Jeremiah 18:3-4
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Jeremiah had a great blessing to see this potter in action. God spoke to him through what he was seeing also. God says, "Do you see that potter? I want to do the same thing with you and the house of Israel." Around and around the potter's wheel would turn. The potter would pick up that clay and slam it down, pick it up and slam it down. We would think, "What are you doing? You keep picking me up and slamming me down onto this wheel!" While the whole time God is trying to get you into the center of the wheel, or better yet into the center of His will.
Then He takes His creation hands and applies pressure. If the clay could speak it would tell of the pain and pressure that is experienced. "It's for a purpose, it's for a purpose..." I can hear the potter say. I love how the scripture says that he wrought a work on the wheels. God is working in our lives. He truly is! We think because of the pressure that God is mean or even unloving at times but this is not true. He is working the work on the wheel. He is making you into a vessel.
Now here is the biggest key of all. The pottery doesn't tell the potter what to do or how to make it. It yields itself to the potter. Because the potter knows what kind of vessel He needs and He knows what kind of vessel to make. Did you read that earlier? "It was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it."
God is making you according to His plans and His design. Yield to the hands of the potter this morning. Tell Him to mold you and make you into what He desires you to be and for His use. You honestly couldn't pray any greater prayer than that.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Monday, June 26, 2017
God is Good
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
If you have the time this morning go back and read this whole chapter. You will understand that God is about to send judgment upon Ninevah. This message was not one of coming judgment to Ninevah, but it was a message of hope to Judah. Ninevah was evil and gruesome in their sins. They would impale people and leave them out in the sun to burn. Wickedness was very, very rampant in their city.
What is amazing about this scripture is that during this time Ninevah was at their peak. They were the strongest that they had ever been before. No one thought that this city would ever be overthrown. But when God's judgment fell upon them the ruins of this city weren't found until the 1800's. Their sins were no longer overlooked, but now God sought justice and destroyed the city and its wickedness.
Then all of the sudden, right in the middle of the scriptures, God gives us this verse... "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." When we as a nation have sinned and become sickened and twisted with our wickedness by the seconds always remember that the Lord is good. I know a friend of mine who used to stand in church and say, "God is Good." The crowd would always answer back with, "All the Time." In a situation much like Ninevah, we are strong and at the peak of our game as a nation. But just like Ninevah, we are riddled with sin. Not just sinful people but sinful people that are rejoicing in sin. Promoting and praising the acts of sin. You think as you read that I'm speaking of those who are lost alone, but no, no, no, it's very prevalent in the church as well. Some think that judgment will never come, but they are wrong. God will have justice.
But remember Christian's... God is good. He is a STRONG hold in the day of trouble. He knows who is trusting in Him. Hold on to the unchanging hand of Christ. Let the Lord judge you now in your sins that Jesus paid for on the cross. Don't wait until the final judgment day where you will die in your sins without Jesus.
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
If you have the time this morning go back and read this whole chapter. You will understand that God is about to send judgment upon Ninevah. This message was not one of coming judgment to Ninevah, but it was a message of hope to Judah. Ninevah was evil and gruesome in their sins. They would impale people and leave them out in the sun to burn. Wickedness was very, very rampant in their city.
What is amazing about this scripture is that during this time Ninevah was at their peak. They were the strongest that they had ever been before. No one thought that this city would ever be overthrown. But when God's judgment fell upon them the ruins of this city weren't found until the 1800's. Their sins were no longer overlooked, but now God sought justice and destroyed the city and its wickedness.
Then all of the sudden, right in the middle of the scriptures, God gives us this verse... "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." When we as a nation have sinned and become sickened and twisted with our wickedness by the seconds always remember that the Lord is good. I know a friend of mine who used to stand in church and say, "God is Good." The crowd would always answer back with, "All the Time." In a situation much like Ninevah, we are strong and at the peak of our game as a nation. But just like Ninevah, we are riddled with sin. Not just sinful people but sinful people that are rejoicing in sin. Promoting and praising the acts of sin. You think as you read that I'm speaking of those who are lost alone, but no, no, no, it's very prevalent in the church as well. Some think that judgment will never come, but they are wrong. God will have justice.
But remember Christian's... God is good. He is a STRONG hold in the day of trouble. He knows who is trusting in Him. Hold on to the unchanging hand of Christ. Let the Lord judge you now in your sins that Jesus paid for on the cross. Don't wait until the final judgment day where you will die in your sins without Jesus.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Are You Shocked?
1 John 3:13
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Are you shocked that the world doesn't want the hear about Christ? One of the funniest things to me is when Christians get irritated because the world doesn't want to hear them. Are we really confused about this? Read this slowly... It's not you they don't like, it's your love for Jesus Christ. It's not your belief that is not accepted, it's the law of God. We, Christians, spend way too much time upset about people not liking us. We should understand that the world hated Christ and they will hate you.
I went to school at Mortimer Jordan High School. I'll never forget hearing all the war stories of the man who was the principal there. "Oh, he is so strict. You're not gonna like him at all. He runs a tight ship", they would say. I remember one parent telling me that it was where they sent the students for correction, kinda like a prison. So needless to say when I arrived I was dreading it.
I remember hearing his voice in the hallway for the first time. He called me out by "Little Nacho". He said, "Son, you need to tuck that shirt tail in." I'll have to admit that I really didn't like him very much in my first years of high school. I was in sin and lost. I was doing my own thing and didn't want anyone telling me what to do. Although I used to say, "I hate this school and can't wait to get out." It never bothered or swayed him. He knew that people didn't like him because of his ways, but he never let that bother him. He loved us. He truly loved us. I'll never ever forget the day I was saved and starting my Senior year as a brand new Child of God. My look toward him was so different. I began to realize that he loved me. That he always had loved me. I understood his love for me and the other students and in turn, showed my love toward him (and still do).
If he would have let my anger toward him lead him to be angry toward me, he would have never instructed me. But because he realized that everyone is not going to like him or his moral stands, he didn't let it stop him. Too many today have quit standing for holiness because people don't like it. Let me say it again... They are not ever going to like it because their deeds are evil and they are in darkness. Stop shaking your head and marveling that this world doesn't like you or even hates you. They hated Jesus and He is the only one that has ever truly and unconditionally loved them.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Are you shocked that the world doesn't want the hear about Christ? One of the funniest things to me is when Christians get irritated because the world doesn't want to hear them. Are we really confused about this? Read this slowly... It's not you they don't like, it's your love for Jesus Christ. It's not your belief that is not accepted, it's the law of God. We, Christians, spend way too much time upset about people not liking us. We should understand that the world hated Christ and they will hate you.
I went to school at Mortimer Jordan High School. I'll never forget hearing all the war stories of the man who was the principal there. "Oh, he is so strict. You're not gonna like him at all. He runs a tight ship", they would say. I remember one parent telling me that it was where they sent the students for correction, kinda like a prison. So needless to say when I arrived I was dreading it.
I remember hearing his voice in the hallway for the first time. He called me out by "Little Nacho". He said, "Son, you need to tuck that shirt tail in." I'll have to admit that I really didn't like him very much in my first years of high school. I was in sin and lost. I was doing my own thing and didn't want anyone telling me what to do. Although I used to say, "I hate this school and can't wait to get out." It never bothered or swayed him. He knew that people didn't like him because of his ways, but he never let that bother him. He loved us. He truly loved us. I'll never ever forget the day I was saved and starting my Senior year as a brand new Child of God. My look toward him was so different. I began to realize that he loved me. That he always had loved me. I understood his love for me and the other students and in turn, showed my love toward him (and still do).
If he would have let my anger toward him lead him to be angry toward me, he would have never instructed me. But because he realized that everyone is not going to like him or his moral stands, he didn't let it stop him. Too many today have quit standing for holiness because people don't like it. Let me say it again... They are not ever going to like it because their deeds are evil and they are in darkness. Stop shaking your head and marveling that this world doesn't like you or even hates you. They hated Jesus and He is the only one that has ever truly and unconditionally loved them.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
The Right Recipe
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Someone once told me to always make my words sweet because they may be the ones I eat tomorrow. I wonder if this would help anyone else today? Our words are so powerful. They can be full of life or full of death. The things that we say can build up or tear down with just the way they are spoken or even the tone they are delivered in.
Many people today choose to text or email people in hopes of getting their message to them. But the tone and meaning can easily be lost in the translation of the text. I have seen it myself become damaging because you can't truly understand the meaning in the message.
Do you remember the phrase, "The pen is mightier than the sword"? How true is this? Many a hearts have been destroyed by the words that have come out of the mouths of people. Some would want you to believe that our words only destroy or harm the weak or young people, but this is false. Even in the scriptures it says they "hurled insults at Jesus". They had all intentions of harming Him with the words they spoke. Knowing that damaging the heart of Jesus through words would cause Him to give up.
God tells us to make our words sweet and healthy. Sweet for the taste and healthy for the life. Chosing to speak in the love of Christ would make all words spoken sweet. Fill them with the agape love of Jesus and you couldn't make them any sweeter. And when you chose to speak the words of Christ, through His Word or the Spirit, you can't get any healthier than that.
Remember, you could eat them tomorrow, so make sure you have the right recipe.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Someone once told me to always make my words sweet because they may be the ones I eat tomorrow. I wonder if this would help anyone else today? Our words are so powerful. They can be full of life or full of death. The things that we say can build up or tear down with just the way they are spoken or even the tone they are delivered in.
Many people today choose to text or email people in hopes of getting their message to them. But the tone and meaning can easily be lost in the translation of the text. I have seen it myself become damaging because you can't truly understand the meaning in the message.
Do you remember the phrase, "The pen is mightier than the sword"? How true is this? Many a hearts have been destroyed by the words that have come out of the mouths of people. Some would want you to believe that our words only destroy or harm the weak or young people, but this is false. Even in the scriptures it says they "hurled insults at Jesus". They had all intentions of harming Him with the words they spoke. Knowing that damaging the heart of Jesus through words would cause Him to give up.
God tells us to make our words sweet and healthy. Sweet for the taste and healthy for the life. Chosing to speak in the love of Christ would make all words spoken sweet. Fill them with the agape love of Jesus and you couldn't make them any sweeter. And when you chose to speak the words of Christ, through His Word or the Spirit, you can't get any healthier than that.
Remember, you could eat them tomorrow, so make sure you have the right recipe.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Learning to Forgive
Genesis 3:8-10
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Why do we struggle with this so much? Forgiveness! A friend of mine asked me a question yesterday that involved this chapter of the Bible. She had brought to my attention that God forgave them and clothed them when they left the garden. Absolutely! This is one of the first acts of forgiveness in the Bible.
Did you notice that God pursued them? That's right. God was the one who was wronged and He was the one who pursued. Our society today teaches us that if someone does you wrong that it's not your fault. Let them come to you, because they are the ones at fault. Like kids on a playground... "I ain't apologizing to him/her, she is the one who pushed me off the swing." What if we could learn to forgive like God? Notice the word "learn".
Learning to forgive is what we need. It will not just happen or appear one day out of the clear blue sky. Yes, when we are saved by Christ Jesus we understand how to love and also understand the greatest forgiveness that there is, but how to do it is a different story. How to perform that forgiveness is a lot easier talked about than put into action.
We say, "They wronged me, let them come to me and apologize." But can't you see God saying in our scripture this morning, "They have wronged me and disobeyed me, I must go unto them and confront them in order to offer my forgiveness." Why would He do that? It's His Love! It's His Grace! It's His Characteristic" It's Him!!!!! Lord help me to LEARN to forgive. Teach me to forgive in the same manner you taught your disciples to pray.
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Why do we struggle with this so much? Forgiveness! A friend of mine asked me a question yesterday that involved this chapter of the Bible. She had brought to my attention that God forgave them and clothed them when they left the garden. Absolutely! This is one of the first acts of forgiveness in the Bible.
Did you notice that God pursued them? That's right. God was the one who was wronged and He was the one who pursued. Our society today teaches us that if someone does you wrong that it's not your fault. Let them come to you, because they are the ones at fault. Like kids on a playground... "I ain't apologizing to him/her, she is the one who pushed me off the swing." What if we could learn to forgive like God? Notice the word "learn".
Learning to forgive is what we need. It will not just happen or appear one day out of the clear blue sky. Yes, when we are saved by Christ Jesus we understand how to love and also understand the greatest forgiveness that there is, but how to do it is a different story. How to perform that forgiveness is a lot easier talked about than put into action.
We say, "They wronged me, let them come to me and apologize." But can't you see God saying in our scripture this morning, "They have wronged me and disobeyed me, I must go unto them and confront them in order to offer my forgiveness." Why would He do that? It's His Love! It's His Grace! It's His Characteristic" It's Him!!!!! Lord help me to LEARN to forgive. Teach me to forgive in the same manner you taught your disciples to pray.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
I'm Tired of Everyone Blaming God!
Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
First of all before you begin to hammer me about my anger understand that we can be angry as Christians, but we can't let it lead us to sin. The Bible says to be angry and sin not. Anger is an emotion that we have that could be a great tool. It's like a fire. If it's outside the engine you have a major problem and your life is in danger, but if it's inside the engine you now have a driving force. My anger comes from people always blaming God for something He didn't do. Some blame sin, death, problems, discouragement, bills and taxes on God. One thing that really gets the fire in my engine hot is the phrase... "Why would a 'LOVING' God send anyone to Hell?" They always put the emphasis on the word loving for sarcasm.
Can I tell you now and forever that God does NOT send people away to Hell! They have chosen to walk away from Him. God has absolutely no pleasure in the death of the wicked. You see you are thinking that God is much like you and thinks like you think. The way you see the wicked and those who have wronged you and the way you want them to pay for what they have done to the fullest of degrees... but God is not like you. His love is not like yours. What would God want for the wicked? That they would turn from their way and live.
He sees the end result. He sees the way that the wicked are going and He takes no pleasure in it. His desire is that the wicked turn from his way and do what? LIVE! He wanted Israel to live. He wanted the Gentiles to live. He wanted Barabbas to live, that's why Jesus took his place. He desired that Judas would live. He desires that YOU WOULD LIVE! He is not on His throne today rejoicing that people are getting what they deserved. No, He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So please, for the Gospel's sake, get the scriptures right!
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
First of all before you begin to hammer me about my anger understand that we can be angry as Christians, but we can't let it lead us to sin. The Bible says to be angry and sin not. Anger is an emotion that we have that could be a great tool. It's like a fire. If it's outside the engine you have a major problem and your life is in danger, but if it's inside the engine you now have a driving force. My anger comes from people always blaming God for something He didn't do. Some blame sin, death, problems, discouragement, bills and taxes on God. One thing that really gets the fire in my engine hot is the phrase... "Why would a 'LOVING' God send anyone to Hell?" They always put the emphasis on the word loving for sarcasm.
Can I tell you now and forever that God does NOT send people away to Hell! They have chosen to walk away from Him. God has absolutely no pleasure in the death of the wicked. You see you are thinking that God is much like you and thinks like you think. The way you see the wicked and those who have wronged you and the way you want them to pay for what they have done to the fullest of degrees... but God is not like you. His love is not like yours. What would God want for the wicked? That they would turn from their way and live.
He sees the end result. He sees the way that the wicked are going and He takes no pleasure in it. His desire is that the wicked turn from his way and do what? LIVE! He wanted Israel to live. He wanted the Gentiles to live. He wanted Barabbas to live, that's why Jesus took his place. He desired that Judas would live. He desires that YOU WOULD LIVE! He is not on His throne today rejoicing that people are getting what they deserved. No, He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So please, for the Gospel's sake, get the scriptures right!
Monday, June 19, 2017
Me Too?
Mark 10:23-27
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
I must confess first this morning and tell you that there were some days in my childhood that I faked being sick and stayed home. Most kids would have been bored out of their minds but I had great shows like, Leave it to Beaver, Perry Mason and Matlock (my favorites) and then the all faithful... I love Lucy. I remember one episode where Lucy was missing little Ricky. She was away and it was his birthday. A young Italian boy found out and convinced her that it was his birthday too. So Lucy threw a big party with cake and gifts for him. Well before long the little boy had rounded up all of his friends and told Lucy that "it waza theira birthaday too..."
Look at how astonished these people were when Jesus told them that it would be hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Their minds couldn't understand what He had just spoken. The rich had it all and if they didn't have it then they had the means in which to get it. But Jesus says it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (gate for persons) than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Notice something that scripture says... "they were astonished out of measure." They couldn't believe it!
It's almost as if our Lord is saying, "It's for you! You don't need money I've paid for it all." Oh how I want to be like this little boy that was on this show. I want to round up everyone that I can and share the Gospel of Jesus with them. I want to tell them that there is a man who is offering salvation and life (gifts and cake) to anyone with a birthday. Aaaaahhhh! There it is! The Key! You must have that spiritual birthday. You must be born again. It'sa Hiza Birthaday Too!
I know what you're thinking. Me too? Would God do this for me too? Yes!
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
I must confess first this morning and tell you that there were some days in my childhood that I faked being sick and stayed home. Most kids would have been bored out of their minds but I had great shows like, Leave it to Beaver, Perry Mason and Matlock (my favorites) and then the all faithful... I love Lucy. I remember one episode where Lucy was missing little Ricky. She was away and it was his birthday. A young Italian boy found out and convinced her that it was his birthday too. So Lucy threw a big party with cake and gifts for him. Well before long the little boy had rounded up all of his friends and told Lucy that "it waza theira birthaday too..."
Look at how astonished these people were when Jesus told them that it would be hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Their minds couldn't understand what He had just spoken. The rich had it all and if they didn't have it then they had the means in which to get it. But Jesus says it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (gate for persons) than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Notice something that scripture says... "they were astonished out of measure." They couldn't believe it!
It's almost as if our Lord is saying, "It's for you! You don't need money I've paid for it all." Oh how I want to be like this little boy that was on this show. I want to round up everyone that I can and share the Gospel of Jesus with them. I want to tell them that there is a man who is offering salvation and life (gifts and cake) to anyone with a birthday. Aaaaahhhh! There it is! The Key! You must have that spiritual birthday. You must be born again. It'sa Hiza Birthaday Too!
I know what you're thinking. Me too? Would God do this for me too? Yes!
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