Romans 6:7-8
For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Doesn't it seem crazy to quote that movie phrase? It seems crazy to even think a dead man could walk right. Well we know that, in the movie, he was speaking about someone who was headed to their death. Our scripture says that we are dead men and women walking. Not walking in our fleshly dead bodies, but rather dead to sin and walking in Christ Jesus.
How can someone be both dead and alive? Our death to the old man, or old lifestyle of sin, is dead through the salvation of Jesus. We cannot continue in dead works or a dead lifestyle of sin. If we have died to that person then we are now alive unto Jesus. When we are dead, we are freed from sin. In other words it should not be our leader anymore.
Aren't you glad the scripture doesn't end at the beginning of that scripture? If it stopped there then our only hope of victory over sin would be when we died and ceased to live in these bodies. God has given us victory over sin and the sinful life. "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him:" If Christ has saved you, He will also satisfy and sanctify you. He will teach you how to live this new life in Him.
Oh, how I love being a Dead Man Walking. I was dead in my sins, but now I am alive walking in Christ.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Monday, October 9, 2017
Belly Laugh
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
There is nothing like hearing one of those good old "belly" laughs. You know what I'm talking about? The laugh that comes from deep in the gut. One that everyone can hear, even in a room filled with people. It's sound is so much more different than a normal giggle or laughter. It uses every resource of the body in order to come out differently. I love hearing people say, "I laughed so hard that my belly hurts."
There are times on my school bus route that the kids get a little out of hand and loud. I try to stay calm and understanding in these situations but I also have to maintain a little bit of sanity in order to drive the bus safely. Some of the funniest moments are when I'm trying to be serious with them and all of the sudden one of the kids (that aren't paying my speech much attention) lets out that belly laugh. I must say that in those times it has lightened to mood tremendously. Other times I have been steadily driving down the road, focused on the task at hand, and one of the little children let out that laughter and it makes me smile or even laugh myself.
There is just something about laughter. It makes the face happy. It makes the heart glad. It makes others who are around forget all that they may be going through for just a split moment. The Bible says that it doeth good like a medicine. If only we could laugh more often, maybe we wouldn't be so dry and unhealthy.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
There is nothing like hearing one of those good old "belly" laughs. You know what I'm talking about? The laugh that comes from deep in the gut. One that everyone can hear, even in a room filled with people. It's sound is so much more different than a normal giggle or laughter. It uses every resource of the body in order to come out differently. I love hearing people say, "I laughed so hard that my belly hurts."
There are times on my school bus route that the kids get a little out of hand and loud. I try to stay calm and understanding in these situations but I also have to maintain a little bit of sanity in order to drive the bus safely. Some of the funniest moments are when I'm trying to be serious with them and all of the sudden one of the kids (that aren't paying my speech much attention) lets out that belly laugh. I must say that in those times it has lightened to mood tremendously. Other times I have been steadily driving down the road, focused on the task at hand, and one of the little children let out that laughter and it makes me smile or even laugh myself.
There is just something about laughter. It makes the face happy. It makes the heart glad. It makes others who are around forget all that they may be going through for just a split moment. The Bible says that it doeth good like a medicine. If only we could laugh more often, maybe we wouldn't be so dry and unhealthy.
Friday, October 6, 2017
Did You Read That?
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Oh, there is so much in this scripture! The scope of it, the depth of it is unmeasurable. Look closely at what it speaks this morning.
First, it speaks of the grace of God. Can you describe the grace of God? I'm sure we could think of many words and I'm positive that every one of those words would fall short of actually defining the grace of God. God's grace is nothing short of amazing. It is deeper than any ocean and higher than any mountain. To search out the grace of our God would be endless.
Second, it says that God's grace brings salvation. There is nothing else that can bring salvation. No work or labor could ever bring you salvation. Salvation is not in membership. It is not in loyalty to attendance. It is not in singing with the choir. It is, and will always be, God's grace that brings salvation.
Lastly, and this is my favorite, it has appeared unto all men. Did you read that? The "grace of God" that "bringeth salvation" hath "appeared to all men". Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Lord Jesus! Thank you for grace! Thank you for salvation! Thank you for it being unto all men!
Like someone used to say, "If that doesn't stir your soul, your spoon has fell out of your bowl."
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Oh, there is so much in this scripture! The scope of it, the depth of it is unmeasurable. Look closely at what it speaks this morning.
First, it speaks of the grace of God. Can you describe the grace of God? I'm sure we could think of many words and I'm positive that every one of those words would fall short of actually defining the grace of God. God's grace is nothing short of amazing. It is deeper than any ocean and higher than any mountain. To search out the grace of our God would be endless.
Second, it says that God's grace brings salvation. There is nothing else that can bring salvation. No work or labor could ever bring you salvation. Salvation is not in membership. It is not in loyalty to attendance. It is not in singing with the choir. It is, and will always be, God's grace that brings salvation.
Lastly, and this is my favorite, it has appeared unto all men. Did you read that? The "grace of God" that "bringeth salvation" hath "appeared to all men". Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Lord Jesus! Thank you for grace! Thank you for salvation! Thank you for it being unto all men!
Like someone used to say, "If that doesn't stir your soul, your spoon has fell out of your bowl."
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Put A Sock In It
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
The running pattern of today's society is to tear down others in building themselves. We know that this is not of Christ or His Word. No, it is a characteristic of those without Christ and His salvation. The sad truth is that this attitude has somehow eased its way among those who are called Christian.
The skinny person speaks against the fat while the fat person speaks against the skinny. The beautiful person speaks against the ugly and the ugly laughs and scorns at the beautiful. The tall speak against the short and vise versa. Over and over, day after day, this happens. Why is it that we tear down someone and think that it will help us feel better?
The absolute fact is that we are different. That doesn't mean better than the other, just different. If you feel you need to tear someone down in order to look better can I tell you that you actually look worse! You wanna talk about ugly? Wow!
Remember what mom always said? "If you can't say anything nice... Don't say nothing at all!" Well I say if you can't keep your mouth shut and have to tear down someone to feel good, get a sock and stuff it in your mouth. That can be Christ coming out of you when you do that.
Help me Lord to be an encourager. Help me to build up and not tear down.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
The running pattern of today's society is to tear down others in building themselves. We know that this is not of Christ or His Word. No, it is a characteristic of those without Christ and His salvation. The sad truth is that this attitude has somehow eased its way among those who are called Christian.
The skinny person speaks against the fat while the fat person speaks against the skinny. The beautiful person speaks against the ugly and the ugly laughs and scorns at the beautiful. The tall speak against the short and vise versa. Over and over, day after day, this happens. Why is it that we tear down someone and think that it will help us feel better?
The absolute fact is that we are different. That doesn't mean better than the other, just different. If you feel you need to tear someone down in order to look better can I tell you that you actually look worse! You wanna talk about ugly? Wow!
Remember what mom always said? "If you can't say anything nice... Don't say nothing at all!" Well I say if you can't keep your mouth shut and have to tear down someone to feel good, get a sock and stuff it in your mouth. That can be Christ coming out of you when you do that.
Help me Lord to be an encourager. Help me to build up and not tear down.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Stop Talking and Listen
1 Corinthians 10:6-11
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wouldn't life be so much easier if we had people tell us what to do and what not to do? Well can I tell you today that we do have that? They are called parents, leaders, elders or senior adults. Daily they share stories with us of what the past was like. Constantly speaking words of warning and admonition unto us. The reason that life has taken a wrong direction for some is because we are not listening to the directions and wisdom of those before us.
Our scripture this morning is speaking about those children of Israel who walked in the wilderness. It says they ate of the same meat and drank from the same Rock, which is Christ. Then it says many of them lusted after evil things. Some worshiped idols, some committed fornication, some tempted Christ, and some grumbled and complained. Did you notice how God's Word says in the beginning that they are examples and then closes with the same statement?
Stop talking today and listen to those who have walked before you. Listen for wisdom! Listen for instruction! Find those who have walked in similar paths and listen to their warnings. You will be greatly admonished and life's steps could be so much more rewarding.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wouldn't life be so much easier if we had people tell us what to do and what not to do? Well can I tell you today that we do have that? They are called parents, leaders, elders or senior adults. Daily they share stories with us of what the past was like. Constantly speaking words of warning and admonition unto us. The reason that life has taken a wrong direction for some is because we are not listening to the directions and wisdom of those before us.
Our scripture this morning is speaking about those children of Israel who walked in the wilderness. It says they ate of the same meat and drank from the same Rock, which is Christ. Then it says many of them lusted after evil things. Some worshiped idols, some committed fornication, some tempted Christ, and some grumbled and complained. Did you notice how God's Word says in the beginning that they are examples and then closes with the same statement?
Stop talking today and listen to those who have walked before you. Listen for wisdom! Listen for instruction! Find those who have walked in similar paths and listen to their warnings. You will be greatly admonished and life's steps could be so much more rewarding.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
What’s the Big Deal?
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Have you ever heard someone ask the question, "What's the big deal?" You know what I mean? As a child, you walk through the store and take a piece of candy. I mean, come on they have a whole shelf full of it. They will never miss it right? Or you're selling your vehicle to someone and know that something is wrong with it, but hey, what's the big deal?
The Bible says that if we know to do good and don't do it...it is sin. Sin is a disobedience of God's truth. It's not a slip or boo-boo. It is wrong and it is disobedience. You may think that it's really no big deal, but if you could ask this man in our scripture this morning you would know that it is a big deal.
God gave us a question about Achan. He said, "Didn't he commit a trespass, sin, when he took the accursed thing of the Lord?" Because of one man's sin, wrath fell upon all of Israel. Really? One man sins and all are effected by it? But look closely at the end of our scripture... "that man perished not alone in his iniquity."
When he took of the accursed thing and brought sin into his heart, he brought it into his home. Him and his whole family were killed in the valley of Achor. I wonder if Achan would have known that his sin's penalty would not only be pronounced upon him but also his wife and children, if he would have done it?
Let me ask you, would you? The "What's the big deal?" line is a lie from the devil. Yes, it is a big deal! And yes it will cost you much. But the great news is that Christ has paid it all on Calvary for you. Confess and turn from your sin now.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Have you ever heard someone ask the question, "What's the big deal?" You know what I mean? As a child, you walk through the store and take a piece of candy. I mean, come on they have a whole shelf full of it. They will never miss it right? Or you're selling your vehicle to someone and know that something is wrong with it, but hey, what's the big deal?
The Bible says that if we know to do good and don't do it...it is sin. Sin is a disobedience of God's truth. It's not a slip or boo-boo. It is wrong and it is disobedience. You may think that it's really no big deal, but if you could ask this man in our scripture this morning you would know that it is a big deal.
God gave us a question about Achan. He said, "Didn't he commit a trespass, sin, when he took the accursed thing of the Lord?" Because of one man's sin, wrath fell upon all of Israel. Really? One man sins and all are effected by it? But look closely at the end of our scripture... "that man perished not alone in his iniquity."
When he took of the accursed thing and brought sin into his heart, he brought it into his home. Him and his whole family were killed in the valley of Achor. I wonder if Achan would have known that his sin's penalty would not only be pronounced upon him but also his wife and children, if he would have done it?
Let me ask you, would you? The "What's the big deal?" line is a lie from the devil. Yes, it is a big deal! And yes it will cost you much. But the great news is that Christ has paid it all on Calvary for you. Confess and turn from your sin now.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Glory in the Lord
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, persecutions, and distresses? How could this be possible? It is hard for us to imagine that we could take pleasure in these things. But we must understand the mind frame and heart thinking of this man of God. Let's look closely at these words this morning.
The definition of pleasure is a state of gratification. Being in an attitude of glorying. Paul knew that, if he desired to be fleshly, he could have gloried in his labor for the Lord. He could have boasted of his prison time and his beatings, but he chose to glory in the Lord. Look at the words he used to describe his glorying.
Infirmities - the condition of being feeble
Reproaches - a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace
Distresses - a very difficult situation in which you do not have enough money, food, etc...
How could you glory in this? It seems almost impossible to do so. Most people of today think that God would be angry with them because of the endurance of such things. But the key is found in the latter part of the verse. It's all "for Christ's sake." Knowing that when we are the weakest in our lives that He is the strongest. Without Him, we can do nothing. Without Him, have nothing. Without Him, we have no reason to glory. So if we have something to glory of it is in the truth of knowing that whether we live or die, we glory in the Lord!
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, persecutions, and distresses? How could this be possible? It is hard for us to imagine that we could take pleasure in these things. But we must understand the mind frame and heart thinking of this man of God. Let's look closely at these words this morning.
The definition of pleasure is a state of gratification. Being in an attitude of glorying. Paul knew that, if he desired to be fleshly, he could have gloried in his labor for the Lord. He could have boasted of his prison time and his beatings, but he chose to glory in the Lord. Look at the words he used to describe his glorying.
Infirmities - the condition of being feeble
Reproaches - a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace
Distresses - a very difficult situation in which you do not have enough money, food, etc...
How could you glory in this? It seems almost impossible to do so. Most people of today think that God would be angry with them because of the endurance of such things. But the key is found in the latter part of the verse. It's all "for Christ's sake." Knowing that when we are the weakest in our lives that He is the strongest. Without Him, we can do nothing. Without Him, have nothing. Without Him, we have no reason to glory. So if we have something to glory of it is in the truth of knowing that whether we live or die, we glory in the Lord!
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