Colossians 3:23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Have you seen the Progressive commercial with the man juggling chainsaws and there is another man on the side saying, "Come on... Gimmie one, Gimmie one"? Isn't that just like us? We think we can do anything or I should say everything. I know this to be true in my life. I have always been that person who would tear apart everything in order to know how it works. If someone ever told me that I couldn't do something, I would try so hard to prove them wrong. So much that I often ended up hurting myself by trying to accomplish the task.
Once some of my friends wanted to jump off a bridge into Smith Lake. They were all putting their life jackets on and looking over the edge. I could hear some of them talking about how high it was and what if we got hurt. Well by this time I heard someone say, "I ain't doing it, here is my life jacket." Like the man on the commercial, I said, "Gimmie one". "If you are gonna jump of this bridge (click of the first buckle) then you are just (click) gonna have to (click) juuuuuuummmmmmp!" I had never though of pointing my toes when entering the water and when they hit I thought they split in half. I wanted to do it because someone said that we couldn't.
Listen, so many times in my life and in my ministry I've made that statement, "Gimmie one". But God has shown me over these years of my life that I need to do the one thing He has called me to do, and to do it well. Whatever God has called you to do in life, do it and stop asking for the other things. Just do the one thing well, faithfully and obediently with all of your heart. If not, you will suffer failure as I have many, many times.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
He's Coming!
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
In the book of Acts chapter one the Bible gives the clear picture of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into the clouds. It says that people were in amazement as they gazed into the sky and watched Jesus go up into Heaven. So much that the angels standing by said unto them, "Why stand ye here gazing...?" But think about it for a moment. These people had never seen anyone like Jesus. They had never witnessed such love and power in a person like they had in Jesus. Maybe they gazed into Heaven thinking to themselves that this could be the last time they see this man named Jesus. This could be the last time they could hear His words of authority. This could possibly be the last time they witnessed those nail pierced hands stretched out toward them in love. The thought of never seeing Jesus again caused them to stare or gaze into the sky as He went up.
God's message didn't stop at a question. Those angels asked, "Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? (and then they answered with) This same Jesus, (the one who healed the broken, blind, lame, diseased. The one who saved the wretched, idolater, fornicator. The one who gave His life's blood on the sinful cross of Calvary) This SAME Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven."
Can you imagine what it would have been like to see Jesus ascend into the clouds of Glory to Heaven? What a great site they witnessed in their day. But may I remind you of something this morning? While they got to see Him go up, we may be the ones to see Him come again! I love our scripture this morning... "Behold, he cometh!" Someday, which could be today, Jesus will come again! Are you living like today could be that day? Are you ready? Even so, Amen!
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
In the book of Acts chapter one the Bible gives the clear picture of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into the clouds. It says that people were in amazement as they gazed into the sky and watched Jesus go up into Heaven. So much that the angels standing by said unto them, "Why stand ye here gazing...?" But think about it for a moment. These people had never seen anyone like Jesus. They had never witnessed such love and power in a person like they had in Jesus. Maybe they gazed into Heaven thinking to themselves that this could be the last time they see this man named Jesus. This could be the last time they could hear His words of authority. This could possibly be the last time they witnessed those nail pierced hands stretched out toward them in love. The thought of never seeing Jesus again caused them to stare or gaze into the sky as He went up.
God's message didn't stop at a question. Those angels asked, "Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? (and then they answered with) This same Jesus, (the one who healed the broken, blind, lame, diseased. The one who saved the wretched, idolater, fornicator. The one who gave His life's blood on the sinful cross of Calvary) This SAME Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven."
Can you imagine what it would have been like to see Jesus ascend into the clouds of Glory to Heaven? What a great site they witnessed in their day. But may I remind you of something this morning? While they got to see Him go up, we may be the ones to see Him come again! I love our scripture this morning... "Behold, he cometh!" Someday, which could be today, Jesus will come again! Are you living like today could be that day? Are you ready? Even so, Amen!
Monday, April 3, 2017
I Need You Lord
Psalms 38:9
Lord, all my desire is before thee;
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
How about we start our day off the right way together? What if you start your day with a desire to hear from God? What if you desire the moving of the Holy Spirit in your life right now? What if it was above every other thought and the only thing you can think of? What would happen?
Some of you may be in the lowest place you've ever been right now or facing the highest mountain that has ever been in front of you. You could possibly say, "Steve, I don't even know what to say to the Lord this morning."
Can I tell you that He will understand what your need is when you call out to Him in prayer? He will understand your desire or need. He will even understand the groaning. My wife can sense when I am in need or broken by my facial expression. She understands when I need prayer all the way to when I need water during my preaching. Without me even saying a word, she can pick up on what I desire or need. Why is this? Because she is concerned with me. She is in love with me and wants me to be complete and cared for.
If my wife understands this in my life, how much more does God know and love me? Tell Him this morning! Let your desire be open to the Lord. Don't hide who you are or your need before the Lord. Listen, if you can't talk to Him or find the words to say, just allow your heart and spirit to cry out unto Him.
There is no God like our God. No one who cares. No one who loves. No one who listens so closely like our God. Start your day right!
Lord, all my desire is before thee;
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
How about we start our day off the right way together? What if you start your day with a desire to hear from God? What if you desire the moving of the Holy Spirit in your life right now? What if it was above every other thought and the only thing you can think of? What would happen?
Some of you may be in the lowest place you've ever been right now or facing the highest mountain that has ever been in front of you. You could possibly say, "Steve, I don't even know what to say to the Lord this morning."
Can I tell you that He will understand what your need is when you call out to Him in prayer? He will understand your desire or need. He will even understand the groaning. My wife can sense when I am in need or broken by my facial expression. She understands when I need prayer all the way to when I need water during my preaching. Without me even saying a word, she can pick up on what I desire or need. Why is this? Because she is concerned with me. She is in love with me and wants me to be complete and cared for.
If my wife understands this in my life, how much more does God know and love me? Tell Him this morning! Let your desire be open to the Lord. Don't hide who you are or your need before the Lord. Listen, if you can't talk to Him or find the words to say, just allow your heart and spirit to cry out unto Him.
There is no God like our God. No one who cares. No one who loves. No one who listens so closely like our God. Start your day right!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Just As I Am
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Have you ever heard the hymn, "Just As I Am?" Here are the words...
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
If you have the opportunity look up this song today and read all the verses. They will all point in this direction. God will receive you just as you are! Bring your sin, your sorrow or whatever it is to the Lord today just as you are. But understand this, you will walk away different.
When we truly come with sorrow we can leave with joy. When we come with sin we walk away cleansed. When we come with chains of bondage we can walk away free. How can this be? Because we are IN CHRIST. When someone is "IN CHRIST" they are changed. Forever changed to be like Jesus and not ourselves. Some people say just stay they way you are and that God is fine with that. This is somewhat of a half-truth. We come to Him the way we are, we come to Him just as we are, but when we walk away we are changed.
What does changed mean? That the person who comes with sin will never struggle with sin again? No. It means that when they are "IN CHRIST" the desire to sin and live in sin should bring conviction. Look at what Paul said... "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME:" He goes on to say that the only way he can walk in this flesh is to live "IN CHRIST".
What if the Christians who are saved, freed, delivered from sin and Hell continued to live like they used to before they came to Christ because someone told them that Christ didn't want to change them? Seems like many are trying that today...
Come as you are......but walk away free!
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Have you ever heard the hymn, "Just As I Am?" Here are the words...
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
If you have the opportunity look up this song today and read all the verses. They will all point in this direction. God will receive you just as you are! Bring your sin, your sorrow or whatever it is to the Lord today just as you are. But understand this, you will walk away different.
When we truly come with sorrow we can leave with joy. When we come with sin we walk away cleansed. When we come with chains of bondage we can walk away free. How can this be? Because we are IN CHRIST. When someone is "IN CHRIST" they are changed. Forever changed to be like Jesus and not ourselves. Some people say just stay they way you are and that God is fine with that. This is somewhat of a half-truth. We come to Him the way we are, we come to Him just as we are, but when we walk away we are changed.
What does changed mean? That the person who comes with sin will never struggle with sin again? No. It means that when they are "IN CHRIST" the desire to sin and live in sin should bring conviction. Look at what Paul said... "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME:" He goes on to say that the only way he can walk in this flesh is to live "IN CHRIST".
What if the Christians who are saved, freed, delivered from sin and Hell continued to live like they used to before they came to Christ because someone told them that Christ didn't want to change them? Seems like many are trying that today...
Come as you are......but walk away free!
Monday, March 27, 2017
Don't Step Over Them
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
What a privilege it is to help someone else with what they are carrying. I absolutely love to see it. Just a few days ago I was picking up some students on my bus route at the local school. As they were piling on my bus in a hurry, because they love me so much (ha), one of the girls dropped her binder and papers went everywhere. They were under the bus doorway, across the drive, they were everywhere. So this young lady knelt down to pick up her things, but remember those loving students were wanting on the bus. So they paused for about two seconds and then the unthinkable happened. Another young lady stepped over the body (right over her head) onto the step of the bus and preceded toward her seat. Then because of the one doing that all of the other sheep thought the same. Until I stopped them.
But let me say this most important part. Before I could stop them and bring their attention to the need of this young girl, another young lady knelt down beside her and helped pick up the papers. She helped the girl up and then they boarded the school bus. I commended this young lady. You know why? She helped someone with their burden.
You see a burden is bearable. When the scriptures talk about weights upon us it tells us that they are too heavy and need to be placed down. Weights are more that we can handle. But burdens are different. A mule carries a burden. A horse carries a burdensome load. We also can carry burdens. God tells us to bear our burdens but then he says to bear each other's burden. He shows us the love through the body of Christ. We should help bear each other's burdens. To fulfill the law of Christ. What is that law? That you love one another.
So don't hurriedly step over the person who has a burden just to get on the bus. Help them carry that burden and be like Christ.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
What a privilege it is to help someone else with what they are carrying. I absolutely love to see it. Just a few days ago I was picking up some students on my bus route at the local school. As they were piling on my bus in a hurry, because they love me so much (ha), one of the girls dropped her binder and papers went everywhere. They were under the bus doorway, across the drive, they were everywhere. So this young lady knelt down to pick up her things, but remember those loving students were wanting on the bus. So they paused for about two seconds and then the unthinkable happened. Another young lady stepped over the body (right over her head) onto the step of the bus and preceded toward her seat. Then because of the one doing that all of the other sheep thought the same. Until I stopped them.
But let me say this most important part. Before I could stop them and bring their attention to the need of this young girl, another young lady knelt down beside her and helped pick up the papers. She helped the girl up and then they boarded the school bus. I commended this young lady. You know why? She helped someone with their burden.
You see a burden is bearable. When the scriptures talk about weights upon us it tells us that they are too heavy and need to be placed down. Weights are more that we can handle. But burdens are different. A mule carries a burden. A horse carries a burdensome load. We also can carry burdens. God tells us to bear our burdens but then he says to bear each other's burden. He shows us the love through the body of Christ. We should help bear each other's burdens. To fulfill the law of Christ. What is that law? That you love one another.
So don't hurriedly step over the person who has a burden just to get on the bus. Help them carry that burden and be like Christ.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Is There Not a Cause?
Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What is the cause of your prayers? You wouldn't believe this but many people pray. I know of people who aren't professing Christians that have prayed. I know that while I was a lost sinner I prayed. But my cause of prayer was due to my situation. It was the, "Lord, if you'll get me out of this, I'll serve you," kind of prayer. There was no conviction of who God was in my prayers. There was no meaning or truth to my prayer. It had no cause to it.
Paul has just told us in the previous scriptures that he was the least of all Christians and not worthy of what God has called him to do. He was rejoicing about the ministry of the Gospel and it caused something to happen. He said, "For this cause I bow my knees..."
Can I ask you this morning what causes you to pray? Is it a difficult situation that actually drives you to your knees? Is it a spiritual thanks that takes you there? Maybe it's a disciplined or embedded practice that is your cause today? But what is the cause? What is the reason? What is your prayer about?
Remember this today and forever, When praying...
Find the cause... "Know your reason for talking to God in prayer"
Direct the cause... "Don't direct it to others, but to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Always Pray with a cause... What is your cause of prayer today?
If we are to see a change in ourselves, our families, our churches and our world, we should find that cause in our prayers. Why don't you list some causes for your prayers right now. Just for a moment before you pray and go about your day, think of at least one cause that has brought you to your knees in prayer. Is there not a cause?
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What is the cause of your prayers? You wouldn't believe this but many people pray. I know of people who aren't professing Christians that have prayed. I know that while I was a lost sinner I prayed. But my cause of prayer was due to my situation. It was the, "Lord, if you'll get me out of this, I'll serve you," kind of prayer. There was no conviction of who God was in my prayers. There was no meaning or truth to my prayer. It had no cause to it.
Paul has just told us in the previous scriptures that he was the least of all Christians and not worthy of what God has called him to do. He was rejoicing about the ministry of the Gospel and it caused something to happen. He said, "For this cause I bow my knees..."
Can I ask you this morning what causes you to pray? Is it a difficult situation that actually drives you to your knees? Is it a spiritual thanks that takes you there? Maybe it's a disciplined or embedded practice that is your cause today? But what is the cause? What is the reason? What is your prayer about?
Remember this today and forever, When praying...
Find the cause... "Know your reason for talking to God in prayer"
Direct the cause... "Don't direct it to others, but to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Always Pray with a cause... What is your cause of prayer today?
If we are to see a change in ourselves, our families, our churches and our world, we should find that cause in our prayers. Why don't you list some causes for your prayers right now. Just for a moment before you pray and go about your day, think of at least one cause that has brought you to your knees in prayer. Is there not a cause?
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Put Down the Gun!
1 Thessalonians 4:9
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
God tells us that love in the life of a Christian is everything. It's not something that comes later or secondary, but it is the very first fruit that is seen. God's word says that He is love. So if God lives inside the believer then His love is going to be the first characteristic shown. God also says in the word that he who says he loves God but doesn't love his brother is a liar. Jesus tells us that they will know us by our love for one another.
But let someone do one thing wrong and you'll see an immediate reaction of anger and almost hatred toward that person. This attitude is expected of the world because they don't know God, but it is one that has crept into much of the Christians. How could this be possible? It could be because God is not in us. It could also be that we have fed the fleshly side of us so much instead of the spiritual side that it rules our thoughts and hearts. Either way, it's a sinful and dangerous place to be. Dangerous for the lost person because of dying without Christ and sinful to the child of God because it's not of God.
If we are supposed to be know by our fruit, and our main fruit is love, then how are you known today? Do you tell those around you that you love them until they mess up? If they come against you or do something contrary to you do you immediately pick up your imaginary gun in order to take them down like some kind of bad cowboy or indian?
The truth of it all is that God shouldn't have to tell us how to love if He dwells in us. Paul shouldn't have to preach a three-point message on why we should love one another if Jesus is our Savior. Adrian Rogers shouldn't need to do a sermon series on why we should love the brethren if the Holy Spirit is our guide.
So kindly put down that gun and pick up the Bible. Read how God loves you and how He lives inside and through the believer.
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
God tells us that love in the life of a Christian is everything. It's not something that comes later or secondary, but it is the very first fruit that is seen. God's word says that He is love. So if God lives inside the believer then His love is going to be the first characteristic shown. God also says in the word that he who says he loves God but doesn't love his brother is a liar. Jesus tells us that they will know us by our love for one another.
But let someone do one thing wrong and you'll see an immediate reaction of anger and almost hatred toward that person. This attitude is expected of the world because they don't know God, but it is one that has crept into much of the Christians. How could this be possible? It could be because God is not in us. It could also be that we have fed the fleshly side of us so much instead of the spiritual side that it rules our thoughts and hearts. Either way, it's a sinful and dangerous place to be. Dangerous for the lost person because of dying without Christ and sinful to the child of God because it's not of God.
If we are supposed to be know by our fruit, and our main fruit is love, then how are you known today? Do you tell those around you that you love them until they mess up? If they come against you or do something contrary to you do you immediately pick up your imaginary gun in order to take them down like some kind of bad cowboy or indian?
The truth of it all is that God shouldn't have to tell us how to love if He dwells in us. Paul shouldn't have to preach a three-point message on why we should love one another if Jesus is our Savior. Adrian Rogers shouldn't need to do a sermon series on why we should love the brethren if the Holy Spirit is our guide.
So kindly put down that gun and pick up the Bible. Read how God loves you and how He lives inside and through the believer.
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