Danger

Have you ever seen a sign which read “Danger keep out?”  These signs not only warn us but are also there to keep us safe; if we disobey the signs there is a good possibility that we could get badly hurt or even death.  What about the dangers in our spiritually life? I am speaking of the areas in our lives where we are the weakest; the weak areas are different for all of us; but we should all know where we are the most vulnerable. If we don’t keep our guard up and pay attention we will find ourselves in those dangerous places and we will stumble. Remember Peter on the last night he and the rest of Jesus disciples would be together before Jesus would go to the cross? Jesus tells Peter that he would deny Him three times.

Matthew 26:34  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter doesn’t believe what Jesus is telling him; instead of taking the warning that there was danger ahead, he has another answer. 

Matthew 26:35  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Jesus takes all His disciples to Gethsemane and asked them to sit there while He went to pray. He then takes Peter, James and John and told them that His heart was exceeding sorrowful and asked them to watch with Him. A simple request especially for a man who had said he would die with Him earlier. But what happens? Peter actions were much different than what Peter had said.  

Matthew 26:40  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Matthew 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. What? We find this man Peter; the one that would die with the Lord Jesus doing what? Sleeping! Oh my, what happened? Did Peter enter into temptation? I guess he did; I am sure he will not let it happen again; I mean after Jesus said what He said “Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? “ Now I am sure everything is back on track now; wait what’s this Matthew 26:43  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

That’s twice and if you keep reading you will find it happens again; three times total. Later that night we find Peter standing around a campfire and he began to do things that were not like him. He first finds himself in a place and with people that made it easier for him to fail. He then forgets who Jesus is or at least that is what he said.

Matthew 26:72  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Then his vocabulary changed and he spoke words that were not common to his speech.  

Matthew 26:74  Then began he to curse and to swear, Here’s what happened, he got over confidence in himself and before he knew it he is in real trouble or danger. What can we learn from this? Never say to ourselves I am done with that you will never catch me doing that again. Because when we fail to believe what God’s word tells us and fail to put trust in it, it will not be long before we too are standing in places we should not be and speaking words we shouldn’t. We can all fail, but there are time when we are more vulnerable. I want you to remember the word “HALT” we need to HALT when we are hungry, angry, lonely and tried for those are the times we become more capable of failing and doing the things we thought we would never do again…Peter must have been tried he couldn’t stay awake so therefore he falls into temptation and finds himself in a dangerous place. Watch out this week and don’t fall into temptation. Get plenty to eat, don’t let yourself get angry, tell your mate that you love them so you want get lonely and get plenty of sleep so you want be tried. Just Halt!

Undervalued

In 1989, a Philadelphia financial analyst discovered something unusual in an old picture he'd bought for $4 at a flea market in Adamstown, PA. He'd purchased the painting (an old, torn depiction of a country scene) because he liked the frame. He liked it even more once he discovered that a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence lurked within it. When he had attempted to detach the frame from the painting, the frame fell apart in his hands. He then found a folded document between the canvas and wood backing which appeared to be an old copy of the Declaration of Independence. A friend who collected Civil War memorabilia advised him to have it appraised. It was real; one of 500 official copies from the first printing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. (Only twenty-four similar copies were known to exist before this find, of which a mere three were privately owned.) This rare document was offered for sale by Sotheby's on June 4, 1991, and the lucky find fetched even more than had been anticipated: the $800,000 to $1.2 million estimate turned into $2.42 million by the sound of the gavel. Wow was that picture undervalued; what the man bought it for fell apart in his hands. Have you ever been undervalued? It may be to the point where you’ve come to believe yourself that you’re not really worth that much. You may say why not feel that way after the names I have been called, the rejection I’ve experienced, the failed relationships, and the way I’ve been treated? Wonder how many people walked by that so called worthless picture? Wonder how many people picked that picture up and almost purchased it? I remember a few days before basic training was over; my drill sergeant told me that I would never amount to anything! Why he said that I will never know but it was the best thing he could have said for on that day I told myself you just wait and see. We too make the same mistake we fail to look past what we are seeing and miss the potential of what is really there. A long time ago a Man namde Jesus picked out 12 men and if you were to look at them you would see nothing special but Jesus saw the potential and those men turned the world upside down! You know what they still are. Most saw them as poor fishermen and the Lord made that plain for they were always mending their nets.  Mark 1:19  And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. What did someone tell you? I can tell you they were wrong and if you go around the rest of your life feeling you are not of much value you’re not seeing  behind the frame where the 2.42 million are. Are you going to keep believing the lie and undervalue yourself? We will talk some more on Monday have a great weekend.

Battleground

Have you ever heard the saying “choosing your battles?”  Victories come when someone knows which battle is worth fighting and which battleground is best to fight on.  Do you know when to keep your mouth shut? You might have the attitude; well. I just can’t let that pass but remember even if you’re fighting good battles sometimes it’s best to pick the time and place. I have a pastor friend of mine that told me this. He and his Church members had worked hard on inviting people to a Special service and when that Sunday had arrived it was a great turn out. Then he said I couldn’t believe what happen that Morning he told me that all was going so good; the choir the songs all was great. Then all of a sudden a young man in the choir asked if he could say a few things. This was not strange because others from time to time would ask and they would always say encouraging words and praise the Lord for His goodness. This young man began to resign all of the things he was doing and began to bring up things that he should never have said; this all happened before the Pastor could get him stopped. Here was a young man who didn't know when and where to choose his battles. King David was a veteran at fighting battles and he understood that it was important to be sure that you’re fighting the right battles. In 2 Samuel 5 we read in 2Samuel  5:18  The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

2Samuel 5:19  And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

David took the time to ask the Lord about the battle and God told him to go and told him that He would deliver the Philistines into their hands. Later we read almost the same thing happening again.

2Samuel 5:22  And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

What is David going to do? I mean; he has been here before and he had asked the Lord what to do. Yes, He told him and there was a victory. Why waste his time asking the Lord again what he should do, I mean after all He is just going to tell him to do the same thing was  He not? No, we read once again that David inquired of the Lord. 

2Samuel 5:23  And when David enquired of the LORD This time we read this:  Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. Same inquiry, looks like the same thing happening again but this time the answer is different 

2Samuel 5:24  And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

2Samuel 5:25  And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.  What can we learn from this? All battles, even if they appear the same may not be and we must seek the Lord and let Him lead us into the battle at the right  time. Sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut and do nothing and other times it’s time to move quickly. We must pray and seek the Lord in every area of our lives.  

Proverbs3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Learn to Trust the Lord for He is never wrong and He will not only choose the battle but the battleground too.

Kind Words

It was Friday many years ago when a math teacher asked her ninth grade class to list the names of the other students in the class on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. She then told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. That Saturday, that math teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about them. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. A few years later that ninth grade teacher heard about one of those students who had been killed in Vietnam and she went to his funeral. When the funeral was over one of the soldiers who was a pallbearer came up to that teacher and asked her if she had been this soldier ninth grade math teacher? She said yes; then the soldier said he talked about you a lot. After the burial the young man mother said to the teacher I would like to show you something taking a wallet out of her pocketbook. She then said "They found this on my son when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it." Opening the billfold, she carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew those were the papers listing all the good things each of the classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much for doing that," his mother said. "As you can see, he treasured it." Wonderful story I will agree but have we ever stopped to think that we have been loved greatly. That word love is used 311 times in the Bible. In John 3:16 we read how great we are loved “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“ God’s love for us was so great that He gave His only son to die that this world might have eternal life; now that’s love. Those words should be as precious to you and I as the words that were written on that notebook paper of long ago to that young soldier. But we too must remember life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So we must tell those we love and care for that they are special and important to us. We must tell them, before it is too late. Our Lord and Savior did. Have you opened your Bible and read His words of love to the point that it may look somewhat like the letter of that Soldier? Had that young man lost his paper it would have been gone forever, not so with God for His love is an everlasting love. If you ware His letter down and the pages began to fall apart and the tears that have fallen from your eyes have made the words hard to read; you can always get another copy…Is God not good? Read His kind and loving words today for He has said some nice things about you and I for He loves us greatly. 

Frontier

I read about Thomas Jefferson Mansion known as Monticello. In that mansion his study, bedroom and library, all faced west. Jefferson loved to look west; he wanted his guests and friends to be looking west because he said that's where the frontier is.  Thomas Jefferson was always facing the frontier! I talked yesterday with a young man that impressed me greatly for he too was facing the frontier; at least that’s what I understood him to say. He is a 22 year old young man headed to New Mexico as a Church planter. As he began to tell me what God had placed in his heart and I saw the twinkle in his eyes. I could tell this was a young man looking toward the frontier. He told of his plans that this year he plans to be in 200 Churches sharing his burden; he is booked already until April with 78 meetings. He told me that when he, his wife and baby arrived in New Mexico that his goal was to make 10 to 20 thousand contacts with the people in the first 3 months and within a 50 year period to see and be a part of seeing 100,000 plus Churches started. I told him that is an amazing plan and I know God is going to do great things with him. There are many that will tell him his goals are too high and it’s nice to dream big but don’t expect to see all that. I assure you I didn’t tell him that, you see he’s saying “there is more out there, and I want it.” He is a young man with a passion 

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

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said that he was going to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. To those who say his dreams are too high all I can say is what are your dreams? Oswald Chambers puts it this way; “Beware the danger of spiritual relaxation." The spiritual level you're at may very well be enough to satisfy your pastor or other Christians, but I hope it isn't enough to satisfy you.  My last words to this young man were simple they were “leaders know today what they will be doing tomorrow.” Plan for the future for the future is coming.  

Unshakable

There are things that shake people up; many walk around not sure of what will happen to them on tomorrow. They are not clear about their salvation and walk around in fear and doubt. If you and I are going to be Unshakable  there are some things we must know and understand. I want to look at the word “give” for a moment; what does that word mean? It means to put into the possession of another. Now with that in mind I want to look at these verses found in the book of John John 10:24  Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

John 10:25  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

John 10:26  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Here we read about the Jews coming and asking Jesus a question, wanting to know how long He was going to make them doubt. Jesus said I told you and you decided to believe not and the reason for your unbelief is because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life; did you notice that eternal life was given unto them.  I want you to see three things in  John 10:28 

#1-Eternal Life is given to us by the Lord I give 

#2- We will never Perish they shall never perish

#3- It can’t be taken away from us.  neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

The Lord gives us the free gift of Salvation. Once we have it we will never perish and it will never be taken from us. It’s Monday and it’s a great day so put a smile on your face and rejoice in what the Lord has given you. 

Possibilities

What are our Possibilities? Webster tells us that “possibilities” are the condition or fact of being possible. With that thought in mind ask yourself how far can I travel in this career I’m in? How far can you see and how far is the horizon? How much can you believe? I am afraid that we follow the patterns that have been laid down by others; what I mean by that is we have been conditioned. Let me explain; we don’t use all of the brain that God has given us. We enjoy our vacations because we plan them and hate our life because we let someone else plan it.  We leave the bank rejoicing that we have been approved for the loan to buy our dream home and don’t really think that we will pay for it 3-times; that’s not our plan that’s what someone else plans for us. God has given us a big brain but do we use it? What I’m saying to you is turn off the junk going on in your life. You get in the car and the radio is already going, we get home and  the TV is playing. In the mean time our brain is not thinking or working. We need to get alone with our big brain and write down ideas looking into the near future and ask ourselves how far is my horizon. I love the mornings; no phones, no one is up moving around and I get alone and allow God to speak to my heart. If you are going to hear Him you are going to have to get still and listen. Maybe that is why we read in 

Mark 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Before the day got started Jesus spent time in prayer. We weren’t told that Jesus got up and met with His disciples to plan the day. No! We are told that Jesus got up before Sun Rise and went to a solitary place and there in that solitary place He prayed. Before the busyness of the day He got alone and prepared Himself for the day ahead of Him. You know what if it was good enough for Jesus then we can rest assure its good enough for all of us too. The weekend is here and what do you see out in front of you? How far can you see? Only as far as your horizon! Let’s go to the Lord’s house this Sunday? We will talk some more on Monday.

Promise

Oral Lee Brown is an Oakland, CA. woman. Wait you don’t know who Oral Lee Brown is, do you? Well, let me tell you something about her so you will know who she is. Oral Lee Brown grew up poor and struggling in Mississippi in 1987. She decided to informally adopt the first grade class at nearby Brookfield Elementary School and they became her babies. She made a promise to those first graders at Brookfield that she would give them all a free college educations.  Brown isn't the only person to send kids to college, but what makes her story unique is the personal sacrifice. She was making just $45,000 a year when she first started and she put $10,000 of it into a trust fund every year for her kids. In 1999 came one of her happiest moments -- 19 of the 23 students graduated from high school, Not everyone from Brookfield is a success story. Some dropped out of school; one girl was murdered but Miss Brown made good on her promise. You know, I like you have been promised something that never happened. The first promise I can remember as a young boy was the one my uncle made. He asked if I had a swing set at our house and I told him no! He then told me that he would have his men come to our home and install one the next day. I tell you I was excited; all day at school the next day the excitement was almost unbearable. When I finally got home I ran to the back yard and what did my little eyes behold…. no swing set and my heart dropped. Oh, my uncle’s men must not have arrived yet they will be here later; but later came and no men. You guessed it no swing set.  When I asked my mother about it she said a word I had never heard before; no it wasn’t one of those words. She told me that my uncle was “drunk” when he told me that and he didn’t have any men that could do anything or would do anything like that. My first broken promise and there have been many others since that day. While thinking about promises there is one in the book of John chapter 14 and in verse 2 and 3 we read about this promise given by our Lord Jesus Christ.  John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Jesus makes a promise not only to His disciples but also to you and I that He Himself is going to prepare a place and that He would personally come and take us to where He is. Then the Apostle Paul tells us more 1Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Thessalonians 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Then in the book of the Revelation we read this  Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, My uncle may not have made good on his promise but you can rest assure the Lord Jesus will make good on His promise. Are you ready and are you looking for Him. As the late Dr. M. R. DeHaan, who wrote much on the second coming of our Lord used to say “Perhaps Today?”

Friends

Have you ever been hurt by a friend? Friends are wonderful people. Webster say this about the word friend  “one attached to another by affection or esteem :  one that is not hostile.”There are different kinds of friendships. There are those who we are acquainted with, there are old friends, those we use to spend time with but because of the different things that have taken place in our life we just don’t see one another very much. There is also our best friend; this is the one that really knows you and you feel comfortable spending time with  and telling them things you wouldn’t just tell anyone.  What if we were to offend our friend what would that do to our relationship? It could destroy it. That happened to me not long ago I unknowingly had hurt a close friend; my best friend years ago. When he told me how I had hurt his feeling all I could say was I am sorry and ask for his forgiveness which I did. That reminded me that our friends of long ago or friends of present are all valuable. In the book of Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 19 we are told A brother offended is harder to be won than astrong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Wow a friend or a person is harder to be won than a strong city. That’s what discord, strife and quarreling will do; it can become so bad that it will be as a castle which is protected by iron gates and a mote filled with alligators. Sometimes saying I’m sorry will not allow them to drop down the Draw Bridge and let you back in as their friend. We can have hope though for in verse 21 of the same chapter we read this Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  Did you see it? We have power of killing a friendship or giving that friendship life with our tongue. What’s more important being right and losing a friend or keeping the friendship? I think keeping the friendship for we each have the power to do so. People who use to be friends still go to the same church but now they aren’t speaking to each other for one of them did something or said something and instead of working it out they just don’t speak. How childish and UN Christ like is that? Well, if we can continue on that way one day we will have no friends at all: or we can do as the last verse tell us to Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  If you and I are going to have “FRIENDS” (that’s more than one) we are going to have to be friendly and when we become friendly we will have friends. Now the question is are you and I friendly? Answer: count your friends!

Gold

They are all over town; I’m talking about people standing on street corners waving signs that read “we buy gold.”  Television advertisements are telling you how easy it is to sell your gold Jewelry; just put in an envelope send it to this address and we will send you cash back in the mail. Would you say that there is a market for used gold? I think so. But think for a moment who would want your ring, necklace or whatever? They want it for the gold and the first thing they will do is put it in the furnace and melt it down. They will then remold it into something else more valuable.  In the book of Proverbs chapter 17 and verse 3 we read these words    The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

As I read that I noticed a fining pot and it was for silver but then we read that for the gold there was a furnace; what’s with that? The fining pot is a place for purifying; refiners of silver have their fining pots, in which they purify the silver from the dross. The goldsmith has their furnace to melt and purify their gold, by which they can assays the worth and value of it. Our hearts are much like gold and silver mixed with ore and dross. The dross must be separated by the Word of God and the furnace is liken to the affliction or fiery trials that come into our lives. Read with me 1Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1Peter 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Fiery trails are going to come our way; you did see it didn’t you “which is to try you” it didn’t say that might try you it said that which will try you. But in the sufferings there will be exceeding joy.  You see the goldsmith didn’t us the flame of his furnace to hurt the gold but only to purify it and make it more valuable and usable.  The flame reveals the condition of the gold and silver it softens the ore to liquid form so that it can be purified and molded into the shape that the master desires. Could that be the reason you and I face calamity, death of love ones, sickness, financial setbacks, accidents and hardships. You see the troubles you and I face will soften our heart and remove the dross from our heart.  Is that not what Job said  

 Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 We have been told that those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are in the family of God and are His children. 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:

Romans 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 Galatians 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Whatever happens to you and I we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father knows all about it and it is for our good. Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

What’s going on in your life right now that will make you glad and bring exceeding joy?

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]

Genesis 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 

Attitude

Here we go a brand new week! Some will say its Monday and I am not looking forward to the rest of the week. How do you think that might affect those around us? If we have a poor or a bitter attitude it will affect those around us as well as ourselves. Our Attitude not only impacts our happiness & success but it also impacts the happiness and success of people around us. It affects our family, our friends and our peers. Attitudes are contagious so we must ask ourselves is mine worth catching. What if you met a person with a smile on their face and they were to say to you, "Isn't it a gorgeous day today?" They then began to tell you something with real zeal and enthusiasm in their voice. You might say to that person "you must be having a great day today." Their response "Every day above ground is a great day!" How do you think that person’s attitude would affect you? Do you think it might rub off on you? Now let me ask you a question, do we not have that same opportunity to affect others in our lives? We can decide to mope about or we can decide to live in AWE. We can become ducks that make a lot of noise, quacking and complaining or we can become eagles that soar above the turkeys. It’s all up to you and I.  I think I will get myself away from the ducks and turkeys and soar with my eyes fixed on the Son! No, I didn’t spell that wrong for I am speaking about the Son of God Jesus Christ. Why don’t you do the same and let’s let our attitude rub off on someone else and have one worth catching. 

Labor

We live in a day where we find people who want to have many things, but are not willing to work for them. They want something for nothing. They have not developed any character or have not been taught to be responsible. I grew up right outside of Atlanta in a place they called East Atlanta. I have wonderful memories of those first 18 years of my life. I was brought up in a good home with two loving parents. My dad was my hero and he taught me many important things. He taught me how to respect other people, he taught me how to work and he taught me how to laugh at myself which can be one of life's greatest blessings. I was reminded of that as I read this in the book of Proverbs chapter 14 and verse 23 In all labour(hard work) there is profit: (something gained)  but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury(poverty).  It is one thing to have goals and dreams and tell people what you are going to do but if all you do is talk about it then your talk is cheap. Talking requires no effort and talkers who are not walkers waste their time and the time of others. What if a hungry man stood on a bridge watching others fish? Noticing that one of those fishing baskets was full of fish asked him if he might have some of his fish so that he might make a small meal. The man fishing said I would be glad to if you will do me a small favor. The man said sure what is it? Tend this line a while for I have got some business down the street. Gladly the man accepted the offer and the other man left. After the man left the trout and bass continued to take the baited hook. Soon the man got excited about pulling in a large number of fish himself. When the other man returned, he said to the young man,"I’ll keep my promise to you by giving you everything you’ve caught, and I hope you’ve learned a lesson. Don’t waste time daydreaming and merely wishing for things. Instead, get busy and cast in a line for yourself." I am glad my dad taught me and my two brothers how to cast in a line for ourselves. My dad is still my top number one hero; hard work gains something and keeps you out of poverty. Know what? I am going to Church Sunday morning I’ll be there for Sunday School and then the Worship hour and then on Sunday night I will have the opportunity to present the Reformers Unanimous Addictions program at another Church who is interested in helping others. Pray for us and I might just see you in one of those places this Sunday; I’ll be looking for you.

Keep Going

Have you ever felt like quitting? It’s an easy task if you are not committed, couples give up on their marriage and get divorced and let the pieces fall where they may. Some quit school because of some kind of a roadblock. Some give up on life because of a failure that they didn’t think they could overcome. There are a lot of reasons or excuses that people give to justify why they quit, but the bottom line is they still quit. What if Walt Disney had quit? He did go bankrupt five times but he didn’t quit. My all time hero Abe Lincoln didn’t quit after a long line of what many would call failures but to him they were just setbacks. He failed in business in 1831. He was defeated for state legislature in 1832. He tried another business in 1833 and it failed. His fiancé’ died in 1835. He had a nervous breakdown in 1836 and in 1843 he ran for congress and was defeated. He tried again in 1848 and was defeated again. He tried running for the Senate in 1855; he lost. The next year he ran for vice president and lost. In 1859 he ran for the Senate again and was defeated again. Poor Abe why not just quit for you are just a loser. Finally in 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States.  Why not quit many will say but my answer to that question is “why quit anyone can quit.”  There have been many that have quit even in the Bible. Jonah and Elijah quit even Peter quit but you know what? God didn’t let them quit He went after them with compassion and put life back in them. He had a talk with Jonah in the belly of a fish. He spoke with Elijah in a small still voice. Peter; He met on a sea shore one morning at breakfast. Make up your mind that you’re not going to quit. Even with goals with passion and purpose we can still be faced with adversity but it’s how we act to that adversity that will make the difference. I assure you there will be roadblocks, detours as well as potholes along the way your courage may get weak and your heart may doubt and you’ll want to quit; but don’t.  If you decide to quit looking after that person then who will take your place? If you decide to quit praying for that loved one who will start praying for them? If you decide to quit loving your  ________ who can take your place?  The cost of quitting is greater than the cost of failing and starting again. Read this verse every time you decide to quit Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. What must a person do to fall 7 times? Get up 6; keep going, keep getting up and have the mind set of Abraham Lincoln and you to will be a winner.

Laugh

Ever heard someone say “I just had to laugh at myself?” We have all from time to time did things without thinking or should I say wasn’t thinking at the time. I remember when I was a boy my mother had me take a case of bottled cokes out to the car (that was back in the day when that’s all there was) and told me to put them in the trunk. With keys in my pocket and both hands used to carry the cokes I went to the car. When I got to the car I placed the cokes on top of the trunk lid reached into my pocket and pulled out the keys, found the right key and unlocked the truck. I at that point I proceeded to lift the trunk as the trunk lid started up the cokes slid off and glass went everywhere; man did I feel dumb for not thinking. I wish I could say that was the only time in my life that I did something without thinking but there have been many other times sad to say. God has put something in us that is good for us to do in times such as that as well as other time too; it’s called laughter. Sometimes we just have to stop and laugh; even if it’s at ourselves. 

Job 5:22  At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh:

Proverbs 15:13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs  15:15  All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

If for some reason today you are feeling sad or just having a bad day why not do an exercise; no I am not talking about going to the gym or weight room. Try this; but you must be alone or those around you will have you place in a mental ward. Start laughing and keep laughing for one solid minute. Not thirty seconds, but a full minute. Once you start it becomes easy to keep going because your brain is thinking this is one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever done. When you stop you will feel like a new person. Your frown will have been transformed into a smile. Life is too short for you and I not to have a merry heart. If Job could face destruction and famine and laugh then he must have discovered that a merry heart doeth good just like taking a medicine for you head ache or antacids for your heartburn. I tell you it will do us all good to laugh. Why not today go to a place where you can just laugh; even if it’s at yourself. Laugh loud, laugh often it will keep you happy, healthy and keep your attitude headed in a positive direction.

Diligence

2Timothy 4:21  Do thy diligence to come before winter. Here we find the Apostle Paul in prison, winter is coming on and he is without his cloak. How long he had been in prison this time we do not know. He may even have spent the previous winter or part of it in there. It makes me feel sadden as I read that verse for here we read of a man God greatly used and now at the end of his life we find him in a cold dark prison. I wonder if you and I ever see those that sadden us and if so what do we do about how we feel?  There are those around us that lack good looks and many that are poor and wonder around like a porcupine at a picnic. They might as well be saying “I am unwanted and unapproachable” for that is the way they are treated. There are the aged that shuffle down the sidewalks of our cities and fill their nights with dreams that just maybe one of their children or grand children would just drop in to spend some time with them. What about those in the wheel chair, the one with aids, the terminally ill, single parent, alcoholics, divorcees, the blind, the drug addict all seem to be shunned. It sad to say but they often would find a warmer reception at the corner bar than in a Sunday School Class. We past by them every day and it’s easy to turn our heads and not notice them than to turn our hearts. Remember the saying “What Would Jesus Do? Well we know what He would do for we have some cases recorded for us. Remember the woman who came to draw water in the middle of the day? She did that because of what she had done and who she was. But at the well Jesus spoke to her with words of love and kindness. Then there was the mother in Luke 7 who was on her way to the grave yard to bury her only son, but Jesus took time out of His busy day to stop and bring joy into this mother’s day. Then there was the woman in Luke 8 she had nothing left. The doctors had taken her last dime and their diagnosis had stolen her last hope. The hemorrhage had robbed her of her last drop of energy. She had no more money, no more friends, and no more options. Then she put together one more plan. I love what she did read with me

Luk 8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Luk 8:44  Came behind him(Jesus), and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. Do what? Immediately she was made whole; you read it right. They are all around us those who feel hopeless and helpless. A friend of mine use to go into the all night grocery stores late at night for one purpose and that was to find someone who was buying their groceries with food stamps and felt a shame. I can still see the smile on his face as he told me what he did. He said “I would pray and ask God to show me who He wanted to bless, then I would enter the store and find that person.” He would then approach that person with something way out of their price range and put into their shopping cart and then began to talk to them about the Lord and then he would place a $100 bill in their hand and have prayer with them. As he told me of the times he did that there were tears in his eyes. Could that be expressing Christ in us the hope of Glory? We may not can give a $100 bill but we can share some time, we can stop for a moment in our busy day to show we care because one day someone stopped to spend some time with us; for me it was a man named Ken in the back of a 40 foot trailer  and for you it was……… Today let’s be kind to those others ignore and see what a difference it will make in both of our lives.    

Hear, Do

Well, I must say the weather man hit it right this time. I just made it home from Church last night; I was home about 30 minutes when I looked outside and what did my wondering eye behold? About 2” of snow! As I viewed that snow and the oncoming storm I was reminded of another storm found in the book of Matthew chapter 7 and verse 24  Therefore whosoever(anyone) heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

As you look at that verse what do you see? Do you see the phrase wise man and the word rock? Those are very important words I would agree but there is something else; there are two other words that must be done before one can be called wise. They are heareth and doethfor in order to be a wise man or lady you must do both to be ready for the soon coming storms in your life. Here is pictured a man who not only listened but also did; watch what happened.

Matthew 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. The rain came, the waters rose and the winds blew and beat against his house! It didn’t fall because of the foundation. Ok, what if we just hear and that is all we do? The only difference that I see is, do you want to be wise or foolish? Look what happened to the man who decided to become foolish.

Matthew 7:26  And every one (anyone) that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: One man decides to listen and do and the other man decides to listen and that’s it. The difference is in how the storms affect the house and the foundation. The wise man is ok for his foundation is stable but the foolish man isn’t.

His foundation is worthless in the storm and the fall was great. 

Matthew 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Are you foolish or wise? The only difference is the wise man listened and did but the foolish listened and did nothing about what he heard. How many times have you heard the good news that Jesus saves? Did you do anything about it? My wife wanted a husband that went to Church most Sunday mornings but when God saved me I had a desire to be there Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening. That’s not what she wanted. You see I heard and did she had only been listening and not doing for years. After about 10 months of watching me do she decided to give her heart to the Lord and she came from being foolish to being wise. I hope all who read this are wise but if not don’t fret Jesus wants to be your foundation too.  When the storms of this life come your foundation will stand if you are wise.  The storm has left us white so get another cup of coffee and enjoy. If you go out be careful and don’t break a bone for it’s not fun. Let’s have a great week!

Pass Me Not

Fanny Crosby agreed with the publishers Bigelow and Main to write three hymns a week for use in their Sunday school publications. Sometimes Fanny wrote six or seven hymns a day. She was usually paid only one or two dollars for each poem. Fanny aimed her hymns of the Gospel to people who would not listen to preaching. As she wrote her hymns she prayed that God would use them to lead many souls to Him. The hymn “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” was written in 1868 and became one of the most popular hymns used during the Moody, Sankey services in London. She based her hymn on a prayer that she heard someone pray at a service. Fanny wrote over 8000 hymns in her life time but this one speaks volumes

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me;
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heaven but Thee?

Refrain:
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Does this song speak of those who may feel that their Condition would cause the Savior to pass them by? Maybe because of the Company they keep? Depraved, Distressful and Doomed one may feel but I can assure you the Savior will not pass you by and the reason I say that is because of 

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Jesus came looking for such people as those He didn’t come to seek and pass them by. Have you ever been somewhere and saw someone you really didn’t want to talk with at that time so you hide yourself away? Well Jesus didn’t come to hide from people but to find them in the condition that they are in so He could save them. Aren’t you glad He found you because we for sure weren’t looking for Him?

P.S.   

I’m putting my computer in the shop this morning it has been giving me some problems and I think I better get it fixed before it stops completely. That being the case I may not have it back to write my email and blog so let me apologize ahead.