How is your Singing

Have you ever heard anyone say that  he or she was despondent? Here is what that word “Despondent” means Losing courage at the loss of hope; sinking into dejection; depressed and inactive in despair. Losing courage or boldness to the point of getting depressed and losing a desire of the things that brought joy. Does anyone really want to be despondent? I don’t think they do but I’m sure we have all been without courage and I’m sure things have also looked hopeless, but to be despondent is losing courage and sinking into dejection, depressed and despair. Did you catch that word “sinking?” One of the deadliest peacetime disasters in history was the sinking of the Titanic where 1,517 people died. Here was a ship that was designed by experienced engineers using the most advanced technologies and safety features of its time and it sank. Sinking is no more than to fall by a force greater than gravity. But the key word here is sinking. It doesn’t all happen at once; sure we all have bad days but when those days come we can fight to turn them around or we can allow then to brings us lower and lower to the point to where we hit bottom. Despondence is good for the one who has come to the end of a life dominating issue that is destroying their life as well as those around them for when one comes to that place they may have just come to a place of safety. I read this the other day and decided to pay attention to my singing.  When anybody sings it’s an outward token of an inward happiness. Despondent people very seldom sing. When a man sings as he walks it means that he has a heart of peace. When he sings while he is dressing in the morning, it means that he gladly accepts another day.  Then I was reminded of the night that Paul and Silas sang.

Acts 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. What did they have to sing about in the midnight hour? Could it be that they had learned that happiness and joy are not found with the outward but with what is going on inside; Paul and Silas sang praises in the jail at midnight. Their relationship with God was an exciting business as all true relationships ought to be. They had not only peace in believing; they had joy. I think David knew about that also.

Psalms 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. So how is your singing? Do you have a new song or are you depressed and in despair with the things that are going on around you that you have no control over? Or do you have that joy that is going on inside and the song is coming out in your life? 

Our Choice

Abilities we all have them but what does the word “ability” mean? Physical power, whether bodily or mental; natural or acquired; force of understanding; skill in arts or science. Ability is active power, or power to perform; as opposed to capacity, or power to receive. In the plural, abilities is much used in a like sense; and also for faculties of the mind, and acquired qualifications. You may have the ability the play some type of musical instrument; you may have the ability to talk with others as if you have known them all your life. You may have the ability to work with your hands or you may have the ability to notice things others quickly miss. We all have the ability to do different things, we are all different and all have different abilities. The question is are we using the abilities that God has given us or have we let ourselves or others rob us of our ability? One of the first things we must understand is that there is someone who may have the same ability and may be better at using it that we are. If we allow that to hinder our ability just because someone else is better at it then we are then who do we rob? First we rob ourselves then we rob those around us. One day last week I allowed the day to get me discouraged; now I try not to let that happen but on this day it did. That night after I arrived home I told my wife that I was going to just……..(I’m not going to tell you what had me discouraged.) My wife didn’t say anything for a few minutes; she does me that way when I have moments like this. Then she spoke and said “really;” here it comes she is going to be on my side and give me some more good reasons why I should do this. Then came these words, “what about all the people you’ll hurt and discourage with your actions?” No, No, No you don’t understand, this is not what I wanted to hear you say. Then she said “if that’s ok with you then go ahead;” no that’s not ok with me I don’t want to hurt or discourage anyone. Then I thought this is what happens when I or anyone else makes quick decisions, we hurt those we never planned on hurting. What a Blessing I can be today, I have the ability to make a major contribution to someone today.  I have the ability to tell them something I’m grateful for about them. You know we all need someone who will tell us what’s right about us before our funeral. It may be one of the greatest gifts we can give someone, to help them see the masterpiece that God made when He made them. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” You are the only person on earth who can use your ability what will we do with our ability today? Use it or sit on it? It’s our choice. 

Word Picture

 While in college taking a child psychology class my teacher made this statement; she said that we remember 10% of what we hear but we remember 90% of what we see. That has a been many years ago now but I still remember what she said to this day and have found it to be true, a person will remember more of what they see than what they hear. As I read my Bible I see that it is no more than a book full of pictures; I understand that there are no visual pictures in our bibles. I am not talking about pictures which are drawn by pen, pencil, or brush, or seen by the physical eye. I am speaking of pictures drawn on the canvas of our mind and memory, which I call word pictures. This book we call the Bible is a book painting a picture of one person, Jesus Christ.

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Our pictures are wonderful memories of days gone by; the pictures of our children when they were small are priceless and cannot be replaced. Many that have lost everything in a fire have said it was the pictures and other memorabilia that couldn’t be replaced that they would miss the most.  Now think for a moment; if the Bible is an unveiling of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the only pictures we have of Him are the word pictures recorded in the Bible then we should understand why there is an attack upon the Scriptures. Way back with Adam and Eve we see the first attack. Satan disguised himself and came with an innocent request for information. He simply asked.

Genesis 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil (clever, crafty) than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? What did God mean when He said, “Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? “ Do you see the word picture?  A serpent talking to a woman but also a woman talking to a serpent; notice what they are talking about it’s about what God said. With the disguise and the deception that the serpent used we see Eve being deceived. Now what can we learn from this picture? We must be careful about the way sin is disguised or the way it is packaged. Sin can be packaged in a way that it is made light of with some added humor and we laugh at it. Then before we really realize what has happened we accepted the deception as part of life and we have been deceived over a period of time. Think about what I just wrote and use your great mind that God has given each of us and think about what is going on around us. Have you ever asked yourself how did things get like this? Drugs and shootings down at the school house, robberies at an all-time high, abortions, high school drop outs and on and on. I went by a drug store the other night which had what is called a “red box” I understand it’s a vending machine that you can rent movies. What caught my attention was that people were standing in line to rent a movie from it in the rain. You may say that I came by at a busy time, to which I probably would agree but I came back by there an hour later and there was another line of people at the same box standing in the rain. Now what would they be viewing when they began watching those movies? Probably acts of adultery, nudity, with profanity, violence, killing and more?  These types of things didn’t happen overnight but over a period of time little by little we have just allowed it and have accepted it as normal. Is this really normal behavior? I personally don’t think so; I know I am stuck in the Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best Days. I don’t care to hear profanity; I had rather have a larger vocabulary more like Father Knows Best for really my Heavenly Father does know best. If I am going to paint a word picture I sure want it to be one that everyone can view; don’t you? God painted word pictures after word picture for our viewing don’t allow the enemy to come and rob you as he did Eve. Have a blessed week is my prayer for each of you.  

Happy Germs

Don't you just love it when one of your coworkers comes in coughing and sneezing? Thank you for sharing, pal! There’s research that there are some happy germs that people spread around. One article said: "We can catch happiness from friends and family members like an emotional virus. The research shows that every happy person in your social network increases your own chance of cheer by 9% and those effects can last up to one year. When someone gets happy, that person's friend experiences a 25% increased chance of becoming happy, and at least two more friends will be affected—happy germs! Would you agree that being happy brings joy into our lives? For when one is happy they are very joyful.

Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: Jesus while He spent the last few hours with His disciples before He would be taken, jailed, judged and then crucified shared with them how to have joy.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.   Did you see it? Jesus said “these things have I spoken unto you that MY JOY might remain in you.” The reason being that YOUR JOY might remain in you is because of My Joy! The Christian life is a happy life, but it cuts across our thinking. Look at the Paradoxes;   {seemingly absurd, yet true in fact}  

We die to live Romans 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death)the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Philippians 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

We Decrease to Increase John 3:30  He(Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.

We Hunger and Thirst to be Happy Matthew 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Jesus is speaking to those who are hungry and thirsty, yet they are happy. I wouldn’t think that this condition would produce happiness but sadness. How can a person be hungry and thirsty and be happy. Remember the children of God 3-days after being delivered from the Egyptians came to a place of bitter waters and they were not happy but very sad. In verse 6 we are told we can be happy. Jesus talks about two of our bodies’ basic needs; the hunger to eat and the desire of thirst for drink, these two are urgent. Hunger and thirst describe the driving desire we ought to have for having a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  The person who is never hungry is sick. We all have a natural desire for food and water it is a sign of health. We must eat in order to live God made us that way. Disobedience to this natural law means death.  A person who is never hungry for the things of God are not healthy.  

 1Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: We too must have the same appetite for spiritual things if not the same thing will happen. We will die spiritually. God’s children should have a desire for the Word of God so they can grow. Just as we grow in our earthly life there must be an appetite and one of urgency to be filled. Happiness will never be a reality for those who live in sin. Happiness is shut out by the dark clouds of sin. David the King could have anything he wanted, he ate the finest of food and drink, he was never hungry and thirsty or was he?

Psalms 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalms 51:3  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. What was David asking God for? Wash me for my sin has caused great guilt to come upon me; I’m in need of a washing that is thorough for I need to be cleansed from my sin. I have acknowledged the violation of the laws that I have broken and my sin is always before me it never leaves me. I would say that David is hungering and thirsting for the right things. Do you and I ever have to go and say “I’m sorry for what I………..” What made you do that? Could have been that our relationship, like David’s was broken with our heavenly Father? That’s a good sign when God deals with our heart, that we start to hunger and thirst for His friendship and fellowship and are willing to acknowledge our wrong doings before Him. That means you are sickly in your spiritual life. Have a blessed weekend, pray for your Pastor and be excited about this coming Sunday.  

Courage In

The power within each of us; we have you know, but do we use it?

Proverbs 15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

 The word “wholesome” means- Tending to promote health; favoring health, soothing. Our tongue which forms the words that roll off our lips has the power to promote, favor and even soothe. We are also told in the same verse that we have the power to  “perverse” which means to turn aside, distorted from the right, be contrary and stubborn.  We can distort and be stubborn; in other words we can destroy with our words. Now the word encouragement means The act of giving courage, or confidence of success. Just reverse the word encourage and we have the opportunity to put  courage in. That is what  Moses did for the people of Israel?

Deuteronomy 31:1  And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:2  And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Then Moses put courage in Joshua.

Deuteronomy 31:7  And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

 You and I have the power today to put courage in the people we come in contact with. We can give them courage to take a risk, we can give them courage to trust God and we can put courage in a person to make it through a tough day. We can do that by praying with them. We can put courage in a person when we give them specific praise for something they did or more importantly for who they are. Think about it and go put courage in someone today.

Winners Never

There are times when others hurt our feelings and we decide to quit the things we had planned and hoped for. I have seen it happen more times than I’d like to mention. A young man on his way to France to be a missionary decides one day to quit his pursuit to win those in France. A young boy decides to go to a third world country and allows a woman to side track him and never goes. A man feels God calling into the ministry and never goes and the last time I talked with him all he has his memories of what it could have been. A man gets his feelings hurt at a local Church and decides to not return there or anywhere for fear of it happening again and leads his family away in the same direction. What happens when a person decides to quit? Well, their goals change from spiritual to natural. As in the case of the young man on his way to the third world country; his goals changed from seeing people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior to selfish desires of sexual pleasure. Not only do goals change but insights change as well. When ones insight changes they lose their ability to see God in the midst of their adversity. The word Adversity means An event, or series of events, which oppose success or desire; misfortune; calamity; affliction; distress; state of unhappiness. If you and I focus on the storms that go on in our life we don’t have our eyes on Jesus; in other words we aren’t looking unto Jesus. We lose our Discernment regarding what is happening to us.

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently(Looking carefully) lest any man fail of (Falls short of) the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

The grace of God never fails, so what is he talking about? Insights change when one quits running the race and quits appropriating God’s grace for their lives. That’s not all; when one decides to quit the values of purity are polluted in their personal life. They have changed from wanting to be pure and holy and having a heart of integrity, now the values have become only to gratify their selfish desires.  When we drop out, our values change and the things that once mattered, no longer matter anymore. When our values change our future is changed but also the future of many others are changed also. In the four cases I have already mention what was the results of quitting? How many would have been impacted as well as influenced in France or in the third world country? Who would have been influenced by the ministry or in the family of this individual? It is so easy to get discouraged and my friend anyone can quit.  Yes, you my friend can quit. What would you think if the runner in front of everyone else would just quit 10 feet before crossing the finish line and not receiving the gold medal? You might have thoughts of what were they thinking for they were a winner. I say the same to you today if you are one of those who are thinking about quitting; what are you thinking you’re a winner. If you do decide to quit what you’re doing just remember your goals are going to change, your insights will change as well as your values. Not only your future will change but the ones you would have had the opportunity to impact and influence will too. Just remember winners never quit and quitters never win. It’s so easy to quit or is it? The results will last for eternity! 

Mad

Have you ever been mad or upset with anyone? I am sure we can all say yes to that question. What was the real reason we were mad? In Genesis chapter four we are introduced to two young men Abel and Cain and in just a few verses we see that Cain is mad; why?

Genesis 4:3  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Genesis 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. We see Cain brings an offering unto the Lord; fruit from the ground. I would say it was the best of the best and he brings it to the Lord as an offering. Now Abel we are told brings an offering also but his offering is from his flock. The Bible tells us that the Lord had no respect for Cain’s offering but had respect unto Abel’s offering and because the Lord didn’t have respect for Cain’s offering Cain get very wroth (very angry; much exasperated). Why did Cain get so upset? The same reason you and I get upset. Let’s think for a moment about what Cain may have been thinking; as Cain goes and begins to gather the fruit for his offering I am sure he picked the best of the best. I’m sure he was thinking that this offering is for the Lord and I want the very best for Him. Now when the Lord wasn’t pleased the Bible tells us that he got angry. The reason he was angry is because things didn’t go the way Cain though they should; or in other words things didn’t go his way.  Now the Lord asked Cain a question.

Genesis 4:6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Why are you so upset Cain’ and why is your countenance fallen? Then the Lord tells Cain:

Genesis 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Cain, if you do well, you’ll be accepted also but if you decide not to then sin is waiting for you right outside your door. Cain has an opportunity to change his offering and have the Lord accept it also. It’s your choice Cain you can do right or you can let your anger get the best of you.

Genesis 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. We are told that Cain talked with his brother and then in the field Cain kills his brother Abel. What I want you to see is that Cain let his anger control him even to the point of killing his brother and it was all because he didn’t get his way. Now you and I hopefully wouldn’t kill anyone if things didn’t go our way; or would we?

 Matthew 5:21  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Matthew 5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment …. I get angry with someone because things don’t go my way and because of that I never have anything to do with that person again then I have just given foothold to the devil

Ephesians 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Ephesians 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. When I get angry and I don’t forgive then I am giving the devil a place in my life. There will be a lot of things that don’t go our way. Let’s don’t be a Cain for if we do then we are giving the enemy place in our lives. Have a great week and watch out for selfishness. May the Lord richly bless you is my prayer. 

Forgiven Little or Much

I want to close out the week with a story of a young man whose life was changed. This young man was brought in a good home with parents that loved him, the only trouble he was ever in was just the kind all children experience lying, talking back to his mom and dad, taking things from there sibling and things such as that. Then came the high school years and as he entered school he came dress like he did in grammar school; Lee blue jeans that were to long so he could grow into them which meant having about a three inch rolled up cuff. After a few days others made fun of him, one boy by the name of Bill even starting bulling him. He would push him around and the young boy did nothing. Then the pushing became harder even to the point of being pushed so hard that this young boy hit the ground hard. Then the hitting started and it got to the point where Bill would ball up his fist and hit this young boy in the face and still this young boy did nothing and no one ever said a word to Bill. Then the summer break came and there was no Bill’s to push this young boy around. But as summer came to an end and the school days were quickly approaching this young boy made a major decision; he told himself that this year was not going to be like the last one he was not going to be pushed around. He changed the way he dressed and made up his mind that if Bill started in on him again that he had at least a 50% change of whipping him but if he did nothing Bill wasn’t going away. Oh yea Bill came but Bill got something he wasn’t expecting, no  more fun and games at the expenses of another for when Bill balled up his fist and started to hit this young man as he had in the past Bill got something he hadn’t planned on a fist coming back. This soon ended the problems with Bill. All was well until the last two years of high school that is when the drinking started. Then after high school the military and the drinking became more involved. Then at age 19 he was married at age 20 he receives orders and had to leave his bride of only 6 months. Not long after leaving his wife told him that she was pregnant, this was great news the only sad thing was he would miss everything except the birth. While away the drinking continued then one night one of his friends introduced him to drugs; this was much better than alcohol and became an instant love.  The drinking continued but now drugs were added also. His tour of duty was over and back home to get his family and a move out west where he would finish up his military duty. Drinking continued but drug use took some time off. Discharged and on his way home with one stop on the way; to see some old friends that night he leaves his wife and baby in a motel room to go a spend some time with his friends. That night drugs are used and the night is soon over; on his  way back to the motel this young man get confused not remembering how to get back to the motel. He is pulled over by the police and somehow talked his way out of the trouble he had gotten himself into and finds his way back to the motel without an accident. Fast forward drinking continued and so did the drugs his marriage was coming to an end he lies by saying he would change and saves his marriage but there was no real change only more lies. Then the day came when someone told this young man about Jesus and what Jesus had already done for him and within a few days this young man asked Jesus to come into his heart and forgive him of his sins and Jesus did just that. That is what Jesus does, for He is in the life giving business. Drinking stopped, drugs soon stopped, family rebuilt, love for his wife greatly increased, more children and a happy home all because? Jesus! I just love good ending except the end hasn’t yet come for this man for he is still working for His Lord and Savior. He may have a touch of Alzheimer’s  and he said it may come to the point where he may not know where he’s been but there are two things he knows he want forget. I asked him what are they? He said #1-where I’m going and that’s heaven and #2- Jesus the one who gave me eternal life. 

Luke 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Luke 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Our sins are all big and they will send us to a place called hell but as in these verses this woman realized that her sins were forgiven for eternity. She was very grateful and showed it while others there had yet to understand what real forgiveness was. I wonder what the scale of forgiveness is in your life; MUCH or little~!   The man that I wrote about is very grateful for what the Lord has done and given him. I wrote this story down the way it was told to me by the one who lived it. Have a great weekend and why not let the Lord do something for you, for He is willing and wanting to give away some of his treasures.       

Uncle Sam

There he was on the side of the road dressed in his Uncle Sam costume waving his tax sign. About 50 foot away was another Uncle Sam waving; no he was not waving he was doing something else altogether with his sign. His sign had become and air guitar and he was playing as if he we on a stage with 5000 fans jumping up and down. The only problem with that is there were no fans just passing cars; you may have missed the first Uncle Sam but no one was missing the second one. The music he was playing was silent to all that passed by, his guitar was invisible, it was only a sign turned sideways. Paul said in

1Corinthians 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: What is Paul talking about? My Pastor of long ago taught me that every time you see the word “therefore” see what it’s therefore. Great advice, if we back up a few verses we can easily see why it’s there.

1Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  Paul says don’t you know that the runners in a race are all running to receive the prize. So we as Christians should do the same thing that we obtain.

1Corinthians 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. And every one of the runners wants to be the winner and they are all running to obtain a corruptible prize. So I myself run, but I’m not running without a clear goal ahead of me so I box, but I’m not shadow boxing; I’m not just beating the air. Or in other words I’m not playing a guitar sign that makes no noise. Paul says I’m running with cheerfulness and swiftness looking to Jesus continuing in my faith and duty as a Christian preaching the Gospel. Paul says I’m not wasting my time beating the air fighting shadows, instead I fighting real enemies my worldly desires and my fleshly lust that I may be a winner. Could it be that too many just say oh well I tried and I guess that’s just the way I am? Sure we were all born with sinful desires like selfishness, anger, doubt, loose tongues and the list could go on and on, but Paul says we are to fight against those things on a daily bases. I have noticed runners in a race and not one time have I seen them making fun of the one running next to them. They are not there to make fun they are there to run the race that is before them. There are things about all of us that someone can make light of but we must remember that we are not here to make fun of each other, but to run the race that is set before us. Are you ready to run or make an excuse why you can’t run; don’t you want to be as Paul said one that obtains? Then run!

Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Lost at the Mall

Have you ever had anything strange happen to you? On yesterday I stop at a mall that I rarely go, I parked my truck and in I went. I was headed to a place that I have only been to once before. I had no trouble finding it, did my business and left. Headed back in the same direction that I had just earlier came, down the steps and out the door; that is when I realized that this is not the place I had entered the mall earlier. No problem I’ll just have to walk down the sidewalk to the next parking area. I did just that but when I got to the next parking area I was still in the wrong place.  Back in the mall I went to start over only to find that I couldn’t remember where I had really came in and if I couldn’t find that way then I’ll never get to my truck. I have never experience this in my life; I have never paid attention to where I have parked for I have always been able to get back to where I was parked. That’s why I thought this is so strange for like a homing pigeon I have always been able to return to my vehicle. I went back to the store that I had just left and started over 2 times before I found my way to the truck; time wise I was really lost for about 30-45 minutes. I really hated to write and tell about yesterday experience but as I thought about it, it reminded me about going to heaven. You see no one in their right mind wants to go to hell so we keep telling ourselves everything is just fine; I’m a fairly good person, I give to the Church some, I go to Church a few times a year, I haven’t stolen, cheated, I love my wife and family and so on. But when we really get close to the end of our lives do we really think that will be enough? I didn’t worry about where my truck was until I couldn’t find it and realize I didn’t know where to find it. Now I was lost but I wasn’t fully lost; to be fully lost I would have admitted to someone and asked for help which they would have gladly given me. But no, pride got in the way and I refused to ask for help. That is the way most people do when they realized that they need help they keep doing the same thing and that is refusing to ask for help expecting to get different results. This thing about sin and forgiveness is a must that we must understand for that is the ones Jesus died for and that is all that’s going to heaven. For Jesus Himself put it this way.  

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. If we never consider ourselves lost then how in the world can one be found? We can’t wonder around like I did at the Mall on yesterday and finally find where I was headed. In that Mall full of people not one person was seeking to find me, but Jesus said that He was seeking the lost. How you may ask? Good question has anyone ever given you a tract with the plan of salvation on it? Anyone ever took the time to tell you about what Jesus has done for you? Anyone anywhere ever given you the simple plan of salvation?

1-Realize your condition as a sinner. Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

2- Realize your penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 3- Realize you can do nothing to work off your sin debt. Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

4- Realize that Christ died for you to pay your sin debt. 2Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

5- Believe that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

6- Realize that salvation is a free gift, apart from any works that you do.

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

7- Realize the moment you trust Christ, you have salvation and it can never be lost.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Could it be that Jesus is seek for you this morning? If so except His free gift!

45/50

A man goes into a school zone that has a sign that reads 25 miles an hour. This man is going 45 miles an hour; the police pull him over and the man rolls down his window and the odors of one that has been living in his car run up the nostrils of the police officer. Along with that the man is dressed in rags, his hair long and greasy, his face unshaven and he is just a real mess. The police officer asked him for his driver’s license and proof of insurance; which the man produces. The officer then takes the man to jail where he is put behind bars and on the next day finds himself in a court room. The judge gives him the max, in jail time and fines along with Community.Service. He says to the man that he could have ran over a child and killed them going that speed. The law plainly said 25 miles per hour and he had broken the law. You may say; well, he should have obeyed the law and that he deserved what he got. You would be right. On another day a nice fancy sport car came through the school zone doing 50 miles per hour the same police officer pulls him over. As he approached his vehicle the man greeting the officer with a smile and with kind words and said I guess I was going a little fast wasn’t I? The two began to talk about how pretty the sports car was and before long both were smiling and laughing. The police officer finally said to the man “I tell you what I’m going to just forget this ever happened because I feel that you deserve a break; have a good day sir.” Now how does that make you feel? One man is given the maximum punishment of the law while the other is given nothing for breaking the same law. Now you and I both know that things like that happen and I’m afraid that may be the reason that we think God does the same. I have heard others say “if anybody deserved to go to heaven it was……..” Can I tell you that God doesn’t operate on the same level as man, God had told us what our righteousness is compared to.

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags

Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God   

Romans 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Well, according to what the Bible tells us it’s not going to matter if we have a bad odor about us or drive a bright clean sports car with a big smile and kind words on our lips. We are all guilty and no one deserves to go to heaven. So what is the law for? Good question and the Apostle Paul answers that for us.

Romans 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Paul is saying that it was the law that showed him sin, for he said I would have never known what sin was except for the law. It really doesn’t matter if you are doing the best you know how to do for we all like to think of ourselves as being good people and maybe because we are good we deserve something special. We must first know we are sinners; the law will show us that. We must then realize that Jesus is the only one that has ever kept the law and because He has then He has the ability to save us from our sins. Then lastly we must ask Him to forgive us and put our trust in His finished works on Calvary.

John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What We Do

In the opening scenes of the film “Gladiator” Russell Crowe shouts these words “What we do in this life echoes in eternity!” to encourage his troops. Think about those words for a moment. What we do, what we say, how we act, how we feel and now let’s put the little word others with those phrases. What we do to others, what we say to others, how we act toward others and how we make others feel. What we do echoes into eternity.

Luke 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: There was a rich man that wore very expensive clothes and every day was like a party to him. This man enjoyed life and had the money to make it happen but like all mankind if you live then you must die.

Luke 16:22….. the rich man also died, and was buried; Well, what happened when this man died?

Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,…  What we do in life echoes in eternity; what do we see echoing? There is misery, pain and torment; but there is much more. The first thing I see is that he is still concerned about himself.

Luke 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  My, look at the personal pronouns! The second thing I see is his concern for his brothers.

Luke 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

Luke 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Go tell my brothers for if you don’t they are coming to this place of torment. He wanted his brothers to know so they would stay out of this awful place; he would have told them himself but he didn’t listen when he was being told. It was easy not to listen when he had plenty. He could have had a thought like “all they want from me is my money.” Money is not the issue, God doesn’t need our money, matter of fact it is God’s anyways. We must be careful what we do in this life for it will echo.

Galatians 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We must be careful what we sow; if we do like the rich man and sow to ourselves then we will reap to ourselves and it will be corruption. If we sow to the Spirit then we will reap life everlasting. As we leave the house this morning; as we pick up our bag of seeds what kind of seeds will be in our bag? Will the seeds be those that will make things better for us or will they be seeds that will help and encourage others. Will our words be kind or hateful, will we be patient or impatient, will we be bossy and want everything our way or will we be considerate to the concerns and feeling of others? Will we pray and ask God to help us be more like Him and to do our best to view others the way He would. Or will we be just concerned about and for our own selves? Stop and think for “What we do in this life echoes in eternity!”

Fight for Your

In the book of Nehemiah chapter 4 Nehemiah has rallied the Jews to begin to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that have been down for many years. The gates had burned and all kinds of things went in an out with no restraints what so ever. As they started to rebuild the words of discouragement came from the outside by Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballant made fun of them while Tobiah belittled them about how weak their work was. When others see you doing something it is easy for them to make fun of what you are doing; and then tell you that what you are doing is useless and you’re wasting your time by doing it. Now Nehemiah encouraged the Jews to keep working and they did.  This displeased Sanballat and Tobiah and they and their people decided that the only way to stop them was by attacking them.

Nehemiah 4:7  But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

Nehemiah 4:8  And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. What is Nehemiah going to do? I think you’ll be surprised to see what he instructs his people to do. Now these Jews had been working on the wall independently but Nehemiah does something different. I think if I had been in charge I would have put what I thought to be the biggest and the meanest out front. I then would have worked back from that and finally would have put the women and the children in the rear. No, that’s not what Nehemiah did; he put the families together and said don’t worry about the walls or Jerusalem. Then what are we fighting for Nehemiah? I love what Nehemiah said.

Nehemiah 4:13  Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

Nehemiah 4:14  And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Nehemiah stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places; but here’s the twist he placed them by families. He then told them to not be afraid remember the Lord who is great and terrible and he tells them to fight for your brethren, your sons, daughters, your wives and your houses. Nehemiah knew that if they were fighting for the city and the wall, then the people might not fight for the wall could be rebuilt and so could the city. Now the family is much different. I think it should be the same in our lives you and I can replace things but not lives and to use the word fight; our families are worth fighting for. Our friends are worth encouraging and our Lord deserves our praise for He is still Great and awesome. Encourage someone you love today. It will do you both good.

Masterpieces

 There was a man one day drawing on the sidewalk with chalk; he must have been there for some time for he had drawn a picture of the Mona Lisa. It was beautifully done, and after the artist had left and went home some young boys on bicycles intentionally ran over the artwork sliding their tires and really destroying the artist hard work. When I read that I was immediately upset in my mind. I said “why on earth would someone literally destroy something so beautiful for no reason.” All of a sudden my mind went by to a time when a man came to King David by the name of Nathan. Nathan told King David a story that upset him, the King got so upset that he said this.

2Samuel 12:5  And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: David was so angry that he was ready to send that man to his grave but then Nathan said to David that he was the man. It’s easy to read a story about a chalk drawing of the Mona Lisa being destroyed by young boys and get upset. I must ask myself this question; have I ever marred anyone’s clay?  The Bible tells us that we are God’s workmanship.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Every one of us are God’s masterpieces so that means if I use unkind language toward another one of God’s masterpieces then the possibility of me marring someone else’s clay is very possible.

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. I got angry when I read the story but then God used something to show me a picture of myself. It was with a young man with Down syndrome. He spoke to everyone he came in contact with and he had a smile on his face. He was also hugging everyone; it didn’t matter if they were fat, skinny, black or white. It didn’t matter to him if they wanted his love or not. You might say oh yes but he was inflected with a disease that caused him to act and do those things. I don’t know maybe we are the ones with the disease. That young man didn’t say harsh words, hold grudges or dislike anyone and it didn’t matter to him if you liked him or not. You were going to be loved on. In this world that you and I live in people are constantly tearing down the worth of others. Wouldn’t it be great if we were to see others as God’s unique workmanship. Can you remember someone saying harsh words to you? I sure do, in 1968 my drill sergeant said to me “boy you’ll never amount to anything.” Those words cut to the bone and on that day I said to myself you just wait and see. As I look back now; those words did cut to the bone and hurt, he was upset with me and rightly so. He said something he may or may not have meant in his anger. I have done the same thing in my anger and impatience at a critical moment have marred God’s workmanship. So God sent a Nathan to me in the form of a Down syndrome child to show me my wrong. I must be slow to speak and quick to think of what I might do to others that could last a life time.

James 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 

Dirty Words

 In the movie “The Christmas Story” Ralphie had said a dirty word and when he got home his mother put a bar of soap in his mouth to clean it up. I can’t remember a time that my mother ever put soap in my mouth. I am not saying that I didn’t need it I’m just saying I don’t remember her ever doing that. She had other ways like saying “just wait to your daddy gets home” and the cold chills would run up my spine and fear filled my mind. It was then that I wanted to say “oh no go get the soap.” We hear dirty words often don’t we? Not what you’re thinking but other dirty words: Cancer, Divorce, Fired, Bankrupt, Alone, Death; you can add a few if you like. Why do I call them dirty? Because of the way they hurt us and the ones we love and care about. They are icebergs that sink the strongest people. You might ask “how do I conqueror those dirty words? Well the Child of God must realize that they are loved by God. I heard the story of a Pastor who couldn’t sleep one night because his heart was troubled. He gets up at 3:00 am and heads to a park where there is a walking track. At 1:00 am on a Sunday morning there is no one there and as he walks with a broken and troubled heart he looks up and there’s a woman. She is walking and she stops. She asked him if he were a Christian, to which he said yes. She then said God told me to tell you three things. God wanted me to tell you that He loves you, He told me to tell you to cheer up and lastly He told me to tell you to give it to Him and then she was gone.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation( Affliction)  , or distress, (Affliction Extreme pain) or persecution, (Punishment)  or famine, (destitution)  or nakedness, or peril,(Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy) or sword?

 Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Oh no, the one who loves us gives us the overwhelming victory in all these difficulties. So what is it that has separated you from the love of Christ? Is it the dirty words “You’re Fired?” Now you are in a tail spin; don’t forget He still loves those who have been fired. Sickness, He still loves sick people and if you live long enough you’ll get sick and the sickness may even take away this earthly life. Just remember that we have something better.

2Corinthains 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I just love those two words “we know” so there you go who or what shall separate us from the love of God only what you allow to get in the way. 

Little

 The Super Bowl was played last night; it’s where the two best football teams come together to see who will be number one. It’s a big thing with companies spending an average of $3.5 million for 30-second commercials. Now if you wanted to go to the Super Bowl and be there in person then you better have plenty of cash. The cheapest seat in the stadium was priced at $2,098.  There are numerous nosebleed listings in the $2300-$2400 range. The most expensive ticket listing is a $608,475. Like I said it was big. Well, that’s all good and fine but I want to write about little things. Little things are often overlooked because they are little and we may be too busy looking for Super Bowl big. The little prayers moved Jesus “Lord remember Me,” “Lord Save Me’” “Lord what would you have me to do?.” Do you not agree those little prayers moved Him? There was a little man by the name of Zacchaeus. I know you remember him; he ran and climbed into a sycamore tree just so he could see Jesus when He passed by. Zacchaeus had become successful in life and had become a rich man but the sad thing is that he had never met Jesus. As everyone looked at Zacchaeus they may have thought “now there’s a man who has it made, he’s got it all.” Zacchaeus may have had everything this world could afford him but he didn’t have the one thing that he needed that would make him happy and that was Jesus. Then there came a day of opportunity, Jesus was in town Zacchaeus being little would have to elevate himself to get above the crowd so he climbs into a sycamore tree. As Jesus came to that Sycamore tree He stops and He looks up and there is Zacchaeus.

Luk 19:5  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.

I think if I looked up and saw someone in a tree I think the first words from my mouth would have been “what are you doing up there.” That’s not what Jesus said He told Zacchaeus to get out of that tree for He was going to abide at his house today.

Luk 19:6  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  Here’s the key Zacchaeus got out of that tree and made haste and received Jesus joyfully. It’s a wonderful thing when Jesus comes and knocks at your hearts door and you open it and let Him come in. Like an old friend who comes by to see you, they knock at your door and you open it up and they come in. When one receives Jesus that person changes; listen to what Zacchaeus had to say.

Luk 19:8  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. All a sudden that which may have been so important he is willing to give away.

Luk 19:9  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Salvation didn’t come because Zacchaeus was willing to give half his good to the poor. No, salvation came because Zacchaeus received Jesus and then Zacchaeus joyfully gave what he had away. Jesus will change the way you think and your actions will be different. The time clock is ticking, each day that passes by brings you and I closer to the day of our death and the question is have we received Jesus? There is still time, if you have read this far you may be up in the sycamore tree looking down and Jesus is about to pass your way don’t miss HIM!

The Crowd

In Matthew chapter 20 we see Jesus has departed from Jericho headed to Jerusalem with a great multitude of people following Him.  It’s not long before they come upon two blind men sitting by the road. They hear a crowd coming in their direction and they understand that it is Jesus. This was their day; these two men were in the right place at the right time. They began to cry out saying “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.” That is when they are criticized and told to keep quiet. They cried out more saying the same thing in hope of getting Jesus’ attention. Now what I don’t understand is why this crowd doesn’t want Jesus to have anything to do with these blind men.  Could it be that these men didn’t really meet their standards? They could have been dirty. We already know they were loud maybe to the point that they were embarrassing to this fine group of men that were following Jesus. Had they forgotten what Jesus had just said?

Matthew 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. I wonder what Jesus meant by a ransom for many? Did it include blind men that may have been dirty and loud? I know what you are going to say; you were going to say, yes, Jesus is interested in these blind men. Sure He was but this crowd sure wasn’t. Just let them stay blind was their attitude. You say how awful and I agree fully! It is an awful thing not to help others when we can. You know what, it happens in our day and right in our Churches. Right after I was saved I began working in the bus ministry; I loved it. I would go where no one else would go. I remember one night talking to a young boy about riding my bus; he took me to meet his mom and dad and they were drunk as could be. They agreed to let him ride my bus. The next morning I pull that bus up to his house and blew the horn and nothing. No one opened the door, no little boy running out to meet the bus; nothing. I got out of the bus and went and beat on the door and in a few minutes his dad opened the door. I refreshed his memory and told him I was here to pick up his son. He told me that he was still in the bed but if I wanted too I could go back and wake him. I walked down the hall to his room and when I saw him I almost cried. There he was sleeping on the floor with a blanket wrapped around him. I reached down and woke him up. When his eyes opened and he saw me he smiled. I told him to get dressed and I would be back in a few minutes to get him. When I returned he was waiting on me, his cloths were wrinkled and miss matched but his smile was from ear to ear. Off we went Church, but when we arrived he was not met with the same joy that I had. Mothers and dads made sure their child had nothing to do with him. Can I tell you that he picked up on that quick and that was the last time he ever came to Church; can you blame him? This is the way those blind men were being treated. I am afraid many have forgotten what they were before the Lord found them maybe they thought they were good sinners. What’s that? Is that just telling small lies, stealing little things, not using too many cuss words and not gossiping too much? That is ridiculous. There are those that will not have anything to do with sex offenders, alcoholics, those who abuse drugs, different color, different nationality, poor or broke. The list goes on and on and you can fill in the blanks. Jesus didn’t listen to the crowd. He stopped, stood still and asked those two men what will ye that I shall do unto you.  Jesus did what the crowd didn’t want to do. He had compassion on them and touched their eyes and they received their sight immediately.  Here is what I like, those two men after receiving their sight decided to get up and follow Jesus. Wonder what that good crowd of people thought then? Who is in your crowd or what crowd do you identity yourself with? If you follow Jesus there are going to be an assortment of different kinds of people. There will be some people who have a terrible past and others that as far as most people are concerned were fairly good people. May I remind you both kinds were on their way to a devil’s hell for without Jesus we’ll never see. Can I say, just like those two blind men I’m just happy to be in the crowd. 

Quit

Have you ever just wanted to quit? You have been entrusted with a certain position but for some reason all of a sudden nothing’s going right.  Quitting is always the easy way out of any problem, the problem with quitting is that you never grow above the problem. We can pray and pray but see no or little results, so we decide to quit. We talk and tell others about the Lord but as we do, it seems that no one pays little or no attention to what we are saying, so we quit. If we act and think like that we will discourage our own self; remember it's easy to quit. The runner who quits in the race never wins!  Abraham Lincoln is a man that I admire because he didn't quit. In 1832 he lost his job, 1833 he fails in business, 1835 his sweetheart dies, 1836 he had a nervous breakdown, 1838 he is defeated for house speaker, 1843 he is defeated for nomination for Congress, 1854 he was defeated for US Senate, 1856 he was defeated for nomination for Vice President, 1858 he was defeated again for US Senate. Over twenty-five years of failures and setbacks; he could have said "what’s the use I'll never amount to anything I have tried and failed, I think I'll just quit." If Abraham Lincoln would have had that type of attitude he would have robbed me of an attitude that it can be done! He has shown me it could by his not quitting because in 1860 this so called failure became the sixteenth President of the United Stated. How do we learn not to become quitters? The Apostle Paul found himself in prison as he wrote Timothy a letter and in that letter he wrote that a man named “Demas” had quit.

2Timothy 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,  Demas left, he quit, he didn’t quit over night for he had been with Paul for some time. Somewhere Demas got his mind and eyes on what he thought was better and he quit. Paul may have been disappointed even hurt but he asked Timothy to bring him some things.

2Timothy 4:13  The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.  Paul asked for a cloke and some books but there is one thing he tells Timothy not to forget and that’s the “parchments.” What were these parchments?  Most likely these were the books of the Old Testament, which were written on parchments.  Timothy you can forget the coat and the books but you make sure that you bring me the parchments. I’m willing to be cold, I am willing not to read the books but I must have the parchments. Could it be that Paul would find words of encouragement in the writing of the parchments? Paul is facing death and urges Timothy to get there soon. Is that not what David did?

1Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. So when we find ourselves discouraged, ready to quit that is when we need to get encouraging words and thoughts from God’s Word and allow Him to encourage us with His word. Our Lord didn’t quit He went all the way; we can too but not without the Word of God to encourage us. Remember anyone can quit!