

So Ugly, Even Maybeline Couldn’t Help

Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Bible is simple and very plain in its teaching. It is straight forward and also sound in its doctrine. Look this morning at a truth that is very simple, but yet one of the hardest things for people to understand. Let's look at these two things from our Lord.

First, He tells us that the person who covers up their sin will never prosper. This person will never be able to walk victoriously because their sin will always be there. Separating them from the Lord. Although it may be hidden from the world it is never hidden from God or that person. It will always be there as a sore or blemish that they attempt to cover up with makeup or medications. It could be fornication and adultery that someone attempts to cover up or it could be the lies and gossip that they spread and keep hidden. Either way, it will always be known by God and themselves. The Bible is very, very clear that the person who covers up their sin will NOT prosper at all.

Second, God's Word tells us the greatest answer for our initial problem. The same person who doesn't prosper because of their covered up sin can find forgiveness and receive mercy if they do one thing. What is this one thing? Confession! If you've lied, confess it. If you've committed sexual sin, confess it. If you have committed any sin, confess it. Don't cover it up, because when all is said and done God knows and so do you.

Sin is so ugly that even Maybeline can't cover it. It takes the blood of Jesus Christ to remove it.

Comfort in the Shade

Psalms 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Can there be anything better than sitting in the shade on a hot, sunny, Alabama day? I'm sure some of you just said, "Sitting inside in the air conditioning." But seriously... There's not many things or many feelings that are better than finding shade on a hot and sunny day.

The sun could be beating down on your head with the sweat pouring off of you and the comfort of the shade could cool you down. Imagine if someone was there to offer a nice cool glass of water or even a cold glass of southern sweet tea. You can sense the comfort and relief as I set the scene right?

In a similar way this world can beat down upon you. Life can come at you so hot and heavy that you feel as if there is no shelter from it all. No place to rest. No place to find peace. No place to find comfort. But as soon as you think this thought, we come across this scripture found in God's Word.

He tells us that there is a secret place we can go. A place that is hidden, not from people but from satan and his attacks. Tucked away from the sorrows and storms of life. It is in the shadow of the Almighty! No, there may not be a hammock, palm tree or sweet tea in this secret place. It is one filled with grace, overflowing with mercy and covered with comfort of the Holy Ghost.

Are you tired of those storms yet? Are you overwhelmed with life and those hot rays that shine down? Come to the secret place God has prepared for you. It's in the shadow of God. Come and sit in the shade.

Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:
so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Did you know the quickest way to put out a fire? Stop putting the wood to it. Years ago there used to be a commercial about fire safety. Smokey the bear would tell you to pour water on the fire and make sure you stir it up before you left it. He would always end by saying, "Only you can prevent forest fires."

Our scripture speaks of these fires from the mouth. If the talebearer would stop carrying the story then it would die. If our mouths would cease to tote the tales then the strife would cease. God uses the analogy and simple truth of where there is no wood, you can have no fire. Simple. Direct and straight to the point.

Some love to chop wood and stoke the fires of gossip. It's as almost if their existence depends on it. Feeding from the lies and drama fuels them to keep on sharing the lies. With every breath they exhale another log to put on the fire.

The answer? It is real easy. Stop toting the tale. Remove the wood from the fire and ask God to put it out. Cause old Smokey the bear was and is right, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires!"

What Are You Talking About?

Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

We have all walked up on a conversation and wondered what in the world they were talking about. If I was to come upon a conversation between two mechanics I would probably have no idea what they are talking about. If it was a 350 Chevrolet engine, I could hang with them in the conversation but these modern cars...I'm out.

Then we have all came upon those conversations that we really wish we had never walked into right? The ones that are foolish or especially the ones that are bashing another person. I sometimes feel like holding up my hands and walking away with my fingers in my ears. One last one, what about those conversations of false doctrines? These are the ones that our Lord is talking about this morning. He tells us that we should speak the things which are sound doctrine.

What does this mean? We should put away our senseless genealogies and endless traditions. We should search the scriptures and find true, firm, sound doctrine. There are too many arguments in the house of God today about minor issues and not enough of discernment over the major issues. Christians argue among themselves about trivial things from carpet colors to the debated "pews or chairs" concern. Then when it comes to matters of faith and sound doctrine, we cow down and allow everyone to choose their own belief or decision.

God says that we should speak those things which become sound doctrine. Until we become sure and sound about the doctrine of the Bible we can't go on to the next verses found in our scripture this morning. The next few speak about teaching this to children, women, and men who are younger. Let me end this morning by asking you a question. What are you talking about?

I’m Stuffed

Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

A lady in our church asked me if I knew what happened to the turkey. She said it got the stuffing beat out of it. We enjoy a meal with family so much that we end up with a little too much joy. Everyone leaves the table ready to put on their sweatpants because they are so full.

Our scripture this morning says to us... "For in him..." Who? Jesus! "Dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily". This is saying that "in Jesus" dwells the fullness of the Father in the bodily form. It means that Jesus is full of the Father. If you want to know the Father, then know Jesus because He is full of the Father, or the fullness of the Father.

How about you? When people look at your witness/life, what do they see? Or better yet, who do they see? Are you full? If the truth is known we are full. Most of the time we are so full of other things that we have no room for Jesus.

Just like Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner... We have enjoyed everything that was available to us in arms reach of the table. Then someone brings out that one bowl or plate. It's a dessert or casserole that has been left behind (most of the time it's the favorite). By now you have consumed so much of the other things that there is no room for it. They ask you to try a little of it and your answer is, "I'm stuffed, I don't think I could eat another bite. I just don't have room for it."

If we make ourselves full on things of the world then we will find no room for Jesus. But flip that over and you have something great! If will are full of Jesus then when offered anything else we should find no room for it. When sin comes your way will you be able to say, "I'm Stuffed, I'm so satisfied with Jesus that I don't want anything else"?

Thank You For Praying

Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

This morning let's stop and take the time to be thankful. As you think of it, what are some of the things that you are thankful for? It could be your health, family, friends, etc... Isn't it funny how when you stop yourself and take an evaluation, you can find many things to be thankful for? What’s really cool is that most of these things we think of we take for granted most everyday of our lives.

Have you ever thought of being thankful for that breath of air you just inhaled? Think of how it came in through the nose and throat, down into your lungs, through the different branches that changed the air oxygen into the liquid oxygen that is needed for your blood cells to operate. Then the blood transfers the oxygen into the energy that is needed to think or function. Just in that one breath of air we can be thankful for so much.

Today I am thankful for prayers. Prayers that were offered for a young teenage boy who was lost and living in sin by his mother and daddy. Prayers for this teenage boy who was in the altar giving his life to Jesus. Prayers that were asked by men of God over a young saved man who surrendered his life to the call of preaching. Prayers that were prayed for a traveling evangelist, that God would give him souls for his labor. Prayers over a young couple that knew God had given them something special when He put them together in marriage. Prayers from a wife over her husband as he leads the home and also the church in the direction God would have them to go. Prayers from two great sons that see the heart of their dad hurting for people to know Jesus.

Isn't it amazing? We take for granted all those breaths of air. We also take for granted all those prayers of the saints. All I know today is that... I am thankful! In my thanks unto God, I offer my prayers for all of you that read this today. Thank you also for all prayers you have prayed for this man.

Sweet Revenge

2 Corinthians 10:6
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

It is said that revenge is sweet payback. It is setting the record straight right? You see when someone does us wrong, everything within us wants them to suffer the same or even worse. That is not what a Christian should do or even think about. How do we keep from this? Focus our attention on a different revenge. A sweet and holy revenge.

I know you are thinking that this can't be true but revenge is sweet if in the right mind frame. The scripture this morning tells us that we need to be ready for revenge. We should revenge all disobedience. In my years of ministry I have heard people say this statement... "I wish I could have back the years I did things wrong and do them right". I tell them to take revenge on them. Take all those times of disobedience and get payback.

How can we have revenge on disobedient acts? By being an obedient servant of God now. You will never be able to take back what has been done or said in disobedience, but you can get your revenge. By starting right now! Be so obedient to Jesus that those acts of disobedience seem to fade away in the background of life.

Don't you want revenge? Come on, you know you do! Get that payback, that sweet revenge of obedience today.

I Can’t Wait To See You

Luke 2:30
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Have you ever thought what it is going to be like to finally see Jesus? We've spent most of our lives praying to and listen for Jesus. Praising Him in the house of God and looking for Him in the clouds. But have you ever stopped to think of what it will be like when you finally meet Him? I want to look into His eyes and try to tell Him how thankful I am. I want to see the scars that my sin inflicted on Him. I want to hear Him as He calls me by my name.

Our scripture is a statement from a man in the Bible named Simeon. He spent countless days at the temple of Herod praying for the coming of the Messiah. He prayed and looked everyday for God to answer his prayer. Can you hear him saying, "God send your light! Send the Messiah, the promised one. I long to see Him. My prayer God is that I can live long enough to see your glorious salvation."

Then one day Jesus is brought to him. "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," he says. Finally, I have seen the salvation and light of God! He waited so long. I bet he thought that this day would never come but it did!

God, I long to see you! I can't wait to see your light, to see your face, and to hear your voice. It's almost as a mother who has waited for the delivery of her child. Someday, and I know it will be soon, I'll see you face to face.

I’m Listening

Mark 4:9
And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Many times this scripture can be found from the mouth of Jesus. Over and over He is trying to speak to us and wants our undivided attention. I don't know about you but many of those times He is speaking to me I find myself not paying close attention. So this morning let's pray together. As I confess my inattention to the Lord maybe you would join in and agree. You can pray with me or just agree that I am the one who needs to listen better.

Lord, I see in your Word that you love to speak to us. I know that many occasions you have spoken to me, if it was through your Word or through your Spirit, you have tried to get my undivided attention. I could try and blame it on my stress or my attention span but that would come up short. I can find no excuse other than my laziness of hearing. Even when I try and tell you how busy that I am you already know and show me immediately when I had that time to listen during the day. It is me Lord and I am sorry.

In my study time I always listen for you. In my preaching time I definitely listen for you also. In my prayers, my goal is to hear from you. Lord my laziness and sinfulness is not listening throughout the day. I allow myself to be so filled with family, ministry and work that I miss you at times when you are desiring to talk to me.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that I am sorry for only wanting to listen when I study, preach or need something. My sin is only talking or listening to you when I initiate the conversation. God, my ears are open unto you today and from now on. Let me hear what you have to say. In Jesus' Name... Amen

God Has Been So Good To Me

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

I love an old song that says...

I've always had a place to sleep, clothes to wear and food to eat,
God has been so good to me.
I thank you Lord for what I have, you've met every need I had,
God has been so good to me.

God has been so good to me, I thank Him for a fine family.
The little church that I attend and for all my Christian friends.
God has been so good to me.

Take the time this morning to count your blessings. Seriously, stop and think of how our God has blessed you. Make sure you don't leave anything out. One by one, maybe even write them down and then don't forget the most important thing, thank Him for it all!

It is He, Jesus Christ, who has blessed you. It is the Lord who has given you these blessings. It is also the Lord who has been with you through every valley and on every mountain. My shoes or my clothes may not have always been name brand, but they were a blessing to have. God truly has been so good to me!

Talk is Cheap

Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit:
but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

There are many jokes thrown around on payday. I remember working at a place that would call out the names and distribute the paychecks. It never failed, there was always something said. Things like... "He will have to back up and get his check!" Or "That's the most work we've seen him do in two weeks picking up that paycheck."

Isn't there something to be said about earning that check? I don't know about you, but for myself, I love knowing that I made something with my hands. I love seeing a project come to and end and know that I labored hard for those results. To be honest, I loved drawing my check knowing I worked hard to receive it.

Our scripture teaches us that there is profit in labor. There is a benefit and reward for work and labor. Then it says what we all know has always been the truth. "Talk is cheap". Let me say something today that many want to say. Some brag on who they are and what they've done but talk is always cheap. Our lip service is poor and empty. Penury means extreme poverty or destitute. Empty, talk is just empty. It's in our labor of love for the Lord that people see Christ. Our love and actions are much stronger than our poor words from the lips.

Stop telling everyone who you are and show them who you are. Let them see the labor of love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve Never Felt So Alive

Ephesians 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Amen! God has quickened us. This means He has made us alive. Some of you may say, "How could God make me alive when I was never dead?" The scriptures explain to us that we were dead in our sins. In other words we were alive in body, but headed to death in our sins. The Bible teaches us that the payment or wages of our sins is death. It also teaches that we, our sins, are dead works. Works that will profit or lead to nothing.

What fruit do we have in sin?  What is the result of drunkeness? Death is one result. What is the result of meth, heroine? Death is the end result. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. What is the result of promiscuity and sexual fornication? A life filled with death and possible disease.

The good news is that God has offered us salvation from such sins and such sinful living. He has saved us to a life of life! We were dead and our way was filled with death. We thought we were going the right way until He came and saved us.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Oh, I feel so alive, do you?

Actions are Stronger than Words

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

From hats to pins, we see these words... "I Love Jesus". We sing it in our songs from the time we are able to talk until the time we are taking our last breath. Over and over we tell the world that we love Jesus. "I Love God... I Love Jesus..." While many, many people truly mean this phrase, their actions show a different truth.

Jesus tells us in the scriptures that if we loved him like we say we do that we would keep his commandments. This doesn't mean keeping the ten commandments, but rather keeping the whole Word of God and its commands. A person who says that they love Jesus but lives contrary to the Word of God is speaking their love, but not showing it.

Let me ask you a question... What would you say of someone that says they love you everyday but then once they are away from you talks about you and your wife in a negative and derogatory way? You would believe that they love you right? Maybe if they did it once, but if it was their lifestyle you would say that their love was fake.

Jesus says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." If we love Him then our actions will follow our words. Can you truly say that you love Jesus this morning? Yes we fail, yes we stumble but it's not our lifestyle. It's sin and we realize it and repent from it. So that when we say, "I Love Jesus" there is confidence in the statement.

Reflectors

Psalms 51:15
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Every morning and every afternoon, I have to do an inspection on my school bus that I drive. Checking engine fluids, wipers, belts, hoses, etc... Making sure that the brakes work and all of my loading and unloading lights are working properly. During the time of year that it is still a little dark outside it is amazing at all the lights on that bus. I mean there are lights flashing everywhere along the sides and top of my bus. Don't forget all the reflectors that shine because of the lights flashing on them. How anyone can't see a school bus coming down the road is beyond me.

This morning David mentions this same thought. He says, "O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise." He is asking for God to open his mouth. See, without God, who is the light Himself, shining upon us or opening our mouth, we are no good. A reflector cannot shine on its own. It must have light shining upon it in order for it to give light in return.

God, I ask you today to open my mouth. Shine upon me, O Lord! What praise and honor that is in my heart for you, will you please open my mouth and receive my praise. God, I will reflect today what glory and praise you have put into my heart! I love you! I will shine for you as you shine in me.

Sipping from the Saucer

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Can you remember the old days when you were a child? Some of you just go ahead and take as much time as you need, I know that it's been a while. (haha) Isn't it funny when you stop and think back of what actually comes to your mind? I remember Sunday's being much, much slower and peaceful. I remember church being the priority of that day, even the weekend. Sitting on granny's porch or playing football in the yard while the parents rested for another worship service. 

One thing that I remember was dessert time. All those silver-haired relatives would always have cake. It was like some of the women would just all of the sudden bring it out of their purse or something. Boom! "Cake anyone?" There weren't many times, if any, that they had cake alone. They always had coffee. Back then they would make it so steaming hot that they served it on a saucer. I always wondered why. Then I saw it. They would pour some of that steaming coffee onto the saucer so they could sip on it. Some of you would be tempted to say, "Put a piece of ice in it" or "Wait till it cools down” but they wanted to enjoy it then and there while it was fresh. 

Our scripture makes me think of this today. God has poured out some fresh blessings this morning for you children of God. He has told us that if we give, it will be given in return. You would be tempted to think that He is saying give a hundred dollars and you will receive a thousand back, but you would be wrong. He tells us to give mercy and it will run over into our saucer. Give love and it will run over into our saucer. Forgive and forgiveness will run over into our saucer. If you judge or condemn, it to will run over into your saucer. So be careful of what you are pouring out. 

God, please fill my cup this morning and let it run over into my saucer! Ssssssssssup! Ssssssssup!