99.9% Sure

It takes little effort to live the Christian life half-heartedly, anyone can do this. On the other hand it is difficult to discipline yourself or to maintain self control over our passions or to work hard when you are weak or tired. To be patient when you feel impatient, to bite your tongue when you fell like telling someone off that takes more effort than to just be half-hearted. One may say well no one lives at 100% but I do live my life at the 99.9% level and that is good enough wouldn't you think? Sounds good if that is what you want; my money in the bank is 99.9% safe. Ladies and gentlemen this is your pilot speaking and I want to thank you for flying with us today and to let you know that we expect everything to go 99.9% right and we have a 99.9% chance of arriving safely. If anything should go wrong there is a 99.9% chance that what our stewardess just told you will work, so once again thank you for flying with us today and there is a 99.9% chance that I'll see you as you leave the plane. This is not what I want to hear when flying. I read these statistics in a book written by Dr. Rod Mattoon which tells me that 99.9% is not good enough.

• 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily. That may mean that some of us could only be 99.9% that we have the right parents. That may be good enough for you but it's not for me.
  
• 18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled each hour. A few months ago I went to the post office to mail a letter to a P.O. Box in the same post office and two weeks later they received the mail.
  
• Two planes landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport will be unsafe each day. How would you like to be on one of those planes? Do you still think 99.9% is good enough? What about after this life is over? We have to know that the day of our death is fast approaching each and every one of us. Are you 100% sure when you die that you will be in heaven or are you 99.9% sure? Let me ask you a question 2+2= what? As soon as you saw that your head told you 4; you were not 99.9 % sure that your answer was right you were 100% sure; the reason being you know. Why can't we know where we will spend eternity then! Read this:
  

1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Did we just read the word "know?" Did it just tell us that we could know that we have eternal life? Sure did! We can know 100% and not 99.9% sure. Paul could say this and be 100% assured 2Corintains 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Paul didn't just use the word know did he? Notice what else he said 2Corintains 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. He didn't just use the word confident did he? I think he did. It sounds to me that Paul is 100% sure. What about yourself 100% sure or 99.9% or even less? Will you be a Paul or a John? Use the words KNOW AND CONFIDENT and222 be 100% sure.

Hurt

Yesterday we discussed quitting and there have been many that have quit. Today I would like to discuss about when you have been hurt. Let's look at two verses

Matthew 4: 16 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Did you notice the two words "follow me?" They are used 18 times in the Gospels. Jesus never said, "Follow My followers" or "Follow My leaders." He said, "Follow Me." It's all about Jesus the One who died for our sins. Stonewall Jackson was one of the South's greatest generals in the Civil War, and he died on the battlefield, shot by mistake by his own men. They call that friendly fire, when a soldier is shot by one of their own men. It happens to good people who are deeply wounded, shot by their own. Hurt, betrayed, disappointed by church folks, by people who claim to be Christians. It's not long that you notice you have put some distance from Christian things just like you'd keep away from a dog that had bitten you. When you're physically wounded, you find medical help so you can recover. How do you recover from the spiritual and emotional wounds of friendly fire? Let me make a few suggestions, we'll start by taking another look at these verses from yesterday. 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. These verses are about finishing as a winner in the spiritual race we run here during our time on earth. If we are going to be in a race I for one want to be a winner and the way to be a winner is keep your eyes on the finish line. That is what we are told in verse 2 looking unto Jesus who perfected our faith. If we want to be a winner we don't ask the loser how he was able to be such a good loser. No! We watch and talk to the winner for no one wants to be a loser. It's all about Jesus and we must fix our eyes on Him and off other Christians and Churches. When you and I started it was Jesus and you know who will be at the finish line? It will not be that person who hurt you it will be Jesus. If you have found yourself withdrawing remember it wasn't Jesus who hurt you. The first step to recovery is knowing that it wasn't Jesus. Then watch out for the enemy for his strategy is to isolate you so he can have you. 1Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; (Jesus) for he (Jesus) careth for you.

1Peter 5:8
Be sober, (clear minded) be vigilant; (keep a wake) because your adversary (enemy) the devil, as a roaring lion, walked about, seeking whom he may devour: In Africa, lions try to catch a gazelle that is away from the herd and if the lion finds them alone he can have them. If they are with the others, they're usually safe. Allow your hurt to separate you from the crowd and you have just entered a danger zone and may be lion food soon. If you have been hurt there's help around God's people; but you may say that is where I got hurt. I know but everyone did not gang up on you and that's why the Bible warns us not to "give up meeting together"

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. There are many believers who don't shoot their own, who are imperfect but genuinely loving people. You've got to risk finding a church like that; you need them and they need you. Let go of the resentment for if you don't it will continue to grow and fester.

Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; hurt feelings not only hurt you they will hurt others. Don't allow the enemy to keep you defeated but ask God for forgiveness and help and I assure you He will help you. Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.
No one ever cared for you like Jesus.

Quit

Have you ever wanted to just quit? It could be anything maybe as a child you wanted to quit a sport or an activity you were evolved in or maybe a relationship. The boy or girl you were dating you may have said something of this nature "we are still going to be friends I just feel we need to see other people." Who knows, but I am sure each and every one of us has at one time or another wanted to just quit. My feelings have been hurt and I wanted to quit, I have been misused and I want to quit. I want to look at a man who quit and what happen to him because of his quitting. This man's name is Esau as Hebrew chapter 12 the writer show us of a metaphor referring to the great amphitheatre with an arena for runners

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed 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 to 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. Here in this arena the runners are to look unto Jesus, just as in any race the runners have shed the weights that will slow them down. As we read on we find in

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: What's the first thing you think about when you think of Esau? This is the man that allowed himself to get so hungry that he sold his birthright.

Hebrews 12:16
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Why was it so important for Esau to follow peace? Esau was in a difficult family situation. His parents, Isaac & Rebekah, had to wait 20 years before they had children; when they did they had twins. God said the elder would serve the younger. Esau was born first, which meant that according to God's plan, he would have to serve Jacob. If that were not enough, another area of contention was Isaac loved Esau, and Rebekah loved Jacob. It's dangerous for parents to show favoritism. You could find Isaac & Esau at Bass Pro Shop every weekend. They hunted & fished & worked together. While Rebekah and Jacob were busy watching the Food Channel. Esau did not have a very good relationship with his mother or his brother, but he did have peace with his father. Esau quit because of the adversity and hardship, it not only made his relationship with his mother and brother worse, but he also destroyed his relationship with his father. The peace was gone. Esau felt he had, had two things stolen from him #1- His Birth Right and #2- His Blessing because of that things changed and he basically quit. Esau's Goals Changed
Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob

Genesis 28:1
And Isaac called Jacob. And he blessed him and commanded him, and said to him, You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. When Esau found out that his father did not want his sons to marry a daughter of the Canaanites, Esau immediately went and married a heathen woman to spite his father. Esau's Values Changed
and the things that used to be important are suddenly not important anymore.

Hebrews 12:16
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. The word "fornicator" in the Greek is "pornos" from which we get the word "pornography." The root meaning of the word is "to put up for sale." When we quit, our values change so much that we are even willing to sell our purity and pollute our personal lives. When we quit and change our values the things that once mattered, no longer matter anymore. We not only give up our purity we become profane people. Esau's Future also Changed too not because he was not knowledgeable or he wanted his life to have a long story of disaster. It was not because he didn't know what was right and what was wrong. It was all because he dropped out of school. Esau could have become a great and godly man. His grandfather and father knew more about God than anyone else in the world. He could have learned to walk with God in faith, and there could have been 41 verses in Hebrews 11 instead of 40. There could have been a verse that read like this "Esau accepted the difficult position of the elder serving the younger and became a great and godly man of faith." But no we read in

Heb 12:17
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Esau cried and wept later so here's the lesson for us
"Today's decisions always affects Tomorrow's experience". Have a wonderful week and don't even think about quitting.

Eternity

Birthdays are wonderful, but if you ever quit having them that may not be good. On yesterday I turned the big 60, I used to think that was oooooold but you know I don't think that way anymore. Matter of a fact I feel like I am about 40; you can call me over the hill if you like but that can't be for I've never made it to the top, yet. I do wonder where all the time has gone and I do understand what Job said long ago now

Job 9:25
Now my days are swifter than a post: (footman, runner) they flee away, The days, and years really do fly by faster than we ever dreamed; each day bringing us closer to our last day. We may have been so busy pursuing the goal of happiness and success that we have forgotten about eternity. How many funerals have we been to of people who thought they had more time; maybe lots more time, and suddenly it was over? Did they prepare for eternity? Job said this about his life

Job 7:6
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. James tell us this about our life

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 is have we planned for eternity or have we forgotten it thinking we have plenty of time to prepare? We're not ready for eternity unless every sin of our life has been erased from God's book. And there's only one person who can do that: the person who died to pay for that sin, and that's Jesus.

Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:21
And you, (Tom, Mike, Bob, Randy, Eddie….) that were sometime alienated (unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent) and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (restore to friendship or harmony) as the boy Scouts motto says "be prepared"! All death can do, then, is take you to heaven if you haven't forgotten about eternity and you belong to Jesus Christ. If not then read carefully Hebrews 4:7
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, to day, after so long a time; as it is said, to day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. I urge you to find a place where you can talk to Him and just tell "Jesus, you died for my sins so I don't have to. You're my only hope, and I am now "Yours." The Bible says at that moment, you'll be given the gift of eternal life. Sins gone

Psalms 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions (violation of a law, command, or duty) from us. There's such wonderful peace in knowing that you're ready for eternity whenever it comes. See you Monday and may the Lord bless each and every one of you. See you in Church Sunday!

Weak? If so get Confidence

I can remember letting one of my friends down when I was in my teens; I don't remember how I let him down but I will never forget the words he said to me afterward. He said "with friends like you I don't need enemies." He must have forgiven me because our friendship went on for years afterwards. One of my favorite stories in the Gospels, is the story of Jesus and Peter, after the resurrection. The story takes place on the beach along the sea of Tiberias. Peter has seriously let Jesus down over the recent days, running away from Jesus at his time of greatest need and repeatedly denying he even knew Him. At that breakfast at the beach, Jesus had every right to tell Peter, "I love you, but you let me down. I can't trust you anymore." I wouldn't have blamed him? That is not what He does, He does just the opposite. He gives Peter responsibility

John 21:16
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Peter was no poster-boy for having it "all together." Yet, Jesus not only revealed Himself personally to Peter, but He gave him authority to minister to others.
None of us are perfect and we all struggle with sin's grip on our lives.

1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We need to understand something about ourselves for we are: both saint and sinner, with strengths and weaknesses; successes and failures; victories and defeats. When we acknowledge our brokenness, struggles and our need for Christ, He will use us. When we understand that we are weak, and put our confidence in Christ's work in our lives, He will use us. Instead of wallowing in our self-condemnation and self-pity today, receive this encouragement from Scriptures:

2Corinthains 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Corinthains 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Christ's grace is when I realize I am weak then am I strong because of Christ strength in me. Do you think you are a failure? Do you think you can never be used again? Keep thinking like that and you will sit on the seat of do nothing until the day you die. Get up admit your weakness and ask the Lord to help you and you too may be used to help others.

Choose

Choice the act of choosing: power of choosing: You and I have the power to choose, we may choose to do things honorable or we may choose to do something disrespectable. If I were to plant an apple tree I would expect it to produce apples. If I were to plant any fruit bearing plant I would expect it to produce fruit. When you and I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts I think the Lord wants you and I to be productive fruit bearing Christians. The apostle Paul writes about fruit in the book of Galatians in chapter five

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Now the question is do we produce such fruit? The first is "LOVE" are we loving or do allow hatred and bitterness to creep in. The second is "JOY" are we showing and sharing joy to those around us? Then there is "PEACE" we have peace when we forgive those who have hurt our feelings or whatever to enjoy peace we should learn to forgive. Fourth there is "LONGSUFFERING" are we allowing the inconveniences that come our way to rob us of the patience. We find ourselves complaining about everything that doesn't suit us; that is not the fruit of longsuffering. Fifth we should show "gentleness" to those that are afraid and left all alone and feel left out we should have a kind word or a soft touch so they will not feel left out. Sixth there is "GOODNESS" what do those we come in contact with feel or say about us? Do they say kind things or do they say things that lead others to believe we are or could be dishonest? Then there is the fruit of "FAITHFULNESS" do we keep our word or do we make promise after promise that never comes to pass? Do we pay those we owe money to or do we learn to dodge them? Are we faithful to our mate or do they question our faithfulness? I want to express the fruit of faithfulness in my life so there are no questions. The eighth fruit of the spirit is "MEEKNESS" being like our Lord meek and lowly

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. May I not raise my voice to anyone today or any day; may I express true meekness. Number nine the last fruit of the spirit is "TEMPERANCE" which is nothing more than self control we have to watch out for Mr. Selfishness for he wants to show his ugly head from time to time. Mr. Anger likes to get the last word it seems to always make us feel better; for we do have rights you know! Does feeling better always show the fruit of self control? No! We need to look at the life of Jesus and watch how He handled matters. When they spit in His face how did He react? When they abused His friends how did He react? When He was sentenced to a cruel death how did He react?

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Watch our mouth for they will get us into trouble and we will lose self control.

Life

I ran across an article that said "will you see your 80^th birthday?" There was a quiz to take to see if it were possible that I might live to be that age. So I took the quiz and when I finished and got the results I was disappointed for the result page would be the same no matter how I answered the questions. I, like you want to live as long as possible but I am reminded of what my Dad told me after having some heart problems. In October of 1986 he was taken to the hospital after having some problems with his heart. As he laid there in ICU he told me my days are numbered; to which I said so are mine. He said I know but mine are very short! I would love to see all my grandchildren grown and married but that is not going to be possible and he was right for he only lived a little over two months; two days after Christmas about 10:30pm he was gone at the age of 65. I am reminded of what the Bible tells us in:

Psalms 90:10
The days of our years are threescore years and ten;
(70) and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,
(80) yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Psalms 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

There is a possibility you and I could live to be 70 years old, and if we live healthy it is possible to live to be 80 or more. The older we get the slower we become and the more we hurt and the weaker we become. In verse 12 we are told to number our day that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. In other words don't get so busy that you forget that your days are numbered that the day of your death will arrive too soon. We could die in a nursing home or of some disease, we could die slowly or suddenly, we could die in an accident but the bottom line is we are all going to die. We should all be smart enough to realize that; but here is the problem we don't think it will be today and we think we have plenty of time. Wait a minute, our days are numbered and we are warned to apply our hearts unto wisdom and thinking we have plenty of time is not applying our hearts unto wisdom. So what if I live to be 80 years old and I can't see, walk or hear and lose my mind and don't know who I am or know my family at all. Is that what I want? No, it's not! That is not the way it will end up; it may be true that all the above will happen to me, but there is a little more to it than that. There has been a much brighter hope placed in my heart than just living to be 80 or so for that is not a sure thing anyways. Read what the Apostle Paul had to say in

1Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Do what? If we have hope in Christ in this life only we are miserable? If our hope is just in Christ in this life what is out hope about eternity? Paul tells he has a hope much stronger than in just this life

2Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. He says he is certain that when his life is over he will be in the presence of the Lord. Knowing that makes him sure and stead fast and not miserable. So it should be with you and I for our days like Paul's are numbered
be sure not to let your numbered day get by you without accepting what the Lord has done and will do for His Children. Ask HIM today to forgive you and come into your heart, that's what I did and He moved in and now I can rejoice for I am a new person in Christ Jesus.

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

Right

I don't know about you but I don't like to mess up and the easiest way to cover up for my mistake is to blame someone else for it. "They" did it! They caused the problem. I'm a victim! It's their fault."

I have this amazing ability to see myself as usually being in the right, bearing little or no blame for the problem, I am innocent and someone else is guilty. In Proverbs we read Proverbs16:2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; It is so easy for me to justify what I have done in my own eyes…I did it because…..I didn't mean it the way they took it……I would have never done that if I knew it would have…… All that may be true but none the less I caused the problem and said an unkind word or did an unkind deed or I thought this would work. I am learning to admit my mistakes and look at myself as looking into a mirror. I said the words, did the deed, and caused the problem. I wish so many times that I would have just waited before speaking or before jumping to a conclusion; waited to see if the way it looked was really the way it was. No, thinking I know because in my eyes I am right I move on with little knowledge of the matter and made a mistake. Here is what I must do and the answer as always is found in God's word.

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication (petition) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Be careful is what I must do, I would be careful if I was entering an area that had a sign that said "be careful." So the same is true in my life and we are told to be careful in everything by prayer and petitions we are to be thankful as we make our request made known unto God. So I should be careful and before I jump to any conclusion pray about the matter first. In order to do such as that, I must discipline myself. I have found that when I do that I make fewer mistakes with my mouth as well as my actions. Instead of thinking we are right this week let's be careful and pray about whatever is bothering us before we say or do the wrong thing.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto
them who are of the household of faith. May we look for opportunities to do good unto all men.

 

Prayer Request:

Robert Cason- Mass around brain possible operation Tuesday 6/22/10 Mass unknown.

Vote

I read something that caught my attention and made me question some things. In this article the man said he could talk to someone for just a few minutes and knew whether or not they could or would succeed. He said it made no difference, he could tell if a marriage would make it or not or a sport player would make it or not it just didn't matter. Ok! Let me tell you a story and see if you after hearing will vote yes, it will make it or no, it will not make it. There was a young man who met a young lady and one week later they were married. They knew very little about one another and as far as love was concerned there was none. After only six months of marriage they were separated for a year and a half; not by choice but none the less they were separated. What would you say about whether that marriage will work or not. There was a man that lived in a wicked city and I do mean wicked and before this man's life was over he had incest with two of his daughters. What would you say about this man? Going to heaven or hell? Then there was this man that spent most of his time with Jesus so well trusted that he was put in charge of the money. What would you say about this man going to heaven or hell? The man that had incest with his daughters was named Lot; the wicked city he lived in was named Sodom and Gomorrah but what does the Bible say about his end? 2Peter 2:6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2Peter 2:7
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2Peter 2:8
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) Righteous man! Sure could have fooled me by what I read about him in the book of Genesis. The man that spent a lot of his time with Jesus, well his name was Judas and this is what the Bible has to say about his end.

Matthew 27:3
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Matthew 27:4
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, what is that to us? See thou to that.

Matthew 27:5
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Acts 1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. Sure could have fooled me by what I read about him. I'm not so sure that you can always go on first impressions, or talk with a person for a few minutes and always determine what their outcome will be. Oh, that young boy and young lady that was married in a week then separated for year and a half. Well my answer to their relationship would have been, they would never make it in the first place and it was a mistake for them to even try. When you put that separation in that already weak marriage and my answer is no way they will stay together. Well, the end of that relationship is not in the history books yet. So far they have been married 40 and half years, 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Just goes to show you can't always tell about what you see on the outside. So as you go through this day and the weekend don't try to read the person by what you see on the outside, for that can't always be done, as I have shown you by the three examples. Have a great weekend enjoy your family and be kind to someone for many are hurting and someone you come in contact with will need to hear a kind word. Don't miss your Church service, for the Lord may have something in store just for you. See you Monday.

It was Awful

A few years ago our Pastor preached on

Psalms 127:4
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Psalms 127:5
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. He had a man who was an expert marksman with bow and arrows do some fancy shooting; I was amazed at his marksmanship. Not knowing much about a bow or an arrow I knew that that was not the first time he had shot an arrow for he didn't miss his mark. After seeing his marksmanship a call went out for a volunteer, a young lady that had two young children volunteered and a large apple was placed upon her head. The marksman stepped back 50 feet pulled the arrow back and with good aim and much attention let it go. The arrow soared through the air at a speed so fast it was hard for the human eye to keep up; and as faith would have it the arrow dropped low and went right through that young ladies head. It was awful and what you just read is true except for the apple and the young lady with two children. But how did you just feel as you read that? The Apostle Paul gives us a word picture of an archer who misses the target. This idea of the archer is used three times.

1Timothy 1: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

1Timothy 6:21
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

2Timothy2:18
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

In 1Timothy 1: 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (sincere) The same Greek word is used and it means (an aim); to miss the mark, that is, (figuratively) deviate from truth: - err, swerve. Paul tells us that the end or aim of the shooter is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and sincere faith. This is the real mark or target at which to aim. Some had not only missed the mark, but were aiming at the wrong target. They had also made shipwreck of the faith like a sailor throwing overboard his compass and his navigational chart.

1Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: So what's going on with this faith, missing the mark, ship wrecking and departing from the faith?

1Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Here we find those that have been enlightened but they never were truly regenerated. There were those who knew about God but didn't really know Him as their Savior. As long as all was well count them in, but the minute things began to get rough they forgot where and what the target was and they soon had a ship wrecked faith. The reason being they never had "The Faith." Paul tells the Church at Corinth to examine or prove themselves to see whether they are in the faith or not.

2Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

John Wesley had this to say about that verse 2Corinthains 13:5 Prove yourselves - Whether ye are such as can, or such as cannot, bear the test - This is the proper meaning of the word which we translate, reprobates. Know ye not yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - All Christian believers know this, by the witness and by the fruit of his Spirit. See it's very important that we pass this exam for if we; like the good man in

Luke 16 don't take the time we will end up as he did. Here is the answer to the exam

2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. Make sure you hit the target!

Enough

If asked the question "how much_______ is enough" you fill in the blank. I wonder how many would say "money?" We are living in a day when many have lost their jobs which brought in income to support their life style but now nothing is coming in at all. Everyone has had to cut back and if the blank was money how much is enough? John D. Rockefeller is often regarded as the richest person in history. Bill Gate comes in as number 6 on the list, just to give you an idea of his wealth. When Mr. Rockefeller was asked the question "how much money is enough?" He answered "just a little bit more." You may be thinking I would be happy with_____. Now I want you to change the way you think; compared with a homeless person on the street, you're relatively wealthy. Do you have a warm home, (I mean a cool home with the AC going) some food in the fridge and comfortable clothes? Do you feel rich? Do you feel thankful, and blessed? Whatever we've looked for in our life, there never seems to be enough of it to satisfy a restless heart. King Solomon the richest man of his time had this to say

Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Wealth alone doesn't guarantee happiness, for if happiness is found in wealth then how long will it be before you are happy? If happiness is not found in wealth how can one ever be happy? If we are not careful we can build our whole lives around money. Now I will agree we need money and we need retirement but there is more to life than that. Too many dads and moms build a career instead of a family. What's the use of having lots of money with no one to spend it on but yourself? Happiness is found in our Wife, Children, and the Lord just to name three. Here is why I am happy

Colossians
2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Complete! How does one become complete, by being wealthy? No, we are complete in Jesus Christ! Nothing completes like Him, knowing we are forgiven, knowing we are in His family

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Now no matter what comes our way we are ready

Romans 8:38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are complete in Jesus Christ and that my friend is enough!

Success

We live in a land that likes success. We go to a college graduation and more than likely there will be someone who has graduated from that college that has been very successful. They will never parade any to the platform that have been unsuccessful although there are more that have been unsuccessful than successful according to their rules. I knew a young man who was a straight A student. He graduated at the top of his class with honors and knew his stuff backwards and forwards. I would say he was very successful but the truth of the matter was there were those who used him and moved up themselves. Many are very successful but live their life as one that has been defeated. When I think on these lines I am reminded of a man that was very successful, but success wasn't his goal. We know him as the Apostle Paul. He wrote more books in the New Testament than anyone else but his goal was never success. He didn't write about success he wrote about something altogether different;

1Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Notice it didn't say successful but faithful (trustworthy)

2Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: As the Apostle Paul comes to the close of his life he takes time to write young Timothy, his son in the faith. What are the last words of encouragement he gives him? Were they about the good fight he had fought or the course that he had finished? No, but they were words of being faithful! I have known those that have doubled their Sunday School Class, Pastors who have more than doubled those that attend their Church. Those who pastored 6000 plus members and from a worlds view we would say they were successful. Let me share with you what a preacher told me back in 1974; I have not forgotten what he said. He told me "we look at those with larger Churches and we call them successful, and successful they may be. But many will be surprised when we stand before Christ when he moves those we thought were the cream of the crop for that country preacher that never had more than 30 people in attendance at any given time." We say he wasn't very successful, no but in the eyes of God he was Faithful

Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. I'll be honest with you I'll take the being faithful over being successful any day; how about you?

New Identity

Everybody likes to have things that are new. New car, boat, appliances, clothes and so on and so forth. But I want to talk to you about the best thing new that I have ever had, and that's a new life. The Bible has much to say about a new life or new identity. I am not the same person I was years ago because I have a new identity. I have noticed that many want a new life or a new identity but they want to do little or nothing to receive it. When two people unite in marriage they become "one flesh." Each person takes on a New Identity. The man becomes a "husband," and the woman becomes a "wife." So it is when we are united to Christ we receive a New Identity. Did you notice I said receive Webster says that word means- To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept. He had the offer of a donation, but he would not receive it. The Bible teaches us that Christ died so we could be forgiven of all our wrongs. That is wonderful, but many will not receive what has already been done for them. They continue to live in the life style that causes them harm and shame. Why, could it be unbelief? Sure it could but I think most people are looking for a quick fix and I don't really know of a quick fix. When a person asks Christ to come into their life and forgive them of all their sins He does. Unfortunately the old man doesn't just die and go away; I wish it did. Now you have something you didn't before and that is Christ living in you. Wait, for the last 20, 30, 40, 50 or so years you have been doing what you wanted to do and the Bible tells us some of the things we have had contact with. Adultery: sex outside of marriage, Fornication: sex before marriage, Uncleanness: sexual deviance, Lasciviousness: sexual excess, Idolatry: valuing something more than you value your relationship with God, Witchcraft: sorcery; being under the influence of demonic forces, Hatred: having a great dislike for another, Variance: argumentative, Emulation: an unhealthy desire for superiority, Wrath: revengeful feelings of getting even, Strife: spreading angry contentions, Sedition: raising commotion,

Heresies: errors in the fundamentals of religion, Envying: a general uneasiness with the happiness of others, Murders: premeditated killing of another human, Drunkenness: to be habitually overpowered with intoxication form alcohol, Reveling: uncontrolled feasting and carousing in a party-like atmosphere. You will find all those things listed in I Corinthians 6:9-10 but it's the next verse that excites me. Look at what this verse says 1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Wow! That tells me, that's what some of us used to be. How then did they become different or new? They were "washed- Cleansed; purified,
"Sanctified"- Made holy; consecrated; set apart "justified" in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. "That word Justified means- He who pardons and releases from guilt and punishment. Anyone can be made free from what they are by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be cleansed, set apart and pardon and released from your guilt and punishment. It's not what I do, it's what He can and will do if I let Him. It's not God's will that any should perish, but all come to repentance. That word "repentance" means. Sorrow for anything done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. Well, are you happy with where you are at? If not why not just repent and become one of which the Bible says and such were some of you. Aren't you glad that God let you live long enough to see another Monday?

 

Treated Right

Was it Wednesday June 2, 2010 that a perfect game was almost pitched by Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga? But Jim Joyce missed the call at first base on the 27^th out and called the runner safe. What a great blog this would make! I thought living what we call a perfect life but by failing to call on the Lord Jesus our so called perfect life goes up in smoke. Then I thought not a one of us are perfect we have all made mistakes and some even costless. Then what happened on the next day should have allowed all of us to see what real forgiveness is. A baseball pitcher truly robbed of a perfect game by an umpire who was deeply sorry for his mistake caused a revival by the players and managers as well as the fans. Joyce botched the call big-time on the 27^th out of a would-be perfect game. First, the umpire sees the replay and admits his mistake and shows great feeling for how his mistake wronged the pitcher; the pitcher realizes that everyone makes a mistake and forgives him in as classy a way as possible. The Tigers players and manager apologize for their in-the-heat-of-the-moment anger and disappointment and praise Joyce as an upstanding guy and a good umpire. In a show of great compassion, they send the pitcher out there the next game to present the lineup card to support the umpire. Tiger's fans applaud the umpire as he takes the field in a moment of fan empathy that we may never see again. Is it just me or is this all extraordinary?  Wow, isn't that the way you and I want or would like to be treated, fairly and with justice and with respect. Should we have compassion for another human being during the most difficult of times? I think that is incredibly important and we should all learn from this classic, that may never be repeated. Now what about those who have destroyed their lives by whatever reasons should not our hand of forgiveness be one that is reached out? We have all made mistakes and some very costly should we not be treated with respect? Jesus treated people with respect. Haven't you ever read about the woman in John Chapter 4 who came to draw water when no one else was at the well because of the way she had chosen to live her life? She had been married 5 times and was now shacking up with someone else. Some in our day might call her trailer trash, no-count or she is nothing but _______ you can fill in the blank or maybe that person who has given themselves over to drugs, alcohol, sex or a host of other impurities. How will you and I treat them if they really want help? Would we hold out the hand of respect, love and forgiveness or would we turn up our nose and say they are getting what they deserve. I remember one Sunday night many years ago when a man entered the Church and walked down and stood in front of the Pulpit and looked me in the eyes and said "please help me." As I looked down at him I noticed this awful odor and then I noticed that he had urinated all over himself many times. I was spell bound for a moment then I saw out of the corner of my eye a gentleman coming to him and putting his arm around him and showing him great compassion and respect. I will never forget that night and what I saw and heard and learned. Is that not the way we come to God? The awful smells of this life, the unjust deeds we have done. Did not God wrap His arm around you and I and with great compassion and grace? Did He not treat us with respect? That night I not only saw that man treated with respect but I also saw a Church full of people witness real love and because of one man they too experienced the excitement of real compassion. In short form let me tell the end; that man who wandered into our Church that night is dead now and there is no marker at his grave site. His family never forgave him. He died in a Nursing Home and the lives he touched while there were countless. The day of his funeral the Church was packed by those he had touched and I am not sure any of them knew of his past life, which didn't matter. Had that one man not treated him with respect and compassion none that you have just read would have been possible. Who will God allow to come your way this weekend? Be sure you treat them like our Lord has treated you. See you Monday!

In The Midst

Have you ever been looking for something and you just couldn't find it. Only to find out later that it was right where you had been looking, but for some reason you didn't see it. I want you to get this picture in your mind. The Apostle John is in Heaven and he hears an angel proclaim with a loud voice "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? " Well the results come back and no-one could be found

Revelation 5:3
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. No man could be found no not in heaven so the look continues on, no not in earth so one more place under the earth, no not there either. There was just not a man who was able to open the book and look thereon. This is awful so awful that John began to cry.

Revelation 5:4
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. It is always wonderful when a solution comes to our problem. Notice what happened next

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

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. While all this looking was going on the one who could open the book and look there on was right there all the time. He had just been overlooked! It's always good to find what you were looking for. But I am afraid we miss seeing Jesus when He is right there in the midst of us. You may say where? What about that person you use to know that did all kinds of crazy things and now all of a sudden they aren't acting like that anymore. Their vocabulary has changed, the places they go have changed and it looks as if they have more smiles on their faces than ever before. Have you ever stop to think it could be Jesus on the inside shining out to the outside. The Lord is all around us on a daily bases we just don't see Him because we are looking in the wrong places. What about that person you gave too much money to and they gave it back to you. What about that person who noticed you had forgotten to charge them for a service you had performed for them and then paid you. What about that person that was able to hold their temper in the heated conversation as you yelled at them? How could they control themselves? When you see a major change in a person you might just be seeing Jesus.

2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. What's going on around you and are you seeing Jesus in the midst of your daily activity. Why not look today and see if you see Jesus anywhere around you.

½ Inch Off

Have you ever said these words "where did I go wrong?" It is easy to go wrong if we ever start getting our eyes off the Lord. I had the privilege of working with my father-n-law for a few years as he taught me about his carpenter trade. One day as he began to cut rafters I noticed he spent a lot of time measuring and making sure about this on rafter. I thought to myself we will be here when Jesus returns if he doesn't pick up some speed. After he had it right he put a big "P" on it in a few places; I had already put some two by sixes on the saw horses and was waiting on him. He places that two by six that had the "P" on it and marked everyone with it and then set it to the side. I asked him why marked all those "P's" on that one rafter and he told me that was the pattern and that he would use it to cut all the rafters with it. I said what difference would it make why use the same one? He then told me at first it wouldn't but as you keep using others rafters you might get a little off and the next one you might get a little off and before you know it you now ½ inch off and that will make a big difference. Here is what has happened over time in Christianity, new ideas and little by little with all the different denominations we have become more than a ½ inch off. I remember one night a man told me he was an electronic Christian; that was a first don't know what all that entailed but that's what he told me. So what is the pattern we should pattern our lives after? Our friend, Pastor, board of directors, someone we think or look like they know what's going on. No I think we should pattern our live after the one who has the big "P"

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Acts 5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. When you and I pattern out lives after Jesus the Prince we can't get a ½ inch off. Remember the saying a few years back "What would Jesus Do." Do we ever ask ourselves that question or do we hear that other statement "Just Do It." Well I have discovered that when I just do it and worry about it later I find out that I wished later I would have never come. But you may ask how in the world could I know what Jesus would have done? Good question! The only way that you could know is know who Jesus is; I mean have a personal relationship with Him that means a daily relationship. We talk to Him in prayer and He talks to us when we read His word the Bible so if we aren't praying and reading His Word then who is our "Pattern?" it's not that guy who you just found out has been viewing wrong things on the internet is it? Oh no not the one who just ran off from their mate and busted up their marriage. There are two prince and you are following and patterning you life after one of them.

Prince #1-Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Prince #2-Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince(devil) of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: I guess that is why the Apostle Paul told us to examine ourselves

2Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Have you taken the exam?

Feel Good

A few years ago my wife and I were on our way to Indiana where we were to do a marriage conference. I had to been to Indiana many times and knew the way; it got real quiet in our car and as I looked over I noticed that my wife had gone to sleep. With no talking going on I also began to get sleepy but didn't feel that I was too sleepy to drive or at least that is what I thought. After a while I began to notice things I had never seen and the expressway I thought I was on had now become a two lane road. While I was trying to figure out where I had gone wrong, wouldn't you know it my wife woke up? She asked a question that I didn't have an answer for; it was simply "where in the world are we." I wished I had had a better answer than "I don't know" but that was the truth. Somewhere in Chattanooga I took a road I shouldn't have and now 35 miles later I had no clue to where I was. We pulled over and got the roadmap out and wouldn't you know it there was no way to cut across so that meant 35 miles back which means I went 70 miles out of the way. I thought I was going the right way when all the time I was headed in the wrong direction. As I thought about that I thought about what Proverbs says in

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The Bible reveals that many people are driving on a road they think will get them to God and that will get them to heaven, but they are just like I was that day. I just knew I was going the right way while all the time I was headed in the wrong direction. I wasn't doing anything wrong; I was just going the wrong way. Many times we allow our feelings or what our religion says is the way but this is one thing we can't afford to be wrong about. Eternity is a very long time. You know our feelings don't have anything to do with whether or not we are going to heaven. In the book of Matthew we read about a group of good people who were doing good things but they received some sad news.

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

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

On Judgment Day there will be people who knew lots of Christian things, did lots of Christian things, who never really knew Jesus. They had the religion, but they missed the relationship. They had Christianity, but they missed Christ. You see I wasn't doing anything wrong, I wasn't speeding, smoking, drinking, using Gods name in vain I was doing good just going the wrong way. You see it's not about you and I and what we do, it's all about Jesus Christ and what He has already done.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, (not by anything we have done to gain his approval) but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Contrary to what so many think, being good is not the way to get to heaven. For what is good and how would we know if we were doing good? Who's set the rules? If I had a piece of wood in my hand and I asked you how long it was you might say it is 2 feet long I asked another and they said 18 inches. Who is to say which one is right and which one is wrong or they may both be wrong. But then there comes a young man and we ask him and he says well it looks like about 2 feet but let me measure it with my tape measure. No I was wrong it is only 22 inches. Now who are we going to believe, the tape measure of course. If good is the way then where is the standard. Good is not the way for the Bible says

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Which road are you on! The road paved with good feelings; or the road that has faith in Jesus Christ?

Scoring

I read a story about two school mates who were reminiscing about their athletic bloopers. Do you remember the time you let the ball slip out of your glove and allowed the winning run to score? And then there was the night that Brian Allgood scored a touchdown on an 80 yard pun only to have it called back because you got penalized for clipping. You know it is bad to lose; it's even worse to help your opponent win! If you can I want you to imagine how silly Satan must feel. Ever notice that when he sets out to score one for evil, he ends up scoring a point for good.

Abraham's Wife Sara-- God promised her a child, but she remained childless for a while. Satan used an empty crib to stir up tension, dissension and doubt. But at 90 years of age Sara bore a baby and called his name Isaac. What seemed humanly impossible came to pass.

Moses-- Satan delighted the day he ran out of Egypt. He thought he had derailed God's plan, when actually he played into God's hand. God used this time in the wilderness to train Moses and 40 years later Moses stood before Pharaoh who'd learned to listen to God and survive in the desert.

Daniel-- Jerusalem's best young men being led into captivity looked as a victory for Satan. Hell's strategy was to isolate the godly young men. What Satan intended as captivity, God used for royalty. Daniel was soon asked to serve in the king's court. The very man Satan sought to silence spent most of his life praying to the God of Israel and advising the kings of Babylon.

Paul-- Satan hoped the prison would silence his pulpit, and it did, but it also unleashed his pen. Letters to Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians were all written in a jail cell. Can't you see Satan kicking the dirt every time a person reads those Epistles? He helped write them!

Peter-- Satan sought to discredit Jesus by provoking Peter to deny him. But the plan backfired. Rather than be an example of how far a fellow can fall, Peter became an example of how far God's grace extends. Every time Satan scores a touchdown the other team gets the point. So when the enemy is working hard on showing you have failed maybe he has just helped score a point for the winning team; God's team. So as we start this week together remember who is in control of your week, not you, not the enemy but God so be sure to give Him the Praise. I feel it's going to be a great week so get excited.

Influence

We have all had influence on others; now that influence can be good or it can be bad but it is a power we all have. Merriam-Webster gives this definition of the word "Influence"
the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways: sway. I had the opportunity of going to a men's leadership meeting last week which was very good as it opened my eyes to something I knew was going on but not to the extent. The speaker began by saying something to this effect; he said 8 out of 10 of you men have viewed pornography today! Do what? Eight out of ten is 80 per cent; that is a very high percentage. I wonder if that is why there are so many marriages being broken up. People get unnatural ideas by viewing something that looks so inviting, so one day they try what they have been seeing. Some believe it will make their marriage better or at least they are lead to believe so. They soon find out that it destroys their relationship with the one they gave their vows to and death enters into the marriage. The cost is greater than they could imagine and it matters not where one or both partners are involved the cost is devastating! Families are destroyed; children are left with split parents not even considering the STDs and STIs that causes health problems and in many cases death. Don't take my word for it read the statistics yourself.

1. 57% of Pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually-damaging issue to their congregation. [Christians & Sex leadership journal survey, March 2005]
   
2. 90% of children 8-16 years of age have viewed pornography on the internet. In most cases, this was done unintentionally [The London School of Economics, 2002]
   
3. 57% of Promise Keepers attendees viewed pornography within a week before the event. [http://www.crosswalk.com/1224639/]
   
4. 47% of families said that pornography was a problem in their home. [Focus on the Family poll, Oct. 1, 2003]
   
5. One out of every six women, including Christians, struggle with as addiction to pornography. [Today's Christian Woman, Fall 2003]
   
6. Sexually transmitted diseases (also called STDs or STIs -- sexually transmitted infections) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. [http://www.epigee.org/health/stds.html]
   

This is awful, have we invited the enemy in?

John 10:10
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

We must be on guard and never let our guard down for this very thing happened to the wisest man ever born, King Solomon.

1Kings 11:1
But King Solomon loved many strange women, (His love was a lustful and not a lawful one) together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

1Kings 11:2
Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

Solomon you are headed for real trouble, your heart is about to be turned away from what you know is right. This will work both ways it matters not whether you are male or female you can use your influence to turn your mate or another away; you can allow the enemy to destroy what is real love for lustful love. Now as I listened to what that speaker said that night was it true that 80% had viewed pornography even during the week? Was it by accident or on purpose! Can I say that I want my influence to be helpful and honest and of good report.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Don't fall into the enemies trap for traps are designed to capture and kill in other words destroy. See you Monday and may the Lord bless. Oh by the way I am in the 20%!!

 

First Impressions

The year was 1970 and I had left home headed for my long military tour; I had to leave my wife to which I had only been married to for six months. When I arrived I was more than home sick, I was lonely, disappointed and more than ready to go back home. New faces, new places, I just wanted to leave but that wasn't going to happen, so I decided I would just make the best of a bad situation. As I was trying to make new friends I noticed this sergeant and I liked nothing about him, I didn't like the way he walked, talked I didn't like his looks and I wanted nothing to do with him. You know first impressions are not always the right impression for he became one of my best friends until I was discharged. We all have had those moments I am sure where we judge others only to find out we had judged wrongly. One day the Lord told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Jesse the Bethlehemite and that the next King would be one of his sons. Now what happened next is interesting. When Samuel got to Bethlehem and in front of Jesse's sons he let his eyes fool him

1Samuel 16:6
And it came to pass, when they were come, (Jesse's sons) that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
Samuel said look no farther for here he is, the next King. But here is what the Lord said to Samuel 1Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Samuel's first impression was wrong. Then we read

1Samuel 16:10
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. After all seven of Jesse's sons had passed before Samuel and none of them was King material he asked Jesse this question, is this all. To which Jesse said all but one; Samuel got so excited that he said go get him for I'm not going to sit until he gets here.

1Samuel 16:11
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. Can you imagine what must have been going through Samuel's mind why he had seen all of Jesse's sons and now they had gone to fetch the next King of Israel? I wonder if Samuel's chin dropped when he saw him…

1Samuel 16:12
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. You have got to be kidding Lord, look at him a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. We need a King not this; Samuel may have thought that but this was no joke

1Samuel 16:13
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. Had Samuel went on his first impression he would have missed the mark. Had I went on my first impression I would have robbed myself of a good friend. When you and I look at those we come in contact with and start to judge them, we are judging what we see but God goes much deeper and views the heart. I have heard people say "he's just a drunk and that's all he will ever be." You think so? I wonder if that's what God is thinking? I realize that all those for whatever reason have messed up their lives with drugs and alcohol, sex and whatever will not all turn out to be productive citizens. But, neither I nor do you know who will and who will not, so we must look beyond what our eyes tell us for we may be the last hope that someone has. Be careful about those first impressions they could be wrong impressions.