Far Away

There was a man that had two sons that he loved very much. His younger son came to him one day and said, “Father, I have been doing some thinking. You are in great health and if things keep going the way they are I will not get to enjoy what’s coming to me like I would like to. So if you don’t mind I would like for you to give me my inheritance.” Now the father was understanding and divided his living up among   his two sons. In a few days the younger son got his things together and off he went to a place far away.  He began to enjoy his inheritance but he wasted it on living wildly. Before he knew it, it was all gone and he had nothing. He went out looking for work and all he could find was a job feeding pigs.  It wasn’t long before he found himself eating from the pig trough. He realized that he wasn’t cared for and felt unwanted.  He began to think about how his father treated his hired servants and how he fed them with plenty to eat. He felt unworthy to return as his son but he began to think if he were to return home and tell his father that he had sinned. That he was no more worthy to be called his son and asked him for a job being a hired servant surely he would hire him. As he topped the hill and could see his father’s house in the far distance he noticed that someone was running toward him as he looked closer he noticed that it was his father. When his father reached him he wrapped his loving arms around him and began to kiss him. That is when his son spoke up and said “Father, I have sinned and am no more worthy to be called your son.” His father continued as though he had not heard a word his son had said. He told his servants to bring forth the best robe and put it on his son. He told his servants to kill the fatted calf and let us eat and be merry for my son was dead and he is alive again; he was lost and is found and they began to be merry.  You can find that story in the Bible in Luke chapter 15 starting at verse 11 though verse 24. You may have thought that sounds a lot like me for whatever reason you have been gone away from the Lord. You think that He wouldn’t take you back as that young man felt. May I say that our heavenly Father will also wrap His loving arms around you and do the same for you? Why not come to Him today and see if what I have told you is not true.

Look Up

A lot of my life I have spend looking down because of my profession in the Pest Control Industry. I read of a man who one day found fifty cents and from then on he walked with his head down. After 28 years with his head down he found 27,000 buttons, 287 worn out fountain pens, several tie pins, and $2.64  because he walked with his head down. So what did I learn from that story? There is just no profit in looking down.  So we should keep looking up. There was a man by the name of Joshua in the Old Testament he looked up and saw a Job that was too big for him.  There were two and half million people that God had given him the responsibility to lead and it was a big job. In Joshua chapter 5 verse 13 we read 

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

When Joshua lifted up his eyes he not only saw a job that was too big for him but he also saw Jesus. Oh no, you might say for Jesus wasn’t born yet. May I remind you that Jesus did not start at Bethlehem for Jesus appeared many times as the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament? You may today be looking at a job to big for you, there is more on you than you know what to with; do you know what the answer is? It’s JESUS!

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The choice is yours look down and find nothing of value or look up and see Jesus the one of great value.

By the way have you done anything nice for someone yet?  Just for a minute think of all the nice things God has done for you this week! Now thank Him.

Wee Little Man

We wrote on “little things on yesterday and I want to continue writing on little things today. There were some little people in the Bible that pictures something very interesting. Years ago when I was teaching in Jr. Church I would sing a song about Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Savior passed that way
He looked up in that tree
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today
For I’m going to your house to stay”

You can read about Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 most everyone knows about Zacchaeus and how he climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passed by. We may have read through it so fast that we missed some things. Did you happen to notice who passed through Jericho?                            Luke 19:1  And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

That’s important for it didn’t read The Lord Jesus but just Jesus could it be for this reason

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

So here we see a little man who pictures the sinner and God’s provision for him; JESUS! Zacchaeus had become successful in life, he was rich, but the sad thing was he had never met Jesus. Success may blind and riches may cause one to lose sight of spiritual needs. This man Zacchaeus climbed a tree so he could see and when he did he heard words that changed him. The reason I know that is because of this verse

Luke 19:8  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  Here we see a rich man doing what? Giving his wealth away; half my goods I give to the poor and I’m willing to pay back four times as much as I have taken wrongly. I’d say Zacchaeus gave his life to the Lord. As fast as Zacchaeus came onto the pages of Scripture he leaves just as fast but with something better than riches he had Jesus

Proverbs 23:5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

One must set his eyes on Jesus the one who is willing and wanting to save us from our sins.

Have you done something nice for someone yet?

Little Things

There is a song that is named “Little Is Much When God Is In It” and this is how the verses read

1. In the harvest field now ripened

There's a work for all to do;

Hark! the voice of God is calling

To the harvest calling you.

2. In the mad rush of the broad way,

In the hurry and the strife,

Tell of Jesus' love and mercy,

Give to them the Word of Life.

3. Does the place you're called to labor

Seem too small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He'll not forget His own.

4. Are you laid aside from service,

Body worn from toil and care?

You can still be in the battle,

In the sacred place of prayer.

5. When the conflict here is ended

And our race on earth is run,

He will say, if we are faithful,

"Welcome home, My child well done!"

Chorus:

Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

Have you noticed we live in a world that talks about big things, super things. There’s the Super bowl for football, the World Series for baseball then there’s the Super Wal-Mart, Big things, Super things, Great things. This world is so stressed out on being the biggest and the greatest that it has just become common place that it has rolled over into our Churches. We hear things like “A giant for God”, “A modern day Paul” and now we have Super Churches. How sad it has become when we measure success with how big it has become. Have we forgotten that David watched over a “little flock”

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. And Nehemiah with few men.

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 at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. 

What about the small drops of rain?

Job 36:27  For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

Have you ever stopped to think that our lives are made up of little things; little duties, little trails and little pleasures. It was the little prayers that moved our Lord “Lord save me” “Lord remember me” what would you have me to do Lord.” The little mite, the little lily, the little cup of cool water, little sparrow, a little child of His knew to show the greatness of little things. So the song is right little is much when God is in it. I’ll write some more on little things tomorrow have a blessed day and like yesterday do a little something nice for someone today. 

Appetites

When we think of the word appetite we think of eating food. That is one meaning for it; a physical desire for food but the word appetite goes much further than that. It also means a desire or liking for something. Now that something could be anything from Wine to Wealth and much, much more; a desire or liking for something. As I read Proverbs chapter 23 I realized a few appetites; the first appetite I noticed was the appetite of wealth

Pro 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. The appetite for wealth will destroy your relationship with your family and friends. Don’t let your appetites over take you; neither look at others for they may appear to be having and living a fine life. Within they are not happy at all for real happiness is found in the Lord. Let your appetite be for the Lord as for food a must for the day and you will soon see that it will enlarge you. Another appetite I noticed was an appetite for women

Pro 23:27  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

Pro 23:28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

Be careful for Lust for it will also ruin relationships and destroy your family. When things are bad and you’re feeling low that is when to watch out for the danger of lust. Its pleasures only last   for a minute but the results will last your life time. It’s not a red light but a red flag. Then I noticed another appetite and it was the appetite for wine

Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?

Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Wine not only destroys relationships with family and friends but it also destroys much more. It destroys your health and makes you look older than you are and when you are intoxicated it will not be long before you find yourself all alone for no one wants to be around you when you are in that shape.

Hope you have a great week and say something nice to someone today. 

Facing the Unbelievable

The story you are about to read is almost unbelievable. It is about a young man named Kyle Maynard a regular guy with a love to compete. That fire to compete helped him to contend for the Georgia state high school wrestling championship in 2004. So what, my friends, friends, brothers cousin did that! Well the one thing that set Kyle apart was he was born with no arms or legs. His arms ended at his elbows and his legs at his knees. Now that's what set Kyle Maynard apart from everyone he wrestled. Kyle had a wonderful break in life; he had a mom and a dad that were determined to raise a normal child. That's right I said normal! They insisted that he learn to feed himself and play with the other kids like any other child would do. His grandmother was a source of inspiration too and would often take him to the grocery store where she would instill a sense of confidence by encouraging him to sit up and look folks in the eye and smile. Kyle was fitted with prosthetic devices at a young age, but realized that they were too restrictive. He wanted to be free to play just like the other kids and those devices kept him from doing so. Sounds like David when he faced Goliath, King Saul gave David his armor to wear but David said

1Samuel 17:38  And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

1Samuel 17:39  And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

 Kyle started wrestling in the sixth grade. He lost his first 35 matches in a row. But Kyle dug deep and found the confidence to continue; remember Kyle didn't like losing. One might say he should be thankful for just being able to do what he is doing. No! Kyle was not just satisfied with being on the team he wanted more. With the support of his father and a former wrestler, he learned to train with weights and became very strong and learned some moves unique to his strengths. Kyle won 35 times on the varsity squad and qualified for the state championship. In the state tournament, Kyle won his first three matches and had to face his final opponent with a broken nose. Kyle did not win the state championship. Kyle graduated high school and went on to wrestle at the University of Georgia where he inspired others. You see ladies and Gentlemen it's not what happens to YOU, but how you react to it that matters. So, tell me again what's going wrong in your life? Anyone can quite, give up and many do they say I just can’t go on or I’ve had it I’m done. What type of attitude is that? It’s an attitude that is depending totally upon you; read and understand. David took HIS staff, David Chose HIMSELF five smooth stone, David put them in HIS shepherd’s bag and HIS sling was in his hand. David has prepared himself for the battle that he was facing but what he says next tells me where his strength was and it wasn’t in himself.  

1Samuel 17:45  Then said David to the Philistine, (Goliath) Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

1Samuel 17:46  This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

1Samuel 17:47  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

If you are trying to figure it all out; what’s our next move, where do we go from here? Stop and ask yourself are you depending on you and what you can do or are you depending on God and what God can do through you.

Don’t forget to get to Church early so you can get a good seat up front; I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on anything. 

Leadership

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft's godly father tried to prepare him for life in the Nation’s Capital after his son's election to the United States Senate. He said, "John, the culture of Washington is a culture of arrogance. (By the way, most power-centers are.) The culture of Jesus is a culture of humility. Don't get sucked into the culture of arrogance."  Success; who doesn’t want to be successful in their careers, in being a parent or at anything we do. I remember a man saying that he had a book on his desk about Ronald Regan and leadership and he said “I think that if I were to read that book that I would learn something about leadership that I could incorporate into my life that would make me a better leader.”

 Let’s take a look at the greatest leader that ever walked the face of this earth and see what made Him great and I am sure we can learn something from Him that will help us be a better leader.

Mark 10:42  But Jesus called them (disciples) to him, and smith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

Mark 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

Mark 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Mark 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus taught that you can earn your authority in people's lives by serving them, by putting them first and by helping them succeed. Jesus told his disciples if you want to be the chief then you’re going to have to be a servant. Now he wasn’t talking about starting at the bottom and working your way up, He was speaking of humbling yourself then He gave an example.  Jesus said I didn’t come into this world so that others could serve me but I came to give my life for others. In the book Good to Great written by Jim Collins he researched eleven of the most effective companies in the United States, and then they pursued this question: "What specifically makes these companies so different?"  Here is what he and his team discovered. The CEOs who led them were humble leaders, highly focused, sometimes driven people but known for being gracious. Would you not say that Jesus was highly focused?

Luke 2:49….. wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Bottom line Jesus said don’t be like those that exercise lordship over others but be servants. When the successful leader do something right, they walk over to a window and point to all the reasons out there (especially all the other people) that are the reasons for their success. When they do something wrong, they walk to a mirror and they assume the blame themselves. The less effective leaders do it just the other way around. When things go wrong they point out the window for excuses and explanations; when things are going right, they go to the mirror to admire the one who deserves the credit. Jesus said “it shall not be so among you.” I know the more we know about Jesus the more we can learn about good leadership, for 2000 years after He returned to glory He still has those who are giving their lives for Him.

Zing Ziegler says” You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

Time Well Spent

I have spent some time learning Psalms Chapter 107 and verses 8 & 9. I wrote these two verses on an index card and put that card in my pocket. Every time I had a free moment I would look at them then I would repeat those verses over and over until I could say them without looking at the card. For over a week I have let those verses sink down in my heart. Years ago I learned something very valuable to me from my oldest son that I have never forgotten. He would spend hours upon hours in his room studying when he was in college; he was studying to be an Electrical Engineer.  One day I asked him why he spent that much time studying, that is when he told me this “Dad,  I don’t want to know how it works I want to know what makes it work and why.”  So with that same attitude I don’t want to just learn how to say a verse I want God to teach me to know that verse. What is the use of knowing a Bible verses and not knowing what they mean. Here are the two verses I put on that index card.

Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Now here is what God let me see in those two verses.  Oh, that I might give thanks for His kindness and His actions toward the children of men.  He grants my desires and wishes which gives me a desire to want to spend more time with Him.  He then keeps filling my hungry soul with His goodness.

It took me over a week for the Lord to show me that, but may I say the time I spent with Him was priceless. 

Vision

Is what you are, want or trying to do a Dream or a Vision? Dreams very rarely come true. We all have dreams and we talk about them but we do nothing about them. Last week I sent a text to a good friend of mine which Pastors in North Carolina; it was his birthday and I sent him a happy birthday wish. I then texted him back and told him I was going to go get my plane and fly up and take him out for lunch.  I then told him that I couldn’t for I just dreamed of having an airplane. That is all that it is; a dream for I have never made an effort to have an airplane but I have wanted one all my life. Now a Vision is much more than a dream or a good idea that only stirs the soul to a temporary endeavor. A Vision is the ability to see it, the faith to believe it, the courage to do it, and the hope to endure until it happens.

So what would you say you had? A dream, a good idea or a vision?  A good idea is easy to let go and a dream can be easily forgotten but a vision is seen, believed and an endurance until you see it completed 

Recognition

 There was a young lady in the Church that I pastored for a number of years. This young lady would year after year write and put our Bible School together. Every year she did a wonderful job doing with it. She would make sure everything was in its place and that each night everything ran smoothly. Now you would have never known that she had anything to really do with the Bible School at all, her husband would take the lead each night. She didn’t want any recognition at all but without her it would have never happened. Now you will find two people of the same character in 2 Kings Chapter 5 and without these two unknown people a man by the name of Naaman would have been in a world of trouble. First this man Naaman was a great man with his master, and honorable, a very courageous valiant man but he had a major problem, he had leprosy. We read in     

2Kings 5:2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

2Kings 5:3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would recover him of his leprosy.

So here we see a young lady making a big difference in another life and we don’t even know her name. She gets recognition every time we read this verse but who is she? We don’t know. This young lady had all the confidence in the world when she spoke. “My God is with the prophet and if Naaman would go and see him he will recover him of his leprosy.” This young girl didn’t say God might or the prophet might but he would. So off Naaman goes when he gets there he is very disappointed because things didn’t go the way he thought they would. The prophet didn’t even take time to come to the door to see him but instead sent him word of where to go and what he had to do to be made clean.  

2Kings 5:10  And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

Well, Naaman didn’t like what he was told to do at all.

2Kings 5:11  But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

 Our thinking will sometimes get us into trouble. Naaman was mad and upset. He thought that the prophet should have come out and performed some great show striking his hand over the place and then his leprosy would just disappear. This did not happen and he was told to do something he didn’t want to do. He was told to get in the dirty Jordan River and dip or be bathed 7 times and he would be healed. Naaman almost returned the same way he left but here comes another unknown as far as we are concerned.  

2Kings 5:13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, my father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

The servant said to Naaman now if the prophet would have told you to do some great thing you would have done it. No, he tells you to do something simple and you refuse; what’s wrong with you? I am afraid that too many times we are looking for things to happen the way we think they should and with some type of exposure. I think we should listen more to the ones who aren’t looking for some type of pat on the back and by the same token we should be those who give advice not wanting to be recognized for what we have done. What do you think? Maybe this week we could help someone or give some Godly advice not wanting anything in return; no pat on the back or our name brought up in any way but just making a difference in the life of another. Have a blessed week for it is great to be alive.

 

Personal Problems

A 27-year-old reporter, named Jayson Blair, who worked for the New Your Times learned to fabricate comments as well as concoct scenes. He stole material from other newspapers and wire services. He selected details from photographs to create the impression he had been somewhere or seen someone, when he had not.  Mr. Blair resigned from The Times May 1, after apologizing and citing "personal problems."  When caught up with there is always an answer why you have been doing the wrong you were doing. How about mismanaging your responsibilities; how does that sound?  The word Management means- the act or art of managing : the conducting or supervising of something (as a business) While some may mismanage there are others who do well at managing. What about things that aren’t seen? For instance managing our thoughts; for many that’s unthought-of.  While I was thinking about that I thought about What Would Jesus Do?  Did He have to manage His thoughts?  One day on a mountain side Jesus feed 5000 plus people; we hear preaching on that but what about what happened right after that?

John 6: 14   Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

John 6:15  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

They are going to make Jesus King and what does He do? Departs into a mountain to be alone. That isn’t a good thought or a good thing, one would think. Now that’s a thought that needs to be supervised; which one of us wouldn’t like to enjoy royalty? No, Jesus got into thought management. He saw that in their enthusiasm these men were about to grab Him and make Him king, so He quickly slips off. Then there was the time a Dad approached Jesus in a crowd of people and asked Him to come to his house for his little girl was at the point of death. “Come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” When Jesus gets there, He is greeted with bad news at the door; the daughter is dead. Jesus said, “Oh no, this girl is not dead but sleeping,” and when He said that they laughed at Him. Jesus, like you and I is faced with a moment of humiliation. So how does He act? He refuses to receive it and put them all outside.

Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Mark 5:40  And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

This kind of thing was not allowed in the house nor in the mind of Christ. Jesus guarded His heart. We must be careful what we think because our thoughts run our life. Mind management is important we must not let our thoughts run wild. Have a good weekend, get to Church early and get a good seat.

Dishonesty

Has anyone ever been dishonest with you? I remember many years ago I went looking to buy a car. I was stationed in Duluth, Minnesota and it gets cold up there. On this day the weather wasn’t real bad and after looking for a short while( the first place I stopped) I found a car. I told the man that I would be back in a few days to buy the car, he agreed and off I went to get the money. In a few days I returned just like I said with the money but on this day the weather had really turned cold and the car would not start. After pulling it around the block for about 10 minutes, it refused to start and I decided not to buy that car. The car salesman began to explain to me about the great deal I was letting slip through my hands; he used the phrase, a cherry of a deal. The car was a piece of junk and the man was not being honest with me at all, as a matter of fact he was being dishonest with me. The word dishonesty means  lack of honesty or integrity : disposition to defraud or deceive. I read a survey that stated that more people say they have cheated on their marriage partners than on their tax returns or expense accounts. It went on to say that more than half say if their tax returns were audited, they would probably owe the government money. Nearly half predict that if they scratched another car in the parking lot, they would drive away without leaving a note. Is it that we just don’t like the truth? I can remember not telling the truth because I thought that a lie would be better. The only problem with that is I would have to cover one lie up with another and before long I would forget what lies I had told. The truth is never like that at all, the truth is the truth and you don’t have to tell one truth and then cover it up with another 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.

If you know the truth the truth will make you free but too many times we tolerate dishonesty and for what? More money out of a bad deal, we flatter the boss, we exaggerate the truth and a bunch of other things but it all boils down to lies and being dishonest. The business man who fixes something that’s not broke, the repair man replaces a part that does not need replacing, the car salesman who sales a car knowing it has problems but makes out like it is in tip top shape. It is all being dishonest and not telling the truth. Remember it’s the truth that makes free and if we are going to be made free we will have to be truthful about everything. 

I Know

In John chapter 9 and verses  24-  Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

25- He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Jesus has just healed the man who was blind from birth. The Pharisees and the Jewish leaders don't like it, because it happened on the Sabbath Day.

 John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day.  They have totally missed the point that a blind man is suddenly able to see again. If you were to have stopped this man and asked him to describe the color red he would have no idea of what you were talking about. If you would have asked him if he enjoyed sun sets he would have told you that he had never seen one. If you asked him why he would have told you I’m blind; there was no doubt in his mind that he was blind. One day Jesus passed by and anointed his eyes and from that day forward that man was able to see. Then comes those who wanted to rain on his parade; you see there were those kinds of people back in Jesus day. This didn’t stop this man at all for this is what he had to say

John 9:25 He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

He said I don’t understand about what you are talking about, but let me tell you what I know. I once was blind and I knew it and now I can see and I know it. That’s it; and because of that we can say with John;

1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

So when others start in on us saying have you  been or have you done this or that we can stop them and say I don’t know about all that but this one thing I do know that once I was lost and without hope but now I know that I’ve been forgiven and on my way to heaven. Oh what a difference one day can make. 

Understanding

 When my oldest son was in college he would drive 120 miles a day to go to his classes. When he would come home he would go straight to his room and would spend the rest of the day studying. He did this for 6-years; one day I asked him why he spent so much time studying. I remember clearly what his answer was he said “Dad, I not only want to know how it works but I want to understand how it works.”  He graduated with honors and I was and still am proud of him for he has taught me so much. As I was reading the other day in Proverbs chapter 6 there was something that just jumped out at me. In verse 30 I read Men do not despise (to have the lowest opinion of)  a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

If a person steals to satisfy their hunger we don’t have a low opinion of them, but the next verse tells us what will happen to him if he is caught.

Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 

Yes, there is a discipline for wrong actions. The next verse shows someone that doesn’t understand what he is doing and the discipline for that is destruction of his own soul.

Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

  We see something a bit different than the man that was stealing food. We are told one that commits adultery destroys his own soul and the reason is that he lacks understanding. The word understanding shows up again in Chapter 7

Proverbs 7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

Here we see a young man void of understanding; oh my what is going to happen to this young man?  This young man is void of understanding because he hasn’t kept God’s word in his heart

Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

God’s word would have kept this young man from falling into the trap which the strange woman so carefully set for him. Look at the first trap that was set for him by this strange woman.

Proverbs 7:5 That they (God’s Word)  may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

The first trap she set is flattery with her words. The next trap is with her dress. 

Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

The third trap that is set she throws herself on him.

Proverbs 7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

Proverbs 7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

She entices him to come to her home. It wasn’t easy but with much fair speech she caused him to yield which tells me he must have known it was wrong in the first place and at last his life has been forever damaged. The warning is always listen and don’t let your body do what your heart says is wrong. This man yielded because he didn’t understand the danger until it was too late. This man, like you and I could have avoided these traps from the enemy if he would have just hid Gods Word in his hearts.

Psalms 119:9   Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

We learn what to do, then we start to understand and with understanding we will avoid many pitfalls. Just put God's Word in our hearts.

The Team

All I can say is WOW! Great services on yesterday at our Church; my Sunday School Teacher did an outstanding job on teaching Acts chapter 4. I enjoy hearing him teach every Sunday he always excites me and he always teaches me something; if you’re missing Sunday School you may be robbing yourself of one of the greatest blessings of the week. Then my Pastor preached on the Double Mind. He used an illustration with a young man in our Church on juggling; we had a young man that could do that very well and our Pastor was not aware of how well. Anyways the illustration didn’t go the way our Pastor thought it would but I think it brought out more of what he preached on. We all from time to time try to juggle too many things. We do a fine job of it for awhile but to be double minded as my Pastor so well said it hurts our character as well as brings confusion into our lives and will lead to a life of no commitment.

 James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I am grateful to the people who have invested in my life. I remember when I was very young my mom and dad signed me and my brother up to play baseball. For the first two years I didn’t play much ball I rode the pine which means sat on the bench most of the time. Then one of my coaches took some interest in me and spent some time with me. He taught me to catch a fly ball you must get under it, he said.  He taught me how to stand at the plate and how to hit a baseball.  I went from riding the pine to playing in the game; I liked that much better.  That coach taught me much more than he ever knew for you see life is much more than being on the team. The Christian life is also much more than just being on the team. There are a lot of Christians who are sitting on the pine; it could be that no one has taken any interest in them like that coach did me. I want to tell you that playing in the game has many more rewarding times than riding the pine. I can remember being on two first place teams and both times I received trophies. The first time my team did the winning and I rode the pine. The next time my talent had so improved that I was playing almost every inning of every game. I tell you that was the year the trophy meant the most to me? In my Christina life I don’t want to ride the pine I want in the game. I don’t want to hear myself say I can’t but just the opposite I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me; just as the Apostle Paul said.

 Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 You see I have this little saying “I can have as much as I want or as little as I’m satisfied with.” So am I satisfied where I am or do I want to push forward? I can’t speak for you but my heart’s desire is to serve Him and bring glory and honor to His Holy Name.  You see I don’t want to just be on the Christian team or play in the game but I also want to ride on the bus with my fellow team mates. It is called comradery; it’s the union that exists between soldiers that have experienced the crucible of combat together. It is the players on the team, it is the soldiers in the battle, and it is a friendship where we can draw unique experience from one another. The problem is if you aren’t on the playing field or the battle field then you’re not going to be on the bus with the real players. So where are you at? Were you there at Sunday School yesterday morning? At the Sunday morning Worship service? Were you at the evening Worship service? Ask yourself where am I on the team, on the playing field? Did I rob myself of a blessing God wanted me to have by missing the instructing times. How are you going to do this week just like before on the team or are you going to do more? You can have as much as you want or as little as you’re satisfied with. It’s going to be a great week; let’s get in the game.  

Jesus Plus

 "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"

by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

What do you think Jesus + 0 = Salvation? If you and I were to go down the street or to homes around where we live what kind of answer to Jesus + 0 = Salvation? Some would say Jesus + being my best = Salvation. What’s wrong with that we should all do our best? Don’t you think God is pleased with us doing more good than bad? Then we might hear I’ve been baptized and I’m attending services and I also volunteer my time and talents. If Jesus + Church = Salvation or Jesus + volunteering = Salvation or Jesus + anything = Salvation do you see how confusing that would be. As the song writer said “My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”  That word hope is the key what does that word mean? In Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary he says it means “Confidence in a future event. “  So the song writer was saying His Confidence is built on a nothing less Than Jesus blood and Jesus Righteousness and that he was trusting in Jesus name. Could he have gotten those thoughts from his Bible?

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Jesus name speaks of Salvation. His mercy speaks of Salvation. His righteousness speaks of Salvation. With Jesus we have it Salvation without Jesus we Nothing so we are Complete in Jesus plus nothing.

Colossians 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Christ is the solid Rock which we all should stand for all other ground is sinking sand.

Can you believe it’s Friday and you know what’s coming; Tonight our Reformers Unanimous Addictions program; see you there tonight at 7:00. Don’t forget Sunday a whole day given to us for Worshiping our wonderful Lord and Savior. So don’t miss out for Jesus is our solid Rock and people are looking to see your smiling face so be there. Have a great weekend is my prayer. 

To Die

As I made mention on Monday; last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with some men who had in the past given their lives to their addiction.  That is all they thought about, it was their life. Think about it for a moment; their one thought was get up get high and find a way to get some money so they could stay high. Let me tell you about one of those men. I remember the first time we met he talked, I listened and he made no sense what so ever. Let me give you an example of what his conversation was like. “I want to tell you my wife then she had it but the bus came and I didn’t understand why that month she did go to the store in the house across the street I think but they moved.” For 30 long minutes he talked to me like that and when he left I was so confused myself I had to go to a mirror to see if it was really me.  God has done a great work in his life. He and his wife are back together and they are both serving the Lord. I read these verses and I stopped and thought for a moment of how this man has so encouraged me.

Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Now that last verse “For me to live is_________ there are a lot of things that could go in that blank now the spiritual answer is Christ but what would be the true answer in our life? For me to live is my business, my sport, my home, my kids, my success, my family, my friends, my education or my dream. There could be a lot of things other than Christ but if you and I are living for any of those things then to die is not gain but loss. I don’t know that I have ever heard the man whose life I have been talking about quote Philippians 1:21 but he says it every day in the way he lives his life. He went from “For me to live is Drugs” to “For me to live is Christ.” In the drug world to die is loss but to live for Christ is gain; I’m so glad that the Lord allowed our paths to cross. We parted last Thursday and he flew home we texted each other a time or two and one of his last text this is what he said to me “You are a true and great friend.” What if that first night we met I would have written him off? I would have never gotten to see him grow in the Lord, I would have never gotten to see him serve the Lord, and I would never have had a part in seeing him and his wife come back together. Never give up on anyone no matter how bad the sin in their life looks for the Lord can do wonders in a life; He did in mine and if you think about it He has in yours too. 

Missed Opportunity

Opportunity- Fit or convenient time; a time favorable for the purpose; suitable time combined with other favorable circumstances. Have you ever missed an opportunity? I am sure we all have, but at the time you didn’t think it was such a good opportunity and you may have said to yourself “I’ll just wait.” There was a day when three men were condemned to die; I have often wondered what goes through one’s mind when they are facing death for their actions. I have also wondered if someone came to them and told them they could be forgiven, even in their midnight hour would they listen. These three men that were on their way to the death chamber I wonder what was on their mind? Well, we have a record of what was on their minds. Three men, all condemned, two were guilty as charged. There was one that was not guilty but all would die. Two were dying because of their thievery; the other was dying because He claimed He was the Son of God. On that day a golden opportunity was missed, missed forever, a bad decision that he hasn’t forgotten unto this day. What happened? We have recorded what was on those three men’s mind that day? One was thinking only of himself and how he could get free.

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, (Jesus) saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

The other thief was thinking about what would happen after he died. Was there a place called hell, was there a place called heaven and if so he knew that heaven wasn’t going to be his home. He had an opportunity and asked a question, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain so he asked.

Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

The answer came back, YES!

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  What? Did Jesus not know what this man had done and that he was guilty as charged.

This third man, what was He thinking? Well He was thinking of others. He had forgiven everyone there for what they had done unto Him. The ones that spit in His face, those that gambled for His clothes, those that accused Him and even those who wanted Him dead so much that they were willing to be guilty of His blood. They went one more step even on their children, oh my, what an answer. What hate and yes, He forgave them too.

Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. One of the things that made that day so sad is the opportunity that was missed. Here we see a man who could have went to paradise just as his friend did. Unfortunately no, he was more interested in the present and he missed the future. I see it from time to time myself; I’ll ask a question like “if you died today do you know for sure that heaven would be your home?” More times than I’d like to hear the answer is I hope so. I might at that point say “do you ever remember a time when you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart? To which I may hear I’m not sure. Ok, I can’t answer for anyone but myself. There was a day that I had an opportunity and on that day I much like that dying thief realized that I had no hope and that I was a sinner and I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and He did. To this day I haven’t forgotten what He did for me. Do I remember? Oh yes, like it was yesterday and when death comes; and it will I have the same promise that thief had “today thou shall be with me in paradise.” The Apostle Paul put it this way:

2Corinthains 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

I can’t answer for you, only you can do that, but don’t miss the opportunity like that thief did for if you do you will have made the same mistake.