July -December, 2009 NEWSPAPER
DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES
By Rev Mike Jones
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Minister Message for Wednesday, July 1, 2009
BOOK BOX
I had to carry my wife to the Dentist recently. In the
center of the waiting room was a book box. The first hour that I waited no one
looked inside this book box. Finally, a young girl came in, went straight to the
book box, opened it, and began to look through the treasure of books it
contained. Soon all the children in the waiting room were busy looking through
the box.
I am a child of
God who is waiting for the soon coming return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. While I am waiting, I realize God has left us a book full of treasures
and truths that needs to be explored. But many days it just sits in its place,
gathering dust, while people busy themselves with must less important things.
What if, like this little girl, I could open the lid and get people to see the
wonderful things contained in this blessed book? It might cause such excitement
until soon everyone would want to look into the book!
Citizens of the
One day heaven and earth will pass away but the word of God will endure forever.
Let=s
make it our business to use the freedom God has so graciously given us to share
God=s Book with all the other
children around us. Who knows, it might just lead to them becoming our brother
or sister in the Lord!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 7, 2009
WEED WONDER
Recently, my brother in law, who is a postman shared about a “God Moment”
he experienced as he was delivering mail one day.
He was walking toward a home and happened to notice a weed hanging over
the edge of the walkway just as he brushed against it with his leg. At that
precise moment a “heavenly insight” flooded his mind ad he sensed a wonderful
awareness of the presence and plan of God.
The seed pods on that weed stood out with amazing clarity on that day and
he realized when he brushed against the weed and caused those pods to fall into
the wind that he was part of God’s plan. Without his “help” those seed would
have remained on the stalk but his “accidental” brushing against that plant had
given them a chance to scatter and eventually fall into fertile ground and
reproduce. His action was a small thing but the moment of “heavenly insight” is
something that will impact him always.
One cannot help but wonder why these “God Moments” are so seldom seen.
Day after day my brother in law trudged up this sidewalk to deliver mail to this
home with no thought but doing his job and getting out of the heat or cold. Why
did God stop him on this day and share His presence and plan in such a special
way? I don’t know but I do know that if these moments were common then that
would turn the extraordinary into the ordinary and cause us to miss or overlook
the moments when they came.
Look for your “God moment” today. It may come from something as simple as
a weed but do not miss it because it is meant to encourage and enlighten you in
a way you would not have imagined.
Minister Message for Wednesday, July 8, 2009
CHRISTIAN CAUTIONS
The journey from earth to heaven is one of the most exciting and
adventurous walks a person can experience. You walk with God and you serve God
as you journey toward a permanent place in God’s house. Does not get any better
than that!!
Along the way, however, there are several obstacles that Christians need
to consider. You must learn to be careful of wounds, mindful of weariness, and
aware of worldliness.
Be careful of wounds that
you inflict and that are inflicted on you-
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly. (Proverbs 18:8)
And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall
answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
(Zechariah 13:6)
Weariness brings discouragement and doubt and draws you away from your
work for God; - And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians
6:9). A person must learn to rest and reflect on what they are doing for God and
what God is doing for them along the way or they will faint and falter. The
prophet Elijah became so tired until he lost contact with God and with his
purpose and ended up with a critical crisis time in his ministry (I Kings 19).
Worldliness is not so much a specific action as it is an attitude- Paul
told the Roman Christians to be not conformed to the world but to be transformed
by a renewed mind (attitude) [Rom 12:2]. Worldliness simply means we allow the
worlds goals to replace God’s values in our life.
Wounds, weariness, worldliness; 3 enemies to be on guard against as we
travel life’s journey.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 14, 2009
JUST JUDGMENT
It is amazing to me how many people who live a sinful life style tell me
it is wrong for me to judge them but it is alright for them to judge me about my
judging them in their sinful lifestyle! The truth is, all of us judge people
every day; from the crazy driver ducking in and out of traffic ahead of us to
the strange people at work who do things in a much different way than we would
do them. My main concern, however, is not this “normal” judgment of people. My
main concern is God and His judgment.
God will judge the nations of the Earth (Ps 82:8) and will separate those
nations who have promoted righteous behavior from those nations who lived only
for self satisfaction (Matt 25:31-46).
Nations and leaders may think they are only answerable to their egos and
public opinion but one day God will judge them with righteous judgment and many
a tear will be shed.
God will one day judge people about their moral standards (Heb 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and
adulterers God will judge). He will also judge people about their hidden actions
(Ro 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
according to my gospel).
In Fact, God will one day judge Everyone (Heb 12:23 …to God the Judge of
all,) so it behooves us all to be prepared to face God as a righteous Judge. The
good news is that while God does not judge on the “curve”; He does judge on the
“cross” where even the worst of sinners can find mercy and forgiveness. What a
joy to know my judge has become my father since I have been born again into
God’s family.
Minister Message for Wednesday, July 15, 2009
AFTER THE
GRIEF
Recently I had the great privilege of sharing in a memorial service for a friend. After much prayer and thought I realized there were three main principles I wanted to communicate to the family as they dealt with their grief and engaged in a new life without their loved one.
1) Enjoy Life:
Ec 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it
is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his
labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth
him: for it is his portion. Their departed loved one did not want them sad
before he left; nor would he want it now.
2) Embrace God: Do not allow death’s pain or life’s pressures to
rob you of a daily walk with God. Hold tightly to God each day and allow God to
guide and grow your life. Rest in God’s peace as you “Let not your heart be
troubled” (John 14:1). Depend each day on God’s provision for your needs. Trust
each day in God’s Power to protect and keep you.
3) Expect to be Judged: Ec 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and
let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine
heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things
God will bring thee into judgment. Look forward to meeting your loved one
again in a better place. Just be aware that entrance into Heaven is a gift of
God; not a right of man. Judgment comes before jubilation so make sure your
“ticket has been punched” based on your faith in Christ.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 21, 2009
SERVANT
SHADOW
Is there not an
appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an
hireling? As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh
for the reward of his work: So am I made to possess months of vanity, and
wearisome nights are appointed to me. (Job 7:1-3)
One of the wonderful attributes of the word of God is that it is a
“living word”. Its authority and stability does not change but its application
can vary as the Holy Spirit applies the word to various circumstances and
situations in your life. Those of us who read the Word on a regular basis
witness this as we re-read a familiar passage and suddenly see its application
or encouragement in an entirely different way; even though we thought we had
already “drained all the honey” from that verse.
A good example of this is the little phrase about the “servant earnestly
desiring the shadow” in this passage from Job. One person took this phrase to
mean the servant was showing his humility by waiting in the back ground until
his master called. Another person saw the servant as lazily “sulking” in the
background shadows so the master would not call him. Still another thought the
servant was selfishly looking for the shadow as a place of comfort from the
fiery rays of the sun. Three different outlooks from the same statement; all
tempered by the reader’s background and personality.
Some people tell me reading the
Bible is “dull and dry”. I think they must be reading it with their mind on a
ball game! The Bible is the living word of God with a life changing message
about how a Great God desires to bring people into His family and fellowship.
Nothing dull about that!
Minister Message for Wednesday, July 22, 2009
THE
UNEXPECTED GOD
Sometimes God will show up at an unexpected time for
unexplained reasons and do extraordinary things just because He is God and He
decided He wanted to do something to manifest His glory or encourage His people.
It is amazing and awesome when we experience such an event and catch a glimpse
of the glory and goodness of God in the midst of all the troubles and trials we
experience in our sin cursed world.
Jacob experienced such an event one night in the midst of
loneliness and despair. Trouble at home and his father’s desire for him to marry
within the God chosen ancestry line had sent him from his comfortable home to a
sandy camp with a rock for a pillow. He expected only a night of rest but
suddenly Angels and God showed up and this sandy place became a sacred shrine so
that Jacob ended up exclaiming, “Surely God is in this place and I knew it not”
(Gen 28:16).
Moses experienced a career changing event when he
unexpectedly met God at a burning bush. The Apostle Paul had a radical life
changing event when he unexpectedly met Jesus on the road to Damascus. John the
Beloved Disciple unexpectedly heard about God’s future plans while he was exiled
on a desert island.
Keep your eyes open. God may unexpectedly manifest Himself
in your life today. It may be through a dream or a vision or it may be something
as simple as taking time to minister to a stranger-
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2). Whatever
God uses, you will never forget a day when you experience God and see His glory.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DISRESPECTING
GOD
What in the world has happened to the world? Why are so many people
displaying anger and hatred toward anything pointing people toward living right
and doing righteous acts? Why has God and good suddenly become the “bad guys”?
In short, why has it suddenly become wrong to be right in America?
There are a number of answers I could give you; the election of a liberal
leaning president and party, the disintegration of the family due to work place
pressures, and the changing moral standards about marriage and acceptable
society standards. All of these have a bearing on the problem but the most
important issue I believe is the fact that many in America have lost their
respect (awe) of God- Let all the earth
fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
(Psalms 33:8).
Preachers have fallen into sin, “Christian” politicians keep
exposing their “feet of clay”, and denominational divisions have muted the
authority and clarity of the Church so that many people have lost their respect
for Christianity and the God it proclaims. Anger and anarchy have replaced peace
and joy as multitudes stumble in the darkness of selfish desires and sinful
behavior. Like a drowning swimmer they now lash out at the very one who is
seeking to rescue them from darkness and despair.
According to Psalm 4:4 it is when we stand in awe of God that
we sin not. Conversely, it is when God and godly things become the subject of
ridicule and rejection that people find it easy to allow sinful practices into
their life. That is why it is so important for Christians to “stand in awe” of
God in their daily practices and their life principles.
Minister Message for Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BEHIND BUSINESS
Whenever possible, I try to use Monday mornings for what I call “behind
business”. “Behind business” is the work that accumulated over the week end. You
would be amazed at the number of things people ask me to do before and after
services on Sunday. Many of those requests need to be dealt with on Monday.
Monday is also the day I try to process and copy the DVD and CD copies of our
Sunday Services as well as edit and upload our services to our web site. Besides
all this, Monday is usually the time to check up on absent members, sick
members, and hospitalized members as well as send greetings to people who
visited our services Sunday.
I learned the hard way long ago that if you do not attempt to get your
“behind business” out of the way on Monday then it really starts to build
pressure or give off an “odor” by the middle of the week when normally my plate
is already full and does not need this added stress. When “behind business” gets
behind then it is not a good thing.
There is no short cut to spiritual power or a strong relationship with
God. Believe me; I have tried about everything you can imagine. The only way to
spend time with God is to spend time with God. When that “business” gets behind
it will end up hurting every other “business” in which I am engaged so I have
learned that time with God must be a priority. I guess that is why Jesus
declared that the most important “business” of a person is to “Love the Lord
with all your heart, soul, mind, body, and strength”. Make sure you do not get
behind in that “business”.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 4, 2009
PRIME PARKING
I had just been to a funeral and needed to go by Wal-Mart on my way home
in order to pick up a part for my computer. I was in a hurry (as usual) but not
on a schedule. Because of traffic, I ended up going all the way to the store and
then turning into the parking lot instead of entering from the “back” side of
the lot as I normally do.
As soon as I started to turn into the parking lot I noticed that the very
first parking space was vacant and it was not handicap parking. “Glory!” I
thought, “God has provided another good parking place for me.” When I started to
turn in, however, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me that this space
was for someone else and for me to find another space.
It was a long way into the parking lot before I found another empty
parking space. Hurt at being snubbed so rudely by the Holy Spirit, I walked the
long distance from my car to the store. When I passed the prime spot that had
been empty but was now occupied by a van I glanced to the side and saw a young
mother unloading 2 small children. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said,
“Mike, right now you are a little fat and the walk from the car to the store did
you good. For this lady, however, it would have been a difficult and dangerous
trek with those small children.”
There are a lot of people on planet earth. God loves and cares for each
of them. Sometimes that care means fat people need to walk while a mother gets a
prime parking place. Isn’t it great to know God’s wisdom will always do the
right thing?
Minister Message for Wednesday, August 5, 2009
PASTORAL
PRINCIPLES
I think the most important people in the world are Pastors.
I know that is a radical statement but I base it on the belief that Pastors are
called to proclaim vital spiritual principles in order to help us live properly
in this world, as well as prepare for a good entrance into the future world. No
other person or organization has a responsibility as great or as needed.
My belief in the importance of Pastors leads me to look for
“Pastoral Principles” I can share with other pastors and apply to my own life.
Here are a few of those principles that I hope will help your Pastor to become a
more effective worker and help you in your prayers for those who have the
tremendous responsibility of being a Pastor.
A Pastor should be someone who speaks with Authority (Jesus
spoke this way- Matt 7:29), who speaks with Anointing (It is obvious the Holy
Spirit is guiding him), and who speaks to provide Answers. The normal duties of
a Pastor means he must be someone who organizes the body of Christ for the best
use of its God given talents, who agonizes over the needs of his flock, who
evangelizes those who need to hear the good news of Christ, and who is energized
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This means that you should regularly pray that God would
Guard the Heart of your Pastor, Guide the Life of your Pastor, and Grow the Soul
of your Pastor. It is easy to take “pot shots” at your Pastor but if you are
looking to him to help guide your family and friends into Heaven then you need
to pray more and say less.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 11, 2009
SERMONS
STARTERS
Almost all of my life I have been a preacher (I began
preaching when I was 14 and I am now 62). I no longer get the opportunity to
preach as much as I once did but “preparing to prepare to preach” is still a
habit of my life. This means I still write down sermon ideas as soon as I
receive them (I keep notebooks everywhere!).
Here are some recent ideas that may help you with a devotion or message
you need to give.
People wanted to be with Jesus for the Food He provided, the Miracles He
performed, and the Fame He possessed. When He stopped distributing bread and
started talking about the cross the crowd quickly faded. Popularity is fleeting
when commitment is proclaimed.
Satan tempted Eve with Forbidden Pleasures (“You shall not eat of every
tree of the garden”), False Promises (“You shall not surely die”), and Fleshly
Pride (“you will be like God”). These are
the same tactics he uses today.
The Problem is that far too many people have faith in Christ instead of
Christ as their faith. They believe there was a person (probably divine) named
Jesus who did great things while on earth and they are willing for Him to
forgive their sins and make things better for them. Their Faith, however, does
not extend into asking Jesus to come into their heart and take control of their
life. They do not mind using God but they do not want God to use them.
Many people would like to “dance with the devil” on earth but then settle down
with God in Heaven when they die. To these people God is a necessary “evil”
while fleshly pleasure is an evil that is necessary.
Minister Message for Wednesday, August 12, 2009
RELATIONSHIP
LIVING
Salvation is not merely about rescuing a person from Hell. Salvation’s
primary purpose is to prepare people for fellowship with God both now and in the
eternity of Heaven. Christianity is not simply rules and regulations that
prevent us from doing wrong. Christianity guidelines are to bring us to abundant
life where love for God and our neighbor are the primary privileges and
principles of our life.
Jesus made the astonishing statement, “he that has seen me has seen the
Father” (John 14:9). That principle changes Christianity from a religion which
is hard and heavy into the reflection of a relationship with God. No longer must
Christians seek to “clinch their fist, grit their teeth, and do the best they
can”. Christianity is not “me” trying to impress the world with my religious
righteousness. Now it is God in me showing forth His glory through our loving
relationship.
Nearly forty years ago I entered into a marriage relationship with the
lovely Princess Paula. She does not beat me in the head each day and tell me I
had better keep my eyes straight ahead and my hands to myself because I am now
married to her. She lets the bond of our love take care of that. Relationship
and fellowship have bound us together in a way that rules and laws could never
have accomplished.
If you secretly look for ways to bypass your Christian duties or if you
proclaim devotion to Christianity but really long for the prodigal son’s riotous
living then you need to examine your relationship. If God is simply “hell
insurance” instead of your heavenly Father then you need to give God your heart
as well as your hand. The change will be astonishing.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I GENERATION
We are now living in the “I-Generation”. It is called the
“I-Generation” because it is the Internet Generation, the Isolation Generation,
the “I” Generation, and/or the Insecure Generation. All of the descriptions fit
and describe a generation lost and lonely looking for fun and fulfillment in a
land filled with broken dreams and abandoned hopes.
This generation has never really known the thrill of victory- sports
heroes they want to emulate are suddenly found to be powered more by drugs than
determination. Every war they have known (Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan) has ended
in “strategic” withdrawal instead of victory. And they recently discovered that
greedy bankers can turn the American Dream into a nightmare almost overnight
leaving people broke, unemployed, and hopeless.
This generation “lives” on the Internet where every area of their live is
exposed to millions of people via Face book or Twitter and where any information
they want (no matter how bad) can be found in a matter of a few clicks. They
have become so accustomed to living in a virtual world until they find it almost
impossible to interact with real people. It has become so bad until many now
text each other rather than talk to one another even though they are in the same
room!
Isolated from each other, the
moral view and world view of this generation is now shaped by movies, internet
gossip, or TV comedians pretending to be news reporters. Paul accurately
described this generation as people “who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and worship and served the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). If
they could only realize that coming to Jesus brings Abundant Life to replace
their isolated loneliness. Please help me tell them!
Minister Message for Wednesday, August 19, 2009
AVAILABLE TO
GOD
“All that God is is available to the man who is available to all that God is.” Ian Thomas
Starting from zero, with none of today’s modern
communication methods, the first generation of Christians changed the world for
generations to come. They believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and the
answer to the needs of humanity and they acted on that belief in spite of
intense persecution and with little resources. They made themselves available to
God and God make His power available to them!
What a change from modern Christianity where people sit on padded pews in air
conditioned Churches waiting with impatient minds for the preacher to finish his
Sunday sermonette in time for them to get to the head of the line at the local
restaurant. Unwilling to make themselves available to God because God might ask
them to do something that would hurt their pride or seek to actually get them
involved, they go through the motions of Christianity and wonder why Society,
and their family, is in chaos.
These people try to be “good” and “do the right thing” but they would never
consider committing themselves unreservedly to God’s will and work. Their faith
is simply a historical belief in a distant Savior who died and left them a good
example. To them, Christianity is about what God can do for them; not about what
they should do for God.
What if Christians really believed what they say they believe? What if
they acted as if God could not only forgive a man’s past but He could also
change that person’s present as He prepared him for the future! What if they
believed Christianity actually worked? It would be world changing. Ask the first
generation disciples!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 25, 2009
FAILURE FACTS
I am still amazed
at how often I fail. I do not do any “major sins” but it is still troubling how
many times I think wrong, talk wrong, or act wrong. I know better and as soon as
the words are out of my mouth, or the thoughts are into my head, or the actions
have already transpired I regret the wrong I did and wonder why I continue to
allow these things to happen.
Eve was a lot like me. She had every reason to do right and enjoy life
but she walked into a failure that, in her case, had major consequences. I spent
some time studying her failure recently in order to try to gain some insight
that would help me in my own life.
Eve failed because she was away from Adam when Satan engaged her in a
conversation that led to wrong conduct. Normally I goof up when I separate
myself from the right people or the right employment and get with the wrong
crowd (TV or gossip people or bad thoughts).
Eve failed because her eyes sought out the source of wrong, her heart
began to desire the one thing she did not have, and her mind began to believe
that she would not face consequences for doing wrong. Translate this into it is
not wrong to scan things on TV or the Internet because they will not “really”
hurt me.
Eve failed because she did not consider the fact that her actions would
impact others (All of mankind!), her relationship with her husband, and even
God! Maybe I would fail less if I thought about the hurt gossip causes people or
the price God paid because of my failures.
Thank God, failure is not fatal; but it sure is troublesome.
Minister Message for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
STOPPING
SKATEBOARDS
Sometimes doing the right thing does not make me feel as
good as I want to feel. Recently, some of our youth began bringing skateboards
to church. Our Church is on a hill and a concrete driveway leads from the
parking lot to the bottom of the hill. When I saw the kids riding the
skateboards they were having a blast sitting on the skateboard and riding at
amazing speeds to the bottom of the hill. As I looked at them soaring down the
hill I thought to myself, “If I was not so old and fat I would like to try that
myself!”
Sadly, I had to ask the kids to stop riding the skateboards because, as
they sat on the skateboard and zoomed across the parking lot, they were so low
until a car entering the parking lot could not see them and a fun situation was
a dangerous situation. We had also
had some problems recently with kids on skateboard trying to use steps and ramps
under the church breeze way while people were present and another fun situation
turned into a dangerous situation so we had forbidden skateboards at church.
Sometimes I hate being the bad guy. I certainly do not mind our kids
having fun and I hated having to deal with this situation.
God does not tell us about the sinfulness of our hearts and the horrible
consequences of this sin in our life in order to keep us from having fun. God in
His love seeks only to guide us into an abundant life instead of a life that
would harm us as well as others. Just remember,
God sent not His son into the world to
condemn the world but that through Him the world might be saved! (John
3:17).
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 1, 2009
CONTENT IN
HIS CARE
God cares about
what you care about- 1 Peter 5:7 Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you. God not only cares about the
concerns in your life; He cares about everything in your life-
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour
out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalms 62:8)
God cares about small things in our life. Just as He watches over
Sparrows sold in the market place- Are not
five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before
God? (Luke 12:6) so He watches over the seemingly minor things in our life
such as the number of hairs on our head-
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye
are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).
God cares about the sickness that pays unwanted and unwelcome visits to
your life- For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
(Psalms 22:24). In fact, in a wonderfully amazing statement, God declares that
He shares the very afflictions of His people-
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence
saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and
carried them all the days of old (Isaiah 63:9).
Knowing that God cares for you so much should bring great peace and
contentment into your life which will impact the way you talk and the way you
live- Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5).
Minister Message for Wednesday, September 2, 2009
DECIDING WHO
TO CHOOSE
What if God leveled the playing field? What if God did not
threaten us with Hell if we fail to serve Him or promise us Heaven if we do
serve Him? What if God simply stood beside Satan and told us to choose who we
wanted to serve without any pressure? Who would you choose?
Think about it, free to serve the desires of the flesh and the directions
of Satan without any fear of eternal consequences. And if there was no “God
card” to play then it would probably not be long before society would no longer
frown on the unrighteous acts you did. Life styles would be based on what felt
good or on the internal desires of
each individual rather than on some
“religious rules”. (Sounds a lot like today’s society!)
Can you picture what it would be like to be able to follow Satan without
any “pious intimidation”? I can because I see variations of this life style
lived out in people’s lives every day. The Joy of sexual freedom quickly turns
into disease, divorce, distrust, and disappointment. The ecstasy of Drug and
Drink use soon becomes slavery to a mind, money, and body consuming monster. The
freedom to be free from God quickly becomes captivity to sin, self, and Satan;
and they are horrible masters.
Can you imagine what it would be like to serve God just because you
wanted to serve God? I can. Oh, the joy of placing my life and my very being
into the hands of a God who has demonstrated His love for me over and over.
Satan is out to destroy me and Christ seeks to give me abundant life. I do not
have a difficult time choosing who to follow.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 8, 2009
GOD’S GOOD
HAND
An insurance company advertises that you are in “good
hands” with them in order to build a sense of Trust in their company. Three
times in Scripture (all during the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the captivity)
the phase “the good hand of God” is used. Each of these times declares again how
we can trust God in all of life’s circumstances.
1) God’s “Good Hand” will protect us in life’s journey- (Ezra 7:9)
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from
Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according
to the good hand of his God upon him.
2) God’s “Good Hand” will provide the friends we need so we can develop
into the person God wants us to be - (Ezra 8:18)
And by the good hand of our God upon us
they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi,
the son of Israel;
3) God’s “Good Hand” will open doors of opportunity for His children in
order to allow them to accomplish God’s plan for their life-
(Nehemiah 2:7-8)
Moreover I said unto the king, If it
please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that
they may convey me over till I come into Judah; And a letter unto Asaph the
keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the
gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the
city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me,
according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Are you in the “Good Hands” of God? If not, His outstretched nail scarred hand
invite you to come to Him today.
Minister Message for Wednesday, September 9, 2009
HAND IT TO
GOD
We live in an age when our minds are assaulted with
conflicting information and depressing situations. Like little children, we have
reached the place where we just want someone to hold our hand and tell us
everything will be alright. That is exactly what God wants to do if we will
simply hands things over to Him.
Hand the Circumstances of your life over to God-
My times (circumstances) are in thy hand:
deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
(Psalms 31:15). Find out what God is doing and adjust your life to His guiding
hand. It will bring abundant life!
Hand the Health of your body over to God- …God
in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not
glorified: (Daniel 5:23). God designed our body and put the breath of life
into it. If we belong to God then we should trust Him to take good care of His
property!
Hand the Care of your soul over to God-
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave
them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my
Father's hand. (John 10:27-29).
If you are too tired or confused to hold God’s hand then put yourself
Under His hand and let Him care for you-
Humble yourselves therefore under the
mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 15, 2009
THE RIGHT
IMAGE
Christianity is not about searching for the Truth.
Christianity is about believing in the one who is the Truth. Christianity is not
about seeking a higher sphere of wisdom until you attain a pinnacle of
enlightenment. At the very height of education God still views man’s wisdom as
foolishness- Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this
world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians
1:20)
Christianity is not about
trying to live a good life. The best life we can live does not meet God’s
minimum requirements- But we are all as an
unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; (Isaiah
64:6). Even the great Apostle Paul
looked at all of his “religious” living and attainments and declared they were
nothing but “dung” in the light of the righteous requirement of a holy God
(Philippians 3:1-9).
There have been times that I have been treated like a stray dog by
Christians. They have talked about me and quarreled at me. They have adamantly
stood by opinions that “baffled my brain” and there have been times they acted
more like the world than the world.
But I still love them because the God who has control of my life loved me when I
was (and still many times am) just like these same people.
Christianity is not about making people into this perfect image (everyone has a
different image!) you have formed in your mind. Christianity is about God slowly
forming us into the image of His Son through the work of the Holy Spirit in our
life. So work with God today and God
will work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Then
the world will see Christ in your life; and that is Christianity’s goal.
Minister Message for Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BUILDING
BLOCKS
People do not build churches; churches build people.
The reason many churches are struggling to survive is because they are
attempting to use programs or promotions to recruit people instead of using
prayer and powerful preaching to touch the hearts of people. Their goal is to
get more people in order to build a bigger church; and it does not take these
people long to realize they are just pawns in the “Successful growth game” being
played by the Church.
Jesus declared, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
His guidelines for building His church were fairly simple. Seek to serve instead
of being served. Seek to be used for others; not to use others. Seek to give,
not to gain. Seek to exalt God instead of seeking self exaltation. And learn to
love others instead of looking only for others to love you.
A radical change takes place in a church when they stop counting noses
and begin touching hearts. You can feel the difference when you walk in the
door. People greet you with enthusiasm and make you feel as if they sincerely
want to worship God with you. The music is about people joining their hearts and
voices together in praise and adoration to a living God who deserves their
honor. And the sermon is about how a right relationship with God can move you
from where you are into the place God wants you to be.
Church should not be a place you go because you feel guilty. It should be
a place where you worship God and hear God’s life changing message. A church
like that will rock your world and change your life.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 22, 2009
GUIDANCE
COUNSEL
Thou shalt guide me
with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalms 73:24). We live
in a day when people really need the “Counsel” of God about what is right and
wrong. Many are more “ignorant” than rebellious about doing what is right. Here
are a few questions you need to ask about what you want to do to determine if
you are doing the right thing:
Consider the impact your decision will have on your Body. Will it defile
your Body?- If any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye
are. (1 Corinthians 3:17). Flee
fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that
committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Will it capture your Body? All things are
lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,
but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Consider the impact your decision will have on your Spiritual life-
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)
Consider the impact your decision will have on your Conscience: Will it
weaken your Conscience? Hast thou faith?
have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that
thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he
eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans
14:22-23)
Finally, consider your accountability to God:
So then every one of us shall give account
of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:8)
Minister Message for Wednesday, September 23, 2009
CONSIDER
OTHERS
When you are making a major decision you should not only
consider its impact on you but also its impact on others. Here are several
principles that will help you make the right choices about other with your
decisions.
Will your decision help build up other people?
And let us consider one another to provoke
unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24)
Will your decision harm the Faith of Others?
Let us not therefore judge one another any
more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to
fall in his brother's way. (Romans 14:13)
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,
I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
(1 Corinthians 8:12-13)
Will your decision dishonor those deserving Honor, such as God:
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the
enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall
surely die (2 Samuel 12:14), or government:
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans
13:7).
Will your decision obligate you to something you should not be part of?
Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Just remember, you will always make the right decision if you base your decision
on one fundamental principle- Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 29, 2009
PUT OFF
That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to
the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put
on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(Ephesians 4:22-24)
One of the most important things that can happen in the life of a
Christian if for them to “put off” the old man and “put on” the new man. This
life changing event is usually the act of a moment and the actions of a
lifetime. It comes about when a person realizes that trusting Jesus to forgive
their “sin debt” secures their place in Heaven but it does not do away with
their sinful nature. They come to
realize that Christianity must change their behavior as well as their belief if
it is to bring Joy and Peace to their life.
“Putting off” the old man means you are no longer under the Control of
the “old man” in your conduct- But now ye
also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication
out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:8-9). You abandon your old way of
thinking, speaking, and acting.
“Putting off” must be combined with “Putting on” if it is to be
effective- put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Put on therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness
of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:10,12).
God changes our life when the old man is put off and the new man is put
on. This is an act of the will driven by the godly desire in your life since you
trusted Christ. It is a radical change; and it is a wonderful life.
Minister Message for Wednesday, September 30, 2009
PUBLIC PRAISE
It is amazing as
you visit from church to church to see the differences in the way people express
public praise to God. Some people believe any extra “noise” during the service
is irreverent and should not be tolerated. On the other extreme are people who
are so noisy during service until it is difficult to hear what the speaker or
singer is saying. My personal preference lies somewhere in the middle of these
praise techniques.
I think expression of public praise should be Appropriate. I have heard
people say, “Amen, Praise the Lord!” after the speaker would say something like,
“Most of your children are going to die and go to Hell if you do not realize the
seriousness of their situation”. That is not a time to “praise the Lord”; it is
a time to cry out for mercy.
Public praise should affirm the word of God or the message being given
(“Amen” means “make it so” as a witness that you want the speaker’s statement to
become true). It should not be from Habit or as a means to impress others with
your spiritually. It is all about praising God, not about promoting you.
People ask me what I think about people raising their hand during service
as either a silent testimony or as an accompaniment to their vocal praise-
I will therefore that men pray everywhere,
lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8).
Some people are more vocal than others and they will tend to be more
expressive in Church as they are in life. That does not make them better than a
person who silently worships from a heart filled with praise and adoration. It
only makes one silent and the other noisy.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 6, 2009
THE STAY AND
THE STAFF
For, behold, the
Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay
and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, The mighty
man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the
ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and
the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. (Isaiah 3:1-3)
What has been will be (Ecclesiastes 1:9). America is entering the same
cycle of moral decay and national decline that happened to Israel when she began
to forsake God. I hate to see it happen and I hate to live through it.
The beginning of this decline is described in the verses at the beginning of
this article. First to go was the “stay” of Bread and Water; the basics
principles of good and greatness. We began by killing our unborn and then
telling the children we had that God could not be a part of their education or
thought process.
Next
came the loss of the “staff” of leadership- Mighty men (Heroes) were all
tarnished, the Man of war (soldiers) were sent to non winnable wars to be
discouraged and disgraced, the Judge (law) became a sham, the Prophet (Religion)
became a mockery, the Prudent (wise investor) was ruined by a corrupt system,
the Ancient (elder leadership) were told they were irrelevant fit only for
disposal, the captain of fifth
(middle income) was made the bearer of most tax burdens, and the Honorable man,
the counselor, the cunning artificer (artist), and the eloquent orator (skillful
speaker) were all dismissed in favor of pleasure and popularity.
God can still revive this country and return us to greatness. But it has to
start with you and I returning to God with all our heart so God can return the
“stay and the staff” to our land.
Minister Message for Wednesday, October 7, 2009
DADDY MOMENT
All the
preliminaries had been completed and the special music had just finished when
the Pastor walked up to the pulpit to begin his sermon. Right at that moment the
Pastor’s seven year old daughter came bounding up the steps to the pulpit and
told her dad she needed to tell him something. The Pastor realized this was not
a good moment to have a father-daughter conversation but he stopped long enough
to kneel down and ask his daughter why she was interrupting him.
Her reply changed the Pastor into a Daddy and delighted the entire
congregation as they got to share in a very special “daddy moment”. The daughter
looked at her dad and proudly proclaimed that she had accepted Jesus Christ as
her Savior during the Sunday School hour. The Pastor thought that was worth
stopping all the pre-planned programs and turning this moment into a special
celebration time.
Later he was able to baptized his daughter at a baptismal service in
which 24 people followed the Lord’s example and were publically baptized into
the Christian faith. During that time he expressed his delight in changing his
physical daughter into his spiritual “sister”. What a marvelous time of
rejoicing.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only door that
grants entrance into Heaven. I want everyone to believe in Jesus so they can
know the security of forgiven sins and the joy of a restored relationship with
God. I especially want, however, to know that all of my physical family is
experiencing the abundant life and the eternal life that comes through faith in
Christ. Events like this “daddy moment” motivate as we celebrate; and that makes
it even more special.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WHAT GOD DESIRES FOR YOU
If people only knew what God desired for them then they
would gladly accept Jesus as their Savior and give themselves unreservedly into
God=s
service. So here are Four Good Things God desires for you:
1) God wants to Redeem you from sin. YOU are the one who sinned by violating God=s
Laws and breaking God=s
heart. But God does not want you to be alienated from Him so Jesus came to
redeem you from sin punishment and allow you to become a child of God.
2) God wants to Recruit you for service. Abundant life means you not only have
peace with God; you also have a place in the Body of Christ. Everyone does not
have the same job but everyone has a job to do for God. And great is the peace
of heart when you are where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed
to do.
3)
God wants to Refine you into the person He knew you could be when He
created you. He does this through life’s circumstances and situations. The good
thing to remember is that God never allows more into your life than He knows you
can handle- There hath no temptation taken
you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you
to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
4) God wants to Reward you. (Jer 29:11)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God desires the best for you. Give yourself completely to Him today.
Minister Message for Wednesday, October 14, 2009
CHANGING GODS
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer 2:11‑13)
Has our nation changed their God? It is acceptable in
America to promote witches and demons at Halloween but they will put you in jail
if you talk about the birth of the son of God at Christmas.
Has our nation changed their God? The command of the Bible about marriage (Marriage
is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God
will judge. Hebrews 13:4) has been abandoned by the liberal media and the
legal profession in favor of homosexual partnerships and live in lovers.
Has our nation changed their God? Sunday is now a Pleasure day instead of a
Worship Day. Schools get a “winter solstice holiday” instead of a Christmas
break and stores now proclaim “Happy Holiday” instead of “Merry Christmas”.
God declared there were 2 evils that happened when people changed gods; they
deserted the “fountain of living waters” and then they made their own water
containers which were unable to contain any water. Since America has abandoned
God you can no longer leave your door unlocked, marriage and family life are in
shambles, greed and graft control financial and governmental institutes, and
drug use has skyrocketed as men seek the peace they once found in a relationship
with God.
“My people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit,” saith the Lord, “Be astonished at this, and be
horribly afraid”.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 20, 2009
WHO TO LOVE
People normally
think of “love” as a mystical feeling that causes people to be attracted to
other people. Others use Love to describe their interest in, or zeal for, causes
and creatures (“I love Nature” or “I love endangered animals”). Some even use
Love as a metaphor for “lustful desire for another”.
In each case, however, Love is considered a force within the person that compels
the person to do things for or with others that they would not normally do. With
that definition in mind let me give you 5 objects worthy of your love.
1)
Love God:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
2)
Love your Neighbor:
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge
against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)
3)
Love the Church:
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy
house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (Psalms 26:8)
4)
Love your Enemies:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)
5)
Love yourself:
For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Galatians 5:14).
Each time God asks us to love our neighbor the standard for this love is always
self love. You will not love and respect others correctly if you are not
confident in and care about your own self.
Who and what you love defines your character, your conduct, your conversation,
your confidence, and your companions. Make sure the object of your love is worth
the consequences of that love.
Minister Message for Wednesday, October 21, 2009
WHAT LOVE
DOES
The Bible
declares that Love suffers long, and is kind; envieth not; vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). When love like this lives in your heart then
several character qualities will be produced in you.
1)
Purity: Ye
that love the LORD, hate evil: (Psalms 97:10).
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently: (1 Peter 1:22)
2)
Forgiveness:
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love
covereth all sins. (Proverbs 10:12)
3)
Contentment:
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Proverbs 15:17)
4)
Faithfulness:
A friend loveth at all times, and a
brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
5)
Stability:
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong
as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame. (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Love cannot exist in a vacuum. Love must express itself in actions and attitudes
toward the object of its affection. Love is like dye in water; it will
eventually produce changes that seep into every part of that water and transform
how that water is viewed.
Jesus declared that our willingness to keep His commandments was directly
tied to our love for Him (John 14:15). Do others see God in what Love is doing
in your life?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 27, 2009
LOVE AND LIVING
When people ask, “Why should I live a good moral life?” most religions will say, “In order to find God.” Christianity, however, would answer, “Because God has found us”. Christians have learned they are not saved by good moral living, we are saved for it!
In the thousands of newspaper articles I have written these verses may have been used more than any other verses- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10). These verses declare that God saves us from our bad works for His good works but He does so on the basis of a marvelous “God thing” called Grace- unmerited, unearned, undeserved redemption given by God because of His love for us- Glory!
When Jesus asked His disciples to live right He did so like this, If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15). He did not threaten them or command them to do right, He simply stated an obvious truth; if you love me then your conduct will demonstrate that fact.
When you fail to live right it is not because the preacher has not preached hard enough to you about your responsibilities as a Christian. Your failures are the result of not allowing your love for Christ to operate in your life. Instead, you have allowed “Law” to dominate you, demean you, and (since you can never meet the demands of the law) defile you.
Let me invite you to fall in love with Jesus and enjoy the wonderful life that comes from simply walking with Him each day.
Minister Message for Wednesday, October 28, 2009
TWIN TROUBLE
Sometimes it is important to consider the consequences of
our conduct even if the conduct makes good sense at the time- “It is not
economical to go to bed early to save money on candles if the result is twins!”
I am aware that people have
preferences in entertainment according to their personality. My brother in law
likes to go to football games. He arrives early, has a great fellowship time
with friends, sits on a hard seat in hot, cold, or rainy weather, and then makes
his way home through all the traffic after the game. I would much rather watch
that same game in the comfort of my home where I can watch replays of any
important parts and immediately begin to do something else when the game is
over. Neither one of us, however, uses the football game as an excuse to get
drunk or engage in other harmful behavior. We want a good action to end up with
good consequences.
The Bible
declares we should “Let not then your good
be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:16-17). The
principle given here again is that we should consider the consequences of our
conduct. With that in mind may I ask a few questions?
Is the “entertainment” value of watching movies and TV about people killing and
maiming other people worth the damage it does to your mind and soul? Is
promoting demons and witches as a form of decoration worth the spiritual impact
it has on the thought process of your child or the demonic power it releases in
your life?
Sometimes actions seem like
the right thing to do until the twins begin crying all night.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 3, 2009
ACCLIMATION
Her name was Debbie. She was the “cook-server” for the free morning
breakfast at the hotel where I was staying. Circumstances had combined to bring
her and her family from their home in upper New Jersey to live in the foothills
of South Carolina. As we talked each day she would comment about how hot it was
(We were having early morning frost and the high each day barely cracked 70!!).
I told her if she wanted hot then she needed to live in the coastal area as I
did and enjoy 90 degree weather with 90 percent humidity.
Debbie’s sister had moved to the upstate area of South Carolina almost 15
years before this and Debbie said she could not believe her sister wore heavy
coats all the time and talked about how cold it was. I told Mrs. Debbie that it
was just a matter of acclimation; after a length of time your body will adjust
to its surroundings.
Before we began talking about the weather, we had been discussing the
changing moral and spiritual climate in America. As a parent of teen age boys,
she was very concerned with what her boys were being taught in Society and in
School. She said that one of the deciding factors in transplanting her family to
South Carolina was the fact that morals and manners were still part of community
standards.
The great evangelist, Vance Havner, preached a great sermon on “Getting
use to the Dark” in which he told about how our eyes acclimate to the dark in
dimly lit restaurants. He said that was exactly what happens in society; we get
used to the darkness as our world gets worst and worst. Do not let that happen
to you. Do not acclimate to the bad, celebrate the good, and keep your light
burning brightly.
Minister Message for Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009
BOTTOM DOOR
NUMBERS
Recently my wife
and I stayed in a motel during a Revival meeting and our room was located across
the hall from the stairs. Since we were only on the second floor I used the
stairs almost all the time to go up and down; which I did a lot because the
coffee pot was in the refreshment center on the first floor! On one such trip I
happened to notice that the floor number was painted in a huge white letter on
the bottom part of the door.
I wondered why the number was so close to the floor until I began to
think that I was in the stairs that were also an emergency exit. If the building
was on fire and people needed to evacuate they would need to stay close to the
floor in order to breathe so that is where they would need to look for the floor
number.
Life is filled with many challenges- sickness, debt, conflict, etc. The
“smoke” from these problems should drive us to our knees where we can call from
the depth of our problems to the ear of a loving God in Heaven. While we are
waiting for the smoke to clear, however, we need to keep moving forward for God
and away from the danger or hurt of the difficulty.
It is during this time that we sometimes feel lost and wonder if we are
going in the right direction. Look for God’s “Signs” as you travel (They will
always be so you can see them from your knees!) and you will find the
encouragement and direction you need in order to escape the danger and return to
the wonderful sunshine of God’s love.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WHAT HARM CAN
IT DO?
Probably the most common statement people make about their
wrongful actions is “I did not harm anyone”. By some strange standard, these
people seem to think this makes their bad action reasonably good. Jesus,
however, did not ask if your actions harmed anyone. His principle was always,
“What good have you done?” [Jesus condemned the man who hid his talent in the
dirt. He had done no harm with it but Jesus condemned him because he had done no
good with it! Matt 25).
The true Christian does not ask, “What can I get out of life?” His
question is, “What can I put into life?” Jesus declared that the greatest person
in the work of God is the person who is willing to forget about themselves and
serve others- But he that is greatest
among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew
23:11-12).
The groundwork for mankind’s first sin was built on desiring more from
life than God had given permission to have. Instead of looking for ways to enjoy
the promises and provision given them by God, Adam and Eve looked at the
forbidden fruit and decided, “What harm can it do?” and ended up bringing death,
disease, and despair into the lives of countless million people. The landscape
of America is littered with the destroyed marriages of people who said, “What
harm can a little fling do?” Likewise the lives of countless thousands are
destroyed each year on the rocks of selfish pleasure because they asked, “What
harm can this do?”
Someone once declared that the root of sin is desiring to take more from
life than we put back in. It is certainly something worth thinking about.
Minister Message for Wednesday, November 11, 2009
WHEN TO QUIT
One of the great principles young people need to learn is
“If you start something then finish it”. The excitement of beginning a task is
almost always followed by the drudgery of doing the task. At the beginning of an
undertaking work is like “play” as the anticipation of conquering the problem
fills you with energy and zeal. Soon, however, the task becomes toil and the
sweet taste of victory seems to stretch further and further into the distance.
You “hit the wall” and the temptation to quit the project weighs heavily on your
mind and spirit. You know you should keep going but the temptation to give up is
very strong.
This is the time that the force of your vision must give you the
fortitude you need in order to keep going when everything within you is crying
out for you to quit. The difference between success and failure in life is often
defined by what you do at this moment. A quitter begins quitting and soon
quitting becomes a pattern in his life. Conversely, this is when a Christian
gathers strength from God by holding to the promise that he can do all things
through Christ who strengthens him.
Is there ever a time to quit? Yes, when the job is done- When Jesus had
finished the task given Him by His Father he could pray, “I have finished the
work thou gave me to do” (John 17:4) and then declare from the Cross, “It is
finished” (John 19:30). Paul, at the end of his ministry could declare, “I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course,” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Never quit until you are finished. And then rejoice in the victory.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 17, 2009
BENT BRANCH
And the sword
shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them,
because of their own counsels. And my people are bent to backsliding from me:
though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
(Hosea 11:6-7)
The old saying “As the branch is bent so shall it
grow” applies to people more than we wish to admit. In spite of prophetic
preaching and providential punishment, the children of Israel continued to go
down the wrong road and make wrong choices until God finally declared they were
“branches bent to backsliding”. Something
was wrong so deep within the heart and character of God’s chosen people until
they continually make wrong decisions and did wrong deeds. Like a tree branch
that was bent out of shape during its formation years and had grown in the wrong
direction, the Children of Israel were now “bent” toward doing wrong.
Thankfully, God promised He would send His son,
Jesus Christ, to give His people a new heart and a new hope. The “bent branch”
would be broken and then become a new branch, forgiven of its past and indwelt
by God himself (in the person of the Holy Spirit). Grafted into the vine (Jesus)
this new branch would now become fruitful and Joyful (John 15:1-11).
During this Thanksgiving season I encourage people
to “Rejoice, God is alive and so are you” (Jesus said, “Because I live, you
shall live also” John 14:19).
Deformed at birth by the warping power of sin we now can be changed by the
transforming power of God. I no longer have to give in to the “bent” in my life
because I am being changed by my connection to the vine of life. That is
certainly something to rejoice about.
Minister Message for Wednesday, November 18, 2009
THE RIGHT
DECISION
There are many things that shape the character and
conduct of a person. The society environment of a person helps determine their
language (and the accent of that language!), their manner of dressing; their
taste in food, and their social, political, and religious views. Their natural
personality determines, to a large degree, how they respond to life and its
changing circumstances; such as whether they will be bold or bashful in
situations. Their family environment will facilitate life patterns such as their
work ethic, their punctuality, and their vision of how a family should function
[For example, children of “wife beaters” often grow up to become beaten or
beaters].
When you think of all these forces; and then add in
economic considerations, concern for other’s happiness, and time constraints,
no wonder it is so hard to chose a
restaurant when you meet with friends! Most decisions in life however, have much
greater consequences than how much you will enjoy a meal. Decisions lead to
actions; and actions can have long term consequences (Think about deciding to
marry someone or murder someone!). Decisions indeed make a difference.
God’s people had wandered in the wilderness, confused and
discouraged, for 40 years. At the end of that time God asked them to make a
decision- I call heaven and earth to
record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
(Deuteronomy 30:19).
If you are wandering through life, confused, discouraged, and
feeling hopeless let me invite you to choose God and His plan for your life.
That decision will change your character, your conduct, and your eternal
destination. I think that is a wise decision!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 24, 2009
PROBLEMS OR
PRAISES
What is your problem? Someone once said that everyone either
causes problems or cures problems but problems are always a part of life! In any
case, most people are usually so busy dealing with problems until it is
difficult to be thankful and joyful just because a day comes up on a calendar.
The Bible shares a lot about the problems of people. The
woman with the issue of blood came to Jesus because of a Health problem (Spent
all she had on doctors and was not any better). Zacchaeus came to Jesus because
of a “Heart” problem (Had a full pocketbook but an empty heart). The Beggar at
the door of the temple called on the followers of Jesus for help because of a
“Hope” problem (He no longer asked for deliverance from his problem; he just
wanted help to maintain his problem. He asked for cash instead of a cure).
Problems come in all sizes and shapes but they seem to always find a way to get
to your door each day.
The word “problem” is not found in the Bible but all of its
family members, such as trouble, affliction, and sorrow; creep into the fabric
of almost every Bible Story. Adam’s kids fought to the death and Abraham’s kids
are stilling fighting! And if you follow a Pastor around for a week you will
hear enough about disease, debt, divorce, dissension, and despair to last a life
time.
There is Hope, however. Christians are able to
rejoice this Thanksgiving season not because they do not have any problems but
because they have help, hope, and healing in the midst of those problems-
God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble (Ps 46:1). Rejoice, God is on your side and He is
bigger than any problem that comes your way!
Minister Message for Wednesday, November 25, 2009
UNLOCK PRAISE
What is locking you away from the help you need? As
I exited the hospital recently I saw an elderly man and the parking attendant
talking to a woman in a car. The elderly man had brought his wife, who recently
had a stroke, to the hospital for treatment and had driven up to the front door
in order to get his wife unloaded before he parked the car. Some way, when he
closed his door the car doors locked and the key was still in the ignition. Now
the man and the parking attendant were trying to get the lady in the car to
understand that she needed to push the button beside her hand in order to unlock
the doors. But the stroke had impacted the ladies ability to understand and she
was looking at her husband and the parking attendant with a look of total
bewilderment about what they wanted her to do.
The Bible tells us that “the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2
Corinthians 4:4). Multitudes labor each day under the slavery of sinful
practices and habits when deliverances could be found in “pushing the button” of
faith so that Jesus could set them free from sin’s prison. How sad to watch them
sit in bewilderment each day when freedom is so near.
When Jesus sets the captive free it is always a
time of rejoicing. You can celebrate the death of a turkey this Thanksgiving or
you can rejoice in eternal abundant life because of the sacrificial death and
the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why don’t you have a truly thankful
Thanksgiving this year!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 1, 2009
WINTER OR
CHRISTMAS
It is almost
hilarious to watch Satan work through the press and the politicians in order to
get people to stop acknowledging the birth of the Son of God. Sometimes I think
it would be a good idea to let them have their way! Think about it. Christmas
would become a “Winter Holiday” with no religious meaning. Imagine how the
merchants will like seeing their business plummet as people stop buying gifts
(Remember, giving gifts is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and that would
not be allowed under this policy). Consider how the liberal press would like
being laid off at Christmas; excuse me, the “winter holiday”, because stores
would no longer need to purchase ads on TV or in newspapers since there would be
no reason for people to purchase gifts for each other.
Enough with this silly nonsense! Christmas is about the birth of Jesus
Christ. Yes, it has been commercialized beyond reason and greatly exploited by
people seeking only pleasure or profit but it is still a time to rejoice in the
fact that God became a man and dwelt on earth.
You can deny this fact or demand that I not acknowledge this fact but it
does not change the fact that God gave the world the greatest gift in history
when the “Word became flesh and dwelt among men”.
The choice is yours. You can worship winter if you desire but I can
guarantee you “winter” will not heal you in your sick bed or comfort you in your
death bed. Or you can rejoice in the fact that God so loved the world until He
sent His only son to live and die for you.
I think I will chose to emphasis that part of Christmas.
Minister Message for Wednesday, December 2, 2009
THE COMING
REDEEMER
Rev. Henry Horne, speaking at the National Association of
Free Will Baptists annual convention, declared that if we believe Christ is
coming again then we will be a people of 1) Happy Anticipation, 2) Righteous
Reputation, and 3) Faithful Proclamation. That is good preaching that is much
needed in today’s society.
God promised for several thousand years that a Redeemer would come to
earth in order to “bruise the head” (Gen 3:15) of Satan and set men free from
sin’s captivity. Most people, however, allowed their faith in this coming of the
promised Messiah to weaken to the place they were living their life for pleasure
and profit with little expectation that their Redeemer would arrive one glorious
day. Then there was a birth in
Bethlehem and God arrived on earth!
The Gospel is about the life and death of God as the Lord Jesus Christ.
But the gospels do not end on a cruel cross. Easter Sunday dawned with a bright
sun and an empty tomb. Jesus not only provided redemption from man’s past sins;
He promised He would return and give His followers a glorious future.
As the disciples of Jesus watched Him ascend back into Heaven the angels
declared that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so
come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). That is a
promise from God and you should build your life and your expectations upon it.
Christmas is a sign post on God’s highway of history that proclaims His love and
His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Do not get so caught up celebrating
His first coming until you are not ready to meet Him at His second coming.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 8, 2009
CLING TO THE
PROMISE
Some times good
people go bad. Sometimes religious institutes become more godless than God like.
Sometimes it looks like Satan is winning and God has taken a vacation. Sometimes
Christians get discouraged and let despair nibble at the corners of their faith.
It happened in days gone by. It is happening today.
Jesus gave several reasons why Christian people would become discouraged
as the end of time approached.
1)
Loss of confidence in God’s Program because it
seems as if prayers are not effective-
Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he
bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless
when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8)
2)
The triumph of Evil and the resulting pressure
from society and the flesh to quit trying-
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew
24:12)
This was the picture over 2000 years ago. The nation of
Israel was in subjection to other nations and in despair because of the decline
in moral and social values in the country. People had prayed and prayed but
things were getting worst instead of better. Where was God and what could they
do to change the situation?
Suddenly an angel spoke to a teen age girl telling her that her world
would change and in the process God would come to earth by becoming flesh and
dwelling among men. In Rome, the capital of the world, nothing changed. In
Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, nothing changed. But in Nazareth; and
eventually, Bethlehem, world changing change was growing in the body of a virgin
girl. Hope was on the way because God was coming!
Minister Message for Wednesday, December 9, 2009
CHILDREN AND
CHRISTMAS
I like the fact
that the Christmas Story is given in such a way until it is easy to share with
children. People ask me from time to time how we can “Put Christ back in
Christmas”. I appreciate their sentiment since it is hard to conceive of
celebrating the birth of Christ without talking about the Christ whose birth we
celebrate! But the answer I generally give is to tell people to listen to and
observe children during the Christmas season. You will generally discover that
children find a way to find God in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of
the holidays.
I had just finished some shopping recently and was returning my cart to
the cart holder. In the next aisle a harried lady was talking on a cell phone as
she hurried toward the store. Behind her was a very young girl who stopped
directly opposite me and watched a bird playing on the ground. The mother called
for the child to stop lingering behind, they had a schedule to keep. The little
girl looked longingly at the bird and then went into the store. If the mother
could have heard God above her cell phone she would have stopped and watched the
bird with the child; and made a Christmas memory that would have lasted a life
time.
God’s son, Jesus, had a wonderful appreciation for children (Luke
18:15-17). I think that is why God
makes the Gospel so simple until even a Child can understand and accept God’s
gift of salvation through Christ.
Christmas is about the birth of a child. If you will let them, the children
around you will show you the joy and celebration God wants at this special time.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 15, 2009
BEING GOD’S
DAD
How do you think you would react if God came to you one day
and said, “I want you to raise my Son for me”? That is what happened to Joseph
when the angel appeared and told him his espoused wife, Mary, was about to have
the God child. In the process of taking God into his family, Joseph shows us how
we can also become a part of God’s family.
Joseph first had to deal with his fear of the responsibility of allowing
God into his life. That same fear keeps many people from taking the final step
of salvation. They fear they cannot handle the responsibilities that come with
accepting Christ. May they hear the
angel’s message to “fear not”.
Joseph also had to deal with the social pressure that came with marrying
an unwed mother in order to bring God into his family.
In the same way, becoming part of God’s family many times will cause
others to misunderstand the changes in our life because of what God is doing in
our life.
The supernatural work of God that brought about the conception of God
also had to be accepted by Joseph (“That which is born is of the Holy Spirit”
Matt 1:20). Welcoming God into your
life is not a mental game you play; it is a supernatural “new birth” performed
by the Holy Spirit. It is not
something you can explain or even understand; it is something you must accept by
faith.
If you want God to come into your life and make you part of His family
then you need to do just what Joseph did, “Then Joseph being raised from sleep
did as the messenger of the Lord had bidden him”.
Minister Message for Wednesday, December 16, 2009
WISE MAN
WORSHIP
During Pastor Prayer day in India recently every Pastor
reported conversion decisions in their church during the previous week. Wouldn’t
it be wonderful if every Pastor at our minister’s meetings in South Carolina
could report conversion decisions when we meet? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if
Christians could get together a day a month for Prayer! And wouldn’t it be
wonderful if everyone made an effort to lead someone to Christ this Christmas
season?
Christmas is all
about finding and worshipping Christ. Christmas is not just an excuse to get
together as a family and exchange presents. It is about God coming to earth as a
man so we can join God’s family by accepting the gift of salvation through faith
in the babe of Bethlehem who became the Christ of Calvary.
Take the familiar story about the Wise Men coming to find the new born King.
This story is a wonderful example of how to lead a person to accept Christ as
their Savior. First of all the Wise Men saw a light (star) shinning in the midst
of the darkness and despair of their daily life. This light led them to a place
(Jerusalem) where they could hear the word of God which directed them to come to
Christ. The leadership light from God above them and the word of God inside them
brought them to kneel before Christ where they worshipped. And that, ladies and
gentlemen, is a perfect picture of a person getting “saved” through faith in
Christ!
Put Christ
back into Christmas by putting Him in your heart as well as in your holiday.
Be a wise man; come worship the king and give him the gift of your heart.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 22, 2009
CALMING THE
CHAOS
By this time in
December, you have wandered through the wilderness of pre Christmas activities
and are now so tired until you cannot wait for Christmas to finally be over! It
is too late for me to change the hustle and bustle of the Christmas activities
that have stolen your time, stressed your life, and exhausted your body. Like a
boat without paddles in a swiftly moving river you have been dragged along by
the current hoping and praying you would not run into any rocks or plunge over
any waterfalls. Now that you are finally moving into quieter waters, let me
share a few suggestions so you can get a little of your joy back.
One of the great Christmas verses that has nothing to do with Christmas
is found in Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said
unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto
them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither
be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
In this verse are found four principles that will help restore Joy to
your Christmas. “Go your way” means you need to gain control of your life again.
Dig out the paddles and begin steering that boat. “Eat the fat…” tells you to
enjoy the bounty of blessings available at this time of year. “Send portions”
reminds you to remember those less fortunate that you. “The Joy of the Lord is
your Strength” means for you to take your eyes off the chaos around you and put
them back on Christ; which is where they were supposed to be all the time! Try
these principles and see if you do not have a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Minister Message
for Wednesday, December 23, 2009
REAL CHRISTMAS JOY
The
famous preacher, Thomas Guthrie, wrote the following about Sin- "Who is the
painted temptress that steals our virtue? Who is the murderess that
destroys our life? Who is this sorceress that first deceives and then
damns our souls? Sin. Who with icy breath blights the fair blossoms
of youth? Who breaks the hearts of parents? Who brings old men gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave? Sin. Who changes gentle children
into snakes, tender mothers into monsters and their fathers into worse than
Herod's, the murderers of their own innocence? Sin. Who cast the
apple of discord on household hearts? Who lights the torch of war and
bears it blazing over trembling lands? Who by division in the church rends
Christ's seamless robe? Sin. Who is this Delilah upon whose lap the
mighty sleep until their strength is delivered into the hands of the
uncircumcised? Sin. Who hurls insanity from her lofty throne and impels sinners
mad as a Gadarene swine down the precipice into a lake of fire? Sin."
Why would I begin a Christmas devotion with such a negative quote?
Because the reason for the season is the birth of a Savior. Christmas can be a
time of great celebration and wonderful family fellowship but Christmas will
only bring joy to your life when it brings Christ into your heart. Great joy
comes because unto us is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Nothing can satisfy the longing in your heart or fill the need of your soul
except this Savior. Stop looking under the tree and begin looking on the tree
(cross) if you are going to find the real joy your soul craves.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 29, 2009
BECOMING
REALLY RICH
Would you like to be really rich in the coming year? Here
are three guidelines to help you find real joy no matter how much is in your
bank account.
Learn the Joy of Contentment: If you do not enjoy what you have then
having more will not bring enjoyment. Determine each week to do something that
cost little or no money but it brings you enjoyment. When you no longer need
money to be happy then God can trust you with money-
But godliness with contentment is great
gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy
6:6-9)
Trust God instead of your Circumstances: Joseph was sold into slavery by
his family but that did not stop him from being a prosperous man full of
integrity- And the LORD was with Joseph,
and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that
he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:2-3)
Believe God wants you to have all you need-
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that
favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be
magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. (Psalms
35:27)
It is not devout to be destitute (Nor is it righteous to be rich).
God delights in blessing His children. He is just smart enough to bless
them in such a way until the blessing does not become a curse. Learn that lesson
and you will be really rich.
Minister Message for Wednesday, December 30, 2009
FUTURE BEAMS
An interesting story is told about New College in Oxford,
England. Founded in 1379, it is one of
the oldest Oxford colleges. It has a great dining hall with huge oak beams
across the top, as large as two feet square, and forty-five feet long each.
Nearly a hundred years ago someone decided to inspect the oak beams and found
they were full of beetles. This was reported to the College Council, which met
the news with some dismay because beams this large were now very hard, if not
impossible to come by.
Someone finally suggested that there might be some worthy oaks on the
College lands. The college was endowed with several plots of land which are run
by a college Forester. They called in the College Forester, who of course had
not been near the college itself for some years, and asked him if there were any
oaks for possible use.
He pulled his chin and said, “Well sirs, we have been wondering when you would
ask us about the oaks.” Upon further
inquiry it was discovered that when the College was founded, a grove of oaks had
been planted to replace the beams in the dining hall, because oak beams always
become beetly in the end. This plan had been passed down from one Forester to
the next for over five hundred years saying “Do not cut the oaks. They are for
the College Hall.”
This is a wonderful example of the need of long range planning. Oaks do not grow
in a day and godly character does not grow from a single Sunday Service. So I
simply ask you this question, “What are you doing today that will put you in a
good position 500 years from now?”