Acts 17:2-3
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Did you love the beginning of this scripture as much as I did? Look at it... "Paul, as his manner was,..." I want you to think about something this morning. Let's think about the testimony of Paul. Hopefully you have read or heard of this man. He used to be called Saul, but now is called Paul.
While He was Saul, what did he do? He grew up understanding about God and the Holy Scriptures. He was well versed in the Old Testament and the keeping of the law. Saul grew up a good man and probably with good manners. I'm almost certain that most people would have said great things about young Saul. The older crowd loved him and influenced him apparently because we find him standing with the crowd that stoned Stephen to death. Saul then took on the role of an upholder of the law and persecutor of the Christian church.
But something happened to Saul one day while traveling to his next persecution. The Lord Jesus met him on the way and saved him. Saul was never the same since that day. Even in his name, Paul was changed. He studied the scriptures more and more. He began to see Jesus Christ in all things. God moved upon Paul and changed his manners. Some would say that Paul was a good mannered boy his whole life, but now he is a great mannered man.
"As his manner was...." He went to the places that needed Christ. He spoke with these Jews for three sabbath days. Most would have given up, but Paul's manner was to reason with them. Look at how he accomplished this... "opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered," He showed them that the Christ (Messiah) in the word of God must have suffered, and that He would rise again from the dead. Then he reasoned with them about the fact that this Christ (Messiah) is Jesus.
Do you have the manners that Paul had? Are you willing to reason with people about Jesus? Tell the world you come in contact with today that "this Jesus" is the Christ.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Do You Recall?
Lamentations 3:21
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Waves are beating against the ship. You are struggling between fear and fight. Boards are cracking and the sails are torn. Over one wave and through the next! Minute after minute and hour after hour this goes on. A storm of a lifetime is having its way! At that moment it seems as if there is nothing but the fear of death, and even death itself, on your mind. Those around you yell, "We're not gonna make it!"
What do you do in these moments? You knew the storm was coming. You did everything possible to prepare for it. You made sure the ropes were in good condition. Anchors were set and ready. You knew that this storm was forecast to be a bad one. You made sure your prayers were up-to-date and favorite Bible verse was in place at the stern. But you had no idea that it was going to be like this!
All of the sudden a wave tackles the boat and you're rocked across the bow. You think for a moment... "What do I do?" Struggling to get back to the wheel at the stern you see it. There it is. Fastened to the stern. That scripture. No matter what book or verse it is taken from, there it reads as if the light of the Holy Ghost is shining on it. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all..." "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him..." "Let not your heart be troubled..." "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..." "giveth peace that passeth all understanding..."
No matter which one you choose we can be like Jeremiah today and say, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Jeremiah was remembering God's faithfulness. In every storm recall His words and call out to the Savior, Jesus Christ.
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS,
THAN JESUS' BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Waves are beating against the ship. You are struggling between fear and fight. Boards are cracking and the sails are torn. Over one wave and through the next! Minute after minute and hour after hour this goes on. A storm of a lifetime is having its way! At that moment it seems as if there is nothing but the fear of death, and even death itself, on your mind. Those around you yell, "We're not gonna make it!"
What do you do in these moments? You knew the storm was coming. You did everything possible to prepare for it. You made sure the ropes were in good condition. Anchors were set and ready. You knew that this storm was forecast to be a bad one. You made sure your prayers were up-to-date and favorite Bible verse was in place at the stern. But you had no idea that it was going to be like this!
All of the sudden a wave tackles the boat and you're rocked across the bow. You think for a moment... "What do I do?" Struggling to get back to the wheel at the stern you see it. There it is. Fastened to the stern. That scripture. No matter what book or verse it is taken from, there it reads as if the light of the Holy Ghost is shining on it. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all..." "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him..." "Let not your heart be troubled..." "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..." "giveth peace that passeth all understanding..."
No matter which one you choose we can be like Jeremiah today and say, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Jeremiah was remembering God's faithfulness. In every storm recall His words and call out to the Savior, Jesus Christ.
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS,
THAN JESUS' BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
All We Need Is Love
1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Years ago, across radio waves, a song came through...
There's nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
The Beatles wrote and sang this song. As you can now guess, love was the central theme to this song. It told us that what the world could use was love and that it was all we really needed. How true!
But this love is not a worldly defined love. The love the world offers must have something in return. There must be some type of return or payment for its love. This is not so with the love of God. When we love as God loved there is "no one you can save that can't be saved".
Lord, teach me to love the adulterer that was thrown at your feet. Teach me to love the priest that walked by the man beaten half-to-death on the side of the road. Teach me to love the murderer that you swapped places with, realizing it was me the whole time. Teach me to love the religiously proud leader who blindly can't see who you really are. Finally, teach me to love the vilest of sinners and the righteous of saints.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Looks the Same to Me
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What would you do if you spent thousands of dollars at the office of a plastic surgeon and someone walked up to you after the surgery and said, "What did you have done?" People get things tucked and lifted in hopes of others noticing, but what if no one could tell the difference? Think of this also... I know some whose homes have been damaged by weather. Tornadoes and hurricanes can have devastating results sometimes. I also know some homes that no one would know the difference. If the couch had holes in it, the carpet had all the kitchen food on it, and the bedroom set was scattered and unmade it would be hard to tell the difference between damage and just everyday living.
A very, very sad truth in this is the fact that many have professed to be changed by the Gospel. Professed to be different in Christ Jesus. I have to say it, "Looks the same to me." I understand and teach that the scriptures say come as you are. I know that sinners hung out with Jesus and not him hanging with sinners. I also know that when those people were saved from sin they were forever changed. Their desire to disobey God was changed because of the Holy Spirit now living in the believer leads them to victory.
What if you are that professing Christian and those around you said, "Looks the same to me"? The Word of God says to be transformed. This means to be changed, set apart, holy, different. Wouldn't you love for someone to come up to you after the change through Jesus and say, "There's something different about you"?
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What would you do if you spent thousands of dollars at the office of a plastic surgeon and someone walked up to you after the surgery and said, "What did you have done?" People get things tucked and lifted in hopes of others noticing, but what if no one could tell the difference? Think of this also... I know some whose homes have been damaged by weather. Tornadoes and hurricanes can have devastating results sometimes. I also know some homes that no one would know the difference. If the couch had holes in it, the carpet had all the kitchen food on it, and the bedroom set was scattered and unmade it would be hard to tell the difference between damage and just everyday living.
A very, very sad truth in this is the fact that many have professed to be changed by the Gospel. Professed to be different in Christ Jesus. I have to say it, "Looks the same to me." I understand and teach that the scriptures say come as you are. I know that sinners hung out with Jesus and not him hanging with sinners. I also know that when those people were saved from sin they were forever changed. Their desire to disobey God was changed because of the Holy Spirit now living in the believer leads them to victory.
What if you are that professing Christian and those around you said, "Looks the same to me"? The Word of God says to be transformed. This means to be changed, set apart, holy, different. Wouldn't you love for someone to come up to you after the change through Jesus and say, "There's something different about you"?
Friday, March 23, 2018
Desirable
Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Sometimes I've wondered at why Eve ate the fruit of this tree. I have thought to myself many times that her and Adam had it made together in that beautiful garden. Why in the world would she have ever eaten that fruit? Why would she have disobeyed the direct commandment of the Lord? We could say that the devil made her do it but even with all of the power he has, he can't make you sin. He will lie to you and lead you toward sin, but he can't make you. He has no power over your free-will to choose.
Eve saw that this tree was good for food. It seemed as all of the other trees in this garden. It was pleasant to the eyes. There were no rotten places or worms on this fruit. Then it tells us the main truth. It was desired to make one wise. It carried the weight of desire in its presentation to Eve. I don't want to stretch the scene, but it's almost as if it was shimmering with desire.
Eve's desire for the fruit overtook her understanding of God's truth. She allowed her desire for food, pleasantness and wisdom to over take her trust in God and His commandment. God had told them of what would happen. He preached unto them of the results of sin, but she couldn't see that. All she saw was what she desired.
If we are not careful we will be fooled by our desires. We could even use God's name on something and call it "God's desire" for our lives and it be not so. God, let my desire be your desire for my life. Lord, let your desire be my desire! Help me to not get the two confused and it lead me into my selfish sin.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Sometimes I've wondered at why Eve ate the fruit of this tree. I have thought to myself many times that her and Adam had it made together in that beautiful garden. Why in the world would she have ever eaten that fruit? Why would she have disobeyed the direct commandment of the Lord? We could say that the devil made her do it but even with all of the power he has, he can't make you sin. He will lie to you and lead you toward sin, but he can't make you. He has no power over your free-will to choose.
Eve saw that this tree was good for food. It seemed as all of the other trees in this garden. It was pleasant to the eyes. There were no rotten places or worms on this fruit. Then it tells us the main truth. It was desired to make one wise. It carried the weight of desire in its presentation to Eve. I don't want to stretch the scene, but it's almost as if it was shimmering with desire.
Eve's desire for the fruit overtook her understanding of God's truth. She allowed her desire for food, pleasantness and wisdom to over take her trust in God and His commandment. God had told them of what would happen. He preached unto them of the results of sin, but she couldn't see that. All she saw was what she desired.
If we are not careful we will be fooled by our desires. We could even use God's name on something and call it "God's desire" for our lives and it be not so. God, let my desire be your desire for my life. Lord, let your desire be my desire! Help me to not get the two confused and it lead me into my selfish sin.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Seeing Things God’s Way
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Jacob and I were driving down the road the other day talking about things. Just everyday things. I was listening to him, but I was also seeking God all day about some things in my life and the lives of others. I was also thinking about Josh Frederick for some reason. (A friend, and youth member of our church that is now in a Heaven with Jesus)
Then our conversation shifted onto how we see things sometimes. Sometimes we can't understand things that are happening around us or in our lives. Seems like we just can't see it right. We wondered at why Josh went to Heaven so soon. I wondered why some of my friends right now are going through hard times, from sicknesses and other things. Then all of the sudden I stopped and said, "Jacob Look!" He said, "What?" "Look at that sticker on my back window of the truck. Josh's sticker!" I said. (Josh's favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:8 and when he went to Heaven with Jesus, a member of our church made stickers with his scripture on it)
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
When you look from the outside of my truck it reads, "Isaiah 40:8" When you are inside the truck and turn around, it reads, "8:04 haiasI". It's backwards! I then told Jacob to lean over to where I was setting and read it from my rear view mirror. "You can read it the right way again!", he said.
ALTHOUGH WE STUMBLE SOMETIMES AT HOW GOD DOES THINGS, NEVER SHOULD WE STUMBLE AT WHAT GOD PROMISES!
Our problem is that we don't see things right. We must choose to see things God's Way in order to see it. Sometimes we can’t see it clearly until we are looking in the rear view mirror. We can’t see it until it’s behind us.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
He Knows Me
1 Corinthians 8:3
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Oh how I love Jesus! I can't think of anyone who has ever loved me like He has. I can't think of a God who has done so much for someone like me. He left Heaven, was fashioned as a man and died a sinners death for me. Did you hear that? For me! For you!
It is easy for me to love God. If you were to ask anyone around you if they loved God and your answer would most likely be an assured yes. Look at His love for us! Let's look deeper this morning. Our love is because of His love for us. It's easy to love someone who loves you and cares for you.
Our scripture says, if any man love God, the same is known of Him. We know we love God but He also loves and He knows us. I'm glad that God knows me. I'm glad that He loves me. I'm glad that He is my shepherd. I'm glad that I'm saved by Him, kept by Him and sealed through Him!
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Oh how I love Jesus! I can't think of anyone who has ever loved me like He has. I can't think of a God who has done so much for someone like me. He left Heaven, was fashioned as a man and died a sinners death for me. Did you hear that? For me! For you!
It is easy for me to love God. If you were to ask anyone around you if they loved God and your answer would most likely be an assured yes. Look at His love for us! Let's look deeper this morning. Our love is because of His love for us. It's easy to love someone who loves you and cares for you.
Our scripture says, if any man love God, the same is known of Him. We know we love God but He also loves and He knows us. I'm glad that God knows me. I'm glad that He loves me. I'm glad that He is my shepherd. I'm glad that I'm saved by Him, kept by Him and sealed through Him!
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
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