Ecclesiastes 5:2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Our mouths are dangerous members of the body. It gets us into more trouble and sin than anything else. There is nothing that fights against us as much as our mouths. Now I understand that it speaks that which is in the heart and mind but remember it is the instrument that allows it to flow. Many, many times in my life I wish I could have kept quiet. I've even thought in my mind, "Steve, shut up."
In another scripture the Word tells us that the tongue is set on fire from Hell. It is a builder or a destroyer. More times than others it is the latter of these two. Oh, Lord teach me to be quiet. Help me study to be quiet and a listener.
One thing we should especially keep in mind this that when we tear down others we could very well be them tomorrow. Take heed of your words you speak of those walking with, or not walking with Christ because you may be where they are someday soon.
God, please forgive me of my hasty words. Forgive me for talking too much. Forgive me for my many words in prayer sometimes. I spend too much time telling you of my situation or quoting Your scripture to you and not listening like I should. I have missed out many times in your answers because I can't close my mouth. I come this morning with my ears open and my mouth closed... I'm listening.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016
It's God's Word
2 Peter 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Do we look at the Word of God as a history book or a story book? I'm afraid that among many Christians today we see it as a book full of stories. Not able to differ between a Chinese proverb or the book of proverbs. A sad truth is that among many believers, young and old, there is a struggle in identifying scripture or stories.
Peter declares that he hasn't followed cunningly devised fables. This isn't a devised story, but it is the truth. Truth that has been seen with Peter's own eyes.
My fear for believers in today's society is an absence of scripture. A pattern among some is to read one scripture and build a sermon around an idea instead of building it upon the text given to us by God. It is rare to find someone who would read the text, preach the text and lead to the cross of Jesus through the text and then to an invitation.
Remember when reading your Bible this morning, and everyday, that you hold in your hand the infallible, inerrant and Holy word from God. It's no story book! It's not Mother Goose! It is, and will always remain, God's word. It needs no additive or complementary addition. It needs to be read as an eyewitness account of what took place and what will take place.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Do we look at the Word of God as a history book or a story book? I'm afraid that among many Christians today we see it as a book full of stories. Not able to differ between a Chinese proverb or the book of proverbs. A sad truth is that among many believers, young and old, there is a struggle in identifying scripture or stories.
Peter declares that he hasn't followed cunningly devised fables. This isn't a devised story, but it is the truth. Truth that has been seen with Peter's own eyes.
My fear for believers in today's society is an absence of scripture. A pattern among some is to read one scripture and build a sermon around an idea instead of building it upon the text given to us by God. It is rare to find someone who would read the text, preach the text and lead to the cross of Jesus through the text and then to an invitation.
Remember when reading your Bible this morning, and everyday, that you hold in your hand the infallible, inerrant and Holy word from God. It's no story book! It's not Mother Goose! It is, and will always remain, God's word. It needs no additive or complementary addition. It needs to be read as an eyewitness account of what took place and what will take place.
Friday, July 1, 2016
My "Good Thing"
Matthew 19:16
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
A rich young man once came to Jesus. "What good THING shall I DO, that I may have eternal life?" he asked. Maybe Jesus could have told him to go feed and clothe the poor. He could have commanded him to wash or baptize himself in a certain spot of water. He could have told him to read his scrolls, pay his tithes and attend the synagogue daily. But Jesus chose to tell him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor and to come follow Him.
Is this the "good THING" that we all have to do to inherit eternal life? No. There is no "good THING" that we could do. This young rich man's mind was set on doing more or accomplishing more in order to have more. He was deceived into thinking that there could be one task or a "good THING" to do. Christ is the "good THING"! Eternal life is through belief in and a life surrendered to Him.
So why did Jesus tell him to sell all that had, give it to the poor and come follow Him? Because through believing in Jesus we must surrender our lives to Him. We must deny what our "good THING" is and know that it's Him. He knew that this young rich man loved what He had more that what He was asking for. If we love our sin, which is separating us from God, more than we love Jesus and His payment for our sins then eternal life with Him will not be. Our God is not against riches. It is by Him that we are blessed. He is against that which keeps us from Him. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die so that we could have access to Him and eternal life with Him.
Do you think that there is a "good THING" you are doing that is giving you or keeping you in His salvation? You're wrong. You could never preach enough, sing enough, serve enough or give enough to be saved. There is no "good THING" in us. The "good THING" was given to us and it is salvation through this man named Jesus!
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
A rich young man once came to Jesus. "What good THING shall I DO, that I may have eternal life?" he asked. Maybe Jesus could have told him to go feed and clothe the poor. He could have commanded him to wash or baptize himself in a certain spot of water. He could have told him to read his scrolls, pay his tithes and attend the synagogue daily. But Jesus chose to tell him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor and to come follow Him.
Is this the "good THING" that we all have to do to inherit eternal life? No. There is no "good THING" that we could do. This young rich man's mind was set on doing more or accomplishing more in order to have more. He was deceived into thinking that there could be one task or a "good THING" to do. Christ is the "good THING"! Eternal life is through belief in and a life surrendered to Him.
So why did Jesus tell him to sell all that had, give it to the poor and come follow Him? Because through believing in Jesus we must surrender our lives to Him. We must deny what our "good THING" is and know that it's Him. He knew that this young rich man loved what He had more that what He was asking for. If we love our sin, which is separating us from God, more than we love Jesus and His payment for our sins then eternal life with Him will not be. Our God is not against riches. It is by Him that we are blessed. He is against that which keeps us from Him. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die so that we could have access to Him and eternal life with Him.
Do you think that there is a "good THING" you are doing that is giving you or keeping you in His salvation? You're wrong. You could never preach enough, sing enough, serve enough or give enough to be saved. There is no "good THING" in us. The "good THING" was given to us and it is salvation through this man named Jesus!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Can't Get Any Gooder!
Proverbs 16:16
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
A few years ago I was preaching with an evangelist friend in Baltimore. We were just two country preachers from the south who loved Jesus. During that week my accent seemed to be thick and funny to those in the congregation. I was a babe preacher and the evangelist that I was with was seasoned and his accent was much thicker than mine. What was funny was when we went out through the city on visitation that weekend before the meeting started and met many people who talked different than we did. Needless to say, I tried my best to not let my country tongue interfere. I suppressed it daily but my friend on the other hand did not. At the close of the meeting he announced from the pulpit our appreciation. I will never forget his words, "Me and brother Steve would like to thank all y'all for everything. It couldn't have been any gooder."
When I read this scripture today I was taken back to that moment. Their hospitality and care for us was second to none. It was much better than many others had treated us and God began to stir in my heart about this scripture. "It's much better than gold!" said Solomon. Understanding is rather to be chosen than silver! I would rather have God's wisdom and understanding than gold or silver!
We would do good today to just stop and thank God for His wisdom and understanding as if we were running our fingers through gold and silver. Page after page of gold and silver! How valuable! How immeasurable! How priceless! God, I am so thankful for your Word. I am thankful for your wisdom and understanding. How much better it is than anything I've ever known... It couldn't get any gooder!
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
A few years ago I was preaching with an evangelist friend in Baltimore. We were just two country preachers from the south who loved Jesus. During that week my accent seemed to be thick and funny to those in the congregation. I was a babe preacher and the evangelist that I was with was seasoned and his accent was much thicker than mine. What was funny was when we went out through the city on visitation that weekend before the meeting started and met many people who talked different than we did. Needless to say, I tried my best to not let my country tongue interfere. I suppressed it daily but my friend on the other hand did not. At the close of the meeting he announced from the pulpit our appreciation. I will never forget his words, "Me and brother Steve would like to thank all y'all for everything. It couldn't have been any gooder."
When I read this scripture today I was taken back to that moment. Their hospitality and care for us was second to none. It was much better than many others had treated us and God began to stir in my heart about this scripture. "It's much better than gold!" said Solomon. Understanding is rather to be chosen than silver! I would rather have God's wisdom and understanding than gold or silver!
We would do good today to just stop and thank God for His wisdom and understanding as if we were running our fingers through gold and silver. Page after page of gold and silver! How valuable! How immeasurable! How priceless! God, I am so thankful for your Word. I am thankful for your wisdom and understanding. How much better it is than anything I've ever known... It couldn't get any gooder!
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
You're Better Off With It
Proverbs 16:8
Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
God's Word is so deep sometimes with truth but so shallow sometimes that even the youngest person can understand it. Do you know what is the hardest thing to convince people of? That they don't need something they want.
When someone's mind is set on something that they want it's almost impossible to get them to think of anything else. Let me use myself as an example. I love musical instruments. When I see one that I really like, then my like turns into a need. I'll usually say, "Patti, I like that guitar." Then a day, sometimes a moment later, I'll say, "You know I could use that guitar. I need it." I don't even have to tell you of her response. Before long I can't get the guitar off of my mind. I begin to think of cutting back on meals to have the money. Bologna and cereal aren't that bad right? I'm consumed by what I want.
While that example may be on a smaller scale the principle is still the same. Many, many people (even professing Christians) have sold out to their wants. The Bible tells us that just a little with righteousness is better than great revenues or riches without right. Some will allow their desires for what they want in life to override their walk with Christ and bring them into sin. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who allowed their desires for great revenues to bring them into sin and its destruction.
Listen to God this morning as He is telling us, "You're better off with it." My parents used to say, "Son, you're better off without that..." Which is absolutely right! I'm better off without the riches this world can offer me. But I love how God used the scriptures to show me the same lesson with a greater meaning. I'm better off with it! I'm blessed to have little with righteousness than to own the whole world through sin. I love being the poorest rich man!
Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
God's Word is so deep sometimes with truth but so shallow sometimes that even the youngest person can understand it. Do you know what is the hardest thing to convince people of? That they don't need something they want.
When someone's mind is set on something that they want it's almost impossible to get them to think of anything else. Let me use myself as an example. I love musical instruments. When I see one that I really like, then my like turns into a need. I'll usually say, "Patti, I like that guitar." Then a day, sometimes a moment later, I'll say, "You know I could use that guitar. I need it." I don't even have to tell you of her response. Before long I can't get the guitar off of my mind. I begin to think of cutting back on meals to have the money. Bologna and cereal aren't that bad right? I'm consumed by what I want.
While that example may be on a smaller scale the principle is still the same. Many, many people (even professing Christians) have sold out to their wants. The Bible tells us that just a little with righteousness is better than great revenues or riches without right. Some will allow their desires for what they want in life to override their walk with Christ and bring them into sin. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who allowed their desires for great revenues to bring them into sin and its destruction.
Listen to God this morning as He is telling us, "You're better off with it." My parents used to say, "Son, you're better off without that..." Which is absolutely right! I'm better off without the riches this world can offer me. But I love how God used the scriptures to show me the same lesson with a greater meaning. I'm better off with it! I'm blessed to have little with righteousness than to own the whole world through sin. I love being the poorest rich man!
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Be Careful With Today
Psalms 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
As we follow Christ we can get out of focus at times. One example would be living in the past. We could use our day to think and share about everything we used to do or used to be for Jesus. I know that many days I'm tempted to do this. I want to look back at my days of evangelism and tent revivals. I love to think about those who have come to Jesus throughout the years of my life. If I'm not careful I could spend my whole day thinking about all I have done for Christ.
On other days I think of all I want to do, or will do for Christ. I talk about dreams and ambitions of souls who would come to Jesus. I think of the books and messages that I would someday like to write and preach. I set goals for church and ministry in my future. Using every minute of that day thinking of what I could do tomorrow or be for Christ in the future. But again, if I'm not careful I could spend the whole day thinking of what I want to do for Jesus.
Please understand me. Looking backward in our lives brings encouragement. It shows what God has done for us and how His grace has been there all the time. Looking forward gives us hope that He will continue to be with us. It's with anticipation we look forward to His coming. But if you're not careful you will bypass the day that He has given you today. Honestly, yesterday is gone! Tomorrow is not promised! But THIS is the day that the Lord hath made!!!
What will you do with today?
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
As we follow Christ we can get out of focus at times. One example would be living in the past. We could use our day to think and share about everything we used to do or used to be for Jesus. I know that many days I'm tempted to do this. I want to look back at my days of evangelism and tent revivals. I love to think about those who have come to Jesus throughout the years of my life. If I'm not careful I could spend my whole day thinking about all I have done for Christ.
On other days I think of all I want to do, or will do for Christ. I talk about dreams and ambitions of souls who would come to Jesus. I think of the books and messages that I would someday like to write and preach. I set goals for church and ministry in my future. Using every minute of that day thinking of what I could do tomorrow or be for Christ in the future. But again, if I'm not careful I could spend the whole day thinking of what I want to do for Jesus.
Please understand me. Looking backward in our lives brings encouragement. It shows what God has done for us and how His grace has been there all the time. Looking forward gives us hope that He will continue to be with us. It's with anticipation we look forward to His coming. But if you're not careful you will bypass the day that He has given you today. Honestly, yesterday is gone! Tomorrow is not promised! But THIS is the day that the Lord hath made!!!
What will you do with today?
Monday, June 27, 2016
Training Wheels
Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
When my boys were little I can remember teaching them how to ride a bicycle. They both started with training wheels. They thought it was the greatest thing ever. Jumping right on the bike and taking off. It was simple and fast. Pedal and steer was the only skill set needed. But then came the day when the training wheels needed to come off. They hated it. I remember Andrew throwing his bike down and not wanting to try it anymore cause it was too hard. But they had to come off in order to grow. A two or three year old looks normal with training wheels but a twenty year old looks a little different.
God has called us to move forward with Him but some can't let go of the training wheels. He wants to take us to bigger and better places of ministry but we will not let Him. We can't go because of the training wheels.
Do you know what is more disturbing than a twenty year old with training wheels on his bike? A child of God that has spent the majority of their lives on spiritual training wheels. Never able to go farther for the Lord because they didn't grow up.
God, remove whatever is holding me back from growing up. I'm ready for you to remove my training wheels. Stop being taught and become a teacher.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
When my boys were little I can remember teaching them how to ride a bicycle. They both started with training wheels. They thought it was the greatest thing ever. Jumping right on the bike and taking off. It was simple and fast. Pedal and steer was the only skill set needed. But then came the day when the training wheels needed to come off. They hated it. I remember Andrew throwing his bike down and not wanting to try it anymore cause it was too hard. But they had to come off in order to grow. A two or three year old looks normal with training wheels but a twenty year old looks a little different.
God has called us to move forward with Him but some can't let go of the training wheels. He wants to take us to bigger and better places of ministry but we will not let Him. We can't go because of the training wheels.
Do you know what is more disturbing than a twenty year old with training wheels on his bike? A child of God that has spent the majority of their lives on spiritual training wheels. Never able to go farther for the Lord because they didn't grow up.
God, remove whatever is holding me back from growing up. I'm ready for you to remove my training wheels. Stop being taught and become a teacher.
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