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. 

My Best Friend

Matthew 26:50

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

As I think on this scripture this morning it makes me humble. So many times I have looked at Judas as a horrible Benedict Arnold. He betrayed Jesus!  Not only did he betray Jesus, but he did it with a kiss. He actually kissed the face of God with evil in his heart. We know what happened with Judas also. He hanged himself. 

But what makes me humble and broken about this message is the fact of how Jesus greeted him. Jesus knew why Judas had come!  He knew who it was that would betray him. He told them in great detail at the supper so that Judas was revealed. Jesus knew when he was walking toward him with his lips drawn together and before they touched his face why Judas was there. But look at what He said to him..."Friend, wherefore art thou come?"  Oh, the message in this today!

Jesus knowing who Judas was, greeted him with the term friend. How can this be? God hates sin! But God LOVES the sinner much more!  Even though Judas never repented of his sins and took his own life, because scripture says he repented of himself and not to God, that doesn't mean he didn't have an opportunity. He had a friend, His name is Jesus.

Through all my failures and sin, Jesus has remained my friend. Although I've not been the greatest friend to Him, He's always been my best friend.  No matter what you've done, you can have a friendship with Jesus. Is He your best friend?

The Legend of Faith

Luke 17:5

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

In the 1980's a video game system came out called Nintendo. I remember when my buddy up the road got the first system. There was such hype about it. We would stay up all night long playing games like Super Mario Brothers, Excitebike, and others. But I remember one game very well. It was called, "The Legend of Zelda". It was a fantasy game where you had to rescue the princess. This was, and still is, my favorite game of all. 

In this game you could build your weaponry and strength. You had to fight different levels with different bosses at the end of each level. At some levels you couldn't even open the doors to get to the bosses unless you had reached a certain status in your arsenal. I can remember having to buy arrows, potions, and food. I remember mostly having to build your shield strength by purchasing a greater shield. But if you fought a certain enemy it could actually eat your shield and you would have to save more money to purchase the bigger one again. I had to do this so many times!  Grrrrr!

Well as I read today's scripture it takes me back to that little television, playing that crazy game. So many times I allow the enemy to attack my faith. At times even trying to swallow it up. But I'm so glad I don't have to save up for a greater shield. The payment for my faith has already been paid!  I don't pay up, but I pray up!  

Dear Jesus, please increase my shield of faith. When the enemy tries to devour me, remind me that he must go through you. When he tries to steal my faith, remind me that it's your blood that paid for it. I know perfectly that it's not a game when dealing with faith, but thank you Lord for teaching me lessons in the smallest things. I love you!