2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
I can remember getting my driver's licence when I turned sixteen. I had never carried a wallet around very much until this day. Oh, I had wallets in my time, but I always lost them. I could never seem to keep up with them because I was not used to having a wallet in my pocket. Most of the time I would put my money and licence in my front pocket because I knew that there was a potential losing my wallet.
You know it could have been because I never really had anything in those wallets as a kid. Mom would always put a dollar in there, but if there was ever any money in my wallet it didn't take me long to spend it. (right now my wife and parents are somewhere reading this shaking their heads yes) But when I received my driver's licence things seemed to change. Then as I grew older I got a checking account and a debit card was inserted into my wallet. More reason to not lose it. After I graduated high school I began to carry around my social security card. These were all valuable things placed in my wallet, but the ones that took priority in those days to be most prized possessions was my fishing licence and a picture of my girlfriend. If I lost my wallet I would lose all the valuable things that was inside. I had slowly placed things of importance into this wallet to where it became a valued possession to me.
God tells us this morning to "stand fast, and hold" onto the truths that we have been taught. When so many today are turning back on what the truth is, or what they have held so long as the truth, it's almost like we have lost or wallets with all of its contents. We can't drive because we have no licence. We can't vote because we have no identification. One of the biggest problems, we can't fish because we lost our licence in our wallets. Another great tragedy is that we can't prove that we have a girlfriend because we lost the picture of her and the love comments that were written on the back.
Can I encourage you today to stand fast! Hold on the the Word of God that you have been taught. Slowly over the years God has placed important doctrine and foundational truths into you through the Bible. No matter if anyone wants to hear it, believe it, or people decide not to stand fast in it... You hold on to your Bible as if it was your wallet because the truths in it are much more valuable than any old fishing licence.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
At first it seems necessary and common, but then it can't get out of control and do much damage. All you need is a spark and a little wind. You could have a multi-billion dollar catastrophe on your hands. Some of the worst fires started as someone who threw a small cigarette or match out of the car window.
Anger can consume you like a fire and not just any fire, one that will destroy homes and lives if possible. Anger in our lives is a continual stirring. Stir, stir, stir... The whole time we grit our teeth and finally become a wild raging fire of anger. Eventually it becomes so hot and overwhelming that we move from a one alarm fire to a three alarm fire. The flames of anger are raging in our hearts.
Then we become the furious man that scripture speaks of. It says we then begin to abound in transgression. It is just moments away after the spark. More and more it will grow, hotter and hotter, higher and higher!
What can we do about it? I can't help it when I get mad Steve! You're right. I can't either. There are things that happen to me daily that get my blood to boiling or my fires sparked. How do we handle it? We responded instead of reacting. We pray instead of pouncing. I remember one slogan in my life... It came from a big bear. He said, "Only you can prevent forest fires." He taught us to soak it with water, then to stir it with a stick and then soak it again. What if you were to saturate your anger with the Holy Spirit? What if you stirred it with the Word of God? Then lastly soaked and bathed it in prayer? It's up to you... Cause only you can prevent anger fires.
An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
At first it seems necessary and common, but then it can't get out of control and do much damage. All you need is a spark and a little wind. You could have a multi-billion dollar catastrophe on your hands. Some of the worst fires started as someone who threw a small cigarette or match out of the car window.
Anger can consume you like a fire and not just any fire, one that will destroy homes and lives if possible. Anger in our lives is a continual stirring. Stir, stir, stir... The whole time we grit our teeth and finally become a wild raging fire of anger. Eventually it becomes so hot and overwhelming that we move from a one alarm fire to a three alarm fire. The flames of anger are raging in our hearts.
Then we become the furious man that scripture speaks of. It says we then begin to abound in transgression. It is just moments away after the spark. More and more it will grow, hotter and hotter, higher and higher!
What can we do about it? I can't help it when I get mad Steve! You're right. I can't either. There are things that happen to me daily that get my blood to boiling or my fires sparked. How do we handle it? We responded instead of reacting. We pray instead of pouncing. I remember one slogan in my life... It came from a big bear. He said, "Only you can prevent forest fires." He taught us to soak it with water, then to stir it with a stick and then soak it again. What if you were to saturate your anger with the Holy Spirit? What if you stirred it with the Word of God? Then lastly soaked and bathed it in prayer? It's up to you... Cause only you can prevent anger fires.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
A Bad Connection
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Don't you hate it when you are trying to talk on the cell phone and you are fully into a story when all of the sudden...click? Or worse than that, what about when you are listening and it sounds like the person who is talking is underwater? A bad connection or bad cell signal is the problem. It could be the mountains that are blocking the signal or just the fact that there aren't any cell towers near by. It really could be a host of things that are causing you not to carry on with your gossip, sorry I mean conversation.
The scriptures tell us this morning that in that same manner our prayers can be hindered. First of all the number one thing that will hinder our prayers is sin. The Bible tells us in other areas that if we hold sin in our heart that the Lord will not hear us. It also says that blessed is the man who confesses his sins and not covers them. If we aren't willing to seek and ask for forgiveness in our prayers to God then why would there be any need for continuing in prayer?
But look at what the scripture this morning points out. If we aren't right with our spouse our prayers will be hindered. What? You mean that our prayers are not getting through to God if we are at division with our spouses? Yep! Just as well as with your brother or sister also. Jesus once told them about a man who brought his gift (prayers, offering) unto the Lord and had ought or division with his brother. What did Jesus say? Leave your gift, go and reconcile with your brother and then come back and offer your gift.
Could it be that your prayers have been reduced to "moments of silence" in more ways than you know? How can we pray and talk to God who we have never seen and be at war with our brother, sister, or spouse that we have and do see? It could be that you have a bad connection. Seek every way possible today to get the line fixed. It starts with confession and always leads to forgiveness.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Don't you hate it when you are trying to talk on the cell phone and you are fully into a story when all of the sudden...click? Or worse than that, what about when you are listening and it sounds like the person who is talking is underwater? A bad connection or bad cell signal is the problem. It could be the mountains that are blocking the signal or just the fact that there aren't any cell towers near by. It really could be a host of things that are causing you not to carry on with your gossip, sorry I mean conversation.
The scriptures tell us this morning that in that same manner our prayers can be hindered. First of all the number one thing that will hinder our prayers is sin. The Bible tells us in other areas that if we hold sin in our heart that the Lord will not hear us. It also says that blessed is the man who confesses his sins and not covers them. If we aren't willing to seek and ask for forgiveness in our prayers to God then why would there be any need for continuing in prayer?
But look at what the scripture this morning points out. If we aren't right with our spouse our prayers will be hindered. What? You mean that our prayers are not getting through to God if we are at division with our spouses? Yep! Just as well as with your brother or sister also. Jesus once told them about a man who brought his gift (prayers, offering) unto the Lord and had ought or division with his brother. What did Jesus say? Leave your gift, go and reconcile with your brother and then come back and offer your gift.
Could it be that your prayers have been reduced to "moments of silence" in more ways than you know? How can we pray and talk to God who we have never seen and be at war with our brother, sister, or spouse that we have and do see? It could be that you have a bad connection. Seek every way possible today to get the line fixed. It starts with confession and always leads to forgiveness.
Monday, May 15, 2017
"Not Even God Himself Can Sink This Ship"
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
On the night that the Titanic was to make its voyage a woman named Mrs. Albert Caldwell overheard a worker on the ship say to a passenger, "Not even God himself can sink this ship". Wow, what a bold and pride-filled statement!
Pride makes someone think that they stand on their own. It is the sin of all sins. It is the very sin that brought Satan to Hell as well as many others who have chosen to follow its guide. Pride is believing that you are the answer within instead of seeking an answer of truth without. Look at what God says about pride. He tells them, through the prophet Obadiah, that the pride of their heart has deceived them. The people of Edom were filled with evil pride. They thought that because of their location, numbers and long running history that they would never fall victim to defeat. Their pride was flowing through every person living among them. "No one can defeat us!" is their chant. "Who shall bring me down to the ground?" were their claims.
The people of Edom were descendants of Esau. They lived among the desert caves in Petra. The people of Edom carved out homes and temples in the sandstone mountains and dwelt high above the valley. They thought much of their position and claimed that they would never be destroyed or brought to the valley low. The Medes, Persians and Greeks had all came and gone, but they were still here. No one could sink us! But God told Obadiah to let them know that humility was coming their way. He said make sure they understand that the pride of their heart is deceiving them.
The claim of the Titanic worker was literally drowned out by the cries of those in the water freezing to death. I'm concerned that America has gotten to this point as well. Our claims of victory and stance as a Nation are filled with pride. Not the pride in being honorable or working with pride in your work, but claiming to stand without the Grace of Our God. Not remembering that we are blessed because we serve the only God. Lord help us to remember today that we stand as a Nation because you hung on a cross.
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
On the night that the Titanic was to make its voyage a woman named Mrs. Albert Caldwell overheard a worker on the ship say to a passenger, "Not even God himself can sink this ship". Wow, what a bold and pride-filled statement!
Pride makes someone think that they stand on their own. It is the sin of all sins. It is the very sin that brought Satan to Hell as well as many others who have chosen to follow its guide. Pride is believing that you are the answer within instead of seeking an answer of truth without. Look at what God says about pride. He tells them, through the prophet Obadiah, that the pride of their heart has deceived them. The people of Edom were filled with evil pride. They thought that because of their location, numbers and long running history that they would never fall victim to defeat. Their pride was flowing through every person living among them. "No one can defeat us!" is their chant. "Who shall bring me down to the ground?" were their claims.
The people of Edom were descendants of Esau. They lived among the desert caves in Petra. The people of Edom carved out homes and temples in the sandstone mountains and dwelt high above the valley. They thought much of their position and claimed that they would never be destroyed or brought to the valley low. The Medes, Persians and Greeks had all came and gone, but they were still here. No one could sink us! But God told Obadiah to let them know that humility was coming their way. He said make sure they understand that the pride of their heart is deceiving them.
The claim of the Titanic worker was literally drowned out by the cries of those in the water freezing to death. I'm concerned that America has gotten to this point as well. Our claims of victory and stance as a Nation are filled with pride. Not the pride in being honorable or working with pride in your work, but claiming to stand without the Grace of Our God. Not remembering that we are blessed because we serve the only God. Lord help us to remember today that we stand as a Nation because you hung on a cross.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Are You Prepared?
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Do you have some of those friends that are prepared for everything? I do. Once my friend went fishing with me and my dad. Evidently he saw the weather report that we didn't. We knew that it was going to be cold. Not just your average cold, it was 27 degrees that day. One thing we didn't know was that there was a chance of rain.
We all met together at my house and planned on leaving from there. When my friend pulled up I remember him carrying this huge bag with him. I never asked what was in it, but I knew he always pretty much carried everything with him. Just in case an earthquake, chemical warfare or any end of the world scenario. We pulled up to the boat launch and began to put the boat in the water and I noticed my friend gearing up. He put on a Gortex rainsuit. He was covered from top to bottom. I thought at the time that it was a bit of overkill. I mean, I had my raincoat on cause it was sprinkling but I didn't have the full suit.
As we headed north to our crappie hole the bottom fell out of the sky. I mean it was raining hard! I looked over as we were riding and saw two things. First I saw my dad who was only wearing a raincoat and his blue jeans which were becoming darker and darker. Then I looked at my friend in his armored suit with a smile of "what's wrong guys?" on his face.
What about Ezra this morning? The scripture says he prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. He was prepared in his walk with God. Way too many Christians are ill-equipped today. We know that the rain is coming but we seem to not think enough of it to be prepared. Look at how Ezra was prepared. He sought after God's Word. He not only sought it out, but he did it! What if my friend would have just carried his bag with him and never put on his rainsuit? He would have been soaked to the bone like my dad. Then last of all, he taught the Word of God to others.
No joke, my dad almost froze that day. Remember it was 27 degrees for the high and he was soaked. He still fished that day and we caught a lot of crappie, but it was miserable for him. You're life doesn't have to be miserable as a Christian. Are you prepared for this day? God's Word - Read it, Live it and Share it!
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Do you have some of those friends that are prepared for everything? I do. Once my friend went fishing with me and my dad. Evidently he saw the weather report that we didn't. We knew that it was going to be cold. Not just your average cold, it was 27 degrees that day. One thing we didn't know was that there was a chance of rain.
We all met together at my house and planned on leaving from there. When my friend pulled up I remember him carrying this huge bag with him. I never asked what was in it, but I knew he always pretty much carried everything with him. Just in case an earthquake, chemical warfare or any end of the world scenario. We pulled up to the boat launch and began to put the boat in the water and I noticed my friend gearing up. He put on a Gortex rainsuit. He was covered from top to bottom. I thought at the time that it was a bit of overkill. I mean, I had my raincoat on cause it was sprinkling but I didn't have the full suit.
As we headed north to our crappie hole the bottom fell out of the sky. I mean it was raining hard! I looked over as we were riding and saw two things. First I saw my dad who was only wearing a raincoat and his blue jeans which were becoming darker and darker. Then I looked at my friend in his armored suit with a smile of "what's wrong guys?" on his face.
What about Ezra this morning? The scripture says he prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. He was prepared in his walk with God. Way too many Christians are ill-equipped today. We know that the rain is coming but we seem to not think enough of it to be prepared. Look at how Ezra was prepared. He sought after God's Word. He not only sought it out, but he did it! What if my friend would have just carried his bag with him and never put on his rainsuit? He would have been soaked to the bone like my dad. Then last of all, he taught the Word of God to others.
No joke, my dad almost froze that day. Remember it was 27 degrees for the high and he was soaked. He still fished that day and we caught a lot of crappie, but it was miserable for him. You're life doesn't have to be miserable as a Christian. Are you prepared for this day? God's Word - Read it, Live it and Share it!
Thursday, May 11, 2017
I Lift My Hands
1 Kings 8:22-23
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
I can see Solomon standing on his feet before this altar. All the people are looking at him wondering what he was going to do. As they watch, he raises his hands in the air unto God. With his hands stretched out toward heaven, Solomon begins to pray. The excitement is growing among the crowd and now they have moved from wondering what he would do to what he would pray. Solomon had every eye of the congregation upon him.
At this time Solomon could have done whatever he wanted to. He could have stretched his hands out to the congregation and said, "Look at what I have built for the Lord." He could have stretched those hands out to these people in hope of receiving praise from them but he didn't do that. He reached toward Heaven to the God of gods. He then said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee..." He professed in front of these present that God was not only his God, but their God as well. Then he points out that the Lord is so great and there is not a God like Him.
When Solomon says, "...in heaven above, or on earth beneath..." He knows better than we do. Solomon had access to any earthly god he could have ever wanted. His statement was that there is NO god like YOU! What makes our God different? He keeps his promise with mercy. He never leaves or forsakes us. He loves us even when we didn't love Him. He is ALIVE and not in a tomb or cemetery!
God, I raise my hands to you right now! No matter who is watching or not watching, I want you to know that my praise is to YOU. I know that there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth. You alone are deserving of my praise and worship. Can you say this?
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
I can see Solomon standing on his feet before this altar. All the people are looking at him wondering what he was going to do. As they watch, he raises his hands in the air unto God. With his hands stretched out toward heaven, Solomon begins to pray. The excitement is growing among the crowd and now they have moved from wondering what he would do to what he would pray. Solomon had every eye of the congregation upon him.
At this time Solomon could have done whatever he wanted to. He could have stretched his hands out to the congregation and said, "Look at what I have built for the Lord." He could have stretched those hands out to these people in hope of receiving praise from them but he didn't do that. He reached toward Heaven to the God of gods. He then said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee..." He professed in front of these present that God was not only his God, but their God as well. Then he points out that the Lord is so great and there is not a God like Him.
When Solomon says, "...in heaven above, or on earth beneath..." He knows better than we do. Solomon had access to any earthly god he could have ever wanted. His statement was that there is NO god like YOU! What makes our God different? He keeps his promise with mercy. He never leaves or forsakes us. He loves us even when we didn't love Him. He is ALIVE and not in a tomb or cemetery!
God, I raise my hands to you right now! No matter who is watching or not watching, I want you to know that my praise is to YOU. I know that there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth. You alone are deserving of my praise and worship. Can you say this?
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Lord Hear Our Prayer
1 Kings 8:33-34
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
A couple of years ago our group sat down and wrote the lyrics to this song...
Lord I'm tired and so weary from this trial that we're in
I thirst for your Spirit to fill us once again
Cause this Nation that I love has turned its back on you
We need your Grace and Mercy to help us make it through
Lord I've read in the Bible, Your precious Holy Word
That if we were to call on you our prayers would be heard
Just like Daniel in the lion's den who prayed three times a day
Lord here I am before you, please answer me today
Lord hear our prayer as on your name we're calling
Hear our prayer dear Lord as on our knees we're falling
Hear our prayer as humbly we pray
And heal our land Lord Jesus as we call on thee today
God has told us the answer. He said that He would hear us is we call upon Him. It must be the prayer of repentance that we pray first. God will not hear us if we are in sin. The Bible doesn't say He can't hear us, it says He will not hear us if we are not willing to confess our sins unto Him.
Could we have revival? Could we come back unto God and walk as a nation upright in the sight of all others? Or are we too far gone? Go and read about Israel, God's people, and see how they walked away from God and His commandments. God continued to stretch His hand out to them. God continued to put His ear out there to listen to their cry of help and healing. Could this same God do the same for us?
YES! Lord, hear our prayer. Give us the land (country) that those before us (father's) had. Please forgive US Lord Jesus and heal us. Our sins are ever before you. We need a moving of the Holy Spirit in the United States of America. We need a repentance to begin at the House of God before it goes to the White House.
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
A couple of years ago our group sat down and wrote the lyrics to this song...
Lord I'm tired and so weary from this trial that we're in
I thirst for your Spirit to fill us once again
Cause this Nation that I love has turned its back on you
We need your Grace and Mercy to help us make it through
Lord I've read in the Bible, Your precious Holy Word
That if we were to call on you our prayers would be heard
Just like Daniel in the lion's den who prayed three times a day
Lord here I am before you, please answer me today
Lord hear our prayer as on your name we're calling
Hear our prayer dear Lord as on our knees we're falling
Hear our prayer as humbly we pray
And heal our land Lord Jesus as we call on thee today
God has told us the answer. He said that He would hear us is we call upon Him. It must be the prayer of repentance that we pray first. God will not hear us if we are in sin. The Bible doesn't say He can't hear us, it says He will not hear us if we are not willing to confess our sins unto Him.
Could we have revival? Could we come back unto God and walk as a nation upright in the sight of all others? Or are we too far gone? Go and read about Israel, God's people, and see how they walked away from God and His commandments. God continued to stretch His hand out to them. God continued to put His ear out there to listen to their cry of help and healing. Could this same God do the same for us?
YES! Lord, hear our prayer. Give us the land (country) that those before us (father's) had. Please forgive US Lord Jesus and heal us. Our sins are ever before you. We need a moving of the Holy Spirit in the United States of America. We need a repentance to begin at the House of God before it goes to the White House.
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