Letter of Recomendation

Philippians 2:20-22
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Paul is giving a recommendation or reference letter to the church of Philippi about a young man of the Gospel called Timothy. Look closely at what Paul says about him...

"I have no man who is likeminded (shares the same goal and doctrine)"

"This man will naturally care for your state (because of Christ that dwells within, it will seem natural for him to be concerned about you and your family)"

"For all seek their own, not things which are Jesus Christ's (everyone is selfish and have their own agenda, but not Timothy)"

"as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel (I will vouch for him, a man of God)"

Did Timothy have such a great recommendation from Paul because he did everything Paul asked? Did Paul only love him because he did everything for Paul? No! It says it right there in the scriptures. Timothy didn't seek his own things, nor did he seek the things of Paul. Timothy sought after the things of Jesus Christ. His goal was to please Jesus. To serve, honor and worship Jesus Christ. To share the Gospel of Jesus.

Look at what happens when you aim to serve Jesus and look after the things which are Jesus Christ's. You become a servant in ministry with others. You join yourself to the mission of the church, pastor, deacons, membership and most importantly the ministry of the Gospel. You become likeminded or one with the body of Christ. You naturally care for the state of others and not just your own things. You become burdened for those in the body and those that are not a part of the body of Christ. You seek the agenda of God.

If you had to ask for references, what do you think they would say of you? What would your letter of recommendation say about your service for Jesus?

Are You Thirsty Yet?

Revelation 21:6
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

This is the story of the woman at the well. So much can be learned from this chapter of scripture. We can see how Christ comes to us. We can see how He meets us where we are. We see how Jesus addresses sin with truth and love, not overlooking it. We see how He took a direct interest in speaking to this woman. We see how He can change a life through His salvation and forever change a woman and city. Like I said, we can learn so much from this chapter.

I want to look at the situation of his woman and what Jesus was offering to her. Her situation is simple. She had looked and looked because she was thirsty. She drank from the fountain of the world and came up thirsty every time. I wonder how many times she thought, "This is the one, this is the man I have waited for!  He is the one that will satisfy my every need"? Only to have the relationship to end in disaster. This scripture tells us that she was married five times and living with a man now. I don't believe that God gives us this scripture to condemn the life of this woman but rather show her life and heart condition.

Her condition was one of thirst. Some would say that she lusted over men, and you could be right because I'm not old enough to know this woman to have asked her. Some would say that she just had bad luck with men. Maybe that old country song was written about her... "Looking for love in all the wrong places..."  We don't know. But what we do know is that Jesus didn't spend much time on what she was doing, but on why she was doing it. She's thirsty! And this worldly water, or worldly love was not going to satisfy it.

This woman searched for her thirst to be satisfied in the men she marrying and it could only be found in Jesus. While she was drawing water for her thirst, she was given the water of life! Our devotion scripture says that He will give this water to anyone who is thirsty. So I ask you today, are you thirsty yet?

Day Shift

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Almost every morning my dad would come into my bedroom to wake me up. During my teenage years I struggled at getting up. He would be happy and loud. Did I mention that he would be loud? For as long as I have been on this earth my dad has been a morning person. Sunday's were the worst. That's when he had been up for a while reading his Bible and listening to gospel music. It was time to worship! He'd bust through my door and say, "Get up, get up. Oh, what a morning!"

I can understand his excitement on Sunday's, but he continued this routine every single day. One thing he changed though, he would say, "Get up, it's time to work. We must work while it is day for night cometh when no man can work." I hated when he would throw scripture on me. I would always come back with, "Jesus wasn't talking about cutting grass." He would come back with, "Oh yes He was."

As I look back this morning at those times I believe more and more that I was wrong and he was right. Jesus was talking about doing the will of the Father while it was day. Accomplishing the will of His Father while He could. Dad wanted me to cut the grass and as much as I would like to argue about it, I couldn't do that at night. (Push mowers didn't have headlights)

Today is the day the Lord has made right? So, get up and get busy! Work today in His field because night cometh when no man can work. Up, up, up! It's time to get up.

A Door of Hope

Hosea 2:15
And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

If you've never read the book of Hosea I suggest that you do. This book is a story of love, true love. Not the soap opera or storybook love, but absolute true, forgiving love. God uses the story of Hosea and Gomer, no laughing... I wouldn't have married a woman named Gomer either, to set up an illustration of what happened between God and Israel. Gomer had left Hosea to live an adulterous lifestyle with men and money. She left her children and husband to pursue the selfish sins of her desire. But Hosea wasn't satisfied with letting her go. He redeemed her. He actually sent out the children to find her and plead with her. After she was found, he bought her out of her sinful lifestyle. What love! What forgiveness! What a Pursuer!

God stated that He wanted to do the exact same thing with Israel. He wanted them to return. He made this statement about the "door of hope" we see in our scripture. You may think that this is small or meaningless but you're missing it. God said He would give a door of hope in the valley of Achor. This valley was not known for hope. No, it was known for sin, death and judgment. It was in this valley that Joshua was commanded by God to take Achan and his family there for stoning. It was a valley of judgment, but God says I will give it to you for a "door of HOPE".

Praise God for the door of hope! God is extending His grace unto us this morning. There is a door before you. Today it is the door of hope, but if He comes and puts an end to this time and place then it will be a door of judgment. Open the door, He is standing at it knocking. (Revelation 3:20)

The Crosshairs of Death

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Let me share a story of a Medal of Honor recipient by the name of Sgt. John Hawk. He was an Army soldier during WW2. He was stationed in France and his mission was to guard the Falaise pocket. When enemy tanks approached, the American tank destroyers couldn't target them because of the elevation problem. They tank destroyers couldn't see over the ridge. Hawk used his body to line up the crosshairs and targets. Through shots and shrapnel, he told the tank men to place the crosshairs upon him. He used his body to identify the enemies position and destroy the tanks. He received the "Medal of Honor" for this. He also earned 4 Purple Hearts while serving. This man allowed the crosshairs to be aligned on his body!

Just as this man, and so much the more, Jesus Christ allowed his life to be placed into the crosshairs of sin for us. You see, sin would have been dealt with. You would have died because the crosshairs of sin were placed upon you!  Satan had you in his sights, but Jesus stepped in and placed them upon himself. 

What a glorious crown of glory he will receive when we gather into His gates. I just want to say thank you today. Thank you to all who set the mark of freedom upon their lives!  Thank you most of all to Jesus for your unspeakable gift!

I Was Thinking The Same Thing

Philippians 2:5

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

One of the greatest things that I love about being married is the similarities in our thoughts. Someone could be speaking and my wife and I can look at each other with the same facial expressions and know what the other is thinking. It could be a raised eyebrow or a smirky smile and we know exactly what the other one would say. At times we could be driving down the road and begin to speak the exact same words. Some of you would call this a coincident but it happens all to frequent. 

This has not always been the case. But the more time we spend together, the more often we think alike. We have been married now for eighteen years. We have two children that are teenagers. We've spent a lot of time together! Whether it be fishing, church, playing ball, coaching our children or singing together, we've been together a lot. I can only imagine what our thought process and similarities will be like when we've gotten thirty to forty years into our marriage. 

Over and over in scripture our relationship with Christ is presented as a marriage. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we should think and sound alike. Our hearts and minds should be connected. The only way this could happen is to spend more time with Jesus. When we go fishing, take Jesus with us. When we play ball, take Jesus with us. When we sing, invite Jesus into the worship. Before long, you'll be sounding just like your other half. Your judgment of things will be similar. Your love for people will be the same. Your walk will be in the same steps as His. 

Let His mind be yours today and everyday. Wouldn't it be great if someone approached you today and said, "You remind me so much of Jesus". WOW! 

Sing It With Me!

James 5:13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

When our boys were very young I can remember them being in their rooms all alone and playing. My wife and I would be sitting in the living room reading or relaxing and we could hear them playing in their rooms with their toys. Some of my greatest memories is of them being alone and no one paying attention to their playing. They would sing so loud and would just be having the time of their lives. We would sneak in the hallway and listen. I even remember them doing this when they couldn't even talk right and the words of their made up songs would be so crazy. But yet they just kept on singing. Still today we will sit and listen to them as they play throughout the house. Whistling seems to be the number one thing to do around here!  

I love how God's word shows us that things can change so quickly. One moment we could be singing and the next we could be praying over our sickness. Or one moment we could be sick and the next we could be singing. So if life is moment to moment and filled with ups and downs, then we must sing while we can. 

Remember the old song... If you're happy and you know it...clap your hands!  See, if we are happy (merry) then we should show it. If you're excited about Jesus and what He has done for you then show it.  If your happy with what The Lord has blessed you with then show it. Sing, sing, sing! 

A Call to Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.

Simple! That's what I love about God's Word. It is simple, direct and straight. This is not a question of if we should pray for one another. No, it is a command. It is a statement of what we should be doing. Pray! I love an old song that says..

Brethren, we have met to worship, and adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the word?
All is vain, unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Church, pray. We need to stop aiming our talks toward government or holding prayer meetings with juicy gossip request and get serious in prayer with the Almighty God that we serve. We need to fall upon our faces about the spiritual condition of our churches instead of the bunions on our feet. Get rid of the cold and careless prayers for money and prosperity and turn up the heat until it is a fervent, boiling over prayer for the lost souls around us. Brethren...pray! Sisters...pray! Children...pray! Church...PRAY!!!

Brethren, see poor sinners round you, slumbering on the brink of woe;
Death is coming, hell is moving; Can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers and our mothers, and our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

What Are You Waiting For?

John 5:2-3
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

God's Word tells us that this certain man laid here waiting for the moving of the water. Year after year he would wait for the stirring of the water. Every single time someone would beat him into the water and it would leave him to wait on one more year. All of that changed when Jesus passed by. Once this man met Jesus he didn't wait for the stirring of the water anymore.

So let me ask you this... What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the "right time"? Are you searching for the "right service" that just feels good before you get come to Christ? Christian, are you waiting on a series of meetings before you experience revival? Are you storing up all of your righteousness, prayers, seeking of God for a specific time? What are you waiting for?

Can I tell you something? Stop waiting! He wants to heal you now! He wants to save you now! He wants to give you revival now! He wants to move in your life, that's right you guessed it, now! Now! Now! Now! No more waiting call on Him now!

One Big Happy Baby!

Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Have you seen the some of the videos on the Internet of these beautiful babies laughing? Why is it that we could be in the middle of the worst day ever but see this and smile or even laugh aloud with them? It must be something about the innocence or purity of their laugh. The smile of a baby can drive out the darkest of depression. It's just amazing.

This morning I am rejoicing along with Jesus. The scripture tells us that Jesus rejoiced in the spirit. I wish I could have been there to see my Savior smile and rejoice. To hear Him laugh from the belly. You know what I'm talking about? Someone who rejoices does it with every ounce of energy. I would have loved to see Jesus rejoicing.

But something greater than that causes me to rejoice this morning. It's the reason that Jesus rejoiced. He said that His Father didn't reveal Himself to the wise and prudent, but unto babes. It wasn't that God didn't reveal Himself to those who were learned and educated, it was that they couldn't see Him because of their self-righteous wisdom. But the babes, they saw Him. We saw Him! We see Him!

Most babies at Christmas will play with the wrapping paper and boxes more that the toy. You see those wise and prudent men looked for someone wrapped in gold and who would be carrying a sceptre. But I rejoice today because my Savior was wrapped in a sinful, shameful robe carrying a cross! They looked for someone to tell them a way out, but Jesus showed me the way up! I feel like One Big Happy Baby!

Clay Jars

2 Corinthians 4:6-7
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

What a privilege! What an honor! God, who is greater than the greatest. God, who is higher than the highest. He has chosen to shine the light of the glorious gospel into our hearts. He has chosen to speak His words of life into our sinful lives. He has chosen to place His glorious Gospel light in us. Did you hear that? God has put His prized possession of the Gospel inside of us.

Who are we? Who are we that God would think of us? Much more than that, who are we that we could house this glorious light? We are an earthen, fragile, clay vessel. I understand that we keep gold bars in Fort Knox. I understand that we keep our valuables locked up in a safe where thieves cannot steal them. But I sometimes struggle with the understanding of God putting a valuable treasure such as the Gospel inside of clay jars. Not to mention weak, clay jars.

But then we see it... "The excellency of the power may be of God, and not us." God's Gospel will never be about us. The treasure isn't a treasure because of what it is kept it. It's a treasure because of the value of the treasure itself.

God, thank you for placing your glorious light in me. I am so humbled that you would allow me to carry the Gospel light. Help me to reach others every day. May they find in an old clay vessel the treasure of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Dancing in the Rain

Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

What would it be like to be in the very presence of God? Have you ever given thought to this? I have most everyday of my life. It seems that my prayer every morning is to be in the presence of God. I long so much to feel the Lord in every area of my life. My prayer many times is... "Lord I want to be so close to you today that I can feel your breath upon my neck as you speak to me."

If I can be honest with you this morning, not everyday is like this. Some days I wake up and feel as if God is miles and miles away from me. I feel like there is a wall between our communication and sometimes there is, but it's always on my end of the line so I deal with confession. But then there are other days that I believe I have everything confessed. I trust that I am seeking Him and walking after Him and the closeness I desire still seems distant. Then I'm reminded that Paul tells us we must walk by faith and not by sight. On these days I trust that He is there even though I may not feel Him through emotions of certain ways that I have in the past days. I still just trust He is there.

Do you understand what I'm saying this morning? Some days I want the sunshine and all I get is rain, but that doesn't take away from God still being God or my desire to be in His presence. When my days are cloudy I try my best to ask God for His presence to be strong in my life. Then through His Word He gives me the strength that I need.

Our scripture this morning says there is joy in the presence of the Lord. God said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He would be there to see us through. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He gave us the Holy Spirit so we would never be without His presence. This is where my joy comes from.

So if it's raining outside and I can't see the sun, I'll just dance in the rain and know that His presence is with me even when I can't see or feel Him. That's faith!

Stick Out Your Tongue

Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
and before honour is humility.

I do not like to be sick. Why? Because that means there is a doctors visit in my near future. You walk into the waiting room and enjoy your two hours of reading magazines that are at the latest four years out of date. Finally your name is called and you jump up with excitement and rush in. The nurse greets you, weighs you, gets a blood pressure and temperature reading and then tells you the good news once more... "Wait here, the doctor will see you soon."

The door knob rattles and all of the sudden there stands the doctor. White coat, stethoscope and a notepad or tablet. The general questions ensue and then the doctor reaches for the old trusty popsicle stick. Walks toward you and says, "Stick out your tongue." Doc looks around in there while you spew an "aaaaaaaahhh" at them. They take a super sized q-tip and touch the bottom of your stomach with it then rub it on a drink coaster. "I'll be right back with the results" they say.

Isn't it amazing that a doctor can understand what is going on inside the body by looking at the tongue or checking your throat? Well if you think that's something, look at what God said in His word. A haughty heart is a sure sign of destruction. When people are infected with pride it is clear that destruction will be their diagnosis. But what about those who are infected with humility? God says that honor is their diagnosis. We must be humble in our lives if we want God to move and use us.

Stick out your tongue and say, "Aaaaahhhh O Lord"

While There Is Hope

Proverbs 19:18

Chasten thy son while there is hope,

and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

As a dad, some of the most unpleasant and difficult moments are when I've had to discipline my children. To punish them for their disobedience is needed and although I know that God has given us this duty, it still hurts me. I suppose it hurts because of the disappointment of their choice. I still can't handle the tears because of the punishment.

When I think of sparing them or being lenient, my own dad comes to mind. I can remember as a child being punished (for something that I deserved to be punished for) and thinking... "Why aren't you whooping them? Why aren't you whooping my friends?"  My dad would say, "They don't belong to me". 

Remember Peter walking with Jesus on the shore of Galilee after his resurrection?  Jesus was correcting him and bringing him back to the fold. Peter asked Jesus about what would happen with John and Jesus answered with, "You follow me".  Did you know that shepherds will break the legs of wondering sheep in order to keep them from going astray?  Well, God has told us that if we love our children then we will discipline them. We will chastise them for their wrongs. (Please don't break legs, that's abuse not discipline)

Our scripture tells us that we should do it while there is hope. By being a dad or mom who corrects their children that they love, we are giving them hope. I have heard many parents say that there is no more hope for their children. They are too old to discipline. I wish we could do it all over. My answer is always, we can't go back. We can only go forward. 

Although I may be the one who goes into another room after I discipline my boys and cry, I can't let their tears deter me from disciplining them. Just as my earthly dad and Heavenly Father disciplines me, because I belong to them, I must never forget to do the same. Just as my dad loved me very, very much (haha) I love my boys the same. 

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not.... He loves me!  Did anyone do this when you were young?  We depended on daisies to tell us our fate in the love category. Something that is funny to me is young children today. They have invented these paper fortune tellers. They write girls or boys names underneath these little flaps and turn it in and out by counting numbers. And then the flap is lifted with their loves name on it.  They giggle and shout sometimes. At times they don't get the person they wanted and feel down about it. Isn't that funny?

We all at times feel unloved. We look at how people treat us and evaluate their love for us. We count all the things that people have given us and talley up their love for us. We say, "They love us, they love us not..."  Some even feel that God has changed His love for us. They sometimes feel unloved because of suffering and trials but the love of our God is not dependent upon what we have or don't have. It's not given because we have deserved it or earned it. He loves us, and that's all.

Maybe you're thinking, "He loves me, He loves me not..."  But let me tell you this!  "He loves you, He loves you, He loves you, HE LOVES YOU!" 

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

Crackers in the Meatloaf

Luke 9:13-17

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

With God, there is always enough!  Sometimes there is more than enough, but all the time there is enough. As I think back upon my life this morning and take inventory, I recall the sufficiency of God. Even as I recall my childhood, God was always sufficient. 

I remember this one time my dad bragging on my great-grandmothers hamburgers. I suppose I remember it well because of the argument that it started. My mom made hamburgers and dad begin to recall his grandmothers style of burger. Then the statement came out... "Boy Granny-Clay sure could make a good hamburger". (From dad of course) Then my mom told him to just go on over there and let his granny make him a burger if they were so good. (it wasn't intense, just picking at each other). Well somehow we got on the subject of how moist and tender Granny-Clay's burgers were. And then I heard it. Mom said, "She puts crackers or old bread crumbs into her burgers and meatloaf". I said, "What? Why would someone put crackers in the meatloaf?"  My mother then begin to explain of hard times. She said they would do this in order to stretch out the meat. They didn't have much meat at times to feed everyone so they would put the crackers in the meat to stretch it out. 

In our scripture today, God takes a little boys lunch and turns it into an "All You Can Eat Buffet". Remember little is much when God is in it. 

As you take inventory this morning on how blessed you are, I'm sure there were times that you've had plenty. Blessed more that the freezer could hold. Other times you probably think that you were not blessed as much. But if you will stop and think about it those could have been the blessed times that God was, and is, being sufficient. You look at your five loaves and two fish and believe it's not enough. It's because it is in your hands. Put it into the hands of Jesus. 

Maybe there are crackers in your meatloaf or hamburgers, but "Boy they sure are good". AND ALWAYS ENOUGH! 

Everything That Glitters Ain’t Gold

Acts 17:19-20
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

When I was younger my mother would always tell me, "Everything that glitters ain't gold son". She would always say this to me when I was dating a girl. I would come home talking about how pretty they were and how popular they were. Most every time it would end with her making this statement. It wasn't that she didn't like these girls, she didn't even know many of them. It was they way I spoke of them and what attracted me to them.

I really never understood what she was trying to teach me by always telling me this statement until I grew older. You see I always saw the face, the features and sometimes even the status of a girl. My attraction was just skin deep. I'm almost certain that I wasn't alone in this battle. Boys always wanted the pretty girls and girls always wanted the good-looking guys. It's our youthfulness. What is funny is how my mom would say it. Her eyebrows would raise and give me that look of, "Be careful son... Remember, everything that glitters ain't gold".

Can I tell you that we live in a world today that will tell you that all is well. Everything is okay if you are enjoying it. "Do what makes you happy" is the motto of America. But always remember this, "Everything that glitters ain't gold". It's sad to say, but even in our churches this attitude has flooded our pulpits. The lack of conviction, preaching and repentance is prevalent. The scriptures say that God once winked at ignorance but now commands that everyone should repent. Repent means to feel sorry, or convicted for your sin to the point that you confess it and TURN from it. Feeling bad or sorry about sin isn't repentance, turning from it is. Repentance is like gold because of its worth.

Thank you Lord for giving me an opportunity to repent. Thank you for showing me that repentance isn't just skin or statement deep. It goes to the point of turning from sin and turning toward you. Please help all today that are at this point right now. Help them to see the golden opportunity and not just fool's gold of feeling sorry.

Beating Out Of My Chest

Job 37:1
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

Job's friend, Elihu, is telling Job of how great God is. If you could take the time this morning, go back and read Job chapters 36 and 37. It tells of how awesome are the works of God. He is above all things. Our God is perfect in knowledge. He is mighty in strength and wisdom. Our God is a preserver of life to the righteous. He is a provider and blessing to those who keep His commands. It also tells of how great God is in His justice and judgment. If we will keep His words and commands, He will establish us and bless us. If we choose to disobey Him then He will have perfect judgment.

Elihu goes on to ask Job, "Who can teach God?" He says that God is great and no man can number His years. He is found in the light. He shines always, even above all the clouds of doubt and sin. He sends His wind (Holy Spirit) to remove those clouds so that His light can shine through. He is God!

While talking about God and His greatness he confesses, "My heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place." He was saying that when he thought about God and His greatness that it felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest.

How do you feel when you think about your God? Let me try to explain the way I feel. When I saw my wife coming down the aisle of the church as my bride eighteen years ago, I felt like my heart was in my throat. It was pumping so fast that I thought I was going to spit it up right there in front of everyone. I was so overwhelmed with love that I though my heart would escape my chest. I still feel the same way about her. Well, when I think of God and what His Son did for me... It's magnified!

I need to go check my blood pressure now...

What Are You Talking Aboout?

Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Our scripture tells us about a man of God named Phillip. He was preaching a meeting where hundreds were being saved and God told him to leave and go down to Gaza. God had someone there for Phillip to witness to. He found this man riding along and reading the word of God. Phillip asked him if he understood it and he answered by saying, "How can I, except some man explain it to me."

So Phillip opened his mouth at the same scripture and preached Jesus unto him. He shared with him how Jesus fulfilled the words of God that he was reading. Jesus was the sacrifice that Isaiah was speaking of in those scriptures. In short, Phillip's message was Jesus Christ!

Paul said that he only knows the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What more do we need? Why do we feel that stories, jokes or flare is needed for people to understand the Gospel. I understand that each person is different and is used greatly by God because of their character. My point is when will we realize that the message is simple. It is plain. It is truth and it is powerful. It's Jesus! Give people less of you and more of Jesus.

God help me always to know that people will still die and enter Hell if they know me, but can have salvation eternally if they surrender to you.

So let me ask you, what are you talking about? Or better yet, who are you talking about?

The Benefits of Godliness

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

What are the benefits of bodily exercise?  Well for me personally it is...better shape of the body (less round), no medication to help with my blood pressure or diabetes, a better feeling of energy and accomplishment. The benefits of exercise can be awesome!  I never, in my whole life, thought I would say that I like to run and exercise but I do.  The stress that comes off of me while listening to my Christian music and running is just so crazy. But what is cool is that not only do I benefit from it, but my wife and boys benefit from it as well. I hope I'm a better husband and daddy because of the benefits of a healthy body. 

But notice what the scriptures say, "Bodily exercise profiteth little:". God did not say that exercise wasn't good for you. You know what is so funny?  I've heard people use this scripture to teach exercising does you no good. That's not what God is teaching here. He is saying... Compared to Godliness, that profits unto ALL things, the benefits of bodily exercise is little. You see, bodily exercise benefits for years, but Godliness benefits for eternity!  Bodily exercise benefits here on earth, but Godliness benefits in this life and our life of eternity which is to come. What is really cool is that not only do we benefit from exercising Godliness, but our spouses will, our children will, our churches will, our employers will, our friends will, our neighbors will.  Can't you see how much greater it is?

So while we exercise our bodies, never forget to exercise our spirit in Christ Jesus, because that's what will profit the most in the end. 

Somewhere I Have Never Been

Joshua 3:4-5
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

What was your prayer this morning? What would happen if we would pray, "God, take me somewhere I've never been"? What if we asked God to do something in our lives that has never happened before? What could God do? Where could God take us?

God told Joshua that He was going to do great things on this day. He said that He was going to cause them to pass by a place that they had never been to. Do you know what God did with Joshua and these people? He allowed them to cross through the middle of the Jordan river. Right through the middle of it. While the priests stood in the water with the ark of the covenant, all the people passed through. Praise the Lord! When God brought them through the Red Sea, He was breaking them away from the bondage of the Egyptians. When God brought them through the Jordan River, He was breaking them of their doubt and disbelief and bringing them into a land of promise and hope.

Oh, Lord will you please take me to places I've never seen? Not states or countries, but to a place of worship, ministry and service that I have never experienced before. I will trust and I will follow. Take me Lord to a higher place. To a place that you desire for me to be and that I have never seen before. As I cross through, remove me from all of my past burdens and bondage. Remove from me the doubt and disbelief. As they did, so do I. I sanctify myself unto you my Lord today. Cleanse me, purge me, forgive me, lead me Lord and I will follow.

Take me somewhere I ain't never been.

A Hill of Beans

Mark 8:36 says: 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

What does it profit to start with God, and end with Satan?  What does it profit us to gain the treasures of the world and lose our souls?  Many today are selling out to the world and its pleasures. 

King Saul was one of these men. He had everything he could have ever dreamed of. Fame, fortune and the hand of God was upon him as well. But he chose to listen to the world and not God. He leaned upon his own understanding. This lifestyle of Saul brought him misery and heartache. He was even driven to madness at times and had to have David come and play music to calm him down. See King Saul seemed like he had everything under control. Everything was great for him!  

King Saul was from Gibeah, which in one scripture is defined as "the hill of God" and in another, "Saul's hill". But today it is called "Tel el Ful" which means "Hill of Beans". Which I've always heard doesn't amount to much. Do you think it is a coincidence that it was called these names in the order I have wrote them?

A life that is not surrendered to God will never amount to a hill of beans.
What will this life profit you?

TO GAIN THE WORLD AND LOSE YOUR SOUL DOESN’T AMOUNT TO A HILL OF BEANS

Getting It Done

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

How many of you have a detailed list of things to do for today?  9am, go to the dentist... 10am, pickup medicine... 11am, meet homeowner... 12pm, go to lunch with new client... 1pm, go to the office... 3pm, pickup children in the carline... 4pm, go by resturaunt and get dinner... 6pm, pickup children from ball practice... and on and on until bed, then the same things the next day. 

We all have many things to do on our lists. Some may even be important things to do. But have you given much thought to "How" you get those things done?  The Bible teaches us that no matter what it is we do, we need to do it all in the name of the Lord. Look at it again... "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed..."  This deals with everything we say and do. "Do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus..."  We are to do it ALL as we would be doing it unto Jesus. 

So looking at step one, I would say we have that down pretty good. We realize that we have things to do. Step two, the way we get it done. We may have that down as well. But now on to step three, giving thanks while getting it done. This could be difficult. The Word of God says in whatever we do, do it in the name of Jesus with a thankful attitude. 

Why do you think the Lord wants us to be thankful about what we do?  It's because of the reason we do them. If you were to do all things for Steve, you would be disappointed. But if you do it all in the name of Jesus, you will never be disappointed. 

Let's give thanks to Him today for what is on our lists. Ask Him for the strength this morning to get those things done. Be thankful that we have something to do through Him. Lord help us today to get it done and to be thankful about it. 

I Could Sure Use a Drink

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Now I'm not old enough to even remember these days but I have relatives and parents who do. In fact I heard someone just the other day talking about the fountains for the "white" and the "colored" people. When I read it in my history books it seems as if it was years and years ago when the truth is that it wasn't just that long ago. Well let me just get to the point this morning...

Jesus was tired and sat on a well. A well that was known as Jacob's well. When a woman who was known for her character came out to draw from this well at a time when no other women would come. She came in search of some water for her thirst and Jesus was ready. Notice something about this story with me. Jesus didn't tell this woman to follow Him to Jerusalem for some good Jewish water. He didn't satisfy her with any of Jacob's well water either. No he offered her living water!

You see, Jesus doesn't look toward the "white" fountain as the "white" Jesus with His "white" portrait of Himself. He does not look to the "black" fountain as the "black" Jesus with His "black" portrait of Himself. He didn't look to the Jewish fountain or the Samaritan fountain. HE IS THE FOUNTAIN! He is that Jewish Messiah, Son of God and Savior of the World fountain of life. The drunkard can have a drink. The prostitute can come and drink. The heterosexual and homosexual can come to drink. The adulterer and fornicator can come drink. The lost, hopeless and helpless sinner can come and drink! I don't know about you, but I sure could use a drink of that!

A Breath of Fresh Air

2 Timothy 1:16

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

Have you ever had the breath knocked out of you?  That's probably one of the scariest things that could happen to you. Not being able to breathe is so painful and scary all at the same time. How many times have you thanked God for that breath you just took?  The old phrase that goes, "You don't miss your water till your well has run dry" comes to my mind. We aren't very thankful for the air we breath until we find ourselves gasping for it. 

Brother Paul tells us that one man effected him in ministry so much that he says he was like a refresher to his heart. Paul was thankful for a man named Onesiphorus. He said that he had "oft" refreshed him. This means that Onesiphorus impacted Paul's life!  He was someone that when Paul needed help, he was there. When Paul needed encouragement, he was there. When Paul needed prayer, he was there. When Paul needed a shoulder or ear, he was there. Paul was saying that this man was like a breath of fresh air to him. When Paul was gasping for air and there was a man named Onesiphorus to come into his life. 

My grandad, who is with Jesus now, couldn't walk across the room without gasping for air. He had COPD and emphysema. A hard working and tough man, would find himself bowed over struggling to find air. I hated to see this happen!  It would bother me so much that I would begin to cry and pray for his breath to be restored. He would puff the inhaler, and somehow calm down enough to find his breath. 

I see people on a daily basis that are struggling to find air. They're struggling to stay above water. It bothers me so much. I pray everyday that I would be able to be an Onesiphorus. Lord, let me often refresh others when they can't seem to find their breath and thank you Lord for always refreshing me.  

How many times have you thanked those for being there to often refresh you? First of all Jesus, who always refreshes!  Try and thank them today. 

He is Here!

Genesis 28:16
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

So many times we miss out on the presence and fellowship with God because we weren't really looking for Him. Churches are filled service after service with those who sometimes just aren't really seeking Him. I'm not saying that this happens all the time with everyone, but all of us are guilty at times of not experiencing God simply because we weren't really looking for Him.

What would happen if you woke today and really looked for the Lord in every thing and every situation? What if right now you made a decision to look for Him today?  Surely the Lord would reveal Himself.

I've heard great Christians say things like, "Miracles don't happen much anymore, those were mostly Bible day signs." Think about it...when is the last time you've seen someone raised from the dead? Did you know that it is still happening everyday? Seriously! You're just not looking for it. Every time someone places their life in Jesus they are raised from the dead. The Bible tells us that we were dead in our tresspass of sins, but Christ has made us alive.

Wouldn't it be great to say this morning, "Surely God was here in his place, and I knew it! I felt Him and saw Him working!" Wake up and start looking for Him today.

I Thought You Should Know

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

In our scripture, Paul says that he knows. There is no confusion on this matter for him. He understands very clearly the issue within himself. When he examined his life he could see that in himself, there is no good thing. Can you see what interrupted this thought? He said, "that is, in my flesh". Paul was testifying of the wretchedness of his carnal, fleshly man. This portion of him was despised and he struggled daily with it.

Look at what he says next. Paul's will was present and he desired to honor God by following His commands. He had a zeal or passion toward the will of God but how to perform the will of God was a different story.

The struggle that Paul had is the same that I have and even maybe you have. One of the things that has helped me is knowing that "my flesh" is carnal and weak. There is nothing good about it or me. My righteousness is as filthy as rags used by a mechanic. I want to honor God. I want to please Him and follow His will. So how can I do this if I find no good thing in me? Jesus! We need to know that we can't do it. It can only be done through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit that has saved us. He has redeemed us. He has set us free. He has made us, who were dead in our sins, to become alive through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Anyway, I just thought you should know also.

Say What You Want...

Matthew 21:28-31
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

Men and women are judged by what they say. With the election season upon us, we have many candidates that are talking. With every breath they promise something new. According to some of them the whole United States will get whatever they want. Slogan after slogan they promise change and a better system. A better government with better leadership. A chicken in every pot and a dollar in every wallet. Word after word they tell of the great things that they will accomplish once they are elected.

How often have we found them to be faithful to their words? Even on a smaller scale, promises like this are made everyday and broken the next day. Husbands promise their wives that they will always love and honor them. Wives promise their husbands that they will love and respect them. Parents promise children that they will take care of and protect them. Employees promise their bosses that they will get the job done. Pastors promise the easy road of Christ. Altars are filled every service with people promising God that they will repent, they will serve, they will work in the field.

Then on the flip-side you have the ones who say, No, I will not go. They made no such promises. Rejecting the words of the father, they went their way only to find conviction tugging at their hearts. Maybe this young man was passing the field that his father asked him to work in and his heart began to beat faster as he realized that he was wrong. Repenting, this young man went to the field. He initially didn't obey his father, but in the end he did.

So, say what you want about this boys first response... He is the one who went away justified and surrendered to the will of his father, not the one with all the talk. So I leave you this morning with a question like Jesus asked... Which one are you?

So True!

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

One of the hardest things to see, recognize or even hear now days is truth. Truth is so distorted among everyone and everything. From pictures that are photoshopped to people who are physician shopped. From movies with explosions and dramatic scenes to real-life war videos of people actually giving their lives. It is so difficult to determine what the truth actually is. 

Something that is far more dangerous is spoken or written truth. It seems that we have been duped for so long that we can't trust anyone's word. We have been told that certain things are truth and have found them out to be lies and deception. It's kind of like the magician and their tricks. It looks so real and it can be so fake. 

I'm so glad that Jesus tells me today I can know the truth. I love how He says that this same truth can also set me free. Deception and lies will bring you into bondage, but truth will free you. 

God's word is truth. Truth is God's word! Thank you Lord for the truth of your word that will stand forever. Thank you for setting me free with your Holy Word! Thank you for truth in a world with so much deception. 

I’m Tired

Psalms 37:7
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Have you ever had one of those days where you are just slap worn out? You know what I mean? It's one of those days where you come home from work and all you want to do is sit down and relax. Or maybe it's that day where, over and over, people are coming against you and you just can't take it anymore! I know that I have had my share of those days. I still have many of them often.

Believe it or not, there are times in my life where I want to crawl into a hole and hide just for a while. I'm not talking about giving up, but I'm talking about taking a timeout. Kinda like the football team who is playing on the defensive side of the field. The other team is just ramming their helmets into their sides. Driving the ball down their throats play after play. The linemen have their hands on their sides trying their best to get some air. Then all of the sudden a loud whistle is blown! The home team has just called a timeout. The waterboy is on his way with some refreshing water. Maybe you can take the helmet off just for a moment and get readjusted. Then go back for that next play better prepared.

Well, that is my prayer life. I have to call a timeout often throughout my day. Just to take some rest in the Lord. At times it's to remind me that He is there right by my side. Sometimes it's to ask for help but many times it's to ask for forgiveness. I have to find my rest in the Lord and I do so in prayer. So when you find yourself about to give in, or wanting to hide in a hole, rest in the Lord. Talk to Him about it all. We all know that's what He did when He was weary and tired. He talked to the Father.

Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weary, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, Precious Lord and lead me on

Learning From Above, Teaching Below

Titus 2:1-4

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

The calling of a parent is one that comes with difficulties. There will be times of heartache as well as times of great joy. One of the things we as parents desire more than others is that our children behave and do the right things. As Christian parents we desire righteous and holiness in their lives and actions. 

So how do we teach them these things?  We first must learn from above. If we are not willing to learn from God above we will never learn the true way to act.  In Vietnam, a man said this statement. "You learn your job from the men above you, and teach your job to the men below you". - Hal Moore. 

So if we are to be great teachers, we must be great students. Lord help us to follow, who art above us, and teach others about you, who are below with us.  

Just Like He Said

John 16:4
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Has someone ever told you something that you really didn't understand or maybe didn't know how to apply it? It could have been directions to a destination that you didn't really understand. Someone may have explained a landmark or a road sign and you gave the face of confusion to them. The whole time that someone is explaining it to you, you really don't understand it.

You set out on your journey and the closer you get to your destination you begin to see all of these signs that were told to you. That old oak tree you were told would be there, you see it in the distance and say to yourself, "There it is." The road sign and its highway numbers that someone told you about, there it is. The turn that was described to you by the color or shutters on the house, there it is. Suddenly it seem as if you have been here before because you have found that everything these people had told you were just as they said.

Jesus told the disciples what would take place when He would suffer on the cross. He told them in detail the things that would unfold after His death and ascension. They didn't understand it all while He was with them. I wonder what they thought when they began to see it all unfold and found it out to be exactly as Jesus said?

Someday, and it could be soon, we will see it just as Jesus said. "Let not your heart be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you... I will come and receive you unto myself... That where I am, there you may be also." Can you imagine what it is going to be like when we find Heaven to be exactly as He said? Maybe you are going through something now that you just don't understand. Hold on and listen.  You will find out that he knows exactly where you are going.

Lips of Wisdom

Proverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

This morning, as I read our scripture. I am very thankful for those who have spoken wisdom to my life. As I go through a list of them it makes me smile. Some have spoken very deep truths to my life. Their truth has shaped and molded me in my walk with Jesus Christ. One preacher once told me, "Never let your heart become bitter." Now that may seem simple and maybe not even profound as a philosopher would have said it but to me, it was spot-on wisdom. My dad once said, "If they could have gotten Humpty Dumpty to Jesus, he could have been fixed." Again, that is some of the most truthful and defining wisdom I've ever heard. What is funny to me and makes me smile is that some of those very people on this list, myself included, have said some of the most foolish things I've ever heard also. Which shows me that we are all guilty of speaking wisdom and sometimes foolish words.

Our scripture says that the wise person disperses knowledge. Disperse meaning to distribute or scatter the knowledge of God. It makes me think of the sower who sowed the Word of God. He distributed or scattered it everywhere. The seed that he sowed was not his own seed or his own wisdom, but it was given to him from God. The wisdom that we need to disperse is the Word of God. We can disperse this through writings, actions and etc... But the scripture says our lips need to distribute it.

How often do we end up being like the latter part of this verse? We so often speak foolishly. When we find ourselves speaking foolish stop and ask yourself this question... Am I speaking MY words or are they the words of the Lord? You will find that when you tend to speak from your own wisdom it primarily comes out foolish. But when you speak the wisdom of God, wisdom and knowledge is heard.

Lord, please help me today, not tomorrow or even yesterday, to speak wisdom from these lips you've created. Please put your hand of guidance upon my heart and lips. And as for my foolishness, please continue to allow me to decrease and you increase in my life. Thank you and I love you with all my heart. In Jesus' name... Amen.

The Perfect Plan

1 Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Although we don't enjoy it, suffering is a part of the Christian life. Trials and storms come our way without any notice sometimes. In just moments things could change.  On January 30, 2014 we woke up to ice still on the roads from the snow. The temperature in our southern town was zero degrees on this morning.  The next two days are forecasted to be in the upper 50's and lower 60's. (Hahaha only in Alabama). This is a constant reminder of how things can change in a moment in either direction. We always say, "If you don't like the weather in Alabama, just stick around it will change quick". 

God tells us that "after we have suffered a while"... We could be high on the mountaintop one moment and then in the lowest valley the next. He knows that we will suffer. He knows that it must take place at times. He knows that it is good for us. God loves to work in us, and through us, during these moments.

Look at what God loves to do in our suffering...

  - Make us perfect (more like Him)

  - Stablish us! (set our feet firmly in Jesus)

  - Strengthen us! (hold us up during these trials)

  - Settle us! (calm our hearts)

What a Perfect Savior!  What a Perfect Provider!  What a Perfect Plan!

Obstacles and Opportunities

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

An obstacle is defined as a thing that blocks one's way, prevents or hinders progress. I know what you are thinking, this could be anything and everything right? Sure it can. Obstacles are things or people who try to get us off the mark and to hinder the work of God in our lives.

An opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Could these circumstances be viewed as obstacles? I believe that they can at times. So how do we understand if they are just obstacles that have been placed on the course to trip us up and hinder us or opportunities to grow and honor God?

Is it in how we view them? Obstacles can look very, very big sometimes. So big that we could even stop running or look for a way around them. But what if we looked past the obstacle? What if we set our eyes upon the goal? Then maybe these obstacles could turn into an opportunity. But what if you flipped that around? Can opportunities turn into obstacles? Oh, yes. This is a very difficult subject to discuss because so many think that this is a glass half full or half empty talk. The truth is that in our lives there will be both!

We will have obstacles on the course. We will have opportunities also. Both of these can make, will make, you stronger in the Lord. How? Obstacles will make you depend and draw all of your strength from God. Opportunities will do the same. You see, without Christ you will trip at every obstacle and opportunity. With Christ... nothing, and I mean nothing, will keep you from the finish line.

Thank you Lord for my obstacles and my opportunities. Help me to see you in them both.

How Do You See People?

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.

This scripture ends a great story in the Bible. The story of Elijah and the widows barrel is at the beginning of this scripture. Then a story of tragedy hits. The widow's son becomes sick and dies. She calls for Elijah and he sets him in a loft and prays over him. Three times he begs God for the life of this boy, and God answers him. He takes the boy back to his mother and she says, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God,". 

I'm not asking if you have raised the dead or performed a great miracle this morning. But what I am asking is...can people say this about you?  Can people truly see that we are His children?  You know people say all the time... Andrew is musically talented like his dad, or the Jacob is so sweet like his mother. It's because we can see the parents in the children. Just like how people should see Jesus in us because we are a part of the family. 

Can people see the Father when they see us?  Or do they see some cheap, fake imitation trying to be sold as the truth?  

Lord, please let people see you when they see me!  Please let me be the man of God that you have called me to be. Never let people see me, but let them see Christ that lives within me.  How 

God Moved

Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

How Awesome! Can you see the greatness and magnitude in this scripture? You may be asking what the big deal is about God making the heaven and the earth. Maybe you say, "Sure, I believe God created all of this." But through our eyes of flesh we can't see the greater blessing of it. We create things right? Thomas Edison created the light bulb. Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone. Bill Gates created Microsoft Windows. Al Gore created the Internet, hahahaha. All of these men created something new from something that already existed. All the elements and materials in these creations already existed.

Look at the scripture... "The earth was without form, and void;..." There was NOTHING. There were no trees, dirt, land, birds, creatures,...nothing. God moved upon a nothing situation and created something beautiful.

My life was void and darkness filled my heart at one time. I was nothing but the elements that God had created. My purpose and will were empty. But something happened... Do you know what it was? The Spirit of God moved upon my life. He said, "Let there be light" and I received that everlasting light of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you feel alone and darkness is covering every where you look. Pray, ask for the moving of the Holy Spirit to come upon your life. Let the light of Christ shine upon, and through, you today and forever. When I feel as if I don't know what to do, or don't know where to go, I ask for the Holy Spirit to move. Thank you for moving God!

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

I can remember as a child playing baseball or basketball at a friends house in our neighborhood. We would jump off the bus, run home, change clothes and hit the playing field. All evening we would play. Then that voice would call out. Oh, I hated it because I knew it was time to go home. Dad would yell from the front porch, and I could hear him at my friends house.  I didn't always go home immediately but I would linger and play just one more game or bat one more time. That was the worst thing in the world to do as a child. Because when I looked up, boom, it was dark. No street lights and not many porch lights in those days. My friend didn't have to walk home in the dark, but I did!  

You know, isn't it funny the things you remember?  Dad or Mom had called my name earlier. I can remember seeing them sometimes standing up at the top of the driveway. But when it got dark, because of my lingering, I couldn't see them anymore. So I would get nervous and scared. Back then I wasn't afraid of people. No, on my road it was dogs you had to look out for. So I would look for dad and couldn't see him. Sometimes thinking he went back into the house. I would start running, hear a noise and stop. But then it would happen. Dad would come into view, or I could see my Mom, I began to feel safe. Wasn't any dog around here gonna get me now!  

Our saying is... "Now you see me, now you don't". But Jesus said, "Now you don't see me, but you soon will". Although we don't see our Savior clearly today, He has gone to prepare us a place. Someday He will call our name, and we will not linger. Then Jesus, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords will come into our view!  Go and read John Chapter 16 and see Him for yourself. 

Give Him Everything

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

How many times do we pray saying, "Lord, I'm giving this to you"?  Only to pick it right back up when we leave the altar or say Amen. Too many to count probably. 

Long ago a great old preacher man told me something that really helped me. He said, "Steve, when you give God your baggage, ask Him to take the handle off of it". See this way we will never pick it back up. When we pray we should ask The Lord to not only remove it from our lives, but also to take the handle off of it so that we aren't tempted to pick it back up as soon as we leave the prayer. 

Also, how many times have you told The Lord, "I'm giving you everything", but only give Him part of it?  God desires that we totally depend upon Him. He wants us to rely on His strength and not our own. He wants us to lean upon His words and not what we think we should say, or even what others would say. Today, He wants everything about you. Not just some of you, but all of you. 

Have you given Him everything?  Do it right now before anything else. Tell Him... "Lord, I give you my burden, my marriage, my children, my sickness, my love, my heart, my life...Lord, I give you Everything!  

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of The Lord Jesus

Just One More Lord

1 Corinthians 3:5-8
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

I love fishing. I think it would be on the top of my list of favorite hobbies. Bass fishing is fun but also it can be work at times. One cast after another cast, over and over again until you get that strike...! When those bass hit it's just indescribable. The feel of the fight and the thrill of seeing it come out of the water dancing. Not much like it in the world. 

But I also love to crappie fish. This is a little more laid back. You can throw a jig if they are biting good but most of the time I pull up to a bridge and drop some minnows in the water. Most times I'll have about three lines in the water and the people in the boat will have the same amount. Sitting and waiting, it is the best fellowship that you can have. Just talking and waiting for those crappie to move. 

The hardest part about either way I fish, whether it be bass fishing or crappie fishing, is leaving. I always struggle with one more cast or one more minnow. Because if I could just catch one more then it would satisfy me. But every time I catch that one, I need one more. 

Alot of times I begin to pray for "one more Lord". What is funny is that the other ones in the boat could catch that next one and not me. But that's okay, just as long as we catch them. 

Isn't that what God tells us? Some people plant, some people water but God gives the increase. God gives the "one more". So why don't you go out fishing this morning? Pray that God will give you one more. If it's not you that gets the "one more" then what does it matter? They all belong to God! It's His harvest, It's His fish. Just give us one more Lord. 

When Will It Be About Him?

John 3:30-31
He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

I don't like the songs they sing. I don't like the lighting in that church. They don't have a big youth group. I didn't see anything for singles or divorced. I like a small church. I like a big church. I like hymns. I like contemporary music. I don't wanna have to dress up. I feel the need to wear a suit and tie because that's my best. I don't want instruments. I can't sing or worship without music. I like pews. I like chairs. Choirs are so outdated. I love to hear a choir sing.

Over and over these phrases are spewed out like vomit from the children of God. It's not the world talking about the church and its so-called features, no it's the church. We talk of what we want so much that we have even adapted that theology to Heaven. We talk of Heaven and what will be there and many times it ends up be a drummed up idea of what we enjoy here on earth.

When will it be about Jesus? When will it be about the presence of the Holy Ghost? When will our lives and walk with Christ be about Him? Our scripture says that we must decrease and He (Jesus) must increase. He is above it all! He is worthy of it all! When we come together, and it is all about Him, then we will experience true worship. So when will it be about Him?

Lord I surrender today. I ask that you increase in my life. Lord, I desire and ask you to be so full in my life that when people hear me or see me that Steve Abney seems to disappear as they behold who you are. In Jesus' name, Amen

Static Electricity

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

During the winter months the static electricity is increased. When we get out of our vehicles...pow! When we stand from our furniture...pow!  When we shuffle our feet across the floor in order to shock our wife or children...POW! Even when we put our dress clothes on, it clings to us and we can't get away from it. 

The Bible teaches that the Gospel of Jesus is powerful. The word powerful is taken from the word used for dynamite. Just the slightest spark can set it off. What if we were that spark? What would happen if we ignited the Gospel?  God wants us to be that spark. He wants us to be intentional about spreading the Gospel (just like when I shuffle my feet to shock the family, for fun). He wants us to also be unintentional about spreading it (like the way it clings to us and there is nothing we can do to get away from it). Share it when getting out of the car...pow! Share it when we stand from our furniture...pow! Share it when we go to work...pow! Share it when we go to school...POW! 

There is a movie called "Patch Adams". In this movie Patch is accused of "excessive happiness". The board of physicians say that they could only hope his attitude would spread throughout the medical field like a wild fire. What if us Christians were accused of "excessive witnessing" or "excessive Gospel sharing"? 

Are you shuffling your feet? Is the Gospel clinging to you?  What a fire could start! POW! POW! POW!

Back in the Saddle

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm back in the saddle"?  It's an idiom that means you're doing something again that you haven't done for a while. I'm back in the saddle of exercising again. I'm back in the saddle of doing school work. I'm back in the saddle after I healed from my surgery. Sometimes getting back in the saddle can be quick and other times it can take a while. Think of it like this... Some surgeries can cause you to be out of the saddle for a long time, while others not so much. 

I've also heard people use that term in this manner... "I got knocked off the horse but I jumped right back up into the saddle to show him a thing or two." If we lose respect for the horse and mistreat it through pride and selfishness, then that horse can become dangerous to us. A large man is nothing compared to a thousand or fifteen hundred pound horse. He could throw you off in a second. What's amazing is how we will saddle up these animals (horses, bulls, camels) that could really hurt us if they wanted to, but because of our respect and treatment of them they allow it. 

You see, pride will get you hurt every time. If you think you do things because of your strength, you are destined to fall out of the saddle. If you think your pride is what controls the horse, he could quickly show you that you are mistaken and fling you right to the ground. Well this morning read our scripture again. It says we need to be humble about our standing lest we fall and that could happen at any moment. Too many people think it's about getting back into the saddle, but maybe we should see it differently. Maybe we should be humble and respectful to The Lord who directs our steps. We should be respectful of our stand in Christ lest at any moment we fall. Our Lord is telling us that when we are in the saddle and we see others that have fallen off of theirs, we should be humbled and not prideful lest we also are thrown off. No doubt, if we fall we should get right back up in the saddle. But hopefully it will be with a little more wisdom and a lot more humility. 

So, you're back in the saddle? Be careful. Be watchful. Be humble. 

Wonder What God is Doing Today?

Romans 10:21
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Have you ever stopped during your day and wondered at what God may be doing at that very moment? I have. In fact I was thinking about it this morning. There He sits upon His throne of glory with His Son beside Him. Watching over the earth and everyone in it. He cares so much to even know the hairs on our head and every idle word we speak.

He could do anything He wanted to right? He's God. But He chooses to think toward us. Even David asked once, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" I've thought the exact same thing in my life before. I've wondered at what God might be thinking of me even at this very minute.

When I read the scripture this morning I know one thing that He does. Look at it... "All day long..." Not just some of the time, but all of the day God is reaching toward Israel in this scripture. He must be reaching toward us as well. God desires that you would be saved. He wants to save you through His grace and love. He is reaching out right now, and all day.

The last thing that I see and realize is nothing but the grace and mercy that He has. "Stretched forth my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people." He is still doing that for you today. Although you are disobedient and will not listen, God is still reaching today. How? With one more message, one more song, one more testimony. Why don't you place your life into His hands right now?

I Will

Luke 5:5

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

As a child I remember arguing with my parents about their rules at home. Things like, going to bed early, bathing, only watching certain television shows. I always thought these things were trivial and should be argued. Staying up late never hurt anyone right?  Bathing only improves on the smell and watching the new television shows just helped me stay in the loop with the crowd. 

My parents could see the potential danger of these things. They knew the aftermath of me staying up all night. My exhaustion and temper would be intolerable. Watching those scary television shows would bring fear and confusion into my mind. Now the bathing thing... They wanted people to be able and be around me. 

Many, many of my arguments were about those things that they knew I needed to do, and even I knew I needed to do, but I still struggled with doing it. On the nights that I just obeyed and showered, went to bed on time and avoided arguing about the tv were the most simple and peaceful nights. 

It has taken time, much time, but I have realized if we will do what Christ asks us then peace can be ours. We wrestle with decisions. We grieve over some of the things that He has commanded. What if we would stop the grieving and the wrestling and do what He has told us?  

Peter, a fisherman by trade, started his statement with, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing:". In other words, they had fished all night long and caught absolutely nothing. Peter may have thought that nothing was going to change in just a moment of hours. But Jesus knew better than that. Peter may have known how to fish, but Jesus is the creator of those fish. He knew if Peter would just obey that he would reap the blessing. 

Is The Lord trying to tell you to do something? Are you struggling just to listen to Him? Notice something with me this morning that God shows. Peter argued with the reason of throwing the net but He obeyed in the decision. Although there were others with Peter and Jesus, Peter said, "at thy word, I will let down the net". It wasn't a "we" decision, but a personal decision. What will you decide today?  The choice to obey is yours alone. It may affect others around you, but it will still be your decision. Say it with me..."At your a word Lord, I will". 

That’s Not What We Would Call Them

Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

A patriarch is someone who is the male head of a family or tribe. Someone who is the oldest and regarded as the founder of something. Someone who is looked up to for wisdom, courage and strength right? How would you have labeled these people that God is speaking of in His word? I'm almost certain that if I would go into detail about these men that you wouldn't have labeled them the "patriarchs". Maybe the Jessie James or Billy the Kid, but definitely not a patriarch.

These men being talked about in our scripture this morning are the ones who maliciously sold their brother into slavery. They intended to inflict misery, pain and even death upon their brother. Envious is just one word to describe their actions. These men hated his dreams, they plotted and devised a plan to get rid of Joseph, and finally an opportunity arose and they sold him. These are the ones that are described as patriarchs. Leaders with wisdom, courage and strength right? If these are our patriarchs I would hate to see what our enemies would do to us.

Something that we are not factoring in is the Grace of God. Most of us when we read that scripture said, "Hmmmm, patriarchs huh? Sounds like a bunch of jealous children of the devil." In the story of Joseph always remember that what they intended for harm, God intended for good. What those patriarchs did was wrong and God punished them for it. Although they were and are the patriarchs of Israel that doesn't mean they got everything right or were sinless.

One thing I know this morning. Most of us would have never called them patriarchs. Just like most everyone I know would have never called me Pastor. Watch what you call people, you never know...

We Are Family

Galatians 3:26-28
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

A misconception that many people have today is that we are all God's children. According to the scriptures, this is not true. The Word of God tells us in places that we were once the children of disobedience or that we were of our father the devil.  I know that trying to get everyone together is a great task but it is impossible because we are not all God's children.

Yes, we are all of God's creation but not all have been born again and adopted into the family of God. Although this is simple and a matter of placing your faith in Christ, not all people have done this. Now I for one desire that everyone would come to Christ Jesus and receive Him as their Savior. My prayer is that all would believe and be placed into the family of God.

Thank you Lord for my adoption! Thank you for placing me into your family and calling me your child. You were not concerned if I was Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or poor. You came to me as I was, purchased me with your blood, and placed me into your family.

We are family! Thanks to Jesus Christ our redeemer, savior and big brother. How much do you love your family?

I’ll Have Some More Please!!

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God,
that I will send a famine in the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord:

Soooooo hungry! I hear many people today talk of the lack of power in the pulpit. Could this be because a lack of the hunger? I believe this to be our major problem of power in the pulpit and our pews. Do the pastors hunger for the Word of God so much that they grieve and pray over the message that God wants them to give? Do the members of the body of Christ starve for the Word of God so much that they attempt to get as much of it as they can?

Great power and spiritual victory could come if we would thirst and hunger for God's Word! Lives would be changed and committed. Souls would be saved. Disciples would be made. The pulpit would be filled with power. Christians would be overflowing with the Spirit.

A sad truth is that most things are only desired when they are gone. Have you ever heard, "You don't miss your water until your well is run dry"? It's a shame to wait for a drought or famine in order to desire God's Word. So let me ask you something. Are you hungry? Then let's eat now from the Word of God. Thirsty? Then let's drink now from the water of life. There will be a famine, and I believe that we are close. So for now, I'll have some more please...

Not Fair!!!

Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Drive by a local ball park and you'll hear these words every time... "That's not fair! Come on ref, make a fair call." Better yet, drive by the local courthouse or jail and you'll hear the same thing. How many of us have made this same statement? I'm sure that we all have at sometime.

An awesome discovery in the Bible is that word, "fair". Most every time it is used it is describing the beauty of a person (mostly women of the Bible). It tells of their outward beauty. The scriptures say things like... "A fair young virgin, she was fair to look upon, or he had a fair countenance." When we think of fair we often think of how we are treated and not how we look.

The truth of it all is that life isn't fair or pretty at times. Situations that life and sin throws at us are some of the ugliest things that we can think of. Did you know that in the book of Isaiah it says when Jesus was dying on the cross that there was no beauty in Him that we are attracted to Him? The cross is such an ugly image. A man, the Son of God, being brutally murdered on a wooden cross. Now think of it... There is absolutely nothing fair or beautiful about that! Someone who never sinned or done wrong, dying for us who have.

But read all the scripture today. Don't you just love how one man says, "It's not fair!" While the other says, "We are getting what we deserve! This man has done nothing wrong." Then Jesus hears the prayer of the deserving sinner and gives him something that isn't fair. He gives him life eternal. He gives him the fair haven of Heaven. Hallelujah! I'm glad life isn't fair.

Right In Front of Your Face

Mark 12:32-34

And the scribe said unto him, 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. 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.

I can remember getting directions before and thinking we were so close to something only to find out that we were miles away from our destination. On the flip side of that, I've asked directions before thinking we were miles away from somewhere and finding out we were just around the corner from it.  

Imagine this man and the question he had for Jesus.  He asked what the greatest commandment was?  He wanted to know about true life and the source of truth. He wanted directions and found out he was so close. Notice what Jesus said about the man's response of keeping all these things. He said, "Thou art not far". "Not far", not there, but not far. You are so close but yet not there just yet. 

You see, keeping commandments are for those who are His servants or are enlisted in service. Following Him is an act of trust and love.  We are saved by His Grace alone. There is nothing, nothing good that we can do.  No greatest commandment can get us in right standing with God. Only the blood Jesus shed for our lives gives us a righteous standing before our God. 

This man was so close, so close that the Son of God was standing right in front of him. The Savior of the world was looking him in the eyes. How close are you? You are closer than you think. 

Praying for Your Pastor

Ephesians 6:19-20
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

As I was preparing to preach one Sunday morning, I placed my bible upon the pulpit and the front cover opened up. Inside the front cover, on a sticky note, was this scripture. It was written by my wife. I can't begin to tell you of all the times I have found a sticky note of encouragement from her. Some that say, "I Love You" or "You are so good looking". Maybe not as many of that last one that I would like to have, but nonetheless she has always found some way of encouraging me.

When I read the words of this scripture I was overwhelmed. God began to speak to my heart so clearly. You see, Paul was speaking about prayer for all the saints of God when he came to this portion and said, "And for me..." He was saying, "If you would offer prayers for me let them be that I would be filled with the utterance of the Spirit." "If you choose to pray for me, then pray that I will open my mouth boldly as I preach the Gospel of Jesus."

My wife was telling me that she was praying for me. Her prayer was that I would be filled with the Holy Spirit while I preach the Gospel of Jesus boldly. Oh, you have no idea! You don't know what that means to me as a husband. But let me tell you something greater. She wasn't just praying for her husband, she was praying for her Pastor.

Instead of picking your Pastor or the preacher apart how much do you pray for him? Would you like to know what every true, God-called preacher would want you to pray for them? Ephesians 6:19-20

I thank God for all of the prayers that have been prayed for me as a preacher of the Gospel. Without your intercession and prayers for the Spirit to fill me I wonder what kind of minister would I be?

He Is...

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Our God! Our Lord! Our Rock! When you read about Him this morning doesn't it stir your soul? Let's take some time today to think of who our God really is.

First let's look at what Moses thought about his God. He started by saying that He is the Rock. Moses is saying that God is unmovable and unshakable. Of all the Egyptian gods that Moses has known in his life, there has been none like his God. They are all trophies of wood and stone in a sinking world, but not God Jehovah. Not his Rock! Moses says that God's work is perfect. His judgment is pure, truthful and without iniquity. After everything that Moses had gone through with Egypt and the children of Israel he says that God's leading is perfect. He closes out this line of scripture with knowing that God is just and right.

Now you take the rest of your time with God right now and think of one characteristic about Him. What would it be? If I could only choose one characteristic of my Lord today I would choose to praise Him for He is Holy! He is worthy of all our praise because of His holiness. It's His holiness that makes Him all-sufficient for me and anyone else who will trust Him.

So what would it be? My God is... He is... ? ? ?

He Saved Others

Matthew 27:42
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

Have you ever said something that you really didn't know what you were talking about? Nah, not you right? I know that I have commented on things that I had no clue about. Sometimes the things I said were accurate even though I didn't know what I was talking about. Why is it that we feel that we need to speak on subjects that we have no understanding on? The person in this scripture today is no different.

It could have been an emotional comment from this person, well, I'm pretty sure it was. Anger drove this person to comment on the crucifixion of Jesus. Lashing out, the words are heard, "He saved others..." How did this person know that Jesus had saved others? Could it be because they viewed it? This first statement is no doubt the absolute truth! Jesus saved others. As a matter of fact, He saves-s-s-s others.

Now look at the latter part that says, "himself he cannot save". Did you know that this is also truth? On the cross of Calvary Jesus could have called for help or salvation from the pain and death but he couldn't save himself. Why? Because he had surrendered to the plan of the Father. He didn't come to earth, be born of fleshly woman, suffer a beating by Romans and hang on a cross to save himself.

No, he did all of that to save YOU! Now you may not believe this but the person that said something that they had no clue about actually told the truth. He was willing to take the beating. Hang on a cross condemned to die. Be mocked, ridiculed and shamed. Why? To save others and not himself.