Ecclesiastes 10:11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The old slithering serpent crawls upon his belly searching for the next thing to sink his teeth into. Some will tell you today to just leave them alone and they won't bother you. These are also the same ones who will tell you that a shark isn't looking at you as a piece of food. You were just in their territory and they didn't know what harm you would bring. Well don't worry about me swimming in their territory, they can have it. Hahaha.
Just like the snake that slithers and has a deadly bite without even provoking it, so bites the babbler. Thanks to social media and the Internet today we get to see these babblers. It's kinda like going to the zoo and beholding animals that you normally wouldn't see because they hide in the cover of the wild. Well now thanks to technology we can see the ever present babbler. Tucked away in a room with a computer or tablet, they search for food. Scanning news articles and posts from those who are happy and peaceful. Then without notice.... Pow! The babbler strikes. Injecting their venom of bitterness and hatred. Pumping into all that have been bitten the poison of lies.
What does the babbler look like you say? They come in all forms. Some wear stunning clothing with detailed makeup stripes, while others could be so friendly and seem so tame that they could be sitting right beside you and you never know it until the day your struck. What can we do about the babbler? The Bible says to rebuke the gainsayer. To flee from wickedness. We should avoid the babbler at all costs. It is a snake that can't be held or toyed with. If you do see one, point it out to others and stay away or they could bite you.
The worse part of it all is that they don't kill you as some normal snakes, no they inject you with their disease. Their bitterness becomes yours, their anger and lies become the things you spew out to others. Before long you begin to grow fangs and search for someone to inject. No, you don't want any part with the babbler. Watch out because they could be anywhere... News, radio, facebook, twitter, church, work, home and the most deadliest place...in you. If you have been bit, ask Christ today for the remedy. Ask for forgiveness and allow Him to inject into you His peace, mercy, longsuffering and joy.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Eight Minutes of Fireworks
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Don't you just love watching the firework shows during our Independence Day celebrations? The other day our church celebrated it together. We had hot dogs, drinks, chips, etc... We had football and fellowship. But our first thing was having prayer time together. We gathered around the local ball field and prayed for our churches, community and our country. Seeking God together and calling upon His name. Then the time came... Fireworks!
This was the first time that we had a celebration firework show together. It was great! As the song, "Let Freedom Ring" was playing those fireworks were zooming into the air and exploding with a loud bang. The lights that came from the fiery explosions were beautiful with color. One after another the fireworks exploded and you could hear the children, and some of the adults, ooohhhing and aaahhhhing. It put everyone into excitement. It is a reminder of those who have fought for our freedoms and the privilege to pray for our soldiers today. At the end of it all everyone clapped and yelled in enthusiasm.
This got me to thinking of this scripture. We read about the grass withering and the flowers fading. During this time of year in Alabama we cut our lawns only to have that summer shower hit it in the evening hours and by the next morning the grass has shot up two inches. Just like those fireworks, some that are professing Christ today are jumping up in excitement ready to explode and after they do.......... nothing. In eight minutes the firework show was over. Excitement and explosion for eight minutes and then nothing. Have you ever seen a firework explode and then light it again to do the same thing? No. Have you ever lit a match, blow it out, and then light it again? No. It only does it once. The same with the fireworks.
God has not called us to be firework Christians. No, He has called you to be a light unto the world. Think of the stars... Everyone wants to be the shooting star, but what about the star that just continually gives off its light? Don't pray that God make you a firework that is exciting and filled with explosive enthusiasm this morning. Pray that God make you a light in a dark world. Pray to be the consistent star that shines glory unto God. Why? Because grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of God will stand forever. Fireworks explode, stars shoot, but a true Child of God shines forever.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Don't you just love watching the firework shows during our Independence Day celebrations? The other day our church celebrated it together. We had hot dogs, drinks, chips, etc... We had football and fellowship. But our first thing was having prayer time together. We gathered around the local ball field and prayed for our churches, community and our country. Seeking God together and calling upon His name. Then the time came... Fireworks!
This was the first time that we had a celebration firework show together. It was great! As the song, "Let Freedom Ring" was playing those fireworks were zooming into the air and exploding with a loud bang. The lights that came from the fiery explosions were beautiful with color. One after another the fireworks exploded and you could hear the children, and some of the adults, ooohhhing and aaahhhhing. It put everyone into excitement. It is a reminder of those who have fought for our freedoms and the privilege to pray for our soldiers today. At the end of it all everyone clapped and yelled in enthusiasm.
This got me to thinking of this scripture. We read about the grass withering and the flowers fading. During this time of year in Alabama we cut our lawns only to have that summer shower hit it in the evening hours and by the next morning the grass has shot up two inches. Just like those fireworks, some that are professing Christ today are jumping up in excitement ready to explode and after they do.......... nothing. In eight minutes the firework show was over. Excitement and explosion for eight minutes and then nothing. Have you ever seen a firework explode and then light it again to do the same thing? No. Have you ever lit a match, blow it out, and then light it again? No. It only does it once. The same with the fireworks.
God has not called us to be firework Christians. No, He has called you to be a light unto the world. Think of the stars... Everyone wants to be the shooting star, but what about the star that just continually gives off its light? Don't pray that God make you a firework that is exciting and filled with explosive enthusiasm this morning. Pray that God make you a light in a dark world. Pray to be the consistent star that shines glory unto God. Why? Because grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of God will stand forever. Fireworks explode, stars shoot, but a true Child of God shines forever.
Monday, July 24, 2017
You Should Know Better!
Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Over and over we have heard this statement at one time or another. You are probably like me and heard it when you were young. We never really hear it around those who have young babies and we hardly ever hear it around people that have no children. But we do begin to hear it around those with five, six, seven year old's and especially around those who have teenagers. We say, "You should have known better than to do something like this..." It's almost a common reaction.
But how many times have you found yourself saying that and then having to think about it for a moment? I've said it to my own and then thought about it. They really didn't know what to do or how to do something. They really didn't know better. I remember when I was a kid and my dad saying the same statement to me and I thought the same thing. I really didn't know it was the wrong way.
Well let me get to the point. I hear this said a lot of times today. It is usually pointed in the direction of people who are in sin. The Christians say, "They should know better". Let me say this, if that person is a Christian then the Spirit will reveal sin unto them and most of the time they should know better. But that also depends on how deep their roots are in the Word of God. But to address this statement to the world and the lost in it is wrong. People are looking at the government saying, "They should know better." Looking in the prisons and saying, "You should know better." Looking at the lost in sin telling them that they should know better. How? How can they know better without knowing Christ?
Jesus looked upon those same people like we do today. He looked at the government (Pilate, Herod), He looked at the jailed (Barabbas), He looked at the law enforcers (Roman soldiers), He looked at the adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, abusers, liars, etc... Then He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." He didn't say, "You all should know better". He told that to the Pharisee's and religious leaders.
Now I'm pretty sure that these people then and today know exactly what their sinful pleasure is. I had no problem realizing mine when I was lost in them. So try something with me today and forever. Point out Christ to people first and let Him deal with the sin and then if they trust in Him as Savior help them to grow in the Word of God unto holiness through Him. The truth is they don't know any better because Satan has them convinced that his way is the best and some of them are convinced that his way is the only way of life for them. Go out and show them today the Savior whose name is Jesus!
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Over and over we have heard this statement at one time or another. You are probably like me and heard it when you were young. We never really hear it around those who have young babies and we hardly ever hear it around people that have no children. But we do begin to hear it around those with five, six, seven year old's and especially around those who have teenagers. We say, "You should have known better than to do something like this..." It's almost a common reaction.
But how many times have you found yourself saying that and then having to think about it for a moment? I've said it to my own and then thought about it. They really didn't know what to do or how to do something. They really didn't know better. I remember when I was a kid and my dad saying the same statement to me and I thought the same thing. I really didn't know it was the wrong way.
Well let me get to the point. I hear this said a lot of times today. It is usually pointed in the direction of people who are in sin. The Christians say, "They should know better". Let me say this, if that person is a Christian then the Spirit will reveal sin unto them and most of the time they should know better. But that also depends on how deep their roots are in the Word of God. But to address this statement to the world and the lost in it is wrong. People are looking at the government saying, "They should know better." Looking in the prisons and saying, "You should know better." Looking at the lost in sin telling them that they should know better. How? How can they know better without knowing Christ?
Jesus looked upon those same people like we do today. He looked at the government (Pilate, Herod), He looked at the jailed (Barabbas), He looked at the law enforcers (Roman soldiers), He looked at the adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, abusers, liars, etc... Then He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." He didn't say, "You all should know better". He told that to the Pharisee's and religious leaders.
Now I'm pretty sure that these people then and today know exactly what their sinful pleasure is. I had no problem realizing mine when I was lost in them. So try something with me today and forever. Point out Christ to people first and let Him deal with the sin and then if they trust in Him as Savior help them to grow in the Word of God unto holiness through Him. The truth is they don't know any better because Satan has them convinced that his way is the best and some of them are convinced that his way is the only way of life for them. Go out and show them today the Savior whose name is Jesus!
Thursday, July 20, 2017
All in Moderation
Philippians 4:1-5
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Before you give up on these scriptures because of the hard names this morning, read them again. You really don't want to miss out on the message that is within them. It is something needed more today than ever before. There is a huge battle between the flesh and spirit of a Christian in our days. We know that we must take a stand for truth and Christ being the only way to heaven while at the same time being gracious and merciful like He would be. So how do we do this? Look at what these passages say. Let's start with the last one.
He tells us that our moderation must be known unto all men. Moderation is not having respect for one person over another. Moderation is having self-control, fairness, balance or restraint. It is beholding the filthiness of sin but looking at the value of that soul to God. First of all this scripture is not, nor any other scripture in the Bible, telling us to accept sin and that everything is okay in moderation because it surely is not. This scripture is teaching us that to have grace upon the good and not upon the ungodly is wrong and sinful. We must treat all people with value and grace. "...be known unto ALL men." is what the scripture says.
So you may be asking... How can we be graceful and moderate while standing upon the Word of God? It's in the way you ask. See we stand UPON the Word of God! Too many today think that it's all about standing UP for the Word of God. Can I tell you that the Bible says that Heaven and Earth will pass away but His words will stand forever? Our mission and goal in Christian life is to stand UPON the Word of God. This means to live according to the scriptures in everything. Our greatest tool that we have as Christians is called a testimony. Testimony is not what you say you are, it is what you live before others.
Lastly, look at what the scriptures said. "...stand fast in the Lord, ...be of the same mind in the Lord, ...rejoice in the Lord, ...The Lord is at hand." Surrounding this scripture of moderation and grace we see that we can accomplish this how? IN THE LORD. Will you go out this morning and stand IN the Lord and UPON His Word? Come on, let's do it.
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Before you give up on these scriptures because of the hard names this morning, read them again. You really don't want to miss out on the message that is within them. It is something needed more today than ever before. There is a huge battle between the flesh and spirit of a Christian in our days. We know that we must take a stand for truth and Christ being the only way to heaven while at the same time being gracious and merciful like He would be. So how do we do this? Look at what these passages say. Let's start with the last one.
He tells us that our moderation must be known unto all men. Moderation is not having respect for one person over another. Moderation is having self-control, fairness, balance or restraint. It is beholding the filthiness of sin but looking at the value of that soul to God. First of all this scripture is not, nor any other scripture in the Bible, telling us to accept sin and that everything is okay in moderation because it surely is not. This scripture is teaching us that to have grace upon the good and not upon the ungodly is wrong and sinful. We must treat all people with value and grace. "...be known unto ALL men." is what the scripture says.
So you may be asking... How can we be graceful and moderate while standing upon the Word of God? It's in the way you ask. See we stand UPON the Word of God! Too many today think that it's all about standing UP for the Word of God. Can I tell you that the Bible says that Heaven and Earth will pass away but His words will stand forever? Our mission and goal in Christian life is to stand UPON the Word of God. This means to live according to the scriptures in everything. Our greatest tool that we have as Christians is called a testimony. Testimony is not what you say you are, it is what you live before others.
Lastly, look at what the scriptures said. "...stand fast in the Lord, ...be of the same mind in the Lord, ...rejoice in the Lord, ...The Lord is at hand." Surrounding this scripture of moderation and grace we see that we can accomplish this how? IN THE LORD. Will you go out this morning and stand IN the Lord and UPON His Word? Come on, let's do it.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Take Hold of the Reins
Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Earlier in these scriptures they tell us that that a dead man is free from sin. In the grave there is no sinning. No works of evil. God says we that have been buried in Christ are also now dead to sin. Our desire to sin should be dead and in the grave. Now you may say that we all still mess up and fall to sin sometimes even when we are in Christ and that is true. A Christian can fall to sin. They can backslide and venture off of the right path tempted by their own lusts into sin.
What about the person who continues to sin even though they know it is wrong? This is very dangerous ground. To continue in sin and sin willingly over and over should cause for an examination of your salvation. We, who are dead to sin, should no longer live in sin. So how could this happen? Because we allow sin to come in. We allow the door to be open and it walks right into our lives and takes control. Before long sin reigns in the mortal body. It takes a front row seat in our flesh.
Sin loves the flesh, the mortal body. So we must take back the reins. If you allow the fall to sin to have the reins or control then it will no longer be a fall to sin. It will be wallowing in sin. It will be living in sin. Remember a Christian can't live any longer in sin. You're dead to it. The desire to sin is buried in Christ. So take the reins today and don't let failures become a lifestyle. If it is your lifestyle, then you need a new life in Jesus. If it is a failure then pray for the forgiveness of God and continue walking in Christ.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Earlier in these scriptures they tell us that that a dead man is free from sin. In the grave there is no sinning. No works of evil. God says we that have been buried in Christ are also now dead to sin. Our desire to sin should be dead and in the grave. Now you may say that we all still mess up and fall to sin sometimes even when we are in Christ and that is true. A Christian can fall to sin. They can backslide and venture off of the right path tempted by their own lusts into sin.
What about the person who continues to sin even though they know it is wrong? This is very dangerous ground. To continue in sin and sin willingly over and over should cause for an examination of your salvation. We, who are dead to sin, should no longer live in sin. So how could this happen? Because we allow sin to come in. We allow the door to be open and it walks right into our lives and takes control. Before long sin reigns in the mortal body. It takes a front row seat in our flesh.
Sin loves the flesh, the mortal body. So we must take back the reins. If you allow the fall to sin to have the reins or control then it will no longer be a fall to sin. It will be wallowing in sin. It will be living in sin. Remember a Christian can't live any longer in sin. You're dead to it. The desire to sin is buried in Christ. So take the reins today and don't let failures become a lifestyle. If it is your lifestyle, then you need a new life in Jesus. If it is a failure then pray for the forgiveness of God and continue walking in Christ.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Rest of My Time
1 Peter 4:2
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
I can't even put into words the person that I used to be. It seems as if that was not even me. My life before Christ was one filled with sin so much that I don't even like talking about that person at all. Many people have told me that I should never forget who I was before Christ and I understand their words. But if there were things that I wanted to erase from my memory it would be the days I took the Lord's name in vain. With tears today I tell you that the words that came from my mouth were so wicked. The actions of that person were vile. My heart still breaks today because I drown myself in the sins of sex, alcohol, fighting, cursing. I was so messed up by sin. Peace was something that I could never find. It breaks my heart! I cry and weep always because of that person. Not because I'm not forgiven and not because I struggle with it today, but because I never wanted to be that person. I was so lost without Christ. I was so close to death without Him.
When Christ saved me, this scripture came to me. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." No longer seeking the desire of my flesh. NO longer sleeping around! NO longer drinking it up! NO longer cussing like a sailor! NO longer fighting to prove my manliness! But now and forever living for the will of God.
God, my soul cries out to you this morning! Thank you for saving me. Thank you for your forgiveness. You never said that I had gone too far. You never said that you could forgive me of everything except... No you forgave it all. You died for it all. God, I feel your presence in my life right now. You took a vile sinner and made him clean and new. You took someone who loved his flesh and now leads him to walk in your will. Will you please do the same for my friends who are reading this right now? Help them to no longer live in the flesh, because if they do they will die in the flesh. But help them now to decide to walk in your will so that when you call them home they will go home in your will and in your arms.
Sing with me this morning before you head out to work...
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
I can't even put into words the person that I used to be. It seems as if that was not even me. My life before Christ was one filled with sin so much that I don't even like talking about that person at all. Many people have told me that I should never forget who I was before Christ and I understand their words. But if there were things that I wanted to erase from my memory it would be the days I took the Lord's name in vain. With tears today I tell you that the words that came from my mouth were so wicked. The actions of that person were vile. My heart still breaks today because I drown myself in the sins of sex, alcohol, fighting, cursing. I was so messed up by sin. Peace was something that I could never find. It breaks my heart! I cry and weep always because of that person. Not because I'm not forgiven and not because I struggle with it today, but because I never wanted to be that person. I was so lost without Christ. I was so close to death without Him.
When Christ saved me, this scripture came to me. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." No longer seeking the desire of my flesh. NO longer sleeping around! NO longer drinking it up! NO longer cussing like a sailor! NO longer fighting to prove my manliness! But now and forever living for the will of God.
God, my soul cries out to you this morning! Thank you for saving me. Thank you for your forgiveness. You never said that I had gone too far. You never said that you could forgive me of everything except... No you forgave it all. You died for it all. God, I feel your presence in my life right now. You took a vile sinner and made him clean and new. You took someone who loved his flesh and now leads him to walk in your will. Will you please do the same for my friends who are reading this right now? Help them to no longer live in the flesh, because if they do they will die in the flesh. But help them now to decide to walk in your will so that when you call them home they will go home in your will and in your arms.
Sing with me this morning before you head out to work...
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Monday, July 17, 2017
Locker Room Talk
Psalms 52:1
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
When I was growing up as a teenager I remember the "locker room" talk. Guys would be together competing over one another's weekend stories. One would tell what they did that weekend and the other would chime in and boast of his being greater. Story after story and boasting upon boasting would take place. I remember some of those very talks. Like the one about.... Hahaha nope, I ain't telling that junk.
I still see this happening today. The locker room talk among the people. Why do we do this? Why are we so tempted to boast about mischief? Makes us look tough doesn't it? Let me say also, it's not just the men. No, no, no it's the women also. Tale after tale and mostly lie after lie come from these conversations. Making themselves look great and mighty.
What is the fruit of it all? Boasting in mischief or sin will lead to disappointment and discouragement. There is an old song that I love and the words go something like this...
I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I would be what I wanted to be.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without you holding my hand.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
When I was growing up as a teenager I remember the "locker room" talk. Guys would be together competing over one another's weekend stories. One would tell what they did that weekend and the other would chime in and boast of his being greater. Story after story and boasting upon boasting would take place. I remember some of those very talks. Like the one about.... Hahaha nope, I ain't telling that junk.
I still see this happening today. The locker room talk among the people. Why do we do this? Why are we so tempted to boast about mischief? Makes us look tough doesn't it? Let me say also, it's not just the men. No, no, no it's the women also. Tale after tale and mostly lie after lie come from these conversations. Making themselves look great and mighty.
What is the fruit of it all? Boasting in mischief or sin will lead to disappointment and discouragement. There is an old song that I love and the words go something like this...
I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I would be what I wanted to be.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without you holding my hand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)