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.

Bibles and Butterflies

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

How important is the Word of God in your life? As a Christian, if your answer is not top priority then I'm sure your life lacks the Spiritual power and peace that Christ wants you to have. If you choose not to eat, what would your level of strength be? Very weak, very weak.

While Jesus is praying for us in this scripture we hear Him say, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." He tells us that His word is the truth that we need. We need it for direction. We need it for nourishment. We need it for wisdom, peace and to understand the greatest love we could ever hope to have. Doesn't that make you excited? It gets me emotional and feel the butterflies in my stomach.

Sometimes we are tempted to live more on that excitement than the Word. We love the butterflies in our stomach and follow them everywhere they flutter. We want more emotions and more feelings. We  want the warm feelings that comes with excitement about God and His Son. We have traded our Bibles for butterflies.

The Word! It's the Word! The Word sanctifies. The Word teaches. The Word of God instructs. It is the Word of God that causes our excitement. Stop playing with the emotional butterflies and dive into the Word of God. You know what is awesome? When you run through a field, butterflies fly upward and refresh your spirit. Well when you search through the Word of God the truth flies up, up, up. When I read it my emotions are stirred and my heart flies upward.

It ain't about the butterflies, it's about the Word of God that gives me the butterflies. I love it!

Nothing Better, Nothing!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What more do we need? There is an attitude, even among the church, of needing something more or something new. Preachers ask for more understanding. Congregations ask for more stories and humor. May I be honest? We need nothing more to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do.

We need no more tools. We need no more words. We just need to trust in the message of the Cross. We need to rely on the message of God's love for the world. We need to sink our teeth into the meat of God's Word that says, "God loved us so much that he gave His only begotten Son".

Stop asking people to join your movement. Stop trying to change people through a philosophy or a step program and preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ found in this great text. This scripture has found itself on billboards. Found its way in the end zone of a football game. But when it invades our pulpits and our witness. Oh, I can't even imagine what could be done for the Gospel.

This morning please understand that it is still the old love story that saves lives. It's still the message of the cross that reaches the vilest sinner. It's still the love of God that changes hearts. Stop looking for something else or something new for you will never find anything better!

Money In The Attic

1 Timothy 6:7-8

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Have you ever heard the story of the man who wanted his wife to put his money in a jar when he dies?  He gave her detailed instructions to put all his money in a jar and then to place it in the attic. This way when he dies, on his way up he would grab it and take it to heaven with him. Because he didn't want anyone else to have it. Well after a few weeks she begin to wonder about the money. So she climbed up the attic stairs and saw the money sitting in the same place she left it. She thought for a moment and then said, "Well I guess I should have put it in the basement."

The scriptures tell us that whatever we have in our lives it is certain that we can't carry it with us. This is speaking of materialistic things and riches. Why is it that we would even want to carry anything with us? Think of the greatest materialistic possession that you have on this earth. Now think of what God has waiting for you. Is there really any comparison? Of course not! 

We should be content with what we have. We should be satisfied with the blessings that God has blessed us with. An old song could explain it a little better...

There's a roof up above me and I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table and shoea on my feet

You gave me your love Lord and a fine family 

So thank you Lord for your blessings on me

Acceptance

Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.

In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.

The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".

The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".

What Do You Decide?

Joshua 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Everyday and all day I make choices. From what time to get up to what I will wear, I make my choice. Then when I get to work I have to make decisions and choices throughout the whole day. I come home and I want to just sit and relax. I don't want to make any decisions. I have decided things all day and chose the best way or best answer to problems or situations. When I get home I have no desire to make any decisions. But it's not that simple. 

Patti, my wife, comes in and asks, "What do you want for dinner?" Andrew asks, "What are we doing tonight dad?" Jacob says, "Dad do you want to watch a movie tonight?" If I say yes then the next question is... "What do you want to watch?" It's true! We could be going out for dinner and use a tank of gas on trying to decide where to eat. 

It's because sometimes we don't want to make a choice. But the reality of it all is that we have to choose. Joshua came to a place in his walk with God that he made a choice. He decided that the best thing for him and his family was to serve God. You may think that he really didn't have a choice in the matter but that wouldn't be true. He could have served the false gods of those before the flood. But he made the decision to serve God, the true God. 

You may not want to choose today. You may say that you have to make choices everyday and you don't want to decide right now. But you have to! Not choosing is a choice within itself. So what is your choice?

Gotcha!

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.

While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"

As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.

Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.

We Are The Body

Ephesians 4:15-16

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Saying we are the "Body of Christ" is one thing, but BEING the body is totally different. How many times have we claimed to be the body and fall short?  Today was different!  

Since I was in the second grade, 1982, I have lived in the same place. At first we were zoned in Warrior, Alabama then we were rezoned into Kimberly, Alabama. I love explaining to people where I live. I usually start out by saying, "Have you ever heard of Hughes Egg Farm? Or do you know where Guthrie's Grocery used to be? And then go into detail from there. I tell them that we live right in the middle of Haig, Brafford, Trafford, Warrior, Kimberly and Morris. Well since living here, we've not had many episodes of severe weather. I can honestly remember only one time at the age of eight or nine that a storm came through but even then it didn't cause much damage. That has changed over the last five years. We have had many times of damaging weather over this short period of time. From snow (which I'll take any day) to tornadoes and floods.

Through these trying times I have seen many become the "Body of Christ"!  The one that is fitly joined together. Houses are worked on piece by piece with worker by worker. Churches feed and labor right along with these people as if it is their very own house. 

I know that there is something very special about the place I have lived for so long, but there is something far greater within the church when they become the BODY!  Thank you for being the "Body of Christ"! You know...this scripture says we couldn't be the arms, feet and back of the body if it were not for the head (Jesus) guiding and directing. 

Now You’re Praying!

Psalms 61:1
Hear my cry, O God;
attend unto my prayer.

What is your biggest concern in prayer? Is it an answer?  Most every Christian comes to prayer seeking an answer. We want an immediate response as if God is a magic eight ball or Siri. We live in a world of quick responses and even quicker results. We want our food faster. Our diets more effective with less effort. We desire more for our dollar and all knowledge thanks to Wikipedia. We are going about this all wrong! Prayer is not to be used as a hotline of blessings or information. It is our communication of a blessed relationship with God.

David was at a place where his concern was God just simply hearing his prayer. Have you ever just stopped and said, "God, I don't want to ask anything of you. I just want you to hear me today. I just want you to know me. Know that I love you. Know that I need you. Know that I can do nothing without you."

If we are not careful we can come to prayer with an answer to that request already in place within our minds. Then our prayers can be altered by telling God what we think we need. If we could only understand the power of prayer when we come empty and dependent! We should be more concerned that He hears us than what we think He should do.

Fill In The Blank

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

"O ________, keep that which is committed to thy trust..." Fill in that blank with your name. How good of a job are you doing at keeping the truth of God's Word? Not just in your life, but also in keeping it the pure and true knowledge in the days which we live?

Our lives, as disciples of Christ, have been deposited with the goods. The goods being the truth of the Word through the Holy Spirit. We have the highest valued deposit in our hearts and lives. How are you keeping it?

Many want the government to keep up with it. Some want the Pastor and the church to keep up with it. But God has trusted you with it. We are to keep it secure! If feels like too many have Barney Fife guarding the goods. (Like the time the gold was coming through Mayberry) Maybe it's because we don't see the value of what is in this deposit. We tend to entertain profane and vain babbling. We sit at the table of the so called educated that ridicule and despise our Lord and Savior. We should be making some deposits. We should speak the truth of the Word of God in Love to a world that is heading to Hell.

Now, read it again and place your name there in the blank. I'm not gonna ask you how you were keeping it this time. No, that's already been asked. I want you to answer two things for yourself.

1 - How valuable is the deposit of grace, salvation and truth that God has placed in me?
2 - What can I now do to keep it? Not keeping for salvation or keeping it to yourself, but guarding it from sin in your own life and sharing it with others.

It is too valuable of a treasure to keep to yourself or for others to trample on

Show Them The Gospel

Titus 2:7-8
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Are good works important in the life of a Christian? Sure they are. It is the fruit that hangs from our tree. It is the Gospel in action many times. We understand that it is possible to say whatever we want but to be what we say we are is much different. You could stand in the garage and say you are a car, but you would never be a car. You could say that you start on the offensive line for the best NFL team in the nation and come game time you would never be found. Even on the roster. Saying one thing and being one thing are very different.

Look at what God tells us... In all things show a pattern of good works. Why? Because when Christ saved you, He created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). In doctrine, we should show a grounding and sincerity in the truth and in our speech. Why? So that no condemnation or questioning of our life would be held against us.

Did you notice "show" was a theme in these verses? We can say many things, but showing is much more effective. Spread the Word of God today. Tell them every scripture, every commandment and every truth. Don't forget to show it with every ounce of grace, mercy and love that you can.