You Reckon?

Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I don't know how you feel, but I absolutely love where I live. As I was growing up I heard many people say, "I can't wait until I get out of this hick town". Well I can't say that I have ever wanted to do that. I'm sure there where times I wanted to leave cause everyone was in my business, but I have come to find out that if my business is about the Gospel of Jesus and preaching the Word, then I'm fine. 

In my wonderful home of Kimberly, Alabama we use many words. People say things like... backards, fixin' and aight... Well aren't you glad that God is a southerner also?  Look at our scripture. Paul is telling us about the hardships in the Christian walk. He is sharing with us some of the things that many of our modern ministers will not share. He tells us that we will suffer in this life, and if we are heirs with Jesus Christ that we will suffer as He suffered. 

We will go through times in our lives that hardships will come. Sufferings will be a part of our lives. Times of great peril will happen. Just because we are children of God that doesn't mean all things will be easy. It doesn't mean that our lives will never have difficulties. What is great is the fact that He will be with us. He will see us through. He will help us!  And the sufferings will not be in any comparison to the glory of God. 

I love how it says, "I reckon". Think of the old Christian farmer. He's suffered throughout this year because a lack of rain. His crops are withered and pocketbook dusty. He looks out at the garden, looks at his wife, glances at his children and says through faith... "I reckon God will take care of us". 

The one in the altar who is weeping and praying about the brokenness of their heart suddenly looks up at you with a peace and contentment. You look at them as ask, "Are you gonna be alright?"  And they answer, "I reckon". You may think they have second guessed God but you are wrong. We "reckon" the sufferings of this present time can't be compared to the glory which shall be revealed. 

I reckon, do you?

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

In our churches of today we need a full and Spirit-filled understanding concerning differences between the law and Grace of God. The law teaches us that we are all sinners before a holy and just God. The law reveals to us our lost and sinful condition. It states the works and actions of sinners. The law is our school system, helping us to understand where we stand before God. The Grace of God reveals the love and mercy of God toward us. It extends, or reaches out to us even while we are yet in our sins. 

Somehow we have taken that to the next level. We have added and subtracted to the laws of God. On one end of the scales we have those who put their thumb on the scale. They add heavy burdens that are difficult to be borne. Tightening the noose pull after pull. Like our scripture says, they themselves will not even abide by the laws they impose upon people. They build book after book with law after law written inside. Too much emphasis is placed upon the law. Now listen to me... We need the law!  The law shows our condition. The law is still a great guide for Christian living even after salvation. But the difference is that it is a law fulfilled now by Christ Jesus and not us. 

Then on the other end of the scale is the Amazing Grace of God. Through His grace we are saved, not the through the law. The law reveals, but the Grace of God reaches. The law binds, but the Grace of God frees us into His liberty. It's the wonderful Grace of Jesus that has set my soul free. 

So the conclusion is this... To preach Grace and practice law is wrong. We must find the understanding of scripture. The law brings us Christ, but the Grace of God TO Christ!  The law brings us death. The law says, "For the wages of sin is death..."  The Grace of God brings us life. The Grace of God says, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". 

#daybreakdiscoveries

A Record Low

Psalms 136:23

Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Wow!  It is July 29, 2014 and we could be waking in the morning to a record low. It is forecasted to be 58-60 degrees in the morning. And just two days ago it was a heat index of 103 in Birmingham, Alabama. Isn't it funny how things can change so quickly? We always say if you don't like the weather, stick around it will change. 

Our lives can be much the same. Some days it seems like we are in a furnace. We are in the heat of a trial being tried and tested. The pressure is applied and we don't know if we can make it. Or some days it's blue bird skies. The birds are singing. The frogs are croaking. The cats and dogs are just laying around in the shade and enjoying the day. We spend all day with the family laughing and playing. Tired and weary from fun, we go to bed. Then on the next morning we wake up to an all-time record low. 

It happens so quickly. Even when it's foretold by God's word that these things would happen, it seems to hit us by surprise. Think of those disciples... One day they are enjoying the fellowship with Jesus in Bethany and a supper that evening. But before night could fall completely, the disciples hit a record low. Within a few hours, Jesus has been taken by soldiers and they find themselves scattered in fear and confusion. Jesus had told them these things would come to pass, but yet it still caught them by surprise. He was beaten, crucified and buried. We find the disciples are discouraged and at a record low. 

But remember our scripture today... "Who remembered us in our low estate". Thank you Jesus for not leaving us there! It's in the record lows of our lives that God can be the greatest comfort. Some people will breakout the sweats tomorrow in order to fight off the chill. Well in that same manner, Jesus will comfort you in your record low. He will walk with you in your low estate. But one thing is key... You must call upon The Lord. Ask Him right now for His presence and comfort when you've hit an all-time low. 

That's When You Have It All

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Jesus had just asked the disciples if they would leave also like the others. Peter answers with, "Where can we go?"  It wasn't that Peter couldn't have found something to do or didn't have a place to call home. We know that he was a fisherman by trade and that he had family. He could have resorted back to the lifestyle he knew before Jesus (which is what he did after the crucifixion when he thought Jesus was gone)

Something had happened to Peter to change his views. He had been with Jesus. He witnessed the love and affection of the Savior. He saw the miracles take place in the lives of his family and friends. He saw a man that could deal with, and heal his mother-in-law. Jesus had become everything to Peter. He knew that there couldn't be anything, or anyone greater than Him. 

When Jesus asked Peter if he would go away also, it hit him. I imagine Peter thought, "I have nothing greater than you".  Peter realized that although he had possessions and even a home to return to, what would that be without Jesus? Right there in that moment, Peter saw his need for Jesus. Although Peter at times stuck his big foot in his mouth, every since the day that Jesus stepped into his life he never wanted Him to leave. 

You know what?  When you have realized that Jesus is the only thing you have. When He is the only one who has the words of life. When Satan tells you that all you have is Jesus... That's when you come to realize... YOU'VE GOT IT ALL!  I'm a poor rich man in Jesus! 

What would be your answer if Jesus asked if you would go away also?

Don't Change You Ways, Change Your Walk

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Many times I've said the statement, "Turn over the leaf and you just have the backside of the same leaf". I hear so many people that talk of "doing better", "changing my ways", "getting my life right". The problem with us doing this is not fully surrendering to Jesus. See, when we think we should "change our ways", then we fall short of what the Gospel says to us. When we "do better", we set ourselves up for failure. Because we can't do better apart from Jesus doing a great work of salvation in our lives. 

God's word tells us this morning to walk by faith. The only way for a Christian to walk is to walk by faith. Look at what the definition of faith is...

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The scriptures even tell us that without faith, it is impossible to please God...

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

So to change our ways, or get things right, isn't the way we should think. We need to change our paths, the way we think. Walk in faith toward Christ and not our sight. If we continue to walk in our sight then when things don't look good, they will not be good!  But if we walk in faith, then when things look bad, through faith, we hold on to the only ONE who is good. 

Don't change your ways, change your walk. 

Yield to the Right of His Way

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

How many of you actually yield at the yield signs?  Tell the truth...no one is going to give you a ticket of confession. How many times do we come to those signs and zoom right through? How many times have you seen people do this?  The proper action to take at a yield sign is to prepare for traffic, prepare for a possible stop, and yield to the oncoming traffic.

As we walk the life of a Christian, things and situations can become difficult at times. Answers may not come for days, months or even years. It can cause questions to arise in your mind... During these times God has called us to just be still and be faithful. Walking by faith is yielding to the will of God.  It's not always seeing what He is doing in our lives but it's yielding to Him. We must yield to His right way. We must even be prepared to stop set times. When we yield to God we find ourselves not relaxing in Christ but relying on Christ. 

When we walk by faith we are saying... God I yield myself to faith. I yield myself to You and Your will for my life. It's saying... I don't have to understand it all in order to trust in you!  I will walk by total faith! Help me to fix my eyes upon You Lord. 

Have you told Him that this morning?  Are you relying on your strength and wisdom?  Let Him take control. Place your faith in Him!  Walk by faith, and not how it looks or seems. All the signs are there...have you yielded?

Looking for Something to Do?

Maybe today you're thinking about what needs to be done. If you are anything like me, the list is multiple items long. It could be anything from washing the car to planning a funeral. The truth is we are all searching for something to do. Many have already made specific plans months or weeks ago to get a few things done. 

Well this morning I want to challenge you to add something to your checklist. It shouldn't add weight to your list, but help you get the things done that are already on your list. Please try and do ALL of them today. 

#1 - Be Kind...Tenderhearted...Forgiving

           Ephesians 4:32

              And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,   

              even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

#2 - Be Compassionate...

          1 Peter 3:8

              Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love     

              as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

#3 - Be Still...

          Psalms 46:10

              Be still, and know that I am God:

              I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

#4 - Be Strong...

          Ephesians 6:10

             Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his     

             might.

#5 - Be Quiet...

          1 Thessalonians 4:11

             And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to 

             work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

In doing this list, it needs to be put into action and not a certain order.