Always Joyful

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

Thanksgiving 2012

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

The People at the Cross

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

Do you hear God talking to you?

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

Just Checking In

This is a bit long but worth the read; it was sent to me and I wanted to share. 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

Advice to Newlyweds

Advice for Newlyweds In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 1 I find these words, “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” For God made everything. He made each in His image. As He planned He knew exactly when each event of a life would take place. He also knew how each would live and when they would die. As He put each person together and gave each special talents only that person could use. He also made a special person that would match and magnify those talents. It is only in His time that those two come together. One thing we should always remember is the verse in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “to everything there is a season…” Our time is not God’s time. God does have a time set for everything in every life to happen. We cannot hasten or shorten the time. By faith, we only need to trust God will see that His plan will work in His time. When it does, we then need to praise Him and thank Him. As you stand hand in hand together the future before you is yours to paint. As a painter stands before a new canvas, so you stand now. What you paint is yours alone. I believe God has placed you both together to fulfill His plan and given you all the talent you will need to paint the picture He has or will place in your minds and hearts. Others may paint similar pictures but none will be like yours. Yours will be unique. It matters not what colors you use or the brush stroke. It matters only that your canvas reflects the love in two hearts. The beauty will be in the picture coming from heats of love. It will be yours alone there will be none like it. Others can say paint like this or use this color but none can paint for you. Only the artist can put on canvas what is in his heart and mind. The canvas before you is one that will only accept a joint brush stroke. The picture is what is in two hearts. If only one paints the picture will have little depth and meaning. To bring out every detail you both must paint with one mind, one spirit, and one vision. Yes, each will see with different eyes but both must see the same picture. God has given each of you eyes to see, minds to understand, hearts to love, and the tools to paint a grand picture. So as you both stand hand in hand before the brand new canvas paint what is in your hearts. By loving, trusting and sharing with each other only then will your picture have true value. Will your picture have mistakes, for sure, but with shared love, those mistakes will fade into a grander hue; a hue that will show depth strength and love. You will find that with the passage of time your canvas will grow. When you think there is no more room to paint look into each other’s eyes and you will see new canvas forming. As years pass and you look back don’t be surprised at the picture behind. For there you will find years of joy, days of pain, mountains and valleys. As you look ahead there will be more clean canvas waiting for your experienced brush to craft yet scenes that are more glorious. So my children take a deep breath pick up you brushes and start to paint your life picture, for now is the season and now is the start of a new life together.

Purpose and Choice

Purpose and Choice 1 Peter 4:10,11 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” In an earlier blog we explored the “why am I here” question. Today let us look at what God has given and why He gave it. Just as every tool in a tool chest has a specific purpose, so then does every creation of God. The creator gave each and everyone special gifts and talents. We then are to use these gifts and talents to bring glory to God. In 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Paul list just some of the gifts. He then admonishes that not everyone has the same gift. Many times, you hear people say, “I just don’t have any talent and don’t guess I can serve God.” God did not make pew warmers. What do you think the church would look like if everyone was a preacher or a singer? Or what would it look like if everyone looked and acted like you or me? Keep in mind God had a very clear plan in mind when He created you and me. You can do what I cannot and I would be amiss trying to do what you can. God does not make mistakes. He created each of us for a reason and a purpose. There may be only one person we can reach for Christ. Hint: we are to being glory to God through the use of our gifts and talents. Here is another analogy. God is setting out to make a grand picture. This picture is like unto a puzzle. Every person God has made or will ever make has a place in His picture. He will not force any to be in His picture, but each has a place. Some fit easily and others take some guidance. Then some simply will not be in the picture. This leaves a hole. As God is completing His picture He is asking those already in the picture to encourage those outside to come and join. As the picture reaches completion, there are many pieces not in the picture. When God says it is finished all those not in His picture will be burned. Are you in the picture? Are you in the place designed for you or are you trying to get into another’s spot? Jesus took a look at what was waiting for him in Jerusalem. “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27,28) God may be speaking to your heart today. Asking you to use the gifts and talents, He gave you to bring another His love. The choice is yours. You can live by your comfort and your own goals or you can live your life giving glory to God. Jesus gives us this directive, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:25) The choice is yours… Remember any choice you make has eternal consequences.

What is in a Word?

What is in a word? Through the ages man has learned how to change and control his environment. He has tamed the wild beast; harnessed natural resources; changed the course of rivers; even the mighty atom has come under man’s control. With all this mass control there is yet one thing man has not been able to tame: his tongue. In James 3:5 we find these words, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold , how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” Words are powerful! It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Lives have been changed by a word. Lives also have been destroyed by a single word. Countries have gone to war over what someone said. Words can destroy, they can heal, they can console; we just need to know how and when to use the words. A gentle word can calm fears of a frightened child. An word spoken in anger can break a heart and tear a family apart. A word of compassion can ease pain and grief. While it is best to think before we speak it is not always so. Usually we speak before we think. Remember words are like arrows. Once put in flight they cannot be returned. Sometimes it is best to stop talking and listen. When the mouth is open the ears are closed. It is the tongue that gets us in trouble not the ears. Let us look at Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Of the seven things that are displeasing to the Lord, four refer to how words are used. The old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” Sounds like good advice. The bible teaches, For as he thinketh is his heart so is he... Proverbs23:7 Becareful what you say you may not like the results.

Don't Give Up

Me Give Up? Many of us become discouraged when we face even the least difficulty. This causes us to give up, and thus fail at many tasks to which we are assigned. The following are words from an unknown author but whose words ring true about a Christian life. “Shall I give up because I am tired and discouraged; because I have failed and no one seems to care? Ah, just let me wait and rest awhile and then go on. Shall I submit when I’m tempted and tired? Surrender? Never while I live. I’ll not give up when I’m fallen; lie there and cry and die; be hated and forgotten. I’ll rise, honestly and admit my failure and try again. I’ll not stop when I get old. Positively no. I may not march at the front of the line, but I’ll march. Me give up? Only when Jesus says ‘Tis done.’ Me give up? When breath is gone, when heart is stopped, when strength and life is no more. Me give up? Yes. I will some day, when God assigns a greater task.” Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This expresses the true Christian’s attitude toward his work and the work of God. Does it fit your concept of life? Let us remember the words of Paul when he said, “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 This means there will be a payday some day. Our main task is to remain faithful over the few things to which we have been appointed. We were all created for a special purpose and God does not make mistakes.

Mental Illness or Demon Inhabitation

Mental Illness or Demon Inhabitation Acts 8:7-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. There's a biblical subject that isn't talked about or mentioned in most churches or even considered a possibility by many Christians -- demon inhabitation. If Phillip had come to your town instead of Samaria, and he had run across someone inhabited by a demon -- what do you think "our" diagnosis and recommended course of treatment would involve? When we see unnatural behavior, we immediately think mental illness. This is sensible -- there is evidence that many strange behaviors in people are nothing more than mental issues. Our solution might be to get the person to a crisis center or into some type of counseling (which might involve a drug therapy as well). My point is that the thought of demon inhabitation does not even enter our minds. Why is that? Has demon activity ended? Hardly! Has it moved to places nobody goes? In other words, have demons decided to ignore civilized or "Christian" settings? Biblical evidence suggests demons were exceptionally active in regions where God was worshipped. I believe our lack of awareness is because the "enemy" has so successfully penetrated our culture and even our churches that he has completely camouflaged himself from our thought process. If we saw the devil as a man is a red suit with horns and a pitchfork we would know immediately who he was. But would you ever expect to see the devil robed as a sweet little blue hair lady? It is doubt full but it can as does happen. The popular Christian views relating to demon inhabitation is that it is either a "superstition," is so rare as to not be a concern, or only possible in a third world country. It certainly could not happen in my town in the good old U.S. of A. Want to bet your life on that idea? We hold these opinions despite the fact that Jesus Himself regularly addressed the issue of demons (Mark 1:23-26, 5:2-20, 7:25-30) and in Matthew 12:23-27 confirmed that one of the signs that the kingdom of God had come to His believers was the casting out of demons. As we see in our passage today, the disciples of the new church followed Jesus' instructions and example and cast out demons wherever they went -- what followed was great joy, "...evil spirits came out of many... so there was great joy in that city." You will note that whenever Jesus spoke, demons were forced to obey (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:41); Jesus gave His disciples this same power through His name (Matthew 10:1,8); and which we have inherited as "co-heirs" with Christ (Romans 8:17). So there is no need for us to fear demons. However it would be irresponsible for us to ignore their existence and their influence on both the believer and unbeliever. Satan uses unsuspecting people to do his bidding. Uses them to destroy the home, tear down the moral fiber and infect the minds of children. He does it in such a subtle way we never even suspect what is happening until we find ourselves in a battle to save our lives or the lives of those we love. The devil has not gone into hiding he is very active in the world today. In fact he is hiding in plain sight. He might even be next door across the street or in the pew behind you.

Lend A Helping Hand

Someone has described the human family by saying, “They are all kinfolks.” How true this is in so many ways! It is so true that it should cause each of us to have some feeling for the other. There is the story told of an accident that happened in Stockholm, Sweden many years ago. A woman, hurrying to work; rushed to the place where the tram-car stopped, stumbled in front of the moving car and was caught beneath it. Immediately someone sent for a crane in order to lift it and thus release her. In the meantime a crowd of people gathered. A man pushing his way through the crowd, crawled underneath the car, and said to the woman, “Here, take my hand!” She took his hand and felt the nearness and warmth of this stranger. This was sufficient to calm her and prevent her from going into shock. When the crane arrived and the woman was released, she exclaimed: “I never thought an outstretched hand could mean so much!” God has stretched out His hand to us. Being helped by Him, we should be able to help others take hold of His outstretched hands. All we need to be able to is a hand--- and a willingness to stretch it out to others. Have you done so? In speaking of helping, Paul said, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” II Corinthians 1:4

God made you for a reason

One of the best-kept secrets in the church today is that God had a very special purpose for everyone in His church. He made each one unequaled and with special talents that only they possess. He then placed positions in the church that only that person could handle. Each and every person God made has a reason and a mission in life. He fully expected for us to use what He gave us in His service. Should we decide not to follow what God has planned for us to do then someone will miss out on a blessing and a very important area of God’s work will go undone. God did not make pew warmers He made people with specialized talents to reach a lost and dieing world for Jesus Christ. Every one was given natural talents at birth that no one else in the universe has. God then designed places for each to use those talents for His glory and to provide a blessing for someone else. Not every one can preach, not everyone can sing nor can everyone plan direct or teach. Yet we seem to place that burden on those who are not gifted to do those activities because we don’t want to get involved. Often we hear the excuse for not serving God, “I just don’t have any abilities to offer.” This is ludicrous. That would be like telling God He made a mistake. Every ability can and should be used for God. It is the churches responsibility to identify and release your abilities for serving God. For some strange reason we have gotten hung up on only a very few gifts God has given to only a few. And we feel we should have received one of those special talents so we try to show God we have developed the talent we want. I feel the reason for this is that for the most part the church of today is man made and man controlled, and driven for entertainment rather that serving God. We should all say,” What I’m able to do, God wants me to do.” He never intended for us to do something He did not equip us to do. You are the only person on the planet who has your talents and abilities and you are the only one who can use those abilities. Your abilities and talents were not given simply to make a living. God gave them to you to be used in the ministry He designed for you. Others may appear to have similar ministries but only you can do what God wanted you to do. Only you are you there is not another like you on the entire planet. No matter what you are good at that is what you should be doing for God in His church. There is an old saying,” It is not work if you love doing it.” The problem today we have lost our first love. We should each take time and look God square in the eye and ask, “What can I do for you today?” Instead of asking God, “ I need you to give me something.” If you are serious about doing this be ready for the answer.

Is God real?

Is God Real? You better believe He is real. He is also alive and well. This is contrary to the now common belief that God has somehow gone away and doesn’t care about your and me. There is a movement started by the devil and his crowd that we don’t need God in our schools, in our government, in our offices in our lives. They would love that but it won’t happen. History should tell everyone everywhere that God will take care of His own. I’ll bet you may think you are the only one who cares about God today. You know there was a prophet in the bible who felt the same way. Elijah had been following what God told him to do but then a queen got mad and threatened to kill him. So he left town went out into the woods and ask God to let him die. You will have to go the 1 Kings 19 to find out what happened. God is real and has made a promise He will provide for those who believe. In Psalms 84:11 we find, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” He is our guiding light. Psalms 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” So yes God is real and very much alive and He is still in control. There is a day coming when he will say that is enough and come to take his children home. How will he know who belongs to him. First he will look for the blood. Then he will look to see if your name is written in the Lambs book. If he does not see the blood form the cross or find your name in the book he will pass you by. Don’t believe that? Maybe then you need to take that up with God for those are His rules and requirements. Satan would have you believe God is not real and that if he was he really doesn’t care anymore. That would be a lie, as Satan is a liar and the father of it. God is real and very much alive. He loves you so much He sent His only son to die for you. To take all you sin debt upon him and hang it on the cross. He then went to start building a place for you in heaven where he is waiting to welcome you home. Will we see you there?

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.