Change

Change 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Change is such a harsh word. It is something we all resist, yet it is something that is vital to our existence. In nature thing change and we call this change seasons. In the spring what looks to be dead comes to life and turns from brown to green. In the fall as the weather cools and days are shortened the green changes to a pallet of color. In our lives there also is change. We watch as our children change before our eyes as they grow from infant to toddler to teen to adult. We too change as years pass and hair turns from color to gray. Eyes dim from the strain of trials past. Our bodies that once could perform feats of strength and endurance now struggle to get out of bed. Yes there is nothing more constant than change. When we accept Christ as our Savior a greater change takes place. We go from being dead in sin to life with the Father. We are born into the family of God and old things are done away with and all things are made new. We are new creatures and a child of God. We see with new eyes and sing a new song. We also go from being a slave to Satan to one he seeks to destroy. There is a newness of life and things have a brighter glow. We go where we have not gone before and do things that were once alien to us. This change has given us a new friend. One who will never leave us nor forsake us. One we can trust with our most precious possession—our heart and life. Yes change is coming and changed we will all be. In nature change must take place for new life to begin. Dead branches must be cut off so new fruit can grow. The best grapes grow from new branches. If old dead wood is not removed, if aged and sick limbs are not cast off the whole tree is in danger of dying. Change may be painful at first; if done so new life can grow then the pain is of none affect. If change is not allowed and old wood remain the whole vine will wither and new fruit will not grow. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:5-7)

Pilate and Jesus

Pilate had more to do with Jesus than he wanted. In fact, he had rather someone else have 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, which we judge a man’s character. 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. 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, where does that leave us when we refuse to accept Him? Pilate thought literal water would wash Jesus’ blood from his hands, but there will come a time when Pilate will see the folly of his reasoning. Like Pilate all will have to give account of every word spoken and every act.

What is a Hypocrite

What a nasty word hypocrite is. Yet it is used to describe how a Christian is today. We have all heard, “I could never join that church as it is full of hypocrites.” While it is true there are many in the church there are also many in the school, the club, the government and the lodge. There are even hypocrites in the home. Hypocrisy does not mean we don’t measure up to our beliefs. If it did we would all be guilty. Hypocrisy is pretending to be something we are not. The word comes from the Greek word meaning an actor. Someone as well said that, “ Hypocrisy is the compliment that vice pays to virtue.” To be a hypocrite one would recognize a good quality of another—Christian virtue—and pretend to have the same quality all the time knowing he does not possess that quality. In other words he is an actor playing a part. Many today are play-acting. Most are so caught up in the need to impress another they forget that they have real personalities that God Himself gave them. Each has talents that when used in harmony with another beautiful music is heard. A good example of this would be an orchestra. Each musician has the talent to play an instrument. Each instrument has a specific sound. When a master conductor raises his wand all play in harmony and the result is breathtaking. But let each play as an individual only noise can be heard. God is not the author of confusion. His plan is for total harmony in His church, in the lives of His children and in the world He created. Man on the other hand has decided only he can conduct his talents and make his own music, when each elects to do this ciaos results. Can REAL Christians be hypocrites? The answer is YES. But we can overcome this problem if we will surrender our will to the will of God and let Him direct the instrument He made and tuned for a specific sound. You can pretend to be something you are not and only noise is heard. The Pharisees were accused by Jesus of being hypocrites in Luke 20:20. This was because they were pretending to be righteous by keeping punctilious little traditions of hand washing and tithing of mint, meanwhile they cheated widows out of their houses and violently opposes the only completely righteous Person who ever lived. The book of James speaks strongly against a religion of all talk and no reality. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen by men who walk over them and are not aware of them.” Today are you a hypocrite?

This Generation

In the book of Acts chapter 2 verses 36-41 we find Peters sermon on Pentecost. This was a great sermon as it contained all the necessary ingredients. The preacher was filled with the Holy Spirit. It foretold of the coming of Christ. It warned against willful sin. And last it exhorted the hearer to repent. As Peter closed his message that day he exhorted all repent and be saved from an unwilling or crooked generation. We live in a time of unwillingness: Unwillingness to listen to Gods Word; to be separate; to serve God; and most damaging the unwillingness to change. This is a Think less age. As a whole people don’t think about God. He is not part of their thought process. To many He doesn’t even exist. People today are living only in the material realm. Earthly things like gold, silver, houses and land, and only things that give them pleasure fill their worldly thoughts. But then the bible teaches that men the last days, “shall be lovers of pleasures more that lovers of God.” Most people today set their affections on perishable things, like buying ice cream on a very hot day. In a Christian nation it is sad when a blood bought believer grows cold, indifferent and unconcerned. They are unconcerned about their church, about their fellow man and the fate of their nation. Many Christians today give no thought to bible study, prayer, church attendance, and the use of their God given talents for His service. Please don’t ask them to take a stand for the Christ who died for them on the cross. Along with the ungodly crowd the Christians today give no thought to the second coming of Christ. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Ours is a thinkless nation all tied up in NOTS: See not—our need for Christ; Hear not---God’s plan and warning; Know not---God’s love; Awareth not---of the judgment to come; Prepared not---for eternity; Believing not---what God said is true. Ours is an age of preconceived ideas what other people should do or think to conform to our ideas, wills or desires. This is also a THANKLESS generation. Paul has this to say about this age.” This know that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” Paul went on to say in Romans 1:21 why we are this way, “Because when they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” We are not thankful today for anything. Not for Gods blessings; Not for His Son who died for our sins; Not for Gods church. We are the richest nation on the face of the earth and we owe it all to God and yet we can’t even take time to thank Him. Are you thankful you live in a free country blessed by God? If so have you thanked Him lately? Have you even thought about Him? Why haven’t you stood up and told someone about Him?

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?

Decisions and Choices

Decisions and Choices Proverbs 1:5-9 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. Proverbs 2:10-11 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: Through out our lives we make decisions and choices that affect nor only our life but the lives of others. Many times we make choices based on the conditions and situations of the moment. Sometimes those choices are good sound choices with positive affects. Other times our choices are based on emotion and lack sound judgment. Either way we have to live and die with the choices we make. There are many factors that affect how we make decisions. No decision should be made purely on emotion. In reality that is not the way we do things. We make a lot of decisions on our emotions. How we feel at the moment. How we react to a situation or to decisions of others. Once we make and act on our decision it cannot be withdrawn. We are responsible for that action and the decision we make. If it is a good sound decision we will prosper. If our decision is made out of deceit, anger or lack of data the outcome is usually one we regret. Just like words when spoken decisions made and acted upon cannot be returned for us to edit. Whether we admit it or not or like it or not we and we alone are responsible for the decisions and choices we make. God gave each or us free will to make our own decisions. To control our lives as we feel is correct. He also gave us rules we are to base our choices and decisions upon. If we choose to ignore those rules we make decisions we regret and have to live with the consequences. Each decision and choice has a consequence. No one forces us to make the decisions we make. We make our decisions to do or to say what we want but we will have to live with the choices we make. Good or bad right or wrong we still will be held accountable for the decisions and choices we make. If not in this life then when we stand before God we will answer for all we do and say in this life. Our decisions have long reaching fingers and will always touch the life of another. It may be the life of someone we love. It may be a stranger or a friend. Our choices may cause someone to cry or laugh, feel joy or pain. No matter which we are still responsible for what we do. If we decide we do not need to follow the rules of society we will have to pay for that decision with the loss of our freedom or some of the material things we have gathered and hold dear. If we choose to disregard God’s rules the payment is far greater and has longer lasting results. Should we decide to ignore the need to follow the rules that does not free us form the responsibility of the results. We can make believe we are immune to the results of our choices. That we really don’t have to answer for what we do or say. We can color our lives with deceit or fanaticize a world that is far from reality. In truth deep down in our being we know the truth. It has been said you cannot lie to yourself or to God, all others you can deceive. How we make decisions is a copulation of trial and error. We will not always make the right choice or decision. When we do make a wrong decision we must live with the results of that decision. The same way we must live with the results of a good sound decision. Our decisions will help or hurt those around us. The more we make decisions that go against the rules of society and those of God the worse our lives will become. This is not a complicated matter. It is not rooted in deep emotional or physical thinking. It is simply a matter of what is right and wrong. You can accept it or reject it but that will not change it. You can ignore it or pretend it does not apply to you. But in the end you are still responsible for your decisions and for those helped or hurt by the decisions and choices you make. The choice is yours to make. Make it wisely.

Rise Up and Build

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 on 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 and doctrine. 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.

What Do You Cling To?

What Do You Cling to? Acts 3:10-12 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Try to imagine: If the beggar's healing had made today's news headlines -- who would get the credit? How would the world explain his healing? Would God get the credit? It is doubtful God would even get an honorable mention. Many would give credit to the doctors who worked on him or to some new and wonder working drug. There would even be those who would claim it is due to membership is some special group who had been given special powers. Have you ever thought why we don’t see this same kind of miracle today? Ok I know God does work miracles today and He still heals many ailments. Lets look for a moment and see what would happen if you saw your pastor at the mall and there was a man in a wheel chair setting waiting for another to push him around. The pastor stops and talks to the man for a few moments then he speaks as Peter spoke. The crippled man leaps out of his chair and starts running around the mall. Who would get all the attention—the man, the pastor or God? The pastor knows who did the healing but who do the bystanders think did the healing? Right ---just as those in the temple with Peter and John did –everyone would gather around the pastor and stand in amazement at how he had done this great thing. Even the one who is now standing would shout praises for the pastor. There is a warning given to us in the last sentence of this story: "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Our own power or our own godliness. If we error here then we miss the point as did those at the temple that day. God is the same today as He was then so why don’t we see the same kind of miracles? I feel it is because today man would get the glory over God. Keep in mind Peter had been with Jesus had seen what the power of God was really all about. He knew he was but a simple fisherman but he also knew that having total faith in God would and could do great things. He had seen evidence of how that worked. Maybe our vision is blurred today. Maybe our faith is weak or maybe we are too logical to think God can do what He said He can do. Logic says man can change if he wants to change. Logic says all we need to do is to work hard think right and all will be well. Let me know how that is working for you. Let us go one step farther. How would you explain how God can save a soul? How does he do that? When I was introduced to Jesus and I prayed the sinner’s prayer was it the one who showed me the way who changed me? Or did he show me some magical logical method that changed me? Not by a long shot. Could anyone on the nightly news explain how I was changed from a drunken lost soul to one God called into His service? I can’t but I know that it did happen. I know I was changed in an instant. It was a miracle that happened in my living room that night. Can you explain how your salvation was accomplished? You are saved aren’t you? The crowd's focus was on Peter and John, not on Jesus. We need to watch this as well. When God does a miracle, do we take credit for our own power (ignore God), or do we give God the glory but take credit for our own godliness? This is tricky ground. How would you respond? How do you think God wants you to respond?

Do You Know Who Jesus is?

Who Is this? In Matthew 21:10 we find a whole city was moved and ask, “Who is this?” In this age of high-tech high speed and vast technological advancement we still are uncertain as who this is. Some one has said, “We know HOW, but we do not know HIM.” An old adage says, we will never get the world right until we get the right man.” We will never get the right man until that man gets right with and has a personal relationship with the God-man. Men have questioned who Jesus was from the first century up until today. Many things may change, but man remains largely the same and his problems are the same. The sin question is ever with us. The opening passage marked the Passover at which time it was believed the Messiah would reveal Himself. A great multitude from all over the region had gathered to observe the Passover. As the procession passed by, led by One on the back of a lowly donkey, the cry went up, “Who is this?” Who is this so-called “Son of David?” Who comes in the name of the Lord? Who is this Person who is the center of such an unusual demonstration? These and many more questions filled the minds of the multitude. A universal question is raised in the human heart. “Who is this?” Kings have asked, those in search of peace have asked, hungry hearts, thirsty minds, broken spirits, searching eyes and listening ears have all asked the all important question. The fact is all who what to know Him can know Him. In the great search to know Christ, men have tried many things. There have been cathedrals built that tried to be worthy of Him. Many a man has tried to compose songs and poems that fully describe Him. Artists have painted pictures but all have failed to show who Jesus really is. There is a story told of a group of people in London, England. They had been brought together in a small room, waiting for the passing of a severe storm. To pass the time, they decided each would tell of the greatest man they knew about. The names of Socrates, Plato, Charlemagne and others were mentioned. Finally it was time for Charles Lamb to speak and he said, “Gentlemen, before us this night have been paraded the names of great men. Certainly if any one of them should enter this room, we would stand in honor. But the One I would like to have known in the flesh, Jesus of Nazareth, should He enter this room tonight, we would kneel before Him and exclaim, ‘My Lord and my God.’ ” Who is this Christ to you? Is He just a stranger you have heard about; an imaginary Person you know nothing about? What have you done with Him? The greatest sin one can be guilty of is the sin of rejecting Him. Please examine your heart and see just what you have done with this One of Whom men asked, “Who is this?”

The Stone Was Rolled Away

Matthew 28:2 “And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angle of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”
Matthew records just how much the religious crowd was afraid of Jesus. They saw him die. They knew he was buried but they were afraid what Jesus had said just might be true and then what would they do? As is always the case when man goes against God man feels his wisdom and cunning is sufficient to cover up his sin. The chief priest and Pharisees wanted to make sure the tomb would be secure so they ask for Roman protection. Look at their request in Matthew 27:64, “Command therefore that the sepulcher be made secure until the third day…..so the last error shall be worse that the first.” They knew they had made a huge mistake and now wanted Pilate to keep them safe.
After Jesus had died and his body taken down off the cross we find the account of his burial. A great stone was rolled over the door of the tomb as was the custom and the sepulcher was sealed this time with a Roman guard and Roman seal. All is secure and the religious crowd could rest easy. When the women came to prepare the body as also was the custom they were concerned they would need help moving the stone that sealed the tomb. When they got there at sun rise they found the stone had been rolled away the guards were asleep and an angel was waiting for them.
God had smiled and sent an angle and an earthquake not to let Jesus out but to let the women in. The angle spoke to the women “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
There may be a stone covering your heart. You may be sealed in a tomb of your own making. It may be sealed with doubt, tradition, pride, selfish indignation, or any number of other stones we place there. Maybe you are like the Pharisees and don’t believe and have asked the god of this world to protect you. God can remove all the stones just as He did that first Easter morning. No stone is too large that God can’t move it. He can move it gently or He can send an earthquake. Once He rolls the stone away we are to do as the women did we are to go quickly and tell others He is risen.
Jesus bore our sins on the cross and became our atonement before God. He is not still on the cross he is not in the tomb He is alive and well and seated on the right hand of God. Do you have a stone that needs to be rolled away?

Sound Doctrine

Titus 2:1- 2, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

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?

Take God's Hand Let Him Guide

The following poem by Brenda Yancey sets the theme for today’s devotion.

HELP ME LORD by Brenda Yancey
Oh, gentle Savior, please hear my plea,
To Heaven’s door—thou art the key.
I am poor and weak and blind,
Help me, Lord thy grace to find.
I nee thee, Lord, to guide my life
In this old world of toil and strife,
Oh, precious Savior, please take my hand
So I can take the Christian stand.
Without Thee, Lord, I can but fail,
But, by Thy help I will prevail.
Help me, Lord, to live like Thee
So others can see Christ lives in me.
Thank you, Lord, for Thy saving grace,
Now I can dwell in that heavenly place,
Help me to be worthy of Thy love
Which comes so often from above.

So many times we hear the words, “Let go and let God,” but have we ever stopped to consider what those words really mean? Human nature being what it is we have a very difficult time getting self out of the way so God can work. To much of the time we are striving, struggling, pressing and pushing to promote ourselves and our ideals. As long as we are standing in the way it will be difficult if not impossible for God to work in our lives. I like to think God is standing by just waiting for us to give Him a chance to do wonderful things in our lives. He might be saying, “Lead follow or get out of the way.”
Life is full of ups and downs. We so often think we are in control of our destiny. We do everything we know to do to gain that higher moral plane. Each time we come upon an obstacle we struggle, push and pull a little harder to get over or by that which is blocking our path. When all we ever need to do is to “Let go and Let God.”
This concept is not only found in the secular world but is wide spread in the Christian world. We want the church to grow, but we won’t exercise any faith. The bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” We find in the book of Acts that God added three thousand souls to the church. To do that the church had to be in one accord and in daily prayer.
In our lives when we reach the point when there seems to be no solution to our problem, “Let Go and Let God.” If you have reached the end or your rope and the dark chasm of despair and loneliness is just below tie a knot in the rope and let God pull you up.
So today no matter how big or how small the problem, “LET GO AND LET GOD.”
You might be surprised at how He can work in your life.

I find no fault in him

“I find in him no fault at all.” John 18:38

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.
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.

My Best Friend

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 friends 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.

Who Is a Child of God

“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 7:21

A lot of people today claim to be Christians, but not as many are as claim to be. Jesus said, Just because someone calls themselves a Christian does not mean they are one. Many will miss heaven by 18 inches, the distance from the head to the heart. If you have not received Jesus into your heart and only have head knowledge you may be in trouble. Religion will not get you to heaven. “I am the way the truth and the light. No man cometh to the Father but through me.” Jesus said. Jesus is the way.
God has given us a test to measure if you are a child of God. It is found in I Tim 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith in purity.”
To be a child of God one must believe Jesus in the Christ; God’s Son. Those who don’t believe, God called liars. “Who is a liar but he denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that deineth the Father and the Son.” I John 2:22
A child of God is one who loves God. “We love Him because He first loved us.”
A child of God has real affection for God and is concerned about God’s work. The bible says in Matt 7:20, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” We don’t serve God to get something we want. We serve Him because we love Him and want to please Him.
We know we love God because we keep His commandments. The bible tells us plainly, “ He that saith I know Him and keep not His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.” In I John2:5 we find these words, “We know we are saved because we keep His commandments.”
Here are some of God’s commandments: see if you are keeping them.
1. Witnessing or telling others about the Lord
2. Living a clean Christian live
3. Tithing so as not to rob God
4. Praying—do you pray only when you want something.
5. Studying—Studying to show thy self approved unto god, a workman that needth not be ashamed rightly diving the word of truth.

Are you a Child of God? If not you can be. Seek and ye shall find. Ask and it shall be opened unto you.

Hindrances To Prayer

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.

Making The Right Decisions

Making the Right Decision
1 Samuel 23:4, “Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.”
David was a mighty leader and one who made decisions that affected many. We are told in scripture nine different times David “enquired of the Lord”. In other words David went to God and asks Him what he was to do. Each of the times David went to god for guidance was after he was a great leader. One thing David shows us is to be a great leader you must be a good follower. David was a follower of God and always sought His leadership and guidance. David sought God’s advice from the mundane to the most important matters.
Many times we are faced with decisions that have challenges and our first inclination, epically if others are waiting or relying on for our answer, is to make hasty decisions based on the understanding of the moment. Even when David was faced with a life threatening decision he sought the Lord for direction before he moved. We should all develop a habit like that.
There is no doubt you may have sought God’s advice in a particular situation, whether it was a career change, relocation or other life changing action. You may have received clear direction for the last major decision you made. A fresh challenge has presented itself what should you do? Do like David, enquire of the Lord yet again. You can’t be too dependent on God. He never wearies of our questions. In fact he really wants to hear from us all the time.
You may never be faced with crisis like David when all his men turned against him and all the dependents of his soldiers were missing and thought dead. The encouragement example David set, He went to the Lord yet again, and the Lord answered him. He always answers those who inquire of him, and so he will answer you when you call upon him and inquire of him.
What a great God we have who is always near and hears our every prayer. Will guide our every footstep and shield us from every evil. All we have to do is ask. Jesus gave us this encouragement found in Mathew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Do like David and inquired of the LORD yet again.

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 dying in your sins? Only an honest self-examination and a talk with the Lord can answer that?

The Power Of Our Limitations

Exodus 4:10-12, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
When God called Moses to lead the Nation of Israel out of bondage listen to what Moses told the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Moses may have had some speech impediment or he simply was afraid of public speaking. Now listen to what the Lord told Moses, “ Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
God could have chosen the most eloquent speaker or one with personal courage or someone who was outstanding in his field. But He didn’t he chose Moses in spite of all his physical deficiencies for the Lord knew when Moses was weak the glory of the Lord would be the greatest.
If our weaknesses cause us to seek the Lord and rely on Him to strengthen us and guide us through the darkest storm then when we are weak He is strong. Our weakness can be our greatest asset because when we depend on the Lord we draw closer to Him. When we draw close to the Lord He guides us to grow in strength, character and power. Not of ourselves but through the power All Mighty God. By deepening our relationship with the Lord we improve our happiness, our courage and our success.
The Apostle Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thorn in his flesh. God’s answer, “My grace is sufficient”. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul then gloried in his limitations because he learned they did not hamper but enhanced the power of God through his life. “When I am weak then am I strong.” he proclaimed. (v10)
None of us are perfect and we all have imperfections but if we put our faith in Christ and learn to lean on His everlasting arms we will be strong. Paul is showing us that God’s strength is greatest when shown through our weakness. God made us just like we are imperfections and all and He can use all He made to bring glory to Him through us if we will but allow Him.
Maybe someone will learn of Jesus because of our weakness. Or we may be able to understand another’s problem as we have come to understand our own weakness. In doing so we then can help them learn of the love God has for them. So no matter what imperfection, limitation, or handicap you may have God can still use you to bring glory to Him and lead someone to Christ. He made you for a reason could that reason be so you could help another?

Good News

Proverbs 25:25, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
There is a country song that was popular several years ago that asked for “a Little good News Today”. If you were to ask someone, “What’s the good news today?” how many answers would you get? If you were to ask a saved child of God you would likely hear, “The same as yesterday. God loves us.” both you and then would have good reason to praise the Lord.
But what if the one you posed the question does not know Christ as savior they would have no good news to share. For to them God is not real and this world is a mean place in which to live.
Despite what you see on the evening news life is not a series of accidents and misfortune. Our god is still in control. He still can make the worst disaster fulfill His wise and loving plan.
Faith in Jesus, the One who gave himself on Calvary’s cross and rose again is our light in a dark and dreary world. In Matthew 28 we see where the women who came to the tomb were told to go and spread the good news that Christ was not dead but was alive. This was good news that causes these women to rush back and tell all the disciples. So could these women have been the first witnesses who were called to share the good news?
Later in Mathew 28:19-20 we see where Jesus is giving His followers instructions what they were to do. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” These were then to take the same good news that Jesus was alive to the entire world. That same instruction is given to the saved and baptized children of God today.
Yes Jesus is alive and well and that is great news to a dying and lost world. It is the good news we are to proclaim to the dark streets and byways and to compel all to come to Jesus. The good news is not that Jesus lived and died but that He died and lives. That He paid our sin debt and cleansed us from all unrighteousness and now sets as our advocate with the Father. How much better can the news get?