Ephesians 2:7
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
As I was staring up at that bright light from my dental chair this thought came to my mind. You know the routine... They call your name and you walk down that hall toward the "chair". Looking left and right as you pass by those being scrapped and drilled on. The noises you hear are ones that should be found on a construction site. I finally take my seat and wait for my dentist. When she comes in she is polite and somewhat perky (but she's not the one in the chair right?)
As her assistant was setting up for the drilling session my dentist was applying the normal pink deadening jelly. With needle now in hand she is ready to start. She looks at me and says, "Now comes the worst part, you'll feel a big pinch." As much as I dread these shots in my mouth I have to be honest and say that they do not hurt.
She was slowly and steadily applying pressure to the syringe and injecting the medicine. After a few seconds she says, "That's it, let's let that take effect for a moment and we will do it in the tooth area." To make a long story short, she did this four times (twice on each side) and began her work. Oh the drilling sound! The cold water and suctioning! The holding my mouth wide open for about two hours and praying to the Lord that my breath doesn't stink or that I cough and spit all that water back at the two of them. During this process my dentist constantly asked if I was in any pain. Over and over she would question me. She didn't want to hurt me.
She administered grace unto me. Not only do I see the medicine as grace, because without it she couldn't have removed the rottenness of my tooth. But I also see her attitude as an administrator of grace. Constantly she wanted my comfort but at the same time she knew she had to go deeper to remove all of the decay. She knew that she had to remove this before ever beginning to restore my tooth for use.
Thank you Jesus for your GRACE. Thank you also for your grace administrators. You may think that preacher is just trying to call you out, but he is a grace administrator. Lord help me to be just like my dentist. Help me to reveal the decaying effects of sin, so that you may restore them for use. Help me to be constantly aware of pain and administer the grace that you have given unto me.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
The word of God tells us that if a man is overtaken in a fault, or sin, then those which are spiritual go and restore him. The scripture is not speaking of being spiritual in attitude, there are way too many of those. It is speaking of those that are walking in a spiritual relationship with Christ. God doesn't use those who are prideful and full of their own selves more than they are full of the Spirit. There is no possible way that we can restore someone back into Christ when we ourselves need restoration. When we spend more time on our relationship with Christ and keeping ourselves filled with the Spirit, then we can help others in restoring their relationship with Jesus.
Look at how God tells us that it must be done. He says first of all, it must be done in the spirit of meekness. Being meek does not mean to be weak or passive about sin. It means that we must be humble. Humble enough to realize that it could be us in that situation. Which is the second thing He tells us. We must consider ourselves! We should look at them as though it were ourselves. We should treat what they have fallen to as if we ourselves have fallen to it. God is telling us that if we are to help in the restoration process that we can not do it with pride!
Last of all He says that we also could be tempted in this same area. Why should we be meek and consider ourselves?...lest we also be tempted. The word of God says that pride cometh before destruction. That when we think ourselves to be something or above something to beware because our fall is on its way.
So I ask you this today. Are you a restorer or a destroyer? Are you a helper or a hinderer?
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
The word of God tells us that if a man is overtaken in a fault, or sin, then those which are spiritual go and restore him. The scripture is not speaking of being spiritual in attitude, there are way too many of those. It is speaking of those that are walking in a spiritual relationship with Christ. God doesn't use those who are prideful and full of their own selves more than they are full of the Spirit. There is no possible way that we can restore someone back into Christ when we ourselves need restoration. When we spend more time on our relationship with Christ and keeping ourselves filled with the Spirit, then we can help others in restoring their relationship with Jesus.
Look at how God tells us that it must be done. He says first of all, it must be done in the spirit of meekness. Being meek does not mean to be weak or passive about sin. It means that we must be humble. Humble enough to realize that it could be us in that situation. Which is the second thing He tells us. We must consider ourselves! We should look at them as though it were ourselves. We should treat what they have fallen to as if we ourselves have fallen to it. God is telling us that if we are to help in the restoration process that we can not do it with pride!
Last of all He says that we also could be tempted in this same area. Why should we be meek and consider ourselves?...lest we also be tempted. The word of God says that pride cometh before destruction. That when we think ourselves to be something or above something to beware because our fall is on its way.
So I ask you this today. Are you a restorer or a destroyer? Are you a helper or a hinderer?
Friday, December 26, 2014
A Forgotten Gift
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Remember in the Christmas Story movie, the gift forgotten? Ralphie's dad said, "What is that over there behind the desk?" What about the Christmas Vacation movie? Remember when Clark is in the attic trying to hide those special gifts and finds one for Mother's Day? What if those gifts were left missing? Never to be opened by anyone. Just like this morning, all the presents that were under the tree are all opened. There was not a kid or adult that left one. When we see a gift with our name on it, it must be opened.
In John 3:16, the Bible tells us that God has wrapped a beautiful gift for you. Actually for everyone who will believe. The scripture says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever...THAT'S YOU... believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." The gift is right there with your name on it. Why would you not open it?
Some have tried to hide this special gift. We should not hide this gift like Clark or Ralpie's dad, we should share it with everyone. Remember it's not just to us, but to everyone...to the whosoever.
Thank you Lord for your unspeakable gift. Thank you that you included my name on the wrapping. Thank you that Jesus was born, was crucified, and is forever alive. Thank you for your unspeakable gift. Sometimes I don't have the words to speak my gratitude. I love you Jesus.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Remember in the Christmas Story movie, the gift forgotten? Ralphie's dad said, "What is that over there behind the desk?" What about the Christmas Vacation movie? Remember when Clark is in the attic trying to hide those special gifts and finds one for Mother's Day? What if those gifts were left missing? Never to be opened by anyone. Just like this morning, all the presents that were under the tree are all opened. There was not a kid or adult that left one. When we see a gift with our name on it, it must be opened.
In John 3:16, the Bible tells us that God has wrapped a beautiful gift for you. Actually for everyone who will believe. The scripture says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever...THAT'S YOU... believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." The gift is right there with your name on it. Why would you not open it?
Some have tried to hide this special gift. We should not hide this gift like Clark or Ralpie's dad, we should share it with everyone. Remember it's not just to us, but to everyone...to the whosoever.
Thank you Lord for your unspeakable gift. Thank you that you included my name on the wrapping. Thank you that Jesus was born, was crucified, and is forever alive. Thank you for your unspeakable gift. Sometimes I don't have the words to speak my gratitude. I love you Jesus.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
The Negativity Scene
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
As I think of the scene of the Nativity, my first word to describe it would be grace. Now I'm almost sure the scene wasn't that of peace and quietness in the beginning. But I'm certain it ended up that way. Let's look at it this morning.
Joseph is searching and searching for a place to stay for the night. Mary is about to deliver the baby Jesus from the sitting position on a donkey. The town is full of people grumbling and complaining about tax season. Yes, there are people everywhere with their negative attitudes. "Why must we travel all the way back to Bethlehem?" You can hear them say. "We could have just mailed ours in..." All the time never fully realizing why they were there and why it had to be done this way.
Now we arrive at the scene of the birth, the Nativity. Maybe it was just like our scenes in the yard, or possibly like the ones on our coffee table. Either way it really doesn't matter because one thing we know for certain. It was not called the Negativity Scene. When I read of the scene I think of contentment. Joseph was content with being his earthly father. Mary was content while she pondered His birth in her heart. The shepherds were content to bow down and worship this child as their Savior and Lord.
You may be tempted to say, "Those tax payers were the negative ones." But you would be wrong to say it was all the tax payers. See, Joseph was there for the same reason. He journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay his taxes. But because of his contentment in God he was blessed.
Think about it, if anyone could have chosen for this place to be called the Negativity Scene it could have been Joseph. But His servant heart, and contentment with whatever God wanted to do with him, was greater. So many people will allow this time of year to become negative and bitter. Even scholars and Christians will spend these days debating and arguing over His birth instead of praising God for it. There will be some children and adults that will complain and whine about the gifts they received. There will be crying over what they didn't get. They will turn it into a Negativity Scene. Well not you! Today, and everyday after, be content. There is so much to be found in contentment and God.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
As I think of the scene of the Nativity, my first word to describe it would be grace. Now I'm almost sure the scene wasn't that of peace and quietness in the beginning. But I'm certain it ended up that way. Let's look at it this morning.
Joseph is searching and searching for a place to stay for the night. Mary is about to deliver the baby Jesus from the sitting position on a donkey. The town is full of people grumbling and complaining about tax season. Yes, there are people everywhere with their negative attitudes. "Why must we travel all the way back to Bethlehem?" You can hear them say. "We could have just mailed ours in..." All the time never fully realizing why they were there and why it had to be done this way.
Now we arrive at the scene of the birth, the Nativity. Maybe it was just like our scenes in the yard, or possibly like the ones on our coffee table. Either way it really doesn't matter because one thing we know for certain. It was not called the Negativity Scene. When I read of the scene I think of contentment. Joseph was content with being his earthly father. Mary was content while she pondered His birth in her heart. The shepherds were content to bow down and worship this child as their Savior and Lord.
You may be tempted to say, "Those tax payers were the negative ones." But you would be wrong to say it was all the tax payers. See, Joseph was there for the same reason. He journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay his taxes. But because of his contentment in God he was blessed.
Think about it, if anyone could have chosen for this place to be called the Negativity Scene it could have been Joseph. But His servant heart, and contentment with whatever God wanted to do with him, was greater. So many people will allow this time of year to become negative and bitter. Even scholars and Christians will spend these days debating and arguing over His birth instead of praising God for it. There will be some children and adults that will complain and whine about the gifts they received. There will be crying over what they didn't get. They will turn it into a Negativity Scene. Well not you! Today, and everyday after, be content. There is so much to be found in contentment and God.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
The Day Before
Luke 1:26-28
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Have you ever thought of what was happening with Mary the day before the angel visited her? I wonder what she was doing in her life? Maybe she was preparing for her wedding. She could have been out drawing water and probably doing the everyday routine of her life. Hanging out with her friends and talking about the events for the next day. Preparing for bed, she could have talked with the Lord and told Him that she was willing to be His servant. Then she closed her eyes to await for the next day.
Then it came! The Lord had graced her with another day. I wonder what it was like that morning? Sunny? Rain? I wonder what was on her agenda for that day? What was Mary doing when the news came? Because all of the sudden the angel of the Lord appeared unto her and told her the news. News that changed her life and ours forever. He told her that she was highly favored among women and was chosen by God to bring His Son into the world. His Son that would save the world from their sin.
Just the day before Mary was a follower and today she is vessel. Yesterday she was a willing vessel and today she is a conceiving vessel. She was known by her family as being faithful to God yesterday but today she is known as birthing the Son of God.
Today could be a normal day with normal plans, but it could also be the day before the greatest day ever. The Bible teaches us that we don't know what a day could bring to pass. Maybe today, or maybe tomorrow, He could have great plans for you. Today you must be a willing vessel in order to be a filled vessel tomorrow.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Have you ever thought of what was happening with Mary the day before the angel visited her? I wonder what she was doing in her life? Maybe she was preparing for her wedding. She could have been out drawing water and probably doing the everyday routine of her life. Hanging out with her friends and talking about the events for the next day. Preparing for bed, she could have talked with the Lord and told Him that she was willing to be His servant. Then she closed her eyes to await for the next day.
Then it came! The Lord had graced her with another day. I wonder what it was like that morning? Sunny? Rain? I wonder what was on her agenda for that day? What was Mary doing when the news came? Because all of the sudden the angel of the Lord appeared unto her and told her the news. News that changed her life and ours forever. He told her that she was highly favored among women and was chosen by God to bring His Son into the world. His Son that would save the world from their sin.
Just the day before Mary was a follower and today she is vessel. Yesterday she was a willing vessel and today she is a conceiving vessel. She was known by her family as being faithful to God yesterday but today she is known as birthing the Son of God.
Today could be a normal day with normal plans, but it could also be the day before the greatest day ever. The Bible teaches us that we don't know what a day could bring to pass. Maybe today, or maybe tomorrow, He could have great plans for you. Today you must be a willing vessel in order to be a filled vessel tomorrow.
Friday, November 21, 2014
What Are You Crying For?
Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Did you know that Jesus has won? He has prevailed! Look at what one of the elders in Heaven tells John when he begins to cry. He tells him to "weep not". In other words, "Don't cry". Does this mean we will never cry or never should cry? No. It means we shouldn't cry in defeat.
We all cry at times in our lives. When someone hurts us, or someone dies, or even when pain is inflicted upon our bodies. We cry and it is okay to cry at times. What God is tell us is that we shouldn't cry as someone that has no way out or that has been defeated. Our weeping, as scripture says, may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.
We may look at the condition of this world and it bring tears to our eyes, as it should. We may look at the lost condition of our family and friends and become broken to the point we weep about their souls. As a matter of fact, we need more weeping and brokenness over lost souls today. But John's weeping was different. He was weeping with no hope. He thought it was over and no one could open the book that had been sealed. That's when an elder saint said, "Jesus can do it because He has prevailed".
What made Jesus able to open the book? What did He prevail over? He conquered death and the grave. He defeated sin on the cross and death in the grave. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. So don't cry as one that is defeated because He hath prevailed! What are you crying for?
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Did you know that Jesus has won? He has prevailed! Look at what one of the elders in Heaven tells John when he begins to cry. He tells him to "weep not". In other words, "Don't cry". Does this mean we will never cry or never should cry? No. It means we shouldn't cry in defeat.
We all cry at times in our lives. When someone hurts us, or someone dies, or even when pain is inflicted upon our bodies. We cry and it is okay to cry at times. What God is tell us is that we shouldn't cry as someone that has no way out or that has been defeated. Our weeping, as scripture says, may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.
We may look at the condition of this world and it bring tears to our eyes, as it should. We may look at the lost condition of our family and friends and become broken to the point we weep about their souls. As a matter of fact, we need more weeping and brokenness over lost souls today. But John's weeping was different. He was weeping with no hope. He thought it was over and no one could open the book that had been sealed. That's when an elder saint said, "Jesus can do it because He has prevailed".
What made Jesus able to open the book? What did He prevail over? He conquered death and the grave. He defeated sin on the cross and death in the grave. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. So don't cry as one that is defeated because He hath prevailed! What are you crying for?
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Don't Get The Cart Before The Horse
Mark 10:32-37
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
While reading the scriptures this morning I hope that you are reminded of that old phrase... "Don't put the cart before the horse." I can't tell you how many times I have heard this statement. Now I know that it is mostly stated by those with silver hair (or maybe no hair), but it will apply really well today.
By looking at what Jesus was saying in the beginning verses we understand that He was about to fulfill His Father's plan. Jesus told them what was going to happen. He told them very detailed instructions of what would take place in Jerusalem. Then a question came from His disciples. A question that you would have thought was inappropriate and untimely. "Master, we want you to do something for us before you die." said the mother through her sons. (In Matthew, the mother asked) Jesus answered, "What would ye that I should do for you?" "Give us a position in glory", they said.
Now hold up! Jesus had not yet went to the cross for sins and people are already begging for the glory. This is such a selfish attitude, and one that is very familiar with today's Christians. We want pleasure with no pain. We want sunshine with no rain. We want glory with no suffering. We want healing with no healthy living. Well don't put the cart before the horse.
In this world, we will suffer and there will be rain. But it cannot be compared to what our Lord has waiting for us. But don't get in a hurry. This trial today maybe the shouting material that you will need for tomorrows victory. One preacher told me, "Don't throw in the towel during your suffering, cause you're gonna need something to wave when you finally get the victory!" Now that's putting the horse out front!
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
While reading the scriptures this morning I hope that you are reminded of that old phrase... "Don't put the cart before the horse." I can't tell you how many times I have heard this statement. Now I know that it is mostly stated by those with silver hair (or maybe no hair), but it will apply really well today.
By looking at what Jesus was saying in the beginning verses we understand that He was about to fulfill His Father's plan. Jesus told them what was going to happen. He told them very detailed instructions of what would take place in Jerusalem. Then a question came from His disciples. A question that you would have thought was inappropriate and untimely. "Master, we want you to do something for us before you die." said the mother through her sons. (In Matthew, the mother asked) Jesus answered, "What would ye that I should do for you?" "Give us a position in glory", they said.
Now hold up! Jesus had not yet went to the cross for sins and people are already begging for the glory. This is such a selfish attitude, and one that is very familiar with today's Christians. We want pleasure with no pain. We want sunshine with no rain. We want glory with no suffering. We want healing with no healthy living. Well don't put the cart before the horse.
In this world, we will suffer and there will be rain. But it cannot be compared to what our Lord has waiting for us. But don't get in a hurry. This trial today maybe the shouting material that you will need for tomorrows victory. One preacher told me, "Don't throw in the towel during your suffering, cause you're gonna need something to wave when you finally get the victory!" Now that's putting the horse out front!
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