2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Lately one of my strongest prayers is that I would leave the truth of God's Word with my family, especially my sons. I find myself focusing my prayers toward making a difference in the lives of those around me. Not that I want to be remembered or anything prideful, but that my life would make a difference through Christ and for the cause of the Gospel. I have prayed, "God I don't want to be better than others, I just want to be the best I can be."
There have been many, many saints of God that effected my life. Some are now walking the streets with Jesus Himself while some are still walking beside me. I often reflect and think of their ministries and they way they ministered to me. The other day I passed a church sign that a member hand made. I remember him welding the posts and painting the sign. Every year during the spring and summer, when the grass would grow, he would make sure that the grass was cut and everything looking good around that church sign. Well my friend passed away and went home to be with Christ. After about two years the sign began to fade and the grass was overtaking the sign. A few months ago I passed by this same sign and you couldn't even see the name of the church.
God really began to show me something. Too often our ministries die with us. We somehow forget, or just don't know how, to pass on our ministries to those around us. Is it because we are the only ones who thinks it is important? Is it because we are too prideful? I think it's probably because we don't know how to ask people to help us or how to pass it along.
Let me ask you something, Will your ministry die with you? Will your legacy die with you or will you somehow pray that you can teach your children? Will those that replace you in your life love and respect the Lord like you do?
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Monday, August 28, 2017
Block Down
Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
I know that many of you reading this are preparing for the football season to begin this year. I see the commercials priming everyone for ticket sales. I see our local high school practicing every afternoon in hopes of the winning season. With all of the hype of football around us, I thought of this scripture.
It makes me think back to some great speeches that were given to us in football practice during high school. As we would practice with the hogs (offensive and defensive linemen) coach would tell us that we needed each other. He would say, "If you see your buddy next to you getting handled, then if possible, block down for him."
Do you know what one of the hardest things for a big strong lineman was? Knowing you were getting beat and asking someone for help. But there were times that we knew if we were gonna overcome and score that we needed help. Thankfully we had some guys who would be team players and help with a block.
What if they were alone? What if the one beside them didn't want to help? Well I've got great news. JESUS said He would never leave you and that He is always ready to block down for you.
Lord, thank you for others beside me who are willing to block down in my life. My wife, sons, parents, brother, deacons, church and friends. But most of all You!
Friday, August 25, 2017
Muddy Shoes
Psalms 40:2
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
I had an opportunity to help with some friends of mine in laying sod in their new yard. The job was huge, but there was a lot of help and we got the job done pretty efficiently and fast. One of the obstacles was that the night before it had rained... a lot! So needless to say the soil was wet and clotting on our shoes.
As I was laying the sod alongside other workers, I begin to inquire about who they were. Some were from churches, others from Christian-based programs. One man begin to tell me his story of coming to Christ. He told me of his life of crime and prison before he came to Christ through this program. He then began to share of how he reunited with his parents, who also didn't know Christ. He said, "I didn't try to push it on them, I just tried to show them what happened to me." He said his parents now know Christ and attend worship also. All this was said through tears in his eyes.
Remember now that during all of this...the sun was beating down on an August day and my feet were sore because they now weighed much more than when I started. Step after step, the mud just kept on building on my shoes. But then it came! We finished! I was so ready to change my sweaty clothes and get those heavy shoes off. Finally I reached down and slipped them off. I'm not sure but I think my feet shouted for joy!
All they way home from working that day I couldn't help but think about this man that Christ saved. Did you know that my life was the same? Step after step in the sin of the world my life became so bogged down. I was so tired and defeated because sin ruled my life. Then Christ came and pulled me out of the miry clay of sin. He set my feet upon a rock, The Rock, Jesus Christ. Those old muddy shoes that me and my sod laying friend used to wear are now sitting at the foot of the cross.
Lord, thank you for the simple parables and illustrations that you show me everyday. You help me to see and understand you so much better. I love you!
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
I had an opportunity to help with some friends of mine in laying sod in their new yard. The job was huge, but there was a lot of help and we got the job done pretty efficiently and fast. One of the obstacles was that the night before it had rained... a lot! So needless to say the soil was wet and clotting on our shoes.
As I was laying the sod alongside other workers, I begin to inquire about who they were. Some were from churches, others from Christian-based programs. One man begin to tell me his story of coming to Christ. He told me of his life of crime and prison before he came to Christ through this program. He then began to share of how he reunited with his parents, who also didn't know Christ. He said, "I didn't try to push it on them, I just tried to show them what happened to me." He said his parents now know Christ and attend worship also. All this was said through tears in his eyes.
Remember now that during all of this...the sun was beating down on an August day and my feet were sore because they now weighed much more than when I started. Step after step, the mud just kept on building on my shoes. But then it came! We finished! I was so ready to change my sweaty clothes and get those heavy shoes off. Finally I reached down and slipped them off. I'm not sure but I think my feet shouted for joy!
All they way home from working that day I couldn't help but think about this man that Christ saved. Did you know that my life was the same? Step after step in the sin of the world my life became so bogged down. I was so tired and defeated because sin ruled my life. Then Christ came and pulled me out of the miry clay of sin. He set my feet upon a rock, The Rock, Jesus Christ. Those old muddy shoes that me and my sod laying friend used to wear are now sitting at the foot of the cross.
Lord, thank you for the simple parables and illustrations that you show me everyday. You help me to see and understand you so much better. I love you!
Thursday, August 24, 2017
I Have a Question
Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
After reading this scripture this morning let's just dive straight into the point. Have you given Jesus your all? This woman came and placed everything that she had in to the ring. Now don't misunderstand me at all, I'm not speaking about money or tithing. I have found out over the years that the tithing will handle itself when people are right with God and excited about serving. No, what I am asking you is if you have given Jesus everything?
Have you surrendered your life to Him? Surrendered to His Lordship and authority? There can be no room for giving God half of your life or even a percentage of your life. You must surrender it all. Is there a way that you can have your old life and the new life in Christ? No. The old must perish and the new must flourish.
Lastly this morning, have you given all your sin unto Him? Is there anything that is holding you back? An unconfessed sin is like a infection. It lies dormant at times but is still there, lurking throughout the body. It continues to build slowly and steadily until finally it has your body into complete subjection and defeat. Allow the Holy Spirit to point it out to you this morning. Confess them all. No matter how small you believe they may be, sin is still sin.
So I leave you with the question, Have you given it all to Jesus?
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
After reading this scripture this morning let's just dive straight into the point. Have you given Jesus your all? This woman came and placed everything that she had in to the ring. Now don't misunderstand me at all, I'm not speaking about money or tithing. I have found out over the years that the tithing will handle itself when people are right with God and excited about serving. No, what I am asking you is if you have given Jesus everything?
Have you surrendered your life to Him? Surrendered to His Lordship and authority? There can be no room for giving God half of your life or even a percentage of your life. You must surrender it all. Is there a way that you can have your old life and the new life in Christ? No. The old must perish and the new must flourish.
Lastly this morning, have you given all your sin unto Him? Is there anything that is holding you back? An unconfessed sin is like a infection. It lies dormant at times but is still there, lurking throughout the body. It continues to build slowly and steadily until finally it has your body into complete subjection and defeat. Allow the Holy Spirit to point it out to you this morning. Confess them all. No matter how small you believe they may be, sin is still sin.
So I leave you with the question, Have you given it all to Jesus?
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Ready, Set, Go!
1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.
Do you know that God has a specific thing for you to do? I mean God has a plan for your life. You remember David in the Bible don't you? He was a great man of war for the Lord. Many battles were won because of the leadership and calling of King David. But there is one thing that David wanted to do and it was to build the Lord a house. God told David that he could not do that because his hands of war shedding blood, but he told him that his son Solomon would do it. He promised days of peace for Solomon and that he would build the house of God in those days.
Then the story comes to this portion of scripture. "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God;" When is the time? Now! What should we do? Set our hearts and souls to seek God. Turn all of our attention upon Jesus and His plan for our lives.
Then secondly He says that we should arise. In other words we should get set! Set to do the work. We should gather up the plan, desire and means to accomplish what God is using us to do. If you are set for the work then you must have first been ready for it.
Last of all, He tells us to do. He tells us to go. He told Solomon to build the house. What's great is that his father David prepared the means and materials for the house of God. He made sure that his son was equipped to fulfill the call God had for his life. So then Solomon built it!
What about you? Are you ready? Are you set? Then Go!
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.
Do you know that God has a specific thing for you to do? I mean God has a plan for your life. You remember David in the Bible don't you? He was a great man of war for the Lord. Many battles were won because of the leadership and calling of King David. But there is one thing that David wanted to do and it was to build the Lord a house. God told David that he could not do that because his hands of war shedding blood, but he told him that his son Solomon would do it. He promised days of peace for Solomon and that he would build the house of God in those days.
Then the story comes to this portion of scripture. "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God;" When is the time? Now! What should we do? Set our hearts and souls to seek God. Turn all of our attention upon Jesus and His plan for our lives.
Then secondly He says that we should arise. In other words we should get set! Set to do the work. We should gather up the plan, desire and means to accomplish what God is using us to do. If you are set for the work then you must have first been ready for it.
Last of all, He tells us to do. He tells us to go. He told Solomon to build the house. What's great is that his father David prepared the means and materials for the house of God. He made sure that his son was equipped to fulfill the call God had for his life. So then Solomon built it!
What about you? Are you ready? Are you set? Then Go!
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Check-Up Time
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Years and years of my life I dreaded going to the doctor. Every time I had to go for a checkup, or because I was sick, I knew what they would say... "Mr. Abney, son, you could stand to lose a few pounds." Over and over those words would be spoken to me. They would say, "Your blood pressure is high, Your BMI is high, Your sinus infection is bad, Your diabetes is high..." Telling me this as if I didn't already know. Then the only thing that they would lower would be my checking account after paying for copays and medication.
Well listen to God's word this morning. It tells us that we need to examine ourselves. We should test and see if we are truly in the faith. We should prove or try ourselves. Do you know where my desire to care for my body came from? A self examination! I was displeased with myself and the destruction of my body. God convicted me time and time again, but on one particular day I looked myself over. I tested and tried myself and saw that it wasn't any one's fault but my own. So I asked for help and Christ helped me.
Let me ask you something this morning... Where are you in your walk with Christ? How is your faith in Jesus right now? Will you do something? Will you take the time to examine yourself this morning? Before you do anything else, take a few minutes to see where your relationship is with Christ. If we are honest with Him in prayer today, He has probably said, "You could stand to lose a few habits, You're low on desire, You're low on studying the scriptures, You're low on your prayer life." Ask the real doctor to help you spiritually to become better.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Years and years of my life I dreaded going to the doctor. Every time I had to go for a checkup, or because I was sick, I knew what they would say... "Mr. Abney, son, you could stand to lose a few pounds." Over and over those words would be spoken to me. They would say, "Your blood pressure is high, Your BMI is high, Your sinus infection is bad, Your diabetes is high..." Telling me this as if I didn't already know. Then the only thing that they would lower would be my checking account after paying for copays and medication.
Well listen to God's word this morning. It tells us that we need to examine ourselves. We should test and see if we are truly in the faith. We should prove or try ourselves. Do you know where my desire to care for my body came from? A self examination! I was displeased with myself and the destruction of my body. God convicted me time and time again, but on one particular day I looked myself over. I tested and tried myself and saw that it wasn't any one's fault but my own. So I asked for help and Christ helped me.
Let me ask you something this morning... Where are you in your walk with Christ? How is your faith in Jesus right now? Will you do something? Will you take the time to examine yourself this morning? Before you do anything else, take a few minutes to see where your relationship is with Christ. If we are honest with Him in prayer today, He has probably said, "You could stand to lose a few habits, You're low on desire, You're low on studying the scriptures, You're low on your prayer life." Ask the real doctor to help you spiritually to become better.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Is There Any Wonder?
Matthew 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
It is with a broken heart that I write you this devotion today. As I have tried to wrap my head and heart around the situation of our churches and society I have come to this conclusion... Is it any wonder? We seem to blame the children and teenagers of our day for the sinful society in which we live. But I must tell you that I have seen the root of it all.
We complain about the sexual promiscuity of young teenagers but yet tell them to overlook the adultery involved in an affair. We hear the tragic stories of young men and women hooked on meth while parents pop Loritabs and other prescription drugs as if they are candy with no reason. We send our children to school for learning in a safe environment while the wolf behind the desk is luring them into their bedroom for after school sex. We tell them to not drink and then have a "dad" or "mom" night out drinking with the friends. We stand before the ministers of the Gospel and promise to love, honor and cherish one another until death do we part and then go to the lawyer to get our divorces. We make our vows at church and cut the ties at the courthouse!
Is there any wonder why children don't listen? Is there any wonder why our generation of youth and young adults don't understand the truth? Why they don't understand the words...commitment, security, peace, honor, truth and holiness? It's because of those around them that honor, or say, one thing but live another. With their lips they say one thing, but with their hearts they live another.
In my adult years, I have heard preachers declare themselves one thing while sleeping with multiple women. I have witnessed presidents who have declared, and took what used to be the position of the most honorable man in the United States of America, only to defile it by fornication and lies. Is there any wonder that people don't know what to think?
God raise up some men like Daniel! Raise up some women like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was blessed among women. God raise up some Elijah's who will build your altar! Send leaders who will seek you, and if they fall to sins deception help them to be honest and seek you in forgiveness. In Jesus' name and for His Glory I pray this - Amen
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
It is with a broken heart that I write you this devotion today. As I have tried to wrap my head and heart around the situation of our churches and society I have come to this conclusion... Is it any wonder? We seem to blame the children and teenagers of our day for the sinful society in which we live. But I must tell you that I have seen the root of it all.
We complain about the sexual promiscuity of young teenagers but yet tell them to overlook the adultery involved in an affair. We hear the tragic stories of young men and women hooked on meth while parents pop Loritabs and other prescription drugs as if they are candy with no reason. We send our children to school for learning in a safe environment while the wolf behind the desk is luring them into their bedroom for after school sex. We tell them to not drink and then have a "dad" or "mom" night out drinking with the friends. We stand before the ministers of the Gospel and promise to love, honor and cherish one another until death do we part and then go to the lawyer to get our divorces. We make our vows at church and cut the ties at the courthouse!
Is there any wonder why children don't listen? Is there any wonder why our generation of youth and young adults don't understand the truth? Why they don't understand the words...commitment, security, peace, honor, truth and holiness? It's because of those around them that honor, or say, one thing but live another. With their lips they say one thing, but with their hearts they live another.
In my adult years, I have heard preachers declare themselves one thing while sleeping with multiple women. I have witnessed presidents who have declared, and took what used to be the position of the most honorable man in the United States of America, only to defile it by fornication and lies. Is there any wonder that people don't know what to think?
God raise up some men like Daniel! Raise up some women like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was blessed among women. God raise up some Elijah's who will build your altar! Send leaders who will seek you, and if they fall to sins deception help them to be honest and seek you in forgiveness. In Jesus' name and for His Glory I pray this - Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)