1998 NEWSPAPER DEVOTIONAL
ARTICLES
These weekly articles were
written by Rev Mike Jones for South Carolina Area Newspaper on a busy Pastor's
schedule. Space was limited to around 300 words per article so in depth
exposition is not possible.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 6, 1998
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN?
There are three basis kinds of "Christians" in the world today. If you are a
Christian, which group would you be classified under?
I. CRISIS CHRISTIANS. This is the person who doesn't have time for God or His
work until some Crisis comes along. As long as the bank account is big, their
health is fine, and their family is doing well they don't need to serve God. But
as soon as a crisis comes along to mess up their play house they come running to
Church expecting God to put everything back together again. They will make great
promises and put on a good show but as soon as the crisis dies down they put God
back in their emergency compartment until the next crisis comes along.
II. CHURCH CHRISTIANS. These are also called "Sunday Christians". They dress in
their finery each Sunday and faithfully attend Church. They smile at everyone
and wear a smug mantle of self righteousness on Sunday but as soon as Monday
comes along they are back to doing their own thing. They have a form of
godliness but it never seems to reach their work ethics or their family life.
Church to them is just one other item on an already busy agenda. They go to
church to be respectable but they certainly would never take it too seriously.
III. COMMITTED CHRISTIANS. This is the minority group that believes the Bible is
the word of God, that Jesus Christ is not just their Savior but also their Lord,
and that God's will in their life is the most important obligation they have.
Christianity is not a game they play; it is a life they live. They don't blow a
lot of trumpets but by their lives they draw a tremendous amount of people to
believe that God is real and Christ is their answer.
Three kinds of Christians. Which group would your family and friends say you
belong in?
Miracle Message, Wednesday January 7, 1998
ATTEND CHURCH IN 98
Now that you've spent all your money giving your children
presents for a moment; don't you think it's important to give them principles
for a lifetime. They will get these life principles from somewhere. I think you
should make sure they get them from the Word of God. The only way to do that is
to determine that in 1998 you are going to take your family to a good Bible
Teaching Church each and every week.
Here are 4 reasons you should attend Church each week.
1. GOD COMMANDS IT- "And these words, which I command thee this
day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut
6:6-7).
2. IT CAN LEAD YOUR CHILD TO SALVATION - "That from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Tim 3:15).
3. IT FORMS A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE IN THE CHILD- "When I call to
remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy
grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also"
(II Tim 1:5).
4. JESUS WANTS YOU AND YOUR CHILD IN CHURCH- "Jesus said,
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the
Kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:14).
Don't just give your Children food, clothes, and toys. Give them Principles that
will last for a life time- "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).
Lessons for Living Tuesday, January 13, 1998
GOD IS STILL THERE
A lady in my church recently related a story that really
spoke to my heart. The local church in the community in which she was raised was
the first Free Will Baptist church established in South Carolina and tradition
dictated that it be called the Mother Church.
For a number of years this lady's mother played the piano at
that church and its services were a part of her weekly life. Then the relocation
of marriage moved her into another area, and another church. Her mother died,
her family moved away, and she lost most of her ties with her early home place.
As is the case in many of our rural communities, not only did
this lady move away, but most of the other young people in the community
relocated also. Dwindling attendance and some divisive problems finally brought
the Mother Church to a stand still; and eventually closed its doors.
Ever so often this lady would return to her home community
and ride by this church on her way to visit her mother's grave. Each time she
would pass the old Mother Church she would remember the good times she had
encountered there in her childhood. One day it just struck her that she would
like to go back inside that old church and pray one more time.
The door was about to fall off its hinges. The windows were
broken. The pews were scarred and the pulpit chair were full of rat nest. Slowly
she walked down the aisle and knelt on a dusty altar. And there, in her words,
"The glory of God fell on me and I felt a renewal in my soul".
The Church has been battered and scarred in recent years.
Promiscuous preachers, Money driven ministries, and preoccupation with survival
in a rapidly changing world have caused many to look at the Church as if it were
an old worn out building about to fall down. Let me emphatically tell you,
however, that if you will make your way past all the dust and decay to an old
fashion altar you will find that God is still there; and He still is able to
meet the needs of your soul.
Miracle Message Wednesday, January 14, 1998
DEDICATION
Every Christian should desire to be the Dedicated Child of
God that God wants them to be. Yet, many times this is not the case. What does
it take to be "sold out" for God??
First, there must be DETERMINED DESIRE. If you are going to
be committed to God's work and will in your life than you must really want God
to be first in everything you do. Sadly, many only want God to Bless them with
ease and comfort on the earth and one day take them to Heaven. They have no
burning desire to be all they can be for God.
Secondly, becoming a dedicated Child of God requires an ACT
OF THE WILL. You must will to will to want to put God first in your life. It is
not just a mental thought you think about; it is a deliberate choice on your
part. Flesh, friends, and even family will oppose you but you must make a
definite choice to commit your all to God.
Thirdly, commitment requires a STEP OF FAITH. You don't wait
until you understand everything or until you can see far enough into the future
to believe that everything will be alright. "The Just shall live by his faith"
is one of the most important statements in the Bible and one you will learn the
meaning of as you walk closely with God.
Finally, There must be CONTINUED PERSEVERANCE. This is not a
moments decision but a lifetime commitment. It means burning your bridges and
casting yourself completely on the Lord. And knowing a joy beyond description!!
Lessons for Living Tuesday, January 20, 1998
DOCTORS
While waiting in the waiting room of the doctor's office
for my mother to complete some test recently I heard some interesting
observations. One lady in particular wanted the receptionist to know that she
did not want to see a certain doctor because he had not given her the medicine
she wanted the last time she saw him. Listening to her comments, and the
comments of others in the waiting room, I began to see why many ministers now
call themselves doctors.
Doctors, like ministers, are regularly accused of being in
the business for the money. While most minister's salaries are not even in the
same world with most doctors, I can tell you from my acquaintance with numerous
doctors that there is no amount of money in the world that would drive them to
give the physical and emotional efforts they give. Most doctors, like most
ministers, serve because of a compelling urge in their heart. There are some
money hungry doctors, like there are some money hungry ministers, but the salary
to most of them has little to do with their calling in life.
Doctors, like ministers, are expected to be one hundred
percent successful one hundred per cent of the time. Sadly, Doctors, like
ministers (see the parable of the seed in Mark 4), have great successes, heart
wrenching failures, and a lot of helped but didn't completely heal. Most of the
time the failures are not the Doctors fault. The patient will not cooperate or
"time and chance will happen to all men" but the Doctor, like the minister, is
expected to always come out victorious.
Let me encourage you to pray more for your Doctor and your
minister than you talk about them. If you do, you might find that they will be a
lot more like what you expect of them than you ever thought possible. Then they
may be just the help you need when your emergency comes along.
Miracle Message Wednesday, January 21, 1998
FATHER'S VIEW
I was waiting for the barber to complete the long line of
men ahead of me so I could get a hair cut. As I usually do, I had carried a
notebook and Bible with me in order to keep waiting time from becoming wasted
time.
Just before the barber got to me a young man and his small
child came in. His little boy looked to be 2 or 3 years old and was cute as a
button. He was sitting in his chair patiently waiting like the rest of us when
we all heard a rumble outside. Everyone looked out the window and saw a long
line of big trucks loaded with equipment driving past the barber shop.
As the father was looking at the trucks he glanced down and
saw that his son was looking also but all he could see was the top of the
buildings across the street because he was so small. He reached down, picked up
his child, and held him in his arms so they both could marvel as the big trucks
driving by the window.
Sometimes the problems of this world seem so big and scary
until I am almost overwhelmed. That is when my Heavenly Father reaches down,
picks me up, and allows me to see what is really going on.
Safe in the arms of God I can see that all the rumbling that
I feared is actually a time of excitement and joy to be shared with God. Limited
to my view it sounds like I will be overwhelmed but safe in God's arms I know it
is just part of the march of history toward God's final fulfillment.
Lessons for Living Tuesday, January 27, 1998
WHAT GOD EXPECTS
Here are several "cute" things that God expects from each
Christian. I hope you will look past the cuteness and allow these expectations
to bring you to commitment.
God expects us to GROW- (2 Pet 3:18) But grow in grace, and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now
and for ever. Amen.
God expects us to GO- (Mat 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:
God expects us to GLOW- (Mat 5:14) Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
God expects us to SOW- (Mark 4:14) The sower soweth the word.
God expects us to SHOW- (1 Pet 2:9) But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light:
God expects us to KNOW: First, we should know that we are
Saved- (2 Tim 1:12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless
I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Secondly, we are to seek to know Christ in the greatest
personal way no matter what the cost- (Phil 3:8-10) Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung,
that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable
unto his death;
Are you meeting God's expectations??
Miracle Message January 28, 1998
OIL CHANGE CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is not just about what you believe; it is
about how you behave. Every doctrine in the Bible comes with a duty to be
performed. If your worship place does not effect your work place then you are
not learning what you should at your church.
I went to get the oil changed in my car recently. The place
was busy so I went inside to drink a cup of coffee and wait. While I was waiting
a lady came up and asked to talk to the manager. As I listened, she explained
that she had left her lights on while she was shopping in the stores beside the
oil change location and now her car wouldn't crank.
In spite of the fact that it was obvious that the manager was
almost overwhelmed with all the paying customers he had in his establishment, he
told his men to continue working while he took his personal truck and went to
start this lady's car. To further complicate matters, the manager found when he
got in his truck that he did not have any jumper cables. He offered to go back
to his home and get his personal set but I had a set in my car that I loaned
him.
The manager could have claimed his busy schedule or the
absence of jumper cables would not allow him to help this lady. Instead he
treated this lady the way he thought a Christian should treat her-and I am
thankful, for this man is a trustee at my Church.
Lessons for Living Tuesday, February 3, 1998
STRANGE SCRIPTURES
From time to time as you read through the
Bible you come across a scripture that makes you scratch your head. Here are
some verses that have made me ponder long and hard.
--(Ezek 20:24-25) Because they had not executed my judgments, but had
despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after
their fathers' idols. {25} Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not
good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
--(Jer 7:16) Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up
cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear
thee.
--(Isa 45:7) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace,
and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
--(Mat 16:20) Then charged he his disciples that they should
tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
I don't understand what God is speaking about sometimes but I'm
glad I'm not supposed to! --(Isa 55:8-9) "For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. {9} For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts." I simply need to trust God's goodness and love even
when some things don't make "sense" to me.
Men want God to prove Himself to them either by a
supernatural miracle or by a special understanding of the mind- (1 Cor 1:22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:. God keeps
reminding us throughout the Bible that He will never "jump through our hoops" in
order to keep our scheme of Him within the wall of our humanly designed box. God
is God; our duty is to trust Him to do right even when we don't understand
everything. And that is what makes faith such an adventure, and life so
exciting, for the child of God.
Miracle Message Wednesday, February 4, 1998
LOVE IN ACTION
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth. (I John 3:18).
The amplified Bible translates this verse like this- Little children, let us not
love merely in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in
sincerity).
In real life it translates this way: Christians, don't
just think about or talk about your love for other people; instead, turn your
talk into actions that demonstrate what love is all about.
This week marks my 28th anniversary. For 28 wonderful years I
have been married to a fine Christian lady. During that time together she has
shown me the truth of this verse over and over. Our life together has not been
just a few emotional moments of romantic talk. Instead, my wife has over and
over proved her love to me by her consistent actions and attitude. Truly, she is
a virtuous woman of great price, far above rubies. (Prov 31:10).
I deal with broken marriages and broken homes almost every
week. The circumstances will change but the reasons remain fairly constant-
People will talk about how much they love each other but they are unwilling to
put those pronouncements into practice. They talk a good love but they remain
unwilling to do the practical things that make love work. And love that is
merely words will never build a home or capture a persons heart.
Lessons for Living article February 10, 1998
ABOUT ADULTERY
It suddenly seems as if everyone is dismissing the sin of
adultery as being so innocent and common until it is not worthy of being
considered wrong any more. I get the impression from some people that adultery
is simply a spicy little game that people play and is of little or no
consequence in real life situations. Let me tell you why I still stand adamantly
opposed to adultery.
First, and most important, Adultery is consistently branded
as being wrong by God- (Exo 20:14) "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Lev 20:10)
"And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that
committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress
shall surely be put to death."
Jesus stood against adultery. When the adulterous woman was
brought before Jesus he condemned the self righteous attitude of the men who had
brought her to him. But he did not tell the woman that Adultery was all right;
he told her to go and avoid this sin from this time forward.
Peter described men who advocated loose living as men who
"Have eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable
souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
{15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray," (2 Pet 2:14-15)
Paul was even more plain about the seriousness of a life
controlled by sexual sins- "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit
the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God." (1 Cor 6:9-10)
Adultery destroys a person's home, their health, and their
reputation. It is the sin that God consistently used to describe people's sin of
abandoning Him. It is wrong for anyone, including you.
"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Heb 13:4)
Miracle Messages Article- February 11,1998
LOVE DEMONSTRATED
An ancient city was besieged, and at length obliged to
surrender. In the city were two brothers, who approached the conquering general,
and begged permission to leave the city before it was set on fire. They were
told that only they could leave and they could take with them
only as much of their property as each could carry. The
two youths appeared at the gates of the city the next morning, one of them
carrying their father, and the other their mother.
Paul told the church at Corinth, "Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so
that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."(1 Cor 13:1-3)
Life is filled with opportunities to express our love for people.
Sadly, many people, when they have to make a decision about what is the most
important thing in their life, chose to load themselves down with possessions
instead of people. Their love, as Paul said, is just a loud sound or an annoying
tinkle.
Someone close to you is waiting for you to demonstrate your love for them. Will
you choose to choose them or will you think only of yourself??
Lessons for Living Tuesday, February 17, 1998
I DON'T GAMBLE
From time to time people ask me what I think about video
poker or state lotteries. They talk about the money they generate and about how
nice it would be to suddenly win $10 million dollars. I reply that some things
are more important than money.
I don't gamble because of the example of the men who
crucified my Savior- (John 19:23-24) Then the soldiers, when they had crucified
Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also
his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. {24}
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it,
whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They
parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These
things therefore the soldiers did.
I don't gamble because of who it makes me trust- I believe
"my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus." (Phil 4:19). I don't want to waste my time trusting in "Luck", Chance,
or the Publishers Clearing House to meet my needs. I learned a long time ago
that in order for people to pay off gambling prizes then they have to take in
more than they are giving out- and I don't plan to be one of a crowd they are
picking clean in order to give something to a single person.
I don't gamble because of the families and careers I have
seen gambling destroy during my years as a pastor. Over and over I have seen
people who thought they could control their gambling habit sit forlorn in my
office and say they would have been better off putting their money in a pile and
setting it on fire. At least then they would be at zero instead of owing debts
that it is impossible to pay. Even professional sports have learned about the
dangers of gambling and have forbid their players to get involved- ask Pete Rose
if gambling hurts.
I don't gamble with money; and I certainly don't gamble with
my soul. I know I am a child of God and God will provide for me. Do you??
Miracle Message Wednesday, February 18, 1998
CHILDREN'S CHURCH
Rev John Driggers gave a seminar in our church about the
Children's Church ministry and his key points were well worth passing on. More
and more churches have, or are beginning, a ministry for children during the
main preaching service. These guidelines will help this ministry be successful.
First, and foremost, make each MESSAGE ABOUT CHRIST.
The Goal of Children's church must be to evangelize and edify the young people;
not just to entertain them for an hour while their parents are in church.
Second, MAKE EACH WEEK COLORFUL AND EXCITING. Don't let them believe God is dull !
Third, Use many MOTION SONGS in each
service. Children like songs that involve them; and they remember the message of
the song much better when they tie it to something they do.
Fourth, Make sure each child is taught to regularly MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE. It is the word of God hidden in their hearts that
will develop faith and keep them from sin. They need to know that the principles
they learn are founded on the Word of God.
Finally, MOLD THE CHILD FOR CHURCH. Use
rules and examples that will help the child learn how to get the most out of the
worship service when they graduate. Talk and Teach in such a way until the child
can hardly wait until it is time for him to graduate to big church.
Lessons for Living Tuesday, February 24, 1998
WHEN GOD IS WITH US
While praying for people recently, I noticed that I was
continually asking the Lord to be with them- during sickness, death, family
problems, work situations, etc. Later I began to think about that and wondered
when the Bible says the Lord is with us. Three cases immediately came to mind.
When we WORK and WITNESS for Him- (Mat 28:19-20) "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen." What a joy to know that I do not have to do the
work of God alone. I'm afraid when I go by myself but I can have great
confidence when God goes with me. One of the great truths I have learned in life
is that I can do all things with Christ to strengthen me. Aren't you glad He is
with you when you work and witness?
When we WORSHIP Him- (Mat 18:20) "For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them". It is
wonderful to know that we do not come to Church just to meet with various
people; we come to spend time with the Lord God of Hosts. Church is not just a
group of people meeting together to discuss matters of common interest; it is a
Holy place where we meet a Holy God and learn of His will for our life. Church
is not a place to show off our clothes or enhance our reputation, it is a place
to fellowship with God and His family.
Finally, and this is such a comfort, God is with us when we
WALK through the Valley of the shadow of death- (Psa 23:4) "Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Is God with you today??
Miracle Message Wednesday, February 25, 1998
THE RIGHT TIME
I had a friend once who, when I
would ask for the time, would say, "It's just about that time." I still don't
know exactly what that meant but it did help me to realize that some people look
at time differently than other people.
With that in mind, let me share three things that it is time
for. You can't use them to set your watch but I hope you will use them to check
your priorities.
It is time to WAKE UP- (Rom 13:11) "And that, knowing the
time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed." Too many in the church are asleep on duty
(Remember the disciples who were supposed to pray with Jesus). As a result, the
devil is destroying families, churches, and individuals. A wake up call is
needed or there will not be anything to wake up to.
It is time to SHAPE UP- (1 Pet 4:17) "For the time is come
that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what
shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" Under normal
circumstances you will often let things go and not be so particular. But when
special company is coming you need to put everything in order. Well, the judge
is coming, and he will make a careful inspection so you better start getting
things straight in your life.
Finally, it is time to LOOK UP- (Luke 21:28) "And when these
things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your
redemption draweth nigh."
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 3, 1998
CHRISTIAN LOVE
I love Christ. He is a wonderful savior who gives
forgiveness to the sinful, rest to the weary, comfort to the sad, and hope to
the dying. But I know that Love that is simply talk is no more than hollow
sounds and useless words (I Cor 13:1). My love for Christ must show itself in
the marketplace, as well as in the church, if it is to be effective. If I want
other people to love this Christ that I love then I must constantly realize that
the convincing power of a Christian life is of far greater effect than all the
learned discourses of scholars or all the sermons preached by preachers.
That is why I must examine all I do for the Lord in the light
of Love.
Love is the basis of faith in Christ- (1 John 4:19) We love
him, because he first loved us.
Love is the proof of new life in Christ- (1 John 3:14) We
know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He
that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Love is the mark of being genuine- (1 Cor 13:2) And though I
have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I
am nothing.
Love is the motiving power in service- (2 Cor 5:14) For the
love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all,
then were all dead:
Love is the cause of obedience- (John 14:15) If ye love me,
keep my commandments.
Love is a fruit of the Spirit at work in my life- (Gal 5:22)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,
Love is the queen of the graces and must occupy the prominent
place in my life- (1 Cor 13:13) And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
The Bible describes God's Love as - Great, world
encompassing, Free, Inconceivable, Unselfish, Unchanging, Inseparable,
Everlasting, Unquenchable, Stronger than death, and Perfect. That is the kind of
love I want to Know, and to Show, in my life.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 4, 1998
THE COMPUTER CHRIST
A Friend shared this illustration with me. For those of
you who know anything about the importance of saving your files as you work on
your computer it will be very relevant. For the rest of you I hope you will get
the point anyway.
Between moments of dispensing wisdom, it seems that
historical religious leaders had also learned software programming. One day, a
great contest was held to test their skills. After days and days of fierce
competition, only two leaders remained for the last day's event: Jesus and
Mohammed. The judge described the software application required for the final
test, and gave the signal to start writing code.
The two contestants feverishly typed away on their keyboards.
Routines, classes, applets and applications flew by on their screens at
incredible speeds. Windows, dialogs, and other intricate graphics began forming
on their monitors. The clock showed that the contest would soon be finished.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightening flashed and the power went out. After a moment it
came back on -- just in time for the clock to announce that at last the
competition was over.
The judge asked the two contestants to reveal their finished
software. Mohammed angrily said that he'd lost all he had in the power outage.
The judge turned to the other competitor.
Jesus smiled, clicked a mouse, and a dazzling application
appeared on his screen. The judge was clearly impressed at what he saw and
declared Jesus the victor.
When asked why the decision was made, the judge pointed out
the unique characteristic that set Jesus apart from all the other leaders:
Jesus saves.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 10, 1998
ENCOURAGEMENT
Rev Carroll Bazen preached a sermon at our Church recently
about "Encouragement" that seemed to minister to many people. I want to share
the verses and the instructions with you; and let you know that he made up a
book mark with the verses on one side and the instructions on the other side
that we would be glad to send to anyone requesting it (Free).
Here are some things you can do when you are going through
tough circumstances:
1) You can pray about the situation and let God handle it.
2) You can read the Word of God and apply it to your life
3) You can try to see where God is working in your life through your situation
4) You can worry about it and let it drain you spiritually
5) You can call on us to pray for you in your time of need- We care
These are the encouragement verses he used:
(Isa 41:10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy
God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.
(Psa 55:22) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.
(Psa 23:6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(2 Cor 4:8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,
but not in despair;
He finished by keying on the 3 "I wills" of Isaiah 41:10- (1) I will Strengthen
you. (2) I will Help you. (3) I will Uphold you with my right hand. God said He
would give us strength, stability, and security. That should encourage anyone.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 11, 1998
HE DIDN'T DO IT
It is always good to be able to say, "I didn't do it" when
someone accuses you of doing something wrong. It is also very interesting to see
some of the times in the Bible that it is stated that a person did not do
something that almost everyone would assume that they would do. It just goes to
show that assumptions are not always correct- which is a statement that it would
do us all good to consider carefully on a regular basis.
John the Baptist did not perform miracles- (John 10:41) And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that
John spake of this man were true. John was a tremendous preacher. He was
able to attract huge crowds from all backgrounds. But his ministry was limited
to wilderness preaching and water baptism. He was not a wonder worker; but if
you preach like John you don't need miracles with your message!
Jesus did not Baptize- (John 4:1-2) When therefore the
Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more
disciples than John, {2} (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,).
This is surprising. John baptized everyone and Jesus baptized no one. Sometimes
something you just know is so, isn't. Remember that.
Paul did not preach for money- (Acts 20:33) I have
coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Paul was after men's good,
not their gold. He could have demanded pay befitting his exalted status;
instead, he made earthly tents that he might lead men to Heavenly mansions.
Sometimes your greatest influence can come from what you give up instead of what
you gain.
One final thought- Jesus did not sin- (1 Pet 2:22) Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:. He lived as a man, was
tempted as a man, and died as a man. But he did no sin that he might die for our
sins. I sure am glad He didn't do it so I could gain forgiveness for the fact
that I did do it.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 17, 1998
MISSING MEMBERS
One of the ladies in my church shared this antidote with
me that illustrates an important principle (Thanks, Miss LeAnne). It seems
several pastors had bats in the belfry of their churches and were discussing how
to get rid of them.
The first pastor said he captured the bats and carried them
into the woods where he released them, but they beat him back to the church. The
second pastor said he put his cat up in the belfry to frighten the bats but he
had never heard from his cat again. The final pastor said he captured all the
bats, baptized them, dedicated them to the service of the Church-and he hasn't
seen a one of them since!
It is interesting to note that if every American attended
church, there would be an average of nearly 1000 members per church. The present
average is less than 75 members per church. Even among those who claim to be
fundamental Christians, only 68% attend Church regularly. Like the bats in the
belfry, many seem to think that their commitment to religion frees them from the
responsibility that such a commitment entails. They want to be counted in the
membership but they don't want to be counted on when it comes to regular
attendance or faithful service.
The Bible declares that we are to "Not forsake the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another: and so
much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb 10:25). In this wicked world
that we live in today we need the fellowship and moral guidance of the Church
more than ever. We can't afford to be missing in action when there is so much
work to be done and so little time in which to get that work accomplished.
Don't be "batty" about church attendance. Be in your place
this week and every week. You will find you will get a blessing as well as be a
blessing; and you will be amazed at the difference in you mental and emotional
attitude when you start the week in God's house with God's people.
Miracle Message Wednesday, March 18, 1998
THE ROCK
The story is told about a young man who had a dream one
night. In his dream the Lord came to him and told him that his purpose in life
was to go out each day and push on a huge rock in front of his home.
When the young man awoke he went out to that huge rock,
looked at it with a great deal of scepticism, and decided it would indeed take a
miracle to move that rock. But God had told him to push and that was what he was
going to do.
Day after day, week after week, this young man went out and
pushed on that rock. Many days he got discouraged and wanted to quit but then he
would remember God's command and go back out and push on that rock.
One day he was very tired and very discouraged. He looked at
that rock and realized that for all of his pushing he had not moved it an inch.
He cried out to God in despair, "Why, God, have I worked all this time and you
have not helped me move this rock?"
Then he heard the voice of God gently say, "Son, I didn't
tell you to move the rock. I told you to faithfully push on it each day. I could
move that rock without your help any time I wanted. The purpose of that rock was
not to be moved but to develop faithfulness in you."
Most people have a rock somewhere in their life. It can be
used to defeat and discourage; or it can be used to develop them into a faithful
servant of God. What is your rock doing?
Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 25, 1998
PRACTICING YOUR PROFESSION
It is not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong.
It is not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich.
It is not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned.
And it is not what we profess but what we practice that makes us
Christian-------- Author unknown.
"Unknown Author" brings up a very important point about
practical Christianity. It is not your talk; but your walk, that will have the
greatest effect influencing people for Christ and salvation.
If that is the case, and you know it is, what are some ways
you can practice your profession for Christ so that others will want to know the
Savior that you serve?
(Eph 4:32) Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
(Eph 5:2-4) Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,...{3}
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
In my years as a Christian I have learned that people judge
Christians by their love and by their Character. Make sure both of these areas
are under the control of Christ in your life.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 24, 1998
STEALING SONS
I recently took my wife to a nice restaurant in order to
celebrate her birthday. Right after we were seated I noticed the people in the
table sitting beside us. From time to time their conversation was very lively
and very loud. It was impossible not to hear that the son had been going into
his mother's "cookie jar" and had been taking money the mother had put up for an
insurance payment.
They had nearly finished their meal when my wife and I
arrived so they left when we were about half finished with our meal. As they
were leaving I noticed that the mother put several dollars on the table as a
tip. I also noticed that the son waited until the mother had turned her back and
then he slipped the tip into his pocket. I was extremely tempted to stick my
nose into this family's business and tell the mother what the son had done!
I at one time counseled a mother and son about some problems
they were going through. Several issues were involved but the one that still
sticks out in my mind is the fact that the son never returned change to the
mother even when she asked for it. It also came to light during our talks that
the son would often go into his mother's pocket book and take what he wanted;
without any consideration for the feelings, or the upcoming bills, of the
mother.
I don't know about you but sons who steal from their parents
like this make me want to take them across my knee and apply the board of
education to the seat of learning!
I think about that on Sunday Mornings when the offering plate
is passed and sons rob from their father week after week- (Mal 3:8) Will a man
rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In
tithes and offerings.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, March 21, 1998
THE POWER OF PRAYER
USA TODAY had a very interesting article in it's March 12th edition. It stated in this article that "apparently there is some power in
prayer. AIDS patients who were prayed for - even those who did not know it -
were healthier a few months later than equally ill patients who received no
prayer". I am glad this national newspaper is finally realizing what Christians
have known for centuries.
One of the ladies in my church recently shared with me an
incident about the power of prayer in the life of her son that I found very
encouraging. Her son was a dedicated Christian when he went into service. Before
he left for boot camp he prayed with his mother for the Lord to guide and
protect him and to give him a witness among the other people in boot camp. But
when he arrived at boot camp and began to read his bible each night he was
persecuted intensely. In his letters to his mother he asked that she keep up her
prayers for him.
Shortly after receiving the letter telling of her son's
persecution, and after a time of earnest prayer, this mother went to a state
conference meeting for her denomination with a group from her church. During the
meeting the pastor of her church saw a former class mate at seminary. By
"Chance" this class mate was the chaplain at the boot camp where this young man
was stationed. He told the pastor he had been looking for young Christians at
boot camp that he could encourage and he would look up this young man.
From that time on the chaplain would pick up this young man
each week for a time of fellowship and church service. This greatly increased
the testimony of the young man and gave him the encouragement he needed to
continue his stand for God.
Prayer does indeed change things. Instead of complaining
about your problems all the time why don't you bring them to the Lord in prayer.
You will be amazed at the power of prayer.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 1, 1998
LIGHTING THE WAY
When I visit in the homes
of people I like to ask them about their favorite portion of scripture and their
favorite hymn. I also ask sometimes if they have a poem or short story that has
meant a lot to them that they would be willing to share with me. This gives
people an opportunity to share what God is doing in their life and allows me to
get some small measure of their spiritual growth.
Recently, a lady I was visiting shared with me a well worn
poem that had meant a lot to her. It also spoke to my heart and I asked her if
it would be alright if I shared it with our Newspaper family. It did not have a
title or author but I really liked it's message.
Jesus, Light of the world.
When I am afraid and unsure, comfort me with
the light of Your Presence.
When loneliness chills me, warm me with
the light of Your love.
When I don't understand and my thoughts are unclear, fill me with the light of
Your wisdom.
When I seem spent like a candle consumed, replenish me with the light of Your
life.
Then, so filled with Your light, use me,
So that I, with You, may be light for the world!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 31,1998
PURPOSE OF PROPHECY
Many times it seems that some
Christians want to be on the Planning Committee for the Lord's Return instead of
the Welcoming Committee! They are so busy trying to determine when and where the
Lord will return until they are not making the needful preparations to be ready
for His return, no matter when it may be. Peter wrote about the Purpose of
Prophecy in his second epistle and I think we need to keep these purposes firmly
in mind as we go about our Christian duties here on earth.
In Second Peter 3:11-14 Peter tells us that the Purpose of
Prophecy is not to entertain us but, instead, it is to enlighten us in order
that the Coming of the Lord will:
A) Prompt us toward Holiness- "seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness"- vs 11 (See I John 3:2-3). If Prophecy simply
stimulates your mind without changing your morals then it has failed.
B) Push us to Witness- The way to "Hasten" the coming of the
Lord is to win His Bride [Matt 24:14] Witnessing saves the Lost and hurries the
Lord- Can't ask for two greater incentives than that!
C) Prepares us to meet God vs 13 "Nevertheless we, according
to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, seeing that ye look for
such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless." When He returns we want to be found of Him:
---1. IN PEACE- Peace With God and the Peace of God reigns in our heart
---2. WITHOUT SPOT- As a Bride adorned for her husband (Washed in the Blood)
---3. BLAMELESS- Resting in the righteousness of Christ, we are not working to
be saved but working so that whenever the Lord returns we will be busy doing His
will so He can say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys
of your Lord."
I don't know when the Lord will return but I sure want to be
ready to welcome Him when he does come back.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 8, 1998
EASTER ABILITY
In Matthew 9:28 two blind men came to Jesus and asked to be
healed. Jesus said to them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" Their
healing was based on their faith in His ability.
The Scriptures say a lot about the Abilities of the Lord:
1) He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
Him. Heb 7:25
2) Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling. Jude 24
3) He is able to succour (Assist) them that are tempted. Heb 2:18
4) And being fully persuaded that, what he has promised, He was also able to perform. Rom 4:21
5) God is able to make all grace abound toward you. 2 Cor 9:8
6) I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep
that which I have committed unto Him against that day. II Tim 1:12
7) Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. Eph 3:20
The two blind men responded to Jesus, "Yes, we believe that
you are ABLE." They were then healed by the power of Jesus' touch. If we believe
that God is who He says He is and that He has the power to do what He says He
will do when we trust Him then we will be a most blessed people.
God's ability extended even unto raising Christ from the
dead. This is not a theory we believe; It is a Power we claim.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 7, 1998
CAKE CONCERNS
I once received a small layer of a
wedding cake as a gift at the conclusion of the reception. It was beautifully
decorated and I looked with great anticipation on having a piece with my coffee
the next morning. My anticipation turned to anguish, however, when I sat down to
my first slice. The frosting was very thick and very sweet; a person would need
many cups of coffee if he ate much of that icing.
The real disappointment, however, was the actual cake. It was
very dry, hardly done, and appeared to be so old until it tasted spoiled. I
tried to gag down several mouth fulls hoping that the sweet icing would offset
the taste or I would get to a better part. Finally, I had to admit defeat and
throw it away.
Easter is a time of new dresses, fancy decorations, and
pretty pastels. But when we get past those sweet sweet decorations and look at
the real world of problems we face today it makes me think of that spoiled cake.
All the decorations in the world can't change the fact that we live in a world
where drug controlled youth, sex seeing adults, or morally impaired citizens
have corrupted the cake.
Easter is meant to move us from the graveyard of despair into
the upper room of victorious change. In order to do that we must move past the
decorations into the truths of the Resurrection (Paul said in I Corinthians
15:12-21 that if Christ is not raised from the dead , then Gospel preaching is
vain (vs 14), Christian Faith is vain (vs 14), Our sins have not been forgiven (vs
17), and we do not have eternal life (vs 18-21). All of these depend on the
resurrection of Jesus from the Grave).
Because "He is not here, for he is risen" (Matt 28:6), then we have reason for
rejoicing, thanksgiving, and celebration. And that celebration includes the
icing and the cake!
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, April 4, 1998
INCOMPLETE THOUGHTS
I was told once in a conference that
the longer people live together the less likely they are to finish sentences.
Personal observation of long time marriages have proven this to be a fairly
accurate statement. In fact many couples have a tendency to let each partner say
alternating parts of sentences so it seems that they are one person talking with
two voices!
As a Pastor, I do a great deal of counseling. One of the
first rules I had to learn was that I couldn't think ahead of the person with
the problem. Your mind operates much faster than your mouth (I know someone will
have something to say about that!). A Counselor must not allow his mind to jump
to conclusions about what he thinks the person is going to say and become so
engrossed in how he is going to answer until he misses what the person really
says. When that happens the Counselors begins to counsel his own perceptions
instead of the real problem.
Many times I hear people quote Romans 8:28 when a bad
situation comes their way. No matter how tragic a situation they will tritely
say, "Just remember that all things work together for the good". That is a good
thought but it is an incomplete quoting of scriptures. The verse really reads
like this, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." The any situation
being good is only promised to those who love God, and to those who are walking
in His plan for their life.
Easter is a wonderful time of year. I hope it will also be a
time when we come to realize that often Churches and Preachers unintentionally
give out incomplete information. Week after week they tell people that Jesus
died for their sins and urge them to come to Christ for forgiveness. What they
fail to realize is that the early Church grew from a local phenomenon into a
world changing power when it began preaching the Resurrection as well as the
Cross.
Jesus did not come just to die for your past sins. He was
also raised from the dead so that you could have new and abundant life. The
Resurrection takes an incomplete thought and turns it into a completed sentence
full of hope and the promise of help. Is it any wonder Easter is such a time of
rejoicing!
Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 15, 1998
PARENT PRINCIPLES
1) Children are a gift to Parents from the Lord- (Psa
127:3) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb
is his reward. A Gift brings both Joy and Responsibility.
2) The Chief Responsibility of parents is the teaching and training of their
children- (Deu 6:6-7) And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart: {7} And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(Eph 6:4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
3) Parents are expected to administer corrective discipline to their Children-
(Prov 19:18) Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare
for his crying. (Prov 23:13-14) Withhold not
correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not
die. {14} Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from
hell.
4) Parents are to plan for the future of their children- (Prov 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it. (2 Cor 12:14) ...the children ought not to lay up for the
parents, but the parents for the children.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, April 11, 1998
JESUS IS THE CHRIST
How would you like it if someone who
did not care for you personally or professionally was given the task of
approaching your boss in order to secure a raise for you? PBS recently aired a
special about the Christian religion. The special brought together as
commentators people who apparently did not believe the Bible or the claims of
Christ. Some how, in their unbelief, they were supposed to explain the faith of
Christians.
I wonder if PBS would like to be forced to use
representatives of ABC, CBS, and NBC to appear before Congress to solicit their
operating budget for the upcoming year? These representatives would be related
to PBS in the fact that they all used the medium of television but you can be
sure their priorities and methods of securing income would be different.
Let me tell you about the Jesus I know. I believe Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was crucified to satisfy God's righteous
demand for the payment of my sin debt. I believe he was resurrected from the
dead on the third day by the power of God. I believe He ascended to Heaven and
will one day return to claim His place as King of King and Lord of Lords as He
sets up a righteous kingdom on this earth.
I was not brought up to believe this. I was not brain washed
into believing this. I did not buy into believing because of my profession. One
day the Holy Spirit brought conviction of my sinful state to my soul and I knew
I was a sinner separated from God. God produced faith in my heart that allowed
me to accept as fact that which I could not feel or explain. As a result of that
faith my sins were forgiven and I became a child of God who now has a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ask me, PBS, and I will tell you that Jesus is not a person
to be explained away; He is a Savior to be accepted and worshiped. And that
makes Easter more than bunny rabbits and new dresses. That makes Easter the
celebration of the greatest event in the history of the world.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 22, 1998
FACING FEAR
Life is filled with many fears. Among
the most common is the Fear of Other People- Prov 29:25 The fear of man
bringeth a snare. (If that is your problem then you need to memorize Psalm
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? ).
People also fear the Unknown; what might happen. These people
need to remember (Prov 18:13) He that answereth a matter before he heareth
it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Other people are captive to fear of Death. They are consumed
with the fear of sickness or sudden disaster. These people need to remember that
Jesus came to (Heb 2:15) deliver them who through fear of death were all
their lifetime subject to bondage.
When Death comes to call in your life think on the wonderful
words of Psalm 23:4- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death I will fear no evil for thou are with me!!
There is one fear we all need to have, however. It is the fear of
missing the joys of Heaven- (Heb 4:1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise
being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of
it. The Children of Israel were at the very door of the promised land and
decided to turn back because of fear of the enemy. And because they followed
fear instead of faith they died in the desert. Don't follow fear.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 21, 1998
LAUGH LESSONS
I don't know of any great spiritual
truth contained in the following little laugh lines. I simply know that (Prov
17:22) "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the
bones." Sometimes we need to stop being so serious for just a few moments and
enjoy life. Then when we get back to the serious grind of living we can do so
with more vim and vigor.
Next week I will talk to you again about life, death, and
serious situations. Right now it is time to remember the words of the wisest
mortal man to ever live- (Eccl 8:15) "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath
no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for
that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth
him under the sun."
There are lots of self help tapes out there. Someone told
about buying one called "How to Handle Disappointment" When he got home and
opened the box it was empty! -Jonathan Droll
Did you hear about the man who turned his life around. He
used to be depressed and miserable. Now he is miserable and depressed. -David
Frost
A Child is growing up when he stops asking where he came from
and begins refusing to tell you where he is going.
They say kids bring warmth into a home, and I tend to believe
it. I get hot every time I see the phone bill!
Charlie Brown- Sometimes I lie away at night, and I ask,
"Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more
than one night."
A Milwaukee minister, who declared that there are 947 sins,
was besieged for copies of the list!
One final thought that is more serious than silly- If you
want your ship to come in, you must build a dock.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 29, 1998
BECAUSE I CAN, SHOULD I?
A teacher recently asked me to help her
with some discussion on the question, "Because I can do something, should I?" I
translated the question this way in my mind, "Because I have the power to do
something, does that give me the right to do it?" Or, as the young people will
probably want to translate it, "Are there any limits to my freedom?"
I believe that Freedom (Because I can) must be governed by at
least 3 guidelines or the Freedom will turn from a friend into a foe.
What are the Consequences of my Freedom? I have the freedom
to jump off a bridge if I so desire but the sudden stop is a killer!! Every
action has an equal and opposite reaction. Freedom without awareness of
consequences is dangerous.
What are my Responsibilities with my Freedom? I have the
freedom to swing my arm any way I want; but my right to do so ends at your nose!
Freedom without responsibility becomes anarchy and chaos. The purpose of Laws
and Government is to ensure that men take responsibility for their Freedom.
What must my Considerations be with my Freedom? I have the
Freedom to go a week without bathing but it would be very inconsiderate of those
around me. When "every man does that which is right in his own sight" then no
one really gets to enjoy the true blessings of Freedom. That is why the golden
rule is still, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
It is also important that we remember that the strings on a
fiddle only find the music within when they give up their Freedom in order to be
confined to the purpose of their life. Jesus taught that if we came to Him we
would be "free indeed". It sounds like bondage but, in reality, it is the
freedom your heart has been searching for all along.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 28, 1998
CHRIST TO CHRISTIANS
Christians celebrate Christ. We go to
Church. We try to live clean. But our greatest asset is the fact that we talk
about and celebrate our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the
center of our worship services, our sermons, and our activities. Christianity is
not just about trying to be better people as we attempt to make a better world;
it is about faith in the son of God who came to earth as a man in order to die
for our sins.
Why would we give up our sleep on Sunday mornings to go to
Church in order to sing about and talk about a man who lived and died nearly
2000 years ago? Why would we study a book written thousands of years ago and
attempt to apply its teachings to our lives today? Our answer is based on the
fact that we believe the Bible was written by God about Jesus for us.
Here are just a few of the reasons we love Christ so much.
---Christ became all that we were so we could be all that He is.
---He, who had all of Heaven became poor so that we who were so poor could have
all of Heaven.
---He, who was immortal, became mortal; that we who are mortal, might become
immortal.
---He, who was always in the presence of His father, was forsaken by His Father
so that we, who had forsaken God, might always be in the presence of God.
---He, who was sinless, became sin; that we, who are sinners, might become
sinless.
---He, who was hope, gave up hope; that we, who have no hope, might have all
hope.
Christianity is not just ten rules to make you a happy
person. It is not just the hope of heaven someday. Christianity is the joy of
living each day with Christ in a relationship that grows sweeter and sweeter as
we move toward that glad day when we will dwell together around the throne of
God in the Home Christ has prepared for us. What a day to look forward to!
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, May 2, 1998
FINAL ORDERS
"One last thing". That is the way she would say it. Having
told us about everything she could think of, mother would stop at the door on
her way out and say to us, "And one last thing..." We knew that these were her
final orders; and we knew that these were the ones we had better pay attention
to or suffer dire consequences when she returned.
Jesus did something like that. Just before He ascended to
Heaven He looked over at His disciples and basically said, "And one last
things..." These final orders of our Lord are tremendously important because
they form the marching orders for the work of God during Jesus' stay in Heaven.
The orders are easy to understand when you examine them the way any good
Reporter would investigate a situation.
What- "You shall receive Power" Power here means "ability,
efficiency, and might" and insinuates that everything needed to do the job God
wants done will be provided.
When- "When the Holy Ghost is come upon you". The ability and
the instructions to carry on their task will be given by the Holy Spirit that
will come to live in the body of the believer.
Why- "You shall be witnesses of me". Their job would be
fairly straightforward. They were to tell everyone they could, every time they
could, that Jesus was the Son of God who had come to offer them eternal abundant
life.
Where- "Both in Jerusalem and in Judea and unto the uttermost
part of the world". Their mission was to be local in origin but global in
vision.
How- First, Get in Tune with God- "Wait for the Promise of
the Spirit". Take time to line your life up with God so you will not misuse or
abuse the power He gives you. Secondly, Get in Fellowship with one another. You
know the old joke. What kind of car did the Disciples drive? A Honda- They were
all in one Accord! God will use many different personalities, with many
different emphasis but the common bond of one message about one Savior coming
from one Spirit empowered body would have a tremendous impact on the world.
The final orders of Jesus were among His most important. Are
you busy obeying?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 5, 1998
WAVE WARNING
The FAA inspector put it all into perspective when he made
this statement, "I have seen many incidents like this one but I have always had
to interview the widows of the pilot because no one has ever survived before!"
Sort of makes your knees shake, doesn't it?
My brother and a friend were flying a small plane when they
saw a friend in the field below digging a well. They looked over the field and
didn't see any light poles so they assumed the field was clear for them to buzz
their well digging friend. As they began their descent the friend digging the
well looked up and recognized them. Suddenly, he began to wave his arms
frantically. My brother assumed he was waving at them and continued his descent.
What my brother didn't know was that the farmer who owned the
field knew someone at the power company and they had agreed to stretch the lines
across his field without putting a pole in the field to hinder his cultivation.
By the time my brother and his friend saw the light lines across the field they
were too late to avoid hitting them. The small plane struggled and struggled and
finally snapped the light lines.
Slowly and painfully the plane made its way back to a landing
strip. The cowling over the engine was battered shut so the engine was trying to
overheat. The light line that had broken was jammed into the wing and was
dragging on the trees they were barely clearing. Both men knew that if the line
wrapped around a tree it would bring the plane crashing down.
Inch by inch they made their way back to the strip until they
finally managed to land the plane. Safely on the ground they looked over their
crippled plane and realized how close they had come to death because they
ignored the warning of their friend's wave.
Week after week I see people flying too low and I try to warn
them of the danger headed their way. I wave and wave but they continue their
downward descent...but that is another story.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 12, 1998
FEEDING HUNGER
One of the ladies in our Church is about to begin teaching
a weight loss study program at our Church entitled the "Weigh Down Diet". I am
not much for fad diets and quick weight loss schemes. Most of them don't work
and seem to do more harm than good. Thousands of dollars that could have been
spent on getting the Gospel of Christ to a lost and needy world has been tied up
by Christians in exercise machines that double as clothes racks. Or it has been
spent on high priced fat free food that tastes like cardboard and generally last
about a week before the person eating them goes screaming into a restaurant
demanding a big mac and fries!!
The "Weigh Down Diet" deals with the real problem with weight
gain. A person has two empty "holes" in them- their stomach that nourishes their
physical body and their heart that nourishes their spiritual and emotional
needs. The problem most people have is that they have tried to feed spiritual
needs by putting something in their stomach. They are feeding the wrong empty
space; which is why they never get enough and continually gain weight.
Many people eat when they are depressed, or lonely, or under
stress. Then they feel guilty about their lack of control and eat more to try to
fill that empty hole; never realizing that no matter how much you put in your
stomach it will never fill the empty place in your heart! That empty space
requires a proper relationship with the Lord instead of another helping of ice
cream.
Don't feed the wrong hunger in your life. It causes health
and weight problems. Learn which hunger needs to be filled and put the proper
food in that empty space. You will find your pants fit better, your prayers get
answered, and your life is a lot more enjoyable.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 13, 1998
DOGS AND KIDS
A Pastor said he almost cracked up one time when he heard
one of his members pray the following prayer, "Lord, Please make me the kind of
person my dog thinks I am!". Later, as he reflected for awhile, he began to
think it was a pretty good prayer after all. It is hard to fool your dog with
your excuses and busy time schedule. All the dog knows is that you show love to
them or you don't take time for them.
Our children certainly are not dogs but they can sense the
same things in your life that your dog can feel. They know if you never have
time to go outside and play with them. They know that when you forget to feed
them properly or take the time to give them a bath that it is not just the food
you are forgetting; they are the ones being forgotten.
Children know that a Christian home must provide a balance of
both correction and praise in order to help a child develop strong moral
character. They know that dad must do more than come by every now and then and
run his hand through their hair if they are to learn not to "chase cars" and
chew up the morning paper.
Children learn quickly that one of the most hurtful
experiences a person of any age can endure is to be ignored. "I'll have time for
you some day, boy. Right now, don't rub against me or lay down by my chair
because I want to watch this TV program or read the paper."
Dogs, and children, see the real you. Treat them kindly.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, May 16, 1998
COMING UP SHORT
One of the local restaurants has an extremely nice lady as
cashier. She and I are always talking about reading or traveling or church
activities while I pay my bill. Recently, we were talking while I wrote out my
check and really got involved in the conversation. Later that week I needed to
write another check and noticed that the check I had written her was still in my
checkbook!
I went back by later and asked her if she had come up short
in her deposits recently. She seemed surprised that I would know that she was
short. I asked her if she was short a certain amount and she said that was the
exact figure. Then I laughed as I handed her the check and told her we had been
talking so much until we had failed to realize that I had not given her the
check I had written out.
I was telling this to another lady in a restaurant recently
and she said she had also come up short not long ago. It hadn't been a very busy
night but when she added up she found herself $40 dollars short. She just
couldn't imagine how she had made that big of a mistake until she was looking
for something in her purse the next day. She had taken $40 from the cash
register to get change and the coins and dollar bills were lying in the bottom
of her purse!
Coming up short is not a strange thing; in fact it is common
to everyone- "All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" (Rom 3:23).
The good news about this bad news is that it can have a happy ending also. Jesus
knew this was a debt we would always come up short on so He paid the debt for
us! Isn't it marvelous that God would love us that much?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 19, 1998
MOTHER'S PRINCIPLES
I not only had the best mother in the world (which is what
every child should be able to say) but she was also very tough (she had to be to
live in a house with my dad and 4 boys) and very smart. She encouraged her
children to learn as much as they could about as many things as possible by
urging us to love reading and to enjoy exploring new ideas (Which is probably
the reason all of her children did well in school).
Mother did not just haphazardly go through life and hope that
her children would "luck" out and be good. She had a set of principles that she
expected us to learn and live by as we grew into adults. These principles have
been by guide for many years in my personal life and in my ministry as a pastor.
If you don't have any guiding principles for your family then let me suggest you
adopt these.
1) Salvation is the most vital decision in your life and it
only comes through repenting of sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your personal
Savior.
2) Morals, Standards, and Pure Living are extremely important
in daily living.
3) Hard work is necessary but life is made to enjoy- don't be
so serious until you never have any fun.
4) Order is better than disorder. For a long time I wondered
if the only reason for this one was to get me to clean up my bed room and wash
dishes but later I learned it is tremendously important in every area of life.
5) Use things and love people; don't love things and use
people. Mom was "death" on prejudice and hoarding. She believed that accepting
people and sharing your resources was much more important than accumulating
possessions or attaining a position in life.
Thanks Mom, for instilling eternal principles in my life; and for making teacake
cookies every now and then!
Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 20, 1998
LOST KEN DOLL
My brother was home from Elgin so we decided to take
Mother out to supper. Of course, my brother had to bring his granddaughter with
him (I don't believe in re-incarnation but if I could come back I would come
back as a grandchild-Those children have got it knocked!!).
After supper we were all going our separate ways. As I
started to leave I noticed that my brother hadn't left yet and so I went over to
see if anything was wrong. Hannah, the grandchild, had been playing with a Ken
doll the entire time we were in the restaurant and now she couldn't find it. She
was not a happy camper and she was letting everyone know that life could not go
on until that Ken doll was found.
We searched the Restaurant, including looking in the dirty
dishes that were taken up from the table, and could find no trace of "Ken". Now
granddaughter is VERY upset.
We were scratching our heads at how a Ken doll could just
"walk away" when the grandmother remembered that we had stood outside the
restaurant for awhile saying good-bye and Hannah had sit in a rocking chair
while we talked. Sure enough Ken was sitting in the rocking chair right where
Hannah had put him. Now Hannah is happy; and if Hannah is happy then everyone is
happy!
Many people have family members that are unsaved and bound
for hell apart from God. If I could just get them as concerned as Hannah then I
believe there would be a lot more rejoicing in church each Sunday.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 26, 1998
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE BIBLE??
In 1950 the following test was given to 83 college students. Most of them failed it. Rather than waste my time condemning these young men of nearly 50 years ago I gave this test to the Adults and Teens at the Church I pastor. Many of them failed it!! Which really goes to show what a good job I have done in teaching them the Bible! How well will YOU do? (Don't cheat!)
1. Name the Four Gospels:
2. Which book of the Bible contains the Lord's Prayer?
3. Name the 2 greatest commandments:
4. How many books are there in the Bible?
5. What does the word "Bible" mean?
6. What does the word "Testament" mean?
7. What does the word "Prophet" mean?
8. What was the original language of the Old Testament?
9. What is the first book of the Bible?
10. Where are the Beatitudes located?
11. What is the last book in the Bible?
12. Name 3 kings of Israel-
13. Name 2 Old Testament Prophets-
14. Who was the "forerunner" of Jesus Christ?
15. Have you ever read the Bible through? Have you ever read the New
Testament?
16. How many Bible Chapters would you guess you have read in the past month?
Answers here ranged from several "0" to 5 or 10 to 300 (That is 10 a day!). Just
so you will know I have read 5 chapters a day for my devotion for years (Not
including Bible Study and Sermon Preparation)
Hope to see you in Church this Sunday as we study the Bible
together.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 27, 1998
GOD'S NEAT, LET'S EAT
My nephew was visiting with me recently. I always try to
encourage people who stay in our home to take part in our worship of the Lord so
I asked him if he would like to ask the blessing on our lunch. He said he would
be glad to and then prayed the following prayer, "God's neat, let's eat"!
I told him that his prayer expressed a good sentiment but I
felt the Lord would be pleased with a little more expression of our worship and
thanks. He then proceeded to pray a good prayer that brought joy to our heart
and honor to God.
One night a preacher friend visited with us after church. My
wife and I normally wait until after Church to eat so we prepared some
sandwiches and asked him to join us. He said he had already eaten but he would
sit with us while we ate.
Wanting to be polite, I asked him to ask the blessing on the
food. He proceeded to pray a ten minute prayer that not only blessed our food
but also all our missionaries around the world!! I told him the bread was
getting stale by the time he finished!
I think God expects us to be much more reverent than "God's
Neat, Let's Eat" when we pray to Him. I don't think, however, He expects us to
be unaware of the circumstances surrounding our petitions. I learned a long time
ago that the best prayers are not sermons about people's needs but rather
supplications to an almighty God who delights in hearing the prayers of His
people. Remember that at lunch today.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, May 30, 1998
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
In order to viably demonstrate Christianity to a lost and
dying world there are three qualities that every Christian must have.
First is PASSION. Christianity is not a mind game a person
attempts to play. It is not simply the acknowledging of certain facts coupled
with the belief that these facts are logical and true. Christianity involves a
New Birth in order to become a New Creature that dies to self and takes up their
Cross that they might live the Christ Life. That cannot be accomplished without
an intense feeling taking place in a person.
Please don't get confused about this. There must be Facts in
order for you to build Faith which will bring about the Feelings I have talked
about; but many people seem to be nothing but dreary robots full of facts that
never effect their life. I contend that a person cannot live a successful
Christian life without developing a Passion for the Lord and for Life.
Secondly, Christianity must be PRACTICED if it is to be the
kind of religion intended by God. Christianity is not a suit you put on each
Sunday, it is a life you live each day. It must be practiced in the bed room as
well as the board room; in the play room as well as the prayer room.
Christianity is not a title you claim; it is a God like character you exemplify.
Finally, Christianity is built on POWER. The Power of the
Blood sets us free from sin's debt. The Power of the Cross sets us free from
sin's captivity. The Power of the resurrection sets us free from the fear of
death. The Power of the word delivers us from Temptation. The Power of the name
of Jesus rebukes and controls Satan. The Christian life is not a pitiful, puny,
performance based on feeble human abilities. Christians are the temple of the
Holy Spirit- the most powerful force in the world. If their life does not
demonstrate that power then they will be ineffective in winning others to their
belief.
Christianity involves Passion, Practice, and Power. Is that
what you have?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 2, 1998
BELONGING TO YOUR BELIEFS
You are what you are because you do
what you do. You do what you do because you believe what you believe. You
believe what you believe because you heard what you heard ("Faith comes by
hearing"- Rom 10:17). You heard what you heard because you listened to what you
wanted to listen to-- (Jer 7:13) "The LORD spake unto you, rising up early and
speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;"
Whether we want to admit it or not we are products of our
beliefs. Some cultures believe that cats make great pets while others believe
that cats make great stew! Some people believe that someone some where owes them
a living so they spend all their time and energy seeking to get someone else to
provide for them. Other people believe that "If a man will not work neither
should he eat" (2 Thess 3:10) and so they spend their days working so they can
have the resources they need to enjoy life.
The doctrines you believe will determine the duties you
perform. That means it is extremely important that you establish your beliefs on
the rock of a relationship with Christ instead of on the shifting sand of man
made opinions. And the only way that will happen is if you determine that Church
attendance and Bible Study should be a consistent part of your week.
What you listen to will determine what you hear. What you
hear will determine what you believe. What you believe will determine what you
do and what you do will determine what you are. Do you want to be fashioned by
some unseen writer of a TV series or talk show or do you want to develop eternal
life values that will stand the storms of this life and carry you into a
wonderful eternity with God? Every week you make that choice; and every week you
belong more and more to the beliefs you are forming by the choice you make.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 3, 1998
TROPHIMUS TROUBLE
(Acts 21:27-31) "And when the seven
days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the
temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, {28} Crying out, Men
of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the
people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the
temple, and hath polluted this holy place. {29} (For they had seen before with
him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had
brought into the temple.) {30} And all the city was moved, and the people
ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith
the doors were shut. {31} And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto
the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar."
A Rumor caused a riot!! Someone saw Paul walking with
Trophimus in the City and ASSUMED that Paul had brought this Gentile into the
Temple. Once the rumor started it swept like wildfire through the city until
"all of Jerusalem was in an uproar". Paul was arrested and eventually ended up
staying in prison for several years in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and, finally, Rome
and it all began because someone THOUGHT they saw something that became a city
wide rumor riot.
Guard your tongue. Some times what you think is so, isn't. Be
careful how you pick up rumors and then spread them. A little match can start a
big fire that burns many people.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 9, 1998
THE DIVINE DESIRE
A Preacher once said- "Religion is a
lot like sex. If you get it a little bit wrong it is really dangerous". I
learned many years ago that you can sell cars, tooth paste, or soft drinks by
using sexy models but you must never use the word "sex" within a mile of God.
Aware of that fact, I still want to make some comparisons between the
relationship God has with His people and the sexual relationship between a
Husband and Wife.
The Relationship between God and His people is a PERSONAL
relationship. It is a relationship that takes place in the heart of a person
that affects the way that person looks at God, themselves, and others. (I
personally have serious reservations about the mental capacity of individuals
who feel the need to go on nationwide TV talk show programs in order to discuss
the intimate details of their sex life).
The Relationship between God and His People is PLEASURABLE
(Both parties receive joy from their union). It should be PRODUCTIVE (God
expects new believers to be born as a result of this union). It should also be
PERMANENT- Divorce is Deadly in your relationship with God (See Heb 10:26).
But the key to this relationship, as in all relationships, is
that it must be a PARTNERSHIP. Just as we need God for forgiveness, guidance and
life, so God needs us as a way to express His love and mercy. Can you imagine
the eons of eternity in which the Love, Mercy, and Grace of God could not be
demonstrated? Without the redemption of sinners there would be no way for God to
clearly show the main attributes of His character.
The Church is the Bride of Christ. That is a wonderful place
of honor and joy as both parties share their most secret and sacred parts with
one another. But it is just the beginning of the joyous fellowship we will share
together with God through the endless ages.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 16, 1998
JINGLE BELL GOOF
The funeral director had come to the
place in the order of service where he asked the widow if there was any special
music she wanted at her husband's funeral. Her answer was immediate, "Oh, I know
that one. He told me over and over that he wanted us to sing 'Jingle Bells' at
his funeral." The funeral director looked at her for a few moments and asked if
she was sure that was what she wanted and she was adamant that that was what her
husband wanted.
More than a few looks were exchanged during the funeral
service when "Jingle Bells" was sung by the solist between devotional messages
by the pastor. At the grave site a close friend of the widow simply had to ask
why she had chosen that song. The widow explained to her that her husband had
requested that song over and over. The friend replied, "But he always said he
wanted us to sing 'When they ring those Golden Bells' at his funeral." "That's
it!" proclaimed the widow. "That is the one he wanted. I knew it was something
to do with bells!"
I was at a funeral once where the Elvis recording of "Are you
lonesome tonight?" was the special music. Another time, albums of the 'Grateful
Dead' were piled on the body of the deceased before the coffin was closed. And
numerous times people have chosen to be buried in the nude in order to follow
the admonition of Job 1:21 "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return thither:"
I try to strongly encourage people to remember that it is
"appointed unto man once to die" and preparations need to be made. These
preparations include listing your favorite music and favorite scripture in a
place that relatives can easily find. It also includes making preparations to be
able to meet God without fear of punishment or rejection. This kind of
preparation will help prevent goofs at the funeral and groaning at the judgement
bar.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 17, 1998
FIVE REALITIES OF SIN
Don't blame it on God. Blame it on Sin.
God does not destroy your family; sin does. God does not hold you captive to
drugs or drink; sin does. God does not rob you of your money and reputation and
health; sin does.
It is Sin that destroys your peace, depresses your mind, and
decimates your body. It is God who sets the captive free, who heals the broken
hearted, and who pays the deadly penalty of sin imposed on us by listening to
Satan.
Why then do people today exalt Sin and sinful behavior while
at the same time acting as if God, prayer, and Bible reading are the main
sources of their troubles? Why do so many love Sin and hate God? Don't they
realize that playing with Sin is like stepping into a den of serpents? And don't
they realize that the only cure for the bites of those serpents of sin is to
look at the cross on which the Son of God, Jesus Christ, hung and died?
Let me share with you five realities of sin that I hope will
help you to see how horrible sin is; and how wonderful it is that our God gives
us victory over Sin's punishment and power.
Sin Defies God. Sin Defiles Us. Sin Dishonors all. Sin
Defeats Christians. Sin Destroys Sinners.
In the garden of Eden mankind had everything he needed for a
life of joy, fulfilment, and happiness. Wonder of wonders, he chose to choose
sin and thousands of years of misery have followed. Men today still must chose-
God or Sin. Don't chose wrong.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 23, 1998
MOTIVE DOES MATTER
The day is beginning to fade into the
dusk of night as you walk down the street. Suddenly, a man jumps out from behind
a building banishing a knife and demands all your money. Afraid and confused,
you hesitate and the thief becomes more and more excited. Suddenly, he lunges at
you and you feel the sharp pain of the knife as it plunges into your body.
Slowly, the dusky light fades into darkness as you slip into unconsciousness.
Finally, a sound penetrates the pain and darkness as you
struggle to understand where you are and what is happening to you. An unfamiliar
face leans over and declares that he is a doctor and that he must preform
surgery on you in order to prevent you from bleeding to death.
Two men, both are strangers and both plunge a knife into you.
One to take your life; the other to save your life. The difference is the motive
that drives the person yielding the knife.
The Bible declares that "the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for
man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1
Sam 16:7). As mere humans, we develop a perception of people based on their
outward appearance. Then we attribute certain characteristics and motives to
that person based on our perception and prejudices. Only God, however, is able
to look beyond the exterior and see the true motivating force of that person's
heart.
That same faulty judgement is often seen in our perception of
God. Many people tend to perceive of God as being legalistic and narrow minded
because of the necessary guidelines and organizational details He has given
mankind. The truth about God's motives, however, is revealed in His word- "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." (Jer 29:11)
Don't fear and fret. The only reason God plunges His "Knife"
into you is to save you from the vicious attack by Sin or Satan. Rest in God's
love; He is a great surgeon.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 24, 1998
DOGWOOD DIFFICULTIES
My brother was moving his trailer into
a wooded lot several years ago. When he began cleaning up the lot he came upon
several small dogwood trees. He didn't want to destroy them so he dug them up
and set them aside. Several days later he came by my house and brought them to
me. I was busy at the time so he just leaned them up against the house. For a
week those dogwood trees sat beside my house with little dirt on their roots as
the hot sun beat down upon them.
Finally, I decided I had to either plant those trees or throw
them away. Because of the excavation work during the construction of the
parsonage there are only a few inches of top soil on the ground before you get
to a very hard clay soil. I dug down a few inches, got tired, and decided the
trees would have to sink or swim in the holes as they were. Then the water hose
wouldn't reach all the way to the trees so I just shot some water at them and
hoped it landed around the roots.
As I went to get the paper today I realized I needed to cut
those dogwood trees back. They were so big until they were obstructing the mail
box.
Some of you have had some very difficult circumstances in
your life. Sometimes you have wondered if anyone really cared for you as life
has dealt you one bad situation after another. Isn't it wonderful to know that
God cares for us and can make us grow even if the people who are supposed to
provide for us fail in their responsibilities. I think of that each year as the
blooms from my dogwood trees brighten up the entire neighborhood.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 30, 1998
DOLLAR DISCIPLES
I recently gave everyone who came to
our church a dollar. No, it was not a prize for winning a contest. Nor was it a
promotion to increase attendance (No one knew they would receive the dollar
until I announced it during the sermon). It was simply a means of turning
spectator Saints into active Christians.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told the story about "A certain
nobleman {who} went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to
return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said
unto them, Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:12-13). I told our Church that I wanted
them to pretend that I was the Lord and that the dollar they received was the
"pound" they were to invest until the Lord returned. And to make it really
interesting, I told them that the "Lord" would return the next Sunday morning
and ask them what they had done with the "pound" that had been entrusted to
them.
One lady bought a box of brownie mix with her dollar, made
brownies, and carried them to a sick and lonely lady. One person used their
dollar to copy a paper on the need of moral values for children that was then
distributed to as many people as possible. One person left their dollar in a
gospel tract as an extra tip. Numerous people used their dollar to buy postcards
or stamps so they could send notes of encouragement or comfort to others.
Several combined their dollars and filled a Missions quarter folder- thus
learning how to work together to reach the world for Christ. And on and on it
went.
It was amazing how big the ripple became as a result of
throwing those dollars into the pool of life. Just like it will amaze you to see
how God can use what you have if you are willing to look for something good you
can do in order to turn from a spectator into a participator. And what a
difference that will make when YOU give account for your "pound".
Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 1, 1998
DUTIES TO GOD AND GOVERNMENT
One Lady had the joy of having her first child in a
Florence hospital on the same day as another lady was having surgery in a
Georgetown hospital. And it was my happy privilege to be able to have prayer
with both of them before the doctors did their work. But that meant a lot of
driving and a lot of time spent on the road and in hospitals.
Finally, I arrived back home. As I walked in the door the
phone was ringing to alert me of a death- and the day's work was getting pushed
further and further behind. Details were finally dealt with and I could sit down
to try to dispense with the pile of work on my desk that had to be completed
that day.
I was just getting started when suddenly an alarm bell rang
in my mind and I remembered that a run off election was being held on this day.
Honesty will force me to admit that the thought of skipping my duty this time
did enter my mind. But I knew that, since most people would not participate in a
run off election, my vote would be very important so I took 15 minutes and
voted.
I'm thankful I live in America where I have some small say in
who does the business of government. Many times the people I like do not win and
I'm stuck with other people's choices; but, at least, I had the privilege to
vote for the one I thought should win. That is important to me because I learned
long ago that Government, and God, require my active participation. In both
cases, the rewards are worth the efforts.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 7, 1998
Jesus said that man's entire obligation to religion could
be summarized in 2 principles- Love God above everything and Love your neighbor
as yourself (Mark 12:29-31) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the
commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: {30} And thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {31} And
the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There
is none other commandment greater than these.
But how does that work in real life? How can we show our love
TO GOD? Jesus made that simple enough- (John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my
commandments. We show God we love Him truly by doing what He tells us to
do.
How, then, do we show the love OF GOD to those around us?
Again, Jesus said it would be easy enough for those who were not Christians to
know those who were true followers- (John 13:35) By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
These two principles will guide you to a wonderful and fruitful
life. But they must be practiced and not just talked about- (1 John 3:18) My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth.
Do you want a GOOD week? Look for opportunities to put these two
principles into practice and you will be wonderfully surprised with the
difference it will make in your life.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 8, 1998
Jones 16:3 (in the devised version) "Everyone loves a
little bit of petting every now and then". This is the favorite verse of many
people in our Church!! Including the Preacher! If it is your favorite verse also
then you might want to learn the following guidelines. You will be surprised at
how much petting you will get if you put them into practice.
Don't React- Initiate- (Luke 6:31) And as ye would that
men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Don't do unto others AS
they do unto you; do unto them as you WANT them to do to you. The Bible tells us
that (Prov 18:24) A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:.
In the same way, a person who wants petting must be willing to pet others first.
Don't expect love; give love- (Eph 5:25) Husbands, love
your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Many husbands simply response to their wife and family. They never offer
sacrificial unconditional love to those around them. They are so busy expecting
love for themselves until they don't realize that even God did not ask for our
love until He had first expressed His love for us- (1 John 4:19) We love
him, because he first loved us.
You will be amazed at the rewards that come from an
unexpected bouquet of flowers or an offer to wash the evening dishes while your
wife watches a little TV. You see, your wife already know "Jones 16:3"; she is
waiting on you to learn it.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 14, 1998
The overcrowding that comes with growth has compelled us
to add another Class Room to our church. Wishing to be as frugal as possible
with our limited resources we decided to do as much of the work as we could
ourselves. Most of the men who attend our Church are managers or office workers.
The best way to describe our building program is that it has been "Interesting".
While preparing to lay the foundation for the room we needed
to drive a nail into the wall of the present church in order to hold a sting as
a reference. The Assistant Pastor and another member were assigned this task.
The Assistant Pastor was using a sledge hammer to drive the nail and the other
member was trying to hold the nail in place. The other member now has some very
bruised fingers!
I wish I could put it down to ignorance but both men went to
college; and the one with the bruised fingers is the principal of a local
school. I'd really like to blame it on faulty equipment but it's hard to say a
sledge hammer had a broken part. I finally had to say it was just foolish faith!
The problem began when a Deacon said something to the
Assistant Pastor as he was swinging the hammer. That caused him to take his eye
off the target and hit fingernail instead of regular nail. First lesson, don't
let others distract you in your work for the Lord.
After the fact, both men acknowledged that they had doubts
about the situation but went ahead anyway. Second lesson, Blessed are those who
know they are in trouble and have enough sense to admit it.
One finally lesson- faulty faith leads to hurt fingers. Make
sure your faith is in the proper person (Jesus Christ) or you will end up
hurting in the future.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 15, 1998
Jesus said that faith without fruit is a faulty faith-
(John 15:5) 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.
Almost everyone knows that they are supposed to produce
"Fruit" as a Christian; but many don't know exactly what that means. This brings
confusion and doubt. Let's look at several "Fruits" that are expected in the
Christian life.
1) Souls Won to Christ- (Prov 11:30) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
2) Christian Character produced by the Holy Spirit- (Gal 5:22-23) But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
3) Change in behavior caused by your beliefs- (Mat 3:8) Bring forth
therefore fruits meet for repentance:
4) Success and accomplishment in your work for God- (Phil 1:22) But if I
live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot
not.
5) Lips that bring praise instead of problems- (Heb 13:15) By him therefore
let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of
our lips giving thanks to his name.
Fruitless branches are cut off. What are YOU producing?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 21, 1998
Lam 3:63 "Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their music."
I remember a song title from my younger days, "Killing me
softly with his song". That is the lament of the writer in this verse of the
book of Lamentations. The sorrows and pains of life had brought distress and
discouragement that almost overwhelmed the writer.
Instead of offering help and comfort to him, his associates
were going about their normal business ("sitting down and rising up"). And to
make it even worst, instead of offering encouragement and inspiration to the
writer these friends were "killing him softly with a song". He had become a
derision to be mocked in song when he really needed a friend that would pick him
up and help him get started again.
Perhaps you too have felt the "misery music" of people who
brought you down instead of picking you up in your time of trouble. Rather than
a melody of mercy you have been subjected to a hymn of hatred that produced
grief in your heart instead of relief in your mind.
Someone accurately said that "Life is a grindstone and
whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he is made
of." Don't let the "misery music" of others steal your joy and quench your
desire for life. Rest in our Rock, Jesus Christ. His songs are always full of
support and strength that will bring peace to your heart just as if you were a
babe listening to the calming tunes of a loving mother.
When you hear "misery music" take courage in Christ for "True
courage is like a kite; a contrary win raises it higher."- J Petit-Senn.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 22, 1998
I don't know why a bird decided to build her nest in the
hanging plant beside our back door. Every time someone used the back door the
bird would fly away so it took a long time to build her nest. When my wife
watered plants the bird must have thought the weather was really weird when it
would "rain" so heavily without a cloud in the sky!
But, in spite of all those struggles, perseverance paid off
and 3 baby birds came chirping into the world. They've flown away now but they
left behind them the joy we received from watching them come into this life and
develop their wings; as well as several valuable principles.
First, I learned that if someone is really determined to
produce new life then it's pretty hard to stop them. I try to keep that in mind
when I'm out trying to win someone to commitment to Christ. Interruptions and
inconveniences should not detour me from the most important business in all the
world- telling someone the wonderful news of salvation through faith in Christ.
Secondly, sometimes the people you are attempting to reach
are in very difficult locations. There were numerous other plants this bird
could have chosen but once she made her choice then the birds had to be born
where they were laid.
Finally, the singing of the new born birds was worth all the
effort of the mother bird. Just like winning souls will put a song on YOUR lips
and joy in your heart.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 28,1998
Many Christians seem to want to be on the Planning
Committee for the Lord's Return instead of the Welcoming Committee! They are so
busy trying to determine when and where the Lord will return until they are not
making the needful preparations to be ready for His return; no matter when it
may be. Peter wrote about the Purpose of Prophecy in his second epistle. We need
to keep these purposes firmly in mind as we go about our Christian duties here
on earth.
In Second Peter 3:11-14 Peter tells us that the Purpose of
Prophecy is not to entertain us but, instead, it is to enlighten us in order
that the Coming of the Lord will:
A) Prompt us toward Holiness- "seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness"- vs 11.If Prophecy simply stimulates your mind
without changing your morals then it has failed.
B) Push us to Witness- The way to "Hasten" the coming of the
Lord is to win His Bride [Matt 24:14]. Witnessing saves the Lost and hurries the
Lord- You can't ask for two greater incentives than that!
C) Prepares us to meet God- vs 13 "Nevertheless we, according
to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, seeing that ye look for
such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless." The way to prepare for the Lord's return is to get Saved and then
live a life of service and purity. Prophecy preaching should stress that.
I don't know when the Lord will return. I just know that the
welcome mat is out at my home and in my heart.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 29, 1998
"Dreams"
Author Unknown
I've dreamed many dreams that never came true,
I've seen them vanish at dawn,
But I've realized enough of my dreams, Thank God,
to make me want to dream on.
I've prayed many prayers when no answer came
tho' I've waited patient and long;
But answers have come to enough of my prayers
to make me keep praying on.
I've trusted many a friend that failed
and left me to weep alone;
But I've found enough of my friends true blue
to make me keep trusting on.
I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
for the birds to feed upon.
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
to make me keep sowing on.
I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain;
I've gone many days without song;
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
to make me want to live on.
Rev Joe Moore shared this poem with me as one of his favorites. I hope it will
inspire and encourage YOU today to continue in the task God has given you.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, July 11, 1998
Don't you wish you could get your
husband, wife, child, boss, or whoever to change? Wouldn't you give almost
anything if they would start treating you with respect, appreciating your work,
or doing something as simple as picking up their clothes instead of throwing
them all over the floor!
A primary truth that has been known and exploited for years
is that your belief system determines your behavior- What you believe determines
what you do. Cola companies and car companies have uses this principle in their
advertisements to build empires. Politicians use it all the time as they try to
put their "Spin" on anything that happens so your belief about the incident will
favor their particular party.
As Christians, we know the power of belief also. In the very
beginning of the Bible we learn that dealing with Satan is not a Power
encounter, It is a Truth Encounter. Satan's power does not reside in his
physical abilities but in the lies that he proclaims. In the garden of Eden
Satan did not attempt to overpower Eve; he simply used deceptive words to build
unbelief. And this change of belief caused Eve to change her behavior; which has
had eternal consequences.
So in order to change behavior you must find a way to change
a person's beliefs. If you use force or intimidation (threats or nagging) to
change a person's behavior it will only be for a short time and will normally
bring you to despair or depression as you see your way fail over and over again.
They must start believing that picking up their clothes is a good thing for them
and not simply a way to get you off their back.
The wonder of Christianity is that the Word of God produces
Faith in a person which, in turn, causes a change of behavior. The failure of
modern day Christianity is that it has tried to change morality through laws and
intimidation. When will we get back to plain powerful preaching? That is what
produces Faith in an all powerful God; and that is what changes people.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, August 1, 1998
The three new recruits reported to the
fire station for their first day of work. The captain lined them up in a row and
began their indoctrination. He looked at the first recruit and told him that his
job was to keep the fire engine washed. The public looked at that engine every
time they went out on a job and he was to keep it sparkling.
Next, he looked at the second recruit and told him that his
job was to keep the floor of the fire station clean and shining. Every visitor
who came to the station would look at the floor first and he was to make sure it
was mopped and swept each day. Finally, he looked at the third recruit and told
him that his job was to make sure everyone's uniform was clean and neat.
Everyone knows that a sloppy fireman is a sorry fireman so he was to keep clean
pressed uniforms available for everyone.
Then the Captain looked at these recruits and asked them what
their function was. Number One said, "My function is to make sure we have the
cleanest fire engine in town, Sir".
Number Two said, "My function is to clean the floors every
day, Sir"
Number Three said, "My function is to assure we are the best
dressed unit on the force, Sir".
"No, No, No!" said the Captain. "Your Function is to fight
Fires! Those other things are simply jobs you do while you await the need of
your real function."
There are a lot of Church members who seem to think that it
is more important to wash the windows than it is to fight the fires raging all
around them. They are good people and they work hard at sweeping floors or
washing "fire engines". Their problem is that the main thing is no longer the
main thing in their life. And won't it be sad to face God one day and have to
say, "Every house in our town burned down but we have the cleanest Church you
have ever seen!"
Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 5, 1998
(Gal 5:7) "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
Sometimes Christians get sidetracked in
their living for the Lord and end up off course so badly until they no longer
look to truth as their guide. And that is a bad place to be!
Here are 3 enemies that you need to avoid as you attempt your
run for the Lord.
1) The Flesh- (1 Cor 9:26-27) "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight
I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway." Don't allow your desires to divert you from your run for
the Truth. Eve found out how badly that turns out!
2) Your Feebleness- (Jer 12:5) "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have
wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of
peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the
swelling of Jordan?" Don't faint in the way because you have not waited on the
Lord before you begin the race (Is 40:31)
3) Your Foes- (Psa 18:29) "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God
have I leaped over a wall." When Jesus's enemies cornered him on a cliff (Lu
4:30) He simply walked through them. When He is on our side we can run through a
"troop" of trouble and still pursue the truth.
Don't let anything hinder you from obeying the Truth.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 11, 1998
Rev Carroll Bazen recently preached a
sermon at our church about 3 standards that will help you live a successful
Christian life. I wanted to share them with you because living a successful
Christian life is what every true Christian wants.
1. NEVER LOSE YOUR DESIRE FOR GOD- (Rev 2:4) "Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Keep a "hot heart" for God
and for His work; remembering that lukewarm living makes God sick. Things of
this world will attempt to steal your heart and dim your desire for God. The way
to combat this is to be constantly thankful for what God has done and
expectantly prayerful about what God will do in your life.
2. NEVER STOP LOVING PEOPLE- (John 13:34-35) "A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
{35} By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another." One day the entire world will be consumed with fire and everything
that man has made will be destroyed. The only thing that will survive this
future fire is the souls of men. Don't waste your time loving the temporary
while missing the joy of caring for the eternal.
3. NEVER LOOK BACK- (Luke 9:62) "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his
hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." There is
nothing behind you but death, decay, and destruction. Like Paul, you should say
(Phil 3:13-14) "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."
Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 12, 1998
Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes that
we must change our concepts so that we look at life from a spiritual perspective
instead of a fleshly view. When we begin to look at life through spiritual eyes
we will see:
Our NEED- is spiritual instead of physical. We see ourselves as "Poor in
Spirit".
Our REPENTANCE- We "Mourn" over offending God.
Our SUBMISSION- We realize how helpless we are so we rest in His strength as one
of the "Meek"
Our HUNGER- Instead of filling ourselves with the husks of the world's pig pens
we "Hunger and thirst after righteousness"
Our MERCY- Having been shown such great mercy we become "Merciful" to those we
deal with.
Our PURITY- Longing for God causes us to forsake sin as we desire to be "pure in
heart".
Our UNITY- Because God loved us so much we now long to share that love with
others. That turns us into "Peacemakers".
Our SUFFERING- Because the light in our life exposes the darkness all around us
we are persecuted. Amazingly, this persecution brings joy to our life because it
conforms us more to HIM!
Jesus said that to follow these principles would make us "Blessed"; a word
meaning "Greatly Happy". Are You?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 18, 1998
Imagine you have a bank that credits
your account each morning with $86,400. The problem is that it carries over no
balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance
you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of
course!!
Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME. Every morning,
it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever
of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance.
It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it
burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is
yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against "tomorrow". You must
live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so you get the utmost in
health, happiness, and success!
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a
grade. To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a
pre-mature baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly
newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to
meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To
realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident. To
realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in
the Olympics.
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is mystery
Today is a gift
That's why it's called the present!!
(Eph 5:16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 19, 1998
We finally had to have "bigger barns".
So much material had collected around the Church until we felt it was dangerous
to keep it stored at the Church. We decided to purchase a pre-fabricated metal
building for storage. A committee was appointed, a price was negotiated, and the
building was purchased.
When the person delivering the building arrived with this
large metal house on his trailer (12 feet by 16 feet) I had serious doubts about
the fact that he had not brought any help with him. I asked if he needed me to
contact any of the men in the Church to aid him but he assured me he could do it
alone.
I then proceeded to watch with wonder and amazement as he
used a battery powered wench to pull the building off his trailer. Before the
building dropped he placed several pipes under the building. Once it was on the
ground these pipes enabled him to use an iron bar to move the building exactly
where I wanted it. Then he used a jack to raise the building enough to remove
the pipes and put in the foundations blocks. In less than an hour this man had
unloaded the building, set it up, and was leaving.
You may be facing some problems in your life today that
appear so big until you seriously doubt your ability to cope with them. The good
news is found in (Phil 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me." This verse does not say, "I can do all things" and then stop.
It states that "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST" who provides the strength
for me.
Like the man who brought our building, you need to learn to work with patience
and planning so you can make use of the supernatural power provided by the Holy
Spirit living within you. This system will turn your overwhelming burden into a
wonderful Blessing. If you don't believe it, comes look at a storage building
that 50 men could not have manhandled into place but it was easily moved by one
man who looked beyond himself for strength.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 25, 1998
What do you do when the Preacher is the
Problem? Where do you look for help when the problem solver is the source of the
problem? How do you make people well when the doctor is carrying the infection?
Read the first chapter of Jonah. God gave specific
instructions to His prophet but Jonah decided to do his own thing and go his own
way. The problem was with the prophet; but his rebellion rocked the boat for a
lot of other people. In fact, when Jonah ran from the assignment given to him by
God the sailors in the boat with Jonah suffered almost as much as Jonah. And
isn't that the way it happens in a lot of Churches when the preacher falls?
Because of Jonah's sin the sailors had to suffer Physical
Discomfort (A fierce storm tossed their boat), Emotional Distress (Intense Fear
gripped their heart), and Economic Difficulties (all of their cargo had to be
thrown overboard). These same problems beset members of a church when their
shepherd develops a wolf's heart or a pig's life style. Disappointment,
distress, and discouragement storm through the flock and rock the confidence,
and contributions, of many of the members.
How did the Sailors return calm to their journey? They
Exposed the Problem (Determined who was wrong and why it angered God),
Acknowledged the problem was beyond their abilities to correct (They tried to
fight the storm but failed), and, finally, Expelled the Problem (Threw the
Preacher out until he was willing to get back in God's Plan). The results of
these actions were Revival among the Sailors and Renewal for the Prophet.
Sadly, some prophets fail to live right. Sadder still, such
prophets bring storms and troubles to others as well as to themselves. It is
wonderful that God's grace can restore such prophets and return them to their
mission. But wouldn't it be much better is they obeyed God correctly and brought
sunshine to their flock instead of storms?
Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 26, 1998
(2 Tim 3:10-11) But thou hast fully known my
doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Sometimes it appears everyone knows how the preacher is supposed to
live except the preacher! Having been a preacher for over 36 years, and having
struggled with this attitude, let me share 9 traits with you that Paul wanted
Timothy to remember about his life and ministry. Nine traits you should use as a
measuring rod for preachers- and for members.
1) Doctrine- What I believe
2) Manner of Life- What I do as a result of what I believe
3) Purpose- What I strive to accomplish with my work
4) Faith- My Relationship to God
5) Longsuffering- My ability to stick to something
6) Charity- My Concern for others
7) Patience- My ability to bear up under pressure
8) Persecutions- The trouble that comes my way as a result of my righteous
living and my powerful preaching
9) Afflictions- How I deal with the bodily weakness or physical circumstances
that hinder my life and work.
Are these the kind of attributes you look for in a man of God? Or are you more concerned with his relationship with you than you are with his relationship with God
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, August 15, 1998
During my pastorate in Florida, I would normally walk to
the Church office for my early morning Bible reading and prayer. One morning,
when I had completed my devotion, I walked back to the parsonage to get another
cup of coffee. While I was there I thought I'd see if my wife was awake.
As I was walking down the dark hall to the bed room I felt
something move under my foot. When I turned on the light I saw a rattle snake
coiled up in the middle of the hall! I knew he had to be dealt with but I didn't
have anything to kill him with so I walked back outside to pick up a hoe.
When I returned, I couldn't find the snake! After looking for
awhile, I found him behind the bedroom door. I tried to hit him just hard enough
to stun him so I could get him out of the house because I didn't want to get a
mess on the carpet. That's when my wife awakened and asked me what I was doing.
When I told her, she was not as a happy camper!!
We got the snake out of the house without causing too much of
a mess but my wife never walked down that hall again without turning on the
light. We tried to locate where the snake got into our home but it was several
years later, while moving, that I finally found the hole in the hall closet
through which the snake had entered.
Snakes in the hall don't make for a happy home. There is
always a little uncertainty about your safety. Think about that the next time
you are tempted to allow filthy movies or dirty books into your home. The snakes
of lust will always bring a little uncertainty into the joys of love. Instead of
enjoying more freedom like you thought, you will find yourself having to watch
every step you take. And that makes life miserable for you; and for your family.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 1, 1998
Ever been on a new road and started having doubts about
whether it was the road you were supposed to be on? I have. Sometimes the map is
not as clear as it should be so you take the direction you think you should take
and hope you made the right choice. Boy, it sure does feel good when you finally
come across a sign that tells you that you are on the right road and headed in
the right direction.
I remember the night I got saved. I was not raised in Church
and I did not understand all the language used by Church people. All I knew at
the time was that my heart was overwhelmed with the burden of my sinful life and
I wanted to find the peace and forgiveness the preacher had been talking about
so I came to the altar and knelt as he had instructed in his invitation.
I didn't know HOW to pray; nor did I know WHAT to pray. Soon
several people leaned over my shoulder and told me to "let go" of everything. I
didn't know what to let go of but I sure was willing to let it go. Then several
leaned over me and said for me to "hold on". I didn't know what to "hold on" to
so I grasp that altar so hard until my knuckles turned white.
Finally, the deacon who lived beside me came to where I knelt
and asked me if I had trusted Christ as my Savior yet. Suddenly, the lights went
on just like it does when you finally see the signpost on a new road. Instantly,
my heart was filled with peace and joy and I knew my sins had been forgiven and
I was now a child of God because I had trusted Christ as my Savior.
If you are still wandering around looking for the right
direction for your life let me point you toward the signpost you are looking
for- (1 John 5:11-12) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 2, 1998
Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Many people who claim to be Christians are unable to
truthfully claim that they also are living an abundant life. Why is this? Warren
Weirsbe lists five secrets to a fruitfully satisfying life found in the
teachings of Jesus in John chapter 15. He explains that the secret of real
living is bearing fruit. The secret to bearing fruit is to abide in Christ. The
secret of abiding in Christ is found in obeying His commandments. The secret to
obeying is learning to Love Christ. And the secret of Loving Christ is getting
to know Him.
Using this formula, it would seem that the abundant life must
begin with a faith generated knowledge of Christ. It then must progress into a
life that is radically altered because of the application of this knowledge in
the actions of the person.
Several things, however, act as barriers to the abundant
fruitful life. Attitudes such as Pride (God resisteth the proud, but gives grace
unto the humble- James 4:6) keep God from working in a life altering way in us.
An unforgiving spirit will short circuit God's ability to work in us and through
us (But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father
forgive you your trespasses- Matt 6:15). And a lack of devotional life will
crimp our knowledge of Christ and change our relationship to one of conviction
instead of comfort.
Don't let barriers block your fellowship with God. That
fellowship is the basis of the Abundant life; and the abundant life is what
causes us to always be winners in Christ.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 8, 1998
I dropped my wife off at a department store while I went
to an office supply store to purchase a web program to help with our new web
site- www.graceandglory.com. When I returned to the department store my wife had
found a blouse that was "simply beautiful"; and was on sale for half off!
Naturally, there was no way we could not purchase it.
When my wife handed the blouse to the sales clerk she
exclaimed, "Oh, I wish I would have seen this. I have a cream colored skirt and
I need something to go with it. This would be exactly what I needed." As the
clerk rang up the sale you could tell from her tone and her talk that she felt
really bad that she had missed the chance to get the right colored blouse at an
unusually good price; especially since it was right under her nose the entire
time.
Solomon wrote, "They made me keeper of the vineyards but my
own vineyard have I not kept." (Song 1:6). I am amazed sometimes when I see how
easy it is to become so busy trying to do for others until you never have time
to enjoy the blessings God has placed all around you.
I learned early in my ministry that I was like a sponge. I
can squeeze and squeeze in order to provide for others but if I don't take the
time to relax and allow the living water to soak into my soul then I will soon
run dry. And when you squeeze a dry sponge you only damage the sponge while
providing no water for parched souls.
That new blouse looks simply stunning on my wife. Too bad
that sales clerk was so busy until she missed the joy of wearing that blouse
with her cream colored skirt. Oh, by the way, when is the last time YOU sat at
God's feet long enough to refresh your soul?
Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 9, 1998
Recently, I overheard a lady tell her son, "If I would
have known you would have turned out so good I would have saved myself a ton of
worry while you were growing up."
It is hard not to worry about children in today's society but
I believe God gives us some great guidelines to enable us to worry less. They
are found in Psalm 127.
1) Look to God for guidance in raising your family- "Except
the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD
keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
2) Trust God to be there when you can't- "It is vain for you
to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth
his beloved sleep."
3) Remember that Children are a Reward to Bless you; not a
punishment to destroy you- "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the
fruit of the womb is his reward."
4) Your children have tremendous potential for good, or evil,
depending on how they are guided- "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so
are children of the youth."
5) Joyful confident living comes from strong family
relationships- "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall
not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."
God WANTS to give you the wisdom you need so you can worry
less and enjoy your family more. Let him.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 15, 1998
God telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names (Psa 147:4).
There are approximately 1 sextillion
(1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) stars in the galaxies of the visible universe.
And God knows the name of each of them!
It used to bother me when I thought about the fact that at
11am on Sunday Morning millions of people, in thousands of church, were all
praying to the Lord at the same time. But that is no big deal to a God who knows
the name of 1 sextillion stars. (In fact, God not only hears the prayers of all
these people, He bottles them up for the perfume of Heaven- Rev 5:8.)
I used to wonder if I could ever "slip through the cracks"
with God since there are over Five billion people on the earth. Would it be
possible for God to forget me, or fail to protect me from Satan's attacks, or
miss a need that I have? A Billion only has 9 zeros but God knows the name of a
sextillion (21 zeros) stars! He won't forget me or lose me.
Are you discouraged or depressed today? Do you think no one
cares; and even if they did care they could not do anything to help you? Look at
the verse before the verse I quoted at the beginning of this article- (Psa
147:3-4) He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. {4} He
telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
God does not just have a wonderful memory about names; He has
a loving heart for people! He is concerned enough about you until He knows the
number of hairs on your head. He even know every time a sparrow falls to the
ground; and you are much more valuable to Him than sparrows (Matt 10:29-30).
So the next time you feel down and wonder if you can count on
God, look up at the stars; God knows them, and you, by name.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 16, 1998
Due to the wonderful generosity of a local computer
company, I have the use of a beeper. It has proved an invaluable aid to my
visitation ministry and I try to remember to pray regularly that the Lord would
return a tenfold blessing to this company because of their kindness.
The Scope of the ministry the Lord has called me into
dictates that I sometimes travel to other states. The range of my beeper is from
the mountains to the sea in South Carolina and from Raleigh to Augusta as you go
north and south. Once I get out of this area I no longer receive messages. The
beeper is still functioning correctly and the signals are still being sent but
I'm out of receiving range.
I hope the spiritual implication is obvious to you. Many
people live good and productive lives. Everything about them seems to function
correctly. Yet, when God sends a "signal" to them about His will for their life
they never seem to receive it. Somehow they have gotten out of range and God's
message goes unheeded.
Normally, if I get a beeper message it is important. Someone
is in the hospital, or a marriage is breaking up, or someone needs something
very important from me. If I miss the message it may produce very bad
consequences.
If you have not heard from God recently your problem may be
that you are out of range of God's signal. And the messages you miss could have
tremendous impact on you; and on those around you.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 22, 1998
Monday mornings are very busy for me. Each week I write 3
newspaper columns, record 5 radio programs, and prepare at least 2 sermons and a
Sunday Bible Study lesson. In addition, I manage a growing church with the
normal compliment of sick people, sinners in trouble, seniors in need, and
saints that must be encouraged and edified. And, in my spare time, I operate a
faith ministry that gives away thousands of books, bibles, and tapes all over
the United States.
Monday mornings are my time to get everything in order, meet
with my assistant pastor to plan our week, and catch up on my backlog of mail.
That is why when my wife stuck her head into my office door around 8:30am and
told me she wanted to invite me to carry her to breakfast that my first reaction
was to ask her if she was still dreaming! But one look at that lovely face of
hers stirred me to buzz my Assistant and tell him we would meet later.
I stacked the mail back on the desk, closed the office door,
and told my wife she had a date. We went to a local restaurant to eat and found
that everyone else had already eaten breakfast by 8:45am so we had the place to
ourselves. We ate a long leisurely breakfast during which we said more with our
eyes than we did with our lips. When we left the restaurant I took the long way
home so my wife and I could continue to talk as we looked at all the new homes
being built and rejoiced in the beauty of the day.
It was almost 11:00am when I finally got back to the office,
and I had to work into the night in order to get my work done, but I wouldn't
trade that breakfast for anything. My wife and I have been married for over 28
years. Each year our love has grown and each year we rejoice more and more that
God brought us together. Part of the reason for this is that we learned early in
our life that marriage is not days you endure but moments you seize.
That same principle works in your relationship with God.
Christianity is not a dreary religion that drags you down with rules and
regulations; it is wonderful moments of life changing joy that you share with
God. And those moments just keep getting sweeter the longer you serve Christ.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 23, 1998
I don't know of any great spiritual truth contained in the
following little laugh lines. I simply know (Prov 17:22) "A merry heart doeth
good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Sometimes we need
to stop being so serious for just a few moments and enjoy life. Then when we get
back to the serious grind of living we can do so with more vim and vigor.
Next week I will talk to you again about life, death, and
serious situations. Right now it is time to remember the words of the wisest
mortal man to ever live- (Eccl 8:15) "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath
no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for
that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth
him under the sun."
--Did you hear about the man who turned his life around. He used to be depressed
and miserable. Now he is miserable and depressed.
--There are lots of self help tapes out there. Someone told about buying one
called "How to Handle Disappointment" When he got home and opened the box it was
empty! -Jonathan Droll
--They say kids bring warmth into a home, and I tend to believe it. I get hot
every time I see the phone bill!
--Charlie Brown- Sometimes I lie away at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone
wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
--One final thought that is more serious than silly- If you want your ship to
come in, you must build a dock.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, September 26, 1998
Church tradition lists 7 deadly sins: Pride, Covetousness
(greed), Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, and Sloth (laziness). They are called
"deadly" because they are so common; and because they are so easy to fall into.
Angus Wilson, in describing the awful sin of Envy, gives a
good general illustration of why men would fall into these "deadly sins"- All
the seven deadly sins are self-destroying, morbid appetites, but in their early
stages, at least, lust and gluttony, greed and sloth know some gratification,
while anger and pride have power as their source, even though that power
eventually destroys itself. Envy, however, is impotent, numbed with fear, never
ceasing in its appetite, and it knows no gratification, but endless
self-torment. It has the ugliness of a trapped rat, which gnaws its own foot in
an effort to escape.
In reality there are 4 major "types of sin" that we need to
recognize:
1) Innate Sins- The sin nature all men inherit because of the original sin of
Adam- (Rom 5:12) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
2) Wrong action Sins. The bad that we do because of the sin nature we possess-
(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Men sin
because they are sinners. Environment and Circumstances may play a part in the
fervency and frequency of sin but no one has to teach a person to do bad, it
comes naturally.
3) Failure Sins. The good we know to do but fail to do- (James 4:17) "Therefore
to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
4) Personal Sins. Sins that may not be wrong for others but they are for us
because we think they are wrong so doing them would be an act of rebellion
against God- (Rom 14:23) "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he
eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Regardless of how you categorize sin it is important that you realize that sin
is serious and that God has provided a way to deal with the sin in your life-
(Rom 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 29, 1998
David made a tremendous observation in Psalm 32 about sin
in the life of a person. First he noted that the happy state of spiritual
contentment (Blessed) can only come when the person comes to grips about his sin
with God and with himself- (Psa 32:1-2) Blessed is he whose transgression is
forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth
not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Secondly, he shows us several attitudes toward our sin and
the corresponding results: You can HIDE your sin, try to pretend it did not
happen, and live with intense guilt and anxiety - (Psa 32:3-4) When I kept
silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and
night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of
summer.
You can also BLAME someone else for your sinful behavior and
use that as an excuse for your sin as Adam did with Eve. This is the most common
response once our sin is exposed.
Or you can do the right thing, and the best thing, and
acknowledge your wrong- (Psa 32:5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;
and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Once David was willing to deal with his sin on a sincere
level several things happened- God began again to answer his prayers and provide
divine protection from the storms of life- (Psa 32:6) For this shall every one
that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the
floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. And breaking the sin
barrier allowed David and God to return to that special relationship they had
before (vs 7)
What are you trying to do with YOUR sin? Remember this, Sin
will find you out and sin will take you further than you want to go. The answer
to the sin problem is simple- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 30, 1998
I decided early in my Christian life
that anything God liked was something that I wanted to like and anything that
God disliked was something that I wanted to stay away from. That is why I made a
list of thing in the Bible that God Hates so I could make sure to avoid those
things.
--God hates anything that tries to replace Him- (Deu 16:22) Neither shalt
thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
--God hates Corrupt Character- (Prov 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.
--God hates hate- (Zec 8:17) And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts
against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I
hate, saith the LORD.
--God hates customs that replace personal commitment (Rev 2:6) But
this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also
hate. (Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. (The Nicolaitanes became an "elite" group
in the church that eventually controlled it. Note that their Deeds changed into
a "Doctrine" in a short while. God hates it when people use His Church to build
their kingdom).
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 6, 1998
Recently, I drove by the parsonage of a local church and
noticed that the Pastor had a sign outside advertising Taxidermist services. I
almost ran off the road laughing so hard. I know a lot of preacher who spend
their time stuffing the dead!
According to Ephesians 2:1-2 a person who is unsaved is
considered "dead" in sin- "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in
trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience:" That is an apt description of many
people who sit in pews on Sunday Morning. Like a corpse, they are dressed in
their best finery but, like the dead, there is no breath of life or holy
function about them.
Many preacher seem to think their business is to make these
corpses look at realistic as possible; and some have become quite expert at
making them look so alive until it is almost impossible to discern they are
simply mannequin men. But the saddest part of all is that most people are happy
about the situation because it keeps everything "neat and in order".
It is true that living men make mistakes and messes; but it
is also true that a church full of corpses never accomplishes anything for God
or man. Jesus came to raise men from the dead and give them new life. A
taxidermist simply tries to make a dead body look at realistic as possible.
Which is the mission of YOUR Church?
Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 7, 1998
It all began rather
innocently. Someone noted that people were having to go across the road to a
neighbor's well each Sunday Morning in order to get water. Seeking to help the
situation, they decided to bring a bucket of water to Church. Thinking the best
place to put the bucket so everyone could see that the water was available was
at the front of the church, they put the bucket of water on the table in front
of the pulpit.
Now this person has a mission in life; bringing a bucket of
water to Church each week for the people to drink. Soon the water bucket became
a fixture in the Church and everyone expected it to be in its place each Sunday
Morning.
Next comes a new pastor to take over the leadership of the
Church. The first Sunday he noticed that it was very distracting to have people
come to the water bucket directly in front of the pulpit for water during the
sermon. He tried to ignore the situation but as the days got hotter the traffic
became regular; and he doubted people's ability to hear his sermon with all the
distractions going on.
He thought it would be a simple matter to move the bucket to
another location in the Church. Did he have a lot to learn about water buckets
and Church tradition!! By the way, everyone wished him well at his new church.
(Jer 2:13) 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.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, October 10, 1998
My neighbors across the street recently
removed some pine trees in their yard. First, the men sawed all the branches off
the trees. Then they removed the trees a little at a time by cutting them into
sections beginning at the top of the tree. Finally, all that was left were some
stumps sticking up just above ground level.
The men then brought in a machine that ground the stumps into
small pieces. Once these chips were raked up, it was hard to tell there had ever
been any trees in the yard.
Many people have sinful patterns or harmful habits growing in
their lives. Some have been there so long until they have grown into good size
"trees". Just like the trees in my neighbor's yard, it will now take a great
deal of skill and work to remove them without doing major damage to the good
things that surround them.
When these people finally become so tired of the mess these
"trees" produce in their life until they decide to remove them, they will devote
a great deal of time and effort to cutting them down. Sadly, many will fail to
seek help removing the stump of their problem and new branches and limbs will
sprout up in a very short time.
The principles of religion are normally all you need to cut
down the "trees" in your life. But the remaining stumps can only be removed by
the power of God at work in your life. Don't continue to stumble over these
stumps. Commit yourself totally to God so His power can do a complete work on
your problem. You'll be pleased with how nice your "yard" looks when the trees
are removed; stumps and all.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 13, 1998
ROACHES, SPIT, AND POTATO BINS
While traveling with my brother and his wife we decided to stop for a quick sandwich. We all ordered bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches and were ready to enjoy a time of refreshment before we continued on our journey. When my sister-in-law started to take a bite from her sandwich I noticed a big roach hanging from her lettuce! I know that most of that sandwich was still good to eat but somehow all of us lost our appetite right about then- (Gal 5:9) "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."
While standing guard duty one night I saw one of our officers come back aboard ship highly intoxicated. Soon I passed by the officer’s kitchen and saw that one of the stewards had been forced to get up at 2am and fix a steak for this officer. As I watched the steward he would spit on the steak, say very unkind words about this officer, and turn it over. Then he would spit on the other side as he repeated the process over and over. This officer was normally well liked but I did not have any desire for his steak, or his reputation, that night- (Eccl 10:1) "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour."
During the beginning of the Tet offensive in Viet Nam one of the men in my squad was caught hiding in the potato bin reading pornography while he was supposed to be on guard duty. At first we thought he would simply get a "slap on the wrist" but when he came up for trial we learned that being away from your guard position in time of war was a capital offense, punishable by death or life in prison. The punishment was severe but this man’s unrestrained lust could have meant the death of many people- (Prov 25:28) "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 14, 1998
Officially, America has no God.
Everyone has the right to worship (or abstain from worshiping) who and what they
please. Yet, one of the most basic laws of human nature is that everyone will
worship something. There are lots of "Forces" out there vying for our attention.
Let me point out several principles that are important in the God a nation
chooses to follow.
1. CHOSE THE RIGHT GOD- "Blessed is the nation whose God is
the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." (Psalm
33:12). If I were going to chose a God I’d chose one with a proven track record
of love and concern that would do me good and not harm. For several hundred
years the majority of people in America have found this to be the Lord God.
2. CHECK OUT YOUR GOD'S GUIDELINES- "Righteousness exalteth a
nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov 14:34). Part of the Joy of
serving God is the peace and tranquility that comes to a nation who follows the
moral and spiritual guidelines He gives. Chaos comes when men disregard God and
"Every man does that which is right in his own sight" (Jud. 21:25).
3. PICK A GOD BIG ENOUGH TO ENCOMPASS EVERYONE- "But in every
nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
(Acts 10:35). A Nation’s God must be broad enough to welcome every race and
class into His "Fold" while being narrow enough to exclude the frivolous and the
foul until they are ready to mean business about serving Him. God wants everyone
but He requires that they also want Him.
A Nation is made up of people. People don't serve a God by
accident; a decision must be made. When God runs a survey of YOUR heart, who
will He find is the God of your part of this nation?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 20, 1998
The late September sun boiled down as
if it were the middle of July. The fact that most of the people were dressed in
black only added to the intense heat and made each moment stretch into a never
ending time zone. They came to the grave side service to show their respect for
the recently departed because they were family or friends but the afternoon sun
beating down upon them was trying to squeeze the concern out of them as surely
as it squeezed out the sweat that ran through their make up or soaked their
suits.
Those who were able to stand or sit under the shade of the
tent were almost comfortable, especially when the occasional breeze would bring
it’s blessed relief. Watching the agony of those standing in the intense heat
compared to the comfort of those who were seated under the tent made the
preacher’s word that much more meaningful- (Rev 7:14-17) " These are they which
came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve
him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell
among them (Literally, pitch His tent among them!). They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For
the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead
them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes."
Standing at that grave side on a hot September afternoon
showed me as clearly as possible the fate of all men. Either they are under the
tent with God in a place of relief and rest or they are standing outside,
dressed in their very best, but still suffering without God’s comfort or peace.
When the "Heat is on" the place to be is under the tent with God. And there is
plenty of room, all you have to do is move away from the crowd and step into the
shade.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 21, 1998
(Heb 11:6) But without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Many people who say they have faith in Christ show by their
lives that they have all the symptoms of unbelief. In the Carnal Christian these
symptoms include bickering and division (I Cor 3:3), an unwillingness to accept
any responsibility in the work of God (Heb 5:12), and morals that conform to the
world’s standards instead of to the principles of God.
But there are other symptoms of unbelief that are evident in
the life of far too many Christians today.
First would have to be their lack of Prayer. "Ye have not,
because ye ask not." (James 4:2). If we really believed that God could hear our
prayers and would answer our petitions then we would bombard Heaven with our
cries. Instead, we try every scheme in the world to get what we want and only
pray as a last resort- and even then we have such little faith until we are
greatly amazed if God does answer the Prayer!!
Another Symptom of unbelief is our lack of Patience. Instead
of trusting God to work in His own time we decide that someone must do
something; and, like Abraham, we find that running ahead of God brings lifetime
consequences.
A final Symptom of Unbelief is our lack of Power. We don’t
trust God for power so our lives are mere shells of Christianity that bring
shame to us; and to God.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 27, 1998
Want to know a GREAT truth? God puts
limitations on your Temptations!! You thought Satan could tempt you as much as
he wanted and in any way he desired but that is not true. You are God’s peculiar
treasure (I Pet 2:9) and that means you are "hedged" about with a barrier that
Satan can not pass without the permission of God (See Job 1:9-12).
Also consider the tremendous truth found in I Cor 10:13
"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."
Look closely at what that states, "Who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted
above that ye are able,". God know YOUR limits and He only allows the trouble to
be big enough to build your character without overwhelming your faith.
Every time a temptation comes your way God also puts a
"Safety Valve" on it - " but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it." I remember one time when my thought life was
going off in the wrong direction and suddenly the phone rang. It was a "wrong"
number but I knew it was actually the Lord putting me back on track. Or on
another occasion when I was having a "Pity Party" and sinking deeper and deeper
into depression. Just then the door bell rang; one of the neighborhood kids
needed help to put the chain back on their bike. The glow in their eyes and the
heartfelt hug after I repaired their bike sent me back to the office with a
bounce in my step and peace in my heart.
Don’t be discouraged or defeated. Your temptation has
limitations and you will be able to handle anything that comes your way- (1 John
4:4) "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is
he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 28, 1998
My wife loves plants. Almost every room
in the house has at least one plant, and most rooms have numerous plants. It
takes a lot of time and effort for my wife to care for these plants but she is
very conscientious about being sure they get sunlight and water.
Several weeks ago she found a petite hanging basket on sale
so she decided to put a small plant in it and hang it up. My wife is very short
and she had me hang this plant very high in the wall in an area of the house we
don’t normally look at.
While talking with me the other day she suddenly shouted, "Oh
No! I’ve killed it." I followed her gaze as we both remembered that new hanging
basket for the first time in many days. It was a sad looking sight as it lay
limp and wilted in its basket with its leaves starting to turn brown.
I thought the only thing to do was empty the basket and start
again since this plant looked well on its way to that great "garden in the sky".
My wife, however had other plans. She trimmed the dead leaves, added some much
needed water, and went about rescuing that plant from its sure death.
I don’t know who has neglected you so that you are all wilted
down but Jesus loves you even more than my wife loved that wilted plant; and He
has just the kind of water you need to cause you to flourish and bloom again.
That is because Jesus does not use tap water; He uses living water, and that can
restore you no matter how wilted and worn you are.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 3, 1998
While getting my hair cut recently my lady barber started
talking to a friend about Christmas. Both of them said they needed to have a
yard sale or house cleaning in the next couple of months in order to accommodate
all the new toys their children would get at Christmas. That immediately
reminded me of a story in the Bible- (Luke 12:16-21) And Jesus spake a parable
unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room
where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my
barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years;
take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool,
this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be,
which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is
not rich toward God.
Everyone in the Barber Shop agreed that Children today had
too many toys and it just compounded the problem to consider all of the new toys
that they would get at Christmas. But everyone seemed perplexed about what to do
to remedy the situation. Several suggestions were finally given that seemed to
make sense to most of the people there.
One lady said that her parents were instructed to buy the
grandchildren only one present and then to put any extra money they wanted to
contribute into savings bonds for the children. Another said her parents did the
same thing except they contributed some each year to a college fund savings
account for each child.
One told about the joy children received from a year’s
subscription to a magazine for their age group. And some mentioned that their
gift was a trip to a favorite place; this was especially appreciated because it
involved personal participation by everyone.
This Christmas you can let the stores convince you that you
absolutely have to have a pet rock or a certain named doll or you can use a
little common sense and get those you love a gift that will really mean
something to them. Just don’t build bigger barns and wonder why God calls you a
fool.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 4, 1998
People sometimes tell me, "Oh Preacher, don’t be so hard. After all it’s just one little sin. What harm can one sin do?"
Why don’t you ask Adam about the price of one sin. One
bite of the forbidden fruit caused him to exchange the joys of paradise for the
drudgery of earning his living by the sweat of his brow. It brought him
spiritual death; and, eventually, the murder of his second born by his first
born. It also brought the penalty of sin onto the entire human race. One sin,
but the price was so huge until it can only be called incalculable.
Ask Moses about the cost of one sin. Moses had defeated Egypt
with only the power of God at his disposal. He had delivered his nation from
bondage and was leading them through the desert toward the promised land. Over
and over they tried his patience until this "meekest man on all the earth" (Num
12:3) became so angry until he disobeyed God and smote the rock instead of
speaking to it. Moses realized the cost of that one sin as he sat on a lonely
mountain looking over at the promised land; knowing he could look at its beauty
but he could never live there.
Sin will take you further than you want to go and sin will
cost you more that you want to pay. The good news is that while - "the wages of
sin {singular} is death; the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Rom 6:23). The cost of a single sin is extraordinarily high but God
has paid the price for each and every sin and He offers pardon and forgiveness
to everyone who turns from sin and trust the savior, Jesus Christ.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 10, 1998
It all began with an early morning phone call to tell the man his brother was in serious condition in the Georgetown Hospital. He and his wife got ready as quickly as possible and made the trip to Georgetown. As soon as they arrived they found his brother was serious enough to need to be transported from the Georgetown hospital to a Charleston hospital.
Age and medical conditions made it very difficult for this man to drive in strange places. He did not know how to get from where he was at to the Charleston Hospital so he and his wife stopped and had prayer.
As I stood in his yard several days later and listened to him tell it you could see the wonder in his eyes. He said he did not remember any of the trip; it was almost as if his truck drove its self. Somehow it turned at every right place until he found himself going over the Cooper River Bridge. But even then he was about to panic because he had no idea how to find the hospital his brother was in.
He described it like this, "That truck just kept going until suddenly it turned into a parking lot. We looked up and there was a hospital. When we walked in they sent up right up to my brother’s room." And then he said, "I could not tell you today how to go from Georgetown to Charleston; and I have no idea how to find that hospital again!"
Isn’t it wonderful to serve a God who still cares about the welfare of His people! And isn’t it marvelous to know that God knows the path we take even if we don’t. Why don’t you call on Him today; and then determine to follow his leadership. He will guide you exactly where you need to go; and you will find yourself greatly enjoying the ride.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 11, 1998
I have often said that if I could get my members to pray with the same zeal and intensity in church that they pray with during the ninth inning of a baseball game or during the final two minutes of a football game then we would have one of the most spiritual churches in our area! I know God is concerned with many areas in our life. But, realistically, I don’t think God is as concerned with whether or not the Atlanta Braves win the world series as He is that people have their spiritual and physical needs met. (Or, if He is, he has put the wrong angel in charge!).
This selfish praying is one of the main reasons people do not see their prayers answered on a consistent basis- "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." (James 4:3).
Another example of this type of selfish praying is when people ask me to pray for them to win the lottery. They always add the stipulation that they will gladly give God part of their winnings. I don’t waste God’s time or mine with such foolishness. These people aren’t interested in the few dollars they would give God; they are only interested in getting something for nothing by gambling.
God WANTS to answer Prayers. He just doesn’t want to do you harm by fulfilling selfish request. So use your intensity to pray right- and then rejoice in God’s wonderful answers.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 17, 1998
What makes a man get up before a congregation of people week after week believing that what he says will make a difference in the lives of those people; both now and forever? What is it that motivates a minister?
I know the first answer many would give is that he is motivated by money- although that would not motivate him to become a minister in my denomination! Thankfully, many ministers are now being paid a reasonable salary; but I have met very few who could not be making much more in another profession.
Some would say a man is a minister because of the lack of work involved in his duties (You know, who wouldn’t want a job where you only work 3 hours a week). My average work week is over 65 hours- and, according to the latest survey, the average for all pastors is 55 hours a week. Most pastors look with longing at those people who go to work at 8am and get to come home at 5pm.
I think there are three main reasons a man stands in a pulpit each week and delivers God’s message to the people. First of all is His Calling from God. The fire of God burns in his soul and he cannot remain faithful to God, and himself, if he does not proclaim the word of God.
Secondly, there is his faith in the Word of God. He is confident that it has the answer for every need of mankind. He does not have to rely on his own abilities or intellect; he can depend on the "sword of the spirit" to pierce into the depths of a man’s soul and show him his need of change.
Finally, a Pastor always remembers that God uses the "foolishness of preaching" to accomplish His work. And that really helps on those Sundays when a Pastor feels like his sermon has failed and the best thing he can do is crawl up under a rock and hide!
Pray for your Pastor this week; and be there Sunday Morning when He proclaims the Word of God. After all, it is a message from God.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 18, 1998
At the beginning of our service recently the Song Leader announced the opening hymn number and the piano player began playing another song! It seems the Song Leader unintentionally reversed the order of our songs and announced the second song first. It was just a funny little moment for us but it reminded me of some real life situations.
Sometimes husbands and wives, or parents and children, "sing different songs" because they're on the wrong page thru failure to communicate. They are all talking but they are not listening to what is really being said. And there will be no Harmony in the Home until people begin to speak the same language.
This incident also reminded me that you need to address a problem as soon as it occurs; or else the music and the song will never match. Sometimes we try to pretend a problem doesn't exist and hope that it will go away. But the longer we ignore the problem the worst things become. You need to stop long enough to correct the problem before the disharmony becomes disaster.
If your life is all confused because it's on the wrong page just remember that Jesus can turn chaos into melody if you'll let Him. Get on the same page with God today so you can make beautiful music now; and look forward to singing the right song in that heavenly choir!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 24, 1998
You could almost hear the panic in her voice. The secretary of another church in the area was working on the church bulletin on her computer and she couldn't get it to come up properly. I talked to her on the phone for a while and then went to where she was working. When I arrived I found that she had been using the same disk to record her files on for a long period of time and the disk had become corrupted. Now all of her files were "linked" together.
After much work and manipulation I was finally able to get the disk repaired enough to save some of her files. I then took the disk home with me so I could work on recovering the remaining files. As I was working I received a phone call from a church member desiring to talk about a problem she was having with someone else.
After I hung up the phone I realized that the computer problem and the personal problem were a lot alike; both were caused by failure to completely deal with past problems and both were complicated by being tied to other problems. Sounds like a lot of people I know.
The Good News I proclaim is that God is able to deal with the "corrupted files" in your life. I know that many times we pile problems one on top of the other until everything is so "linked" togther until we don’t think anything can be done. Just remember that Jesus took a woman who had been married five times, and was now living with a man, and transformed her into a village changing evangelist!
Your life does not have to be inoperative and ineffective. God has just what you need so you can have the peace you long for to enable you to become a productive part of God’s plan again. Just don’t sit at home frustrated with your own inabilities to get life to work. Come to God and let Him "repair" you today.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 25, 1998
Her name was Margie and she had just moved into the community. It was a wonderful country community but, like a lot of communities with long term residents, it was a little suspicious of newcomers. When the invitation came to attend a community supper Margie was fearful that she might not feel at ease but she decided to make her favorite casserole, go to the meeting, and see what happened.
As soon as she walked in she knew she was in trouble. Everyone else had brought a full meal, including dessert, and there she stood with her small casserole. Her first inclination was to beat a hasty retreat but one of the ladies came up and said she would put her casserole on the table with the rest of the food.
Soon the meal began and everyone stood around commenting on how good everything was; while ignoring Margie’s Casserole. That was when Mrs. Opal did her thing. She walked over to Margie’s casserole, which was untouched, got a big spoon full and proceeded to tell everyone that it was the best casserole she had ever eaten.
Margie helped serve dinner to Mrs. Opal’s family recently following Mrs. Opal’s funeral. With a tiny tear in her eye she told me the story of the casserole. And with wonder in her voice she told me what a difference it had made in her life in that community. A life made different by an act of Christian Love.
"Saturday Sermon" for Saturday, November 28, 1998
Do you ever wonder why you feel "down
and depressed" all the time? Maybe it's because you have set standards for
yourself, or for others, that you, or they, cannot meet. Things never work out
the way you want them to work and that develops feelings of anger and bitterness
in your heart. Your problem is that your expectations are beyond what can be
realisticly expected in real world living.
This is a special problem for highly motivated individuals or
for people whose life is spend helping others. They expect that their sacrifice
will accomplish more than it does. When things do not work out like they think
they should then depression and frustration sets in (The name that was coined
for it during the past few years is "Burn out". You become so disappointed that
you are not accomplishing what you want until you decide to quit trying to
accomplish anything).
Let's look at Five Goals in a person’s life that can cause
great distress because they are based on UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS- This causes
you to set a goal that it is impossible to reach and then you feel bad because
you did not reach it!!
(1) I have the ability to change another person. God has given each of us a Free
Will. That means you can influence a person and you can example the right model
for a person but they must make the decision to change. Trying to force them
only angers them and aggrevates you.
(2) I have the Capacity to help everyone. If you try to be everything to
everyone you will soon be nothing to anyone.
(3) There should never be a limit to what I can do. Even Jesus acknowledged
that, although provision was made for everyone to be saved, yet many will travel
the wrong road.
(4) I am the only person available to help. Christians learn they are part of
the Body of Christ. Each part much function with, and for, the rest if the body
is to function correctly.
(5) I must never make a mistake. The Bible states in First John that the very
act of saying we do not have sin is in fact a sin!
These are expectations that ONLY GOD can accomplish; and even
He can not accomplish them in the way some people expect them to be
accomplished!
Strive to be the best you can be. Remember,however, that you
cannot do everything and you cannot be everywhere. So stop trying to take God's
place. Instead, seek to fill your place in God's Plan. That is where you will
find the peace and abundant life you are seeking.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 1, 1998
Mrs. Elise was special from the first
time you met her. Her smile was infectious and her personality made you think
that no matter who you were, you were one of her favorite people. She was a
wonderful lady with a family that she loved; but her love extended far beyond
her family. When she lived in a neighborhood, all the neighborhood was drawn to
her home. When she had to move to an apartment her apartment became the center
of many community activities. And when she finally had to move to a nursing home
she set up "shop" in her room and it became her own little ministry area.
But I remember Mrs. Elise for far more than her personality.
I remember the impact she had on so many people. For several years she taught a
Sunday School class at our Church. When she taught, however, she did much more
than impart Bible knowledge to the young people she taught; she invested her
life in them. Many of her students are grown and married now and they still talk
about lessons learned and classes attended during the few years she taught here.
She fulfilled the dream of every good teacher, she made a lifetime difference in
her students.
And then there was her mail ministry. If all the letters and
notes of encouragement that she wrote were put end to end I believe they would
circle the globe! Even when arthritis came to cripple her fingers I would still
receive barely legible notes of encouragement on a regular basis. And like the
other things she did, this ministry also caused many to emulate her and
multitudes of people are encouraged by a letter or note of encouragement each
month.
I believe that one good example is worth a hundred sermons.
That is why I talk of Mrs. Elise today. She made a long term difference in a
great number of people because she thought that living her Christianity every
day was much better than just talking about her "religion". A lesson I hope we
all can learn and apply.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 2, 1998
My father-in-law was putting some
things in his attic several months ago and accidently left his flash light up
there. The next time he needed a light he realized it had been misplaced. He
searched through all the drawers and closets in the house, and even crawled
under the house, trying to locate it.
Finally, we decided it must be lost for good and bought him
another for a Birthday Present. When he went up into the attic to get some
Christmas decorations this year, guess what he found?
Jesus once asked his disciples, "Is a candle brought to be
put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?" (Mark
4:21). He meant by this that men tend to lose the light of their testimony when
they become too busy (hidden under a bushel) or too lazy (hidden under a bed).
As a pastor, it amazes me to see the number of Christians who
are too busy to do anything for God; or too lazy to obligate themselves to
Christian service. In the process of living they have lost the light of life;
and have become a stumbling block instead of a light house that guides men away
from danger.
It doesn't have to be that way. Think back to where you lost
your light, go back there, pick it up, clean it up, and let it shine again. God
wants your light to shine, the world wants your light to shine, and you need to
shine your light. So shine today.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 9, 1998
THREE PROPS IN PROBLEMS
Most people are familiar with Paul's "Thorn in the Flesh".
This was a problem in Paul's life that was allowed by God but administered by
Satan. It was a very real and very painful problem (Paul said it "Buffeted" him.
That means it hit him from every side). The purpose of the problem was to defeat
pride in Paul's life. During his description of this problem Paul describes
three attitudes that propped him up and turned this Problem into a plus.
1) PRAYER- Paul said he "besought the Lord" three times about this problem. He
didn't just say a nice little "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer; He really
prayed and poured out his heart to God. When problems plague you spend time
talking with God. Tell Him your hurt and your doubts; as well as your desire for
help. You'll be surprised what a difference it will make when you talk WITH God
instead of AT God.
2) POWER- As soon as Paul realize God wasn't going to correct his problem he
found that God's Grace was sufficient. This gave him the Power to endure the
problem and focus on the really important things in life.
3) PLEASURE- Now, amazingly, Paul take Pleasure in his problems because they
draw him closer to God!! Bitterness and bondage have been turned to blessing.
The problem is now a plus. Glory! Don't let problems knock all the props
from under you. Use Paul's props and become more than conquerors through Christ.
BONUS GAME:
Looking for a quick little game for those Christmas parties. Here is one I made
up for our Ministers and Wives Christmas get together. In their case, I gave the
list below to 4 men and asked one to prepare a title, one to prepare an
introduction, one to prepare a 4 point outline, and one to prepare a conclusion
using the words they were given from the list below. Then I asked people to give
each of them 4 numbers between one and thirty. The people who were giving the
numbers had no idea what word went with the number.
You could use it to have 4 or 5 people prepare a sentence that incorporated all
the words they were given from people's numbers- Example 19, 28, 17, 11– The
thing I remember the most about Christmas is how the Camel (19) pulled the
little red wagon (28) to Bethlehem (17) to carry the gifts (11) given to the new
born savior.
Hope it helps.
1) CHRISTMAS
2) SHEPHERDS
3) WISEMEN
4) INN
5) TAX
6) ANGELS
7) GOD
8) MARY
9) JOSEPH
10) JOHN THE BAPTIST
11) GIFTS
12) LIGHT
13) SHEEP
14) MANGER
15) HAY
16) CAVE
17) BETHLEHEM
18) HEROD
19) CAMEL
20) DONKEY
21) GLORY TO GOD
22) PEACE TO MEN
23) SANTA CLAUS
24) REINDEER
25) COOKIES AND MILK
26) REDEMPTION
27) EMMANUEL
28) RED WAGON
29) STAR
30) PASTOR PRESENT
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 15, 1998
While visiting with one of my senior
saints recently she told me an interesting tale. Her clothes dryer is getting
old and has developed a bad habit of the door popping open during the dry cycle.
This causes the dryer to cut off and prevents the clothes from drying as they
should.
As she was going to the kitchen for a cup of coffee the other
day she noticed the door had popped open. She knew the clothes had not had time
to dry so she closed the door, restarted the dryer, and went for her coffee.
When she got her coffee and walked back by the dryer she heard an awful noise.
Afraid that the dryer was tearing up she opened the door to
cut it off; and out popped her cat- very warm and very angry!
People are a lot like this cat. They will many times look for
a delightfully warm location to escape from the pressures of life; unaware that
it can become dangerously hot. It will look so inviting and so comfortable until
they, like Goldilocks, will fall asleep and awake to find themselves in a bear’s
bed.
Everyone needs a place to escape from the stress and strife
of life. Christians find that the time they spend in a "prayer closet" brings
peace to their heart while prodding the heart of God. They also find that
studying and meditating on the Word of God brings peace and direction to their
life. And, surprisingly, they find that acts of kindness and service to others
actually energize them instead of exhaust them.
Be careful which door you jump through when you are looking
for comfort and escape. Some doors can be so nice for awhile but can suddenly
turn into a really hot situation. If you don’t believe it, come meet a cat who
will not go into the same room with the dryer anymore.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 16, 1998
One of the men in my Church recently send me a list of
things "I’ve learned". I wish I could share the entire list but space
constraints allow me to share only a few. I've learned:
-that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be
loved. The rest is up to them.
-that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
-that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd
better know something.
-that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do.
-that you can keep going long after you can't.
-that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
-that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
-that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't
give me the right to be cruel.
-that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't
mean they don't love you with all they have.
-that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your
grief.
-that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
-that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally
different.
-that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get
hurt and you will hurt in the process.
-that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even
know you.
-that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 22, 1998
Several years ago a lady gave my wife
and I a wall hanger that was covered with artificial fruit. Although it was
nice, and appreciated by us, it was not something that we had longed for.
Enclosed in the box with the wall hanger was a note, however, and it changed our
entire outlook on this present.
The hanger that the fruit was attached to was an antique corn
dryer. The corn dryer was rare; and expensive. It changed a plain present into a
special gift.
If you are having problems finding the right gift, or if the
pressures of Christmas shopping are getting you down, let me share a few helpful
hints to make your shopping a lot easier.
Give a gift that will enrich the person receiving it. Don’t
just try to finish your list, seek something that will fulfill a need in the
life of the person to whom you are giving the gift- We still have the corn
dryer. Its value is not in its value; its value is in the heart of love that
shared such a treasure with us.
Give a gift to someone who doesn’t expect it; or who can’t
afford it- (Deu 15:11) "For the poor shall never cease out of the land:
therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy
brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land." You will receive as much
joy from the giving as they will from the receiving.
Finally, remember that Christmas is not about your presents,
it is about His presence. If you leave Christ out of your Christmas celebration
then Christmas will seem like a time of artificial fruit that has no taste and
brings no joy. Look beneath the artificial hollowness of a stressful holiday
season and find the true treasure that is the real reason for the season.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 23, 1998
It began in a beautiful garden many
years ago. The sun was bright, the birds were singing, and peace and joy reigned
supreme. Suddenly, the cold breath of sin slithered into the garden as Satan
brought doubt into Eve’s mind, Defeat into Adam’s actions, and Death into the
life of all men. But God was not defeated!! He promised that a Savior would come
to destroy the works of Satan and to deliver men from the bondage of sin and
death.
For nearly 4000 years men looked with Anticipation for this
promised Messiah to come. Year after year they cried out to God to send the
deliverer to set them free from the tyranny of sinful men and from the bondage
of sinful desires that controlled their actions and destroyed their peace and
prosperity.
The Day finally arrives!! In a stable in Bethlehem, God comes
to earth as a new born babe. Beside His manger bed sits an unmarried woman and
an unemployed carpenter.
Can this be the long anticipated one? Is this the one to
defeat Satan and set us free from the bondage of sin and death? Yes, Yes, God
has become flesh. Help and Hope have been born. Shepherds and wise men alike
find that WHOSOEVER shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
That is your gift from God this Christmas; redemption and
eternal life through His son Jesus. Open God’s present first this Christmas and
find the joy your heart seeks!!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 29, 1998
My Assistant Pastor, Rev Carroll Bazen, recently prepared a message on 5 things you need if you are to succeed in your Christian Life. They were so relevant until I thought sharing them with you would be helpful.
If you are to succeed in the Christian life then you need:
1) Forgiveness and Acceptance from God. You can never find happiness or fulfillment if you are alienated from God. That means repenting of sins, trusting Christ as Savior, and believing that you are now a Child of God. This brings pardon for your sins and peace for your heart.
2) A Consecrated Body. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is to be kept Wholly for God and Holy unto God if you are to succeed in your Christian walk.
3) The Anointing of the Spirit on your life and work. To try to do the work of God without the anointing of God is like trying to empty the ocean with a pitchfork. You will work yourself to death and never accomplish anything. The Bible command to be filled with the Holy Spirit is not an option; nor simply a denominational doctrine. Only divine unction produces divine results.
4) A Purposed Heart. A Successful Christian is one who had made a deliberate choice to follow God’s Plan. His heart is fixed on doing the will of God always; regardless of changing circumstances or persecution problems.
5) A Concerned Spirit. Luke warm living makes God sick. A successful Christian has a fire burning within that breaks their heart over sin and opens their mouth to warn others of the wrath to come. A contented Saint will not accomplish much for God.
I pray your goal is to be a successful Christian in 1999. If you follow these principles then you will have a far greater chance of succeeding at your goal.
Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 30, 1998
The last thing any true Christian wants to do is to do any thing that displeases God. Like Jesus, We want always to do those things that please the Father (John 8:29). That is why it is good to know 4 things that displease God.
1) Holding a Grudge Displeases God - (Prov 24:17-18) "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him." God will punish the wrong. We are to forgive and groan with them; not gloat over their problems.
2) Complaining about how God works His plan in your life displeases God- (Num 11:1) "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp."
3) Unrepented Sin in our Life displeases God- (2 Sam 11:27) "And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD." David wanted to forget his sin without dealing with it but that didn’t suit God.
4) Keeping People from Coming to God displeases God- (Mark 10:14) "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." God’s heart is broken over sinner; Christ died for them. Don’t stand in their way.