Psalms 78:5-8
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
If there has ever been a scripture that we need to listen to for our time we live in, it is this one. Oh, how we need some God-lead, Holy Ghost-filled dads today. How desperate are we in need of some sweet Holy Ghost-filled, Christ-loving moms. God my prayer today is that people would read and re-read this scripture again and again.
Let's look at its teaching. The first thing I see is that he spoke of the testimony of Jacob and the law He commanded them to obey. Then He says that these parents should make them known to their children. He said that if they would make them known unto their children that those would make it known unto their children and so on.
But why? "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God,..." Parents, isn't there a reason you pray with them? Isn't there a reason that you bring them to the house of God and worship with them? Isn't there a reason that you study the scriptures with them?
I know, you'll do it later right? Don't you think there was a reason that God said to make it known unto your children and grandchildren? If you wait they could very well be like the last portion of this scripture... "a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."
Lord help ME!
Friday, October 27, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017
And........ Go!
Matthew 11:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
I see this new style of finding information on social media these days. Someone will put a simple description of their situation or the subject they need information on and then end it with... And...Go. This means to sum up your description and answer their need through a volume of people who identify.
Well while I was reading God's Word this morning I came to this scripture. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had (I love this part) made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities. It makes me think of Jesus looking at those twelve that day, teaching and commanding them. Then as soon as He is finished He heads off into the city to preach. Almost as if He tells them.... "And....Go!" Or like a huddle on the sports field... "And.....Break!"
What more do you need today that will help you fulfill the sharing of the Gospel? There is nothing! You need nothing more than the teachings of Jesus Christ that have been given unto you through the Holy Spirit of God in His Holy Word. You have the completed Word of God that was penned down by holy men of God as the Spirit moved upon them to write what God instructed, or better yet, breathed. You have the message of the Cross of Calvary! You have the testimony of your salvation. What more information do you need?
Can you hear the Holy Spirit telling us this morning...And Go? Let's do it!
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
I see this new style of finding information on social media these days. Someone will put a simple description of their situation or the subject they need information on and then end it with... And...Go. This means to sum up your description and answer their need through a volume of people who identify.
Well while I was reading God's Word this morning I came to this scripture. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had (I love this part) made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities. It makes me think of Jesus looking at those twelve that day, teaching and commanding them. Then as soon as He is finished He heads off into the city to preach. Almost as if He tells them.... "And....Go!" Or like a huddle on the sports field... "And.....Break!"
What more do you need today that will help you fulfill the sharing of the Gospel? There is nothing! You need nothing more than the teachings of Jesus Christ that have been given unto you through the Holy Spirit of God in His Holy Word. You have the completed Word of God that was penned down by holy men of God as the Spirit moved upon them to write what God instructed, or better yet, breathed. You have the message of the Cross of Calvary! You have the testimony of your salvation. What more information do you need?
Can you hear the Holy Spirit telling us this morning...And Go? Let's do it!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Settng the Record Straight
Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith The Lord.
"Those people will get what's coming to them... You're gonna pay for that!" This seems to be an everyday theme. We somehow get bent on getting even with people. You hurt me, I'll hurt you. We feel that we should set things straight sometimes.
The word of God tells us that Christ will set things straight. God tells us that we should give place to wrath and let Him handle things. You will find that God setting things straight is not the same idea as ours. You see, He sets it straight and makes things even once and for all. We sin, we hurt, we do all this against God and he sets the record straight. What would you do to set things even?
Do you know how God set things straight? How he evened the score? He loved you through your sin against him. He sent His Son to even the score. God gives redemption and not revenge. Don't get this wrong, God will have justice someday against all those who oppose Him. But right now, He sends salvation! He sends love! He sets the score even!
On Calvary, Jesus was brutally beaten, spat on, kicked, beard plucked out, just to even the score. Think about it, He settled it all.
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
You Didn’t Learn that from Jesus
Ephesians 4:20-24
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Don't you just love it when a child misbehaves and the mom shouts, "He didn't learn that from me!" Usually that is followed by an echo from the dad with the same phrase. Often we pick up things from time to time as we are growing up. Sometimes it's words or sometimes even a look or facial expression. As soon as we see it we are tempted to say those words... "She got that from her mom!"
I remember, as our boys were growing up, sometimes this happened. Okay, maybe it was many times that it happened. One problem that I created (yes, me) was the word "crap". Whenever something would anger me, or even just playing basketball and it not falling into the hoop, I would say this infamous word of mine. I never paid much attention to it because I wasn't saying the other slang word right? Then one day my innocent two year old walked up and said it. Immediately I knew that he had been hanging around his momma too much. Hahahaha no that's not true, it was me. I must admit that sometimes I was a bad example and it came from not truly following the right example myself.
Think about something this morning. Think of how you are living right now. Your daily actions and even words that you use. Where did you learn that from? If it's sinful, don't you dare blame that on Jesus. Our scripture says that "ye have not so learned Christ;" If we are in Christ, and know Christ, then we are to put off the old man with his conversation and deceitful lusts. We should put on the new man which is IN Christ. The way some Christians are living, well let me just say... You didn't learn that from Jesus.
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Don't you just love it when a child misbehaves and the mom shouts, "He didn't learn that from me!" Usually that is followed by an echo from the dad with the same phrase. Often we pick up things from time to time as we are growing up. Sometimes it's words or sometimes even a look or facial expression. As soon as we see it we are tempted to say those words... "She got that from her mom!"
I remember, as our boys were growing up, sometimes this happened. Okay, maybe it was many times that it happened. One problem that I created (yes, me) was the word "crap". Whenever something would anger me, or even just playing basketball and it not falling into the hoop, I would say this infamous word of mine. I never paid much attention to it because I wasn't saying the other slang word right? Then one day my innocent two year old walked up and said it. Immediately I knew that he had been hanging around his momma too much. Hahahaha no that's not true, it was me. I must admit that sometimes I was a bad example and it came from not truly following the right example myself.
Think about something this morning. Think of how you are living right now. Your daily actions and even words that you use. Where did you learn that from? If it's sinful, don't you dare blame that on Jesus. Our scripture says that "ye have not so learned Christ;" If we are in Christ, and know Christ, then we are to put off the old man with his conversation and deceitful lusts. We should put on the new man which is IN Christ. The way some Christians are living, well let me just say... You didn't learn that from Jesus.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Stopped in my Tracks
Hebrews 12:3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Stop what you are doing right now for just a moment and think of something. Take a few minutes this morning and think about Jesus. When I think of Him my mind immediately goes to grace and a love that I've never known before. In our scripture today it makes me stop in my tracks!
He tells us to take the time to consider. Consider means to ponder or give specific thought to something. Look at what he tells us to consider. He tells us to consider Jesus and what He endured. Jesus, who come to give His life, endured the contradiction of sinners. They were totally against Him and contrary to Him. It almost seems as if Jesus could never get His head above the water. The constant infliction of contradiction from sinners against everything He said or did.
Have you ever felt this way before? I have and I'm sure there will be more of those days. When they come we must stop in our tracks and consider Jesus. Think of Him and what He did. Think of what He thought. Ask for the mind of Christ to be in you. Why? Because of the end of this verse. "Lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Sometimes we spin around in circles instead of stopping in our tracks and considering the one who endured such contradictions. This causes spiritual fatigue.
Lord help me to stop in my tracks and consider you.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Stop what you are doing right now for just a moment and think of something. Take a few minutes this morning and think about Jesus. When I think of Him my mind immediately goes to grace and a love that I've never known before. In our scripture today it makes me stop in my tracks!
He tells us to take the time to consider. Consider means to ponder or give specific thought to something. Look at what he tells us to consider. He tells us to consider Jesus and what He endured. Jesus, who come to give His life, endured the contradiction of sinners. They were totally against Him and contrary to Him. It almost seems as if Jesus could never get His head above the water. The constant infliction of contradiction from sinners against everything He said or did.
Have you ever felt this way before? I have and I'm sure there will be more of those days. When they come we must stop in our tracks and consider Jesus. Think of Him and what He did. Think of what He thought. Ask for the mind of Christ to be in you. Why? Because of the end of this verse. "Lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Sometimes we spin around in circles instead of stopping in our tracks and considering the one who endured such contradictions. This causes spiritual fatigue.
Lord help me to stop in my tracks and consider you.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Picking Teams
James 2:1
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Can you think back to those childhood days? You are standing on the playground during recess and everyone is lining up for red-rover. Team captains are being chosen and now the anticipation is building. "Billy!" is shouted out first. "Carl" is the second one chosen. "Sally is on my team!" Wait a minute. Why in the world would they pick Sally over you and the others? She is the most frail and petite beauty queen of the whole class. There is no way that they could win with her. Why would they pick her? (May I say Billy-Bob is a lot smarter than he looks? He wasn't interested in winning the game. Just gathering a few points with Sally)
The next name is called, then the next, and the next. One after one the best fit for the team is chosen. Some who were in the 3rd grade who were the size of 5th graders and some who looked as puny as 1st graders. Over and over people were picked out because of their ability or talent until the final one was picked. Didn't it seem like the game wasn't the struggle but the pressure of picking and being picked?
God tells us this morning that it is not so with Him. Yes there are many scriptures that point to Him choosing us but it was not because of our talent or skills. It wasn't because of our beauty or riches. It was, and is, because He loves us. He loves the world and is not willing that any should perish. He didn't choose Peter because he was a strong fisherman. Nope it was because he loves him. The same love he chose and offered to Peter is also that same love that he chose and offered to Judas Iscariot. "Have I not chosen twelve of you and one of you is a devil..." said Jesus.
Why would you think you can choose who comes to Christ? Have not faith with respect of persons. A good friend of mine once said, "Character is how you treat people that you don't need." - Junior Hill
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Can you think back to those childhood days? You are standing on the playground during recess and everyone is lining up for red-rover. Team captains are being chosen and now the anticipation is building. "Billy!" is shouted out first. "Carl" is the second one chosen. "Sally is on my team!" Wait a minute. Why in the world would they pick Sally over you and the others? She is the most frail and petite beauty queen of the whole class. There is no way that they could win with her. Why would they pick her? (May I say Billy-Bob is a lot smarter than he looks? He wasn't interested in winning the game. Just gathering a few points with Sally)
The next name is called, then the next, and the next. One after one the best fit for the team is chosen. Some who were in the 3rd grade who were the size of 5th graders and some who looked as puny as 1st graders. Over and over people were picked out because of their ability or talent until the final one was picked. Didn't it seem like the game wasn't the struggle but the pressure of picking and being picked?
God tells us this morning that it is not so with Him. Yes there are many scriptures that point to Him choosing us but it was not because of our talent or skills. It wasn't because of our beauty or riches. It was, and is, because He loves us. He loves the world and is not willing that any should perish. He didn't choose Peter because he was a strong fisherman. Nope it was because he loves him. The same love he chose and offered to Peter is also that same love that he chose and offered to Judas Iscariot. "Have I not chosen twelve of you and one of you is a devil..." said Jesus.
Why would you think you can choose who comes to Christ? Have not faith with respect of persons. A good friend of mine once said, "Character is how you treat people that you don't need." - Junior Hill
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Makes Me Smile
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Do we miss the truth sometimes because we give people our advice? Because we give people our opinions? I believe that could be answered with a yes. I know God loves to use us and uses our advice and opinions at times, but when it matters to what truth really is, we need to give the words from our God.
So often we want to report ON the word of God instead of reporting THE word of God. With our commentary lifestyles and our shelves full of CliffNotes, we tend to try and sum things up for people. We should do as the old preacher man used to say... "Give them what Thus Says The Word Of God". (my dad is that old preacher man)
What if Paul would have given his opinion or thoughts on what God wanted to do with the people of Thessalonica? They would have received PAUL's word, or the words of men, and not God's. But Paul said they received it not as the word of men, "but as it is in truth, the WORD OF GOD".
When we share what God's Word says and people receive it.... It causes us to be thankful without ceasing. All because we know it was nothing that we said, but the very words that God spoke concerning the truth to our hearts, He has just spoken to theirs. Makes you smile doesn't it?
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