Acts 11:16-18
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
I made a statement the other day about an episode of the "Little Rascals" and their He-Man Woman Haters club. As I was studying the scriptures this morning, God put this in my studies. Now you remember the club right? Spanky was their fearless leader but he wanted Alfalfa to be the president of the club. He said that no one hated women more than his buddy Alfalfa. But we know this wasn't true. Alfalfa was in love with Darla, dear sweet delightful Darla. When the others found out about this love he had they wanted him removed from the club and wanted justice.
Well if you were to take the time this morning to go back and read the whole chapter of Acts 11 you could see this same scenario. Peter had been with the Gentiles and his Jewish friends wanted to know what in the world he was doing with them. How could he have had fellowship with such a people like the Gentiles? Peter begins to explain what happened when he preached unto them. He said when he preached unto them about Jesus that the Holy Ghost fell on them just like it had fallen upon Peter and the others in the beginning.
Then read again what Peter said, "Then remembered I the word of the Lord,..." He recalled the words of Jesus. Jesus told them that John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, through the preached word of God, we are baptized with the Holy Ghost. We receive the Holy Ghost when we believe.
Peter is basically telling his friends, "How could I not let them in the club? Can I withstand God, or can I stop God?" When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped their talk and praised God for what He has done.
Lord, I want to take the time this morning to tell you thank you for letting me in the family. Thank you for your salvation and adoption of me. Thank you Holy Ghost for in-dwelling my life every since the day I believed. I'm very proud to be a part of the He-Loves-Us Salvation Club. Been a member for twenty-two years now. How long have you been in the family?
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
What Just Happened?
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
It was my 12th birthday. I'll never forget it, even though it was twenty-six years ago. Mom and dad gave me a party at the church where we attended. It was in the park the church owned below the church building and I invited everyone I knew. My birthday cards were awesome and I received $92.00 from family and friends, which was really good back then. But then my dad pulled up with my brand new motorcycle. Baby blue, Yamaha 80, street and dirt edition. Oh, it had a headlight, turn signals, chrome details. It was an unforgettable birthday. But that wasn't why it was so unforgettable.
I remember begging them to let me get that motorcycle off of the truck and ride it through the field at my party. Dad said, "No buddy, you can ride it when we get home there is too many kids here." I answered with, "I know what I'm doing, I ain't gonna run over anyone." But he held his ground, as he always did, and needless to say I didn't ride my motorcycle at the party.
As soon as we pulled into our driveway at the house I started. I jumped out of the truck and started unstrapping that bad boy. Got my helmet on and fired it up like it was a Harley. I remember hearing my mom and dad, mom mostly, saying something about taking it easy and being careful. I think I heard something about paying attention as I crossed our street into the church yard across from us. Man I was gettin' it! Switching gears like a pro. Checking out all my switches and knobs. I had it down pat and was only on it for a few minutes. BAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM!
Something threw me off the bike, I flew backwards and my bike hit the telephone pole. I still think it was a Sasquatch that threw me off of the bike, because I had everything in control. I never saw that guide wire. I hurt myself and busted the left turn signal off of my brand new motorcycle.
You know what? You may think you have it all together this morning. Life is good and you are in total control. Why would I need Jesus, church or a Bible study? You don't understand Steve, things in my life are okay and I've got this...BAAAAAAAAMMMM! Watch out for those guide wires. Take heed lest you fall. Tomorrow you could be saying, "What just happened?"
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
It was my 12th birthday. I'll never forget it, even though it was twenty-six years ago. Mom and dad gave me a party at the church where we attended. It was in the park the church owned below the church building and I invited everyone I knew. My birthday cards were awesome and I received $92.00 from family and friends, which was really good back then. But then my dad pulled up with my brand new motorcycle. Baby blue, Yamaha 80, street and dirt edition. Oh, it had a headlight, turn signals, chrome details. It was an unforgettable birthday. But that wasn't why it was so unforgettable.
I remember begging them to let me get that motorcycle off of the truck and ride it through the field at my party. Dad said, "No buddy, you can ride it when we get home there is too many kids here." I answered with, "I know what I'm doing, I ain't gonna run over anyone." But he held his ground, as he always did, and needless to say I didn't ride my motorcycle at the party.
As soon as we pulled into our driveway at the house I started. I jumped out of the truck and started unstrapping that bad boy. Got my helmet on and fired it up like it was a Harley. I remember hearing my mom and dad, mom mostly, saying something about taking it easy and being careful. I think I heard something about paying attention as I crossed our street into the church yard across from us. Man I was gettin' it! Switching gears like a pro. Checking out all my switches and knobs. I had it down pat and was only on it for a few minutes. BAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM!
Something threw me off the bike, I flew backwards and my bike hit the telephone pole. I still think it was a Sasquatch that threw me off of the bike, because I had everything in control. I never saw that guide wire. I hurt myself and busted the left turn signal off of my brand new motorcycle.
You know what? You may think you have it all together this morning. Life is good and you are in total control. Why would I need Jesus, church or a Bible study? You don't understand Steve, things in my life are okay and I've got this...BAAAAAAAAMMMM! Watch out for those guide wires. Take heed lest you fall. Tomorrow you could be saying, "What just happened?"
Monday, May 1, 2017
Waiting on God to Move
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Do you remember what the Bible says in the very beginning? It says that God moved upon the face of the deep. God moved! I don't believe you're understanding this morning, God moved... I love it when God moves. I have read in the scriptures where people had no hope or answer for their situation and God moved upon their lives and rescued them.
Think about it... Moses and the people of Israel were standing with a great sea in front of them and a horrible army behind them. Then God moved... Joshua and these same children of God were standing before high walls of Jericho and were told to march around and around them. Then God moved... Gideon was facing over 190,000 enemies of God with his 300 men and then, yep, God moved... The world was full of sin and denial of God and His glory so He sent His Son to redeem sinful man and we saw God move... Soldiers were guarding a grave of a man that had lived like no other man, a man that had loved like no other man, a man that had died like no other man. Then it happened... God moved! With the greatest love we could ever know, He moved that stone away from the door and brought out His Only Begotten Son that we could have life! Amen!
At times in my life, when I feel that I need God to move, He doesn't do it in a whirlwind, earthquake or etc... It's in His Words. Thank you Lord for moving upon these holy men of God. Thank you for the sweet Holy Spirit that moved upon their lives, hearts, ears and pens as they wrote down the infallible word of God. Please move upon me and these others as we read it again this morning. You may be waiting on a spiritual song, spiritual sign, or etc... to happen in your life. Can I tell you that it's a shame for us to beg God to move in an awesome way in our lives while holding a closed Bible? Open it and let Him move.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Do you remember what the Bible says in the very beginning? It says that God moved upon the face of the deep. God moved! I don't believe you're understanding this morning, God moved... I love it when God moves. I have read in the scriptures where people had no hope or answer for their situation and God moved upon their lives and rescued them.
Think about it... Moses and the people of Israel were standing with a great sea in front of them and a horrible army behind them. Then God moved... Joshua and these same children of God were standing before high walls of Jericho and were told to march around and around them. Then God moved... Gideon was facing over 190,000 enemies of God with his 300 men and then, yep, God moved... The world was full of sin and denial of God and His glory so He sent His Son to redeem sinful man and we saw God move... Soldiers were guarding a grave of a man that had lived like no other man, a man that had loved like no other man, a man that had died like no other man. Then it happened... God moved! With the greatest love we could ever know, He moved that stone away from the door and brought out His Only Begotten Son that we could have life! Amen!
At times in my life, when I feel that I need God to move, He doesn't do it in a whirlwind, earthquake or etc... It's in His Words. Thank you Lord for moving upon these holy men of God. Thank you for the sweet Holy Spirit that moved upon their lives, hearts, ears and pens as they wrote down the infallible word of God. Please move upon me and these others as we read it again this morning. You may be waiting on a spiritual song, spiritual sign, or etc... to happen in your life. Can I tell you that it's a shame for us to beg God to move in an awesome way in our lives while holding a closed Bible? Open it and let Him move.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Blessings from the Heater Vent
1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
In the winter time every morning before school and every night before bed, by brother and I would fight over the living room vent in the floor. In the mornings after eating breakfast we would grab our blanket and fight over who would get that one particular vent. Then in the evenings, after taking our showers, we would fight over that same vent. Although there were others in the house, there was only one in the living room with the greatest view of the television. I would push his feet away and he would shove me away. This whole problem could have been solved by using one blanket instead of two, but we didn't want our feet to touch and we wanted it for ourselves.
Is there something wrong with asking God to bless you? No! The problem comes into play when all we do is ask for a blessing and never desire to be a blessing. I have asked God many, many days to bless me. Not in my wallet, but rather my heart. Christian's today are begging God to bless them with money, cars, things and people and they use this prayer in order to justify it. Jabez was praying that God would bless him not just in enlarging his coasts, which is used way out of context, but he desired that God would bless him in ALL areas of his life. "Bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" The problem comes with everyone stopping their prayer at... enlarge my coast.
God wants to bless you. He wants to bless you with all of these requests. Are you willing to serve Him in all these areas? Just like me and my brother fighting over the heater vent, I wanted it all and he wanted it all. God I pray this morning that you would bless me just as you did Jabez. Lord, if I could request one greater portion of the prayer it would be that your hand might be with me and you would keep me from evil.
Get your feet off of my vent! This is my blessing today! Man, I'm about to blow up...
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
In the winter time every morning before school and every night before bed, by brother and I would fight over the living room vent in the floor. In the mornings after eating breakfast we would grab our blanket and fight over who would get that one particular vent. Then in the evenings, after taking our showers, we would fight over that same vent. Although there were others in the house, there was only one in the living room with the greatest view of the television. I would push his feet away and he would shove me away. This whole problem could have been solved by using one blanket instead of two, but we didn't want our feet to touch and we wanted it for ourselves.
Is there something wrong with asking God to bless you? No! The problem comes into play when all we do is ask for a blessing and never desire to be a blessing. I have asked God many, many days to bless me. Not in my wallet, but rather my heart. Christian's today are begging God to bless them with money, cars, things and people and they use this prayer in order to justify it. Jabez was praying that God would bless him not just in enlarging his coasts, which is used way out of context, but he desired that God would bless him in ALL areas of his life. "Bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" The problem comes with everyone stopping their prayer at... enlarge my coast.
God wants to bless you. He wants to bless you with all of these requests. Are you willing to serve Him in all these areas? Just like me and my brother fighting over the heater vent, I wanted it all and he wanted it all. God I pray this morning that you would bless me just as you did Jabez. Lord, if I could request one greater portion of the prayer it would be that your hand might be with me and you would keep me from evil.
Get your feet off of my vent! This is my blessing today! Man, I'm about to blow up...
We ALL Fall Down
Psalms 72:11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Do you remember the scriptures that speak of Jesus saving a man who was possessed by many devils? His name was Legion, because there were many devils in him. The Bible tells us in the book of Luke that the man saw Jesus and acted in a certain way. It says he... "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? Luke 8:28"
Some people that knew this man probably thought that there was no hope for him. I can hear many of them saying, "There is no way you can keep that man bound. He breaks every chain that we bind him with. He will never be tame or at peace." But they didn't know Jesus! As many devils that were possessing this man we would be tempted to think that they would never bow a knee to Jesus right? Well we would be wrong. In the account from the book of Mark it says that he fell down and "worshiped" Jesus. What? Yes, that's right, he worshiped Him.
Are there people that you can think of that you would say will never bow a knee to Jesus? David said in our scripture this morning that ALL kings shall fall down before Him. He said that ALL nations shall serve Him. I know that from viewing our society and world it doesn't look like ALL nations, people and even demons will fall down and worship Him, but looks can be deceiving. That's why we need the scriptures. It's where truth is found. Some day, and maybe it will be soon, ALL kings, ALL nations, ALL people, ALL demons will bow down unto the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords whose name is Jesus!
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Do you remember the scriptures that speak of Jesus saving a man who was possessed by many devils? His name was Legion, because there were many devils in him. The Bible tells us in the book of Luke that the man saw Jesus and acted in a certain way. It says he... "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? Luke 8:28"
Some people that knew this man probably thought that there was no hope for him. I can hear many of them saying, "There is no way you can keep that man bound. He breaks every chain that we bind him with. He will never be tame or at peace." But they didn't know Jesus! As many devils that were possessing this man we would be tempted to think that they would never bow a knee to Jesus right? Well we would be wrong. In the account from the book of Mark it says that he fell down and "worshiped" Jesus. What? Yes, that's right, he worshiped Him.
Are there people that you can think of that you would say will never bow a knee to Jesus? David said in our scripture this morning that ALL kings shall fall down before Him. He said that ALL nations shall serve Him. I know that from viewing our society and world it doesn't look like ALL nations, people and even demons will fall down and worship Him, but looks can be deceiving. That's why we need the scriptures. It's where truth is found. Some day, and maybe it will be soon, ALL kings, ALL nations, ALL people, ALL demons will bow down unto the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords whose name is Jesus!
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Think About It...
Haggai 1:5
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
What an amazing time you could have with the Lord right now. Just stop for five minutes and think of what is going on in your life. Ask yourself these questions...
Am I going forward for the Lord?
Have I included God in every decision?
Is there anything that I would change?
Am I satisfied with my walk with the Lord?
Now I'm almost certain that if you took the five minutes to think on these questions that you will probably spend more time on trying to figure out the answer to them. What would happen if we would consider our ways? Most people never do.
The person who decides to go out on the town and drink it up, will never consider the persons life they could take when they get behind the wheel until they are sitting in a police car. The person who flirts with another ones spouse never considers the children of these people until they are crying in a courtroom during a divorce trial. What if we would consider the results of our ways at the beginning and not at the end?
What have you considered today? Maybe there is something that you haven't actually thought through today. Considering is not just merely thinking about your ways, but it is considering your ways "carefully". Giving much care or attention to what you will decide. How much trouble and heartache could you save today alone by considering the outcome of your decisions?
Think about it!
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
What an amazing time you could have with the Lord right now. Just stop for five minutes and think of what is going on in your life. Ask yourself these questions...
Am I going forward for the Lord?
Have I included God in every decision?
Is there anything that I would change?
Am I satisfied with my walk with the Lord?
Now I'm almost certain that if you took the five minutes to think on these questions that you will probably spend more time on trying to figure out the answer to them. What would happen if we would consider our ways? Most people never do.
The person who decides to go out on the town and drink it up, will never consider the persons life they could take when they get behind the wheel until they are sitting in a police car. The person who flirts with another ones spouse never considers the children of these people until they are crying in a courtroom during a divorce trial. What if we would consider the results of our ways at the beginning and not at the end?
What have you considered today? Maybe there is something that you haven't actually thought through today. Considering is not just merely thinking about your ways, but it is considering your ways "carefully". Giving much care or attention to what you will decide. How much trouble and heartache could you save today alone by considering the outcome of your decisions?
Think about it!
Monday, April 24, 2017
Cast on... Cast off... Slip... Loop...
1 Samuel 18:1
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
It's funny, but out of all of the revivals that I had the honor to preach, I stayed in a hotel once. Every state I went to preach a revival meeting I stayed with a member of the church. Years ago I was preaching a revival meeting in Roxie, MS. The family that allowed me to stay with them were older in years. Besides the revival itself, my greatest memories were sitting around a fireplace after each nightly meeting shelling pecans and talking. Sister Ruth would be knitting while Sonny and I were shelling the pecans talking about Jesus. Cast on, bind off, slip... These are the words that you would hear from Sister Ruth as she would knit. I remember watching her loop those threads of yarn together over and over. Pushing and pulling until they seemed like they became one piece.
The scripture today tells us that Johnathan and David had that same kind of friendship. Their hearts were woven together. Some of you would say, "What's the big deal? I have friends like that." You aren't seeing the bigger picture of this friendship. This would be one easily attacked by Satan given the opportunity. You see Johnathan is the son of King Saul. Saul hated David and was jealous of him. Johnathan could have hated David in this same manner but he didn't. Johnathan could have hated David even on his own terms. David was anointed to be the King over Israel but rightfully Johnathan could have argued that he was the one who should be the next King. He was the King's son, so next in line should have been him. But that's not what happened. The soul of David and Johnathan were knit together. Friends for life they declared.
I've had friends and then I've had knitted friends. Thank you Lord for knitting my life with some of the most faithful and encouraging people I've ever known. Loop after loop you have given me some great friends, but above all of them... My friendship with You is the greatest! Let my heart beat to the same rhythm as yours Lord. Let my love be shown daily Lord Jesus. Thank you for being my friend that is closer than any brother. Pushing and pulling you have made our hearts one with every knit.
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
It's funny, but out of all of the revivals that I had the honor to preach, I stayed in a hotel once. Every state I went to preach a revival meeting I stayed with a member of the church. Years ago I was preaching a revival meeting in Roxie, MS. The family that allowed me to stay with them were older in years. Besides the revival itself, my greatest memories were sitting around a fireplace after each nightly meeting shelling pecans and talking. Sister Ruth would be knitting while Sonny and I were shelling the pecans talking about Jesus. Cast on, bind off, slip... These are the words that you would hear from Sister Ruth as she would knit. I remember watching her loop those threads of yarn together over and over. Pushing and pulling until they seemed like they became one piece.
The scripture today tells us that Johnathan and David had that same kind of friendship. Their hearts were woven together. Some of you would say, "What's the big deal? I have friends like that." You aren't seeing the bigger picture of this friendship. This would be one easily attacked by Satan given the opportunity. You see Johnathan is the son of King Saul. Saul hated David and was jealous of him. Johnathan could have hated David in this same manner but he didn't. Johnathan could have hated David even on his own terms. David was anointed to be the King over Israel but rightfully Johnathan could have argued that he was the one who should be the next King. He was the King's son, so next in line should have been him. But that's not what happened. The soul of David and Johnathan were knit together. Friends for life they declared.
I've had friends and then I've had knitted friends. Thank you Lord for knitting my life with some of the most faithful and encouraging people I've ever known. Loop after loop you have given me some great friends, but above all of them... My friendship with You is the greatest! Let my heart beat to the same rhythm as yours Lord. Let my love be shown daily Lord Jesus. Thank you for being my friend that is closer than any brother. Pushing and pulling you have made our hearts one with every knit.
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