Closet

Hiding behind things, people and plans and running away from problems never solves them. It’s like the man who got in a rage and stormed out slamming the door behind him. Someone said, “at last he’s gone.” Oh no, he’s not gone. That’s a closet. Could there be something inside us that wants to avoid facing the truth so we hide our feelings by using drugs or alcohol to take away the pressure of coming face to face with ourselves. We can keep telling ourselves we’re not that bad or if I confess my faults then I’ll look weak and then there is God who knows everything about us. So we run away hide behind things; it could be staying busy, keeping ourselves secluded from most people or at least the crowds. We can even hide in the religious world who would ever think of looking for us there. But just remember it’s only a closet you have entered all the problems still await you on the other side. Guess who invented running from God? Do the names Adam and Eve ring a bell? As you well know God knew where they were at all the time even though He said in

Genesis 3:9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

So don’t think for a minute that God doesn’t know where you and I are for He does. God wanted Adam to realize where he was and that he was just hiding in the closet. The problem wasn’t solved until Adam and Eve came out of their closet of hiding and what was Adam answer for hiding?

Genesis 3:10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

What was he afraid of? He had done wrong and sinned against a Righteous and Holy God. You see we feel safe in the closet; our closet could be many things Alcohol, Drugs, Pornography as well as anger and many other things but when it’s all over and you walk out of your closet your right back from where you left. You’re not complete for there is something missing. God made man then God gave him a help meet a helper that would make him complete the woman. There have been a few people that God has sent my way that have helped me and placed things in me that not everyone could. But there is no person on the face of this earth that has been more help to me than my wife. She had corrected me when I wouldn’t listen to anyone else; she has given me courage in my life when no one else could even come close. When she puts the approval on something that I want to accomplish it’s like pouring gas on a fire. Yes she is my completer. Just remember we all one day will stand before God and give an account for ourselves. 

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

I want have to give an account for anyone but myself so why not confess my sins and put my trust in the God that will and can complete my life.

Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:9  For in him(Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:10  And ye are complete in him, (Jesus)  which is the head of all principality and power:

Christ is the completer in any life. Remember Sunday is just two days away so make your plans now to be in Church get there early so you can get a good seat.

P.S. Next week I’ll be in Rockford Illinois at the Reformers Unanimous Addiction Conference. It is always a great time for learning; my wife and I along with our assistance Director and his wife and 5 more will be attending. This is one of the highlights of the year where RU directors from all over the United States come together as well as students. Just use your imagination for a minute, there will be about 1000 or more that were addicted to something and now by the power of the Gospel the completer Jesus Christ has made them free, whole and boy do they get excited; may I say it’s a time well spent. See you on Monday October 3 and may the Lord richly bless each one of you.

Put Off

Last night a man was put to death for killing an off duty police officer. The execution was set for 7:00pm but a last ditch effort was made on his behalf and the execution was put off but the word came a few hours later to proceed and at 11:08pm he was executed. Outside of Georgia’s Jackson state penitentiary there were over 500 protesters protesting his execution. Downtown Atlanta, during the day had more protestors waving signs and making statements. All were in hopes that this would not take place and they were doing all they could to stop it. As I thought about what was going on in downtown Atlanta at the capitol building as well at the Jackson state prison, my mind raced back to another place and time in history. A man had been taken captive punished and brought before the judicial system of his day. Nothing could be found that he had done to break the law and there was not a question that this man was innocent. But the people cry out for this man to be put to death. Now that is a much different picture than what was going on yesterday here in Georgia. 

Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Mark 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, crucify him.

Luke 23:20  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

Luke 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Luke 23:22 and he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

Instead of signs waving telling everyone how precious life was and how it was wrong to take another’s life, it was loud voices saying kill him. The strange thing about it all is that they got their wish and they watched an innocent man die; they thought. Little did they know that they had nothing to do with the death of Jesus. That was the real reason He came into this world was to lay down His life.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1John 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: 

Jesus came that you and I might have eternal life and without Him we can never have eternal life. There was that crowd that day watching the death of Christ Jesus; can’t you see them, can’t you hear them. Jesus cries with a loud voice and says “it is finished!” I can hear someone say “you got that right” thinking they would be through with this man Jesus. All seemed to be well until day break on Sunday morning and the news went flying around town “He’s risen indeed the tomb where He was laid is empty.” Today many are like those who walked away from Calvary’s Hill thinking they will never have to see or deal with this man Jesus. The real truth is Jesus is never going away and we will all have to face Him and confess Him as Lord. Now we can do it this side of the grave or we can wait; but may I remind you that waiting in this case is not good.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Don’t put off until tomorrow what should be done today.

Clean

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Washing of water by the word; and what is the word?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalms 119: 160  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.

I think we can best understand how God’s Word can make and keep us clean by way of an illustration. There was an old man who had a grandson who watched him read from his Bible every morning. The grandson wanted so much to be like his grandpa so he too would get his Bible and imitate his grandpa. One morning the grandson told his grandpa that he didn’t understand what he was reading and that he would later forget what he had read. He told him that he felt it wasn’t really doing him any good to keep on reading his Bible. His grandfather then took an old wicker coal basket and told his grandson to go down to the river and bring back a basket of water. The grandson did as he was told and before he could return all the water leaked out of the basket. His grandfather told him he would have to move a little faster; so the grandson did as he was told and ran back as fast as he could but once again the wicker basket was empty. The grandson told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket and that he was going to get a bucket. His grandfather said I don’t want a bucket of water, I want a basket of water and then he said son you can do this, just try harder. The grandson knew that it was impossible but to please his grandpa he ran as fast as he could, but the water all leaked out before he got back. The grandson once again told his grandpa it’s useless! So you think it is useless, I want you to look at the basket and tell me what you see. The grandson looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was a clean old wicker coal basket. “The grandpa then told his grandson that is what happens when you read your Bible. You might not understand or remember everything but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is what my best friend was told the day he received Jesus Christ as his Savior; he said an older man told him “son read your Bible every day.” Good advice don’t you think? 

Your Influence

On yesterday I said we would see what really belongs to us and where we can or can’t take it. I was talking about what is really ours. We buy a house and we pay a mortgage; we call it our house but it’s really not ours because we signed an agreement that we would pay so much for a period of time. We buy a car and we call it ours but it’s not either.  One day if we live long enough we’ll have the house and car paid for but it still won’t belong to us. You see we really don’t own anything and it’s for sure we can’t take anything with us when we die. We all came into this life the same way naked and broke and we will all leave it taking nothing with us.    

1Timothy 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

We get to thinking that we own some things but if you will take some post-it notes and place one on everything you will take with you at the point of your death then you will see what you really own. We don’t really own anything but I believe we can influence others so they too can go to heaven. If you will remember Noah while building the Ark tried to influence others, but on the day the Ark set sail there was just Noah and his family on board. Is it possible that you and I could have enough influence on our families that they would put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Maybe that’s what we are being told in:

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Why waste our time if our training won’t make a bit of difference. No, we will not be racing up and down the golden avenues of heaven in our BMW or anything else we think we can take with us. As Noah left with his family all aboard the Ark safe and sound we too can also influence our family for heaven. It is true we brought nothing into this life and it’s certain we won’t be carrying anything out; but we can influence many while we are here. Have you had a part in the influence of others? Have you been an influence on your family, your friends and those around you for the cause of Christ. I hope the answer is YES!

Confident

 I remember when I was in school; the teacher had what she called a roll book. In that roll book were the names of all the students as well as grades of all that were in her class. When class would start she would call names, Joe Morgan, Ron Ammon, and Mark Smith and so on. When we heard our name we would say present, if she called a name and that person didn’t answer she would mark absent by that student’s name. This meant they were not in hearing distance and more than likely were not even on the school grounds? There’s not a person reading this that doesn’t understand and realize that one day we are going to die, and be absent from our body. The Apostle Paul put it like this.

2Corinthains 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, Now to be absent means that we are not present, we are somewhere else; if Joe wasn’t in class then he might be present in the front seat of Mark’s car skipping school. They were present somewhere. Paul goes on and tells where he is present “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. “ Was Paul saying that when his body was lifeless and absent from this present life that he would be present somewhere else? That is actually what he is saying.

2Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: Do you see the word Paul uses? “Confident” He says “always confident, knowing and confident and willing.”  Doesn’t sound like any doubt there; Paul was confident and knowing that while he was at home in his body he was absent from the Lord. Then he says but when the day comes and this body is cold I’m just as confident that being absent from my body I will be present with the Lord. We know by Paul’s own words where he is present today. So we will always be present somewhere we will never be completely absent and nowhere. Are you and I that confident and knowing?

On Tuesday we will see what really belongs to us and where we can or can’t take it.  Have a great day for the Lord has made this day so why not rejoice and be glad.

Pride

A prison some of you that are reading this know what that means; a bed a toilet and a small space wrapped in bars oh there is much more but you get the idea; you’re confined. Prison doesn’t just take way your freedom it also takes away your joy. There are many that imprisoned themselves; no not in a prison cell with bars but it’s just as bad if not worse it’s called the prison of pride. What does the book of Proverbs have to say about “pride?”

Proverbs 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 11:2  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 14:3  In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Proverbs 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, (disaster)  and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

The prison of pride fills the self made men and women who are determined to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. It doesn’t matter what they did or to whom they did it to the only thing that matters is I did it may way. It could be the alcoholic who won’t admit their drinking or drug problems. It could be the person who refuses to talk to anyone about their fears or the person who rejects help when their dreams are falling apart.  The prison of Pride there is nothing wrong with me that a little relaxation want fix. Did you get that “nothing wrong?” The Bible says  

1John 1:9  If we confess our sins, Do what, admit that we need help, we were wrong, admit failure that is the voice of  one poisoned by pride; well I may not be perfect but I’m much better than Machine Gun Kelly, you more than likely are but which is worse having a small about of growing cancer or being fully engulfed? With either you’re a dead person. Me a sinner? Well I may get rowdy every once and a while but outside of that I‘m a good o’ boy I even coach a Little League team. Why I make donations to the Red Cross and when I see the fireman and police at the intersection I always give them a dollar or two; now everybody doesn’t do that you know., So it Justification, rationalization and comparison sound good except they belong to the prison of pride. “Look what I’ve done!” Well if we confess our sins, say we’re wrong we need help would that be the key to the prison door? What do you think? 1John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Unbelievable

Have you ever looked at something that seems impossible to accomplish? MOUNT EVEREST was that to a lot of people who wanted to conquer it but wasn’t conquered until a man by the name of Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to reach the top on May 29, 1953. I want to write about the impossible mission today. There was a lady by the name of Sarah that had reached her golden years, but God had promised her husband that they would have a son. It wasn’t long before Sarah and Abraham had realized that they both had eaten a few birthday cakes and blown out way to many candles and there was still no son and they both had lost their hope of the promise from God. Then the news came and what news it was; unbelievable.

Genesis 18:10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Sarah’s first response was to laugh; why did she laugh? Well, she was old and well stricken in age and what it took for her to be a mother was gone. So she laughs! God says I’m going to roll the years back and what you thought was gone; well it’s back. Let me paint the picture so I can show you what we think is impossible is possible with God. There sat Sarah 90 years old and toothless. She snores when she sleeps maybe because her mouth is wide open and she is about as fruitful as a pitted prune. God says I want to do a makeover on you and He does. See what you think.

Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

Genesis 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

Why wouldn’t Abraham say that Sarah was his wife? Remember she’s 90 years old who would be interested in her for her beauty? The king sends and takes Sarah; does he need glasses. Oh no, don’t you remember what God said “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life “that’s why the King was interested in Sarah, this 90 year old woman had become an eye opener; even her beauty had opened Abraham’s eyes. I can hear him now hot dig idée dog. So what we think is impossible today God may have different ideas.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 

$69.99

I noticed in a store some coupons on their counter. There was a ticket to an Expo that cost $10.00; the good news is someone has already paid the $10.00 so it's free. Then there was a card that read free ticket, it was a tract that explained how one might know how to get to heaven. The last one was a buy one get one free to Six Flags over Georgia. As I looked at those thickets I noticed something; you see the ticket to the Expo although it was free required you to do something you might not really want to do. Would you have a good time? Sure, but it requires you to be there on a certain day and it is only for a 5 hour period. Now the free tract that tells you how you can go to heaven; few if any were taken. Now the one that was almost gone was the buy one get one free ticket to the amusement park. What did I learn from those tickets about people?  I think I learned a lot. First of all I don’t know any of the people that took one of those tickets nor did I see anybody pick one up. This is what I know by what was left. It tells me that people don’t like to have to be somewhere at a certain time. It’s like telling someone they have to. Then there was the tract that explained about how one can go to heaven most are not interested for they think that death is a long ways a way and they have plenty of time to make that decision. Now the tickets to Six Flags they cost $54.99 at the gate and then there the parking fee of $15.00. For two people to go to the park the total cost would be 69.99.  Instead of getting something for free most people would rather spend about $70.00 to have a good time. Ok, salvation is a gift bought and paid for by Jesus Christ and He is willing and wanting to give it to anyone who will receive it.

Romans 6:23 ….. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A gift, what a wonderful word Webster says it means; A present; anything given or bestowed; any- thing, the property of which is voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; 

A gift is something given by one and received by another. This is a no brainer to me; except the gift God has for us that will last for eternity or pick up a ticket that will cost us $69.99 for one day of excitement. One hundred years from today we will not remember the day of fun on the roller coaster but if we accept the gift of God we will and we’ll be glad we made the right choice. 

Impossible

Here he comes, breaking through the crowd; his question what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

Matthew 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

I am sure that has crossed many minds, can I do enough good to have eternal life; let’s see. Jesus answer is short and quick “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.“ Ok now we’re getting somewhere.  Number 1- Don’t murder, #2- don’t commit adultery, #3- don’t steal, #4-don’t give false testimony, #5- honor your father and mother, #6- love your neighbor as yourself. His answer “I’ve done all these since I was a kid. Then Jesus says one more thing

Matthew 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Do what? Sell and give away what I have worked so hard for to people who are just too sorry to work themselves. I can’t do that, so he leaves and walks away never realizing that there is nothing he could have done himself to enter into eternal life.  After hearing this Jesus disciples asked this question.

Matthew 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Good question, listen to what  Jesus has to say.

Matthew 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Notice Jesus didn’t say this is improbable, unlikely or it’s will be tough, He says “IMPOSSIBLE.” No chance, no way, no loopholes, just as it is impossible to swim the Pacific, climb Mount Everest with a picnic basket and a walking stick. All our lives we have been awarded for our performance but here we find a set of laws we can’t keep. Just one time at not saying or doing the right thing at the right time and we are out. Ever gotten made at mom and dad and told them what you had on your mind? If so you’re out. Ever told a little lie? You’re out. We don’t need a resume we need a Redeemer for what is impossible with men is possible with God. It’s impossible for you and I to be awarded eternal life for our good behavior.  It wasn’t the man’s money that hindered, it wasn’t his possessions, it was the self sufficiency; I don’t need anyone but me, I can do this.  Oh no Jesus said it’s impossible and if He says that we better take note because if we don’t this may be the picture.

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

Matthew 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

God does not save us for what we have done or who we think we are for He is a great God and only a Great God does for His children what they can’t do for themselves.

Belief

Would you say that it was impossible for a person to live inconsistently with his or her belief system?  The Bible speaks of strongholds:

2Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)

Two words are used to describe a pulling down;  STRONG- Having physical active power, or great physical power; having the power of exerting great bodily force;

HOLD- To stop; to confine; to restrain from escape; to keep fast; to retain.

Here we see a picture of an active power that restrains from escape.  We are also told that the weaponry that is used to pull down these strong holds is not weapons that are made by humans, but they are powerful weapons from God. Ok, so how do you and I get these powerful weapons from God? Maybe this will help; you and I live in a war zone every day of our lives.  We have the opportunity to do the right thing but we also have the opportunity to do the wrong thing. In the Gospel of Mark and chapter 5 we see a man in awful shape; it seemed as if his strong hold now has him bound and no one knew just what to do. This man was living in the grave yard and by what we understand others had tried to help this man.

Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Others had tried to bind this man but had failed. This man may have wanted to do the right thing but because of his belief system the only thing he knew how to do was evil. As I was talking with a man on this past Saturday he asked a question “How do you know for sure that you are going to heaven with you die.”  Good question! I know that because of my belief system. You see, I don’t put my finger in boiling water because my belief system tells me that will burn.  How did I build that belief? By experience! Paul said this;

2Corinthains 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (Rejects, cast away)  Ok, let’s examine it; a belief must have a foundation.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Ok, where is the truth?

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The foundation is the Word of God. Now we are told from the Word of God this;

2Corinthains 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

For a person to be in Christ he is a new creature and old things are passed away. There was a day when I asked Christ to come into my life and forgive me of all my sins.  He did just that and now the fruit of that is a New Life.

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

There are some things that have been put off but like the clothes we wear when we take off we must put on.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

With the putting off there was a putting on of God’s knowledge that comes from His word. Therefore if God’s belief system is wrong then I’m wrong but it’s not wrong for it has been tried and tested not only by me but 1000’s of others. That’s why Paul tells us to examine ourselves. It’s just a little test for if there has been no change you might want to check up on what your beliefs are built on. It’s going to be a great week just you wait and see.

Forgive us Our

So far this week we have seen a man forgiven of a debt so big that he could never pay back. Then we saw that same man go and choke a man for a debt much smaller than the one he was forgiven for. Here is the picture our Lord was painting for us; you and I can never pay the sin debt that we have accrued in our life. The Lord Jesus went to the cross and paid that debt for us and forgave all our sins. The lord that forgave is a picture of God; the servant that had been forgiven of so much is you and I. The servant that refused to forgive his fellow man is you and I when we don’t realize just how much we have been forgiven for. The Tormentors, I think are sleepless nights, worry, ulcers, headaches and all kinds of health problems when we will not and do not forgive one another which gives us these problems.  When the Lords disciples asked Him to teach them to pray He said this in His prayer.  There is some “Give Us” in this prayer:

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Some “Forgive Us.”

Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Some “Lead Us.” 

Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Forgive us as we forgive others. So God has forgiven you and me and we refuse to forgive others, why? They hurt our feelings and used our name in vain; come on get real what have you and I done to our Heavenly Father and He forgave us.  There was a young lady who went to the World’s Fair in 1982 in Knoxville Tennessee with her husband. They had left the fair and on their way home which was about 18 miles, a car crashed into them. EMT was called and they were taken to a hospital in Knoxville. Her husband was not badly hurt but she was in terrible condition. They had been hit by a drunken driver and she was almost killed but by the grace of God she lived. For a long time she just sat in her room, someone would have to feed her, bath her and keep her clean. She couldn’t walk and could do nothing for herself. She had to learn all the basics all over again. She had to learn to walk, to feed herself and many other things. But here is what she did, she found the man that had hit them that night and took him by the hand. She looked him in his eyes and told him that she forgave him of all. She forgave his $3,200.00 wrong to her and her family for she had never forgotten the 3 billion 820 million debt that she had been forgiven of. When you and I hold grudges, bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts it destroys us. You may say I can’t do that what if Jesus had said that on the day they spit in His face, drove nails through His hands and beat Him until His entrails came out?  No this is what He had to say to that cruel bunch as they screamed unkind words to Him.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And we refused to forgive our neighbor? I think it would be best for us to rethink that don’t you? Have a blessed weekend and think about what you have been forgiven of for and the price that was paid.  Just say thank you Lord for your blessings on me. 

Uunforgiven

It all looked as if it had all ended wonderfully on yesterday. So what did this man do to show his gratitude? Does he give thanks? No, he does something very different

Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Once again a hundred pence doesn’t mean much to me and I’m sure it’s much less than 10 thousand talents, so I’ll refer back to my professors exchange. He said $3,200 in silver and once again I can understand just how much less a hundred pence was in accordance to the ten thousand talents. What mattered here is not whether the exchange is correct but to show you and me the difference between the two? Here goes a man who had just been forgiven of very large amount and finds a servant that owes him $3,200.00 and begins to choke him saying, “Pay me what you owe me.” The servant fell down at his feet and began begging him to be patient with him and he would repay him. But this man who had been greatly forgiven refused and then had the man put into prison. I wonder what happened to the compassion that was shown him. Well the news travelled back to his lord and it was told what had happened and the servant was called and as they met face to face this is what was said. 

Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desires me:

Matthew 18:33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Here was a man who had been forgiven of much but he refused to forgive his fellow servant of much less. 

He was turned over to the tormentors until when? “Till he should pay all that was due him.”  May I say that here was a debt so large that he would never be able to pay it off? What was the picture and how does it apply to each one of us? It’s simple and we’ll close the week with that answer. 

Forgiven

 I once did a personal survey and in that survey there were three things that individuals said that they suffered with more than anything else. Here is what those that were surveyed said; (sounds like family feud) #3- they said that they felt unloved, #2- there was bitterness in their heart that they couldn’t get rid of and #1 by far was unforgiveness. They said there were things that they couldn’t forgive. Maybe it was the way someone had treated them, maybe something someone had said to or about them or maybe it was something they just couldn’t forgive themselves for. Whatever it was it was destroying their lives. Without doubt there are those who are reading this that have the same unforgiving thoughts and are experiencing the same thing. It may be that unforgiveness and bitterness go together. The reason I say that is because of what I read in:

Ephesians 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving and then Paul gives us the example to follow as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Where did that come from? Jesus Himself for He paints the word picture in Matthew 18.

Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?

Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.

The question is asked not if to forgive but how many times I should forgive. Then Jesus paints the word picture

Matthew 18:23-35 Go there and read it for yourself; I will attempt to tell what is said in those verses. First look at what Webster has to say about unforgiving and bitterness.

Unforgiving- Not forgiving; not disposed to overlook or pardon offenses; implacable.

Bitterness- In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger.   Sharpness; severity of temper. Ephesians 4:31 & 32 

Now with that in mind let’s look at what Jesus says. Jesus is teaching us in these verses that it had come to the Kings attention that there was a servant that had misused his Kings recourses. 

Matthew 18:24  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Now in the day you and I live in I have no idea what 10 thousand talents are except that it must have been a lot. Here is where I began to learn what forgiveness really is; a few years back my wife and I took a two year counseling class. While taking that class our professor said this about that verse and it opened up my eyes to what forgiveness really is. He told us that the exchange from talents to silver; 10 thousand talents = (Are you ready?) Three Billion 840 million I can understand that can’t you? The servant said he would repay if the King would have patience with him. The King does far greater than tha.t

Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Well, it sounds like it all ends with a wonderful lesson on forgiveness doesn’t it? Not so fast we will look at more on tomorrow. 

Love Self

Have you ever been rejected? You didn’t make the team; you practiced hard you worked hours on end and then the list came and your name was not on it and you felt rejected, not good enough. Maybe it was the job promotion you didn’t get; that was bad enough but they hired a new person who knew nothing about the company at all; rejected again. Have any regrets?  Regret for the time you lost your temper. The day you lost control, lost your pride, your priorities.  You question yourself and your abilities by asking yourself, how can I have dreams for the future when all I’m doing is spending my energy regretting my past?  You may have tried the Happy Hour solution only to find out that it is only true to its word only happy for an hour and then you can now add guilty into your life. My Dad used to wear a pin on his coat lapel which read “Try God.” Sad to say that many have went to religion for help but not to God. Others have gone to Church but never saw Christ. I saw something that applies to marriage but I think it also applies to the way we look at ourselves. See what you think! 

Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  Could there be a correlation between the way that a person feels about himself and the way they feel about others? If you don’t like yourself, if you are ashamed, embarrassed, or angry, other people are going to know it.  If we are at peace with ourselves, if we like ourselves then we will get along with others.  Do you think that a lot of our problems could be that we just don’t love ourselves? Therefore it is hard to love others. Could it be that the divorce would have never happened in the first place had we just loved ourselves? Do we not love because of Rejection, Regret and an Unforgiving grudge that we keep holding on too? Once again Jesus has the answer;

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Jesus says come to me everyone who is tired from carrying heavy loads, and I’ll give you rest. Your yoke is heavy mine is light, you’re restless come to me and I’ll give you rest as well as a light burden.  You may be like the man who was walking with a heavy load on his back. Another stopped and asked him if he would like a ride to which the man agreed. He got into his vehicle but didn’t remove the heavy load from his back. The man who was giving him a ride turned and said, “Why don’t you remove your load from your back?”  The other man said “Oh, I couldn’t do that to you putting this extra load on you after you have been so kind to give me a ride.” We may think that is a silly statement for the man to make for the other was already caring his load. It is no sillier than to say we have given our burdens to the Lord and never remove them from our life.  How many of us have done and said things we regret and who has been rejected by people, places and programs? We all know how that feels and yes, we can walk around with that unforgiveness in our life or we can forgive. I’ll talk about forgiving tomorrow. Have a blessed week.  

Contentment

Does it ever seem like what we want is just beyond our reach.  I'll be satisfied as soon as I graduate, as soon as I get that job, get that better job, get that house, get that bigger house, get a boyfriend or girlfriend, or get a little more money. I'll be content as soon as I'm married, as soon as I'm divorced, have children, have grandchildren, lose weight, get a makeover, feel better, as soon as I move, or as soon as I retire. It's life's never-ending cycle of "never enough." John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money is enough money. His answer was "A little bit more." Many find themselves driven to do whatever it takes to get just a little more. But it seems that what we want is always just beyond our reach. We get so discontent with what we don’t have and never at peace, never able to rest, never satisfied with what we do have.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail (toil) and vexation of spirit. What a great word picture for always wanting more. I once had a jar filled with money and told some young children that I was teaching that they could have all the money they could take from the jar only once. Every child would put his or her hand into it and try to get it as full as possible. Not one of them stopped to realize that as they filled their hand it made it impossible to get it back through the mouth of the jar. Instead of being content with a little they wanted more. Is that not what Solomon was teaching here it’s better to have a handful with quietness than to have both full with toil; It’s better to settle for less.

1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Being content with what we have is great gain; what a wonderful lesson for us to learn.

That’s a Psalms 23 person.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

When Job found out all that he had lost this is what he had to say.

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Sounds like praise to me and praise is the language of contentment with a peaceful heart. Contentment is not getting everything you always wanted but realizing how much you already have.

It is going to be a long weekend as most will have Monday off for Labor Day. Be sure that you take Sunday off too may this Sunday find you in your place at your Church. See you Tuesday and have a blessed weekend.

Grand Finale

 Grand finale- a very exciting or impressive ending of a performance or show. I am sure we have all seen firework shows that put on a grand finale at the very end of the show. There are also plays where all the actors come out and put on a grand finale at the end of their show. I want  to show and tell you of a grand finale today.  Now when I saw this grand finale I got so excited about it. Don’t try to read or think in your mind what I am about to tell you because you won't get it right. You might say I know what you are about to write about;  you are going to write about the second coming of our Lord Jesus. That is going to be a good grand finale for sure but if that is what you are thinking you’re thinking WRONG! Let me just cut to the chase; we will have to go all the way back to the book of Genesis to dig this out. In Genesis chapter one you will read of all that God created, but when you come to chapter two God goes a little deeper into what he has already done in chapter one.

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:8  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

 We see that God made man a living soul and put him in the garden eastward in Eden.  God then put the man in charge of the garden and  gave man a job.

Genesis 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; Adam’s job was to give names; so he starts off Mrs. Cow and Mr. Bull, Mr. Buck and Mrs. Doe, Mr. Gator and Mrs. Alli, Mr. Rooster and Mrs. Hen. Adam being as smart as he was noticed something, he noticed that while he was giving names that there was not a mate for him. but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

God had already said that it was not good for Adam to be alone and He was going to make a help meet for him.

Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Here it comes the grand finale of creation.

Genesis 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. I don’t know and it’s not written down for us to read; but I wonder if God might have thought “you haven’t seen anything yet, just you wait until you lay your eyes upon this big boy.” I remember the very first time I laid my eyes on my help meet; know what I thought? It was simple, I thought “WOW!” It’s been over 41 and half years now and know what I’m still saying “WOW!” When God does a grand finale it’s better than any I have seen. You might say well you are lucky. Oh no, luck has nothing to do with it but love has everything to do with it. You see God never said it would be easy and I my friend  just refused to let the WOW out of my mind. If you are always looking into the grand stands you’ll fail to see what you have right in front of you and God has blessed me with a wonderful help meet.