When Jesus was asked , Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” He answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
From the words Jesus spoke we see that we must first love God with our whole being, body soul and spirit. Then we are to love ourselves. We need to love ourselves for what we are: children of God, made in God’s image, with all the attractive and unattractive human qualities we possess. The degree to which we are able to love ourselves determines how much we can love our neighbor.
When we start looking for spiritual enlightenment our humanity seems to get in the way. This hinders our commitment not only to ourselves but also to God. What will people think if I am spiritual? What will God think if your are not?
However spiritual we are, and however dedicated we are to serving God most of us will still encounter trying, human situations. Many times we seek guidance in the places we feel are closest to God. That may be a church, for God surely is in church, or it may be on a mountaintop nothing could be closer to God than that. While both of these locations can serve as a vehicle to help us reach out to God there is still a better way to commune with God. If we will but open our hearts and minds and spirits to God and His will He will dwell with us. If we don’t love our neighbor as we love ourselves how then can we truly love God? Or maybe we do love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we go to church on Sunday and sing Oh How I Love Jesus then use his name in vane on Monday who do we love?
The bible says, “ What so ever a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”
Man is a three part being. We are body soul and spirit. We choose to live in any one of these areas. The body is carnal and only wants material things; the soul and spirit want to be in Gods presence. Most of us only live in the carnal state. God wants us to live and abide with Him in all three states.
Learn to love yourself, love God then you can love your neighbor.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Watching The New Day
Setting on the edge of the world in predawn darkness I watch the vast black sky filled with small points of light. We call these stars. The absence of any man made illumination magnifies this wonder. As I watch each star striving to out shine its neighbor, trying to penetrate the inky darkness. I am filled with the vastness of creation and awe struck by the majesty of it all. Somehow each star knows it will soon be veiled by the light of day. This knowledge does not in any way diminish the brilliance of the light projected from each star. In the day light the star is still there just its light will not be visible. Man is much like that. Men are everywhere and some shine above the rest. Many though still there do not shine at all. Pondering this dilemma in the darkness just before dawn I am at a loss as to why this should be so. Knowing that each creation was given special talents and skills to make it shine. I again pose this question to the creator of the universe. The answer again came that in the book you will find the answer.
The earth’s star begins to rise over the eastern horizon and light invades and banishes the darkness. The starlight gives way to the rays of the sun. The cloak of darkness is pulled away and a new day begins.
Slowly the light of day marches over hill and valley. As a virtuoso would draw his bow across magic strings the day breaks bright and clear. The explosion of color is breath taking an experience like none other. No two days break the same. None have the same volume of color or hue. This is like many other things God makes that are similar yet different. Consider the snowflake millions of them will cover large sections of this country and no two are the same. Each snowflake is intricate in design and form. If man should undertake the task to design and build a snowflake his number would be minimal. God on the other hand makes billions upon billions with a blink of his eye and all are perfect and none the same. In the mountain forest many different species of trees each tree with an abundance of leaves again no two are exactly alike. Mankind is no different. God made all of us and none are the same. Each has a specific purpose and special talents to fulfill that purpose. Like all of nature God created a balance. Man for some strange reason has devised ways to defeat that balances for personal gain and by that his own destruction.
As I watch the earth comes alive. Gentle breezes stir the leaves awake. This awakens the songbird that welcomes this new day with its song. Here too is another analogy there is not a single song to awaken the day there are unnumbered notes raising into the morning air. Though different all are in perfect harmony tone and pitch. Nature stretches and yawns and all creation come to life.
This day is like none other, yes-familiar tasks are preformed and familiar paths are walked, but this day is unique. It holds adventures yet to be explored. Loves to find and loose, jobs to start and jobs to finish, decisions and choices to make. Like the light that pierces the night sky time and day march forward. This is the most valuable day ever as it cannot be replaced. Once it is gone it is gone forever. The time we spend in this day is all the time we have. The time of yesterday is gone and the time of tomorrow may never come.
We can spend this day wisely or as a fool and squander its value. A lesson from nature can be learned this day. Each of God’s creatures gathers food, builds shelters raise young and never strives to be something they are not.
Watching I see life begin and end. Leaves bud grow and fall. Birds feed their young and watch as the young grow strong and take to the air never to return. From high upon this mountaintop I see eagle deer elk bear and lion each going about their daily task living as they are made to live. Life is all around changing and giving, moving and growing. Nothing is still nothing is quite in this new day.
I set in awe of the wonder and splendor that is displayed before me. There is no flaw everything is perfect, everything in perfect harmony. Only God can create a day such as this that will only last till the sun sets. Then at night He creates a new day grander than the day before. That in itself is an awe inspiring concept that God would even consider to make us another day grander than the day we may have wasted, a day full of wonder and amazement more than any days past. Opportunities presented greater than any we may have seen in our lives to this point. Unfortunately man likes to walk with his head down and eyes closed not wanting to see the world God has placed around him. This is due in part to man’s shame that he alone is destroying all that God has made almost as fast as God creates it. I feel man is jealous of God because man cannot do the one thing he has longed for since the beginning of time, that being the ability to create. God alone has that ability and has given man charge of the creation not the ability to create anything on his own. Man cannot keep what he has been given charge of why should he be able to create anything? Ashamed man walks with head and eyes down not wanting to look God in the eye for fear of what he truly will see. When man does raise his eyes and opens his mind God lovingly shows man how and what he must do. Gently caring to give detailed instructions how to maintain God’s creation. While some truly listen most quickly drop their eyes and instantly close their minds and continue to walk into obscurity.
Watching transfixed by the wonder and grandeur of it all I can’t help but feel saddened that at dusks this day will be gone forever, only a memory will remain. At the same time I am overjoyed at the prospect on the morrow another new day will replace this one, a day the same yet different in every way a true paradox.
In awesome wonder I watch as day turns into night. The days end is filled with another color show that is never to be seen again. A light show that stories are written about and lovers set and marvel at its beauty. The sun dropping over the western horizon taking light and warmth closes this breathtaking splendor. The cloak of darkness is once again drawn over the landscape. Nature yawns a sleepy sigh and all is quite and at peace.
On my lofty perch I too close my eyes as the stars once again sparkle and pierce the darkness. Try as I might I can no longer keep a watchful vigil.
Though it was a dream or a vision I cannot say. From whence it came I can only
guess but this I know my eyes though closed did see many wonderful things and my ears heard the voices of nature.
The earth’s star begins to rise over the eastern horizon and light invades and banishes the darkness. The starlight gives way to the rays of the sun. The cloak of darkness is pulled away and a new day begins.
Slowly the light of day marches over hill and valley. As a virtuoso would draw his bow across magic strings the day breaks bright and clear. The explosion of color is breath taking an experience like none other. No two days break the same. None have the same volume of color or hue. This is like many other things God makes that are similar yet different. Consider the snowflake millions of them will cover large sections of this country and no two are the same. Each snowflake is intricate in design and form. If man should undertake the task to design and build a snowflake his number would be minimal. God on the other hand makes billions upon billions with a blink of his eye and all are perfect and none the same. In the mountain forest many different species of trees each tree with an abundance of leaves again no two are exactly alike. Mankind is no different. God made all of us and none are the same. Each has a specific purpose and special talents to fulfill that purpose. Like all of nature God created a balance. Man for some strange reason has devised ways to defeat that balances for personal gain and by that his own destruction.
As I watch the earth comes alive. Gentle breezes stir the leaves awake. This awakens the songbird that welcomes this new day with its song. Here too is another analogy there is not a single song to awaken the day there are unnumbered notes raising into the morning air. Though different all are in perfect harmony tone and pitch. Nature stretches and yawns and all creation come to life.
This day is like none other, yes-familiar tasks are preformed and familiar paths are walked, but this day is unique. It holds adventures yet to be explored. Loves to find and loose, jobs to start and jobs to finish, decisions and choices to make. Like the light that pierces the night sky time and day march forward. This is the most valuable day ever as it cannot be replaced. Once it is gone it is gone forever. The time we spend in this day is all the time we have. The time of yesterday is gone and the time of tomorrow may never come.
We can spend this day wisely or as a fool and squander its value. A lesson from nature can be learned this day. Each of God’s creatures gathers food, builds shelters raise young and never strives to be something they are not.
Watching I see life begin and end. Leaves bud grow and fall. Birds feed their young and watch as the young grow strong and take to the air never to return. From high upon this mountaintop I see eagle deer elk bear and lion each going about their daily task living as they are made to live. Life is all around changing and giving, moving and growing. Nothing is still nothing is quite in this new day.
I set in awe of the wonder and splendor that is displayed before me. There is no flaw everything is perfect, everything in perfect harmony. Only God can create a day such as this that will only last till the sun sets. Then at night He creates a new day grander than the day before. That in itself is an awe inspiring concept that God would even consider to make us another day grander than the day we may have wasted, a day full of wonder and amazement more than any days past. Opportunities presented greater than any we may have seen in our lives to this point. Unfortunately man likes to walk with his head down and eyes closed not wanting to see the world God has placed around him. This is due in part to man’s shame that he alone is destroying all that God has made almost as fast as God creates it. I feel man is jealous of God because man cannot do the one thing he has longed for since the beginning of time, that being the ability to create. God alone has that ability and has given man charge of the creation not the ability to create anything on his own. Man cannot keep what he has been given charge of why should he be able to create anything? Ashamed man walks with head and eyes down not wanting to look God in the eye for fear of what he truly will see. When man does raise his eyes and opens his mind God lovingly shows man how and what he must do. Gently caring to give detailed instructions how to maintain God’s creation. While some truly listen most quickly drop their eyes and instantly close their minds and continue to walk into obscurity.
Watching transfixed by the wonder and grandeur of it all I can’t help but feel saddened that at dusks this day will be gone forever, only a memory will remain. At the same time I am overjoyed at the prospect on the morrow another new day will replace this one, a day the same yet different in every way a true paradox.
In awesome wonder I watch as day turns into night. The days end is filled with another color show that is never to be seen again. A light show that stories are written about and lovers set and marvel at its beauty. The sun dropping over the western horizon taking light and warmth closes this breathtaking splendor. The cloak of darkness is once again drawn over the landscape. Nature yawns a sleepy sigh and all is quite and at peace.
On my lofty perch I too close my eyes as the stars once again sparkle and pierce the darkness. Try as I might I can no longer keep a watchful vigil.
Though it was a dream or a vision I cannot say. From whence it came I can only
guess but this I know my eyes though closed did see many wonderful things and my ears heard the voices of nature.
The Little Tongue
Man has learned to harness or control many things down through the ages. He discovered fire and learned to control it to keep him warm and cook his food. Rushing rivers are harnessed to water our crops and light our homes. The awesome force in the atom has been taught to be of benefit to man and we have tamed wild horses. The one thing man has not yet tamed is his tongue. James 3:5 says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison.”
I heard a story about a woman who had no good word to say about another in her neighborhood. As the story goes she was always complaining about the bad girl who lived down the block. How this girl drank and ran around and should be run out of the neighborhood. This bad girl was a real bad influence for the only child of the gossip. She was certain the bad girl knew not to speak to her or her child. One day the screaming of brakes from a speeding car, the sound that could only turn your blood cold was heard. As the sound of the impact of a body with metal we all looked as this only child of the gossip was seen running into the street. All the neighbors rushed to the scene to find the child was shaken but safe. But under the wheels of the car was a lifeless form. As the woman held her child she screamed who could have done such an unselfish thing. As the broken lifeless body was covered she was told it was the bad girl who lived down the block.
The tongue can accuse. It can spread bad news and sow the seed of destruction. Unless you have made no mistakes in your life be careful the stones you throw.
The most destructive evidence of a wagging tongue is in the church.
Do you know that your pastor is defenseless against gossip? He’s often the last person to hear a rumor, especially if it involves him.
For instance, someone gossips that the pastor does not visit enough in the community. That is one of the hardest rumors to disprove, because nobody’s sure how much pastoral visiting is “enough”. And usually the guy who says the pastor does not do enough is not doing any himself.
Even if the pastor makes all the visits his schedule will allow, it only takes one disgruntled mouth to start a rumor by whispering that, “the pastor is lazy and does not visit”. Then if the pastor takes his family on a picnic or to a ball game, some member sees him, assumes, and the gossip gets new life.
Another insidious bit of gossip implies that the pastor does not study like he should. While it is true that some pastors coast from sermon to sermon, that is not the case with most ministers. However, no matter how well a minister prepares, there is always somebody who thinks he did not.
Proverbs advises, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble”. (Prov 21:23)
The tongue can accuse. It can spread bad news and sow the seed of destruction. Unless you have made no mistakes in your life be careful the stones you throw.
I heard a story about a woman who had no good word to say about another in her neighborhood. As the story goes she was always complaining about the bad girl who lived down the block. How this girl drank and ran around and should be run out of the neighborhood. This bad girl was a real bad influence for the only child of the gossip. She was certain the bad girl knew not to speak to her or her child. One day the screaming of brakes from a speeding car, the sound that could only turn your blood cold was heard. As the sound of the impact of a body with metal we all looked as this only child of the gossip was seen running into the street. All the neighbors rushed to the scene to find the child was shaken but safe. But under the wheels of the car was a lifeless form. As the woman held her child she screamed who could have done such an unselfish thing. As the broken lifeless body was covered she was told it was the bad girl who lived down the block.
The tongue can accuse. It can spread bad news and sow the seed of destruction. Unless you have made no mistakes in your life be careful the stones you throw.
The most destructive evidence of a wagging tongue is in the church.
Do you know that your pastor is defenseless against gossip? He’s often the last person to hear a rumor, especially if it involves him.
For instance, someone gossips that the pastor does not visit enough in the community. That is one of the hardest rumors to disprove, because nobody’s sure how much pastoral visiting is “enough”. And usually the guy who says the pastor does not do enough is not doing any himself.
Even if the pastor makes all the visits his schedule will allow, it only takes one disgruntled mouth to start a rumor by whispering that, “the pastor is lazy and does not visit”. Then if the pastor takes his family on a picnic or to a ball game, some member sees him, assumes, and the gossip gets new life.
Another insidious bit of gossip implies that the pastor does not study like he should. While it is true that some pastors coast from sermon to sermon, that is not the case with most ministers. However, no matter how well a minister prepares, there is always somebody who thinks he did not.
Proverbs advises, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble”. (Prov 21:23)
The tongue can accuse. It can spread bad news and sow the seed of destruction. Unless you have made no mistakes in your life be careful the stones you throw.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Grandma's Hands
This is a story sent to me by a friend of mine. it is so good I had to share it with others. I hope all who read will feel the same.
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Who is a Child of God?
A lot of people today claim to be Christians, but not as many are as claim to be. Jesus said, “ Not every one 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
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 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.
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 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.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Importance of Sound Doctrine
In view of the multitude of religious sects, teachings, and denominations of today, we do well to consider the importance of sound doctrine. Does it make any difference what you believe, so long as you are sincere? In the book of Titus chapter 2 verses 1 and 2 Paul answers that question when he says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” There is a trend today to consolidate all churches into one universal church. To do this would mean we would forfeit the fundamentals of the New Testament. It would be saying that it makes no difference what you believe, just so you are sincere. Our nation is governed by a sound constitution. We get very upset when anyone tries to destroys that--- why then don’t we get upset when someone tries to destroy a sound constitution God has set down to govern our lives—the New Testament.
The condition of the world we live in today is shown in II Timothy 4:1-3, “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
People are turning away from the Bible because it rebukes and condemns their lives. A small boy once told his preacher he could no longer read the Bible. Concerned the preacher asked why he felt that way. The lad said, “ cause this book kicks.” As a result of this turning away people are fleeing from the truth.
What is the result if we continue to turn away from and fail to preach the truth? If we compromise on God’s plan for salvation, we frustrate grace and lead men into eternity LOST and WITHOUT CHRIST. At the judgment I wonder who will be most ashamed, those who rejected Christ or those who refused to tell anyone about Christ? Galatians 2:21 states, “ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” If there were something we had to do by work to get saved we frustrate grace. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works least any man should boast.”
I pose this question today if Christ does not have the power to keep, where is the power to save? If the observance of ordinances would save, why did not Jesus use them? If membership in a church could save, why did Jesus not organize the church first?
The condition of the world we live in today is shown in II Timothy 4:1-3, “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
People are turning away from the Bible because it rebukes and condemns their lives. A small boy once told his preacher he could no longer read the Bible. Concerned the preacher asked why he felt that way. The lad said, “ cause this book kicks.” As a result of this turning away people are fleeing from the truth.
What is the result if we continue to turn away from and fail to preach the truth? If we compromise on God’s plan for salvation, we frustrate grace and lead men into eternity LOST and WITHOUT CHRIST. At the judgment I wonder who will be most ashamed, those who rejected Christ or those who refused to tell anyone about Christ? Galatians 2:21 states, “ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” If there were something we had to do by work to get saved we frustrate grace. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works least any man should boast.”
I pose this question today if Christ does not have the power to keep, where is the power to save? If the observance of ordinances would save, why did not Jesus use them? If membership in a church could save, why did Jesus not organize the church first?
Let's Change Places
How would you like to change places with those you do not understand, and try sitting where they sit? Not many would like to try it. It is much easier to stand back and condemn than to put yourself in the place of the one you condemn. In Ezekiel 3:15, the prophet said, “ I sat where they sat.” Being a prophet, God picked Ezekiel for a special task, a difficult task. But before he was able to carry out the mission given him, it was necessary for him to know first-hand what the people were going through. Not only did he sit where they sat, but “he remained there astonished among them seven days.”
How would the rich like to sit among the extremely poor for seven days? Would the man with good health want to take his place among the diseased for a period of time? Would the complaining wife be astonished if she followed her husband around for a week and sat where he sat, heard what he heard, did what he did, worked as he worked? Would a husband who lacked complete understanding of home problems be more helpful if he changed seats with his wife for a week?
There is a story about an employer who sent for a young man who had been stealing money from the firm. When the young man fully confessed his guilt, saying, “I did steal. I am guilty. Better send for the police and have it over with.” The boss replied, “ I am not even going to fire you, let alone call the police. You see, I did this very thing many years ago and my boss gave me another chance.” This caused a great change in the young bookkeeper and he became the most trusted man in the entire firm. His boss sat where he sat, and felt what he felt.
If we could only exchange jobs, duties, incomes, responsibilities, how much more understanding we would be! We certainly would have more sympathy and tolerance with those we deal with from day to day.
There are many times when the Pastor must seek to “Sit where they sit.” as far as the membership of the church is concerned. We may sit where others sit, God helping us, for a purpose. We must seek to see what others see and feel sorry enough to help them do something about their plight in life. We must seek to implant in hearts hope and cheer, and the only way to do this is to introduce the unhappy ones to Jesus. No other way is worth even a slight consideration. If we can implant in the lives of others, sincere love for God, a sincere desire to do His will, a total dependence on Him, they will soon be able to wipe out all criticism and rise out of the miserable depths of degradation.
Have you ever tried to sit near the throne of God and watch the world go by? Has it occurred to you that God is very patient with you, very kind, longsuffering, merciful, tenderhearted, always eager and anxious to help humanity out of their distress and despair? If not, possibly you need a new vision of Him.
Ezekiel was willing to suffer. We must do the same. He was not too proud to work, to tell the truth. He had no fear of what man might do. He defied the royal prince and according to tradition, lost his life, but above all, he never lost his desire to help those he came in contact with. How about changing seats with someone today?
How would the rich like to sit among the extremely poor for seven days? Would the man with good health want to take his place among the diseased for a period of time? Would the complaining wife be astonished if she followed her husband around for a week and sat where he sat, heard what he heard, did what he did, worked as he worked? Would a husband who lacked complete understanding of home problems be more helpful if he changed seats with his wife for a week?
There is a story about an employer who sent for a young man who had been stealing money from the firm. When the young man fully confessed his guilt, saying, “I did steal. I am guilty. Better send for the police and have it over with.” The boss replied, “ I am not even going to fire you, let alone call the police. You see, I did this very thing many years ago and my boss gave me another chance.” This caused a great change in the young bookkeeper and he became the most trusted man in the entire firm. His boss sat where he sat, and felt what he felt.
If we could only exchange jobs, duties, incomes, responsibilities, how much more understanding we would be! We certainly would have more sympathy and tolerance with those we deal with from day to day.
There are many times when the Pastor must seek to “Sit where they sit.” as far as the membership of the church is concerned. We may sit where others sit, God helping us, for a purpose. We must seek to see what others see and feel sorry enough to help them do something about their plight in life. We must seek to implant in hearts hope and cheer, and the only way to do this is to introduce the unhappy ones to Jesus. No other way is worth even a slight consideration. If we can implant in the lives of others, sincere love for God, a sincere desire to do His will, a total dependence on Him, they will soon be able to wipe out all criticism and rise out of the miserable depths of degradation.
Have you ever tried to sit near the throne of God and watch the world go by? Has it occurred to you that God is very patient with you, very kind, longsuffering, merciful, tenderhearted, always eager and anxious to help humanity out of their distress and despair? If not, possibly you need a new vision of Him.
Ezekiel was willing to suffer. We must do the same. He was not too proud to work, to tell the truth. He had no fear of what man might do. He defied the royal prince and according to tradition, lost his life, but above all, he never lost his desire to help those he came in contact with. How about changing seats with someone today?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Just Checkin In
This story was sent to me and I felt it needed to be sent out to others.
A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?" The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kind a what I say:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM
CHECKING IN TODAY."
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome To come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."
He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY"
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him , learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them, Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS
CHECKING IN TODAY."
If this blesses you, pass it on Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
and Angels watch over you.
But for those of us who are already His, He not
only holds us in the palm of His hand, but has
engraved our names there, and we are continually
in His sight (Isaiah 49:16)
Please pass this page on to your friends & loved ones.
If you aren't ashamed.
Jesus said, " If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father."
If you are not ashamed, pass this on. But only if you mean it.
Yes, I do love God. He is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing but with Him "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." Phil 4:13
This is too good not to share -
So this is me ... Just Checking
A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?" The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kind a what I say:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM
CHECKING IN TODAY."
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome To come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."
He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY"
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him , learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them, Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS
CHECKING IN TODAY."
If this blesses you, pass it on Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
and Angels watch over you.
But for those of us who are already His, He not
only holds us in the palm of His hand, but has
engraved our names there, and we are continually
in His sight (Isaiah 49:16)
Please pass this page on to your friends & loved ones.
If you aren't ashamed.
Jesus said, " If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father."
If you are not ashamed, pass this on. But only if you mean it.
Yes, I do love God. He is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing but with Him "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." Phil 4:13
This is too good not to share -
So this is me ... Just Checking
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Decision From God
Many times we try to force a decision from God. Each time we are faced with frustration. The churches have indoctrinated us to believe God is just standing by to give us our every wish. This is far from reality. god does want what is best for us, and he does look ahead. Sometimes what is best is not what we want to hear. Doors are closed or doors are open. Just because we want something does not mean it is in our best interest. So when we see a door closed we immediately assume God doesn't care or we must have great sin that prevented our request from being granted. This comes from pulpits on most every Sunday and from every denomination. While in reality God may have seen a pot hole that was going to cause far worse distress that the door that was closed.
In that light then we must understand all our efforts to force a closed door open or try to negotiate with God to reconsider is fruitless.
God is a great God and wants only what is best for His children. As the saying goes No is an answer too.
In that light then we must understand all our efforts to force a closed door open or try to negotiate with God to reconsider is fruitless.
God is a great God and wants only what is best for His children. As the saying goes No is an answer too.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Pilate and Jesus
Pilate had more to do with Jesus than he wanted. In fact, he had rather someone else had all the responsibility that finally fell upon him. Of the things he said about Jesus, there are two statements, almost alike, that stand out above all others. They are both found in the gospel according to John. First in John 18:38, he said, “I find in him no fault at all.” In John 19:4, he said, “Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.”
When Pilate gave these two statements, he spoke a great truth. It would seem that he never fully embraced this fact in such a way as to receive this One as his personal Savior. This reminds us it is possible to know the truth, but still fail to act upon it. This governor was saying things about Jesus that cannot truthfully be said about any other. All of us have known some good people, good compared to others we know, but we could not truthfully say they were without fault.
Some things must be without fault to be valuable, or at least to have their full value. We are told that only a small percent of diamonds are perfect. In them, the slightest imperfection reduces their value greatly. A painting, to be a masterpiece, must be without flaw, or fault. Jesus to really be what He claimed to be and to do had to be without fault. If even one sin was found in Him, then He was not the Son of God. After Pilate had closely examined Him, he could only come to one conclusion: He was without fault.
There are several standards by which a man’s character may be judged. We measure him by what he is. Character is something you make or break yourself. Other men may, at least for a time, destroy your reputation, but if your character is destroyed, you do that yourself. If your character is not good you have no one to blame save yourself.
We measure men by their conversation. Our words either commend us or condemn us. This should cause us to be careful about what we say and how we say it. It is still a good policy to mediate on words before you use them. Words are like mirrors. They reflect on the speaker. So be very careful what you say.
Also we measure men by their conduct, their contribution, and their creed. When you measure Jesus by all these standards, still you have to say with Pilate, “I find no fault in him.” If He is all He claimed to be, just where does that leave us when we refuse to accept Him? Pilate thought literal water would wash His blood from his hands, but there will come a time when he will see the folly of his reasoning.
When Pilate gave these two statements, he spoke a great truth. It would seem that he never fully embraced this fact in such a way as to receive this One as his personal Savior. This reminds us it is possible to know the truth, but still fail to act upon it. This governor was saying things about Jesus that cannot truthfully be said about any other. All of us have known some good people, good compared to others we know, but we could not truthfully say they were without fault.
Some things must be without fault to be valuable, or at least to have their full value. We are told that only a small percent of diamonds are perfect. In them, the slightest imperfection reduces their value greatly. A painting, to be a masterpiece, must be without flaw, or fault. Jesus to really be what He claimed to be and to do had to be without fault. If even one sin was found in Him, then He was not the Son of God. After Pilate had closely examined Him, he could only come to one conclusion: He was without fault.
There are several standards by which a man’s character may be judged. We measure him by what he is. Character is something you make or break yourself. Other men may, at least for a time, destroy your reputation, but if your character is destroyed, you do that yourself. If your character is not good you have no one to blame save yourself.
We measure men by their conversation. Our words either commend us or condemn us. This should cause us to be careful about what we say and how we say it. It is still a good policy to mediate on words before you use them. Words are like mirrors. They reflect on the speaker. So be very careful what you say.
Also we measure men by their conduct, their contribution, and their creed. When you measure Jesus by all these standards, still you have to say with Pilate, “I find no fault in him.” If He is all He claimed to be, just where does that leave us when we refuse to accept Him? Pilate thought literal water would wash His blood from his hands, but there will come a time when he will see the folly of his reasoning.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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 what ever we climb upon. He will guide us through stormy seas so that we may learn life lessons. God knows what is ahead and will guide us through the maize if we will but allow Him.
One thing must be made 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 don’t know Him. They have only heard of him. In our world today few there be who want to know Jesus.
Jesus is a friend in the truest sense of the word.
So if you have not met my friend let me introduce you to one of the greatest friend I have ever known. One who has 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 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. Even 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. Those who don’t have a friend like that 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 be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow so the bible says.
If you don’t know Jesus seek Him in your heart, confess Him with your mouth and He will come and dwell with you.
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 what ever we climb upon. He will guide us through stormy seas so that we may learn life lessons. God knows what is ahead and will guide us through the maize if we will but allow Him.
One thing must be made 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 don’t know Him. They have only heard of him. In our world today few there be who want to know Jesus.
Jesus is a friend in the truest sense of the word.
So if you have not met my friend let me introduce you to one of the greatest friend I have ever known. One who has 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 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. Even 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. Those who don’t have a friend like that 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 be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow so the bible says.
If you don’t know Jesus seek Him in your heart, confess Him with your mouth and He will come and dwell with you.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Jesus
A short time ago I came across this account of the life and ministry of Jesus. The author is unknown but I felt this was a truly accurate picture of Jesus. I would like to include it in this day’s devotion.
Jesus was the poorest man who ever walked the dirt roads of this life. Born in poverty and reared in obscurity, yet He lived to enrich mankind. A stable was Hs birthplace, a manger His cradle. For twenty years He worked as a carpenter in a poverty-stricken and despised village, which bore the scorn of man as they asked, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
He began His ministry at the Jordan River, with no organization to support Him, no patrons to enrich Him. He publicly began a life of poverty that ended in a borrowed tomb. He preached without price, and wrought miracles without money. As far as we know, He never possessed the value of one dollar. How pathetic His words, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have their nest, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.”
He was an itinerant preacher whose parish was the world. When invited, He entered men’s homes for dinner. When unasked, He never went hungry. He sought breakfast from the leafing fig tree, but found none. He ate grain from His hands as He walked through the fields of corn, His support came from the gifts of a few women, and His treasurer stole part of the pittance put therein. He walked over the hills of Judea and by the waters of Galilee enriching men, Himself the poorest of all. He slept often under the open sky, in the wilderness without food, by Jacob’s well without water, in the crowded city without a home. Thus He lived and loved, toiled and died. His value was thirty pieces of silver when sold—the price of a slave, the poorest estimate of human life.
So poor was He that He must carry His own cross through the city until, fainting, He fell. He was nailed to that cross between two thieves, stripped of His robe, the gift of His love, for which inhuman soldiers gambled as He died. With no estate with which to endow His weeping mother, He bequeathed her to the love of the beloved John. Then He gave His peace to the disciples, His pardon to the thief, His life for the world, His body to the cross, and His Spirit to God. His burial clothes were the gift of a friend; He was laid at last in a borrowed grave.
Truly, Jesus Christ was the poorest man that ever lived and walked the dirt roads of earth. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty might become rich.
Jesus was the poorest man who ever walked the dirt roads of this life. Born in poverty and reared in obscurity, yet He lived to enrich mankind. A stable was Hs birthplace, a manger His cradle. For twenty years He worked as a carpenter in a poverty-stricken and despised village, which bore the scorn of man as they asked, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
He began His ministry at the Jordan River, with no organization to support Him, no patrons to enrich Him. He publicly began a life of poverty that ended in a borrowed tomb. He preached without price, and wrought miracles without money. As far as we know, He never possessed the value of one dollar. How pathetic His words, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have their nest, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.”
He was an itinerant preacher whose parish was the world. When invited, He entered men’s homes for dinner. When unasked, He never went hungry. He sought breakfast from the leafing fig tree, but found none. He ate grain from His hands as He walked through the fields of corn, His support came from the gifts of a few women, and His treasurer stole part of the pittance put therein. He walked over the hills of Judea and by the waters of Galilee enriching men, Himself the poorest of all. He slept often under the open sky, in the wilderness without food, by Jacob’s well without water, in the crowded city without a home. Thus He lived and loved, toiled and died. His value was thirty pieces of silver when sold—the price of a slave, the poorest estimate of human life.
So poor was He that He must carry His own cross through the city until, fainting, He fell. He was nailed to that cross between two thieves, stripped of His robe, the gift of His love, for which inhuman soldiers gambled as He died. With no estate with which to endow His weeping mother, He bequeathed her to the love of the beloved John. Then He gave His peace to the disciples, His pardon to the thief, His life for the world, His body to the cross, and His Spirit to God. His burial clothes were the gift of a friend; He was laid at last in a borrowed grave.
Truly, Jesus Christ was the poorest man that ever lived and walked the dirt roads of earth. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty might become rich.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hindrances to Prayer
In I Peter 3:7 Peter writes the words, “that your prayers be not hindered.” “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will no hear me.” So reads Psalm 66:18. Every child of God should pay close attention to these two statements. To do less has the potential of keeping us from God’s richest blessings. As Christians we need a prayer life and we need to have our prayers answered. If there is something amiss in our lives that are causing our prayers to go unanswered then maybe we need to look within ourselves and see what is causing the problem.
Jesus gave us an outline how we are to pray. He taught His disciples to ask for daily bread and expect to get it. He taught us to ask for daily forgiveness and deliverance for evil. He set the example we are to follow when we pray. Remember as He prayed in the garden He said, “I knew that thou hearest me always.” (John 11:42) Based on that we should believe the normal Christian life to be a life of regular, daily answer to prayer. But sadly far too many do not have a normal prayer life. The only time they pray is when they need something or get into trouble.
Peter taught that wrong relationship between husbands and wives could cause our prayers not to be answered. I Peter 3:1-7 admonishes us to take a close look at our home life. Do you find hindrances there? If so seek the answer from God’s Word about how to make a home life that is pleasing to God.
Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23,24 that wrongs unrighted, debts unpaid, and offended brothers unreconciled, all have a direct bearing on our prayer lives. There is a way to correct this flaw in our lives. Seek God and ask Him to show you how to make all things right. Ask for forgiveness from God. You do believe God will forgive you? He will only if you are willing to forgive others. If you hold a grudge and are unwilling to forgive your brother or sister God may be unwilling to hear and answer your prayers.
Unforgiveness greaves the heart o God. Jesus said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:15)
One of the greatest hindrances to prayer in the church is covetousness. God truly hates this sin in His people. Yet many in the church today are eaten up with this cancer. They seek power, position, money material gain and possessions to be seen of men. Any church member who is guilty of this great sin not cannot expect to get his/her prayers answered and will hinder the growth of the church they attend. The spirit will be hindered and one that may need to get saved just might not get that chance. God’s record books will show how this sin is to be dealt with. How do you want God to judge you should your sin keep someone from meeting Jesus or causing the church Jesus died for to stagnate? If this sin is not removed from the Christian then God cannot hear their prayer.
If you have problem you need God’s help with all you have to do is ask. But first you must make sure you are in the right place, in the right frame of mind and right with God. Have you forgiven all who have wronged you? To get forgiven you must forgive.
God will do His part but He expects you to do your part.
Jesus gave us an outline how we are to pray. He taught His disciples to ask for daily bread and expect to get it. He taught us to ask for daily forgiveness and deliverance for evil. He set the example we are to follow when we pray. Remember as He prayed in the garden He said, “I knew that thou hearest me always.” (John 11:42) Based on that we should believe the normal Christian life to be a life of regular, daily answer to prayer. But sadly far too many do not have a normal prayer life. The only time they pray is when they need something or get into trouble.
Peter taught that wrong relationship between husbands and wives could cause our prayers not to be answered. I Peter 3:1-7 admonishes us to take a close look at our home life. Do you find hindrances there? If so seek the answer from God’s Word about how to make a home life that is pleasing to God.
Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23,24 that wrongs unrighted, debts unpaid, and offended brothers unreconciled, all have a direct bearing on our prayer lives. There is a way to correct this flaw in our lives. Seek God and ask Him to show you how to make all things right. Ask for forgiveness from God. You do believe God will forgive you? He will only if you are willing to forgive others. If you hold a grudge and are unwilling to forgive your brother or sister God may be unwilling to hear and answer your prayers.
Unforgiveness greaves the heart o God. Jesus said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:15)
One of the greatest hindrances to prayer in the church is covetousness. God truly hates this sin in His people. Yet many in the church today are eaten up with this cancer. They seek power, position, money material gain and possessions to be seen of men. Any church member who is guilty of this great sin not cannot expect to get his/her prayers answered and will hinder the growth of the church they attend. The spirit will be hindered and one that may need to get saved just might not get that chance. God’s record books will show how this sin is to be dealt with. How do you want God to judge you should your sin keep someone from meeting Jesus or causing the church Jesus died for to stagnate? If this sin is not removed from the Christian then God cannot hear their prayer.
If you have problem you need God’s help with all you have to do is ask. But first you must make sure you are in the right place, in the right frame of mind and right with God. Have you forgiven all who have wronged you? To get forgiven you must forgive.
God will do His part but He expects you to do your part.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Let Us Rise Up and Build
The Bible has many examples of building, and how it is to be done. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah teach us about building the city of Jerusalem and God’s Temple. The new Testament teaches how to build the church. Building is as old as time. Man has always built something from simple shelter to massive cathedrals. Most of the building man has done down through the ages has been for the wrong reasons. Seldom does man build anything to honor the Lord.
God’s children ought to be builders, but should be sure they are erecting the right kinds of buildings. We definitely need to build strong Christian homes. Our homes today reflect our strength. Satan from the very beginning has sought to destroy the home. For he knows if he succeeds there he can defeat God’s people. Today we do not have a strong home life centered around God the Bible and the church. No nation is stronger than the homes of which it consists. No church is stronger than the homes, which represent that body.
As individual believers we need to build our character. Character is what a person is made of. His reputation is what others think of him. Yet a person is more that the opinions of others. This generation has tried to substitute money for character; it doesn’t work now and never will. If Christian character is not built into a child in the home and in the church he has very little chance of becoming somebody in this world.
Our churches should be built on strong doctrine not on traditional thinking of man-made ideas. Today we see churches with small congregations and some with multitudes in attendance. There are congregations made up of wealthy people and there are those made up of poor people. Neither of which should a church be build around. Some churches are built around a pastor because of his strong personality. God pity the man who wants to build around himself! The problem in most churches today is the lack of God inspired and spirit filled leaders and teachers. We need men and women in every area of the church who are sound in doctrine and grounded in faith and are washed in the blood. There is much confusion today in the church caused by those who are not sound in the faith.
We cannot build strong churches today and cling to the ways of the world. The church must be in the world, but the world must not be in the church. Many preachers today find it easy to compromise with the world, because it helps them to grow in number. Building a church means building a people who will walk in God’s way. Who have faith God will provide and care if a sinner is lost or saved.
We need to build evangelistic churches. Done God’s way and in God’s time. In the book of Acts we find God added to the church such as should be saved, and added three thousand in one day. Once a person is saved and baptized there needs to be discipleship, people being taught about and from God’s Word. The Great commission is to reach the world with the gospel. That world starts in your neighborhood. When was the last time you invited your neighbor to church?
We must build for the glory of God. To do less is to build for the glory of man.
God’s children ought to be builders, but should be sure they are erecting the right kinds of buildings. We definitely need to build strong Christian homes. Our homes today reflect our strength. Satan from the very beginning has sought to destroy the home. For he knows if he succeeds there he can defeat God’s people. Today we do not have a strong home life centered around God the Bible and the church. No nation is stronger than the homes of which it consists. No church is stronger than the homes, which represent that body.
As individual believers we need to build our character. Character is what a person is made of. His reputation is what others think of him. Yet a person is more that the opinions of others. This generation has tried to substitute money for character; it doesn’t work now and never will. If Christian character is not built into a child in the home and in the church he has very little chance of becoming somebody in this world.
Our churches should be built on strong doctrine not on traditional thinking of man-made ideas. Today we see churches with small congregations and some with multitudes in attendance. There are congregations made up of wealthy people and there are those made up of poor people. Neither of which should a church be build around. Some churches are built around a pastor because of his strong personality. God pity the man who wants to build around himself! The problem in most churches today is the lack of God inspired and spirit filled leaders and teachers. We need men and women in every area of the church who are sound in doctrine and grounded in faith and are washed in the blood. There is much confusion today in the church caused by those who are not sound in the faith.
We cannot build strong churches today and cling to the ways of the world. The church must be in the world, but the world must not be in the church. Many preachers today find it easy to compromise with the world, because it helps them to grow in number. Building a church means building a people who will walk in God’s way. Who have faith God will provide and care if a sinner is lost or saved.
We need to build evangelistic churches. Done God’s way and in God’s time. In the book of Acts we find God added to the church such as should be saved, and added three thousand in one day. Once a person is saved and baptized there needs to be discipleship, people being taught about and from God’s Word. The Great commission is to reach the world with the gospel. That world starts in your neighborhood. When was the last time you invited your neighbor to church?
We must build for the glory of God. To do less is to build for the glory of man.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Wind
The wind. You don’t know where it comes from and you don’t know where it is going. When the wind blows the leaves that have fallen or are not securely attached to the tree are blown about. People that do not have a strong faith in God are like leaves in the wind. Just like the wind that carries leaves away from the tree, a life that is not rooted in faith and sound spiritual truths will be blown around like leaves in the wind. Jesus tells us in John 3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listh, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of spirit.”
The wind blows and we see the leaves on the wind. We cannot see the wind but we know it is there. The wind can cool us with a gentle breeze or can destroy our lives in an instant. Sin is like a strong evil wind.
In Eph 4:14 we find, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
We need a strong faith in God and His Word to be able to stand against those who would deceive us with the strong wind of false doctrine. Even if we have a sound attachment we still are vulnerable to false teaching and the harsh wind of misleading doctrine. Only when we keep our eyes on Jesus and listen to what He has to say can we stand against the falsehoods Satan would have us believe. For he knows if he can get us detached from our roots we will be blown away by his evil wind.
So keep your eyes on Jesus and you heart in His hands and you will be secure even in the worst of storms. For He is our rock and shelter and He will protect us and keep us safe.
The wind blows and we see the leaves on the wind. We cannot see the wind but we know it is there. The wind can cool us with a gentle breeze or can destroy our lives in an instant. Sin is like a strong evil wind.
In Eph 4:14 we find, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
We need a strong faith in God and His Word to be able to stand against those who would deceive us with the strong wind of false doctrine. Even if we have a sound attachment we still are vulnerable to false teaching and the harsh wind of misleading doctrine. Only when we keep our eyes on Jesus and listen to what He has to say can we stand against the falsehoods Satan would have us believe. For he knows if he can get us detached from our roots we will be blown away by his evil wind.
So keep your eyes on Jesus and you heart in His hands and you will be secure even in the worst of storms. For He is our rock and shelter and He will protect us and keep us safe.
Friday, December 25, 2009
The New Year
As we prepare for the New Year let us stop and reflect what God has done. As God was preparing to carpet the fields with clover, to give flight to eagles and to sculpt mountains He was thinking about each of us, and what we were to do. He placed the detailed design for the mighty oak in the tiny acorn. He also placed within each of a complete design for our purpose and mission. Nothing was left to chance. He thought of everything. Gave us tool only we can use. Every one was custom made by God. Each has a special purpose and mission that only they can accomplish. He gave each the necessary talents and gifts at birth so as to be able to accomplish the mission. Custom tailored talents crafted prior to our birth and lovingly given so that the designed purpose could be accomplished.
As we look into the New Year let us seek our purpose and mission as God designed. The design is within and we must look there to see all the plans He made for us.
The Psalmist had this to say, For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well.My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and couriously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
As we look into the New Year let us seek our purpose and mission as God designed. The design is within and we must look there to see all the plans He made for us.
The Psalmist had this to say, For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well.My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and couriously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
If a Man dies Lost, whoes fault will it be?
If a Man Dies Lost--- Whose Fault Will It Be
If a man dies lost whose fault will it be—His. Because God had given man many chances to be saved. Let’s look at all the things God had done to save man.
He gave us the Bible. In that he gave us the way of truth. In the bible we can find the road map to heaven.
He gave us the church. A place we can find refuge. The church is a house of prayer. A place we can find God.
He gave us conscience. Our conscience points out our sins. We cannot lie to God or to ourselves. The Holy Spirit will convict us through our conscience.
He gave us prayers. Prayers of our loved ones. Those that care for us and want to see us in heaven. Prayers of the church for those who are lost or have gone astray.
He gave us sorrow. Sorrow to point us to him. Sorrow to make us realize our need for God.
He gave us the Holy Spirit. To point out our sin to us. To keep nudging us toward the right decision.
He gave us the cross of Calvary. The place he allowed his son to die for our sins. On the cross Jesus shed his blood for all mankind so that all would have a chance to go to heaven. For only through Jesus and what he did on the cross do we have a way of escape.
So if you die lost and without Jesus, God did all possible to save you. When Jesus died he said it is finished. He looked down through eternity and looked straight at you and me and said. “I do this for you.” The choice now is up to us we can accept Him or reject Him. We can be saved by admitting we are sinners and in need of salvation and can asked Him to forgive us and to come into our hearts and save us. Or we can die lost in our sin and spend eternity in a devils hell. What choice will you make?
If a man dies lost whose fault will it be—His. Because God had given man many chances to be saved. Let’s look at all the things God had done to save man.
He gave us the Bible. In that he gave us the way of truth. In the bible we can find the road map to heaven.
He gave us the church. A place we can find refuge. The church is a house of prayer. A place we can find God.
He gave us conscience. Our conscience points out our sins. We cannot lie to God or to ourselves. The Holy Spirit will convict us through our conscience.
He gave us prayers. Prayers of our loved ones. Those that care for us and want to see us in heaven. Prayers of the church for those who are lost or have gone astray.
He gave us sorrow. Sorrow to point us to him. Sorrow to make us realize our need for God.
He gave us the Holy Spirit. To point out our sin to us. To keep nudging us toward the right decision.
He gave us the cross of Calvary. The place he allowed his son to die for our sins. On the cross Jesus shed his blood for all mankind so that all would have a chance to go to heaven. For only through Jesus and what he did on the cross do we have a way of escape.
So if you die lost and without Jesus, God did all possible to save you. When Jesus died he said it is finished. He looked down through eternity and looked straight at you and me and said. “I do this for you.” The choice now is up to us we can accept Him or reject Him. We can be saved by admitting we are sinners and in need of salvation and can asked Him to forgive us and to come into our hearts and save us. Or we can die lost in our sin and spend eternity in a devils hell. What choice will you make?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Why was I Born?
What person has not asked, “Why was I born?” “What purpose do I have on this earth?” we all have questions about life. Many look for answers in the wrong places—and they find more questions.
Some look for the answer in drugs only to become dependent on them. Some seek the answer in material possessions only to find that they must be updated and replaced.
We deceive ourselves into thinking that man will successfully work out all his problems.
The common denominator of young and old seems to be disillusionment. People are not really happy.
God wants us to know the “why of life.” So He gave us a Book and then He gave His Son to tell and also to show us about life. Jesus came to bring the abundant life (John 10:10). Christ gives meaning to life. How does He do that?
First He gives us purpose. Everything has purpose. Everything happens for a reason. That reason may not be readily apparent to us but God does have a reason. Each tool has a specific purpose. So God created man with a purpose. To each He gave special talents to use for His honor and glory. When we are fulfilling God’s purpose for us, things go well, but when we are outside that purpose, things do not go well.
Jesus gives us peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you.” (John 14:27) that doesn’t mean Christians won’t have problems. The difference is that Christians have someone who will help them with their problems.
Jesus gives us power through His spirit. The Holy Spirit energizes us with a new power. This happens when we are born again into the family of God. The caterpillar is an ugly hairy worn that cannot fly until it is born again as a butterfly. We too, are powerless until we are born again.
Christ gives us pardon. The thing that keeps us from God is sin. Sin separates, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” With His blood Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross.
Do you want purpose in life? Do you want peace? Do you want power over life? Do you want pardon from your sin? All of this can be yours if you but turn your life over to Christ. Give your heart and life to Him. “Fear God and keep His commands for this is the whole duty of man.”
Some look for the answer in drugs only to become dependent on them. Some seek the answer in material possessions only to find that they must be updated and replaced.
We deceive ourselves into thinking that man will successfully work out all his problems.
The common denominator of young and old seems to be disillusionment. People are not really happy.
God wants us to know the “why of life.” So He gave us a Book and then He gave His Son to tell and also to show us about life. Jesus came to bring the abundant life (John 10:10). Christ gives meaning to life. How does He do that?
First He gives us purpose. Everything has purpose. Everything happens for a reason. That reason may not be readily apparent to us but God does have a reason. Each tool has a specific purpose. So God created man with a purpose. To each He gave special talents to use for His honor and glory. When we are fulfilling God’s purpose for us, things go well, but when we are outside that purpose, things do not go well.
Jesus gives us peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you.” (John 14:27) that doesn’t mean Christians won’t have problems. The difference is that Christians have someone who will help them with their problems.
Jesus gives us power through His spirit. The Holy Spirit energizes us with a new power. This happens when we are born again into the family of God. The caterpillar is an ugly hairy worn that cannot fly until it is born again as a butterfly. We too, are powerless until we are born again.
Christ gives us pardon. The thing that keeps us from God is sin. Sin separates, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” With His blood Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross.
Do you want purpose in life? Do you want peace? Do you want power over life? Do you want pardon from your sin? All of this can be yours if you but turn your life over to Christ. Give your heart and life to Him. “Fear God and keep His commands for this is the whole duty of man.”
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Being Honest With Yourself
In I John 1:8 we find these words, “ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” If there is anything worse than deception, it is self-deception. John is telling us that the person who denies he has sin is not deceiving others because they know better. He only kids himself, and truly this is bad. Are you really honest with yourself? Why try to kid yourself when you know you cannot deceive others. The poet Dale Wimbrow pined these words,
“When you get what you want in your struggle for life
And the world makes you king for a day
Then go to your mirror and look at yourself
To see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife;
Whose judgment on you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He’s the man you must please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end;
And you’ve passed your most difficult, and dangerous test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may be like another and “chisel” a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy;
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears,
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.”
This is just another way of telling that we need to take a careful self-examination regularly. It says, “Pass judgment on yourself before the other fellow dose. “ we ought to be honest with others, but we must be honest with God and with ourselves. We can deceive the whole world but we cannot lie to God or to ourselves. Granted it is much easier to see faults in someone else than our own imperfections. One of the signs of true greatness is to be able to accept constructive criticism from others. Yet, our greatest and best critic should be ourselves.
The person who does not practice self-examination will soon become a very sever critic of others. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. How then can we love our neighbor if we don’t love ourselves?
How can we love ourselves if don’t even know who we are? God loves us just as He made us. My question, are you a sinner saved by grace or are you lost and dieing in your sins? Only an honest self-examination and a talk with the Lord can answer that?
“When you get what you want in your struggle for life
And the world makes you king for a day
Then go to your mirror and look at yourself
To see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife;
Whose judgment on you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He’s the man you must please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end;
And you’ve passed your most difficult, and dangerous test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may be like another and “chisel” a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy;
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears,
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.”
This is just another way of telling that we need to take a careful self-examination regularly. It says, “Pass judgment on yourself before the other fellow dose. “ we ought to be honest with others, but we must be honest with God and with ourselves. We can deceive the whole world but we cannot lie to God or to ourselves. Granted it is much easier to see faults in someone else than our own imperfections. One of the signs of true greatness is to be able to accept constructive criticism from others. Yet, our greatest and best critic should be ourselves.
The person who does not practice self-examination will soon become a very sever critic of others. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. How then can we love our neighbor if we don’t love ourselves?
How can we love ourselves if don’t even know who we are? God loves us just as He made us. My question, are you a sinner saved by grace or are you lost and dieing in your sins? Only an honest self-examination and a talk with the Lord can answer that?
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