Sin and Its Effects

Sin and Its Effects 1 Samuel 2:17, “Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.” Hebrews 3:13, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Many times we think sin is something that only happens to someone else or it is what we see on the evening news. Man by nature is a sinful creature. The bible gives us the definition of sin, “for him that knoweth to do right and doth it not to him it is sin.” Sin is something we don’t want to talk about and surely don’t want anyone to know about. It can come quick and it has long reaching fingers. It can and will deceive us. It is a lie that the devil uses to keep us from the God who loves us and paid a high price for us. Sin can reach from the pulpit to the back pew. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” No one is safe from the ravages of sin. 1 Samuel chapter 2 talks about how the sons of Eli the priest were causing a entire nation to turn away from God. Just like these sons of Belial, or worthless men loved sin more than they loved God we today are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. What dose sin cause? It causes us to harden our hearts and draw away from God. Sin comes in many forms and will affect many people. Whether the sin is lust or greed or anger or pride (to name a few) it will deceive us by promising to give us pleasure, satisfaction or success. To gain an upper hand or get more stuff is the lie the devil uses to lure us away from the truth of God. This is nothing more than a lie Satan uses to defeat God’s children. He polishes up worldly stuff and bates us to just take one little taste. What can it hurt? He sneers. But it is a lie. True and lasting joy and peace can only come through the love of God. We must walk in constant vigilance for our adversary is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We are in a war daily and we must be prepared to fight. We must fight while it is yet today for there is coming a day when we will not be able to fight. There is coming a day when all will have to stand and give account for the life God gave to each. We cannot afford to put off dealing with sin. The work of repentance and faithfulness is a fulltime and daily job. Today is almost over and our Lord is one day closer to His return. Amos told us to prepare to meet our God. Are we ready for His coming? Will you get to go with Him or will you be left behind?

Who is a child of God?

Who is a Child of God “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 7:21 A lot of people today claim to be Christians, but not as many are as claim to be. Jesus said, Just because someone calls themselves a Christian does not mean they are one. Many will miss heaven by 18 inches, the distance from the head to the heart. If you have not received Jesus into your heart and only have head knowledge you may be in trouble. Religion will not get you to heaven. “I am the way the truth and the light. No man cometh to the Father but through me.” Jesus said. Jesus is the way. God has given us a test to measure if you are a child of God. It is found in I Tim 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.” To be a child of God one must believe Jesus in the Christ; God’s Son. Those who don’t believe, God called liars. “Who is a liar but he denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that deineth the Father and the Son.” I John 2:22 A child of God is one who loves God. “We love Him because He first loved us.” A child of God has real affection for God and is concerned about God’s work. The bible says in Matt 7:20, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” We don’t serve God to get something we want. We serve Him because we love Him and want to please Him. We know we love God because we keep His commandments. The bible tells us plainly, “ He that saith I know Him and keep not His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.” In I John2:5 we find these words, “We know we are saved because we keep His commandments.” Here are some of God’s commandments: see if you are keeping them. 1. Witnessing or telling others about the Lord 2. Living a clean Christian live 3. Tithing so as not to rob God 4. Praying—do you pray only when you want something. 5. Studying—Studying to show thy self approved unto god, a workman that needth not be ashamed rightly diving the word of truth. Are you a Child of God? If not you can be. Seek and ye shall find. Ask and it shall be opened unto you.

Finding God

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called FAILURE, a loop called CONFUSION, speed bumps called FRIENDS, red lights called ENEMIES, caution lights called FAMILY. You will have flats called JOBS. But, if you have a spare called DETERMINATION, an engine called PERSERVERENCE, insurance called FAITH, a driver called JESUS, you will make it to a place called SUCCESS. The above quote was floating around the Internet so I thought it fit well with our devotion on finding God. God has never left us we leave Him. He is right by our side. As a loving father, he will pick us up when we fall off whatever we climb up on. He will guide us through stormy seas so that we may learn life lessons. God knows what is ahead. He will guide us through the maize if we will but allow Him. One thing must be clear, before we can follow His direction we must first know who He is. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone knows the Lord. Oh, many use his name, swear by him and try to persuade the world he is only necessary when someone dies or gets into trouble. Some even try to ease their conscience by going to church on Easter and Christmas, but they do not know Him. They have only heard of him. In our world today, few there are who want to know Jesus. Jesus is a friend in the truest sense of the word. Therefore, if you have not met my friend let me introduce you to one of the greatest friend I have ever known. Jesus stood by me in good times and bad. The bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” That is exactly what Jesus did. He laid down his life for you and me. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in His should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John3:16 KJV). Is Jesus your friend? In my life, I have wandered away from Jesus at times. During those times, I have found I have wandered into places and situations that were not desirable. At the lowest time, all I had to do was look up, and reach for His hand and He helped me up, dusted me off and put my feet back on solid ground. If you don’t have a friend like that you are in a sad state. I will tell you this that God’s love is so great that no matter how dirty we get or how far away from him we wander, He still loves us. Though you sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow so the bible says. If you do not know Jesus seek Him in your heart, confess Him with your mouth and He will come and dwell with you.

Always Joyful

Always Joyful 1Thessalonians5:16-19, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.” In Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church he often gives instructions or commands for things that they, and we, need to do immediately. Here in chapter 5 we see we there four things we need to do now, First we are to be joyful. Joy does not mean that we are happy. How could you weep with those that weep and be happy? Joy is something much deeper than your present emotional state. It is the sense that comes when you believe that all is in the hands of your loving Father. Joy in difficult circumstances is a powerful testimony to the reality of your faith. The next instruction is to pray continually. People often ask how this is possible. If you mean to isolate yourself and speak out loud to God without stopping, it is impossible. If it means to walk in constant heart to heart communion with God; it is the life of the Christian. Jesus should be our closest friend with whom we share the moments of each day. A constant sharing with Him and listening to His voice will keep you walking in the Spirit. God's will for us is that we give thanks in every circumstance. Everyone knows this is impossible without a radical commitment to walk by faith and not by sight. How can we thank God for loss and pain? It is only possible when we trust that He will work out everything for good. Giving thanks changes our perspective and cuts short the damage that the enemy intends. The commands go on, but the last one for today is to not quench the Spirit's fire. The Spirit of God will cause you to share His passion for certain needs you come in contact with. Don't squelch that. Don't harden your heart to His leading. Go with it. He is encouraging you to step out and meet that need in His power. The reason we throw water on that fire is that we know it will cost us. Worrying about the cost is a carnal perspective. The godly perspective is that it is an opportunity to be an instrument of God, pleasing His heart, and laying up treasure in heaven. Remember: Be joyful; pray always; give thanks; yield to the Spirit.

Thanksgiving 2012

Psalm 95:2-3 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. On this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember for all we are thankful. We are a blessed people and a blessed nation. We do not hear the sound of death falling from the sky. We live in a free country and one of the most powerful nations on the planet. Yes, we have problems and yes, we can and do fight against our brothers and sisters. Even with that, there is no other country as free as we. One Nation under God! When those who first landed on these shores fleeing from religious persecution sought a place to breathe free, they gave thanks to God for all he provided. The first years were hard , like many years we all have faced. Yet their faith that the Lord would protect them and provide for their needs was never forgotten. As they harvested the bounty from their new homeland, they rejoiced and bowed their heads in thankful psalms. Today we seem to have forgotten what this day means. Now all that streams across the media is where to shop till you drop; how to prepare the festive bird or how high the travel expenses are to rise. It would be safe to say that few households are truly thankful and express that thankfulness to the one who provide that bounty. This day also brings visions of those who are victim of a natural disaster and who now live on the street when once they would have been preparing a festive meal. Our prayers go out to those. This day we all must stop and remember this nation cannot provide for all its members and only the God who created the heavens and the earth has that power. It to the God of Glory we are to offer thanks not the god of Wall Street. Will we forget to give thanks to our creator or do we simply hasten to watch a game eat a meal? Thanksgiving once had significance meaning for this country today I fear few truly are thankful for what they have and where they live. When Thanksgiving is mentioned, what vision first comes to mind? Is it turkey basted and cooked to perfection, a warrior battle on the gridiron or is there a vision of shoppers madly striving for a deeply discounted price on a material item? It should be a vision of thankfulness and offering the Lord our most sincere thanks for providing what we have and enjoy. I would ask each who may read this to stop and ask how do you suppose God views this day. Does it sadden his heart at the materialistic revelry? Are you truly thankful you woke up on the top side of the dirt today and not having to stand and give account to God Almighty for your life? Thankful you are not standing looking at what is left of your home in a cold wind. The media is reporting the end is near and many believe that on December 12, 2012 life as we know it will be no more. Should that happen will you be ready to meet the Lord or will you have to hang your head in shame? The bible is clear that no man knows the day nor the hour but the Lord only when time will end. That day is coming and when it arrives all upon this earth will have to stand before the Holy Righteous Judge and give account for every word and action. You and I will be asked if we were thankful what the Lord provided. How will you answer?

The People at the Cross

The People at the Cross Matthew 27:36 “And sitting down they watched him there;” When Jesus was crucified, there was a crowd who stood by and watched. Who were these people? Remember Calvary was a place of suffering, agony and disappointment. It also was a place of victory. There the Son of God won the battle with sin and death and paid the debt for all mankind. As we look at the many classes of people who watched Jesus die see if you fit into any of these categories. There were the Roman soldiers who literally crucified Jesus. Matthew 27:27-36. They were under orders to do their duty. These men could be equal to those who only do their religious duty. They put on the scarlet robe, spit in his face, crowned him with thorns. Beat him close to death and gambled for his clothes. Then they sat down and watched him die. Then there were the rejecting Jews. “and they that passed by reviled him wagging their heads..”Matthew 27:39 In this crowd were the ones who shouted “crucify him. Let his blood be on us”. They misquoted what he said, thinking he said he could tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days. Like many today the misquoting is still going on. This Jewish crowd minimized the work of the cross. Now the religious leaders mocking his deity and His faith in God. Like many today religion has blinded the eyes and closed the ears. These were the most blind of all as they knew the scriptures read the prophesies. Their piety did not allow them to see the gift God was sending them. This crowd also had criminals, those being crucified with Jesus. They too mocked him and cast the same in his teeth. Of the two who died with Jesus, that day one went to hell cursing the other repented and went to paradise with Jesus. There were the spectators who had come to watch. Oh, they were under conviction, smote their breast, and bowed their heads and returned home doing nothing. Many today come hear God’s Word the Holy Spirit convicts their heart but they go home lost or unrepentant. They were impressed with the whole affair but still they refused to confess their sins and follow Jesus. Authority figures were there too. A centurion, a commander of men, a man of authority stood watching Jesus. As he and his men watched Jesus and the earth trembled beneath his feet, he was greatly afraid. His confession, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Last, there were those at the foot of the cross, a place where all sinners must come. There is where they will find forgiveness and truly see God’s love for them. When was the last time you were at the foot of the cross? Have you ever looked up and saw the awesome love God has for you as He placed His son in your place; paid your sin debt with the blood of Jesus. With which crowd do you stand?

Do you hear God talking to you?

Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” How do you know when He is talking to you? This is a great question and it was asked by a small boy in a Sunday school class. How do you know when God is talking to you? This comes from a story about a teacher who had been teaching a class of six year children about how to love God and how God loves them. Children usually go right to the heart of the matter. In his lesson the teacher said you have to listen to God just like you listen to your parents. Well this made no sense to one boy. He knew how to listen to his parents because he could hear when they talked to him. How could he listen to God when he didn’t hear God speak? So how would you explain to a child just how to go about listening to God? At six most children know they hear with their ears and if they don’t hear anything with their ears then to them it is not said. When God speaks He speaks to the heart and that is confusing to a six year old. As young Christians the same thing applies. The preacher says you must obey the commands of God. Ok but I didn’t hear God speak! Yes you did as you began to feel that there was something missing and there was a need to fill a hole inside you. God sent the Holy Spirit to begin to talk to you. Began to give you that empty feeling and also began to tell you things you never heard before. Things like God loves you, Jesus died for and forgave you on the cross. That small voice from inside that said that is wrong you need to stop and make some changes. That was God speaking. You did hear it right? In short God made you hungry for spiritual food so that you could grow close to Him. But what about those who have not heard of Jesus how would they know God was speaking to them. God speaks through those who have come to know Him from a salvation experience and have been given the task to tell those lost and without to come inside and be saved. Come in out of the storm and be warm. That’s how you know God is speaking. Are You listening? You lost and wandering in the storm? Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest.” How about those who are saved but still want to play in the storm and wind and rain? God is talking to you too. Hear the still small voice saying, you really shouldn’t be doing that or I could really use another Sunday school teacher, the choir needs another singer or when was the last time we had a chat? God is talking are you listening?