Psalms 115:1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Sitting at a sporting event, there is nothing like the sound of your name being called out. Wow the adrenaline rush that flows through your body! I can remember in high school playing some football and when I would make a tackle they would call my name and number out over the loud speakers. That would make me so excited and pumped up to make another tackle.
I also recall in my high school days, and many elementary days, my name being called out over the school loud speaker... "Steve Abney, please come to the office". My stomach would turn into a thousand knots. I would think, "I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything wrong, well..." Sometimes only to find out that my mom was there to check me out of school, but not always.
In my first year of preaching the Gospel I remember pulling up to a church that I was preaching a revival at and finding my name on the marquee. Just for a moment I thought, "Wow!" Only to have the Holy Spirit convict me to my very core. As a nineteen year old preacher God really set me straight that day by asking me one question. Which name are you hear to glorify? Hopefully there is enough evidence in my life to show you the answer I gave Him.
If your name is lifted higher than the name above all names, no worries. You'll not have long in the ministry of His Gospel. Christian please listen to me this morning when I say that you could do nothing greater in this life than to exalt the name of Jesus! Make sure that when people are standing around your casket or graveside they are talking more about the name of Jesus than yours. Because a name on a marquee will die with its glory, but the name of Jesus will live throughout eternity.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Monday, June 12, 2017
Serving Out of "Have It"
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
You've heard the statement, "Serving out of habit"? I suppose that sometimes it is a good characteristic to serve out of habit. Making a habit of being a servant is good. You condition yourself to do this. Training everyday to be a servant of Jesus. Being His hands and feet to people is something you should make a habit of.
But wouldn't it be greater to serve out of "Have It"? Now I don't mean that you serve to get something in return. This is the attitude many people, and sadly the Christians, are serving through. Recognition, honor and spotlight cause they have to have it. No what I mean is that you begin to serve with a Christlike attitude because you have to have it!
Do you wake up desiring to be a servant of God? If so, you are constantly aware that this could be an opportunity to serve and you have to have it! When we serve through Christ we are being Christ. When we are being Christ we are filled with the Spirit. We just can't get enough of Him. We have to have it!
Serve out of "have it" today! Look for the opportunity. I gotta bad "have it". Hahaha do you?
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
You've heard the statement, "Serving out of habit"? I suppose that sometimes it is a good characteristic to serve out of habit. Making a habit of being a servant is good. You condition yourself to do this. Training everyday to be a servant of Jesus. Being His hands and feet to people is something you should make a habit of.
But wouldn't it be greater to serve out of "Have It"? Now I don't mean that you serve to get something in return. This is the attitude many people, and sadly the Christians, are serving through. Recognition, honor and spotlight cause they have to have it. No what I mean is that you begin to serve with a Christlike attitude because you have to have it!
Do you wake up desiring to be a servant of God? If so, you are constantly aware that this could be an opportunity to serve and you have to have it! When we serve through Christ we are being Christ. When we are being Christ we are filled with the Spirit. We just can't get enough of Him. We have to have it!
Serve out of "have it" today! Look for the opportunity. I gotta bad "have it". Hahaha do you?
Friday, June 2, 2017
Did You Mean Corvette?
Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
It's not much but it's enough! This has been pretty much the theme of my whole life. When I was a child we didn't have very much. (Now before we continue in the devotion this morning understand that back then I measured things by using the ruler of the world and society) My parents didn't own a huge home on acres of land. Nope, we lived in a single-wide trailer on almost two acres of land. When it came to cars, well it was whatever would run. From old Cadillacs that were like tanks to a Chevette that ran on three cylinders. (You read me right spellcheck a Chevette...not a Corvette. It kept trying to correct me, hahaha) Even at the dinner table we sometimes didn't have much to offer. Many nights we ate the old military dinner of SOS - hamburger meat with gravy on sliced bread that was toasted. You should have been there on the nights when mom would bring home KFC... let's just say we were fancy living those nights.
Still today I don't have very much. I own one vehicle and the bank owns the other. I have increased to a double-wide instead of a single-wide. We even took the wheel axles off to show people that we are high rollers. I don't own land, real estate, homes, vacationing homes, etc... So according to all of the world's standards I must be suffering. I hate to say this but even according to some Christian's standards they tell me I'm suffering. But can I tell you with my heart and tears this morning that this couldn't be any farther from the truth!
Listen to a song that I love to sing...
In this world I don't have much in silver or gold
My house is just a cabin on the side of the road
But I've been adopted by a King's family
And when I get to my new home, look what's waiting for me
Heaven is waiting for me
Such beauty and splendor these eyes have never seen
Jesus, His sweet face I'll see
I may not have very much down here but look what's waiting for me
Every single work day I write these devotions. And every single day I receive a comment from a sweet Christian lady. In the world's eyes they would pity and feel sorry for her because she is an older Christian now. Her husband is gone home to be with the Lord so they would declare her lonely. She is older now and has to have people to help her more in her situation so they would declare her tired or feeble. But this woman is a bright light of her Savior Jesus! When I think of her I think of what Jesus said about another woman in the Bible..."I have not found a greater faith in all of Israel". Thank you Sister Sibyl Edmondson for your faithfulness. People may think you and I don't have very much, but they just can see it can they? I also think of my parents who many said would never make it. Dad worked job after job only to be laid off. Mom scraped the bottom of our pantry barrel time and time again but always come up with something good. No matter if it was SOS or sloppy-joe pie it was always good. They may be right. We didn't have much, but little is much when God is in it. Thank you for showing me that Mom and Dad.
What are you basing your status of success on? Riches, possessions, properties? What will you do with those things when you die? How will those things benefit you when you stand before the Lord? I'd rather have a little with righteousness than anything I wanted with wickedness.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
It's not much but it's enough! This has been pretty much the theme of my whole life. When I was a child we didn't have very much. (Now before we continue in the devotion this morning understand that back then I measured things by using the ruler of the world and society) My parents didn't own a huge home on acres of land. Nope, we lived in a single-wide trailer on almost two acres of land. When it came to cars, well it was whatever would run. From old Cadillacs that were like tanks to a Chevette that ran on three cylinders. (You read me right spellcheck a Chevette...not a Corvette. It kept trying to correct me, hahaha) Even at the dinner table we sometimes didn't have much to offer. Many nights we ate the old military dinner of SOS - hamburger meat with gravy on sliced bread that was toasted. You should have been there on the nights when mom would bring home KFC... let's just say we were fancy living those nights.
Still today I don't have very much. I own one vehicle and the bank owns the other. I have increased to a double-wide instead of a single-wide. We even took the wheel axles off to show people that we are high rollers. I don't own land, real estate, homes, vacationing homes, etc... So according to all of the world's standards I must be suffering. I hate to say this but even according to some Christian's standards they tell me I'm suffering. But can I tell you with my heart and tears this morning that this couldn't be any farther from the truth!
Listen to a song that I love to sing...
In this world I don't have much in silver or gold
My house is just a cabin on the side of the road
But I've been adopted by a King's family
And when I get to my new home, look what's waiting for me
Heaven is waiting for me
Such beauty and splendor these eyes have never seen
Jesus, His sweet face I'll see
I may not have very much down here but look what's waiting for me
Every single work day I write these devotions. And every single day I receive a comment from a sweet Christian lady. In the world's eyes they would pity and feel sorry for her because she is an older Christian now. Her husband is gone home to be with the Lord so they would declare her lonely. She is older now and has to have people to help her more in her situation so they would declare her tired or feeble. But this woman is a bright light of her Savior Jesus! When I think of her I think of what Jesus said about another woman in the Bible..."I have not found a greater faith in all of Israel". Thank you Sister Sibyl Edmondson for your faithfulness. People may think you and I don't have very much, but they just can see it can they? I also think of my parents who many said would never make it. Dad worked job after job only to be laid off. Mom scraped the bottom of our pantry barrel time and time again but always come up with something good. No matter if it was SOS or sloppy-joe pie it was always good. They may be right. We didn't have much, but little is much when God is in it. Thank you for showing me that Mom and Dad.
What are you basing your status of success on? Riches, possessions, properties? What will you do with those things when you die? How will those things benefit you when you stand before the Lord? I'd rather have a little with righteousness than anything I wanted with wickedness.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Let It Go!
2 Samuel 3:1
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
Saul was against David with a bitter and jealous hatred. He was seeking his life to destroy him. Saul even became angry with his own son because Jonathon was friends with David. Did you notice that the scripture says that it was a "long war" between these houses? Day after day, Saul hated David and David spared his life. The house of Saul was upon evil and hate but the house of David was upon grace and mercy. There were times that David could have ended the life of Saul and put an end to this drawn out war but he didn't. He had hoped there would be a resolution.
Notice that the Bible points out that David's house grew stronger and stronger. Does this mean that David rounded up the people and made his case against Saul stronger? No. David stood in the anointing of God. God had chosen David to be the King of Israel and David knew that God would bring it to pass. Even though David knew that God chose him and that Saul's kingdom was taken away from him, David was gracious and patient with Saul. He said that no one should touch the Lord's anointed. In saying this David was saying that he trusted God. When God wanted this to happen, He would do it. Until then David would just keep on serving the Lord.
Now notice that the Bible says Saul's house waxed weaker and weaker. As Saul's anger and hatred grew stronger and stronger, his stand became weaker and weaker. When you are filled with such hatred and jealousy you will become weaker and weaker. Why would you chose to live in this manner? Never finding rest because you are always looking for revenge. Never knowing peace because you are always holding a sword of contention. Never showing mercy because you've never sought it for your life. As this sin grows stronger and stronger in you, let me tell you that you are becoming weaker and weaker. Eventually this will consume you as it did Saul and you could fall upon the very sword you're holding in your hand. Let it go!
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
Saul was against David with a bitter and jealous hatred. He was seeking his life to destroy him. Saul even became angry with his own son because Jonathon was friends with David. Did you notice that the scripture says that it was a "long war" between these houses? Day after day, Saul hated David and David spared his life. The house of Saul was upon evil and hate but the house of David was upon grace and mercy. There were times that David could have ended the life of Saul and put an end to this drawn out war but he didn't. He had hoped there would be a resolution.
Notice that the Bible points out that David's house grew stronger and stronger. Does this mean that David rounded up the people and made his case against Saul stronger? No. David stood in the anointing of God. God had chosen David to be the King of Israel and David knew that God would bring it to pass. Even though David knew that God chose him and that Saul's kingdom was taken away from him, David was gracious and patient with Saul. He said that no one should touch the Lord's anointed. In saying this David was saying that he trusted God. When God wanted this to happen, He would do it. Until then David would just keep on serving the Lord.
Now notice that the Bible says Saul's house waxed weaker and weaker. As Saul's anger and hatred grew stronger and stronger, his stand became weaker and weaker. When you are filled with such hatred and jealousy you will become weaker and weaker. Why would you chose to live in this manner? Never finding rest because you are always looking for revenge. Never knowing peace because you are always holding a sword of contention. Never showing mercy because you've never sought it for your life. As this sin grows stronger and stronger in you, let me tell you that you are becoming weaker and weaker. Eventually this will consume you as it did Saul and you could fall upon the very sword you're holding in your hand. Let it go!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
He's Still The One
Matthew 11:1-3
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
One of my favorite scriptures is found in John 1:29. It says that John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. John knew when he saw Jesus that He was the One. The One who would take the sins away. No more covering up of sins. No, now the One had come to remove our sins. I wonder what it was about Jesus that made him boldly say this? I know it was revealed unto him by the Spirit of God, but I wonder if it was a look that Jesus gave? What if it was a glow or a feature about Him? No matter what it was, John knew Jesus was the One.
Well look at the scripture this morning. Although John had already declared Jesus the One, something had happened. He is now in prison under the guard of Herod. He was hearing of the miracles that Jesus had been doing. Maybe it was that Jesus was not revealing yet that He is the Christ. It could be that John was hearing about when Jesus said my time is not yet come and wondered what He was waiting for. Either way, John is now seen questioning if Jesus is the One who would come or should we look for another. Wow! John the Baptist knew who Christ was even in the womb. Remember he leaped inside his mother's womb when she heard the news of Mary's pregnancy. But now he is questioning. What if it was because he couldn't see Jesus? What if it was because he couldn't see the miracles? John now had to just simply trust in the word of Christ.
It could be that you are looking for some kind of sign or miracle today and because you can't see Jesus you think that He could be missing or you need to look for another. Let me remind you today to trust His Word. Don't lean on what you feel, see or don't see. Trust His Word! Believe me, HE IS STILL THE ONE!
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
One of my favorite scriptures is found in John 1:29. It says that John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. John knew when he saw Jesus that He was the One. The One who would take the sins away. No more covering up of sins. No, now the One had come to remove our sins. I wonder what it was about Jesus that made him boldly say this? I know it was revealed unto him by the Spirit of God, but I wonder if it was a look that Jesus gave? What if it was a glow or a feature about Him? No matter what it was, John knew Jesus was the One.
Well look at the scripture this morning. Although John had already declared Jesus the One, something had happened. He is now in prison under the guard of Herod. He was hearing of the miracles that Jesus had been doing. Maybe it was that Jesus was not revealing yet that He is the Christ. It could be that John was hearing about when Jesus said my time is not yet come and wondered what He was waiting for. Either way, John is now seen questioning if Jesus is the One who would come or should we look for another. Wow! John the Baptist knew who Christ was even in the womb. Remember he leaped inside his mother's womb when she heard the news of Mary's pregnancy. But now he is questioning. What if it was because he couldn't see Jesus? What if it was because he couldn't see the miracles? John now had to just simply trust in the word of Christ.
It could be that you are looking for some kind of sign or miracle today and because you can't see Jesus you think that He could be missing or you need to look for another. Let me remind you today to trust His Word. Don't lean on what you feel, see or don't see. Trust His Word! Believe me, HE IS STILL THE ONE!
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Get Away From That!!
Psalms 37:27
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Is there a problem in the translation of this scripture? It plainly tell us that we should depart from evil. In other scriptures it tells us to run from evil or to eschew evil. To get as far away as possible from evil. Some people say that we should get away from the very presence of evil but that is impossible. Paul said that when he would want to do good that he always found that evil was present. This means there is always a choice to do evil. So how can we depart from evil?
When evil presents itself we should chose to say no. Simple right? Well not so simple. See we are tempted to do evil. It's by the devil right? No. Scripture says that we are tempted or lured by our own lusts. We see people enjoying sin and fall right into the same things because it is desirous. People see the fun on the alcohol commercials of swimming pools, swimsuits and hot dogs on the grill and think that looks fun. The commercials never show you the drunk man beating his friend or wife half-to-death. They never show you the woman on the side of the road being cuffed and placed into a police car because she has just ran over a child with her car. They never show you the coffin of the spouse who is in disaster because cirrhosis of the liver has taken their love.
God has been so clear to us. He is never gray on issues like this. He says to depart from evil. Get away from it by making the right choice. Those who are of the world don't know any better. Yes it's common for them to drink with one another, sleep with one another, kill one another. But NOT YOU saved, child of God. Depart from evil! Stop justifying your sin and lusts and say it... Lord forgive me. Lord I choose you today! When you resist the devil and evil he will flee from you.
If you are thinking about doing evil then please depart from it right now. If you have chosen to do evil then please repent of it right now. Do the righteous works of Christ and live in Him evermore. It is never what you do that allows you to live forever with Christ, it's what He's done. If we trust in what He's done for us to deliver us from evil, then we should depart always from any and every evil. Lord help the Christians reading this today LIVE what they say.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Is there a problem in the translation of this scripture? It plainly tell us that we should depart from evil. In other scriptures it tells us to run from evil or to eschew evil. To get as far away as possible from evil. Some people say that we should get away from the very presence of evil but that is impossible. Paul said that when he would want to do good that he always found that evil was present. This means there is always a choice to do evil. So how can we depart from evil?
When evil presents itself we should chose to say no. Simple right? Well not so simple. See we are tempted to do evil. It's by the devil right? No. Scripture says that we are tempted or lured by our own lusts. We see people enjoying sin and fall right into the same things because it is desirous. People see the fun on the alcohol commercials of swimming pools, swimsuits and hot dogs on the grill and think that looks fun. The commercials never show you the drunk man beating his friend or wife half-to-death. They never show you the woman on the side of the road being cuffed and placed into a police car because she has just ran over a child with her car. They never show you the coffin of the spouse who is in disaster because cirrhosis of the liver has taken their love.
God has been so clear to us. He is never gray on issues like this. He says to depart from evil. Get away from it by making the right choice. Those who are of the world don't know any better. Yes it's common for them to drink with one another, sleep with one another, kill one another. But NOT YOU saved, child of God. Depart from evil! Stop justifying your sin and lusts and say it... Lord forgive me. Lord I choose you today! When you resist the devil and evil he will flee from you.
If you are thinking about doing evil then please depart from it right now. If you have chosen to do evil then please repent of it right now. Do the righteous works of Christ and live in Him evermore. It is never what you do that allows you to live forever with Christ, it's what He's done. If we trust in what He's done for us to deliver us from evil, then we should depart always from any and every evil. Lord help the Christians reading this today LIVE what they say.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
I'm Staaaavin'
Matthew 4:2-4
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
When our youngest boy Jacob was little he would never come to us and say that he would like something to eat. His words were always, "I'm Staaaavin'." It never failed and was always hilarious. He would walk through the house hollering for his mom and yelling, "Mom, I staaaaavin'!"
Think about Jesus in his time of fasting and prayer. The scripture says that afterward He was hungry. Satan comes to Him and tells Him to command the stones to be turned to bread. Why? Because He is hungry. Could Jesus have done this? Sure! But what Satan didn't understand was that Jesus wasn't just physically hungry, but He was starving for the will of His Father to be done.
How hungry are you today? Right now? I love to watch the FoodTV channel. My favorite show is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But when I watch these shows I am always hungry afterward. To see those burgers, steaks, specialties made by the people and zoomed in by the cameraman, oooooh I could devour them. Do you know that when I study God's Word it has the same effect? When I pray and fast, God gives me a hunger that can only be satisfied by more and more of His Spirit. Sometimes my prayers are, "Lord, I'm Staaaaarvin'."
This physical food can only satisfy the flesh but the hunger for God and every Word that comes it of His mouth is what satisfies my hungry soul. So let me ask you again... How hungry are you? Tell the Lord the morning, I'm Staaaaavin'!"
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
When our youngest boy Jacob was little he would never come to us and say that he would like something to eat. His words were always, "I'm Staaaavin'." It never failed and was always hilarious. He would walk through the house hollering for his mom and yelling, "Mom, I staaaaavin'!"
Think about Jesus in his time of fasting and prayer. The scripture says that afterward He was hungry. Satan comes to Him and tells Him to command the stones to be turned to bread. Why? Because He is hungry. Could Jesus have done this? Sure! But what Satan didn't understand was that Jesus wasn't just physically hungry, but He was starving for the will of His Father to be done.
How hungry are you today? Right now? I love to watch the FoodTV channel. My favorite show is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But when I watch these shows I am always hungry afterward. To see those burgers, steaks, specialties made by the people and zoomed in by the cameraman, oooooh I could devour them. Do you know that when I study God's Word it has the same effect? When I pray and fast, God gives me a hunger that can only be satisfied by more and more of His Spirit. Sometimes my prayers are, "Lord, I'm Staaaaarvin'."
This physical food can only satisfy the flesh but the hunger for God and every Word that comes it of His mouth is what satisfies my hungry soul. So let me ask you again... How hungry are you? Tell the Lord the morning, I'm Staaaaavin'!"
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