Malachi 3:7
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
At some time in all of our Christian lives we were either closer to the Lord than ever before or farther away then ever before. It's funny that we seem to love and talk about when we are closer than ever to the Lord. The testimonies come so easily. The praise in our worship comes at ease. The love for the Word, prayer and others is just like second nature to us during this time but what about when you are farther away than ever before?
We tend to be quiet. No testimonies. Sometimes a form of praise. Reading our Bible, praying and loving others is one of the hardest things to do during this time in our life. Why? What was it that placed us here? Is it God? No, it's us!
You see we are prone to drift from the ordinances of God. Our flesh, which is corrupt, often causes us to drift. It's almost like a ship that has no sail drifting alone in the ocean. There is no direction, no purpose and no movement other than where the waves of the ocean take it. Like the ship, we are just the same. But there is great news found in this verse also. It tells us that we have gone away from the truth of God and have not kept the Word of God. Then He says, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you..." Hoist the sails this morning! If you have to call for "All men on deck". Stop drifting and start sailing in the vast ocean of God's grace and guidance.
Maybe you are like those in Israel with a question. "Wherein shall we return?" Ask God this morning where and what you have drifted from. I'm certain that He will tell you just as He did Israel. I know that He always shows me when I'm drifting.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Monday, January 1, 2018
Quack, Quack, Quack
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
A few days ago at church our service was just about to begin. I had to go back toward my office to get something and when I turned the corner I saw a beautiful sight. It was about ten to twelve children following an adult into the sanctuary. They looked like ducks in a row. One after one following in a straight line they marched by me. Quack, quack, quack.
As I read the scripture for this morning I can still see that image. God has called us to follow Him. We are not to get in front of Him or too far behind Him, we are to follow as best as we can.
God, I cry out this morning to you! My desire is to follow you. Sometimes my eyes and walk is distracted because of sin and selfishness. Please forgive me Lord. Thank you for always telling me to "keep up" and "this way". Lord I follow you today as a child who doesn't know which way is the right way. Too often I have thought that I knew the way and try to go on my own. Today is different! I admit that I am your child and that I will follow you. Where you lead, I will follow. Quack, quack...
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
A few days ago at church our service was just about to begin. I had to go back toward my office to get something and when I turned the corner I saw a beautiful sight. It was about ten to twelve children following an adult into the sanctuary. They looked like ducks in a row. One after one following in a straight line they marched by me. Quack, quack, quack.
As I read the scripture for this morning I can still see that image. God has called us to follow Him. We are not to get in front of Him or too far behind Him, we are to follow as best as we can.
God, I cry out this morning to you! My desire is to follow you. Sometimes my eyes and walk is distracted because of sin and selfishness. Please forgive me Lord. Thank you for always telling me to "keep up" and "this way". Lord I follow you today as a child who doesn't know which way is the right way. Too often I have thought that I knew the way and try to go on my own. Today is different! I admit that I am your child and that I will follow you. Where you lead, I will follow. Quack, quack...
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
Friday, December 29, 2017
You Can’t Handle the Truth!
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Why? Why would we lie to one another? Sometimes I don't just don't understand the human nature. It seems like folks are so quick to lie or not share the full truth with one another. Why would this even be a problem among believers of Jesus Christ? Look at the last portion of this scriputre. It says, "we are members one of another."
If we are members of one another and on the same team, then why would we deceive one another with lies? We should be able to tell the truth to one another. We should be able to talk to one another in a loving way with the truth and no deception. We should be able and share things that are close to our hearts.
Why you ask? Because we are members one of another. We are in this battle of life together. God has told us to put away lying, envy, strife and anger. We should learn to forgive. We should learn to speak the truth. We should learn that we are a part of the family of God.
To everyone who has listened to my burdens and listened to me as I spilled my heartaches, thank you. Thank you for speaking truth to me. It was in those times I needed understand and wisdom and you gave that to me. Thank you.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Why? Why would we lie to one another? Sometimes I don't just don't understand the human nature. It seems like folks are so quick to lie or not share the full truth with one another. Why would this even be a problem among believers of Jesus Christ? Look at the last portion of this scriputre. It says, "we are members one of another."
If we are members of one another and on the same team, then why would we deceive one another with lies? We should be able to tell the truth to one another. We should be able to talk to one another in a loving way with the truth and no deception. We should be able and share things that are close to our hearts.
Why you ask? Because we are members one of another. We are in this battle of life together. God has told us to put away lying, envy, strife and anger. We should learn to forgive. We should learn to speak the truth. We should learn that we are a part of the family of God.
To everyone who has listened to my burdens and listened to me as I spilled my heartaches, thank you. Thank you for speaking truth to me. It was in those times I needed understand and wisdom and you gave that to me. Thank you.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Flying Off the Handle
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
A hasty spirit or attitude will lead you in the wrong decisions. When we act out of emotions or in an irrational way we often end up hurting others and ourselves. Here in the south we call it flying off the handle. This illustration is as if we are chopping wood and the axe head suddenly shoots off the end of the handle. You have no idea where that axe head is going to land. There is no way of knowing the destruction that it could cause.
What if you were chopping wood with your children nearby and all of the sudden the axe head flew off? Can you imagine it spinning end over end headed toward a son or daughter? Makes you shiver when thinking about it. Well how much of a difference is there in that situation than when they are around you and you lose total control of your mouth, actions and aim?
If we knew that the axe head was loose, we wouldn't swing at another log. Why? Because we know its potential danger. Anger is the same way. Anger is not a sin. The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. But hasty anger is nasty anger! This type of anger rest in the bosom of fools. It is in the heart of the foolish. They choose to live with anger in their hearts.
Ask God this morning, right now, to remove any known and unknown anger from you. You don't want to end up looking like a fool because of hasty anger...believe me I know. Make sure that the axe head is secure and that you have your head on straight.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
A hasty spirit or attitude will lead you in the wrong decisions. When we act out of emotions or in an irrational way we often end up hurting others and ourselves. Here in the south we call it flying off the handle. This illustration is as if we are chopping wood and the axe head suddenly shoots off the end of the handle. You have no idea where that axe head is going to land. There is no way of knowing the destruction that it could cause.
What if you were chopping wood with your children nearby and all of the sudden the axe head flew off? Can you imagine it spinning end over end headed toward a son or daughter? Makes you shiver when thinking about it. Well how much of a difference is there in that situation than when they are around you and you lose total control of your mouth, actions and aim?
If we knew that the axe head was loose, we wouldn't swing at another log. Why? Because we know its potential danger. Anger is the same way. Anger is not a sin. The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. But hasty anger is nasty anger! This type of anger rest in the bosom of fools. It is in the heart of the foolish. They choose to live with anger in their hearts.
Ask God this morning, right now, to remove any known and unknown anger from you. You don't want to end up looking like a fool because of hasty anger...believe me I know. Make sure that the axe head is secure and that you have your head on straight.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
What’s On Your Mind?
Mark 14:72
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
"What's on your mind?" is a question frequently asked around my house. We are all always asking this question to each other. Whether it be to my wife, or my boys or even asked of me it happens a lot. "What's wrong? Whatcha thinking about? Are you thinking about something? What's on your mind?..."
Peter definitely had something on his mind. He recalled the conversation between him and the Lord. I know that I have had some conversations with my parents about things that happened to me only hours later. When it happened I quickly recalled those words spoken. I have also had a few of these conversations with my children and they remembered what I had said. Well when Peter heard this bird he immediately remembered what Jesus said and it brought him sorrow.
What is on your mind today? Has the Lord told you something to do, or not to do? Don't wait until it's too late or until you're looking backwards and remembering the words He spoke. Confess it now! Live for Him now and don't get stuck with sorrow from something that was on your mind that you should have done.
So I'll ask one last time, what's on your mind?
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
"What's on your mind?" is a question frequently asked around my house. We are all always asking this question to each other. Whether it be to my wife, or my boys or even asked of me it happens a lot. "What's wrong? Whatcha thinking about? Are you thinking about something? What's on your mind?..."
Peter definitely had something on his mind. He recalled the conversation between him and the Lord. I know that I have had some conversations with my parents about things that happened to me only hours later. When it happened I quickly recalled those words spoken. I have also had a few of these conversations with my children and they remembered what I had said. Well when Peter heard this bird he immediately remembered what Jesus said and it brought him sorrow.
What is on your mind today? Has the Lord told you something to do, or not to do? Don't wait until it's too late or until you're looking backwards and remembering the words He spoke. Confess it now! Live for Him now and don't get stuck with sorrow from something that was on your mind that you should have done.
So I'll ask one last time, what's on your mind?
Friday, December 22, 2017
So Ugly, Even Maybeline Couldn’t Help
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
The Bible is simple and very plain in its teaching. It is straight forward and also sound in its doctrine. Look this morning at a truth that is very simple, but yet one of the hardest things for people to understand. Let's look at these two things from our Lord.
First, He tells us that the person who covers up their sin will never prosper. This person will never be able to walk victoriously because their sin will always be there. Separating them from the Lord. Although it may be hidden from the world it is never hidden from God or that person. It will always be there as a sore or blemish that they attempt to cover up with makeup or medications. It could be fornication and adultery that someone attempts to cover up or it could be the lies and gossip that they spread and keep hidden. Either way, it will always be known by God and themselves. The Bible is very, very clear that the person who covers up their sin will NOT prosper at all.
Second, God's Word tells us the greatest answer for our initial problem. The same person who doesn't prosper because of their covered up sin can find forgiveness and receive mercy if they do one thing. What is this one thing? Confession! If you've lied, confess it. If you've committed sexual sin, confess it. If you have committed any sin, confess it. Don't cover it up, because when all is said and done God knows and so do you.
Sin is so ugly that even Maybeline can't cover it. It takes the blood of Jesus Christ to remove it.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
The Bible is simple and very plain in its teaching. It is straight forward and also sound in its doctrine. Look this morning at a truth that is very simple, but yet one of the hardest things for people to understand. Let's look at these two things from our Lord.
First, He tells us that the person who covers up their sin will never prosper. This person will never be able to walk victoriously because their sin will always be there. Separating them from the Lord. Although it may be hidden from the world it is never hidden from God or that person. It will always be there as a sore or blemish that they attempt to cover up with makeup or medications. It could be fornication and adultery that someone attempts to cover up or it could be the lies and gossip that they spread and keep hidden. Either way, it will always be known by God and themselves. The Bible is very, very clear that the person who covers up their sin will NOT prosper at all.
Second, God's Word tells us the greatest answer for our initial problem. The same person who doesn't prosper because of their covered up sin can find forgiveness and receive mercy if they do one thing. What is this one thing? Confession! If you've lied, confess it. If you've committed sexual sin, confess it. If you have committed any sin, confess it. Don't cover it up, because when all is said and done God knows and so do you.
Sin is so ugly that even Maybeline can't cover it. It takes the blood of Jesus Christ to remove it.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Comfort in the Shade
Psalms 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Can there be anything better than sitting in the shade on a hot, sunny, Alabama day? I'm sure some of you just said, "Sitting inside in the air conditioning." But seriously... There's not many things or many feelings that are better than finding shade on a hot and sunny day.
The sun could be beating down on your head with the sweat pouring off of you and the comfort of the shade could cool you down. Imagine if someone was there to offer a nice cool glass of water or even a cold glass of southern sweet tea. You can sense the comfort and relief as I set the scene right?
In a similar way this world can beat down upon you. Life can come at you so hot and heavy that you feel as if there is no shelter from it all. No place to rest. No place to find peace. No place to find comfort. But as soon as you think this thought, we come across this scripture found in God's Word.
He tells us that there is a secret place we can go. A place that is hidden, not from people but from satan and his attacks. Tucked away from the sorrows and storms of life. It is in the shadow of the Almighty! No, there may not be a hammock, palm tree or sweet tea in this secret place. It is one filled with grace, overflowing with mercy and covered with comfort of the Holy Ghost.
Are you tired of those storms yet? Are you overwhelmed with life and those hot rays that shine down? Come to the secret place God has prepared for you. It's in the shadow of God. Come and sit in the shade.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Can there be anything better than sitting in the shade on a hot, sunny, Alabama day? I'm sure some of you just said, "Sitting inside in the air conditioning." But seriously... There's not many things or many feelings that are better than finding shade on a hot and sunny day.
The sun could be beating down on your head with the sweat pouring off of you and the comfort of the shade could cool you down. Imagine if someone was there to offer a nice cool glass of water or even a cold glass of southern sweet tea. You can sense the comfort and relief as I set the scene right?
In a similar way this world can beat down upon you. Life can come at you so hot and heavy that you feel as if there is no shelter from it all. No place to rest. No place to find peace. No place to find comfort. But as soon as you think this thought, we come across this scripture found in God's Word.
He tells us that there is a secret place we can go. A place that is hidden, not from people but from satan and his attacks. Tucked away from the sorrows and storms of life. It is in the shadow of the Almighty! No, there may not be a hammock, palm tree or sweet tea in this secret place. It is one filled with grace, overflowing with mercy and covered with comfort of the Holy Ghost.
Are you tired of those storms yet? Are you overwhelmed with life and those hot rays that shine down? Come to the secret place God has prepared for you. It's in the shadow of God. Come and sit in the shade.
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