Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.
In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.
The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".
The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Monday, April 9, 2018
What Do You Decide?
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Everyday and all day I make choices. From what time to get up to what I will wear, I make my choice. Then when I get to work I have to make decisions and choices throughout the whole day. I come home and I want to just sit and relax. I don't want to make any decisions. I have decided things all day and chose the best way or best answer to problems or situations. When I get home I have no desire to make any decisions. But it's not that simple.
Patti, my wife, comes in and asks, "What do you want for dinner?" Andrew asks, "What are we doing tonight dad?" Jacob says, "Dad do you want to watch a movie tonight?" If I say yes then the next question is... "What do you want to watch?" It's true! We could be going out for dinner and use a tank of gas on trying to decide where to eat.
It's because sometimes we don't want to make a choice. But the reality of it all is that we have to choose. Joshua came to a place in his walk with God that he made a choice. He decided that the best thing for him and his family was to serve God. You may think that he really didn't have a choice in the matter but that wouldn't be true. He could have served the false gods of those before the flood. But he made the decision to serve God, the true God.
You may not want to choose today. You may say that you have to make choices everyday and you don't want to decide right now. But you have to! Not choosing is a choice within itself. So what is your choice?
Friday, April 6, 2018
Gotcha!
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
We Are The Body
Ephesians 4:15-16
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Saying we are the "Body of Christ" is one thing, but BEING the body is totally different. How many times have we claimed to be the body and fall short? Today was different!
Since I was in the second grade, 1982, I have lived in the same place. At first we were zoned in Warrior, Alabama then we were rezoned into Kimberly, Alabama. I love explaining to people where I live. I usually start out by saying, "Have you ever heard of Hughes Egg Farm? Or do you know where Guthrie's Grocery used to be? And then go into detail from there. I tell them that we live right in the middle of Haig, Brafford, Trafford, Warrior, Kimberly and Morris. Well since living here, we've not had many episodes of severe weather. I can honestly remember only one time at the age of eight or nine that a storm came through but even then it didn't cause much damage. That has changed over the last five years. We have had many times of damaging weather over this short period of time. From snow (which I'll take any day) to tornadoes and floods.
Through these trying times I have seen many become the "Body of Christ"! The one that is fitly joined together. Houses are worked on piece by piece with worker by worker. Churches feed and labor right along with these people as if it is their very own house.
I know that there is something very special about the place I have lived for so long, but there is something far greater within the church when they become the BODY! Thank you for being the "Body of Christ"! You know...this scripture says we couldn't be the arms, feet and back of the body if it were not for the head (Jesus) guiding and directing.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Now You’re Praying!
Psalms 61:1
Hear my cry, O God;
attend unto my prayer.
What is your biggest concern in prayer? Is it an answer? Most every Christian comes to prayer seeking an answer. We want an immediate response as if God is a magic eight ball or Siri. We live in a world of quick responses and even quicker results. We want our food faster. Our diets more effective with less effort. We desire more for our dollar and all knowledge thanks to Wikipedia. We are going about this all wrong! Prayer is not to be used as a hotline of blessings or information. It is our communication of a blessed relationship with God.
David was at a place where his concern was God just simply hearing his prayer. Have you ever just stopped and said, "God, I don't want to ask anything of you. I just want you to hear me today. I just want you to know me. Know that I love you. Know that I need you. Know that I can do nothing without you."
If we are not careful we can come to prayer with an answer to that request already in place within our minds. Then our prayers can be altered by telling God what we think we need. If we could only understand the power of prayer when we come empty and dependent! We should be more concerned that He hears us than what we think He should do.
Hear my cry, O God;
attend unto my prayer.
What is your biggest concern in prayer? Is it an answer? Most every Christian comes to prayer seeking an answer. We want an immediate response as if God is a magic eight ball or Siri. We live in a world of quick responses and even quicker results. We want our food faster. Our diets more effective with less effort. We desire more for our dollar and all knowledge thanks to Wikipedia. We are going about this all wrong! Prayer is not to be used as a hotline of blessings or information. It is our communication of a blessed relationship with God.
David was at a place where his concern was God just simply hearing his prayer. Have you ever just stopped and said, "God, I don't want to ask anything of you. I just want you to hear me today. I just want you to know me. Know that I love you. Know that I need you. Know that I can do nothing without you."
If we are not careful we can come to prayer with an answer to that request already in place within our minds. Then our prayers can be altered by telling God what we think we need. If we could only understand the power of prayer when we come empty and dependent! We should be more concerned that He hears us than what we think He should do.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Fill In The Blank
1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
"O ________, keep that which is committed to thy trust..." Fill in that blank with your name. How good of a job are you doing at keeping the truth of God's Word? Not just in your life, but also in keeping it the pure and true knowledge in the days which we live?
Our lives, as disciples of Christ, have been deposited with the goods. The goods being the truth of the Word through the Holy Spirit. We have the highest valued deposit in our hearts and lives. How are you keeping it?
Many want the government to keep up with it. Some want the Pastor and the church to keep up with it. But God has trusted you with it. We are to keep it secure! If feels like too many have Barney Fife guarding the goods. (Like the time the gold was coming through Mayberry) Maybe it's because we don't see the value of what is in this deposit. We tend to entertain profane and vain babbling. We sit at the table of the so called educated that ridicule and despise our Lord and Savior. We should be making some deposits. We should speak the truth of the Word of God in Love to a world that is heading to Hell.
Now, read it again and place your name there in the blank. I'm not gonna ask you how you were keeping it this time. No, that's already been asked. I want you to answer two things for yourself.
1 - How valuable is the deposit of grace, salvation and truth that God has placed in me?
2 - What can I now do to keep it? Not keeping for salvation or keeping it to yourself, but guarding it from sin in your own life and sharing it with others.
It is too valuable of a treasure to keep to yourself or for others to trample on
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
"O ________, keep that which is committed to thy trust..." Fill in that blank with your name. How good of a job are you doing at keeping the truth of God's Word? Not just in your life, but also in keeping it the pure and true knowledge in the days which we live?
Our lives, as disciples of Christ, have been deposited with the goods. The goods being the truth of the Word through the Holy Spirit. We have the highest valued deposit in our hearts and lives. How are you keeping it?
Many want the government to keep up with it. Some want the Pastor and the church to keep up with it. But God has trusted you with it. We are to keep it secure! If feels like too many have Barney Fife guarding the goods. (Like the time the gold was coming through Mayberry) Maybe it's because we don't see the value of what is in this deposit. We tend to entertain profane and vain babbling. We sit at the table of the so called educated that ridicule and despise our Lord and Savior. We should be making some deposits. We should speak the truth of the Word of God in Love to a world that is heading to Hell.
Now, read it again and place your name there in the blank. I'm not gonna ask you how you were keeping it this time. No, that's already been asked. I want you to answer two things for yourself.
1 - How valuable is the deposit of grace, salvation and truth that God has placed in me?
2 - What can I now do to keep it? Not keeping for salvation or keeping it to yourself, but guarding it from sin in your own life and sharing it with others.
It is too valuable of a treasure to keep to yourself or for others to trample on
Monday, April 2, 2018
Show Them The Gospel
Titus 2:7-8
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Are good works important in the life of a Christian? Sure they are. It is the fruit that hangs from our tree. It is the Gospel in action many times. We understand that it is possible to say whatever we want but to be what we say we are is much different. You could stand in the garage and say you are a car, but you would never be a car. You could say that you start on the offensive line for the best NFL team in the nation and come game time you would never be found. Even on the roster. Saying one thing and being one thing are very different.
Look at what God tells us... In all things show a pattern of good works. Why? Because when Christ saved you, He created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). In doctrine, we should show a grounding and sincerity in the truth and in our speech. Why? So that no condemnation or questioning of our life would be held against us.
Did you notice "show" was a theme in these verses? We can say many things, but showing is much more effective. Spread the Word of God today. Tell them every scripture, every commandment and every truth. Don't forget to show it with every ounce of grace, mercy and love that you can.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Are good works important in the life of a Christian? Sure they are. It is the fruit that hangs from our tree. It is the Gospel in action many times. We understand that it is possible to say whatever we want but to be what we say we are is much different. You could stand in the garage and say you are a car, but you would never be a car. You could say that you start on the offensive line for the best NFL team in the nation and come game time you would never be found. Even on the roster. Saying one thing and being one thing are very different.
Look at what God tells us... In all things show a pattern of good works. Why? Because when Christ saved you, He created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). In doctrine, we should show a grounding and sincerity in the truth and in our speech. Why? So that no condemnation or questioning of our life would be held against us.
Did you notice "show" was a theme in these verses? We can say many things, but showing is much more effective. Spread the Word of God today. Tell them every scripture, every commandment and every truth. Don't forget to show it with every ounce of grace, mercy and love that you can.
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