Forgive

 If you were asked the question would you rather be forgiven or would you rather our wrongs were just forgotten? On the surface forgotten sound really good doesn’t it? There are many that can’t and want forget the wrongs done to them; let me just stop here and say we have all been done wrong. Someone has abused you in some way or another, said wrong things about you and even tried to destroy your character and you can’t forget the hurt that it has caused you and your family. Get even is what you may really want to do. A few years back there was a man whose wife had had an affair with another man. He was upset at them both I spend over an hour or so talking with him about containing his anger. I don’t know how many times I used the word forgive in our conversation but when all was said and done he told me this. The man that has chosen to have this affair with my wife has destroyed our home but tonight he can be very thankful to you. I said in what way could he be thankful to me I don’t even know who he is. Then he told me this story; I was waiting until later tonight for if you were to walk over to where my truck is parked and you were to look in the back you would find  5 gallons of gasoline which I was going to burn down his house with. What does Webster have to say about these two words?

Forget- To lose the remembrance of; to let go from the memory.

Forgive- To pardon; to remit, as an offense or debt; to overlook an offense, and treat the offender as not guilty. The original and proper phrase is to forgive the offense, to send it away, to reject it, that is, not to impute it, [put it to] the offender. But by an easy transition, we also use the phrase, to forgive the person offending.

My mother lives with my wife and I and she has Alzheimer’s and she has forgotten a lot that has went on in her life, she just can’t remember anything about parts of her life. It’s awful not to be able to remember. One day she walked into the room with a picture in her hand and asked if this was a picture of my brother, as I looked at the picture is was not my brother but my dad her husband of 38 years; it’s awful not to remember. You and I may one day have the same problem but to be honesty I had much rather forgive than to forget. That is what God Does He doesn’t forget He forgives.

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 8: 12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Remember to forgive is to treat and offender as not guilty if we were able to forget then we would not remember anything about it at all. But for you and I to forgive take our will power. God who can never forget says that He chooses not to remember our sins; He could if He wanted to but He say I chose not to remember their sins and iniquities no more. Aren’t you glad you are in the family for God? You know that is exactly what our heavenly Father wants you and I to do.

Luke 11:4  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  While we lay awake at night not forgiving that person or persons. As we hold on to all that bitterness we have allowed, as it builds up against them they are at home fast asleep. Instead of getting revenge and staying bitter why not just forgive and have peace for that is what God did for each one of us; He “FORGAVE.”  To forgive the person offending.

Being Rich

You want to be rich. Perhaps you plan to be very wealthy some day. At the very least, being wealthy gets you: financial freedom, Holidays anywhere, a great home, funding your pastimes and passions, Good suits, great health care, gold teeth, feel free to substitute your own desires. Personally, how about an island? Having a lot of money has its drawbacks, especially if you get rich overnight. Money doesn’t make you happy for even Rich people get depressed, just like the middle classes. True, there’s no evidence that money actually makes you unhappy but it could distract you from fixing your real problems. Money can’t buy the love of your friends and family. I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know but I want you to see the result of being rich and being very poor in hopes that you can really see the importance of what real wealth really is. We will pick up in Luke chapter 16 where we meet Mr. Rich and Mr. Poor;

Luke 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

In these two verses I noticed that Mr. Rich has no name and he has no desire or wants in this world, neither. Then Mr. Poor on the other hand is given a name “Lazarus” we also find that Mr. Poor or Lazarus has some health issues he was full of sores. Now after reading just those two verses I tell you which one I would rather be and that is Mr. Rich guy. But as we get further into this I see something else that would cause me to change my mind.

Luke 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Now we began to see something else that enters the picture they both die. Mr. Rich is buried but Mr. Poor or Lazarus is carried by angels; wait a minute can I change my mind here on which one I had rather have been? I choose Mr. Poor guy. Something happens to Mr. Rich that his money can’t fix?

Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Now things are different Mr. Rich is in the torments of hell and Mr. Poor is in Abraham’s bosom; sounds to me like Mr. Poor is far better off. The tables are kind of reversed. You may consider yourself poor in this life but my friend your wealth comes later and for much longer. Mr. Rich, wealthy indeed but decided not   the way of Christ, but Lazarus jumped on the opportunity and now he is so glad he did. If you have Jesus then you are in good shape and if you don’t my prayer is that you will invite Him into your heart today. It is simple just ask Him to forgive you of your sin and accept Him as your Savior and He will do the rest.  

Written in Stone

I am sure that you have heard the phrase “carved in stone or written in stone.” When we say something like that we mean it’s there forever or it can’t be changed. As I was working one day last week I went back a place where a man was grinding off the letters on a big piece of stone. As I saw that going on the thought came to my mind “written in stone.” I am not sure what they were removing from that piece of stone but here was something that had been written in stone and it was being removed. I guess being written in stone or carved in stone isn’t good enough, it’s not permanent after all. It’s just a figure of speech. Now is there anything that is written that can’t be removed? I think there is! No, it’s not something written on some paper somewhere locked up in a very safe place. No, it’s in a much safer place than that. Where you might ask? The answer is so simple; in the palms of the hands. Oh no you might say for I have done that and then wasn’t thinking and washed my hands clean and what I wrote was gone forever. Oh no, I’m not talking about mine or your palms but someone’s palms where they will never be washed away. What do you think? 

Isa 49:13  Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Isa 49:14  But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

Isa 49:15  Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isa 49:16  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

I don’t understand how God can write names in His palms but there are a lot of things I don’t understand. I like the continually before Him. The Lord comforts His people, He has mercy and He will never forget His children because He has graven them upon the palms of his hands. His big loving hands to love you and I continually as He comforts us. Now there is another thing we can be thankful for. I hope you have a great week and tell someone what you would like someone to tell you.  A pat on the back, a kind word of encouragement, nice job or good work now go to it and make it a great week for someone.

Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow but we should be thankful on a daily basis. You might ask how in the world do you expect me to be thankful on a daily basis. With all that is going on I think I might be able to be thankful once a week or so. Oh I am so sorry to hear that you just lost your mate? I didn’t lose my mate you might say; no! Well then you have something to be Thankful for. They tell me you have cancer; I’m so sorry to hear the bad news. Wait you might say I don’t have cancer either. Well then there is something else for you to be thankful for. I met a young man this past weekend that amazed me, he was legally blind. Blind in one eye and had tunnel vision in the other eye. I spent a little time with him and not one time did he complain or say poor me. But instead he went about his business with joy and gladness. I did say at one time that he scared me for I thought he was going to walk off a platform. He just laughed and said oh no I have the lay out here don’t worry. He was thankful for all he had and showed it. What a joy it was just to be around him.  So we should give thanks daily.

 Psa 118:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

WHEN I LOOK AROUND AND SEE

THE GOOD THINGS HE DOES FOR ME

I KNOW I'M UNWORTHY OF THEM ALL

BUT HIS BLESSINGS HE FREELY GIVES

I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM

I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO THINK HIM FOR.

CHORUS :

AND I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR

SO MUCH TO PRAISE HIM FOR

WELL YOU SEE NOW HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME

 AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT HE'S DONE

AND WHERE HE BROUGHT ME FROM

I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR

VERSE 2 :

AND SOMETIMES WHILE ON THIS WAY

I KNEEL I STOP AND SAY

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR ME

ONE DAY I'LL REACH SWEET HEAVENS SHORE

OH PLEASE JUST LET ME KNEEL ONCE MORE

I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR

Have a very Thankful Thanksgiving and be thankful for what we do have and I’ll write some more Monday.

Unbelievable

As we saw on yesterday he was forgiven of a debt he could never repay; 3 billion 820 million dollars worth of silver. He had to have been happy; you would think. But what happens next is unbelievable for this same forgiven man goes out and finds one of his fellow servants that owed him money; 100 pence which equals 3200 dollars in silver. Now remember this servant has just been forgive himself, what do you think he did?

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. He does what? Took him by the throat and commands him to pay up.

Matthew 18:29  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Sounds just like what someone else had said; but no he refused to treat his servant buddy in the same manner in which he had been treated himself but instead cast him into prison till he could pay.

Matthew 18:30  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Don’t forget what we are being taught here it’s about forgiveness. You see when our King the Lord Jesus Christ forgave us it was a debt that we could never repay. It wasn’t a debt of money but a debt of sin and He cast our sins as far as the east is from the west never to be remembered no more.

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

God in His great mercy wherein He loved us when we were dead in our sins. 

Ephesians 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) We should because of what the God has done for us forgive one another. Remember our debt was 3 billion 820 million in silver and why shouldn’t we forgive our brother, sister, mother, dad, aunt, uncle, grandchild the ones we work with and even that person who did us so wrong. If we will keep in focus what we have been forgiven of then a little 3,200 dollar sin will be easy to forgive; I would think wouldn’t you? 

Forgiven

Have you ever asked yourself the question should I forgive this person again? I mean how many times should I forgive them anyway? Well, Jesus was asked that same question and the answer He gave was astounding. Then He gives an example of forgiveness that we each should follow and learn. For the next two days I want to touch on this matter of forgiving one another, for too many are not willing to forgive and in return their unwillingness to forgive hurts them. The question Jesus was asked.

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?

His answer

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

Then Jesus gives His disciples as well as you and I an example of what forgiveness is.

Matthew 18:23  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

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

Matthew 18:25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18:26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

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

Now as we read that we see a King, Servants and then one Servant in particular that had misused his stewardship. Now as I read that, I see a number that means really nothing to me except it is a large number 10,000 talents. I really don’t know what a talent is. I was reading and one man took the time to explain it in a way I could understand for he broke the 10, 000 talents down into silver. This is what he had to say; the worth of 10,000 talents in silver was 3-billion 820 million dollars. Now if that is so or not is not the point; the point is that here is a number larger than this man could pay. We are told in the next verse that “he had not to pay” he couldn’t pay so he fell down and asked for the King to have patience with him. His lord was so moved with compassion for this man that he forgave him of all his debt. Do What? Forgave him; he didn’t set him up on a payment plan he just forgave him his debt of 3 billion 820 million. Don’t get so wrapped up in the money issue that you forget what the Lord is trying to teach us. It’s not the money the lesson is on forgiveness. You see you and I owe more than we could ever repay but the Lord is willing to forgive each of us of all the wrong we have done to Him. The first time we see that word “forgive” in the New Testament is in:

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  We see that we are to ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. In the verses we just read we see we see the Master forgive what his servant could never repay and wants him to do the same. 

Shritless

I know you have heard or may have even used this expression “give the shirt off your back.” I have heard it said many times but I had never known anyone to take off their shirt and give their shirt to anyone else. Recently I was reading and I read where this man did such a thing. He was in a Laundromat waiting for his clothes to dry when a homeless man came in shirtless; the manager told him he would have to leave. I guess there was a sign saying no shirts, no shoes, no Laundromat. Anyways this man took off his shirt and gave it to the homeless guy and then headed out to his car where his wife was waiting. She couldn’t believe her eyes and asked him what in the world was he doing shirtless? He told her that he had just given his away to a homeless guy and needed a clean shirt. Has anyone ever taken off their shirt and offered it to you? You probably said no, but wait just a minute they have; you say they have? Sure His name was Jesus.

Matthew 27:35  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Jesus gave His shirt off His back so you and I could have eternal life. Yes, we do know someone who took their shirt off their back for you and His name is Jesus. Don’t forget to be in Church this Sunday He’s not asking for your shirt He just wants to have a relationship with you.

P.S. Don’t forget tonight Reformers Unanimous Addiction Program is hosting Miles Pike and we will be blessed with some good Southern Gospel Music. There is no charge and the Doors open at 6:45 Victory Baptist Church 88 Brand Rd. Loganville GA I’ll see you there! Check him out at  http://milespikemusic.com

Alone

 I worked with a man who was a great salesman, he had become top salesman and no one could out do him in sales. Every month he was the top salesman; it didn’t matter small accounts to big accounts he’d sell them. He always had a smile on his face and a spring in his step; he seemed to be so happy and then one day he went home and shot himself. No one ever understood why he would do something like that but many have done the same thing. In April of 1970 top Hollywood actress Inger Stevens, a beautiful blond on a very successful TV series and in movies. She was one of the most dateable and the most dated women in Hollywood and one day she took her own life. She wrote in a suicide note "I have felt so alone." What? She's got guys who want to be with her, she's got so many friends; popular, successful woman. You couldn't tell it, but she felt so alone. Maybe that was what was wrong with the salesman he just felt all alone. I don’t know if you have ever felt all alone. I remember my first place of duty after basic training. I had traveled most of the day with layovers in Chicago,  Minneapolis-Saint Paul and finally I arrived at a little airport in Duluth, Minnesota  where a sergeant was waiting to pick me up and take me to the base. It was a week before Christmas, cold wasn’t the word and snow, more than I had ever seen in my life. This would be my first white Christmas. I was taken to a barrack, put out and left all alone; I knew no one, 18 years old and all alone.  Know what? Jesus knows how it feels to be all alone for He too was left alone.

Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Jesus; God's only Son, was experiencing total loneliness. You know why? So you and I would never have to. 

John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   Jesus has promised to not leave us comfortless and He said He will never leave us or forsake us. When loneliness tries to creep up on you and I, and the enemy tries to destroy us with loneliness just remind yourself of this verse.

1John 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. Now is that not something to make you glad!

No Discount

 As we quickly approach what they called black Friday one of the biggest shopping times of the year with unheard discounts. Many will race all over town and beyond to save those few dollars on the discount prices. They will stand at the door waiting for them to open, then push, shove, and fight if needs be just to have that one idem.  There is nothing wrong for wanting and getting a discount but as I thought about that there are some things that we really don’t want a discount on. What about a discount on open heart surgery for being the first for the newest heart doctor? You can save a lot of money. I don’t think I am interested; there are just some things that I really don’t want a discount on. As I get closer to Thanksgiving Day I am reminded that our Christianity was not cheap or discounted. There is a place in Rome that is called the Catacombs, caverns beneath the streets where some of the first Christians hid from the Roman soldiers who wanted to take them to their execution for believing in Christ. In those caverns walls one can see the ancient symbols of their faith. There you can see the cross and the sign of the fish carved in the walls still there as a silent testimony to their faithfulness. Here they buried countless loved ones who'd been torn to pieces by the lions in the Coliseum all because they would not renounce Christ for Caesar.  These men and women took their faith very seriously.  Jesus made it clear no discount disciples!

Luke 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Somewhere we've gotten the idea that following Jesus just means going to some of His meetings, believing His beliefs, throwing a little money His way, maybe taking on a couple of jobs for Him, and maybe even being called a couple of names because of Him. If the price tag gets much higher, we start to complain, to feel sorry for ourselves, and think about quitting. We are here today because of some real disciples refused to quit, no matter what the cost. Because of a Savior who refused to quit, even when it meant the agony and humiliation of a cross. Taking up a cross means expensive choices Jesus didn’t take the cheap way out.

Matthew 26:53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?  Bypass the cross, the pain, the humility, the shame, all the name calling O how easy. But NO Jesus took up His cross and followed His Fathers will and suffered dearly so that you and I can have a home in heaven. Quit looking down, start looking up for ladies and gentleman this isn’t it there is so much more.

1Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 Our Salvation wasn’t cheap or discounted so let us not insult the Man Christ Jesus who bore our sins

1Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Galatains 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Hebrews 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

1Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Take notice our faith is very, very expensive; no discount here! 

Remember

There are some things worth remembering and then there are some things we hope we never remember. I have noticed the older I get the less likely I am to remember some things. My wife will ask me to do something and I will have all intentions of doing it and then I forget all about it. I don’t do that on purpose but I just don’t remember to do it. I can remember the very first time I saw my wife; not knowing that she would one day be my wife; what a great day that was. I can remember what was going on the day my oldest son was born. I can remember what was going on when my daughter was born. I remember what was going on the day my youngest son was born, there was a lot happening then; he was the first baby I ever saw come into this world. What an experience; I’ll never forget it. There are many things I can remember but you know there are some things that if we don’t keep them close in our mind they may not mean as much to us. I believe many affairs would never have happened had those persons remembered and refreshed their minds with their mates. All that being said I want to think about what the Lord told us to do.

1Corinthians 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1Corinthians 11:24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1Corinthians 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1Corinthians 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

The Lord says I want you to do this and when you take part of the Lords Supper I want you to remember what it stands for. As you take the bread I want you to remember my body that was broken for you. Did you get it, not everybody but “YOU” I want you to remember it was for you? Then I want you to take the cup and I want “YOU” to remember that it was my blood that was shed for you and every time you do this REMEMBER what has been done for “YOU.” I am afraid we can get so busy with our daily activities that we just forget what all the Lord has done for us. There needs to be a time we stop what we are doing and remember His goodness to us and what He has done for us. In other words turn off the junk in your life and remember the Lord.

Deep Thinking

I don’t know if you have ever studied another language or not but every language is different. There is not a word for word or phrase for phrase cross over. I remember being down in Niagara preaching with a translator when I made this statement “ Sin will take you farther than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”   The translator stopped and looked at me and said I can’t translate that the way you said it in Spanish. The New Testament was written in Greek and translated into English so there are many words which look the same but mean something else. I would like to give you some examples on the word “MIND.”  The first time we see the word mind is in Matthew chapter 22 and verse 37 and it reads like this Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   

The Greek word is dianoia and is pronounced Dee-an’-oy-ah and it means “Deep Thought.” Now Jesus said unto this lawyer which asked Him this question

Matthew 22:36  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul and with all thy deep thinking. We should not just think lightly about the Lord Jesus about what He has done and is doing. Our minds should be thankful and grateful for what He has done and what He is doing so much that we should put great thought into it.  Another place we find the word “mind” is in:

Mar 5:15  And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

 The phrase “in his right mind” is sōphroneō and pronounced so-fron-eh'-o and it means “Sound Mind.” Anyone who has been possessed with the devil and come to Jesus will be found in his right mind; don’t you think so? When people have a right mind do others become afraid? As you and I face this week that is ahead of us why not have some deep thoughts about Jesus for it will cause you and I to have a sound mind. Have a great week.

Nine or One

Luke 17:11  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Luke 17:12  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Luke 17:13  And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Luke 17:14  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Luke 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Luke 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

As we read those verses there should be a few things that jump out at us.  Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and as He traveled toward Jerusalem He passed through the midst; what does that mean? Webster says this  The phrase, in the midst, often signifies involved in, surrounded or overwhelmed by, or in the thickest part, or in the depths of; as in the midst of afflictions, troubles or cares; in the midst of gospel light; in the midst of the ocean; in the midst of civil dissensions. MIDST, adv. In the middle. Here we see Jesus passing through the middle of Samaria and Galilee. We also see 10 men in the middle of their leprosy already pronounced unclean by the religious of their day, they had to leave their families, and no one wanted anything to do with these men for they didn’t want to catch what they had. Know what? Who is this we see coming? It’s Jesus to the rescue. Did you notice He didn’t seem to care about their problems but wanted to help in the middle of their troubles? With their weak voices they cried as loud as they could while the crowd passed by and all of a sudden we read “And when he [Jesus]saw them “  Jesus once again takes time out of His busy day to spend it with those others had forgotten about. Before this day is over there are 10 men healed of a deadly disease. You would think that these ten men that had no hope would have returned to say thanks; but only one of them did. Now I really don’t understand the reasoning behind the other nine; but wait a minute I must stop and ask myself are there whole days I let slip by and not one time say thank you Lord? When all is well do I forget? Maybe you have heard talk like this  we are living in bad times many are without work, losing their homes and on and on it goes. Why not stop and be thankful for what we do have and we may realize that things are all that bad. You know they are still running three shifts at many places, department stores are storing up for the Christmas sales; so I guess many people are still buying. Put me in the class of the one not the nine for I am thankful for every day the Lord give me, for my health; I would rather have health than wealth, a family than fame, and I just want to say thank you Lord for what you have giving me. I will thank Him today with my voice I will lift Him up today for His goodness to me and just the moment I think all is bad I will remember the day that HE FOUND ME with all my troubles and problems. He put me in His family and called me Son. Excuse me while I lift my hands and wipe the tears from my eyes for I have so much to thank Him for! I’ll see some of you tonight at the Reformers meeting, I’ll see some of you on Saturday as we work together helping others and I’ll see many of you at Church this Sunday as we lift our voices in praise. For the those I want be able to see just stop, look around and see the treasures  that’s all around you; here comes one now running down the hall calling your name, Mommy or Daddy don’t you want to just thank and praise HIM for His goodness to you? Or would you rather talk about how bad things are? It’s how you look at it nine or one.

Dwelling Place

When we were children we more than likely memorized this prayer.

Matthew 6:9 ……….. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

Matthew 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.  As Church members we recited it. As students we may have studied it. In these verses we have been provided more than a model for prayer, we have a model for living. These words do more than tell us what to say to God; they tell us how to exist with God. Psalms 90:1  we see a prayer of Moses the man of God and this is what he had to say Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Moses didn’t say in his generation but in all “generations;” and that my friend includes the generation that you and I are living in.

Acts 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being;  Moses used the words “dwelling place” let’s look at that for a moment. Webster said that DWELL'ING-PLACE  means The place of residence. In other words “Our Home!”  There are some things about our home that’s like no other place. Our home is a place that is private not just anyone gets to come and go. We can relax and be comfortable and not worry what others might think. It’s a place where we can talk Freely, it’s a place where we can tell how we Feel, it’s a place where we can talk about our Failures and not be judged . As you and I come to the Lord; our heavenly Father we can have this attitude because it should be a place that is familiar to us because it’s a dwelling place a place we spend time. Gods desire to be our Dwelling place God is not interested in being a weekend getaway or a Sunday cabin or a summer cottage. I’m afraid that too many times we think of God as a deity to discuss, but not a place to dwell. We think of God as a mysterious miracle worker, and not a house to live in. We think of God as a creator to call on, not a home to reside in. When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness, He didn’t just appear once a day and then abandon them. No! He was seen in the presents of the cloud by day and in the night in the fire; God never left His children. He never leaves us now

Matthew 28:20  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.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   There may be days we go without thinking of Him, but there is never a moment when He is not thinking of you and I. Think I’ll go to my familiar place and talk with Him for a while He’s waiting at the door for me. I almost forgot He asked about you; go by and talk with Him today He would love to spend time with you too.

Doubt

 If I were to say Doubting Thomas most everyone would know who I was referring to.   

John 20:24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Here was a man by the name of Thomas who missed seeing Jesus. Thomas had for whatever reason decided not to be with the rest of the other disciples that Sunday night.  He had witnessed the Lord dying so when he heard the news that Jesus was alive it was just more than he could believe so he said I just can’t believe. This is what the word doubt means:

Doubt- To question, or hold questionable; to withhold assent from; to hesitate to believe; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it.

Have you ever heard of doubting Zacharias? He asked “how shall I know”

Luke 1:18  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.  Because of his doubt Zacharias was made  speechless and was not able to hear for nine months. What can we learn here? Doubt in God’s ability or His Word will hinder us from doing our best for Christ. How can you or I be motivated to put God’s Word into practice if we doubt it or don’t believe it. Doubt says I’m not totally convinced. I’m not sure this is true. I don’t know if I can trust what I have heard. If I don’t see it I will not believe it. Sounds good until you put the word “faith” in front of you. I love it when it’s put this way

Roman 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So to built up our faith we are going to have to hear God’s Word. Where would one go to hear the Word of God? What about the Church house? The more you and I hear the Word of God the less likely we are to doubt what God says.

Lamp, Law, Light and Life

 As I was reading in my Bible in the book of Proverbs something caught my eye; I think because of the alliteration.

Proverbs 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:  Do you see those L’s? Lamp, Law, Light and Life; then I read that verse over and over and here is what the Lord showed me.

For the commandment {A command; a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge; precept.}  Is a lamp { A vessel for containing oil to be burned by means of a wick; or a light, a burning wick inserted in a vessel of oil.}  and the law {A rule, particularly an established or permanent rule, prescribed by the supreme power of a state to its subjects, for regulating their actions, particularly their social actions.} is light {That ethereal agent or matter which makes objects perceptible to the sense of seeing,}  and reproofs of instruction {Precepts conveying knowledge.}  are the way of life {in man, that state of being in which the soul and body are united.} Here is what I wrote to help me understand that verse. For the mandate or order from God is a vessel being burned by the established permanent rule prescribed by God with the agent of His Holy Word which gives the precepts that convey knowledge which gives life in man by which the soul, body and spirit of man are united.

God's word is a lamp which gives light to His law and that light becomes a path that I should take daily. God’s Word is amazing if we will take the time to understand God will reveal or open it up to each of us. 

Make a Difference

 Can “you” make a difference? The race of life is different from any race we will ever be in. Why? Because we never know where the finish line is until we are crossing it.  I have no idea when or where my race will come to an end. I do know this; I am closer to the finish line than I have ever been. Can one person make a difference? Can one Teacher, Preacher, Dad or Mom make a difference? Can you say I have made a difference in someone else’s life? Whether we think we have or not we have; that difference can be a good one or a bad one, but we have all made a difference in someone’s life.  We can make a difference at any age. In John 6 we read of a young boy who made a difference.  If you take the time to read that chapter you will find that there is a young man that had came to hear Jesus. This young man came prepared; he brought a lunch that his mother had prepared for him. Little did that young man know that on that day he would have the opportunity to make a difference in over 5000 people’s lives? Wait a minute that was then what about now? I would say that young man has made a difference in who knows how many lives; he made a difference in mine what about yours? Here we see this young man willing to give up what little he had to the Lord Jesus who in return made much of it and is still making much of it. I’m afraid that too many times we get all confused and miss making a real difference. What do I mean by getting confused you may ask? We live in a day when we can never earn enough to make us happy. Women seem to think that they are never beautiful enough. The gadgets we have are never modern enough. Our houses are never furnished enough. Our relationships are never romantic enough. It seems that our life is never full enough. Are we really content?

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

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Making a difference; can you think of someone who has made a real difference in your life? There was a man I once knew who had a wife and three children. They didn’t have much money; they drove a station wagon that was more than 10 years old at the time. They were content with what they had; but something happened and I’m not sure what. All of a sudden he wanted more, in other words he became discontent with what he had. He decided he needed a newer car then he became unhappy with his wife and decided to have an affair which caused his marriage to fall apart. The affair wasn’t enough so he had another one and then another one. Then he found himself all alone and I wondered what happened to the happy content man that use to ride around with a smile on his face. He made a difference in my life. You may say what? I learned from him that things don’t make you happy and neither do other women. You see there will never be another woman on the face of this earth that will love me like my wife; so why would I not be content with what we have together? This week think about the happiest people you know and then try to find out what makes them so happy. Let those people make a difference in your life or you might be that happy person that makes a difference in someone’s life.  Have a great week and be content with what you have!

Undeveloped

Remember when we had to take our pictures somewhere to have them developed? That was something we did way back when, now we can send picture across the internet we can see then as soon as we take them; we’ve came along way. If something back then went wrong like the picture for whatever reason got undeveloped that would be a real lost. I am afraid that now we are seeing and witnessing some underdeveloped Christians. They never experience what they could have experienced they always miss God's best. They are choked by worries, anxieties, things they're afraid of. They're choked by chasing what money can buy. They're choked by focusing their energies on their own pleasure, their own feeling good. They find themselves in a self made forest looking for a way out but blurred by their underdeveloped Christian life. They get undeveloped because they're just not hungry for the Bible any more. They're not hungry for time with Jesus. They're not hungry for church; for spiritual input; for Christian fellowship. They used to have an appetite, where did it go? It could be and unbalanced interest or a concern has taken over and crowded out any room for God’s Word in their life. It could be a hobby that has taken over, it could be the television or the internet. That’s what happened to Thomas, you see he got involved in something and missed meeting with his Christian brothers and because of whatever got his attention he missed seeing Jesus.

John 20:24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. An unbalanced interest or concern took precedence and Thomas was not where he should have been on that Sunday night. Have you missed a Sunday night service?  Maybe a Wednesday night? It could have been one that you needed to be there for but you thought something was far more important. That’s how people get undeveloped by not reading their Bibles, not praying; my Pastor said something about prayer this past Wednesday night that I really needed to hear he said “the person with no prayer list has no means of keeping up with what they are praying for. “ My friend that was worth the trip and the time for me to be there just to hear that because that developed me just a little bit more. Do you have a spiritual appetite problem? Could it be all that junk food that’s filling you up? Developing takes time and spending time with the Lord is priceless. I hope you have a great weekend and don’t rob yourself of a blessing that God may have just for you by not showing up at Church this Sunday. 

Ghost

Halloween is now over, the so called haunted houses have all closed up shop for the year and all the ghost and goblins are gone for another year. But wait there is the stories of ghost that have been seen and then there’s that TV show that goes to different places and find ghost activity. Well I don’t know all about that but to tell you the truth I just don’t believe that there are any ghost to start with although I do believe in ghosts. That sounds like a misnomer, I know but I am not talking about ghost that are in some abandoned house but the ghost of the past. They're the memories and the regrets of the things that we wish we hadn't done. The guilt, the shame we feel because of the people we've hurt, the damage we've done, the dark things we've done. But may we not forget that Christ came into this world to save sinners.

1Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Who is a sinners you may ask, well let the Bible tell us

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; For “ALL” have sinned that’s simple, all have sinned and with that one word all includes everyone of us. John Newton wrote a hymn most everyone knows it’s called “Amazing Grace” and has become one of the most recognizable songs on the world. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind but now I see." John that old slave trader remembered two things #1- that he was a great sinner and #2-that Christ is a great Savior. When the ghost of our past began to haunt us remember that if we know Christ as our personal savior that we were once were lost and because we were, we all were guilty of doing the dark things, regretful things, shameful things, hurtful things and damaging things. But because of God’s Amazing Grace a person as wretched as I can be forgiven because of the great God that came looking for me and found me; He was there all the time but I was blind to His presents. Just as John was as he wrote these words.

Revelation 5:2  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Revelation 5:3  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Revelation 5:4  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Revelation 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelation 5:6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,

Isn’t that just like Jesus He was there all the time and reveled Himself just in time.  When the ghost of our past try to make themselves known remember these words Forgiven, Forgiven, Forgiven!!!!

Psalms 130:3  If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Psalms 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

We deserve the eternal death penalty the Bible says that sin carries. But God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to give His life in exchange for yours; to do the dying for all the sinning you've ever done. And the Bible says, "Everyone who believes in (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins through His name." That's my hope; that's your hope of being delivered from the ghosts of your past.  Realizing we're great sinners, and realizing that Christ is a great Savior.

Gratitude

Gratitude will change your Attitude. The word Gratitude means an emotion of the heart, excited by a favor or benefit received; a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness.

We all have storms come through our lives and we must never allow our storms to rain on others parades. I read a story not long ago that told of a man by the name of Jack having a bad day. He had a flat tire on the way to work that cost him an hour of work. Then his electric saw quit, and then his pickup truck refused to start. Another man by the name of Ed asked if he could take him home, to which he was told he could. As Ed was driving him home he noticed that Jack just sat there in a stony silence. When they arrived at his home he was asked if he would like to come in and meet his family. As they walked toward the front door, Jack paused at a small tree, touching tips of the branches with both hands. When he opened the door, Jack underwent an amazing transformation. His face lit up with a smile as he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. As Jack walked Ed back to his car they went back by that tree, Ed stopped and asked Jack about what he had seen earlier. Jack said "Oh, that's my trouble tree." I know I can't keep from having troubles but there is one thing for sure, those troubles don't belong in that house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. But you know when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there are not nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before. That's what we all need a trouble tree like Jack had so our attitude could change before our troubles rubbed off on others. We could also have a Glad List or a Gratitude List it too will change our attitude. It would be easy to make one; here are a few things I am glad for. #1- I'm glad I have a home to come to each night.

#2- I'm glad I have a loving wife I get to spend time with. #3- I'm glad I have 3 wonderful children that love me. #4- I'm glad I have grandchildren that love me. #5 - I'm glad I have a dog that loves to see me coming. If you stop and think about it we have more to rejoice over than the troubles that come our way.

Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Now that I'm in the Family of God I should not forget God's law; by putting them in my heart for good keepings. As David said long ago                 Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. The promise is that my life will be longer and peace will be added to me. I must be careful for there is a possibility that I could allow His mercy and truth to forsake me. In order for that not to happen I must hide God's word in my heart and then I will find favor and good understanding with God and also with man. By doing this I will be able to trust in the Lord and not my own understanding. I will acknowledge the Lord and He will direct my paths so that I will not become wise in my own eyes. Therefore I will depart from evil and will honor the Lord with my substance and all my increase. Because I am no longer depending on myself but the Lord, my barns will have plenty and I will have more joy than I thought possible.