Acts 3:4-6
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
I have to start out this morning by saying that my parents never said that to me. I have an older brother that I was always trying to imitate while growing up, but my parents never told me to do that it just came naturally. Me being the younger sibling, I wanted to do what my brother did. I wanted to go where my brother went. I tried my best to be cool like my brother.
I remember that he started playing around with a bass guitar once. It wasn't long until I had that thing in my hand. I put some sunglasses on and an Elvis song. I came sliding into the living room in my socks and sang some "Hound dog". I thought I was cool (and still do). But I did this because of my brother and his messing around with the bass. Growing up I tried to do a lot of things that my brother did. I played football because he did. I wore Guess jeans because he did (well they were his). I rolled up my pants on the ends because he did. It was just in me as a younger brother to look at him and be like him.
Peter one time told a man to "Look on us." After this man looked upon Peter and John he hopefully could see the big brother Jesus. You see Peter didn't want that man to see Peter. He wanted him to see Jesus. Peter fashioned the rest of his life to look and do things that his brother Jesus would do. He went to the places Jesus went. He shared the same words Jesus spoke. He lived his life trying to be like his brother Jesus.
Would you rather spend your life with everyone looking at you and trying to be you? I spent much of my earlier years wanting people to look at me and be like me but I have finally figured out that I want people to look like my big brother Jesus. How do I get them to be like Jesus? Be like my brother, Jesus.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
Talking To Myself
Psalms 62:5
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
One of the funniest things you can see is someone talking to themselves. Most of the time it's a lady walking down the aisle of a grocery store. She has so much on her mind. One child likes Frosted Flakes while the other one loves Lucky Charms. She loves soup and her husband loves chili. So her mind is turning all wheels at the same time and she is now talking herself through the store. Or maybe its a man in the local hardware store. He's building a deck or remodeling his home and trying to remember the material list in his head. Aisle after aisle he speaks to himself. Sometimes loud enough that the person on the other side can hear him.
Why do we do this? People think we are crazy when we talk to ourselves, but we can't help it. We do this to remind ourselves of important tasks. Sometimes we do it to convince ourselves of what we need to do. David is talking to himself this morning in our scripture. He says, "My soul..." Through many of the Psalms David will address the Lord, God, my God, etc... But in this one today he says, "My soul..." He's talking to himself. But look at what he is saying.
He says to himself, "wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." David is convincing his soul to wait upon the Lord. Why would he have to do something like this? Because our biggest problem is waiting or being patient. So he is convincing himself to wait for the Lord. He is saying, "Now David, don't do anything foolish or quickly, just wait upon the Lord. Now you know that what you need (expectation) will only come from the Lord, so just wait."
It could be that you have been talking to yourself. It's okay, you're not crazy. You are convincing your flesh to wait upon the Lord. You are talking yourself through it. We actually need to talk to ourselves more often. Maybe not in the grocery store or local hardware store. Hahaha
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
One of the funniest things you can see is someone talking to themselves. Most of the time it's a lady walking down the aisle of a grocery store. She has so much on her mind. One child likes Frosted Flakes while the other one loves Lucky Charms. She loves soup and her husband loves chili. So her mind is turning all wheels at the same time and she is now talking herself through the store. Or maybe its a man in the local hardware store. He's building a deck or remodeling his home and trying to remember the material list in his head. Aisle after aisle he speaks to himself. Sometimes loud enough that the person on the other side can hear him.
Why do we do this? People think we are crazy when we talk to ourselves, but we can't help it. We do this to remind ourselves of important tasks. Sometimes we do it to convince ourselves of what we need to do. David is talking to himself this morning in our scripture. He says, "My soul..." Through many of the Psalms David will address the Lord, God, my God, etc... But in this one today he says, "My soul..." He's talking to himself. But look at what he is saying.
He says to himself, "wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." David is convincing his soul to wait upon the Lord. Why would he have to do something like this? Because our biggest problem is waiting or being patient. So he is convincing himself to wait for the Lord. He is saying, "Now David, don't do anything foolish or quickly, just wait upon the Lord. Now you know that what you need (expectation) will only come from the Lord, so just wait."
It could be that you have been talking to yourself. It's okay, you're not crazy. You are convincing your flesh to wait upon the Lord. You are talking yourself through it. We actually need to talk to ourselves more often. Maybe not in the grocery store or local hardware store. Hahaha
Friday, March 9, 2018
If It Had Not Been the Lord
Psalms 124:1
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
now may Israel say;
Humor me this morning by letting me ask you some questions. What would your life be like if there was no God? What if God had not pursued you with His love? Where would you be if you had not trusted in Christ as your Savior? Really take the time to answer these questions this morning.
If God had not pursued me with His love and salvation I don't know where I would be. My mind says that I would be in dead or in prison. Alcohol and pride would be a leader in my life. Lust and fornicarion would be in a strong second. My life would be an endless search for peace and hope in the sins committed.
If it had not been the Lord, my family would not be here. If it had not been the Lord, I wouldn't be here. If it hadn't been the Lord, no pulpit to share God's Word from. If it had not been the Lord, no friends that I can trust and depend on. Wow, just thinking of it all if it had not been for the Lord I would have nothing and be nothing.
God, I want to thank you for your love, grace and mercy. You forgive me like no other can. You show me grace like no other has. You are my God! You are my Love! There is no God like you. If it had not been for you I would be lost.
Will you take the time today to evaluate your life if there had been no Lord?
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
now may Israel say;
Humor me this morning by letting me ask you some questions. What would your life be like if there was no God? What if God had not pursued you with His love? Where would you be if you had not trusted in Christ as your Savior? Really take the time to answer these questions this morning.
If God had not pursued me with His love and salvation I don't know where I would be. My mind says that I would be in dead or in prison. Alcohol and pride would be a leader in my life. Lust and fornicarion would be in a strong second. My life would be an endless search for peace and hope in the sins committed.
If it had not been the Lord, my family would not be here. If it had not been the Lord, I wouldn't be here. If it hadn't been the Lord, no pulpit to share God's Word from. If it had not been the Lord, no friends that I can trust and depend on. Wow, just thinking of it all if it had not been for the Lord I would have nothing and be nothing.
God, I want to thank you for your love, grace and mercy. You forgive me like no other can. You show me grace like no other has. You are my God! You are my Love! There is no God like you. If it had not been for you I would be lost.
Will you take the time today to evaluate your life if there had been no Lord?
Thursday, March 8, 2018
It’s On Now!!!
Galatians 5:16-17
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
When I was growing up I used to love the Rocky movies. It was the American dream story. A poor nobody who grew up in a tough environment that fought his way to the top. When Rocky first beat Apollo in the second movie it was the dream coming true. Then here came another movie, Rocky Part 3. Now Mr. T is in the ring with the Italian Stallion and taking every blow to the face, but he overcomes and wins the bout. Then one of my all-time favorite comes out, Rocky IV. This huge Russian boxer appears on the scene and kills Rocky's best friend in an exhibition fight. Now Rocky is facing his biggest battle ever. He intensifies his training and goes to an old school way of doing it. Of course at the end of the movie he defeats the mighty Russian and calls for his bride once again..."Yo Adrian!"
Think about something with me this morning. Have you ever seen Rocky in the ring punching himself? Just going toe to toe with his own face? No. We would think he's gone crazy. Well look at what God is telling us in the scripture today. There is a fight going on. Maybe you didn't hear the bell ring but you are in a fight. The flesh is lusting against the Spirit. You're battle is not with yourself but within yourself. The flesh is against the Spirit and the Spirit is against the flesh. Blow after Blow, jab after jab these two fight against one another. It's Clubber Lang vs. Rocky Balboa. Yearly, monthly and daily the struggle goes on, round after round.
So what do we do? We Walk in the Spirit. We train (pray, study the Word, attend worship) in order to be ready. Cause let me tell you something this morning. You may not have heard the bell ring, and if so, you may just get your bell rung. Wake up, the fight has started.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
When I was growing up I used to love the Rocky movies. It was the American dream story. A poor nobody who grew up in a tough environment that fought his way to the top. When Rocky first beat Apollo in the second movie it was the dream coming true. Then here came another movie, Rocky Part 3. Now Mr. T is in the ring with the Italian Stallion and taking every blow to the face, but he overcomes and wins the bout. Then one of my all-time favorite comes out, Rocky IV. This huge Russian boxer appears on the scene and kills Rocky's best friend in an exhibition fight. Now Rocky is facing his biggest battle ever. He intensifies his training and goes to an old school way of doing it. Of course at the end of the movie he defeats the mighty Russian and calls for his bride once again..."Yo Adrian!"
Think about something with me this morning. Have you ever seen Rocky in the ring punching himself? Just going toe to toe with his own face? No. We would think he's gone crazy. Well look at what God is telling us in the scripture today. There is a fight going on. Maybe you didn't hear the bell ring but you are in a fight. The flesh is lusting against the Spirit. You're battle is not with yourself but within yourself. The flesh is against the Spirit and the Spirit is against the flesh. Blow after Blow, jab after jab these two fight against one another. It's Clubber Lang vs. Rocky Balboa. Yearly, monthly and daily the struggle goes on, round after round.
So what do we do? We Walk in the Spirit. We train (pray, study the Word, attend worship) in order to be ready. Cause let me tell you something this morning. You may not have heard the bell ring, and if so, you may just get your bell rung. Wake up, the fight has started.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
1...2...3...4... You’re So Close
Mark 12:34
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
What a morning to see something great from God's Word! Years ago I came across this scripture while studying for the very first revival that I was asked to preach. Seeking God day and night about what to share with the people in this revival, I believe that God had led me here to Mark 12:34. There is something so simple about this scripture. It talks of a man in the previous verses who wanted to know what was the greatest of all commandments. Jesus answered him and then the man proceeds to tell Jesus that he was right. He then added with great wisdom himself. To the point where Jesus sees that this scribe answers discreetly or intelligently.
But look at what Jesus finishes with..."thou art not far from the kingdom of God." This man was so close, but yet so far away. He knew all of the laws, commandments and precepts. He wrote them over and over most of his life being a scribe. He not only knew them but because of his answer we can see that he had an understanding of them. Well why then did Jesus not say something like..."today you will be with me in paradise"? Did you notice that no one else asked him a question after the last statement? I wonder if they were thinking..."If this man is not fully prepared for the kingdom, then what about me?"
You see salvation is not knowing it, it is believing it. It is a surrender of your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior. Then He will teach your empty heart and fill you with His knowledge. So many people know the 1...2...3...4's of salvation but only with their minds and never their hearts. Call on Jesus today and ask Him to be your Savior. It is by His Grace that you can be saved right now.
Lastly, did you notice that our scripture was Mark 12:34? 1...2...3...4. My prayer is that you will remember this forever and share it with others. Tell them that Good Ol' Boys miss the mark and will die and go to Hell unless they receive Jesus by faith in their hearts and not their heads.
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
What a morning to see something great from God's Word! Years ago I came across this scripture while studying for the very first revival that I was asked to preach. Seeking God day and night about what to share with the people in this revival, I believe that God had led me here to Mark 12:34. There is something so simple about this scripture. It talks of a man in the previous verses who wanted to know what was the greatest of all commandments. Jesus answered him and then the man proceeds to tell Jesus that he was right. He then added with great wisdom himself. To the point where Jesus sees that this scribe answers discreetly or intelligently.
But look at what Jesus finishes with..."thou art not far from the kingdom of God." This man was so close, but yet so far away. He knew all of the laws, commandments and precepts. He wrote them over and over most of his life being a scribe. He not only knew them but because of his answer we can see that he had an understanding of them. Well why then did Jesus not say something like..."today you will be with me in paradise"? Did you notice that no one else asked him a question after the last statement? I wonder if they were thinking..."If this man is not fully prepared for the kingdom, then what about me?"
You see salvation is not knowing it, it is believing it. It is a surrender of your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior. Then He will teach your empty heart and fill you with His knowledge. So many people know the 1...2...3...4's of salvation but only with their minds and never their hearts. Call on Jesus today and ask Him to be your Savior. It is by His Grace that you can be saved right now.
Lastly, did you notice that our scripture was Mark 12:34? 1...2...3...4. My prayer is that you will remember this forever and share it with others. Tell them that Good Ol' Boys miss the mark and will die and go to Hell unless they receive Jesus by faith in their hearts and not their heads.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
W.W.D.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our eyes can so easily be distracted. It can happen at the most inopportune times right? I often drive down the road while talking to my wife and miss exits or turns. She has gotten now where she just laughs and it's like I come to myself and do the u-turn. I could give you many reasons why I get distracted, or let's just call them excuses.
It could be from the music blaring on the radio. It could be the boys in the backseat cutting up. It could be from a loss of sleep. Oh, it could be any of these things but truthfully it all boils down to not paying attention to my task at hand. I am driving! I'm not in the car to hear the radio, although it's nice music. I'm not in the car to play "eye spy", although that too is fun. I'm definitely not in the car to catch up on the sleep I lost the night before, although that too could sometimes happen. No, I'm in the car to drive to my destination. To get those in the vehicle to the destination.
Way too often we are distracted from worship because of others around us. Maybe it's because of other thoughts in our minds and other places we think about going after we worship at church. Either way, we are not to worship while distracted. It is just not possible. We must look unto Jesus when we worship.
Don't get distracted church at looking for a superman or old faithful. Look unto Jesus! So many look to a Deacon or Pastor, which should show the example of Jesus in the life and walk, but could become disappointed. If you don't want to be charged with a W.W.D (Worship While Distracted) then keep your eyes upon the task at hand. It's called the Gospel plow. Grab ahold and go forth!
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our eyes can so easily be distracted. It can happen at the most inopportune times right? I often drive down the road while talking to my wife and miss exits or turns. She has gotten now where she just laughs and it's like I come to myself and do the u-turn. I could give you many reasons why I get distracted, or let's just call them excuses.
It could be from the music blaring on the radio. It could be the boys in the backseat cutting up. It could be from a loss of sleep. Oh, it could be any of these things but truthfully it all boils down to not paying attention to my task at hand. I am driving! I'm not in the car to hear the radio, although it's nice music. I'm not in the car to play "eye spy", although that too is fun. I'm definitely not in the car to catch up on the sleep I lost the night before, although that too could sometimes happen. No, I'm in the car to drive to my destination. To get those in the vehicle to the destination.
Way too often we are distracted from worship because of others around us. Maybe it's because of other thoughts in our minds and other places we think about going after we worship at church. Either way, we are not to worship while distracted. It is just not possible. We must look unto Jesus when we worship.
Don't get distracted church at looking for a superman or old faithful. Look unto Jesus! So many look to a Deacon or Pastor, which should show the example of Jesus in the life and walk, but could become disappointed. If you don't want to be charged with a W.W.D (Worship While Distracted) then keep your eyes upon the task at hand. It's called the Gospel plow. Grab ahold and go forth!
Monday, March 5, 2018
First of All...
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
I love this scripture! I love how it gets down to business by saying first things first. God points out first of all... thankfulness. Paul says let me begin with how much I am thankful for you all in Jesus Christ our Lord. He was thankful for the people who are the children of God. What brought on this thankfulness?
It was their faith in Christ. It was their faith in their walk in Christ. He was thankful that their faith was being spoken of throughout the whole world. Oh how I pray that Christ would be glorified throughout all the world!
One of the greatest moments as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus is when I hear of others growing in faith. To hear of believers sharing Jesus with others is absolutely one of the greatest things in the world. To hear a testimony from someone that has gone through a storm or trial and give God the glory for the victory isn't far behind.
This morning I'm thankful to my God, through Jesus Christ my Lord, for you all who follow Christ through faith. I love hearing your testimonies. I love hearing of your victories. I love hearing of your faith throughout the world. Of all the disappointing things that I hear everyday, I want to first of all start my day in thankfulness for those of you that keep the faith.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
I love this scripture! I love how it gets down to business by saying first things first. God points out first of all... thankfulness. Paul says let me begin with how much I am thankful for you all in Jesus Christ our Lord. He was thankful for the people who are the children of God. What brought on this thankfulness?
It was their faith in Christ. It was their faith in their walk in Christ. He was thankful that their faith was being spoken of throughout the whole world. Oh how I pray that Christ would be glorified throughout all the world!
One of the greatest moments as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus is when I hear of others growing in faith. To hear of believers sharing Jesus with others is absolutely one of the greatest things in the world. To hear a testimony from someone that has gone through a storm or trial and give God the glory for the victory isn't far behind.
This morning I'm thankful to my God, through Jesus Christ my Lord, for you all who follow Christ through faith. I love hearing your testimonies. I love hearing of your victories. I love hearing of your faith throughout the world. Of all the disappointing things that I hear everyday, I want to first of all start my day in thankfulness for those of you that keep the faith.
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