Bench Vise

Job 23:10

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold

Today there may be a trial that you are going through.  It may be a tough decision to make.  You may seem as if you are so pressed inside that there is no way out.  You don't understand right now but the Lord is doing a great work in and through you.

I remember as a child watching my Dad out in the barn working on an engine.  He had all kinds of tools.  At times he would put the parts he was working on in a bench vise.  He would tighten the vise so much that the part could not move.  It would put much strain on the part but it would hold it still while he began to work on a certain area.  Then when he finished he would loosen the part and place it in the engine for a perfect fit.

Just as my Dad, the Lord Jesus is working on you.  Never forget, despite how tight things feel, God is just holding you still in order to shape and mold you into what He desires.  Remember, "I shall come forth as gold".

Lord Jesus, please help me to understand that you have my life in total control.  Help remind me that you bless me and also shape me.  Help me to understand that these trials I face in life are not to make me bitter or question your will, but rather to make me into the "Gold" that you desire for me.  Although I may never understand why you choose to do it certain ways, Help me to understand that you do this for my good.

What A Savior

Psalms 107:15

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

"Touchdown!", is yelled from the announcer. Now the crowd is on their feet cheering at the top of their lungs. "What a play! What a run! What a pass!" While these plays are unfolding the analysts and writers are sharpening their pencils and editing their photos. The news of the winning team must be shared. 

Isn't it amazing the detail that goes into the writing of these praise articles? From their goal line that started the miracle drive, all the way down to the player who threw the touchdown pass. The linemen are praised. The backs are praised. The receivers are praised. The ones who called the plays in are praised. Why? Because it all worked out to the good. 

Flip the storyline around. Let everything fall apart and see what happens. The praise now turns to rage. See men are always ready to praise when things are good, but want to rage when things aren't so great. 

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness". What would your storyline say about how great God is? What would the headline read? Would you take the time this morning to praise Him? When you go to Him in prayer, after reading this, take the time to just praise Him. Tell Him how you adore Him. How you love Him. How you praise Him. Maybe you could take some time to write about the greatness of God. 

My headline would come from one of my favorite songs... Oh what a Savior, oh Hallelujah!

Come As You Are

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

I love the old invitation hymn song, Just As I Am. What a great truth in the message of that song. God wants us to come as we are. We are told to bring all of our cares, lost condition and cast it upon the Lord. We should know that He loves us so much that He's already paid the debt for our sins. 

One problem that is prevalent in churches today is people that haven't understood that Christ saves and changes us. Some come to Jesus as they are but leave exactly the same as when they came. That's not salvation!  That's not repenting of your sins and being changed. 

So many want to hang on to a part of the old person or lifestyle. But that's not being changed. What if saved people were not changed? 

Zacchaeus came as a sinner but left saved! So much that his life showed it. A sinful woman came as an adulterer but left restored! Lazarus laid there as a dead man but rose up alive! The crippled man laid by the pool a lame but walked away with his bed in his hand! A hungry person comes to the table hungry but walks away filled! A sinner comes to Jesus lost but stands up found. He, or she, comes to Jesus broken and leaves mended. 

What if Jesus would have to allowed the woman who was caught in the act of adultery to continue on in the sin she was just set free from? What about Peter when he denied The Lord three times? What if Jesus would have said, "Don't do me that way please...!) and Peter just continues in sin? It's crazy!

So why is this our motive in some believers today?  We want to please instead of preach. We want to entertain instead of feel the presence of the Holt Spirit. We can and will always be welcome to come to Jesus with a broken heart. But we cannot stay the same. 

  

Dear Lord, change me everyday. Make me more like you and less of me. I love you and thank you

Come To Jesus

Mark 10:50

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

In the church, there are so many man-made stipulations for salvation. Traditions and religion has robbed many people from the salvation found in Christ. Listen to me this morning before you confuse what I'm saying. I love the VBS way of showing people salvation. They often use the ABC's. Admit you're a sinner. Believe that Jesus is the Answer. Confess your sins and Jesus as your Savior. That's simple enough that the youngest of children can understand it, but the oldest adult can confuse it. Some have taken the message of salvation to the level of a formula. It's not about a formula but about faith. 

See this blind man in our scripture had faith. His faith led to him casting away his garment. Just like this garment of the blind man held him down, so does our sin. Even our righteousness is like these filthy garments. So really it's not by what we do or don't do. It's faith. 

Secondly this man's faith brought him to his feet. Hearing the word of God brings everyone to a decision. A decision to trust in Christ as Lord or to reject the Gospel message. You will stand up and walk to Christ or walk away from Him. There is no sitting position on the issue of the Gospel. 

Lastly He came to Jesus. Now some would insert a three step program right here. They would insist on it being a step plan. Step one, cast away sin. Step two, stand up during the invitation. Step three, come to Jesus. But if you will look at scripture you will understand that faith led this man to put away the garments. Faith led to this man standing up. Faith led to this man coming to Jesus. 

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

God's Grace reaches in salvation and through Faith we accept it! This man's faith led to his response. How will you respond today?

Stirred Up!

Does the Story of Jesus Still Stir You?

Isaiah 53:1-6

Who hath believed our report?

and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,

and as a root out of a dry ground:

he hath no form nor comeliness;

and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 

He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces from him;

he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed. 

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Reading the story of Jesus and His death still stirs me to the point of tears. Does it still stir you? How does hearing what Christ has done for you move in your spirit? I've noticed that many Christians are no longer moved by what He HAS done for them. The only become stirred in thinking of what Christ CAN do for them. Well let me ask you this... What more could Jesus do that He hasn't already done?  Read Isaiah one more time before you head out to work this morning. Can you put anyone else's name in the blank for this list? 

And that doesn't stir you?

Makes me want to sing...

I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat

What seems each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God's own Holy Word.

I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His Love

Home Protection Plan

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Parents try always to watch their children. They go to extreme measures to make sure they don't get hurt. When they are babies, we put locks on everything and constantly scan the area for potential dangers. When they are toddlers, we observe everything they pick up and put into their mouth. When they are young children, we fight off sicknesses, help with homework, make sure they get the proper medications and of course... plenty of rest.

Why do we do this? It's our duty and privilege. We as parents only want what is best for our children. God has placed us into guardianship over them. We do this so we can keep them from danger or harm. We guard the stove when they are toddlers like a soldier guarding the "Unknown Soldier's" tomb. We rearrange our most beautiful furniture in the house so that the sharp corners aren't in the way when they begin to walk. Many of us are always looking down at the carpet when they are young because we don't want that penny or quarter to be swallowed. Why? To keep them from harm or worse, even death.

One last question this morning... Why are most parents I know stop this protection plan when these children grow up into teenage years? Now more than ever parents, these children need your protection. With all that is available unto them from society, we need stronger protection programs called "Family". Dad, guarding your son or daughter is your duty and privilege. You need to have more respect and desire for the position that God has given you. Mom, protecting your daughter or son is your God-given calling. Do it with the same passion you once had when they were even smaller.

I know that many of you would argue the fact of protecting them when they are grown, but may I tell you that a teenager is not grown. No they are still growing. I know that they may know how to walk by a stove now and not touch it because it is hot. But the danger is still there. Many teenagers are walking by stoves today while the meth and other drugs are cooking on them. See the danger is still there, it has just altered its appearance. Sure they know how to cross the road now, but do they know which road to take?

Maybe it's time to protect your family. Pray this morning and ask God for it. Don't just go to the "Hedge of protection" prayer. Pray that He will give you wisdom to discern the dangers that are out there against your children and family. Step up and start protecting.

Closer Than He Appears

Psalms 22:11

Be not far from me; for trouble is near;

for there is none to help.

Why is it that some people feel that the Lord is so far away from them when troubles come? This is our Lord that told us He would never leave or forsake us. The same one who said He is a very present help in time of trouble. 

David is asking for the presence of God to not be far from him. Trouble is now approaching David fast! His soul is beginning to pant because the enemy is hot on his trail and trouble is upon him. David also says that there is no one to help him. 

Have you ever felt like this before? Ever felt that trouble is up ahead and the help seems so far away? It's almost like looking in that side mirror and thinking that a vehicle is way back there, but really they aren't. No, they are closer than they appear. Circumstances in our lives like sorrow, death, discouragement, pain, sickness, etc..., leaves us feeling like we are all alone at times. These things can bring loneliness and questions at times. But hold on! Have faith! The Lord is so much more closer than He may sometimes appear. In these times you may not be able to see Him in the side or rear mirrors because He is actually in the vehicle with you. 

Aren't you excited that we have someone who will help when we ask? If you answered yes and are in trouble then why not ask Him today for the help you know He can give? Thank you Jesus!