A Long Way From The Shore

Matthew 18:12-13
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Every year around June/July, the Abney's would take off for the beach.  I used to call it the "Redneck Riviera".  We would travel from Alabama into Florida to our special spot.  Many years it was a house that we rented together with a few other family members.  So think about it... Same road, same house, same beach, same scenario year after year. It was so routine! The same swimsuit, which consisted of the shorts from a previous year and a shirt due to my chubbiness. The same crab net and flashlight for the night hunts along the beach. Even down to the same old blowup raft equipped with paddles and all. (I hope that you are picking up on the "routine" of our trips because I'm laying it on pretty thick)

When we arrived at our destination the very first thing I would do is grab the swimming attire and raft.  Mom would be trying to rub sunscreen on me before I could get the old shirt on, but that was for wimps.  "No time for that mom, I've gotta get in the water!" as I fought her away.  Dad, mom, brother and other family members all lined up as we took the walk to the beach.  I've got the raft above my head leading the pack across the road obviously.

I'm the first one in the water!  Mom, dad and the others are now settling in their routine, which was thirty minutes and flip, thirty minutes and flip.  Well I had jumped into the ocean and forgot the paddles to the raft on the shore.  It really didn't matter that much though, because I wasn't going to go far.  As I was relaxing it the bottom of the raft and allowing the waves to sooth my childhood sorrows away, I lost thought and track of time.  I sat up in the raft and looked toward shore.  Let's just say I almost needed a new swimsuit.  I had drifted so far away from the shore.  If you know anything about Florida and the beaches... I was past the second sand bar.  (Yea, that far)

I started screaming like Tom Hanks when Wilson drifted from him in the Castaway movie. "Daaaady! Come get me!" He was waving his hands and saying, "Paddle back buddy."  To which I said, "Look beside you! I ain't got no paddles."  You know my Dad could have allowed me to drift to Cuba and blame it all on my carelessness, but he didn't.  I'll never forget in my life what he did.  He took off his shirt, leather Jesus sandals and black dress socks and headed out to where I was drifting. As he was coming out to me he still wanted me to paddle with my arms and I would say, "No way, there are probably sharks out here." So he kept swimming to where I was. He grabbed that handle on my raft and brought me to the shoreline.  

Listen today to the Holy Spirit as you read these words... No matter how far you may have drifted, call out to Jesus right now.  Can't you just see Him as He stands up when the cry is heard?  Can't you see Him as He comes to where you are and brings you home?

Donald Abney, daddy, thank you for swimming out to a little boy who was drifting away.  Not only on the shores of Florida that day, but also as a teenage boy who was totally drifting from Christ and headed to Hell.  I know that you came and got me in the raft when I was little, but only Jesus could have swam out as far as He did when I was lost in sin.  Thank you Mom and Dad for pointing me out to Jesus when you couldn't swim to me.  Thank you Jesus for coming to me and saving my life.

It makes me want to sing that song... "Without Him, I would be drifting like a ship without a sail."  

Follow the Leader

1 Timothy 3:5

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

A failure among fathers today is knowing how to rule the house. First we must understand that ruling the house is not done as Hitler with force. It will never be accomplished by demanding it. Respect for authority is not a right inherited when you bring the child into the world. Surely you know that having a baby does not make you a mom or dad. Being a mom or dad goes much deeper than having a sexual relationship with someone and conceiving a baby. 

Being a dad or mom is a position of leadership. Although this position isn't viewed in a great light by our present society, it is far more influential than the presidency. I often hear parents say, "My children don't respect me... They don't do what I tell them to do."  So often it's because you are imposing rules upon them that you yourself are not willing to keep. Do you lead with respect? Do you respect others and most of all God? Then how will they know how to perform that which they have never seen?  Do you demand that they follow your rule while you are breaking every rule?  Think of this... Do you yell at them for breaking your house rules, but yet talk all kinds of trash against the police for stopping you after running through a traffic light or speeding? 

Why would they care about your rules when you don't care about keeping rules?  Why would your child want to walk with Jesus when you don't walk with Him?

Notice the scripture this morning. "For if a man KNOW NOT HOW to rule his own house..."  Dad's, do you think you can rule the home well without first being a submissive follower of Jesus?  Our failure that I was speaking of early is from not KNOWING how to lead, which comes from not knowing how to follow. 

Ask God right now to help you lead your children. Ask for His leadership. Allow Him to rule your life so that you can rule your home well. Remember, He doesn't rule you as Hitler with demands. He came in love, died in love, saves in love and rules in love. 

One of my absolute greatest concerns as a dad and a pastor is leading a whole congregation of people and not my very own children. The Lord has shown me that I could never rule the house of God without first leading my very own family. I could never lead without first following Christ. Thank you Jesus, keep leading. Where you lead, I will follow. 

Pour It Out!

Isaiah 44:3-4

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,

and floods upon the dry ground:

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed,

and my blessing upon thine offspring: 

And they shall spring up as among the grass,

as willows by the water courses.

Don't you just love this scripture today?  It is God's answer for what we lack. Look closely at what the Lord is speaking to us...

He says, "I will POUR water upon him that is thirsty". Oh how awesome is that?  God sees the need of our thirst. He sees our thirst and He's not speaking about our desire for something to drink. He takes notice of our need for righteousness. The Bible tells us in another scripture that He will bless those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. But look really close!  He not only meets our need or satisfies our thirst, but He POURS it upon us. He doesn't just give us a drink or taste. No, He pours His Spirit upon us. 

Then He will "flood the dry ground". Our souls are so dry and thirsty, just as a desert landscape. God pours out His Spirit upon us and it floods over. It floods throughout our life unto the lives of others. It flows in our hearts. It then flows into our marriage. Then onto our children and their children. When we are filled with the Spirit, it has a great way of showing. There is no mistaken when someone is living in the Spirit of God. 

Notice the last thing He says... "They shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water". God satisfies you, then He saturates you and others around you, and then He strengthens you!  

God please send the waters today. Send the Holy Spirit upon us right now. I pray for those reading today that may be dry and thirsty. Pour out your flooding Spirit upon them. In Jesus Name, Amen

An Impact Player

Jude 1:22

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

At our home we play video games together. We love to play sport games against each other and get our favorite teams and players (Roll Tide). Well now our games have these indicators for certain players. It could be a white star or a something similar. This is an indicator of a players strength or abilities. Impact players are huge game changers. 

The word of God teaches us that there is nothing greater than love, grace and mercy. In this scripture we see that compassion (mercy) on people who are struggling can make a difference. This could be game changing for them. Mercy and compassion could give great victories for you and the receiver. 

So put on your suit of compassion. Your helmet of salvation. Your pads of Grace. Be a game changer today. Be an impact player!

I remember a story about a young boy throwing starfish back into the sea. An old man asked him if he thought he was making a difference. There're were thousands of starfish on the shore. He picked up another one. Tossed it into the sea and said, "Made a difference to that one". 

Ringing From My Heart

1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

Before we continue in the devotion this morning please understand that the sciptures are dealing with those who have confessed Jesus as their Savior.  He is dealing with Christians, or those who claim to be.

God teaches us today that if we say we are a part of the body of Christ, then we are one body together.  Just as the marriage illustrates and other scriptures define. The two have now become one.  Have you ever noticed that God asks us questions at times through the scriptures in order to turn the cogs in our minds and hearts?  He knew the answer to this question.  He knew where Adam was before He ever asked where he was.  He knew what Cain had done before he ever asked where Abel his brother was.  He wants you to think on these things. He desires that you come to the conclusion of your need, sin, or wisdom.  God is not a force-feeder but He leads you to the banquet.

Don't you just love the last part of our scripture today? "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." When we receive Christ as our Lord, we are no longer an individual.  No, we are now joined unto Jesus.  Wherever we go, whatever we say, whatever we do, we carry Jesus with us.  We should not be guilty of joining ourselves to any other.  

You know what? My wedding band is an inanimate object.  It can't guide me or give me directions (at least not until the iRing is invented). But it can speak to me and for me.  Now listen to me before you hang up and think I've lost it.  The ring on my finger speaks to me of my covenant/promise to my wife.  It speaks to me about the love and oneness I share with her and only her.  We are joined together!  Did you know she also wears a ring just like mine on her finger? (just a bit smaller in size)  Her ring speak as well.  Also these rings speak to others.  It says, "Back off, I'm taken! My heart and life belongs to another."  

If I never had a ring... I have a promise to her and myself.  The ring just signifies the promise made.  Just like your actions signify your oneness with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  You may not have a "Christian Ring" on today, but your actions should be ringing out.  Loud and clear from your heart people should hear, "I'm joined to Christ!  He is my one and only! I LOVE HIM!"

Always On

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The running joke at our house is about a commercial.  Whenever the power goes out we always mention this commercial.  It's an Alabama Power commercial.  The ending is always the same. It says, "Alabama Power... Always On".  Well when the power goes off I always say, "Always On, Huh?"  As long as there are storms, snow and accidents it can never be always on.  Sometimes the power goes out and there you are.  I even asked the boys the other night where they were when the power went out.  One said, "In my bedroom".  The other said, "I was standing next to you dad".  Then I replied, "Nope, you were in the dark".

If your home is like ours when the power goes out it is a time of mourning.  The boys tell of how quiet it is and how it is soooooo boring.  There's no wifi, there's no phone charger, there's no light in the bathroom, there's no fan noise to sleep by.  Oh the suffering, the torment! Then the conversations begin to roll out.  "I wonder what they did in the old days when they had no power?" "What would they do at night?"  I said, "They would go to bed".  

Since the invention of power so much has come about in our world.  The things we are able to do because of power.  My wife's grandad, Pop, has always said he will gladly pay the power bill no matter the cost.  You know why?  He lived when there was no powered air conditioning.  He says he will pay for that cool air any day.  

Think about this today... Are you trying to live in your own power?  As a Christian we shouldn't attempt to live through our own power, but through the power of the Gospel. Through the power of the Holy Ghost of God.  There are even some today trying to become a Christian (be saved) through their own works or power.  Our scripture this morning says that the power of salvation is in the Gospel!  It's in Jesus!  Stop depending on your strength to make it.  Stop trusting in your power, because it will never be "Always On".  No, only the power of Christ is "Always On". What a difference the power can make.  Light can shine in the darkest of places because of the power.

Don't Tell Me What You Are

Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

This morning as you head out for the day take the time to look around. Look at the trees, sky, birds, cows, chickens and all of God's creation. Take the time to look up into that beautiful blue sky or those rolling clouds filled with rain. Isn't God awesome? I think about being on the lake and seeing the beautiful and glistening water or the mountains seeing the rolling green grass and hills. God's creation is so amazing.  It all brings praise unto Him.

Everything that God touches He made into something beautiful and great. When I see those green trees I can't help but thank God for the shade. When I see the rivers, streams and lakes I can't help but thank God for water that satisfies my thirst (and fish, don't forget fish). When I see the mountains I can't help but thank God for their beauty.

Well what about you? You are a creation of God. Some of you are now a brand new, "born-again" child of God. Do you declare the workmanship of Christ? When people see you what do they thank God for? Some people would probably thank God when we are quiet or away, hahaha.

A tree has never had to speak to me and convince me of what it is. I can tell. I can tell the differences between trees also just by looking at them. Oaks are different. They have different bark and even different grain patterns in the wood. Pines are different from oaks. Each one has some similarities but all are different.

So, so many are trying tell people what they are. "I'm a Christian" they say but then act totally different. Let me ask you this... What if you couldn't talk, would people be able to tell that you are the handywork of God? Would they see the great salvation of our Lord in your life? Don't tell me what you are, show me. Better yet, don't show me, show others.