Communication

We live in a day of communication; emails, texting, instant messaging, cell phones and now something called twitter. What happened to the living breathing face to face relationships? Relationships are most meaningful when they are lived out face to face and heart to heart. Sure all these things are wonderful but I don't know about you, I like people and face to face contact. Would you rather read I love you or hear I love you? That's a no brainer to me. I would much rather hear it than read it. But many times I am afraid we have the same response to God. We can't send Him an email or an instant message. But it is for sure He wants us to communicate with Him and it is through something called prayer. One day Jesus disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. This is what He told them; Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Luk 11:3
Give us day by day our daily bread.

Luk 11:4
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. That's wonderful so people in our day just started saying what has been called the "Lord's Prayer." But wait that is not what the disciple asked, is it? They didn't say give us something to quote and repeat they asked "teach us to pray." So the Lord gave them a pattern of pray. Here let me show you what I mean. The first thing the Lord did was to Praise-Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

The next thing was Needs- Give us day by day our daily bread.

The next thing was Forgiveness- forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

The next thing was Protection- And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

It's much better if we start off our prayer with thanking God and Praising Him for who He is and what He has done for us. We all have needs and He knows it, and wants to help us; all we have to do is let Him. But we all get sin into our lives and we need to ask God on a daily basis to show us our sins and then we need to ask Him to forgive us our sins. That way we keep in fellowship with God and I for sure want to stay in fellowship with Him. Don't you? We for sure need protection from the evil that's around us every day. Now that's not only communication but that's also building a relationship with God. In other words it is me getting to know Him. When I know Him I can hear Him better and so can you.

 

The Dash

Life is short. How short? As short as a dash! Do what, you may ask. Every time I go a cemetery I am reminded of just how short life is. Have you ever noticed what is on the grave markers? It will give the name of who is buried, when they were born and maybe something about their life. My Dads reads like this John H. Sosebee Born September 10, 1921 – Died December 27, 1986 there is a train that indicates that he worked for the Railroad and then 43 years which tells everyone who sees it what his occupation was and how long he worked for them. The thing that catches my eye is that dash which tells me life is short. I read of two family members who were best of friends, then one day one reminded the other of something that had happened 30 years early. One thing leads to another and they haven't spoken to each other since. Each believes that it was the other ones fault and neither will forgive. What a shame, life is just too short not to forgive. I was 18 years old when I left home. I thought if I was ever going to see the world I had to get out from under my Mom and Dad's care; or as the way I looked at it prison. The year was 1968 and without any advice from my parents I Joined the USAF and three weeks later I was gone. May I say that was not the smartest thing I ever did. Then I married without telling my parents. I was home on leave and met this fine looking young girl and in a week we were married. I could go on and on but here is what I want to say. Three months before my dad died I took the time to ask him to forgive me of my actions from when I was young and didn't realize how brilliant he was. You see forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Now I didn't hate my dad and he had forgiven me long ago. But I wanted him to know that there was nothing in my heart but love for him and that he was and still is my hero. Three months later on December 27, 1986 a Saturday night around 9:30 or 10:00 PM when I said good bye, I love you, talk to you tomorrow little did I know that would be the last time I would hear his voice. Somewhere after 11:00 he took his last breath and was gone. That person that you think and may have very well done you wrong; why don't you take the first step and mend that relationship. No it will not change the past but it will enlarge the future. Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1John 2:12
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. When I read those verses I am reminded that God has forgiven me for all my wrong doings and I should do the same. Don't leave this world with unforgiveness for it only breeds bitterness and remember your dash is coming.

 

They Didn’t Know

As we read our Bibles we read of great men & women like Daniel, David, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Esther, Ruth and many more. What do we remember these great people for? Daniel; the man thrown into a den of lions, spent the night and walked out the next morning. A wonderful story! There was also David, the teenager who killed the giant that had the Israelite army terrified. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; the three men who were thrown into a fiery furnace and were not burned but were seen walking around. Those are not just stories those are actual events that took place. As I read about these men and women it is easy to overlook something very important. As I read about Daniel on his way to the den of lions he had no idea what was to happen to him. As David was headed down to meet a man everyone else was terrified of he too had no idea that he hadn't seen his last sun rise. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn't have any idea they would walk out of the fiery furnace. It's easy for me to read about these men and say "go on Daniel God will deliver you." I like Paul Harvey know the rest of the story, but Daniel didn't. As the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz told the Tin man, lion and scarecrow they had something the others didn't have. So it was with these men. They had put their trust in God! I love what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego told King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Daniel 3:14
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Daniel 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

They didn't know what was going to happen to them. Neither do you and I. We can trust in ourselves and our abilities or we can do like these people did. Still hanging pictures on the Greyhound?

 

Hanging Pictures on a Greyhound

Picture in your mind a man getting aboard a Greyhound bus headed across country. After the bus has pulled away from the station the man stands up, and begins to hang pictures on the walls of the bus. What would you think? I personally would think he was a nut! But is that not what most Christians do? James says our life is but a vapour James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. The question we may need to ask ourselves is "where will we live the longest?" We may spend too much time planning life here and too little time planning for life there. In the race of this life we may lose sight of what God has for us. I believe God wants us to have rest; one only has to read Psalm 23 to see and understand that.

Rest from doing things My Way Because "The LORD is my shepherd"

Rest from Endless Wants Because" I shall not want "

Rest from Weariness Because "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures "

Rest from Worry Because "he leadeth me beside the still waters "

Rest from Hopelessness Because "He restoreth my soul "

Rest from Guilt Because "he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness "

Rest from Pride Because "for his name's sake "

Rest from the Valley of Death Because " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: "

Rest from The Shadow for Fear "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me "Rest from Loneliness Because "for thou art with me "

Rest from Shame Because "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies "

Rest from Disappointments Because "thou anointest my head with oil "

Rest from Envy Because "my cup runneth over "

Rest from Doubt Because "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life "

Rest from Homesickness Because "I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever "

So what did you say was brothering you? Have a restful week.

The Crowd

When you see a crowd of people what do you see? Well, when I see a crowd they may be filling a stadium or flooding a shopping mall. When I see a crowd I see people, a herd of human beings. I see a flock of faces and that's it. As I was reading I noticed something, it's found in the book of John Chapter 10 and verse 14 -"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep," and In verse 3 we read
"he calleth his own sheep by name" When I see a crowd I see faces with no names but when God sees faces He knows their names. Like a shepherd knows his sheep so God knows those who have given their hearts to Him. Now listen to this!
Isaiah
49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; Our Name is on "God's lips and on His hands. Every Friday night men & women come to an addictions meeting. They are hoping I will say something to help with their pain. Hoping I have the answer. They are saying "I made some mistakes" I need help. I hear them saying I listened to the politicians and they have lied. The system has failed me. The minister I look to has compromised. My wife has left me or if I don't get some help I'll have to leave. What do I tell them? I start by telling them about a time when my life was much like theirs, but the sad thing is that I didn't know it. I went to a Church one Sunday morning in April, 36 years ago and heard words I had never heard. I had heard the name Jesus and the name God but never had I understood what He had really done. On that morning I gave Him my heart and I stepped out of the crowd and into His family and now my name is on His lips and graven upon the palms of His hands. Every Friday night I get to meet with some of the finest people in all the world and I get to watch God do what He did in my life over and over again. Sometimes we have to get to the bottom before we can look up. Have a great weekend and ask God to do something wonderful in someone's life tonight at the Reformer meeting.

 

Feeding the Wolf

I read a story of a granddad as he was trying to teach his grandson about life. He said "a fight is going on inside me." It's a terrible fight and it's between two wolves. One is evil, he is anger, he is envy, he is self-pity, he is lies, and he is ego. The other wolf is good; he is joy, peace, love, hope, kind, generous, truthful, compassionate and faithful. His grandson asked which wolf will win granddad. He answered the one I feed." I am afraid we all have the same fight going on. We may not look at them as wolves but none the less the fight is there. Sometimes we call it biting our tongue or we might say I felt like hitting them in the jaw. We struggle with our behavior at times. I have had to go and say I am sorry for what I said more than once. I shouldn't have acted like that; can you find it in your heart to forgive me! You see I really want to be kind, loving, generous, truthful, sincere, as well as faithful but I am not always that person I so desire to be. The reason why I am not is found in the Bible;
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Did you see it? I yield myself to the wrong wolf and I become the servant to the wrong things. The same is true if I yield myself to that which is good, the other wolf. So why don't I yield myself to the right wolf? Could it be my attitude? We all like to think we are right and that our idea was the best, my performance was better than anyone else's the judges just didn't know real talent when they saw it. Too many times we are like the man who angrily jumped out of his car after a collision with another car. "Why don't you people watch where you're driving? You are the fourth car I have hit today." It's always someone else's fault not mine or ours is it?
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. We will receive according to what each of us has done on our own. We will not be able to blame anyone for our bad behavior; we will have to take full responsibility for our actions.
Today, feed the good wolf.

Grudges

While none of us have ever seen a grudge, we have all seen the results that come when people hold grudges.  We've all seen the unresolved conflict, breakdown and family arguments that have resulted from grudges. You can hold a grudge. You can carry a grudge. You can put it on your shoulders and bear a grudge. Many even talk about how they can nurse a grudge. When you nurse something, you feed it and keep it alive. You can do that with a grudge.
Grudges don't add to your life! They strip you of joy and happiness. Is it healthy to have grudges?
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, (loud quarreling), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (naughtiness, wickedness) Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. The real tragic thing about grudges is that people will walk around and carry them for weeks or months or even years. You can do that with a grudge, you know. They only take away life.  They take away your potential of growing into a more loving, kind, gracious and merciful person. God says, "Let it go."  It's time to trade in your grudges and replace them with the life-giving love of Jesus. As you reflect on all the ways God showers you with His love, isn't it time you lay down your grudges and make it your goal to pass along God's love instead? Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. Now you do likewise.

Crash Landing

If you have been on an airplane, before you take off the stewardess will explain what to do in case of an emergency. I noticed one day as I was flying to a Reformers Conference in Illinois that no one was paying her any attention. I love it when the plane races down the run way and then up you go. But what if as the plane left the ground and suddenly there is a loud noise! Then the stewardess suddenly announces that we had blown a rear tire on takeoff and we were heading back to Atlanta. Then she said we will be circling the Atlanta airport for about 45 minutes or so, to burn up as much fuel as possible as we may have to prepare for a crash landing. Do what? Burn up as much fuel as possible; crash landing. I must say that would be a bad situation to be involved in, to say the least. Then the stewardess says "this time I want you to really listen to what I am about to explain to you." The emergency instruction card is in the pocket in front of you. Please take it out and follow me as I explain it to you once again! Let me ask you a question, do you think you would pay attention to her this time? If I could read your mind, I think you are saying "I sure would." What made the difference this time? Would it be that CRASH LANDING she was talking about? There is not a one of us reading these lines that wouldn't be following and asking questions. I don't think we would be neglecting to listen. But as I was thinking about the many that were paying little or no attention to what the stewardess was saying when all looked good, suddenly got real interested when danger presented itself. As you and I go through this life we have heard more than once about Jesus and words like salvation and being saved but we may be like many who fly, we just don't pay that much attention to what is being said because it just doesn't seem that important at the moment. Well, one day what we have neglected because we didn't think it was important at the time. Notice I said "important at the time." I didn't say we didn't think it was important we just tell ourselves we have heard it before and if something goes wrong someone like the stewardess will be there to explain it again and you can count on me listening then. Wait, Wait, Wait a minute we are not talking about an airplane and a crash landing with hope of you walking away! I am talking about neglecting. Webster says to neglect is to omit to receive or embrace.
Hebrews 2:3
How shall we escape, (punishment) if we neglect so great salvation; (if we reject the important message) which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Sorry there is no escape if we omit to receive. My hope and prayer is that you will not put if off until it's too late, escape while you can. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart today without delay. I did and He came in; no, I'm not perfect just forgiven.

Unstoppable

As the years sneak up on us I hear many talk of retirement. Retirement is when you say good bye to a company or career and you quit getting up early to make that long drive to a place you spent the last 35-40 years. Many find it so in their service for the Lord. I've heard such things as "I've served my time. I've done my part. Let the younger crowd do it." Have they not read Psalm 92?

Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Psalm 92:13
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
Did you read those words flourish, (expand, enlarge) grow (increase) When are we not to enlarge and increase? I have been serving the Lord for 36 years and in those years I have expanded and increased and yes I will be the first to tell you that I can't do what I once could. But I love verse 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. I don't look at myself as being old but I must say I am older than I once was. But I refuse to think or believe that I am useless and fruitless. There was a day when I could run with the youth of the Church and be out front. But one day I felt them breathing down the back of my neck and I realized that I was becoming slower. But I didn't quit for my work was not done. I remember the days I played on the softball team. I was the third baseman and can remember the close plays as well as close calls. I also remember the day I tried to play third base with bifocals on: I'll just say that wasn't a good move on my part. But I didn't quit for my work was still not finished. Miss all those days sure, but as I read those encouraging words "SHALL BRING FORTH IN OLD AGE" I can't help but be excited. Like the Energizer rabbit drumsticks in hand, big sun glasses on as he moves seemingly unstoppable because he's powered by the Energizer batteries. You may want or even enjoy playing shuffleboard or watching T.V. But to be honest with you I still want to be used by the Lord to make a difference in the lives of others. It is God's will that I bear fruit in my older years; that's to say fresh and productive, not stale and on the sidelines. You may retire from a career or from a company or even an occupation, but you can't retire from the service of Jesus Christ! My body may slow down; my health may not be what it once was. But I still have much to give. He's still got young people He wants me to encourage, battles for me to fight and other people's burdens for me to carry. So how can I quit? I'm not looking for that opportunity and for whatever time I have left I want to be like the Energizer Bunny "going and going and going until He decides my work is finished.

A Smiling Face

Have you ever been at the right place at the right time? Well Thursday morning I was. I had just finished getting gas and was on my way back to my truck when I saw a hand waving. I looked to see who it was, yes I knew this woman with a smiling face. I spoke to her and then she handed me some Chick-fil-A sandwich guest cards and said have a great day. Little did she know that I had just left home in a hurry. I had tried to do too many things in too short of time and was running a little behind. I grabbed two slices of bread and cut some cheese and made; I guess a cheese sandwich. Off to work I went when God sent this nice lady by so I would have lunch. Right place right time! Now she didn't know in my front seat was a quickly made sandwich which would not be too tasty in about four hours, if it was even tasty then. I love it when God sends His children by to help His children; don't you? I thought about other times I had been at the right place at the right time. December 31, 1969 I was home on leave. It was at a New Years Eve party; probably shouldn't have been there but I'm sure glad I was. For that is when and where I met the love of my life. We have been together over 39 years now. Right Place right time! Another time I was in the right place was in April of 1973. This time it was in a Church, I had promised a man I worked with that if he would just be quiet I would go to Church Sunday Morning. He did and I did! But that day little did I know that God was going to deal with my heart. On that Sunday morning in April of 1973 I asked the Lord to forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart; and He did. Right place Right time! How about you? Today why don't you just stop for a few minutes and think about the places you have been in at the right time. Think about the people God brings into your life. Now think about those that God allows you to make contact with. Have you had kind words to say? Oh you may not have a Chick-fil- A Guest card to give them but those kind words will not cost you a dime and they may just mean the world to the one who hears them. Now go make someone day.

The Gift

Got a credit card? It makes life easy and many times too easy. Just whip out the plastic and pay for whatever. But then the unwanted statement comes at the end of the month. There is the gas you bought and the price, the dress and the price, the shoes and the price and on and on it goes. Buy now, pay later, good concept; but for who? We attempt to repay what we owe but if we let it the card will take over and we will owe more than we can pay. That's what happens in our life if we think we can repay for sins done. There are a few problems with thinking like that. First, we don't know the cost of each sin. The price of gas is easy, the new dress and shoes is easy. But what's the cost for getting mad in traffic? Ticked off at some fellow who cuts in front of you, what is the cost for that? My credit card allows a minimal payment and then rolls the debt into the next month. Does God have the same policy? If I leave a sin on my statement for several months, does it incur more sin? The statement, where is it? Can I see it? Who has it? How do I pay it off? How in the world do I deal with the debt I owe God? Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:25
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The cost of my sins is more than I can pay. The gift of God is more than I can imagine. Let me give you an example. What if when you left home to go to college your dad gave you a credit card with his name on it and told you to use it wisely. As you left how would you feel? Would you have thoughts like this?

"I'm free. I can go anywhere I want. I could be in New York before the sun sets." I mean when your Dad gave you the card he didn't put any regulations on it. No contract to sign, rules to read, no placing your hand on a Bible not a word of reimbursement or a work of payment at all. So what keeps you from doing that? Could it be the love of your father and his trust in you? Is this not what God wants to do for each of us? He gives you His grace through the redemption of His Son Jesus Christ and the payment by His blood of sins past, present& future. Like the card your Dad gave you, you can go and buy what you want, but when the statement comes I am sure he'll be calling you. Live like you please but just remember the statement is coming and there will be a pay day some day. Rom 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I think I will just take the gift. I know you probably knew this already but it is good to hear again from time to time.

Good Day

You have said it and you have heard it;"Having a Good Day." Did you say how you really felt or did you really hear what was said? We all have good days as well as days that aren't so good. As I tell those I meet with in Reformers Unanimous we just need to refocus. So the next time you are asked "How's your Day" respond by saying "Any day I'm Vertical is a good day." Just because I say it is good doesn't make it so. Thinking like that will make every day a bad day. Are you thankful? You say you just don't understand I've got grass that needs cutting, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing. So what you are telling me is that you have a HOME! Then I go to the laundry room and there is a pile of clothes to be washed and then the ironing. Soooo you are saying you have loved ones nearby! What's not good about having a home and loved ones nearby? Gratefulness is the key to a happy life not more things because we will always want to have more things. Here is a short list of the things I am grateful for.

1. A Home to come to when my day is done.
   
2. A wife that has loved me for almost 40 years.
   
3. Children that God has given us.
   
4. Grand Children that sat in my lap and thought I was the greatest man alive.
   
5. Friends to spend time with and laugh out loud with.
   
6. A car to drive because it sure beats walking.
   
7. A Sunday School class to teach with people who really listen.
   
8. Smiling faces I meet during the day.
   
9. Those that God sent my way that are discouraged that I may give them words of encouragement.
   
10. A Church that is filled with friendly and loving people.
    
11. Thankful for that fire that burns inside that wants to know God.
    
12. Today I will have an appointment with someone God will send my way. I don't know when or what time or even what it will be about. But God in His all knowing mind knows just who, where and when. The greatest thing about it is, out of all the people in this world God will chose me because He knows me.
    

Good Day or Bad Day? You yourself will make it one or the other which will you chose? I chose "good day!"

Action

Faith is acting out your belief in God. Faith is action. Faith is never stagnant. Have you ever seen water just standing in a hole after a rain? Because there is no outlet for the water, it quickly stagnates. It's not long before you can see all kinds of living parasites, disease, and fungus. In only a few days the water hole begins to smell real bad. Or faith in Jesus is no different. When we act upon our beliefs good things will happen, and when we remain stagnant our faith does not grow. Notice what Psalm 37:3-5 has to say

Psa 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Trust in God and do good = safe living

Psa 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Delight in God = receiving the true desires of your heart

Psa 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Commit your way to God = your life will shine

With these principles and results for our faith, is there really any better way to live than a life of faith in action? Put your faith, your trust, your life in the hands of God and watch the results.

Foot Prints

Role models; in an age consumed with the life of glamour many are picking the wrong role models to pattern their lives by. How about Parents? Youth Pastors? Missionaries?  Firemen? Teachers? Nurses? Doctors?   How about Jesus? Edgar Thomas was his name he had little former education, his writing were many and he used an e in the spelling of many words like you would find in old English writings. I met this man many years ago and he made a real impression in my life. He was 26 years older than I was, but we became close friends in time. But on Tuesday November 29, 2002 he went home to be with our Lord. I remember the last time I saw him. I and a friend had gone by his home to see him; he was sick and had lost a lot of weight. I remember what he told us standing there in his living room; holding his pants up so they wouldn't fall off said "boys , I got about another 20 good years and I'll be back preaching before long." He was 77 years old then, what a great attitude to have. Well he didn't make another 20 years but what the Lord allowed him to do that day was put in my mind his thinking. What's that, you may ask? It doesn't matter how bad things look or appear or even what the doctors may tell you. Don't dwell on the negative but look ahead to the future for who knows what God will do with you. For we are in the palm of His hand and He alone knows the day He will call us Home, so why should we quit and give up? When we quit we are finish, when we don't try we are through. We need role models like that. What if your Parents had given up on you? What if that, Firemen who went in for the last time to check the burning house had not found that missing family member? What if that Doctor had not made one more test? What if that Teacher had not seen something in you that no one else had taken the time to notice? What if Jesus had stop short of Calvary, where would we be? I'm glad that God has allowed My Parents, Teachers, Doctors, and men like Edgar Thomas to leave foot prints in my life. Who has left a foot print in your life? Why don't you give them a call and thank them. If they have already left this life then thank God for allowing them to make such an impression on you.

A Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life, a film about a man named George Bailey played by Jimmy Stewart. Decides that everyone would be better off had he never been born; an angel comes and grants George his wish. George Bailey gets a view of what it would have been like had he never been born. He didn't like what he experienced, for he touched many lives. As I was thinking about George Bailey I had this thought, what if Jesus had not been raised from the dead? We all are shocked when a famous person suddenly dies. Nobel Prize winners, Beauty queens, Billionaires, and Presidents all die! Someday it will be our turn. What you and I believe about Jesus is very important. Some believe that when one dies that's the end. Jesus Christ said that those who believe in him will be given eternal life.

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. He told his followers John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: If Jesus did rise from the dead after three days as the New Testament claims, then his promise of eternal life after death is credible. The claim of resurrection is vital to Christianity. If Christ has been raised from the dead by God, then He has the credentials and certification that no other religious leader possesses. Buddha is dead. Mohammad is dead. Moses is dead. Confucius is dead. But, according to … Christianity, Christ is alive. But could Jesus' resurrection have been invented by his followers or the early church—or is there evidence?

Jesus told his disciples that he would be betrayed, arrested, and crucified and that he would come back to life three days later. That's a strange plan! What was behind it? Jesus had clearly told his disciples that he would rise again after his death, failure to keep that promise would expose him as a fraud. We must make a decision for this is a fact we can't ignore. Out of the five reasons which do you believe?

1. Jesus didn't really die on the cross. Some have proposed that Jesus lived through the crucifixion and was revived by the cool, damp air in the tomb–"Whoa, how long was I out for?" Let's get real these soldiers knew when someone was dead!
   
2. The "resurrection" was a conspiracy. Remember the Nixon and the Watergate scandal? Twelve of the most powerful men in the world couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. But these disciples even after they were beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison all said they had seen Jesus raised from the dead and proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it.
   
3. The disciples were hallucinating. If that were true don't you think it's is strange that … five hundred people, of average soundness of mind … should experience the same hallucination. 1Co 15:6
   After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;
   
   
4. The account is legendary. A legend would not adequately explain the fact of the empty tomb.
   
5. It really happened. The way I see it there is too much proof that it did really happen than it didn't.
   

Would we be better off had the resurrection never happened? So what do you think? I think not, and am glad and will rejoice eternally because of the Resurrection. Oh by the way I'm glad I was born and have enjoyed my life and will continue too until God calls me home. I wish I had the time to tell you about heaven but if you know JESUS you know what I am talking about, if you don't, it is not too late. The reason I know is because you have read this.

Dreams

I love to dream, I've always dreamed and without dreams my life would be boring; at lease to me it would. Many times I'll tell my wife what I am dreaming. I have always loved airplanes and love to fly. In 1968 I joined the Air Force and was able to go and fly places I'll never see again. I love to hear them and could watch planes for hours on end. As we were going by a local airfield one day I looked over to my wife and said "one day I will have my own plane," to which she said "keep dreaming." That's what I do dream and because I dream I have seen some of them come true. The Bible is full of those who dreamed. There was a teenage shepherd who dreamed he could do what the army was afraid too. You may have heard of him, David the giant slayer. I dream of what it will be like when I see Jesus the one who died for me. What will be my first words to Him? What will He really look like! I am closer to that day than ever before and some days I dream that this could be the day. My friends are leaving one by one. I went by the grave yard the other day and read what my friend who went to be with the Lord on December 6, 2006 had put on his tombstone. I had heard him say it a 1000 times and it is so true what he said, simple words with a power meaning "you need to be ready because you just don't know."As we approach the celebration of the greatest day in history, Easter. My mind will go to Calvary the place where He laid His life down; but as the Preacher said in his message "it's Friday, but Sunday's coming!" Friday it looked like He had lost, but it's not Sunday yet. On Sunday the stone would be rolled away not to let Him out but to let us in. He who was dead is now alive and walking and talking, what a day that must have been. He meets with Mary at the grave site then with those two who were on their way home from Jerusalem so discouraged. The greatest day in history and Jesus takes time out of His busy day to encourage them. So when I'm discouraged, I can be assured He will encourage me. I have shared with you some of my dreams now think what do you dream about? It's not wrong to dream about things you may never have or accomplish. You see my wife is right I will never have my own plane, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming. Who knows, God may send me a friend that has a plane and will ask me to fly with him because his wife doesn't like flying. Just because you rain on my dreams doesn't mean I have to quit dreaming.

 

Where Did He Go

On yesterday we looked at the donkey, today I want you to see the first place Jesus went when He got to Jerusalem and off that colt. Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God. The first place Jesus went when He arrived was the temple. He had just been paraded through the streets as a King. He walked into the temple, looked around. What did He see? He saw religion being used for profit and prestige and He was furious. We read and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, Jesus then said
Mat 21:13

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. It was Passover week the highlight of the Jewish calendar. People would come from all over, even from other countries to be present for this celebration. When these people arrived they were to meet two requirements. They would need a sacrifice and they were required to pay a temple tax and it must be paid with local currency. That's why the money changers were there to exchange foreign money for local and to charge a small fee for their services. That's what angered Jesus to the point that He did what He did. This was no temper tantrum Jesus wanted to send a message "you cash in on my people and you've got me to answer to." I am sure you have seen them in the times we live in; they have shattered the reputation of Christianity. They're not governed by God but by greed. It's not the Spirit of God leading them, it's their pride. They are phonies with smooth talk. They are on the radio and television, their emphasis is on profit more that the Prophet. How will you know them? Listen to what they are saying, is money always needed yesterday? Are you promised health if you give and hell if you don't? They use fancy talk and fine words to fool the minds of those who do not know. Salvation is not bought but it's given as a gift to those who realize that Jesus is the only sacrifice for sin. The problem is how do we know? How do we keep from being taken? The answer is simple

1John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

So we can know and we don't have to be fooled and all we have to do is know HIM (Jesus) that was the Apostles Paul's desire. Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Paul, the man who wrote most of the New Testament said I just want to know Jesus. So it is with you and I we can be fooled by the hucksters and drink their kool-aid. Listen to those who look like they know or we can know for ourselves. Think I'll choose the later, how about you?

 

The Donkey

There is a town that would not be known unto us except for a Donkey. It is only named three times in the Bible and all three times it's about the same thing. You will more than likely only hear about this town this time of year.

Mat 21:1
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

Mat 21:2
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. A village east of the summit of the Mount of Olives and north of Bethany, near Jerusalem. Coming here on his last journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of his disciples into the village where they found a she-ass and a colt Jesus was to ride the colt into Jerusalem, in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. On this last journey to Jerusalem, Jesus fulfilled this ancient prophecy. Jesus mounted the donkey and rode into the Holy City. So overjoyed was the common people that they stripped branches off of palm trees and waved them in the air. All the while they shouted prayers of thanksgiving saying, Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord! The way I understand it, every year on Palm Sunday, branch-carrying pilgrims begin a journey to Jerusalem at Bethphage. They recall that day of long ago. As I was saying before I ran that rabbit, had it not been for a Donkey we might have never even heard of the town Bethphage. So it may be with the little things you and I do that someone will remember us. I remember when my Dad died; it was at the funeral home that a wife of a friend said "I'll always remember what your dad did, we were running low on money and he gave me $20.00 and told me to take my Daughter to her piano class." A small deed that was never forgotten. What little things impact peoples' lives to the point that they remember them all their lives. Now go do something small for someone you care about, you may make an impact they will never forget.

 

It’s a Limited Offer

Ihave been keeping a journal for a few years now. No, it's not a journal of my everyday activity but a prayer journal. A few years ago I learned something very valuable. It all started when I learned what Jesus said in Matthew chapter six. Mat 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. "After this manner pray ye." This is how you should pray and the very first thing Jesus did was Praise. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Then Jesus talked about needs… Give us this day our daily bread. Then our sins And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Then Protection 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. I don't have any trouble praising God nor do I have trouble telling Him about my needs or asking for protection. Although when it comes to confessing my sins I do have trouble with that. I say well, that's not too bad and I really didn't mean it the way he or she took it. That thought; well it wasn't all that bad! Wait, wait, wait just a minute, I was thinking the other day I may not be the only one that thinks like this. Sin is sin and we must recognize it as sin. Sin is what put Jesus Christ on a cross. Sin is why His Father turned His back on His only Son. Sin is not good and there is a price to be paid for sin, the Bible tells that in Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; let's just say that we only sin one sin an hour. They tell us that the average life span is about 72 years. In 72 years that would mean that you would have sinned 630,720 sins. Wait, I forgot about the leap years that would be another 432 sins. Now it comes to 631,152 okay let's envision the moment we stand before God. He is perfect, heaven is a perfect place and except for the 631,152 failures on your record you are perfect. So the only thing separating you from God is a mere 631,152 imperfections or sins. I guess that would classify us as sinners and the cost is death. Wait, there is something else that Romans 6:23
says "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The only way to make a gift yours is to receive it. The choice is simple pay for our 631,152 sins which is death in the lake of fire or receive the gift God is offering us through Jesus Christ. It's a limited offer, for when death comes the offer is gone.

Bounce Back

What happens to us in life doesn't count as much as how we react. You can wallow in misery and quit, or you can choose to fight through the circumstances and work hard to improve.  Each day, choices present themselves.  When people are cruel, you can choose to accept their apology or let your bitterness grow.  When you are treated unfairly, you can plot a way to get even, or you can seek the Lord's wisdom and demonstrate patience as He shows you what to do.  When you are fired from a job, you can learn from why things didn't work or you can blame everyone else around you for your misfortune and never learn, grow or change.  When you are congratulated for a job well done, you can either pat yourself on the back or thank the Lord for providing you with the skills to succeed. Life throws different circumstances our way every day, both good and bad.  Wherever you are in your life, it is important to remember that people are watching and looking to see how you are living your life.  You will long be remembered, not only for what happened to you in life, but for how you handled life's circumstances. When those circumstances cause you to fall, I challenge you to bounce back!

 

Don't be like Tom

Potential; Webster says it means "Existing in possibility, not in act." One Friday afternoon a knock came on a man’s door, his name Tom Seay. A man approached him with a strange business plan and it did seem crazy. He asked for Mr. Seay to invest $100,000 dollars and in returned he offered Tom 30% of the company. Tom told him that he didn't have time to review it then but that he would take it home over the weekend. Monday morning rolled around and Ray was waiting at the front door when Tom got to his office. Tom invited him in and said, "Ray, I read this plan three times; even shared it with a friend. We both decided that there's no way in the world you can make any money selling hamburgers." But Ray Kroc thought otherwise and continued on. Does anyone know where a McDonald’s is? Noah was following God's plan on building a ship. Noah believed in what God had said and began to build according to God's plan. People laughed at him, made fun of him and continued on as if he were some nut case. Until the rain came, now the potential for safety was passed. Like Tom who passed up the deal on 30% of McDonalds for only $100,000 dollars; the people of Noah's day passed up safety because they never thought it would rain and destroy everything they knew. So what’s so important that you would lose that which means so much? Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What Potential are you willing to waste today? Are you willing to invest in what you can't lose and can only be received as a gift; “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." You can be like Tom Seay, the people of Noah’s day, or you can be different. It’s never too late in this life to follow that inner voice to make things right with a Holy God through the Lord Jesus Christ. But the day will come when it will be too late if you miss the gift that is offered to you in this life. That should be something for us the think about today “Existing in possibility” God’s made the plan, look it over and I hope you will not be like Tom.

That's When it Happened

I read where “Attitude is everything” if that is true then our attitudes are very important. Then I read where a man by the name of William James said over a century ago “The greatest discovery of this generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitude.” Then I began to think, my attitude impacts my happiness, my family, my friends and those I work around. I experience how true that is just this past weekend. My nine year old grandson called and asked if he could spend the night with me, I said I would be glad for him too. All was going well except I was allowing too much pressure to build up as I was trying to get to much accomplished in a short time. My attitude changed and before I knew it I did something that I never would have done, had I not allowed all the pressure to build up. He asked me what we were going to have for supper. My wife, daughter, mother and granddaughters were all gone for the weekend and it was just me and him. I said what about a ham sandwich? He said that would be fine! So I went and made it and I put mustard on it, I had no idea that he didn’t like mustard. So he informed me that he could not eat it because of the mustard. So I got the last two pieces of bread and put the ham on another sandwich which looks fine to me. He returned and told me it also had some mustard on it. That’s when it happened, I took the sandwich and threw it in the garbage and told him there was no more bread. Then he said”it’s ok just settle down I’ll eat something else.” I can’t tell you how sorry I was for the way I had acted, he at nine years old acted the right way. I later asked him to forgive me for the way I had acted. He said sure we all have tuff times. I know he was not trying to rub it in but I felt bad for the way I acted and at the same time I was proud of the way he handled it. Then I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. That’s what happened to me, that which I didn’t want to do, that’s what I found myself doing. So once again I learned that my Attitude is everything and it impacted my grandson in a wrong way. One day as he is remembering the impact I had in his life, I sure hope this past weekend doesn’t return to his mind. Be careful not to let the pressure of this week give you a bad attitude for it will impact someone for good or bad. I am going to shoot for a GOOD ATTITUDE! How about you?