Different Result

The year 2011 is almost over, only hours left. For some the year 2011 has been a great year for others it has not been so good. As we face this New Year we all are in hopes that this New Year will be a great one. To some this New Year will be as the last because if you keep doing the same things you’re going to keep getting the same results. Some will say themselves that in the New Year that they will spend more time with their families, some will say to themselves that they would like to quit doing some bad habit. There are many things that we tell ourselves that we would love to do but words are easily spoken but to accomplish those words, wishes and desires it takes work as well as commitment. Before this New Years starts off ask yourself some questions; How did I get where I’m at today? How will I get to where I want to be in the oncoming year?  In Proverbs chapter 27 and verse 8 we read these words “As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.” The word “wander” means To rove; to ramble here and there without any certain course or object in view; as, to wander over the fields; to wander about the town, or about the country. Men may sometimes wander for amusement or exercise. Persons sometimes wander because they have no home and are wretched, and sometimes because they have no occupation. One who wanders begins to do so with no course or object in view and doesn’t plan on getting off track but in their wondering they lose sight of where they should be. The bird that wonders from their nest leaves its place of security and puts himself in the place of possible danger. So is the man that wonders from his place of security he also puts himself in the place of possible danger. It is true that birds of a feather flock together. We hang around with those we feel comfortable around because we enjoy the same type of things. If we are going to be different in this New Year then we’ll have to commit to living our lives much differently. One day I was told something wonderful that help me tremendously; it was very simple but it took laying down my pride. I was told if I wanted to be stronger than I must know my weaknesses. That is where pride comes in for we all like to think we are strong in all areas of our lives. Then after you understand your weaknesses surround yourself with men who are strong where you are weak. This isn’t an easy task because of our pride but understanding pride will help us; so what is pride? Here are a few verses to help.  

Proverbs 11:2  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride brings shame, contention, and destruction and on top of all that the Lord hates pride; out of seven things mentioned that He hates the first one is “pride.”

Proverbs 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

  As the New Year come in what in our lives what will go out? Just remember to get different results you must do something different or you’ll keep getting the same results.

Proverbs 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Do something different or expect the as results. See you next year!!

No Discounts

 After the Allied forces stormed ashore at Normandy on D-Day, charging into deadly German fire and land mines, General Eisenhower said, "There are no victories at discount prices." It was true at Normandy. It's true in following Jesus. Beginning at the cross, it has always been expensive and victorious. The hymn writer nailed it when he said: "Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, when others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?"  We all know that Freedom is not free but neither is our Faith in Jesus Christ Free. Abel’s Faith cost him his life.

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Enoch’s Faith changed his walk.

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Noah’s Faith changed his work.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Abraham’s Faith changed his obedience.

Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Many try to just fit in, don’t rock the boat, may I remind you that if our Faith is not worth living it may not be much in our dying. Each day that you and I live we move closer to our last day; all the way through the Bible we read such verses as these

Gen 49:33  And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

Gen 47:28  And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.

That day comes for all one day you may hear the lump in your breast is…. You have a….in your….and it inoperable. One of my good friends got that news when he was 36 and we buried him in 1988 you may ask how was his faith?  The last time I went to see him I went for the purpose of encouraging him but instead he encouraged me with his great faith. Its one thing to look at death’s door afar off but it’s another to be able to reach out and touch it and say with Job

Job 1:21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Has your faith in Christ changed your life? Faith is not free and a Faith that can’t change you may not be Faith at all for there are no discounts with Faith. As we come closer to the end of this year make up your mind that you will be different in the New Year and start in that direction today. 

Imagination and Thoughts

 Adam and Eve hid after doing wrong. A parent may walk into a room where their child has been eating chocolate and ask them “have you been eating any candy” to which they might answer “no.” What they hadn’t realized is that there was chocolate all over their face. That is what is going on here.

 Genesis 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The first thing we notice is “God Saw” there is no hiding from the eyes of God.

Proverbs 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

What did God see? “The wickedness of man;” Webster says the word “wickedness” means Departure from the rules of the divine law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; crime; sin; sinfulness; corrupt manners Wickedness generally signifies evil practices. God is watching mankind departing from His divine law doing evil practices, corrupt manners and crime. We are told that this is no small matter for He uses the word “great.” How did it become so wicked and immoral? It started in their imagination and then there imagination moved into their thoughts; we may call it premeditated (to think about and revolve in the mind beforehand) then into their heart

Proverbs 23:7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Then it becomes an action only evil continually. Does it really matter what we are thinking? I would say so! Look at

Genesis 6:6  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Did you notice what the wickedness, the imagination and thoughts did to God? It grieved Him; Webster say the word grieve means (To give pain of mind to; to afflict; to wound the feelings. Nothing grieves a parent like the conduct of a profligate child.) Our thoughts and imaginations do affect God. After all that God has done for mankind we cause Him to become heartbroken because of our imaginations and thoughts. When the imaginations slip into our mind if we don’t dismiss them then they will become thoughts and then the thoughts will become actions.  Here is how to deal with imaginations

2Corinthian 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

It’s our wrong and stinking thinking that breaks the heart of God so the thought must die before it becomes an imagination for if it becomes an imagination it will not be long before it becomes an action?  There it is; get those imaginations out of our head before they turn into evil actions. Then there is our heart? What’s in our heart? If you don’t know it will soon come out your mouth.

Matthew 12:34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Where do you think we might find the mind of God? Do you think that reading our Bible would help? For our Bible will tell us all we need to know about the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

What Happen to We

Gen 27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Gen 27:9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

Gen 27:13……only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Gen 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

 In these few verses we read of a mother instructing her son to betray and lie to his dad. Jacob’s mother Rebekah tells Jacob to obey her voice and commands him to do wrong. Rebekah had all the answers and it all seemed to work just fine in deceiving Jacob’s dad Isaac. Jacob was able by the advice of his mother to fool four of Isaac’s senses but not his hearing. I don’t think Rebekah realize the results this would all bring.

Gen 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.   What happened next should teach us all something very valuable. Up to now it was Rebekah telling Jacob to obey her voice and her commands and Jacob obeyed his mother. One time he did question her:

Gen 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. But Rebekah responded:

Gen 27:13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice,

When Esau said he hated his brother and had decided to kill him as soon as their father died Rebekah tells Jacob to:

Gen 27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee Then notice what Rebekah said:

Gen 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day? Thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Do what, flee away until your brother’s anger turns away from you Jacob and he forgets what you have done unto him. Wait, would it not have been correct for her to have said “flee Jacob until Esau’s anger is turned away and he forgets what WE have done into him.” Jacob was not innocent, by no means, but it was his mother that instructed him to do wrong. I am sure we have all been in a similar situation where we were instructed and when all went wrong the use of a personal pronoun came into use. I remember many years ago my brother and I were with our cousin and she did something wrong. She instructed us to tell a lie and that she would do the same. She then added under no circumstances were we to change our story. My brother and I were not in any kind of trouble at all but to help her I decided to stay with the story. My mother started in on me and asked me what had happened so I told her the story my cousin had told me to tell. All went well for awhile but then my mother said you might as well tell the truth for we know what happened. She then said that my cousin had already told what had happened and if I would tell them I would be in no trouble. Oh yea right! I had seen this kind of stuff on TV where  a police officer would try to get one person to tell on another; not me I’m not falling for that trick for I remember the words “under no circumstances.” Did she really think I would crack under this kind of questioning? Tell the truth son my mother said to which I said I am telling the truth. Then my mother said you are not in any trouble but if you keep tell me these lies then I’ll have to punish you. Yea right another trick for me to rat out on my cousin no way and the word “CIRCUMSTANCES” rang that much louder in my head. Then my mother began telling me what had happened and the only way she could have done that was that my cousin had broken down and told the truth. She was in no trouble because she told the truth and I got punished for telling a lie trying to protect her; instead of “we” it became me. Well so much for stuff one can learn on TV.  As we get closer to facing the New Year let us remind ourselves to learn from the Scriptures by reading them daily. It’s a New Year, put the old one behind you the best you can and put change into the New Year. Have a great last week of 2011. 

Seeing Him

Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. Along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good 'ol Santa Claus himself. We may not be a Ralphie desiring a BB gun but I’m sure we have at one time or another desired to have something and went about convincing others that it would be the perfect gift. We can read of those in our Bibles that had some desires to see the perfect gift; there was Simeon; Luke 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. He said “Can I stay alive until I see him?” There were the Wise Men; Matthew 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. They said “we aren’t stopping until we find him.” Then there were the Shepherds;

Luke 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. They said “Let’s go…. Let’s see.” I love what we read in the book of Hebrew chapter 11 and verse 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The last three words “diligently seek him” should encourage each of us. Webster says this about the word “diligently” With steady application and care; with industry or assiduity; not carelessly; not negligently. It could be like a Christmas gift as you find yourself with steady application and care looking for it. Don’t be satisfied with angels or content with stars. Seek Him out as the Shepherds did. Worship Him as the wise men did. Long for Him as Simeon did. In other words do whatever it takes to see Christ this Christmas. Raphie finally got his BB gun. The Wise men were able to give their gifts to Jesus. The Shepherds didn’t stop until they found Him. Christmas is a wonderful time so don’t get so caught up in the lights, trees, presents and people that you miss the most important part “JESUS.” Make sure you see HIM! Have a great Christmas and enjoy the time together with your family and we’ll talk again on Tuesday December 27 may the blessing of our Lord and Savior be with each of you this Christmas season.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Joyous Christmas

Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Christmas time is a time of giving as well as receiving. Which is the better of the two? Giving or Receiving? Well we all like to receive but where do we find the most joy. We may receive a nice gift but sooner or later that gift will lose its shine and become useless. Now when we give from a true heart we will never forget the joy or the smile on the face of the one that received. Let me explain; there was a young man that received a nice gift from his brother one Christmas. It was a nice car and the young man was proud to have received such a gift. One night after work as the young man approached his car he saw a poor and raggedly clothed youngster walking around his car admiring it. The young boy asked “is this your car?” The answer came back “Yes, my brother gave it to me as a Christmas gift.” “You mean this car didn’t cost you anything?” “Yes, it was a gift.”  The young boy then said, “You know what I wish? I wish that I could give my brother a car like this for Christmas.” “Would you like for me to take you for a ride in it?” “Oh yes, I’d love that.” So off they went for a short ride around town after a while the young boy said “would you mind driving in front of my house?” The young boy said, “There’s my house would you stop for a moment.” The young boy opened the door, ran to his front door went in and then soon came back. He was not alone, when he came back he was carrying his crippled brother. He sat him down and pointed to the car and said “There she is Buddy, just like I told you. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn’t cost him a cent. Someday I’m gonna give you one just like it. Then you can ride me around and see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.” The older man got out of his car, picked up that crippled young boy and put him in the front seat. He told his brother to get in the back seat as the three of them began a memorable joyous Christmas ride. The joy is not in receiving but giving, for this is the way to real JOY. J is for Jesus first; O is for others and Y is last for yourself. Like I said the shine will one day be outdated by something new but the joy of giving will never dull. It’s like Jesus said it’s more blessed to GIVE than to receive. 

Train Whistle

 I read a true story of a young man away at college for his first year. His very first night as he began to fall asleep in his dorm he was suddenly awakened by the sound of a train whistle. It sounded as if it was coming right through his room and as he looked out the window of his dorm he found that the railroad tracks were right next to his room. It was hard to fall asleep at first but as time went on he found that the roaring of the train and its whistle were not even noticed anymore. It’s strange how we can become so accustomed to something that we don’t even know the difference. Could that be said about Christmas? When I was a young boy we sang about Christmas and about the birth of the Savior. There were the songs of Rudolf the red nose reindeer, Jingle bells and a few others but most of the songs were of the Christ of Christmas. Christmas was a time for family; I remember our home was full of family members that I might only see at Christmas time. The cake, the coffee [oh, we kids didn’t get any coffee] but the cakes we ate plenty of. It was an exciting time of the year and it was all based on Jesus and His birth in Bethlehem. Then came the Happy Holidays; sure it was a happy time of the year but it was Christmas. Over the years just like that train and whistle many have just gotten used to the idea and have said to themselves what difference does it really make. Maybe none to some but to me there is a lot of difference between Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Christmas is more of a Holy Day than a holiday. It’s a time of being grateful for what God has given us than just a day away from work. It’s still MERRY CHRISTMAS to me and the whistle and the train is still loud and clear. Thank you Lord for your blessings at this time of year when we can once again think of your love toward us and your great gift to us; Jesus!

No Light Left On

 Does the name Tom Bodett mean anything to you? Tom is the first and only spokesperson Motel 6 has ever had. Tom always closes the Motel ad by saying “And we’ll leave the light on for you.” My wife, our first born son that was 4 month old and I had taken off on an unplanned trip to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. When we arrived we found to our surprise that there were no Motel rooms available I mean there was no light left on for us. We were in some kind of trouble; the heat was beating down and we were sweating while warning bottles by the car heater; let me tell you that was no fun at all. By the time that Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem they found that there was no Tom Bodett and the light was off at the inn “there was no room for them in the inn.” So Mary and Joseph had to make do


Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; (A trough or box in which fodder is laid for cattle, or the place in which horses and cattle are fed.) Do you know what is amazing about the fix they found themselves in? There was not one word of complaining; Joseph is not saying how could I have been so foolish not to have had a room or a place; for this is my home town. Is that what we are told?

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Joseph was born in Bethlehem and this was the city where he belonged. There was no family that took them in, no friends not even an old childhood buddy. There is not one word of complaining no feeling sorry for themselves; none. Have you ever thought why? The answer is simple because the night is not about the hardship of Joseph and Mary but all about the Lord Jesus Christ. The taxing and the travelling was not what this night was about. It’s not about poor old Mary it is all about Jesus. Could we say the same? It’s not about you and I, it’s not about our hardships and it’s not even about the good things that have happened to each of us. It is about Jesus. When we build our life around all the bad the sad and the sorrowful as well as the good we are missing the most important part and that is Jesus? For it’s all about Him!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Sweetest Name I know,

Fills my every longing,

Keeps me singing as I go.

Have a great week as you lift up the name of Jesus and not your problems!

Prejudice, Pride and Opinions

His name was Ken and he talked to me one night in the back of a trailer about a man named Jesus. I politely listened until he was through then I made him a promise that I would without a doubt go to Church the following Sunday; which I did. Could anything good come out of a talk from the back of an eighteen wheeler? That’s kind of what Nathanael said about Nazareth.

John 1:46  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Nazareth was so mean a place, that it seems it was even despised by its neighbors, the Galileans themselves, for Nathaniel was from Galilee. Nathanael said himself “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Surely the Messiah would never come from there; He more than likely would come from Jerusalem, Hebron or some other prominent city. Not Nazareth, you must be kidding! Here is a good lesson on almost letting prejudice, pride and opinions cause you to miss the most important date of your life. What if I would have let my unbelief and opinion and false assumptions prevent me from doing as I said? Really would the Savior of mankind come riding on a donkey? Really would the Lord Jesus be in a Baptist Church I mean I had been in the Methodist Church from childhood. Can I say it’s not a Denomination?  It’s Jesus and He may well come riding on a Donkey or in the back of a trailer or in a Sunday Morning Service. Phillip said to Nathaniel come see and Nathaniel did and in so doing he saw Jesus. Ken said to me come and see and I did and I saw Jesus. But better than Nathaniel and I seeing Jesus, Jesus saw the both of us. You are going to have to get past your prejudice, pride and opinions and let Jesus see you! Sundays coming why not go and see!  Thanks Ken for sharing that night over 38 years ago in the back of that trailer as we loaded it to go to another state. On that night you filled my head with things about Jesus and two days later Jesus found me and invited me into His family and I am eternally grateful.  By the way Ken, wherever you are I’ll be back in Church this Sunday you can count on it and once again let me say thank you for caring for me.

Hesitating

Out of all the animals I think the squirrel has to be the one that does the most hesitating. Let me explain; I have noticed while driving that the squirrel will start across the road and have plenty of time to get out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. But as he gets in the middle of the road he can’t seem to make up his mind and starts back to where he came from but then for some reason changes his mind and returns. While he is out in the middle of the roadway doing all that hesitating he gets ran over. All that could have been prevented if he had not hesitated.  The squirrel started but couldn’t make up his little mind. We may have all hesitated at times or maybe think that God could never use us. We use the excuses that we don’t have the education, we are too old, not good with people, my speech is not what it should be, I could never stand before a crowd of people and on and on the excuses come. What about Abraham? God calls him out of a dead pagan religion and he became the father of faith. Moses was watching sheep when God call him and he almost missed what God wanted him to do by his hesitating. Then there was David the runt, the eighth son of the family. No one was even thinking about him, but God saw a King when everyone else saw a runt. It’s not what everyone else sees that important but what God sees.  Never under estimate the power of a personal word from God! Never hesitate to say yes to God’s plan for your life! God will do the impossible with the improbable. What’s God done in your life?

How Far Will You Go

I have a good friend that lives in the state of Indiana and when he comes down he and his family like to go to Stone Mountain. Now they drive over 450 miles to do so, I only live about 20 miles from the Mountain and the only time I go is when they are here. It’s funny that you can live so close to something and almost never go while others drive 100’s of miles to see it. In Luke Chapter 2 and verse 1 we read And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  Then we read in verse 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Luke 2:5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. From Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 80 miles; normally it would take about 4 days to make that trip. But Mary nearing her pregnancy term and riding a donkey it would require more than 4 days for fear of a miscarriage. So it took probably a week or more to make the trip. After a week or more Joseph and Mary finally arrived in Bethlehem now can you imagine the people that were there? I mean didn’t we just read that the whole world should be taxed. Now there was somewhat of a break not everyone went to Bethlehem.

Luke 2:3   And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. None the less I’m sure there were people all over Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary had traveled 80 or so miles to pay taxes but while they were there baby Jesus was born. The Sheppard’s traveled only a short distance to see Jesus.  Herod the king gathered all the chief priests and scribes and demanded where Christ should be born and they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judaea. Now what is interesting about that is Herod didn’t take the time to go about 5 miles to see Jesus and neither did the chief priest and scribes. Jesus wasn’t all that interesting to the King or the Religious leaders of that day. My friends drive 450 miles to see Stone Mountain I will not drive 20. Joseph and Mary take a week to go and pay taxes but the Priest and Scribes will not walk 5 miles. Many get in their cars and drive to Church just to hear about Jesus while others head off somewhere else. I wonder how important Jesus is to each of us? If we had been in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born would we have went after we had heard the good news from the shepherds?

Luke 2:16  And they(shepherds) came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:17  And when they had seen it, (baby Jesus) they (the shepherds)  made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Which are more important paying taxes or seeing Jesus? Which one do we do the most pay taxes or hear about Jesus?  

Birthday

Birthdays are wonderful and if you don’t think so just try missing one. When you are a kid, it’s a wonderful time with your friends, the cake and ice cream and the best part of all; the Gifts. But what if all your friends and family all came to gather and no one wished you a Happy Birthday and when they sang Happy Birthday they didn’t put your name in the song. What if everyone bought each other gifts and no one had one for you? I think you might have a question or two like why did you sing Happy Birthday and not use my name! Then someone said “well we didn’t want to offend anyone or hurt someone else’s feelings by doing so.” “Why didn’t you give a gift to me; it was my Birthday?” Someone else replied “we knew it was your birthday but we wanted others to know how much we loved them so we bought them gifts.” You might say that would be just awful if that were to really happen. Have you stopped to think how many treat Christmas? It’s not Merry Christmas but Happy Holidays. We hear songs without the mention of Jesus, Christ, God, Emanuel instead we hear songs talking about Grandma got ran over by a reindeer. I decided to go to the internet and typed in Best Christmas songs and this are some of the titles of the top 40. Country Christmas, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Run Rudolph Run, Please Come Home For Christmas, Wonderful Christmas time. Whatever happened to Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, O Little Town of Bethlehem , We Three Kings? Christmas time is the time we are to remise about when Jesus our Lord and Savior was born and that He was born to save sinners which we all are.

Matthew 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Luke 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;

Luke 2:28  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Luke 2: 29  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

Luke 2:30  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Hello, it’s not Happy Holidays or anything else it’s Merry Christmas it has always been Merry Christmas and I say Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus! I guess I’m over qualified to work at some places. But that’s ok for LORD YOU'RE THE BEST THING, THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME

YOU BEEN MY FRIEND,FOR SO LONG 

YOU WHERE RIGHT,AND I WAS WRONG 

I CAN'T REPAY,YOU ALL THE LOVE,YOU GIVEN ME 

YOU WHERE MY FRIEND,WHEN NO ONE CARED 

I WAS ALONE,BUT YOU WHERE THERE 

LORD YOU'RE THE BEST THING,THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME 

( Chorus ) 

I OWE IT ALL TO YOU LORD,ALL I HAVE IS YOU LORD 

SO TAKE MY LIFE,MAKE IT WHAT,YOU HAVE IT BE 

FOR I'M YOUR CHILD,AND YOUR MY FATHER 

I'M THE CLAY,AND YOUR THE POTTER 

LORD YOU'RE THE BEST THING,THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME 

Here's Your Sign

 My Dad worked for the railroad and I have heard him say 1000’s of time when you come to a railroad crossing always Stop, Look and Listen.  There are signs put at railroad crossings that read Stop, Look, Listen and Live. The sign tells us that it would be a good measure on our part that if we want to keep living that we should Stop at the crossing. Then the sign tells us to Look and make sure that there is not a training coming before we cross the tracks. We should do one more thing and that would be to use our ears and listen; just one last measure to be completely sure that there is no train coming. If we make this a practice when we approach a railroad crossing then our chances of living will increase 100%. As I read Luke chapter 2 and verse 12 these thoughts came to my mind.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Did you see that word “sign” If we back up a few verses I think it will help us to understand a little more about the sign?

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Shepherds if you will go to the city of Bethlehem you will find great joy; notice not just joy but great joy. Then in verse 11 there is a personal pronoun used “you” so this sign is now personally for you shepherds. Let’s assume that you are in a hurry to get somewhere. Up ahead you see a railroad crossing so you began to look and you see no train coming, so you decide to just to go across the tracks. Then you see a sign that says Stop, Look, Listen and LIVE so at that point you rethink and stop at the crossing. You hadn’t been stopped no more than a few seconds when you notice a train coming into the crossing had you not have stopped you would have been killed. Now aren’t you thankful that someone put a sign up for you to see. Now was that sign at that moment for everyone or was it there just for you? That’s what Christmas is Stop and see Jesus in a manger, Look and see what He is there for and then Listen as He reaches out to you for that is what verse 10 said. ”I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Not only is it personal but it includes all people and therefore Jesus did come into this world for all people “For God so loved the world that He gave” and that my friend includes you. Be joyful for unto you a Savior is born. Now have a good week and tell someone today MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh by the way knowing Jesus is a 100% to having eternal life Stop, Look, Listen and Live.

Faithful

Proverbs 28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

What is a faithful man? Webster says this about the word “faithful”

1. Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion.

2. Firmly adhering to duty; of true fidelity; loyal; true to allegiance; as a faithful subject.

3. Constant in the performance of duties or services; exact in attending to commands; as a faithful servant.

It not only means “faithfulness,” but firmness, steadiness, stability, steadfastness and devotion. The verse tells us that a faithful man shall abound with blessings. Could this be because the faithful man is firm, he is also steady; does that mean you can count on him? The verse then goes on and compares one that is haste to be rich. Could this be greed or covetousness or both? Greed will always place a priority on materialism instead of God’s approval of our life. When one set their eyes on materialism they become prone to do things that are unethical or illegal. I was called into my boss’s office some years back and he began to talk to me about how I had the ability to move higher in the organization and wanted me to listen to some cassette tapes (that was before cd’s.)    At first I was excited and couldn’t wait to listen to the tapes. As I left that morning I put the first tape in and began to listen to it. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing the voice on the tape was telling me to use people for my benefit. I only listened to a few minutes of that tape and turned it off. I took the tape back to my boss and told him that I didn’t have the abilities that he thought I did for I could never do what was on those tapes. He then said that if I didn’t learn how to separate business and Church I would be a poor man with great abilities. Is it okay to lie to get what you want? Is that learning to separate business from Church? If so count me out for there is a verse that rings in my ears that tells me that I will have to give an account.

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  I have enough already to give an account for I don’t think I want to add to it with something I know is wrong.

Exodus 20:15  Thou shalt not steal.

Exodus 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Exodus 20:17  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. If I lie to get what I want then that’s stealing and it all began when I coveted, which is a desire or wish for, with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess. Now we have a choice we can be faithful or we can make haste but  making haste says we shall not be innocent which means you’re guilty. It takes work to be faithful but we were born liars.

Psa 58:3  The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Be faithful and be in your place this Sunday and have a great weekend.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! 

Freedom

It was 70 years ago yesterday that Pearl Harbor was attacked. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and hundreds were wounded. Dozens of Navy vessels were sunk or destroyed. I wanted to remind each of us that freedom is not free it is very costly. I also wanted to remind each of us at this Christmas season to pray for our soldiers on active duty. I can from personal experience remember being away at Christmas time   on active duty. There was no tree, presents, but there was also no family and it was a very sad time. So why not today just stop and pray and be thankful for our soldiers. We can thank our soldiers for protecting our country and our freedoms so we can enjoy a Christmas with our families.

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer………..with thanksgiving; Can you hear the silence cry of our Soldiers?

1Thessalonians 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

Two of my grand children’s dad on Thanksgiving day; somewhere in Afghanistan 20 foot away a mortar came in on them. I thank God they were not killed but the noise from the explosion has caused hearing problems; the next day back in combat. Please pray for his safety along with his fellow soldiers that their hearing will return. This news has not been good for his children. This is just one case of all that is going on so you and I can live in freedom. Have a blessed day and be grateful for where you are and what you have.  

What Do You See

A young girl that had Down syndrome was out with her mom and dad when they passed by a homeless man. The alcohol and the body odor were horrible, but the young girl looked past by all of the things others see and went over and gave the man a hug. As they embraced the tears streamed down the man’s face and it was all because of an act of affection. We might say well I’m glad I’m not that way; that’s the problem we don’t look at ourselves like that. Really we haven’t done anything real bad, after all I’m a pretty good person. In who’s eyes? This is what the Bible has to say about our goodness.

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

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

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

Romans 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

We are not as hard on ourselves as we might be with someone else. I use to work with my Father-n-Law and loved those years we worked together. He did remodeling work and when he figured a job he always got what was needed and there was little room for error. One day I cut a piece of trim wrong and when I told him what I had done he said that we were not going to have enough to finish the job and I felt bad about my mistake. A few jobs later he made a mistake and he just brushed it off. I then got to thinking about when I had made a similar mistake, so I asked him why he got so upset with me and not with himself. He just looked at me and said oh it’s different when I do it. Could it be that’s how we view our wrongs?  When we read about Jesus He went to those others refused to; the broken hearted, the lonely, the confused, the harlots, the lepers, the cold hearted but He saw something different than what met the eyes He look past all that and saw the heart.

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.

When He found you and I we were like the man the little girl saw and hugged for she didn’t see the outside she saw the inside. What do we see when we see others?

Be a Barney

I love to watch the old episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. Don Knotts played my favorite character; Deputy Barney Fife. There was one episode when Barney joined the Mayberry choir but there was only one problem Barney could barely hold a note. The truth of the matter is that he was tone deaf, but he didn’t let that slow him down one bit. He sang his heart out as if he was God’s gift to the tenor section. I don’t know about you but I like to sing when I am all by myself. There was one morning that I was singing going up the road and I like Barney got to thinking that I wasn’t all that bad. One morning I decided to record my wonderful singing so I could listen to it and reassure myself that I really was fairly good. I started singing in the truck that morning and after I felt that I was warned up I reached over and turned on the recording machine. I started singing as if 100’s of people were listening I mean why not sing to 100’s. Then it became time to listen to my master piece; I rewound the tape and hit play. The sound that began to come out of that small machine was some of the most awful sounds I think I have ever heard. What happened? Well, I had convinced myself that I could do something that I could never do; I think I might be tone deaf. Why would I like doing something that I can’t do? There are two words I would like to look at that I think will help explain. The first word “joyful” Webster says that it means “Full of joy; very glad“ the next word is “noise” and Webster says it means ” Sound of any kind, or proceeding from any cause, as the sound made by the organs of speech, by the wings of an insect, the rushing of the wind, or the roaring of the sea, of cannon or thunder, a low sound, a high sound, &c.; a word of general signification.” Now what is so interesting about that is that the first time we find those words used together in the same verse is in

Psalms 66:1  Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Make a joyful noise unto God; know what? We can all do that we don’t have to have any music ability at all to make a noise and when we are making that noise we can be joyful as we do it unto God.

Psalms 95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 98:4  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

 Psalms 100:1  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

 Anybody can do that so come on; be a Barney Fife and do the very best you can even if it sounds like a noise, just make that noise joyful. 

Useful

I wake up in the morning running and lay down at night tired from the race of the day. I don’t like to hear anybody say that they have outlived their usefulness. What kind of talk is that? The day we outlive our usefulness we will be looking at Jesus. If you live long enough you are going to get old and we can’t prevent that. In John Chapter 10 and verse 10 we read these words; “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ Now remember a thief comes when we’re not expecting him, the thief comes when no one is at home. Could it be that just maybe the thief has convinced you that you are too old and the days of opportunity have passed you by? You say I’m too old, let me ask you how old would you be if you did nothing?  I am glad everyone doesn’t feel like they have outlived their usefulness; because this world would surely have missed out on some great and grand achievements. Have you ever heard the name Harlan Sanders? He didn’t retire at 65 instead he took his Social Security checks and a family recipe and began franchising restaurants to serve his fried chicken. You might know him as Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken. I am afraid that many of life’s treasures remain hidden from you and I simply because we never search for them or think we have become too old and useless. Hog wash, don’t you believe that for one minute. Moses was 80 years old and God came to him and said I have a job for you Moses. I want you to lead my people out of the bondage of Pharaoh down in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 7:7 And Moses was fourscore years (80) old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh. Has someone older in your life ever made a real impact in it? When I was 40 I began to spend a lot of time with men that were 75 and up and they taught me so much about courage and strength. They said things like “I’m still breathing I’m still living.” There was a man who was 75 years old and we became great friends; God used me to lead him to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We were good friends until his death in May 2002 he was 82 years old. I’ll never forget him that is for sure, I spent hours with him and listened to him talk. He worked at a lead plant all his life; he was strong as an ox and he taught me so much for he had great wisdom. Never have the attitude that you’re useless for that is the enemy wanting to steal your joy, kill your drive and destroy your great usefulness. Don’t let him do it to you. What if my friend Alvin would have had that attitude? He would have robbed me of all he taught me. Quit letting those attitudes invade your mind and be a help and a blessing to someone this week. Find an older person and spend some time with them. I’m not 40 anymore but I still have a good friend who is 77; I love it. I have sat and talked with men who were survivors of Iwo Jima and Pearl Harbor, what a history lesson. So who has the Lord allowed you to cross paths with that hasn’t decided not to think they were useless; aren’t you grateful. Now you be a light in some one’s life and share. 

Designer Destiny

Your designer destiny; now that is some fancy talk for we live in a world of designer shoes and clothing. Go to one of those fancy stores and buy yourself some designer jeans full of holes and torn up one side and down the other starting at only $85.00 per pair.  I’m not talking about designer clothing I am talking about a life designed by the Master Himself. You may be successful and cheered by men but is it important to God? You see the real truth is we want to please and do what our heavenly Father wants us to do but we have more questions than answers. Listen to what God said to Jeremiah then how Jeremiah responded to God.

Jeremiah 1:4  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Jeremiah 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God tells Jeremiah that before he was formed and before he was born that He had set him aside and ordained him a prophet to the nations. But Jeremiah has something to say about that.

Jeremiah 1:6  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. Is that not just like you and I; “Lord I can’t.” Have you ever said that? Oh it’s true Lord I do have this burning in my heart to serve you but to be honest I’m afraid. To follow the Lord to your designer destiny you may have to defy the drumbeat of this culture we live in. You may be called foolish for you will have to proceed by faith, trusting in the Lord and not a plan. Oh, I would follow the Lord if I knew how I was going to……….. I talked with my best friend last night he is now Pastor of a wonderful church and is right where God wants him. After I hung the phone up with him I began to think about how God has brought him along. He was Pastor of a Church and felt like God would have him resign and leave; now this was over 20 years ago. He had this burning desire to preach so he goes down to the nursing home and ask them if he could come and sing and preach they said ok. He began to preach there and then he went to a Church as an associate Pastor and did both for a long time. Working a full time job, preaching at a nursing home and associate Pastor and I never heard him complaining. He was doing what was in his heart to do and was happy? Now years later he is Pastor of a successful church. Oh he still works his full time job but God has opened many doors for him because of his faithfulness and love for the Lord.  Could God be stirring your soul and trying to move you to where you were born to be and to do what you were born to do. It may be different from what you’re doing now. Should we be afraid or should we be obedient? Does the obedience look risky? Think about it this way there is no such thing as risky obedience only risky disobedience. Oh, test the waters my friend and see that the Lord is good and will provide. No, don’t go quit your job just yet but you will find happiness in what our heavenly Father has designed just for you. Now have a great weekend and be sure to be in Church this Sunday. I am excited about hearing my Sunday School Teacher for he is the best both sides of the Mississippi. Then I want to hear my Pastor preach on that Unshakable Christian Life. See you Monday!!!

Warning

From time to time we see signs that read “WARNING” then the words may follow which tell us to “KEEP OUT.” I was working with a man years ago; when I was doing electrical work. He was in a room that had a sign on the door which read “WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE.” He was doing some work in that room but he being an electrician had just gotten too comfortable being around electricity everyday and thought that the ‘WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE’ didn’t really apply to him. He had entered the room with a big screw driver sticking out of his back pocket. He leaned over to work on something and must have forgotten about the screw driver in his back pocket. That is when the screw driver touched some high voltage wires and sparks went flying all around. When he shorted the wires out it kicked the main breaker and shut off all the electricity in an 8 story building, He would have been cooked had that not happened. That’s the problem we get too comfortable in life and don’t realize the warning signs and area’s we allow ourselves to enter. Warnings are on a pack of cigarettes and other tobacco products and they are put there in an effort to warn the public of the harmful effects of smoking. Unfortunately many fly by that warning and pay little or no attention to it. On T.V. we are introduced to different drugs that will help us if this or that is wrong with us but then they tell us that it may cause blood clots, vomiting, cardiovascular problems and in rare cases heart failure or heart attack and even death. And you want me to take this to get better? What sounds wrong with this advice?  There are all kinds or warning sign around you and I. We know we should get our life in order but I have plenty of time I am only 36, 42, 51…..and we put off what we know we need to do. Go to Church, give our heart to Christ, be sure that our sins are forgiven and be assured of our heavenly home. Many put off the inevitable in hopes they have more time. One day time will be no more for death is coming to all of us and the hour and the day we know not.

Proverbs 27:1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

That’s a “WARNING” telling you and I that we may not be here tomorrow. There is a sign that says “WARNING HELL FIRE” now no one really expects to find themselves there but the Bible warns us not to harden our hearts.

Hebrews 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts,…….

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.

No one expects or plans to go to hell but the Bible teaches us that Hell is getting larger:

Isa 5:14  Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure:…..

What’s the ‘WARNING”? Don’t get too comfortable living in this world without Jesus for death has crept up on many and caught them unexpected and not ready. Don’t be like the disciples:

Acts 1:11 ………   Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Luk 12:40  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Are you “READY”?