Finally!

1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

I can remember as a child that I couldn't wait to be twelve so I could be a young teenager. Then I couldn't wait to be sixteen so that I could drive a vehicle. Then I couldn't wait to be eighteen and graduate high school. Then I couldn't wait to be twenty-one so I could be an adult. Then I couldn't wait until I was married. Then I couldn't wait until it had children... It seemed like I was always anticipating the next phase in my life. Constantly I would set the goal ahead of me and couldn't think of anything until I was there. Now that I have made it to these points in my life, I find myself saying, "What now?"  

It's funny how we do things in life and what we talk about that is ahead of us. What is so amazing to me is listening to testimonies from church members during some of our worship services. I've heard all kind of things in testimonies. (Some that maybe should have been kept to themselves) Some of the things that I have heard from our older members are still ringing in my ears, even though they are in Heaven today. 

You would think that they would want to rewind time and do it all over again, but that's not what I've heard. I hear them say things like... "I'm just waiting on my Lord... I can't wait to see my Jesus... I can't wait to see my spouse or family... I can't wait to walk streets of gold... I can't wait to look into the eyes of my Savior... I can't wait to spend eternity with my Lord... I can't wait till He calls me home". 

That is so amazing! Sometimes I feel like I've reached the point in life where I don't have another, "I can't wait..." phrase. But those older saints of God remind me of it again and again. John in the closing book of our a Bible says, "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus". 

And we thought the beginning of our salvation was something, just wait till we receive the end of our salvation!

I'll Have What He's Having

2 Kings 2:9
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Have you ever been out to eat with someone and listen to them order their food? Sometimes when I go to a new place and don't know what to eat I ask the person taking my order what they would get. I figure that they would know much better than me what is good to eat. But if someone takes me to eat I usually listen to them ordering.

When they describe their order I can hear that they have been here before. I can sense that they know what is good and not good. I love it when they know the ones waiting on us or even better the cook! By them knowing these things I feel sure about getting what they order.

Elisha had been watching Elijah. He as observed his actions and devotion unto God. He was sure that Elijah knew God personally and was confident in Him. He saw the devotion that Elijah had unto God and how God moved on and in Elijah. So when the question about what Elisha wanted before Elijah died came up he jumped on the opportunity to say, "I'll have what you're having. Only make mine a double." (like a beautiful order of double hashbrowns...)

Praise God! Today I want what Elijah had. I want what Elisha got double of. I want seconds and thirds. I trust they knew the One prepares and serves it. Here is my plate and cup Lord...

Before I Die

Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

There are two requests mentioned in our scripture this morning. It is a prayer to God. One that is needed before their death. Let's look at them and see if it is something we may be interested in praying also.

First it is a request for removal. God remove from me vanity which is excessive pride and arrogance as well as lies. Lies could be those that were spoken, but since it is joined with the word vanity it no doubt deals with believing lies of prideful thoughts.

The second request is for provisions. He asks God to give him neither poverty or riches. In other words, don't let me focus on how much or how less I have. Lord give me the needs that are convenient for me. Give me those things that will satisfy my needs and not more than I need which will puff up my pride.

I don't know about you but I believe that I'm going to make this my prayer daily. Lord, starve my pride and feed my dependence on You. My prayer today is that I understand this before I die. Let contentment be my daily goal.

Believe it or Not, Will they Know?

Ezekiel 2:4-5

For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

The Lord has given us His word. We are to preach it, teach it, share it. Just as the parable of the sower says to, "Sow the seed", that's what we need to do. It's not our responsibility to grow the seed. We are to sow and water. God is the only one who can give the increase or bring it to life. 

We can agree with the scripture this morning. This land we live in is much like that of the Old Testament Israel. Impudent or disrespectful children. So many times we want to point this scripture to the condition of the lost world or to teenagers, but that would be false. This points to us in the church today. Disrespectful and stiffhearted unto God and His word. 

God sends preacher after preacher to share His word with them. God is putting men into the ministry everyday to preach. We as Christians should be sharing the gospel everyday.

We need to first realize that He has sent us out with the gospel message. Second, we need to know that some will hear His words, but some will not. Some will not change because they are a rebellious house. Lastly, as we share it... understand that some will repent and some will not... but either way let them know your message is from The Lord. The Lord says, "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, YET SHALL KNOW that there hath been a prophet among them". 

When Jesus himself taught and preached many walked away in disbelief. When Paul testified of Jesus, people chose to walk away from his words about Christ. But...when Jesus taught at times, many said didn't our hearts burn within us as he spake and they believed. When Paul preached about Christ, many came to Him and believed. This morning...whether they believe your words about Jesus or not, leave them knowing that they had been with someone sent from God. 

When my life begins to pass and I take an examination of it all. I pray that I will never tally the ones who believed or the ones who didn't, but I pray that when they pass my casket and look in at the old fleshly robe of mine... People will say, whether they have believed or not, ...this man was sent by God and spoke His words!

Case in Point

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

I want to be the leader!  Let me be the leader!  You will respect me!  You will love me! These are statements that can never just be spoken and it all fall into place. I have said my whole Christian life that, "Those who lead, must first follow". 

This year marks 22 years of preaching the Gospel of Jesus and being in ministry for me. I have seen many things that I love.  Some, well I just didn't like very much. I've heard men demand respect, and never achieve it. I've heard people demand love and never find it. I've even heard people telling others that they were going to be friends only for the friendship to never pan out. 

Scripture tells us that a man who has friends must be friendly. It teaches us that men who are loved are those who show love and those who are respected, give respect to all people. So all in all, the Word of God teaches us that in order to lead in something (or obtain something) we must follow in that manner. 

You want to be a leader for Christ? Become the best follower!  Want to have the best of friends? Be the best friend!  Want people to love and respect you? Show ALL people love and respect!  Character is how you treat people that you don't need. 

Jesus knelt down and washed the dirty feet of men that wanted to be great leaders and said, "I have given you and example". His example was one of a leader. You see Jesus knew that to be a great leader you have to do it by example. 

So, are you leading?  If you're not following then your not leading!  Look at the "Case in Point" (that being the example of Jesus). If your not willing to wash dirty feet, what makes you worthy to lead? If you're not willing to be faithful and preach to 3 people, they what makes you worthy to preach to 3000? Be an example!

The Name of Jesus

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Have you ever thought of how your name came to be?  Why did my parents choose to call me Steve?  Some reasons could be... To carry an ancestor's name. To carry a meaning for the parents. It could be that the parents just loved a certain name. There could be a number of reasons for the name that you carry today.  Either way, your parents chose to call you this because it seemed good to them. 

The good in a name will not be the way it sounds or rolls off the tongue. Our scripture this morning tells us about the effects of a good name. But to have that "good name", it takes character. Men and women that have lived good, or right, carry a good name or reputation. This scripture deals more with what a good name could be rather than how to have a good name. Many, many people want a name that will be remembered or famous. People seek the fame and attention for their names. They want the marquees and billboards to be lit up with there names pasted all over them. But how many of those names are good? How many are names you could actually look to for guidance?

The Bible tells us in Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."  His name shall be called JESUS! SAVIOR! The name of Jesus brings healing to a sin infected world. His name is not Neosporin that heals a wound, but it is the precious blood that removes the sin. The name of Jesus is one that is better than ointment to the leper. A name that is better than ointment to a sickness. A name that carries the stripes with which we are healed. A name that bears the  scars with which our guilt is removed. A name that has been spoken throughout the years and still remains undefiled. A name that when spoken can calm the fever stricken body. At the name of JESUS!  

Makes me sing...

Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name

Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus let all Heaven and Earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name

Call Ahead

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time

Doctor appointments, dinner appointments, dates with your spouse, etc... We all have appointed times for our lives. Nothing compares to calling ahead and reserving a spot though. Scheduling a doctor appointment is the best thing to do if you want to be seen quicker, well at some places. Calling ahead at the resturaunt can be very beneficial also. 

Look at the blessed hope of Jesus Christ. Scriptures tell us that The Lord has saved us through this lively hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He saved us from our deadness of sin unto life eternal in Him. Not to a pew of the local church to sit and do nothing. Not to castle on the hills of Scotland. Not to a high rise apartment in the biggest city of the world. But to an inheritance!  One that is incorruptible, undefiled, never fading and reserved! (Insert Hallelujah here)  

God has something for us in, or through, His will. He has made us heirs with Him. If we are heirs, then we have access to the benefits of what He has reserved for His children. Men haven't touched it to corrupt it. Flesh has not influenced it to defile it or cause it to fade or die. No one else's name could have been on the reservation than the name of Jesus. 

Do you think we will ever receive these benefits? If we have called ahead, then yes we will. I know that sometimes the waiting is the hardest part, but it is worth the wait. The scripture says we are kept by the power of God. How? Through faith unto salvation. It also says it's ready to be revealed in the last time. What an inheritance! What a blessing! Thank you Jesus!   Have you called ahead? If not, call upon Him right now. 

One more thing, notice how we came to obtain this inheritance... "according to His abundant mercy..." (insert one more Hallelujah)