The Ant

In Proverbs 30 and verse 24 I noticed something 

Proverbs 30:24  There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: Four little things that are not just wise but exceeding wise. Webster says that word “exceeding” means “Going beyond; surpassing; excelling; outdoing.” Learning from the wise is important but learning from some one that is exceedingly wise is far better. When we see what is exceedingly wise we become somewhat surprised 

Proverbs 30:25  The ants? What! Ants drive me crazy and it becomes a battle when they show up. That may be so but that’s not what we are to see. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; let’s stop and ask ourselves this question; what can you and I learn from an ant? The ant is preparing for the future, shouldn’t you and I learn something from the ant. I am afraid too many times we forget that there is a future, thinking that someone will take care of us. Oh no we need to think like the ant and be busy getting ready. There is also another day in the future we should be prepared for and that’s the day this life comes to an end for heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. We prepare for almost everything we prepare for our vacations months in advance; we know where we are going, where we are going to stay, what time we will arrive and things we will do while there. But when it comes to dying many never prepare. Wonder why? This is more important than taking a vacation. Don’t know what you’ve been taught about when your life as you know it here on earth comes to end. Let me say this; are we as smart as an ant?   

Vietnam

Please take the time to view this trailer; maybe it will help you be a little more thankful for our brave soldiers for war is awful, it's fearful as well as heart breaking and those who returned are never the same. My good friend Phillip Nixon had his liver replaced probably because of Agent Orange  few years back. Well, his liver problems are back please pray for Phillip.     http://www.v-prod.com/trailer_vietnam.html There were many who went into combat expecting to return. Many never returned and as we come to another Memorial Day weekend we should be thankful for their great sacrifice. Let us not forget the ones who served and those who gave it all.  Gentlemen, prepare to defend yourselves!   U. S. Army PFC Wayne J Stokes KIA 2 December 1967 U.S. Marine Thomas Craig Richard Jr. PFC KIA 8 February 1968 U.S. Army Neil Kroger KIA November 1965 U. S Army Tom Metsker KIA 14 November 1965 U. S Army Jack Geoghegan KIA U. S Army Phillip Nixon U.S. Army Stanley DeCastor U.S. Army Jimmy Johnson U.S. Army Jerry Barns U.S. Army Ted Beck U.S. Army Jerry Pinson U.S. Marine David Savage USAF Richard Ford USAF Thomas Burns USAF Ronald Lamp USAF Randy Fawn USAF Steve Sparks U.S. Army Clinton Ayers U.S. Army Ted Taylor U.S. Army Terry Booth U. S. Army Bill Dowis  USAF Wayne S Sosebee   Army Air Force John H Sosebee WII; Thanks Dad; Passed away December 27, 1986 age 65 U.S. Marine Thomas Henry Roberts I knew him well; we all thought he was strange when we were kids. Then I found out why! He was a Corporal in the Marine Corps, serving as a Rifle Sharpshooter and member of the Mortar Platoon, a survivor of Iwo Jima. He passed away July 14, 2007 at the age of 86. I'll write again on Tuesday enjoy the weekend and please take a moment to pray for our soldiers in Afghanistan. Also take a moment and pray for those families that have lost a loved one in combat. It's the least we can do for those brave men who put their lives on the line everyday for you and I. The next time you see a soldier personally thank him for his service. It was 38 years before anyone every thanked me; Vietnam unpopular war I didn't know there was a such thing as a popular war!

Heart Problems

 I had a friend a few years back that was having problems with his heart. He went to see his doctor; he told him that he would have to have a heart bypass operation. This would be his second bypass surgery; the first time he didn't know what would happen if he didn’t make it. This time he was sure, not one doubt in his mind where he would be if for whatever reason he didn’t make it through the operation. I remember beating him to the hospital that morning by an hour; I was sitting there when he and his wife walked through the doors of the hospital. As it got later into the morning and as they were preparing him for the operation he was smiling and laughing and talking to his family and I. Soon they came to take him; he looked at his wife and gave her a kiss and whispered something into her ear. He then looked at me and said I’ll see you in a little while either way. I leaned over and kissed him on his forehead and smiled and told him that I loved him and off he went. Long story short he got better and lived a good many years before he dropped dead from a heart attack. There are some heart problems that the doctor can fix but there are other heart problems that only Doctor Jesus can fix. David said in Psalms chapter 141 and verse 3-  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. What was the Psalmist saying? Set a guard at my mouth, why? Because of our heart problem that only Dr. Jesus can fix. Maybe you still carry the memories, and the scars, and the negative effects of the names you've been called, the putdowns, the backstabbing, the verbal cruelty, intended or unintended by someone else's runaway mouth. We've been hurt by harsh words. We've done the hurting, too. The reason why

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. Jesus said our words aren't really the problem; they're the symptom of a much deeper problem. Jesus said the heart of the problem is our heart. Our words are symptoms of our deadly heart disease. Maybe we should all aske our Heavenly Father to set a guard over our mouths. It will allow Him to keep us from saying the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time. Can’t do much about what others do but we can do something about what we say. Hey and we’ll have the Lord to help us.  

Capture It

One of the greatest burdens; the days we lost. One of the greatest challenges; how to make the most of the days ahead? How do you and I make the most of the days ahead?

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, (be very careful how you live) not as fools, but as wise,

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, (make the most of your opportunities) because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Here we see how we should walk; by being careful not acting foolishly. Then there’s the time we have and then the understanding in all of what’s going on in our lives; we should know what God’s will is. Let me ask you have you seen any God sightings? There are all kinds of sightings, we hear of Elvis sightings, UFO sightings, Angels sightings, Ghost sightings, Alien sightings, Bigfoot sightings, Bear sightings and on and on but what about God sightings. No, not someone saying they saw the Heavenly Father in a cloud or out in the front yard but in an opportunity they had during the day. Do we get so busy that we missed the person God allowed to come into our presents that needed someone to tell them about the wonderful job they have being doing? I went to the mailbox on yesterday and there was a small hand written card address to me; a person had taken the time to write thanking me for something I had done. My first God sighting of the day; many never take the time to say thanks or you did a great job. The best most hear are, you did a good job but don’t you think if you had done it this way {my way} it would have been much better? Try to keep that in mind next time. I am afraid we miss the opportunity to many times in a day and then we wonder why people get so discouraged; we need to be careful how we live and be wise in taking advantage of every opportunity. If we are busy counting our problems and the dark days ahead and how are we going to fix this and we don’t have the money to…….. Then we are going to miss that other person that needs a kind word and you know what you may be that person.

Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Don’t be so concerned about your own interests but be concerned about the interests of other too. As one man told me many years ago “everyone had feelings.” How have I made a different in another with my words? How did they feel when they left my presents? Was their feeling hurt or enriched?

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Hey, the days are flying by. Grab each one; capture it for Christ. You can't have any of the days back they are already gone, but you can make the rest of your days the best of your days.

Miltiple Choice

I am sure you have taken a test which they call multiple-choice tests; you read a question and the answer may be in the group below.

What causes night and day?
A. The earth spins on its axis.

B. The earth moves around the sun.

C. Clouds block out the sun's light.

D. The earth moves into and out of the sun's shadow.

E. The sun goes around the earth.
The "wanted" answer is "A." The other answer options are called "distracters." I know you have taken a test like that. How would you answer this question?

One second after you die what happens?
A. Is it nothing

B. Is it reincarnation

C. Is it heaven or hell

D. None of the above

E. All of the above

Many would answer C good choice but how do you back your answer up? If you are going to live forever wouldn’t you want to know? Wouldn’t you want to know how you know? Some would say because I’m a fairly nice person or I am a member of the Church down the street. All those are good answers but where do you get the evidence that tells you you’re right? There must be some way to measure. Let me explain it this way; let’s say you and I were setting out on your back deck and on that deck there was a nice wooden square table. I asked the question and said how long is that table? You said it’s about 4 foot and then I said no I think it’s about 41/2 foot. You jump up and go and get a tape measure and it says its 51 inches long now you and I are equally wrong; it wasn’t 48 inches and it wasn’t 54 inches the standard was right and we both were wrong. Well how about after death do we want to be equally wrong or do we want to be right? If you are going to be right what is going to be your standard?Tape measure will not work here so where is your evidence? Is it a church and if so which one? Is it being nice or being good and if so where do we get the information of how nice and how good to be and to whom? I don’t know about you but I and millions of others us it is the Bible and it plainly tells me that I can’t be good enough.

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.

That means I can’t live a good enough life no matter how hard I try. Well how about being a member of a church? Let me ask you are you an active member? If you’re not don’t you think that if your eternity depends on your membership it would be good to be active? Well I have got good news for you that doesn’t matter because that’s not what it takes and the reason I know that is because we are told that. There is a man in John chapter 3 by the name of Nicodemus and we are told that he was as a ruler a member in good standing but he lacked something very important. He comes to Jesus and says to Him we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answers him

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus being a member in good standing didn’t understand; he related it to going back into his mother’s womb which even he knew was impossible

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Well there you have it we can’t be good enough and being a member of a church in good or bad standing will not work, it’s going to take Jesus the Son of God and here’s the evidence

1John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

So to have eternal life one must have the Son (Jesus) do you have the Son? It’s better than being good or being a member of a church! What will happen to you the second you stop breathing? Where’s your evidences?

Just One

God sends His opportunities to us in small packages sometimes and if we aren’t careful we will miss them. In John chapter 4 we read about Jesus leaving Judaea and  going to Galilee; but before He arrives the Bible tell us that He must do something. John 4:4  And he must needs go through Samaria. As we read on we are told about a very interesting adventure; Jesus is tired and His disciples head out looking for something to eat. Then we read about this one woman as she comes to draw water from the well. Now get the picture it’s just Jesus and the woman, just two there at the well. Now Jesus knew what this woman needed and it wasn’t what she had come to get. John 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. She didn’t understand exactly what Jesus meant but before this day is over she will have that living water. Jesus asked her to go and get her husband. John 4:16  Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.  She responds John 4:17  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus answered her back and said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: John 4:18  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. Jesus did two things here that we should learn from. First of all Jesus didn’t say to her “what I have got to say; well really I need to have at least 2 or 3 here before it will be worth my time." Second, Jesus didn’t condemn her for her failed marriages nor did He spend time telling her about her present failure. She already knew what she had done wasn’t right; she didn’t need to be scolded she needed life and Jesus knew you don’t win people by destroying them. It would be good if we would learn that. There are people we could help but we may look and say “well it’s just one person” never stopping to think what an opportunity God has given me that I have this one on one time. Jesus spent His time winning her to Himself and when it’s over we find this woman leaving her water pots there at the well and running into town telling about what she had just experienced; I’d say she got that living water. Now there is something else I want you to see. Jesus never told her to quit what she was doing; He never said to her “now go home and tell your boy friend he’s got to get out. NO! We don’t know what she did but I have a strong feeling it was over because the Bible says we shall know them by the fruits they bear. Matthew 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Did we see a change in this woman? Sure did! John 4:28  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, (Could it be men were her problem?) John 4:29  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? She came to the well that day with problems going on in her life, she didn’t go that day looking for the giver of life. I don’t know about you but I like her had a life that was full of shame and problems; my heart was sad and full of sin. I didn’t get up that morning saying “I know what I’ll do I’ll go to church because there I know there will be help.” No! I didn’t go looking for the life giver but the lifer giver came to me and I was the only one that morning out of maybe a 100 people who took Him at His word. That day my heart was changed and because of a heart change I had a life change; just like that woman at the well. Maybe this week we could see people differently not so much as what they are doing but what they could be doing for the cause of Christ. For we are all sinners Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  So don't think of yourself as a good sinner, for the Bible says "There is none righteous, no, not one; not even you!"

Your Choice

When you got up this morning how did you see your day? Did you have the attitude of how busy you would be and you really hated to walk out the door. Maybe it was a meeting you were to be in and you really didn’t want to be there either. Did your facial features tell on you? Maybe you jumped up with a smile on your face and with the attitude that the psalmist was talking about in. Psalms 118:24  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoice, be glad; why not? I loved what Joseph did; he was locked up in prison and he could have had a real sour attitude for he was not guilty at all. Notice how Joseph started his day Genesis 40:4  And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, (the butler & the baker of the king)  and he served them: (Joseph) and they continued a season in ward. Genesis 40:6  And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. Did you see what Joseph did? He got up and instead of thinking how bad things were going in his life his focus was on the baker and the butler and he saw that they were sad. When we serve others and help others somehow our problems get less. You’re in a pressure situation right now, maybe it’s a depressing situation you’re facing, a problem you have no real control over. Why not take the responsibility and look for people who need a friend, a kind word, a pat on the back or just a soft touch from one who has a heart that says I care. Out the door we go with this attitude, I see people who are down today, sad faced why not serve? Help, for I’m sure you can find a kind word that will encourage them. Otherwise you can be so consumed with yourself and your problems that that is all you see; narrow vision, selfish attitude!  This is the day the Lord has made and you have the privilege of being glad and rejoicing or choosing to be sad and complaining; it’s your choice.

Appreciation

Everyone wants to be loved, and everybody wants to be appreciated. The labors of this life are always lightened when there is somebody who understands.  There are those with outstanding qualities who have toiled for years without a single appreciative word. The word “appreciation” means “sensitive awareness; an expression of admiration, approval or gratitude.“ There are people who come into our life that are minus and plus people. The minus people are those who leave us poorer, and the plus people are those who leave us richer. The minus people are the ones we do not like to see coming toward us for they always have bad news and are always complaining about something. The plus people are those we love to see coming our way and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say. They always see far more good than bad; there news is good and their words are kind and encouraging as they add to life and make it richer; they call out all that is best within us by the words of their appreciation. That is why when we read our Bibles we see that more times than not that Jesus always had a crowd following Him and listening to every word that came from His mouth. He saw the worshipping woman in the harlot, the disciple in the despised tax-gatherer, the rock in the unstable will of Simon. Jesus saw the beauty; the lily was more wonderful than Solomon.  The Sparrows, of little value on the market, were in His eyes fed by the catering of God. The love of woman, the wonder of the child, our Lord appreciated them all. No wonder folk came to their very best with One who could appreciate like that. It’s Christmas time and we are decorating the tree; and our kids hate to see what we will hang on that tree. There are a lot of pretty ornaments that my wife has purchased over the years but the ones I like are the ones our children made when they were young. They are far from being flawless and have many faults but my wife and I appreciate the workmanship of these ornaments because the work was done by the children we love. When you see wildflowers what do you see? When you see people who have all but destroyed their life what do you see? It’s easy to show appreciation to the roses, the snow capped mountains and the things we love. Jesus went to the hurting ones of this world and showed appreciation and they love Him for it. I know there will be those who take advantage of your kind word of appreciation but ask yourself how would I want that person or persons to treat me? Matthew 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?

The Tide's Coming

Every summer the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition is held to determine who can create the best and most elaborate sandcastle. They all compete for the title of Masters Champion and $21,000 dollars is given away in prizes. Each contestant and his team begin building at exactly 9:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm. They have only 6 hours to carve their creation. People come from all around to see these amazing works of art made with water, mud, and shells. The stipulation is that you have to work with only what you find there at the ocean or sea-side. The idea of sand carving or sand sculptors has become so popular that competitions are now being held from New England to Japan.  After all the planning, the designing, the photographs, the awards, and all the amazed spectators at around 4:00 pm another visitor shows up right on schedule. This visitor hasn’t come to take pictures. This spectator comes by every evening, and then leaves every morning around the same time. It’s called the tide. It never fails. No matter how elaborate or beautifully carved the sand castle is the tide comes in and washes it all away. As I read that I began to think about life as we know it now. We work so hard to have what we have; nothing wrong with that unless what we have has us. Too many times what we have, has us. We think and feel secure in who we are and what we have become, but as we read in Matthew chapter seven about a wise man and how he became wise. Matthew 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:2  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. This man became wise because he heard the sayings of Jesus and did them. This man was smart enough to build his house upon a rock. There is another man; the foolish. Matthew 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 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. How did this man become foolish for he had the same opportunity? This foolish man did some things differently he heard but he didn’t do and he built his house upon the sand. When the tide came in, in the form of blowing winds and rain the house fell. If in this life only we have our hopes, desires and joys one day we will see we have built on the wrong foundation. Jesus is the Rock and He is the one we are to build on. The tides coming will you be ready?

Diamonds

We can learn a lot from stories because stories speak to us and stick in our minds and our hearts. Jesus was the master story teller; He told stories about many things in the book of Luke. Chapter eight starting with verse 5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. As we read that we soon see that the problem was in the soil and the surroundings. Read this story and see if you can see yourself in it. In Africa, a farmer heard the marvelous stories of untold wealth that other farmers were achieving by finding diamonds on nearby properties.  Filled with lust, the farmer sold his property and began to travel around looking for diamonds.  He spent his entire life looking for incredible riches but ultimately died a broken man.  In a final act of desperation, the man threw himself into the river on his former property and drowned himself. A day later, another man walked by the river and across the way saw this gleaming rock.  He picked it up, brought it home, and put it on his mantle.  A traveler came by one night, and the man opened the door to this stranger for dinner.  After dining, the traveler walked by the fireplace and saw on the mantle the most amazing diamond he had ever beheld.  He asked, “Where did you find this rock?”  The man replied, “Oh, this is a pretty big one, but I have seen hundreds of them all around here by the riverbank.”  The traveler replied, “Do you know that this is a diamond, one of the largest that I have ever seen and that it can make you richer than your wildest dreams?”  The man replied, “No, I didn’t”. Of course, the moral of this story is that we too often look for diamonds on other people’s properties when the diamonds are right under our feet.  We just don’t know what a diamond looks like. We have never tried to find out.  We just kept looking around and around everywhere for the riches but they were always right in front of us.  When we search endlessly from job to job, companion to companion, or whatever in an unsettled fashion we ultimately arrive at nothing.  We squander the wealth under our feet because we are always looking elsewhere for it.  And it does not exist elsewhere.  It exists right here. A better job will not make you happy for long, a different color of hair will not change who you really are. Beard, mustache, long hair, short hair or no hair will not make you any different. Stop looking on and in other people and take a look at yourself in the mirror and see what a wonderful person you really are. Have a great week for you are a real diamond!

Birds

A few weeks ago I found some very young baby birds that the mother had pushed out of the nest for some reason. We tried to put them back in the nest but the mother bird just pushed them out again. I then called my daughter and asked her if she wanted then; she said that she was up for the challenge. To tell you the truth I didn’t think they would make it through the night; I mean after all they had already suffered two 12 foot falls in one day. But to my surprise they made it through the night and before long they were flying around on the back porch. But then something strange began to happen the birds just began to die one by one until they were all dead. Those birds were never meant to be in that kind of environment. As wonderful as my daughter was in giving them a second chance she knew nothing about being able to teach those young birds about living on their own. As I said on yesterday about being a designated attendee at Church you can go to Church and hear about Christ and the Bible and know nothing about the world to come. In Acts chapter 17 we read that the Apostle Paul came to Thessalonica and three Sabbath days he reasoned with the Jews out of the scriptures. We read that some of them believed. But here’s what is interesting they sent Paul and Silas from Thessalonica by night unto Berea.  

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

We read that the people were more noble and they received the word with a ready mind but they didn’t stop there they also searched the scriptures daily for this reason to see, made sure that those things were so and not just something made to please the mind.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Are there many searching the scriptures on a daily basis?  Many come and hear what the preacher has to say and then hope he knew what he was talking about. May I remind you that it’s your soul, it’s your relationship with Christ and if you’re not reading your Bible and searching and researching what you have read then how are you going to know the truth.

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The first step is believe on Jesus and then we are to continue; spend time in God’s Word, our Bibles, on a daily basis and then we will come to know the truth and the truth from God’s Word will make you free. Are you reading you Bible and are you making sure you know the truth. Here is the test you are MADE FREE? No longer bound. 

Designated

In 1973, Major League Baseball’s American League adopted the designated hitter, a position that allows the pitcher to drop from the batting order and be replaced by a hitter who is inserted into any slot in the lineup. I loved (notice past tense) to play baseball then in my 30’s softball. A few years ago I was visiting a very good friend of mine in another state. I had been there about a day when he told me that the Church he was pastor of had a softball game and asked if I would like to come and watch. Before we left he said to me our third baseman was not going to be able to make it; then he asked if I would play with them in this game; I guess I became a designated player for them.  I jumped on it and told him I would and told him that was the position I played when I played softball with our Church. So off we go; I can’t tell you how excited I was. Soon I found myself at my old position; the first ball was pitched and hit and on its way down the third base line I could hear it coming and that is when I realized that I shouldn’t be doing this. The last time I was playing third base I didn’t have on bifocals; let me just say that this was not the best game I had played and may I say it’s been the last! I retired from being a designated player. I am afraid that we have a lot of designated Church attendees in our churches; I mean they make it to Sunday morning worship almost every week but they ride the pine Sunday and Wednesday nights. Wonder what this verse actually means  

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Let me explain; We should not stop gathering together with other believers as some are doing. But we must continue to encourage each other, and even more  as we see the soon coming of our Lord. Don’t become a designated Church attendee get involved know the people and start new friendships. You’ll be glad you did. 

Something Small

You and I live in a day when we hear words like Big, Great, and Super. People strive to be the greatest athlete of all times only to set records that someone else will break one day. Wal-Mart strives to have the Super Wal-Mart; bigger, better and cheaper and anyone else. Then there are the Mega Churches and I’m not sure of what all that entails. We must not get caught up in the Big stuff that we forget the little, small and few. What about the few men Nehemiah had in  Nehemiah 2:12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do atJerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. The few sheep in the flock that David watched over  1Samuel 17:28  And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. To many today have been filled with the teaching of “bigness”  but may I remind you that God is not going to have anyone answer for how big they were, but how faithful we were.  The earth on which we live awaits for the little drops of rain for without the little drops of rain there would be no big harvest. There was a little short prayer that moved the Lord Jesus more than a long one did. “Lord save me” “Lord Remember me”, “What would you have me to do”. So quit waiting on the big things to do and start doing the Little Things, Small Things, Few Things. We may never do big things and people in so called high places may never know who we are. We can do a lot of small things. Today my friend someone thinks you are the greatest person that has ever walked planet Earth because you need something small.

Come In

I have heard others ask the question “what if you knew you only had 24 hours to live what would you do different?” My answer is how do you know you don’t? What if in the morning you got out of bed and Jesus took over your heart? Wonder what alterations would be made? Would your plans change? Your obligations, your appointments, your conversations? Wait a minute shouldn’t we strive to have the mind of Christ? Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: With Jesus in our heart and mind we should be different 2Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. We should awake with this hymn ringing in our mind 1-  Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, Come into my heart, I pray; My soul is so troubled and weary, Come into my heart, today. Chorus- Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus; Come in today, come in to stay,   Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. 2- Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, I need Thee through life's dreary way; The burden of sin is so heavy, Come into my heart to stay. 3- Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, Now cleanse and illumine my soul; Fill me with Thy wonderful Spirit, Come in and take full control. Have you asked Him to come into your heart? God loves you just the way you are. If you think His love for you would be stronger if your faith were stronger, you’re wrong. If you think His love for you would be deeper if you did more, you’re wrong again. God’s love doesn’t increase with our performance neither does it decrease with our mistakes. John 3:16  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.  It didn’t read For God so loved the world because of how good and kind we were; no it just says that God SO LOVE the WORLD, no conditions. No pluses or minors He just loves us the way we were and love will always produce gifts and that is what God did He gave His only Son. I hope you have a great week and remember who’s mind you should have!

Stressed?

A good friend of mine sent me a stress test that he received. As I began to read I was told that I would see two Identical dolphins that were used in a case study on stress levels at the Mayo Clinic. I was told to look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress will find many differences between the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds, the more stress that person is experiencing.   The reader was then told to view the photograph and if they found more than one or two differences that they may need to take a vacation. Vacation! Wonderful! I hurried to the picture and saw that I was in need of a long vacation. I only saw one thing that made this picture identical and that was they were both jumping out of the water. As I viewed this photograph this is what I saw; on the left a Dolphin on the right a Cow. Which tells me we could all use a Vacation; Mayo Clinic wouldn’t lead us in the wrong direction; would they? We hear all around us things like “you are going to stress yourself out and have big time heath problems.” Stress can be rough on us I will agree but stress does have a positive side too. Milder forms of stress can help keep us on our toes and ready to rise to a challenge. like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. The nervous system quickly returns to its normal state, standing by to respond again when needed.Stress doesn't always happen in response to things that are immediate or that are over quickly. Ongoing or long-term events, like coping with a divorce or moving to a new neighborhood or school, can cause stress, too.Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that's hard on people. This kind of stress is not good and will cause a person problems. So to keep from having stressed filled lives we must learn to have “PEACE” in our lives. Remember the thief? What is he going to do? John 10:10 says “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:” Do you think that the thief might help you have an overworked life, little rest and much tension? You can count on it! But what does the next part of that verse tell us “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” So which do you want? Who are you “TRUSTING” in to have peace in your life? Are you trusting in the THIEF, YOURSELF OR THE LORD JESUS?  Oh you say it not that easy? Oh but it is! If you were drowning would you put your trust in the one who was trying to rescue you? Would you question if they were able to help you? Would it matter who they were? NO! You would quickly reach out. So what did you learn here? Put your trust in the Lord Jesus and get the proper rest then without doubt help will be on the way. Proverbs 3:5  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. See you in Church when you can find peace!

Right Path, Right Place

Yul Brynner was in a lot of great movies but he died of lung cancer. His lung cancer was caused by a lifetime of smoking, and they filmed a public service announcement shortly before his death. He knew he was dying, and basically in it he says, "Take it from me, it's not worth it. It's too late for me, but you still have time to change."

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCpO1YGYwPI&feature=related

In a sense, he was a voice from the grave with a very sobering warning. I wonder how many lives were changed because of Yul’s plea. I am sure as many heard his voice and they began to think about themselves and hopefully made a change. There are many that wonder what happens when one dies. Some will say “there's a heaven, but not a hell." Or others will say "I think there might be a hell, but not a heaven." While others say "I don't think there's a heaven or a hell." While there are many opinions may I say that we all have an opinion, but there is nothing like the facts? God has given us a voice from the past or a voice from the grave; no it’s not Yul Brynner. Matter of fact this man’s name is not known or given I don’t have a web page address to send you to but I do have a book, chapter and verses:

Luke 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

As I read those verses I noticed something about both men. The beggar died and then we are told that he was carried by the angels. The rich man died and we are told he was buried and then we are told that he lifted up his eyes, being in torments. We are not told that the rich man was in torment we are told he was in torments and I would think that, that would suggest more than one. I also see this rich man is crying for mercy and asking for a drop of water and then we are told that he was tormented in this flame. This rich man was not in a state of mind; he was not reincarnated. He was not in heaven. He was separated from God by a great gulf; alone and suffering without relief. And here, like Yul Brynner in that old commercial, he comes back from the grave to warn others of what he knows is there. This is one thing you don't want to be wrong about. You don't want to be wrong about what happens when you die and what it takes to get ready for it. If you're wrong, you're eternally wrong. Do not procrastinate. I remember years ago a preacher challenged his listeners at the beginning of a revival to read Luke chapter 16 once a day for a week. I took on that challenge and it opened my eyes to a lot that is going on in hell. I challenge you for the next week to do the same. It will do something for you that you will not forget. If by some reason you wind up there you can rest assure that you will not have a second chance. Make sure you are on the right path headed for the right place. Can you hear the Rich man saying "take it from me, it's not worth it. It's too late for me, but you still have time to change."