2 Timothy 2:12-13
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Don't you love the "if's"? An if is almost always inserted to bring you to an action or decision. Like this for example... If you come to my house, I'll cook you dinner. If you will cut my grass, I'll pay you for it. If you will come to church I think you'll enjoy it. Some of them at times could also point out a definite truth. Just like in our scripture this morning.
Look at what He is telling us. "If we suffer..." Can I say this before we go further? We will suffer. There is no need for an "if" here. We will have trials and suffering in this life. Jesus has already told us this. But our scripture says that if we suffer, we will also reign with Him. Our suffering cannot be compared to the glory that we will share in with Him.
Then it says a truth that needs a decision. "If we deny Him, He will also deny us:" It's hard to understand, but there are many who deny the Lord Jesus. Notice though that He says "if". This means that you don't have to deny Him. You can choose today, right now, to love and serve Him. But know this... If you choose to deny Him don't be shocked when He denies you before His Father.
"If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: he cannot deny Himself." There is nothing more that I would love than for you to believe upon Jesus. My joy would be so full if you surrendered your life to Christ right now. But I understand that I cannot make you. God himself cannot make you, or better yet, will not make you. You can choose to believe right now. You could also choose to not believe in that same manner. But can I tell you that it will not take away from God if you choose to not believe? Also it will not add to God if you choose to come and believe upon Him. God is God.
There are some big "if's" out there for you this morning. Go over them carefully. I love you all!
Monday, September 11, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
Follow Me!
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
A few years ago I went to the place of my birth, Fort Benning, GA. I was born in Martin Army Hospital on the base of Ft. Benning. I was just curious about my beginning I suppose. As we toured the Army base and local town, one of the stops that I wanted to make was at the infantry museum. My dad was an infantry man and I had heard great things about the museum.
When we arrived I saw this huge statue. It was labeled, "Follow Me." I looked at this bronze statue for a moment and tried to think about it being a real soldier. You know what? After reading more and more... Major Eugene Wyles was his name. He is the one who posed for the statue but has always maintained that it was not him, but the infantry men and their spirit.
This statue was a soldier waving his comrades forward with a rifle in his hand. On his face was an expression of urgency to move forward. "Follow Me!" you could almost hear him say. Oh, the men that took in this statue and followed the one in front of him. With every step, knowing that their leader would not lead them astray. Knowing that their leader was in the front taking them to the battle lines of war. Never alone, never left to fight by themselves, always someone there to fight along side of and definitely never, and I mean never leaving anyone behind. Can you hear him? "Forward men! Victory is just ahead... FOLLOW ME!" (Thank you to every one of you reading this who have followed and currently follow. I pray for you often and my family and myself are grateful.)
Today, right now, I'm asking you to follow Jesus! With all the urgency I can muster up, I'm pleading with you to follow Jesus. While I have no doubt that the men who were encouraged to follow this soldier gave everything they had, some even their lives, Jesus must be and has to be the perfect man to follow. Jesus is the only one that I know whose leading has never failed.
Before you decide this morning please understand one thing. Just as the steps of this soldier were not easy or rosey, to follow Christ doesn't mean that it will be easy or everything gravy so to say. The Christian life is a difficult one. Just as the struggle for all the soldiers who followed this man into battle, so it is with the Child of God who follows Jesus. But as promised by Him, He will be there every step of the way. As one Army leader said, "I'll be the first one on the battlefield and the last one off." Christ has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee... I am with thee always, even unto the end."
FOLLOW ME!
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
A few years ago I went to the place of my birth, Fort Benning, GA. I was born in Martin Army Hospital on the base of Ft. Benning. I was just curious about my beginning I suppose. As we toured the Army base and local town, one of the stops that I wanted to make was at the infantry museum. My dad was an infantry man and I had heard great things about the museum.
When we arrived I saw this huge statue. It was labeled, "Follow Me." I looked at this bronze statue for a moment and tried to think about it being a real soldier. You know what? After reading more and more... Major Eugene Wyles was his name. He is the one who posed for the statue but has always maintained that it was not him, but the infantry men and their spirit.
Today, right now, I'm asking you to follow Jesus! With all the urgency I can muster up, I'm pleading with you to follow Jesus. While I have no doubt that the men who were encouraged to follow this soldier gave everything they had, some even their lives, Jesus must be and has to be the perfect man to follow. Jesus is the only one that I know whose leading has never failed.
Before you decide this morning please understand one thing. Just as the steps of this soldier were not easy or rosey, to follow Christ doesn't mean that it will be easy or everything gravy so to say. The Christian life is a difficult one. Just as the struggle for all the soldiers who followed this man into battle, so it is with the Child of God who follows Jesus. But as promised by Him, He will be there every step of the way. As one Army leader said, "I'll be the first one on the battlefield and the last one off." Christ has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee... I am with thee always, even unto the end."
FOLLOW ME!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Waiting for Daybreak
Psalms 130:6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning:
I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Can you see the people of Israel camped around the tabernacle? Each in the divisions of tribes camped out... three on the west, three on the east, three on the north and three on the south. The night has engulfed them, and all but the fire of God is burning over the holy of holies. They look on in wonder and somewhat fear. That holy fire of God representing the presence of their holy God. But in that night, that is not the only fire that they visibly see. A fire toward the entrance of the gates is seen. It is the fire of the brazen altar. One that continually burned in judgment toward sin.
I can see the Israelite children as parents tucked them into their sandy, wilderness beds. The glow of the presence and judgment of God looming across the ceiling of their earthly tents. Steadily, the fire of the altar is burning as the family falls to sleep hoping for the morning to rise. Over night the fire of the altar dwindles down. All that is left before the night finally falls are embers and a small flame or two.
As the day begins to break, the priest and levites have made their way to their tabernacle duties. One begins to stoke the fire at the brazen altar while the others trim the wicks, check the bread, offer the incense upon the golden altar. Then the morning sacrifice is placed on the brazen altar and the fire laps up the flesh, signifying judgment of sin being atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. The morning wind begins to blow....
As the sun rises, the families are waking up and coming out of their tents to help the tribe. The wind blows in the smell of the sacrifice on the altar. "What's that smell dad?" says one of the children. A dad turns with tears and says, "That's God's mercy son." Oh what joy to know that the lamb had taken their place. Although the judgment seemed to loom over their heads during the night, when the day broke in the morning they found out that God was merciful, forgiving, and graceful!
My soul will wait for you Lord! More than those that wait for the morning! This world may get dark. Judgment may seem as if it is looming over me but the Lamb has taken my place! My sins are gone and I could wake up tomorrow to the daybreak of my first day in Heaven. I'll wait!
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning:
I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Can you see the people of Israel camped around the tabernacle? Each in the divisions of tribes camped out... three on the west, three on the east, three on the north and three on the south. The night has engulfed them, and all but the fire of God is burning over the holy of holies. They look on in wonder and somewhat fear. That holy fire of God representing the presence of their holy God. But in that night, that is not the only fire that they visibly see. A fire toward the entrance of the gates is seen. It is the fire of the brazen altar. One that continually burned in judgment toward sin.
I can see the Israelite children as parents tucked them into their sandy, wilderness beds. The glow of the presence and judgment of God looming across the ceiling of their earthly tents. Steadily, the fire of the altar is burning as the family falls to sleep hoping for the morning to rise. Over night the fire of the altar dwindles down. All that is left before the night finally falls are embers and a small flame or two.
As the day begins to break, the priest and levites have made their way to their tabernacle duties. One begins to stoke the fire at the brazen altar while the others trim the wicks, check the bread, offer the incense upon the golden altar. Then the morning sacrifice is placed on the brazen altar and the fire laps up the flesh, signifying judgment of sin being atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. The morning wind begins to blow....
As the sun rises, the families are waking up and coming out of their tents to help the tribe. The wind blows in the smell of the sacrifice on the altar. "What's that smell dad?" says one of the children. A dad turns with tears and says, "That's God's mercy son." Oh what joy to know that the lamb had taken their place. Although the judgment seemed to loom over their heads during the night, when the day broke in the morning they found out that God was merciful, forgiving, and graceful!
My soul will wait for you Lord! More than those that wait for the morning! This world may get dark. Judgment may seem as if it is looming over me but the Lamb has taken my place! My sins are gone and I could wake up tomorrow to the daybreak of my first day in Heaven. I'll wait!
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
That Cat Was Getting It...
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know you may think I'm crazy, but then again there wouldn't be much change in your view of me. While I was driving my morning school bus route the other day I saw something that I really needed to see. I love how God reveals Himself in everything. Sometimes we don't see it because we don't have our eyes open or looking for Him.
When I pulled up at a routine home, I saw a big, fat, white dog. I've seen this dog on numerous morning routes. I know the owner and also know that she is eating well. She is an outside dog with an inside home life. So needless to say, she lacks for nothing and fetches the same (hahaha). On this morning things were much different when I pulled up. See a black cat had pranced across the yard of this dog. In just one glimpse, this dog was getting it! She took off after that black cat in a blink of an eye. Now this cat knew her prancing days were over and she better do something quick. That cat was gone! It jumped up in the air, then ran down the side of that brick home. It was out of that yard!
As I saw this I couldn't help but laugh. Then God nudged my heart. I began to cry and pray, "Lord, let that be me! Do that same thing for me! When my flesh prances itself in my life, please let your Spirit in me be strong and well fed so that it runs that fleshly desire away." Our scripture tells us this morning how we can feed the white dog (Holy Spirit) enough to run off the old black cat (flesh). Don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
You know what? I'm sure that old black cat will come back someday. But I guarantee you that it won't be so prissy and prance across the lawn this time. Because that white dog will be waiting and maybe, just maybe this time he will be fed enough to catch him.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know you may think I'm crazy, but then again there wouldn't be much change in your view of me. While I was driving my morning school bus route the other day I saw something that I really needed to see. I love how God reveals Himself in everything. Sometimes we don't see it because we don't have our eyes open or looking for Him.
When I pulled up at a routine home, I saw a big, fat, white dog. I've seen this dog on numerous morning routes. I know the owner and also know that she is eating well. She is an outside dog with an inside home life. So needless to say, she lacks for nothing and fetches the same (hahaha). On this morning things were much different when I pulled up. See a black cat had pranced across the yard of this dog. In just one glimpse, this dog was getting it! She took off after that black cat in a blink of an eye. Now this cat knew her prancing days were over and she better do something quick. That cat was gone! It jumped up in the air, then ran down the side of that brick home. It was out of that yard!
As I saw this I couldn't help but laugh. Then God nudged my heart. I began to cry and pray, "Lord, let that be me! Do that same thing for me! When my flesh prances itself in my life, please let your Spirit in me be strong and well fed so that it runs that fleshly desire away." Our scripture tells us this morning how we can feed the white dog (Holy Spirit) enough to run off the old black cat (flesh). Don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
You know what? I'm sure that old black cat will come back someday. But I guarantee you that it won't be so prissy and prance across the lawn this time. Because that white dog will be waiting and maybe, just maybe this time he will be fed enough to catch him.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Stayed A Little Too Long
2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Some people for years have taught that David's sin was committing adultery with Bathsheba. But long before he saw her in the bathtub he committed sin. It seems this sin is so common that it is now no longer viewed as sin at all. It's the sin of laziness, which in the case of David in this scripture, and in our case as well, was disobedience.
Can laziness be a sin? Yes! Now before you think I'm talking about sleeping in on a Saturday morning, I am not. According to scripture, laziness is the greatest downfall. Most every sin is hatched from laziness and carelessness.
David was a man of war. God had called and used David to defeat many people and countries in the name of the Lord. He was supposed to be there at war when the kings went forth to battle but David thought that he should take ease. So Joab and some servants were sent in his place. While they were winning the battle on the field of war, David was not so victorious. His tarrying at Jerusalem brought a wondering mind upon him. This is when he discovered Bathsheba. Now, had he gone to war this would have been avoided. Had he obeyed God and been the man God called him to be this wouldn't have happened. As much as David could have said, "The devil made me do it... She shouldn't have been bathing where I could see her... Uriah shouldn't have married such a beautiful woman..." he couldn't. It was his disobedience and laziness that brought this upon him.
Are you hanging around someone or holding on to something that you should let go of? Don't be lazy and think, "Oh, I've got plenty of time and it's really no big deal they don't need me today." Get away from it! Get rid of it! Confess your sin unto Him today. Even if you think it's the smallest thing, it's really not.
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Some people for years have taught that David's sin was committing adultery with Bathsheba. But long before he saw her in the bathtub he committed sin. It seems this sin is so common that it is now no longer viewed as sin at all. It's the sin of laziness, which in the case of David in this scripture, and in our case as well, was disobedience.
Can laziness be a sin? Yes! Now before you think I'm talking about sleeping in on a Saturday morning, I am not. According to scripture, laziness is the greatest downfall. Most every sin is hatched from laziness and carelessness.
David was a man of war. God had called and used David to defeat many people and countries in the name of the Lord. He was supposed to be there at war when the kings went forth to battle but David thought that he should take ease. So Joab and some servants were sent in his place. While they were winning the battle on the field of war, David was not so victorious. His tarrying at Jerusalem brought a wondering mind upon him. This is when he discovered Bathsheba. Now, had he gone to war this would have been avoided. Had he obeyed God and been the man God called him to be this wouldn't have happened. As much as David could have said, "The devil made me do it... She shouldn't have been bathing where I could see her... Uriah shouldn't have married such a beautiful woman..." he couldn't. It was his disobedience and laziness that brought this upon him.
Are you hanging around someone or holding on to something that you should let go of? Don't be lazy and think, "Oh, I've got plenty of time and it's really no big deal they don't need me today." Get away from it! Get rid of it! Confess your sin unto Him today. Even if you think it's the smallest thing, it's really not.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Playing Horseshoes
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.
In this mornings scripture we really need to take the time to read Mark 12:28-34. It will tell us of a scribe that came to Jesus with a question. This question dealt with what the first commandment was. Jesus answered him with, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Jesus told this man that loving God was the greatest of all commandments.
When the scribe heard the answer of Jesus he responded with, "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." The scribe knew his commandments. He was very well learned in the word of God.
Look at what the response was from Jesus... "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." Don't you wonder sometimes why Jesus didn't say, "Exactly! Surely you will be with me in the kingdom of my Father"? Jesus said, "Thou art not far from the kingdom".
This scribe was so close, but yet so far away. Many people believed, even today still believe, that keeping commandments is all that you need to do. But the word of God continually tells us differently. When it comes to salvation, it's by Grace through Faith! Keeping commandments without placing our faith in Him can be done by many people but only for a little while. But keeping His commandments after we have placed our faith and lives in His hands is a lot easier to walk in and keep.
This scribe depended on his actions to save him. Why would you play horseshoes with your salvation? It's not about how close you can get to perfection or being good. It is about surrendering our lives to Jesus. It's about getting closer to Him everyday. Ask King Agrippa about playing with horseshoes in Acts Chapter 26. So close!
Friday, September 1, 2017
But It's Mine!!!
Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Have you ever just sat and watched children play? Yes, those little so-called angels of yours? When it is just one of them there really is no trouble. When you add another one, well now you've got something. I always loved it when my boys were little. Oh the things they would say to one another! Such words of kindness, gratitude and love. Hahaha, not always. One of the phrases that I remember each of them at times saying in a loud and ever so loving voice was... "That's Mine!" I can remember Patti telling them both to come to her and the whole time still yelling, "But Mom, it's mine!"
Listen to David this morning in our scripture as he says the same statement. He tells God, "It's my sin Lord and it is ever before me." You know something that is very funny? When our boys were little, and even at times today, when we pointed out something that had been broken, torn or messed up they immediately became generous. Why their love took over and instantly they gave all the credit to the other brother.
David could have easily said, "Lord, I couldn't help it. She was bathing out in the open. God, everyone else is doing it." No, David said, "It's mine." You know, sin doesn't catch us by surprise. It is the result of wrong thinking, wrong actions and disobedience. Sometimes temptation creeps up and smacks us right in the face, but sin is our choice. Children of God listen this morning... We have a choice when it comes to disobedience. When we can realize that it is OUR sin and not the cause of Satan or someone else, we can find forgiveness. Oh the grace of God that we can have if only we say, "It's mine Lord, please forgive me!"
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Have you ever just sat and watched children play? Yes, those little so-called angels of yours? When it is just one of them there really is no trouble. When you add another one, well now you've got something. I always loved it when my boys were little. Oh the things they would say to one another! Such words of kindness, gratitude and love. Hahaha, not always. One of the phrases that I remember each of them at times saying in a loud and ever so loving voice was... "That's Mine!" I can remember Patti telling them both to come to her and the whole time still yelling, "But Mom, it's mine!"
Listen to David this morning in our scripture as he says the same statement. He tells God, "It's my sin Lord and it is ever before me." You know something that is very funny? When our boys were little, and even at times today, when we pointed out something that had been broken, torn or messed up they immediately became generous. Why their love took over and instantly they gave all the credit to the other brother.
David could have easily said, "Lord, I couldn't help it. She was bathing out in the open. God, everyone else is doing it." No, David said, "It's mine." You know, sin doesn't catch us by surprise. It is the result of wrong thinking, wrong actions and disobedience. Sometimes temptation creeps up and smacks us right in the face, but sin is our choice. Children of God listen this morning... We have a choice when it comes to disobedience. When we can realize that it is OUR sin and not the cause of Satan or someone else, we can find forgiveness. Oh the grace of God that we can have if only we say, "It's mine Lord, please forgive me!"
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
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