Am I Missing Something?

Mark 10:21-22
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Before I gave my life to Christ and followed Him I thought I had everything I needed. I really didn't lack for anything in my life. Now don't misunderstand me, I didn't have everything I ever wanted but I did have all I really needed. I had my family growing up. I had friends that stood beside me through some really crazy and dumb times. I thought I had love through girlfriends. As I look back I didn't think there was anything missing.

One night, after enjoying my sinful lifestyle, it hit me that I was missing something. The one who thought he had it all realized that he didn't have something. This one thing that I lacked seemed as though it was multiple things. I realized that I didn't have peace. I didn't have true love. I didn't have life. I thought I was good. I mean I knew scriptures and went to church. I even sang the songs when the congregation would sing. I went as far as to sing special songs in front of the whole church but I didn't have the one thing. Something was always missing.

Do you know what it was, or rather who it was? It was Christ. I didn't have Christ! How sad it would have been to have all of these other things in my life and not have Christ. I could of had my family, friends, relationships and popularity only to die lost without Christ forever.

This man walked away sad because he had great possessions. He settled for his earthly possessions than for what Christ has to offer for eternity. What will you do?

Is That Your Answer?

Isaiah 5:11-13
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink;
that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe,
and wine, are in their feasts:
but they regard not the work of the Lord,
neither consider the operation of his hands.
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge:
and their honourable men are famished,
and their multitude dried up with thirst.

What happens when the party is over? The bill comes. If there is one thing that I can testify about is how much the bill of sin costs. Before Christ saved me I went to the extremes for parties. Hours of filling myself with the drink of the world, listening to the sounds of the music. I spent many nights inflamed as this scripture speaks of. Disregarding the word of God and never considering Him or His work.

This life was bondage. I thought that the answer was found in more and more of the things I was doing. When I felt down, one more party. When I needed and answer, I searched in a bottle. Only to find out these last verses to be true. Captivity overwhelmed me because I didn't know God. My honor was traded every time through my intoxicated state. By the end of the party I was still left thirsty. Although I had filled my life with drink after drink, I was still thirsty.

What I thought was the answer proved to be the problem. Thank you Jesus for living water and a thirst for you that is satisfied. Now that is the answer I looked for.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Matthew 5:46
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Some of you probably started singing the old Tina Turner song already. Do you remember the lyric, "it's just a second hand emotion"? Meaning that anyone can say or act like they love you. It travels from hand to hand or person to person. Leaving you with used goods or a used love.

Christ Jesus asked them in their day and us in our day "if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" If we only love those that love us then how could this seem good or rewarding? He takes it a step farther and says even the publicans do that. Wow, this is pretty harsh. He is telling us that if we only love those who love us then our love is as false as the tax collector.

If we only love those who love us then isn't our love motivated by what they offer us? I have seen children love people and other children only because of what they give them. I've seen adults follow suit with the same actions. Would you think a child would love me and show affection to me if I gave them a sucker? What about a teenager if I gave them an iPad? Or what about you as an adult if I bought you a new vehicle? Sure you would love me! But it would only be a temporal love because if I stopped showering you with gifts or didn't show you that I loved you then you would easily turn off your conversation, affection and love for me.

Why is there a reward for loving those that don't love us or hate us? Because there is labor involved! It's difficult to love those who refuse love. It is work. Lord, help me to be different and teach me to love those who don't love back or even hate me. I know that this help will come from looking at you and your sacrifice on the cross.

What's love got to do with it? Pretty much everything!

Hand in Hand

Psalms 40:11
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Would we say that we have truth in one hand and love in the other? If so, I believe that we are doing it wrong. You can't have love in one hand and offer it to the world apart from truth. You also can't have truth in one hand and offer it to the world without love. We should know that this will never work.

Let's say that we offer truth from the left hand to people of our society. Will they accept it? What do you think the percentage of those who listen to us versus those who turn us off would be? I'm going with a high percentage. Truth today is very much unacceptable. We are told by scholars and professors that truth is only truth if it relates to you. We want commandments removed. We want laws removed. Truth is healthy, but many times too bland to swallow.

Now let's say that you have love and offer it from the right hand. Will they accept it? Absolutely! Love is the candy of life. Everyone is looking for love (in all the wrong places...). We will feast on love. But does love address the issue of sin, hell, eternity? No.

Truth and Love must be in the same hand when speaking of the Gospel of Jesus. The truth of the Gospel is that Jesus suffered a horrible death while the love of the Gospel is that through His death He has offered you life. The truth is that without Christ we are lost forever, but the love is that He has made the way for you to be saved. Law without Grace is no good, just as Grace without Law is void.

Speak the truth in love. There can be no other way. "O Lord: let thy LOVINGKINDNESS and thy TRUTH continually preserve me."

Think About It

Ecclesiastes 7:13
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

When I consider the work of thy hands O Lord I praise your name! Have you ever held a newborn baby? I don't know what you saw when you held them but I will never forget holding my boys for the very first time. When the doctor delivered them and handed them off to me, there was a feeling of extreme joy and thankfulness that came over me.

I thought about them for months. What will they look like? How big will they be? But when I actually held them those questions faded into the background. The thoughts of what they would become or whet they looked like disappeared. The first thing I thought of when holding them was how awesome of a God I serve. He wonderfully and fearfully created these babies. He will grow them and take care of them as they become older.

Who can do such a thing? Is it the parents, nature or just a circle of life? No it is God! Think of the heart and its functions, can this just happen? Think of the brain and its work. In a split second I can think of moving my hand and my brain sends the impulses to all systems which cause me to move my hand. Is this just science? No it is God!

God, when I consider your work I constantly am amazed. I love you and thank you so much for your work. Especially your work of salvation on the cross of Calvary. Just as no one could create a life, no one could give their life on the cross.

I’ll Fix It

Luke 8:43-44
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

Have you tried everything that you know to do? GREAT! Now maybe God can move in your situation. Too often we try our best to figure out the solution to our problems or perils. We come up with a new strategy. We devise a new plan or search for a remedy instead of allowing God to move upon our need.

I am guilty! The man, or flesh, in me goes into fix it mode everytime something arises. All of my life I was taught that if we had a problem then we fix it. If a pipe burst because of the cold weather it was just second nature to fix it. If the car breaks down, fix it. If the storm damages the house, fix it. It is just something inside of me that goes into the "fix it" mode.

What about those things that you just can't fix? (Which are few in my mind...I think I can fix anything) What about a broken heart? A broken marriage? A home that has been devestated with death? These things, without Jesus, would be broken forever.

When I think of this woman touching His garment I imagine her saying to herself, "If I would have known that this was all I needed to do I would have done this twelve years ago."  How much suffering could we avoid if we would only come to Christ when these situations arise? I guess a better question would be... How many years are you gonna try to fix it yourself before you take it to Jesus?

Burdened and Broken

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;

and he that winneth souls is wise.

"I remember, when I have preached at different times in the country, and sometimes here, that my whole soul has agonized over men, every nerve of my body has been strained and I could have wept my very being out of my eyes and carried my whole frame away in a flood of tears, if I could but win souls" - Charles H. Spurgeon

How broken were you this past year for the salvation of others?  Study is a great asset to our witness.  Prayer is a great asset to our witness. But weeping may be the greatest asset to our soul winning. Jerry Vines said, "I've seen tears do what wisdom could not". 

Let us pray today that we would be burdened and broken for lost people. So broken that we couldn't focus on their sin, but their need for salvation only found in Jesus Christ. 

M.Y.O.B.

Proverbs 26:17
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

How many times has your momma told you to mind your own business? Hundreds or thousands for me. When you’re a nosey little boy you will be told this many times. What is so funny to me now is I often yell this phrase out on my bus. I don’t say it like my momma used to tell me though. I just yell, “M.Y.O.B!” Then my kids on the bus say, “What does that mean?” Mind. Your. Own. Business.

Daily you can ride with me and hear, “She’s talking about me, He’s staring at me, They won’t stay out of my conversation!” Then I usually have someone jump in and try to solve to problem. You know that person that sticks in their two foot long nose... I always tell them to M.Y.O.B. You don’t know what you are talking about and you don’t want to get involved.

God’s Word explains it much better than I can. He says a “person that walks by and meddles in a quarrel not his own...” First of all this isn’t talking about a person who walks by and sees an argument or fight and tells them to just keep walking. No, He says that a person that sees a quarrel and wants to “meddle” in it. In the south I hope that I don’t have to explain what meddling means.

Last of all, God says the person who passes by and meddles in a quarrel that’s “not his own is like a person who takes a dog by the ears.” I don’t know about you but I don’t think grabbing a dog by its ears would end well. It may just come back to bite you. So, what is the conclusion we should come to? Let me spell it out like our scripture teaches us this morning... M.Y.O.B.

Reacting VS Responding

Exodus 19:7-8

And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.

When the man of God preaches the words of God, what do you do?  Did you fumble through a hymn book?  Did you clip your nails? Maybe catch up on some Bible study time?  Or did you listen with the Spirit of God and respond?

When we hear God and His word it asks for us to respond, not react!  Some will react by getting angry and turning their ears and heart off. Some will even react with emotions, jump up and shout but then fizzle out like an old soft drink. God's word leads us to respond. Responding is an emotional heart search that leads to an action. Responding is faith in action. When these people heard the word of God something happened. First, they all came together. Then they all answered together. Look at their response to the word of God...

"All that The Lord hath spoken we will do."  Now we can continue to read about the children of Israel and see that some of the people said this out of reaction to their emotions. We see it because they went away from this promise shortly after they made it. It's because they reacted instead of responding. 

Lastly, to our Moses' (preachers of the word), maybe people react to the message because you just skim through what God has told you and you're not giving it all. Maybe because you only give the emotional part of the message is their reason of reacting. God's words are sometimes tough for the speaker and the hearer, but what are we sharing if we only share what we want and not what God says?

Think if Moses told everyone that it was going to be simple and easy. That there would always be a banquet to feast on and roses to walk on. God says it will be tough and I require obedience from my children, but know this... I love you and I will be there every step of the way. 

What did you take from God's word? How did you respond? Let Him hear your answer right now. 

All Day Long

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

Haven't we all been disobedient at times? Sure we have. When we were children, our parents would instruct us to not do something and what would we do? That's right, run right over to what they told us not to do and do it. No one had to teach us this kind of behavior. It seems to just come naturally.

But even when we were children we understood the disappointment of continual disobedience. At some point it must turn from disobedience to just a total rejection of the truth. God tells us that He has stretched out His hand to a disobedient and gainsaying (pride filled) people. Over and over God reaches out His hand of mercy and grace to a disobedient people. It reminds me of a parent. With love and understanding the possible danger, they instruct their child. They tell them to not go somewhere or to not touch something. At first they understand the child's mind that doesn't know any better. Sometimes this can be an all day affair.

God says, "I have reached out for you. I love you Israel!" But again and again they continue in their own disobedient ways with things making them happy. Not mine! I want you to hear me O Lord. Stop walking in disobedience right now and walk in the glorious light of His Word

Is There Room?

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

They say this is the most wonderful time of the year right?  The time of year where most will donate or throw out all the old things in order to make room for the new. We will get busy cleaning out closets and rooms. Isn't it funny how we will do this?  We make room for new toys, new TVs, new clothes, one more piece of pie, etc... 

What about making room for Jesus?  Do you allow Him to remove the old things about you and replace them with new?  Do you take time to read His Words?  Do you set aside time to worship Him with others together in His house?  Begin today, start right now, making room for Jesus. Not just a baby, but a Savior who gave His life for you. Pray that He would remove the old things you don't need and room would be made just for Him. 

One great thing about Jesus is that He has made room for you. Room at the Cross!

 Luke 14:22

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

John 15:13-15

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Friendship is defined as a relationship between friends. Our God is so desirous about having you as His best friend. He wants to be close enough to you that your thoughts are constantly fixed on His thoughts. So close that your hurts are shared and easily seen. So close that your wants are the same as the other. So close that your joys are doubled and enjoyed together. 

Friendship is two people giving and taking. "A friend that has friends must be friendly". Jesus gave His life for us while we were lost and in sin. He chose to die while we were already dead in sin. He treated us as friends even when we were unfriendly. Most of all, He loved us when we were/are unlovable. 

Romans 5:8-10

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. 

Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear;

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. 

What Time Is It?

John 12:23
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Most of my life I never wore a watch. I was always asking people, "What time is it?" When I was younger it was a question I would ask every two or three minutes apart. Especially if there was a specific time I was waiting on. I'm sure I bothered many people back then.

Can't you remember your parents telling you that you were going over to your cousins house at five o'clock? Usually mine would tell me this at about eight in the morning. So all day long I would ask, "What time is it? What time is it now? Is it five yet?"

Think of all the glorious miracles that the disciples saw Jesus perform. Imagine all the words of life and power that they heard come from the mouth of the Son of God. Over and over Jesus would tell them that His time had not yet come. I imagine that they would look at Him with that look of, "Is it time yet? Will you show your full glory now? Can we glorify you now?" Then one day when they probably lest expected it... Jesus says, "The hour is come..."

"IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK, LET'S GO!" I would yell to my parents. I would hurry them out the door because this is the time I had waited on all day. At eight in the morning it seemed like it would never get here. It seemed like the minutes were hours. But when I wasn't paying attention... the time came.

You may be waiting on Jesus to show up or you may be waiting on His return. Let me assure you this morning that He will show up. He will return. The hour will come some day that ALL will glorify the Son. We will ALL bow our knees, we will ALL confess that Jesus is Lord. As John said in the closing book of the Bible, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Make up in your mind this morning that it is time! It's time that you glorify the Son of God, Jesus.

Who Me?

Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Can you believe that? God chose someone like Saul of Tarsus to deliver the greatest message this world has ever known to the Gentile nation. This same Saul was before a persecutor of the church people. He had them killed, imprisoned, beaten and told to stop spreading this disease called Christianity. But now he is saved and sharing Jesus with the Gentiles. When Saul got saved even his name was changed.

One of the facts I find to be the greatest is the fact of who Paul is now preaching to, it's the Gentiles. These people didn't get their name from being gentle or acting like gentlemen. To the Jew, they were barbaric dogs and not worthy of God. But to God, now that's totally different and Paul is called to tell them about it.

Paul went out into the Gentile nation preaching the Gospel of Jesus. How Jesus was born of a virgin, how He died on the cross and how He was resurrected of His Father. How could God use someone like this? Remember who he used to be? A persecutor, murderer, attacker of the Gospel is now preaching the Gospel. The one who went to all extremes to get rid of this heretic message of the Gospel is now preaching this Gospel.

Can you imagine the talk with Christ that day of his salvation? Who me? You want me? You want me to do what? I know this very well! I was one who was before a blasphemer, persecutor and often took the name of the Lord in vain. I was a drunkard. I was a brawler. I was a liar. I was a fornicator. I was, I was, I was... But that's just it. I was... But do you know something? I am now! I think of it like this... Unto me, Steve Abney who is the least of all the saints, is given this grace. See I don't stand on my experience or abilities, but in His grace. I can share with you about Jesus and not worry about who "I was" because of who "I am". AMEN! And so can you.

Turn Already

Joel 2:12-13
Therefore also now, saith the Lord,
turn ye even to me with all your heart,
and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
And rend your heart, and not your garments,
and turn unto the Lord your God:
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness,
and repenteth him of the evil.

Have you ever driven down the interstate and seen someone who has left their blinker on? Or maybe someone on a backwoods rural road who has been riding along with their blinker on for a mile or two? Blink, Blink, Blink... “Please just turn already!” is what I usually say. Blink, Blink, Blink...

The Word of God describes to us the same scenario this morning. A people, called the Jews and who had opportunity at a right standing with God, lived much of their lives with their blinker on. Continually signaling as if they would turn, blink... blink... blink...  God told them that if they would turn unto Him with all their heart, with fasting, weeping and with mourning that He would extend His Grace and Mercy unto them.

Blink... Blink... Blink... “Turn already!” Much like these Jewish people of the Old Testament, I see the same thing unfolding today. Over and over as I share the Grace and Mercy of God with people, a view of people with their blinker on comes to me. I sometimes want to say, “Turn already!” I believe that my frustration comes from knowing that they are going to miss the turn.

I’m asking you today... Please turn already. What are you waiting for? Stop living with your blinker on as if you have intentions of turning. Just turn already. Turn... Blink... Blink... Blink... Turn to Grace, Mercy, Great Kindness.

Can I Have Some More?

2 Kings 2:9
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Think of your favorite food this morning. I know, I'm starting your morning off wrong. Especially if you are trying to diet or eat healthy. We all know that as soon as you read that first statement there was no broccoli or leafy green that came to your mind. Seriously, what would that favorite food of yours be? Now here are some other questions. If it were in front of you would you be satisfied with just a taste? Just one plate full? Or would you hold out your plate for maybe a second helping? If someone else were serving it up would you be satisfied with just a spoonful or would you want double?

The truth is that we would want more. Most of the time we want double of what we love. The employee would love double what they are making now. The car buyer would love to have all the bells and whistles for the same price. Even the gambler loves to take the "double-or-nothing" risk.

What if I told you that it is possible to have more, double, of God's Spirit today? No I don't mean that you supposedly become saved twice or baptized twice. You can't get any more saved than you are when you ask Christ for salvation. Once you are saved you receive the Holy Spirit. Everyday we grow more and more in the Spirit. Constantly praying that God would pour out His Spirit with double the strength everyday.

Elisha was not greater than Elijah in miracles or power at all. He just knew what Elijah had and he wanted it. Not just wanted it, he wanted it doubly more.

God my prayer today and everyday is that you fill me with your Spirit more and more everyday. May I have some more? May I have a double helping of you Lord? Surely you are not satisfied with just a spoonful of the Spirit.

I Have Sinned

Jeremiah 14:20
We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers:
for we have sinned against thee.

What could happen if we just called it like it is? What if we would just come out and declare that we have sinned? Well a few words come to my mind...grace, forgiveness, salvation, healing, repair, restoration, mercy and praise. This is the short list.

God can, and always will, do great things when we acknowledge our sins unto Him. His word says if we hide or cover our sins that we will not be blessed or prosper. If we confess them, then He will hear us and forgive us. This seems very simple to me. Do not keep confession from God and always acknowldge your sins. Acknowledging your sin is defined as recognizing it or taking notice of it.

Today, will you pray with me a prayer I often pray? Father, please hear me as I ask you something today. Will you please show me my sins? I acknowledge that I have sinned against you Lord. I know that it is wickedness and sinful. Please forgive me of my sins. Forgive me O, Lord, remove my sins and cast them far from me. I am sorry that I disobeyed. I love you Lord. It's in Jesus' name I pray...Amen

Altered at the Altar

Psalms 43:4
Then will I go unto the altar of God,
unto God my exceeding joy:
yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

With much stress and heartache among all people today we are faced with finding hope. Have you seen all of the modern medication commercials lately? They usually tell about the cure for our problem and then spend the last two minutes of a two and a half minute commercial telling how it will alter you with its many side effects. How about the alcoholic beverage commercials? "Just a little something to take the edge off", they say. We live such an altered lifestyle nowadays. Dependent upon medication to wake us as well as put us to sleep. Some to pick us up and some to chill us out. Some to fix our stomach issues and others that effect our stomach issues. Wave after wave it rolls upon us. Not to mention the slogans from alcohol dealers that tell us to forget our troubles and have a cold one. "Guinness says "it's Good For You." Another one says, "Where there's life, there's Bud". We alter our minds, some alter their bodies, we even alter our situations and still come up short on the peace we are looking for.

We are convinced that our altered minds or attitudes is the answer for our peace and hope. I know that you could say I don't know what you're going through. I don't know your life or pain. You are right! I don't, and you don’t know mine, but I bet this man named David knew. He could have easily altered his life with things that made him forget his sin and struggle, but he chose to altar himself instead of being altered.

When my heartaches come, and they do often, I love getting altar-ed! Look again at what David said, "Then will I go into the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God." Did you know that things can be altered at the altar? Go... Go now.

God Gave it Back

Matthew 27:57-60

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus 'disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Think of Joseph... His family tomb that he paid for and labored for was given to Jesus. Many people would say that he already knew Jesus only needed to borrow it, but I'm not sure that is the case. Even the disciples who walked with Jesus and saw the many miracles he did were in shock and disbelief of what had happened. Jesus plainly told them what would take place and they were blinded to the whole scene. So I don't believe Joseph gave his tomb for the body of Jesus with the intentions of getting it back. 

I was thinking of how the tomb could have been given back because Jesus didn't need it long, only to borrow it. Then God showed me that Adam lost dominion in the garden of Eden and all of creation was in bondage to sin and death, even blinded by darkness... But Jesus, on the cross, gave it back through his blood. Then out of the tomb, he gave it back through his resurrection. 

On the cross he gave His blood and life...and gave back our freedom from the penalty of sin, which is death.

Out of the tomb he came arose victorious...and gave back our lives through his resurrection. 

Whatever you've lost...in marriage, to addictions, to the enemy, in your life... God, through His Son Jesus, can give it back. Don't allow satan to continue and blind you from the greatest truth ever. That God desires to save you. That God desires to restore you. That God desires to give it back. 

Love Lifted Me

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I read something yesterday that really struck a chord within me. It said, "Ships don't sink by water being around them. They sink by water being in them." Wow what a statement. Simple, but yet full of absolute truth!

We are in a world soaked and saturated with sin. Like an ocean of water, our society and nation is drowning from ungodly waves of filth. But we are in Christ! We will not be conformed to this world and its sin. We are transformed by the blood of Christ. We need not let the sin of this world enter into our lives. Stay away from sin. Don't let the water enter into your life. That's when the boat starts to sink. Jesus saved us from sinking in sin.

One of the greatest things about Jesus is that He was without sin. He was the only one on Calvary's hill that day that had no sin in Him. He had sin all around Him, but none within Him. He was not conformed to this world. He didn't allow the sin of this world to enter into His vessel. We need to learn from Chrst today. Because of His death, we have life. Because of His holiness, we have His righteousness.

Don't let the water in your vessel. It would only be a matter of time until you sink in sin.

I was sinking deep in sin Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stain with sin sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
And from the waters He lifted me and safe am I

Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help, love lifted me

How Much for the Soup?

Genesis 25:29-34
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Are you surprised at Esau? He sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Do you know what kind of deal that was? Horrible! The firstborn, which was Esau, was blessed with the birthright. This birthright included many blessings but one of the most notable was the blessing of the inheritance. If a man had two sons then the land and possessions would have been divided into three. The older, or firstborn, would receive two of those three portions and the younger only one. So the deal that Esau made was a very foolish and hasty one.

I have seen those same deals made among many people today. If we can have a quick fix to something we jump right on board and sell out. People have placed leadership roles upon people that promise them a chicken in every pot (well today it is unto those who give bailouts and free cell phones). You have no idea what the intentions of these people are, you are blinded by what they offer you at the moment. It's as if we are at the crossroads and the devil is stirring a big pot of stew and purchasing souls.

So many people today, Christians included, are ready to vote for someone of leadership who promises only what they want. Well what about what God wants? What about the value of God's Word? Will we sell our values and Christian standards only to drink soup from the devil's hand? If you answered yes... then you have sold out for a bowl of soup. How much will it cost you? Yes it will costs Christians in standing upon the promises of God but let me tell you that the inheritance is much better than even what Esau would have received had he not sold his. It will be out of this world! But if you sell out for soup you could ask Esau who then despised his birthright which means he despised the things of God. It did not settle good with him.

Drifting Along

Malachi 3:7
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

At some time in all of our Christian lives we were either closer to the Lord than ever before or farther away then ever before. It's funny that we seem to love and talk about when we are closer than ever to the Lord. The testimonies come so easily. The praise in our worship comes at ease. The love for the Word, prayer and others is just like second nature to us during this time but what about when you are farther away than ever before?

We tend to be quiet. No testimonies. Sometimes a form of praise. Reading our Bible, praying and loving others is one of the hardest things to do during this time in our life. Why? What was it that placed us here? Is it God? No, it's us!

You see we are prone to drift from the ordinances of God. Our flesh, which is corrupt, often causes us to drift. It's almost like a ship that has no sail drifting alone in the ocean. There is no direction, no purpose and no movement other than where the waves of the ocean take it. Like the ship, we are just the same. But there is great news found in this verse also. It tells us that we have gone away from the truth of God and have not kept the Word of God. Then He says, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you..." Hoist the sails this morning! If you have to call for "All men on deck".  Stop drifting and start sailing in the vast ocean of God's grace and guidance.

Maybe you are like those in Israel with a question. "Wherein shall we return?" Ask God this morning where and what you have drifted from. I'm certain that He will tell you just as He did Israel. I know that He always shows me when I'm drifting.

Quack, Quack, Quack

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

A few days ago at church our service was just about to begin. I had to go back toward my office to get something and when I turned the corner I saw a beautiful sight. It was about ten to twelve children following an adult into the sanctuary. They looked like ducks in a row. One after one following in a straight line they marched by me. Quack, quack, quack.

As I read the scripture for this morning I can still see that image. God has called us to follow Him. We are not to get in front of Him or too far behind Him, we are to follow as best as we can.

God, I cry out this morning to you! My desire is to follow you. Sometimes my eyes and walk is distracted because of sin and selfishness. Please forgive me Lord. Thank you for always telling me to "keep up" and "this way". Lord I follow you today as a child who doesn't know which way is the right way. Too often I have thought that I knew the way and try to go on my own. Today is different! I admit that I am your child and that I will follow you. Where you lead, I will follow. Quack, quack...

I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.