It's a Bird. It's a Plane. No it's a Christian!

Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

In the early church days there was a competition between the circumcision and uncircumcision believers. The circumcised Jews were claiming to have a better walk with God because of the keeping of the law. While the uncircumcised Gentiles were standing in God's grace and mercy. Both seemed to go to the extreme of placing themselves into a greater position with God, when the truth of it all was that we all stand level at the foot of the cross.

God tells us that circumcision or uncircumcision doesn't make you a believer. Having this done or not is not the issue of being a believer. It is being a new creature. A new creation in Christ Jesus. Having old things pass away in your life and becoming new. Being different because of what Jesus has done in your life and true repentance taking place. A spiritual circumcision of the heart more so than the flesh.

Christianity is based on being different! You go from being lost to being saved, that is different. You go from blind to seeing, that is different. You go from wretched to born again, that is different. You move from sin to sanctification, that is different. Being different has nothing to do with being better than others. It's not how you are to others but the difference that is seen is before God. Changed! I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

A problem among professing Christians today is that they declare they are different but in actions they aren't. Some still talk the same, live the same, sleep around the same, use alcohol/drugs the same, still act the same, still gossip the same... and wonder why they aren't making a difference in the lives of others with the Gospel. It's because you can't make a difference until you are different. Let me say that again, YOU CAN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE UNTIL YOU ARE DIFFERENT. You can tell me that you are Superman all day long, but until I see you flying through the sky with a cap flapping behind you... it makes no difference to me. You'll still just be Clark Kent with glasses and a suitcase. Some of us need to find a phone booth, or better yet, an altar. Be different. Be like Jesus.

Like a Corkscrew

Philippians 2:15-16
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

I remember once my dad told me that some of those people in leadership were so crooked you would have to screw them in the ground when they die. I know it's funny, but there is some truth to that statement also. This world we live in, and the people who are of it, are crooked and perverse. The Bible tells us that we live in a crooked and perverse world but let's look at the full scripture this morning and see what we should do.

First of all He tells us to be blameless, harmless and without rebuke. How can we say that this world is crooked if we are doing the exact same thing? We must be blameless but many have traded this quality for shameless. He says also to be harmless. This doesn't mean ineffective, but to the point of not even wanting to be blamed. We must live above reproach so that we can be without rebuke. Not in perfection of body, but spiritual maturity and striving to honor God in all things.

He says we must shine as lights in the world. This world is dark and crooked, so if we are ever to be an example we must shine and walk in Christ. We can do that by "holding forth the word of life".

When we are walking among the crooked, hold on to God's Word. When we are walking among the perverse and sinful world, stand upon God's Word of life. The salvation that we have must shine unto others. You sure don't want people to say that you remind them of a corkscrew.

Now that's a Taco!!!

1 Corinthians 15:9-11

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

This man of God tells us that he is the least of all the apostles. He even feels like he's not worthy to be called an apostle. We know this man as Paul who used to be called Saul. In the beginning of his life he persecuted the church and had many Christians cast out or even killed. This was probably a constant reminder of who he used to be, which kept him humble. 

Sometimes the greatest characteristic we can have is humility. Many today feel that they are entitled or that they deserve the position that Christ has given them. There is ABSOLUTLEY no way that this attitude is from Jesus Christ. Pride is a fleshly characteristic and God will not use selfish pride. Notice what Paul says is key for him... Grace!  "By the Grace of God I am what I am..." 

Often I have told people about my past. I don't like discussing my past with people because of what I used to do and the person I used to be. My youth and teenage years are ones that I would love to erase at times. Everyone that I knew back then, and even now, called me by my nickname Taco. Principals, teachers, coaches and friends all called me this. I worked so hard at building an image of Mr. Tough guy, Mr. Popular and Mr. Fun. I hurt so many people and especially myself. 

The things that I did bring so much shame into my mind. Things I said, things I did, unholy things that I never want to remember seem to never leave my mind. Through Jesus' blood and forgiveness these sins are not held against me anymore! They are forgiven by Jesus and even the people I did those things with have forgiven me. I don't wear them as burdens of sin, but rather memories for humbleness. You see, I can't forget those things even though I am forgiven of them all and Christ will not hold them against me. They don't bring me down, they keep me humble. It is a forever reminder of God's Grace. Of all the people Jesus could have used to preach His Gospel, why would He use a boy like Taco? The answer...? Grace!  Oh, it humbles me! Grace reminds me this morning that I am what I am because He is who He is! Thank you Jesus for loving us so!

Nothing like a good seasoned Taco, especially when it's His Grace. 

Lord, I Can't Take Anything Else

Mark 16:3-4
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Have you ever found yourself like these women? Think about what they have experienced for the last few days of their lives. Their Savior has been captured by Jewish leaders and crucified by the Roman soldiers. Their hope is almost diminished to the point of no existence. The grief of sorrow and loneliness has crept its way into their hearts. For the last few days they have probably tried to eat something but then lose appetite when they think of what Christ Jesus endured. It's almost as if you took their joy-filled heart and stomped on it.

Now read as they are walking early in the morning to anoint the body of Jesus with the spices and they find that they have another problem. One woman, who was already tired and grieving because of His death, sees another obstacle. She says, "Who is going to roll the stone away from the door?" Of all the things that they could have talked about, it was one more problem. It was one more obstacle. But Praise the Lord, the stone was rolled away when they got there.

Maybe you are at the point where you think, "Lord I can't take anything else." Only to wake up and find out that you have one more problem. What if you trusted in Jesus today and find out that when you come to the problem He has solved it already? Trust and obey Him. Trusting involves you leaning not on what you think should happen but leaning totally upon Him. What these women thought was going to be one more problem turned out to be the greatest blessing ever. A huge stone door turned out to be one, big, empty tomb!!!

Can't Compare

Colossians 3:2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Stop this morning and think of all the pleasures in this life. I can name many of them. First of all, kissing my wife. Yep, that's right! There ain't nothing wrong with it either. Second, spending time with my boys, Andrew and Jacob. Watching them grow up into the men of God that they need to be is one of my greatest pleasures. There are also other things about this life that give me pleasure. Like going fishing, riding in a boat or airplane, sitting by the river in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I could honestly go on and on about this life and its pleasures. I'm so thankful for this world. I am thankful for my country in which I live. I wouldn't want to live any other place. I'm thankful for the state of Alabama. We have some of the greatest treasures right here within our state.We have mountains to the north, beaches to the south, and fishing holes to the east and west of us. 

But even as I think of all that this world, nation, and state have to offer me it can't compare to Jesus. Listen to me closely on this... Even with all the pleasure that my wife and sons give me in being a part of their lives, it can't fully compare to Jesus. The relationship that I have with my wife is a beautiful example of the love of Jesus. It is a reflection of Christ, but not Him. The relationship with my sons is the image of my Heavenly Father and me, but it's still a picture. All the things that they have done for me and the love that they show me everyday still can't fully compare to Jesus and what He has done for me.

Sure, you and I could live out the rest of our days with fishing on the lake or with family in the mountains and think we have it made in the shade. The truth of it all would still be if the only pleasure, or the only hope that we had was limited to this earth and its pleasures it brings, we would be miserable. To live with family and fun our whole life and to die without hope in Christ would be misery. A misery of eternal Hell where there will be no hope, no pleasure, no peace. 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Remember Art Linkletter?  He hosted a show called, "Kids say the darndest things" back in the late 90's. He brought out the truth in children. It was such a funny series. Some of the children were really shy, and some had no problem in front of a microphone. An amazing thing was how these children would open up and share the truth of the stories the only way they knew how. 

I wonder how many of these children were afraid to go on to a stage with someone they didn't know.  I wonder if some of them would cry or tell their parents that they didn't want to do it. Maybe they thought they were too little at times. 

Well, Jeremiah says those same words. He tells The Lord that he is just a child. He is trying to tell God that he can't do it but God is telling him that he can do it. God tells him that He has called him and what He calls him to do, He will equip him him to do. The Lord reminds Jeremiah that he's not just a child, but that he is a child of God. 

This morning stop being shy, being afraid, and thinking you're a child. Stand up, go out and be that child of God He has called you to be. You will find out that His kids can say some amazing things. Just speak the truth in the love of Christ! 

Jeremiah 1:7-10

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

A Perfect Example

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Thank you Lord for the examples I've had, and have, in my life! I've had some good ones, bad ones and great ones. One of my every day prayers is to be an example unto others. I want nothing more than to be an example of a believer in Christ. In every word I speak. In every conversation I have. Through love, Spirit, faith and purity.

The night that God begin to draw me He showed me something in my life. He revealed what kind of example I was to others. Although I had friends, I was taking them to Hell with me. It really got next to me that night. I was lost in sin and headed to Hell and the whole time being an example to others that would potentially follow me. That shook me to my soul.

Even today, this morning, as I write this it shakes my soul to think of what kind of example I am to others. Especially to those that don't know Jesus. What if my actions as a Christian were their last examples of Christ in their lives? What if they were depending upon me to show them an example of Jesus?

Some try to be like preachers, other Christians, moms, dads, siblings or great people. Be the example of Jesus. That's who they need to see. If they see me, they will find fault. If they see the greats, they will find fault. But if they see Jesus in your example of Him they can find no fault.

Lord I wanna be just like you!