Wrong Actions

Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Potsherd=A piece or fragment of a broken pot

Like a clay pot covered with silver, looks are deceiving. It looks as if it's valuable. Can't always tell by looks or even feelings one must watch for the actions produced. In this case we see not only by burning lips but also a wicked heart as the scraping begins for the intention was not to build up but to burn down. When I use my words are they to build up or is my intention to burn down? Goes to the intent of my heart, what is my hearts intent? I must remember and be careful for hurt people want to hurt people. When someone has disappointed me I must be careful when I speak with them that I don't allow my disappointment to strike back as to hurt them the way I was hurt. It can be done without knowing or even the intent to do so. Therefore we should pay close attention to how and what we’re saying. If my heart is holding on to a feeling of disappointment then I will burn down. I must make sure the disappointment is gone from my heart or disaster will happen. Not long ago I thought my hearts intent was to go by and build someone up. Yes, I was disappointed in them but thinking I would go by and give a word of encouragement. Jeremiah was right when he said this;

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Deceitful, is that what Jeremiah said our heart was? Deceitful means to mislead. So here I go, my intentions were to encourage but my heart was misleading me and before long I was allowing my disappointed heart to hurt back. The silver had fallen off and the scraping had begun. I never intended for that to happen but it did and three days later the Lord deals with my heart about it. I have one or two things to do at this point, ignore the Lord or obey. I chose to obey. I returned and apologize for my wrong actions and didn’t try to justify what I had done. You see I had done wrong and it wasn’t anyone else fault but mine. I know it’s always easier to blame someone else for your wrong actions but it was out of the abundance of my heart that those words came, not someone else. I didn’t want too, I didn’t like it at all but the Lord blessed in a way I never expected Him to. The one I went by to see said I didn’t owe him an apology he needed to hear what I said. I still told him that I was sorry for my actions that I was out of line. His last words were as he looked me in the eyes he said that he loved me and hugged my neck. The lesson I learned, never try to figure out what God is really doing when He sends you somewhere. How can we know the mind of God! We can’t and when we think we do we‘re miles off.

Championship

The championship game was only a week away, the team was undefeated and the coach was confident. The only problem was school would be out a week before the game; the coach confident of his team practiced hard that day, pushed his team for the win. Then it happened, the coach got too confident and decided not to practice any more for a week. The day of the game he loaded his team on a bus and off they went to win the championship. The coin was tossed as the undefeated team won and decided to kick the ball. It was a side kick and all went well the kicking team recovered the ball; the next play they threw a touchdown pass; 7 to nothing and the crowd roared. When the boys loaded on the bus to go back to their school that evening their heads were low and the final score 7 to 45. What went wrong? Could have been a week without practice, I’m sure that had a big part in the final score. Then there was the over confidence; I mean these teams had won every one of their games and the thinking was we will win this too; but it was not to be. I’m afraid I have done the same thing; oh no, not in football but in everyday living. When I leave off my Bible reading and prayer and go out to meet the day I’m in danger of losing and getting crossed up in temptation and weak points in my life. It happens when I get over confident in my abilities, when it’s not my abilities it His abilities in my life that count. When I’m trusting in myself I’m in real danger it’s not yesterdays Bible reading or the prayers of yesterday for protection that I need. I need today’s time with the Lord; that’s important. This relationship with the Lord should be an everyday time with the Lord and not a drive by look at the scriptures. It’s a trust in the Lord with all my heart and not a trust in myself hoping the Lord blesses.  Like that football coach that didn’t see the need to practice, we too if not careful will fill our Bible time up with other things. Nothing is more important than getting help on how to handle the day from the one who made the day.

Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Meeting with Him this morning gave me a great start to the day the Lord has made. 

No Looking Back

I see it all the time, the quarterback passes the ball to the wide receiver or a tight end the pass is completed and off they run toward the gold line for that touchdown.  I have noticed time and time again that those running with the football for the touchdown will look back to see if there is anyone close to them. It’s a small mistake and it doesn’t seem like a big deal but it is. When that runner takes his eyes off the gold he loses time; it doesn’t seem like much but it may be just enough to cause him to get tackled. I can still hear the coach saying “don’t look back keep your eyes on the gold you’ll be the first to know if there is someone is close enough to tackle you.” I can’t tell you how many times I said to the T.V. quit looking back and run. I think we have the same problem in our day to day living. Everything is going good and then we get to thinking about our failures from the past. Then we may ask ourselves this question “how can God forget my past when I can’t?” Here is the reason why, let’s look at some verses to help us understand.

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

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

Look at what we just read in Psalms 103 and verse 12 did you notice the word “removed” it means to separate. Our sins have been separated from us; where did they go? 

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all. Without doubt we have all gone in the wrong way we have all wanted it our way but God removed our sins and laid them on Jesus and he paid the penalty for them. I know you are saying but why can’t I forget the wrongs I have done? The answer to that question is found in Hebrews “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”  Let me ask you a question, can God remember our sins and iniquities? Sure, He could but thank God He chooses not to remember them. That is the same thing you and I must do, choose not to remember them. Every time you and I start remembering our past we lose sight of the gold. We can’t remove the past but we don’t have to keep revisiting it.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Don’t live in the past live in the present and we too can say with the blind man;

John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14   I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He pressed toward no looking back.

Out of the Grave

It was one of those days; you know a good one, a great day. I am sure you have had those days too and no matter how many years have passed in your mind it was like yesterday. Your memory can recall that moment with fondness. On that day I walked into a Church in East Atlanta. I was keeping a promise and that was all¸ I also had another mission it was to make my father-n-law think hopefully better about me. That day as I entered that Church I was condemned and didn’t know it;

John 3:18 He that believeth on him (Jesus) is not condemned: (guilty, damned, judged) but he that believeth not is condemned (guilty, damned, judged) already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. When I walked out of that Church I was not Condemned but alive in Jesus Christ and I was of the persuasion of the Apostle Paul;

2Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. On that day I felt like Lazarus, you remember Lazarus don’t you?

John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Arriving at the tomb, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" Lazarus came out of the grave fully alive, but was still wrapped up like a mummy. Jesus said to those standing by, "Loose him, and let him go. On that day some things happened to Lazarus that he would never forget. First thing that happened to him was that he heard the voice of Jesus;

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go.

Just days before this miracle took place Jesus had said,

John 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Lazarus heard His voice and came to life and so can you and I. The next thing that happened to Lazarus was when Jesus called Lazarus by name that awakened him; when He told Lazarus to come forth from the tomb that empowered him. The Lord never commands us do something that He does not empower us to do. What has He commanded you to do? Then He said “Loose him, and let him go!” Jesus spoke these words to those standing around Lazarus. There are key people, close friends and valued associates whom the Lord has put in our lives to help us get out of our grave clothes and into a new wardrobe. If we will cooperate with the process, our lives will truly be transformed. On that day I heard the preacher say come forth and I felt within myself I have nothing to lose and everything to gain for I knew I was a sinner without doubt. I stepped out and walked to the front and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins; know what He did? He forgave me and I left that morning alive. Came in condemned and on my way to hell, walked out redeemed and on my way to heaven. Oh what a difference Christ has made in my life; no, oh what a difference Christ has made in my future; no, oh what a difference Christ has made in my eternity. 

Thankful

 Have a Great Thanksgiving Day for we have much to be Thankful for.  

Enter In

Tomorrow we will celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. A day with the family more than likely and that is something to be thankful about. Some will huddle around the T.V. watching football while others will take off into the woods to spend some time hunting. Others will just sit around talking with each other while enjoying each others company. How ever you choose to spend the day don’t forget to have a thankful heart. We have talked about making a joyful noise and serving the Lord with gladness. Today I want to finish up with Thanksgiving. When we know that the Lord is God and that He was the one who made us then we can enter into His presence with Thanksgiving. That Thanksgiving will bring on praise and the praise will cause us to be thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ which should cause us to bless His name. Why? For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Reading Psalms 100 let it overwhelm you; don’t you see just how blessed we are; and you thought no one cared?   

Psalms 100:1   Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (Doesn’t say you have to have the talent to sing and have the voice of an angel but the noise was to be made joyful and that joy was to be directed to The Lord.)

Psalms 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (There is gladness in serving the Lord)

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (There is real Joy in knowing the Lord)

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Why should we bless the Lord’s name? Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The Lord is good therefore we should praise Him. The Lord’s mercy is everlasting, another good reason to praise Him. His truth, well, truth never changes, it is good to every generation. The one before us the one behind us and the ones between those; it’s just another good reason to give the Lord Praise. Take time to look around you this Thanksgiving and see just how thankful you really are.

Gladness

Serve has to do with "Gladness," Know has to do with "The Lord." Then there is the word Enter and it has to do with "Thanksgiving." Noise, Gladness, The Lord and Thanksgiving and your question is what's that go to do with me? I'll show you.

 Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Make a joyful noise unto The Lord. Doesn’t say you have to have the talent to sing and have the voice of an angel but the noise was to be made joyful and that joy was to be directed to The Lord.

Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

There is gladness in serving the Lord the Apostle Paul says in;

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing:  The Lord doesn’t want us to have a so called joy; He wants us to have the real thing! Serving the Lord brings us into His Presence and in His Presence we will experience full joy.

Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. There is joy in serving Him. If we want joy we must spend time with our Lord the joyful noise we make unto the Lord will stem from the time we spend before the Lord. If we had the opportunity to sit in the presence of some dignitary would we make an appearance? We have that opportunity everyday of our lives and if we take the time we will experience joy and gladness on a daily basis. Not only are we to make a joyful noise we are to serve with gladness and that will bring a song to the heart. Have you ever asked anyone what type of day they are having? There response is “it’s an ok day.” Want a better day? Have time with the Lord in the Morning and your day will be; as Tony the Tiger always said “They’re GRRRRRReat!” Great mornings make a great day, spend time with the Lord!

Noise

 Make, Serve, Know, Enter; what is all that about? Well Make has to do with "Noise", Serve has to do with "Gladness" and Know has to do with "The Lord." Then there is the word Enter and it has to do with "Thanksgiving." Noise, Gladness, The Lord and Thanksgiving and your question is what's that go to do with me? I'll show you.

 Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Make a joyful noise unto The Lord. Doesn’t say you have to have the talent to sing and have the voice of an angel but the noise was to be made joyful and that joy was to be directed to The Lord.

What kind of noise will you be making today and who will it be directed to? 

What's Going On

ANDREAS, Pa. — Contract workers repairing a stretch of roadway paved straight over a dead deer that one official says was hard to miss. Do what? Pave over a deer, I guess it wasn’t their job to remove deer their job was to pave the highway. Have no fear this wasn’t the decision of one man but 14. All 14 members of the state Department of Transportation crew responsible for paving a deer in Schuylkill County have been disciplined. Excuse me it was only 13; I didn’t want you to think that they were out there without any supervision. The foreman and 13 crew members were all responsible for this decision. I really don’t know what’s going on in Pennsylvania?? A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation official says a crew couldn't avoid painting over a dead raccoon when they put new double-yellow lines on a western Pennsylvania road last week. 

This may seem unbelievable and it is but before we get too quick in pointing the finger to those who actually pave over obstacles in the road let’s ask ourselves do we pave over problems in our own life? God doesn’t want you and I to pave over problems. In the Bible God tells us to repair the problems don’t let them take root deal with them while they are still small. We are told that in the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Let’s not think or act as if we never get angry for we all do from time to time but God says in your anger don’t sin. We can do that by learning to keep our mouth shut; that will control our tongue.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

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

If you don‘t say it you won’t have to go fix it. This anger will only give the enemy a foothold.                    

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

 It’s important that you and I don’t pave over problems, for one day just as this deer and raccoon had to be dealt with so will the problems we pave over. 

Spit, No Towel

 I remember one Sunday night a few years back I was in a rush to get to Church. I grabbed my coat put on my shoes and off I went; no, I didn’t look in the mirror. Okay, maybe a glance but I would have never saw what I would see later at Church. Arriving a few minutes early I talked with those I came in contact with and soon made my way to the platform sitting down beside the Associate Pastor. I looked down and noticed in my rush I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe. My first thought was to go out the side door and escape from my embarrassment, but what would I say was the reason? Then I thought no one will probably even notice anyways. I felt safe by my friend and Associate Pastor so I thought he might get a good laugh so I reach over and told him; that was a mistake. When he went to the pulpit the first words that fell from his lips were words of telling everyone to be sure to look at my shoes. I had to walk around the rest of the night with everyone looking at my shoes and there was nothing I could do but just smile and laugh; it wasn’t that bad. As I was reading in Matthew Chapter 27 I noticed something I have never seen before, Jesus has been undressed and redressed, He had been beat in the head with a reed; strong says that a reed is some type of plant maybe a stick anyways Jesus was beat in the head with it. A crown of thorns had been put upon His head. He had been mocked, made fun of, slapped and they also spit upon Him. Jesus was so weak and the cross so heavy they found a man named Simon and he carried the cross. As they went to the place called Golgotha they gave Jesus vinegar to drink mingled with gall but he refused it. These soldiers did something else and why they did it I don’t know; who would get pleasure out of spitting on a half dead man? Spitting upon another person, especially onto the face, is a universal sign of anger, hatred, disrespect or contempt. Did these soldiers hate Jesus or did they disrespect what He stood for or were they just angry with Him? I don’t know but what is interesting about this spittle that no where do we read of Jesus reaching and wiping it from His face. Wow stop and think for a minute spitting on someone is filthy; could this spit symbolize the filth in our hearts? Then with the filth of the spit Jesus carries it to the cross. Is this why Isaiah said this about Jesus;  

Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Why did the Lord Jesus allow all of this, He could have stopped it; here’s why?

 Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

His wounds were for our transgressions (our rebellious acts.) His bruises were for our iniquities (sins.) He was punished so we could have peace and we receive healing from His stripes. All; you and I have all gone astray, we have done what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it and how we wanted to do it, but God has laid all the sin of the world upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ. With the spit on His face He made His way to the cross where He there died for mine and your sins. No towel for Him, not only did Jesus choose the nails He also chose the saliva. 

Football

What little I know about football I have learned from our youngest son and our grandchildren. Our youngest son played for years and his mom and I never missed a game rain, cold, windy or whatever we were there and he knew it. I noticed that every time he would walk on the field he would stop and look into the grandstands until he found us. He wasn’t that noticeable from all the other players but the number 86 gave him away and we were able to keep up with him as he played. He was dressed and ready to play with his shoulder pads, hip pads, knee pads, helmet, mouth piece and some personal equipment. He was ready like all the other players, to be pushed, knocked down, pulled around, hit and all the other things that go along with the game. They were there to play and there to win. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we too walked out of our homes prepared for all the oncoming things of the day? The hurtful words, mean looks, awful hand jesters and anything else that would happen to befall us. You see in the game of football on every play there are many that get knocked down, stepped on and awful things said to them but every time they got back up because they were prepared to play. There to help each team player and there to win. When you left home this morning were you prepared? Have you spent some time in your Bible? Can you truthfully say that you are happy in the Lord today? Can you say that this is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it? Are you a team player? Are you going to make sure that you recognize the good qualities of another today? In the game of football if the team players are working together, listening to what the coach is saying, then they will lose. The same is true with you and I if we don’t spend time with the coach and listen to Him. The coach is God, the play book is our Bible and those around us are our team mates. Listen to that football team as they talk to each other. A pat on the back and the words come out “What a great block.” “Great catch,” “Wonderful pass,” “I’ll get him next time you can count on it.” Words of courage, confidence and comfort and the game is played.         How will you and I play today? We are on the winning team; I’ve read the back of the playbook and We Win! Whatever is going on in your life today just remember you’re a winner and you’re on the winning team. 

The Weights

He enters the arena ready to run the race; the weights that would hold him back have been left behind. The spectators are in their seats waiting for the race to start. Winning is on the mind of every runner, every preparation has been made that could have been made and today is the day to run your best. The gun is fired and the runners are off no matter how hard the runners have trained for this day at the end of the race there will only be one winner. Ok, we’re not running in a race but think about it for a minute what if one of those runners’ weaknesses was a snickers bar and he was offered three of them as he entered the building. Do you think the runner might think I’ll eat just one before I run or do you at least think that it would cross his mind? What that runner needs at this moment is a way of escape. In the Lord’s Prayer the Lord closes the prayer by saying this;

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.  Lord help me when my weakness comes in the form of temptation. Lord please deliver me from the evil this temptation will bring into my life and Lord help me with my thoughts because you are the power and the glory forever. Is this not what is being said in Hebrews?

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.

The key is looking unto Jesus, not our friends, or even ourselves but Jesus.

1Corintains 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

What’s the way of escape? Simple; it is “looking unto Jesus!” David put it this way;

Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments?

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalms 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Who are you going to trust? 

Good

 Evangelist David Smallwood was at our Church on last night, while he sang my mind raced through 39 years. This past April it was 39 years ago I asked the Lord to come into my heart any my life changed forever. I began to remember just how good God has been to me. This January my wife and I will have been married 43 years. That sounds wonderful but the truth is that without what God did in my life our relationship was on a dead-end street. Forty two years plus she has been the love of my life and with that thought the Lord reminded me that He has been so good to me. Then I was reminded of the Church and the people of that Church God gave me the privilege to pastor for 22 years and once again I was reminded just how good God has been to me. For the last seven plus years God has loved those others have given up on through me and yes once again I was reminded just how good God has been to me. Time and space cannot tell of just how good God has been to me. The reason I write this, this morning is I want you to stop for just a moment and think back on days gone by and be reminded of just how good God has been to you in your life. Have a blessed day! For each of you have been blessed.

Remember The Alamo

One hundred and seventy-six years ago this past February one hundred and eighty-six freedom fighters took a stand at a little mission. Colonel William Travis was in command that day. The enemy demanded surrender, and Travis's answer could not be misunderstood. Colonel Travis said to his men "there has been a demand from the enemy that we surrender, and I've answered with cannon shot," he says, "and our flag still waves proudly. I will live and die as a soldier." You may have heard the words "Remember the Alamo?"  The Alamo where all but 2 of those hundred and eighty-six men died fighting for freedom. Wait just a minute that is not completely true; According to many accounts of the battle, between five and seven Texans surrendered and were quickly executed. Three Texan sentinels stationed outside the walls were killed in their sleep. So out of those 186 freedom fighters all were killed fighting except for seven to nine men. The flag was a waving the Cannon was shot that gave the answer "No Surrender." I love the history of men like these, they believed so strong in what they were doing that they were ready and willing to put their life on the line and even die if need be. This is not true in everything for even at the Alamo some were sleeping and others; well they just surrendered and died anyways. I read that no matter how big the Church there is only about 10% doing the work. If that's so that must mean that some are sleeping and others have surrendered or will surrender. The Bible tells us of a night that men were asked to pray and they slept. They were woke up and asked again to pray but they soon went back to sleep.

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt .

[40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

[42] He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

[43] And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

Then we read too of those who just surrendered or quit. 

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

[67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

2 Timothy 4:10 (For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. It's easy to quit, just walk away, you will even have some that will follow. Sleep? Why sure just shut your eyes to that which is going on around you and you will lose your vision, sleeping people can't see what's going on around them. But then there are those like the Apostle Paul ready if need be to die.

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Are you ready to fight; charge hell with a water pistol, or are you one of those ready to quit or maybe you're getting a little sand in your eyes and ready to sleep. The call is going out as it did to Paul;

Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

What are you yourself doing? Charging Forward? Retreating? Or Sleeping? Better think about what direction we are headed.

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

When We Fail

John 2:3-4, 7-8

[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past and the true light now shineth.

We are told to keep His commandments but no man can keep the Commandments. If we are guilty of one we are guilty of all.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all.

CALVIN

If we keep his commandments but there is no one who in everything keeps them; there would thus be no knowledge of God in the world. To this I answer, that the Apostle is by no means inconsistent with himself; since he has before shewed that all are guilty before God, he does not understand that those who keep his commandments wholly satisfy the law (no such example can be found in the world;) but that they are such as strive, according to the capacity of human infirmity, to form their life in conformity to the will of God. For whenever Scripture speaks of the righteousness of the faithful, it does not exclude the remission of sins, but on the contrary, begins with it.

 Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

[20] That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

We are to keep His Word, we are to obey His Word and we should have a real desire to please our Heavenly Father. It shouldn’t be for show but we should want too because the Holy Spirit is prompting us or me to do so. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things are passed away." No, we can't keep all the commands and yes when we fail we have a lawyer Jesus Christ who is our atonement for our sin and we confess to Him our wrong doing and He goes before our Heavenly Father on our behalf; sin paid for, Calvary.


No Where Near

Tim Daggett who is this Tim Daggett?  Virtually unknown outside the world of gymnastics until the 1984 Summer Olympic Games where he scored a perfect “10” on the Horizontal Bar to win a Gold Medal for the United States.” He began his gymnastics when he was nine years old. It soon became a passion in his life. After one successful high school year, finishing first in the state of Massachusetts he had taken on the best in Massachusetts and won.  His father made the decision that he must try out for the Junior National Team. He soon boarded a plane headed for the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for his first big shot. The first day of the trials he was blown away. Kids his own age and younger were doing” “more difficult skills, better than he had ever seen before. When it came his turn to compete, he was humiliated. Needless to say, he did not make this Junior National Team. After the trials were over the coaching staff met with each of the participants. Although trying to be compassionate, they felt they had to be honest: Tim Daggett was nowhere near Junior National Team caliber. “But, Tim, gymnastics can be just for fun, also,” one of the coaches told him.” Now I told you that to say this, we might settle to live our Christian life for fun. Now what I mean by that is we're glad we have been forgiven and are on our way to heaven and yes we would like others to go with us but we are only trying to reach then in a fun way. I know a man who is having a hard time trying to reach a man. He can't get him off his mind; he has talked with him more than once about his soul. He told me that he understands what compassion is now. I asked him, “What do you think compassion means.” He told me, “It's simple; it’s when I realize that another person’s pain is affecting my heart.” That's it! We must allow other people's pain to affect our heart. Read what the Apostle Paul had to say about the pain of others.

Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

 The very first time we read the word compassion in the New Testament it reads like this.

Matthew 9:36 But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he (Jesus) was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then The Lord Jesus says;

Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Could it be that Jesus is saying that the need is great but those that are compassionate toward others are few? Tim Daggett left that day with a different attitude, he didn't want to do gymnastics for fun he went home and worked harder than ever. Two years later he made the team finishing 5th place. If you and I are going to be successful we will have to fail and then not except our failure, but go back to work at it. Fifth place is far better than not placing. Never be satisfied not making the team. Never be satisfied sitting on the bench. Don't you want to be on the playing field playing in the game? Then we must learn from our failures!

Sophisticated Millionaires

Have you ever gone somewhere just because you had too? You had rather not have gone but it was required that you be there so off you went. While there in your sophisticated manner while looking around you notice someone who was backwards and homey making sounds like Oooh, Oooooeeee,  boy look at that one, while pointing their finger. “This past weekend I had to attend some classes.  I didn’t want to but I had to. I had no choice because it was what they call continuing educational hours and I am required to have so many hours. Yes, two days of it and one night in a motel. Did I say it was fun? I didn’t think so. As I stood in line to get my card read; yes they wanted to make sure you were there and no they were not going to take your word for it you had to be scanned in. As I looked around I saw others just like myself sophisticated, professional. Then I saw him, I was getting closer toward this Gomer Pyle looking feller just a smiling saying, “Oooh, boy look at that line.” He was there for the same reason I was, getting those hours. He was more, you see he had volunteered to help out and he was in charge of controlling a scanner, not only did I not want to be here it looked as if I might not get credit either. I noticed something during the day as we were scanned in and out I found myself looking for him during the day and watching him, he was having a blast. On Saturday morning as I entered the building there he was, but this day he was different he now had on this dumb looking  pointed hillbilly hat with all kinds of things hanging from it. Ok, I couldn’t help it I laughed. My daughter said I wish I could get a picture of him. I said go over there and take one. I’m sure he won’t care, but she wouldn’t do it. I said I’ll go take one for you so off I went, I walked up to him and said let me get a picture and he posed for the picture. I then began talking to him; can you imagine a sophisticated person like me talking to a dumb looking guy like this, what will others think? After talking with him I realized he was there for the same purpose as me but he was enjoying the time while I was there wishing I was somewhere else. The lesson I learned was I must be and go to places I don’t really want to be, but if I would just let some of that Gomer Pyle attitude rub off on me I would enjoy the journey. You see that is what he was doing. I had made the trip but missed the journey. The Apostle Paul was in many places he didn’t really want to be, like prison, shipped wrecked and many other places. In every place he made the best out of the journey.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

You see Paul’s confidence wasn’t in what others were thinking of him or in himself. His confidence was in what Jesus Christ was doing in his life on a daily basis. I’m afraid too many times I get caught up in what others would think if I, say wore a pointed hillbilly hat with things stuck all over it. That man didn’t give a care what others were thinking he was just enjoying life looking dumb. Come to think of it I have a good friend that’s like that. He and his family came to spend time with us a few summers back. They wanted to see Downtown Atlanta so off we went. Our first stop was a nice 5-star hotel. They rode in the glass elevators while screaming like they were on a roller coaster at an amusement park. We then went to the conference area and yes, there was some type of conference going on. When we arrived there were a bunch of 25 cent sophisticated millionaires walking around impressing one another. My friend not realizing or caring walked in the middle of a bunch talking. He stops looks up and says “WELL PRAISEEEE GOD!” They all ran as if you had shot a shotgun, he never noticed and I just laughed. You see he too was enjoying the journey and had joy in the journey.  I don’t know about you but I need more of that type of an attitude.

My Possession

Proverbs 4:4 He taught SHOWED me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain KEEP IN YOUR POSSESSION my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Taught= tell or show (how)

Proverbs 4:6  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve PROTECT thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

Proverbs 4:8  Exalt GLORIFY her, and she shall promote ENCOURAGE THE PROGRESS thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embraceTO TAKE HOLD OF her.

 Proverbs 4:26  Ponder MEDITATE the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.PERMANENTLY ACCEPTED

Proverbs 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

What God has showed me in His Word I should keep in my possession and live? I am not to forsake Gods Word and Gods Word will protect me, I should love Gods Word and God’s Word will keep me from wrong pathways. Glorify Gods Word and Gods Word will encourage me, Gods Word will bring me to honour when I take hold of it. Meditate the path of my feet and let all my ways be permanent by what I have been taught in Gods Word. There is no reason for me to turn my feet to a path that will lead to evil. The important lesson here is do not go down paths of my own making for they will cause me to justify wrong actions. Just some thoughts on who are we following?

Now Ready

Being ready is important but I must say I have not been ready for everything that comes my way. Sometimes others will tell me of a certain event that I was not ready to hear. Other times I am not ready to go or ready to meet another person. When I was in the military we had to be ready to move on short notice.  I find myself many times not ready to meet what’s ahead of me. That was not the case in the life of the Apostle Paul.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Just a few books over:

2Corinthains 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

2Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

We have seen Paul so far ready to preach and ready to go but I want you to read this for this will separate the men from the boys.

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Lots of people are ready to live but the numbers grow fewer when we talk about dying. Years ago my Dad was in a Hospital in Downtown Atlanta and I went to visit with him one evening. As I was walking toward his room I felt impressed to tell the person in the room with him about the Lord. Now the strange thing is I didn’t even know if anyone was in the same room with him. When I arrived I noticed that there was another man in the room with him. I knew what the Lord had told me to do but I was slow in doing it. After I had been visiting with my Dad for some time I got up and asked the man if he were to  die tonight did he know if he would go to heaven. I have never forgotten his answer. He told me that his religion was personal and refused to talk with me. After a little bit he told my dad that in a few days when they got to feeling better that they should go and paint the town red. I soon left and went home for the night. The next day as I arrived at the Hospital I thought to myself that I would try and speak to this man again. As I arrived at the room I noticed he was not there so I asked my Dad where he was, my Dad said that he had died during the night. That has been over 35 years ago and I have never forgotten that a man had an opportunity to go to heaven and died not ready to meet His maker. The Apostle Paul said he was ready to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Years have passed and Paul finds himself in a Roman prison with his life now approaching the end. He had this to say;

2Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. He then adds three things

2Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: His Fight, His Finish and His Faith for Paul had never been a dropout; maybe because he was ready.

2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Paul was ready to meet his Lord face to face. I have to ask myself, am I ready, do I have the confidence that Paul had?  I like you, are just one heartbeat away from that day, ready or not.