Dens & Caves

Judges 6:1  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Judges 6:2  And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

Judges 6:3  And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

As we read these verses before us, what do you see? The very first thing I see is that the children did evil and because of their evil they were placed in the hands of the Midianites. There is always a result for our actions. Principle number 9 says; “We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable and up to God.” Because of their evil they had to find a place for safety; dens and caves. The reason being because when they tried to have anything the Midianites would come up against them. They took and took and made the life of the Israelites miserable. It didn’t get better it was getting worse for the Amalekites and the children of the east came.

Judges 6:6  And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. Israel was greatly oppressed and made feeble because the evil the Midianites were bringing and causing in their lives. As the day you and I live I am afraid we can identify with this idea. There are those who have allowed drugs and alcohol to over take them to the point that they are oppressed and have become feeble. They try to hide their feeling and try to make those around them think they are having the time of their life. In reality they are only hiding in caves and dens as the problems only increase and they slowly but surely lose to the enemy whatever it is. To some it’s drugs and alcohol to others its pornography, then there’s the anger issue some are having which could stem from something they refuse to forgive. Someone has done something to them; maybe it was rape, being molested; Statistics say that as many as 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. It matters not what evil has befallen us the answer is not hiding in the dens and caves of this life. The answer is and always has been Jesus and like the Israelites we need to pray unto the Lord.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;

Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Who are you talking to about what’s going on in your life? Why not talk to Jesus for He will help you, I know that personally by experience. Have a blessed week is my prayer. 

Examine

All this week we have been looking at what most people call the Lord’s Prayer. As we looked at this prayer we discovered that it was a teaching for not only the disciples but also for each of us. In this outline we learned first about that word “hallow" which meant to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify. The very first thing Jesus teaches His disciples is to realize who God is. He’s not the man upstairs, the big man or the man in charge and we are not to approach Him in that manner. We are to come before His presence by calling Him our Father and then we are to show reverence to His name.  Now I repeated that because I wanted to share with each of you how the Lord dealt with me about what I wrote. The Lord said good lesson, but let me ask you, do you reverence me, and do you know who you're talking with? Wow, I had to stop and examine my prayer life and to tell you the truth it needed some improvements. Too many times I didn't realize who I was talking to and I was getting to the, give me part of my prayer way before I should. On yesterday morning as I went in front of the Lord in prayer, I asked for forgiveness for my not giving the Lord His due respect. Then I said Lord, today I don't want to ask you for anything. I just want to spend time praising you for who you are and thanking you for what you have done in my life and then I spent time reminiscing of all the Lord has done. It was a time to remember; it’s not about me nor what I have done in the Lord’s work, for its all about HIM! As we go into this weekend let us not forget who the Lord is? He's the one who gives us the air we breathe every day, something we can easily take for granted if not careful. The food we have before us, do we take time and thank Him for it? Take time and think about what God has done in your life and then just praise Him and thank Him for it. Have a blessed weekend and don't forget to pray for your Pastor and the services that you'll be in this Sunday.

Forgive Everyone

Lord teach us to pray; that was the question they wanted answered. Ok boys, the first thing you need to know about prayer is know who you are talking to not what you’re asking for and give Him reverence.  The second thing is be willing to do His will in your life more than yours. Then the third thing is give us what we need. The next two things are the hardest for you and I to do, “Luke 11:4  And forgive us our sins;” What’s that? Have we really sinned? That word just slipped out I really didn’t mean it.

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.

 After all they said and did I’m not about to speak to them it would show weakness on my part.

Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give (to say I’m sorry, I forgive, I love, thank you)than to receive.

So what is sin? Sin is a transgression or violation of the law.

1John 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

We sin when we don’t tell the truth Exodus 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

We sin when we use the Lords name in vain Exodus 20:7  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;

We sin when we forget the Lords day Exodus 20:8  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

We sin when we don’t honor our parents Exodus 20:12  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon

The next is “for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.”  Have you forgiven someone that has hurt you with their speech? Words do cut deep and if we allow them they will keep us awake at night while the one who said them are fast asleep. Why is it important to forgive others? Well the Lord forgave you didn’t He? Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

We should do the same. Luke 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

Luke 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

We are not only to ask for forgiveness of our sins but we are also to forgive those who have sinned against us. If we fail in asking God to forgive us and we fail in forgiving others there is one word that explains why and it’s our PRIDE! Pride not only robs you but it robs others also. 

Give Me

On yesterday we looked at the outline of prayer that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples. The first word was “hallowed” the very first thing Jesus taught His disciples was realize who God is. The first thing Jesus wants you and I to learn about prayer, is to recognize who you are talking to. After we understand who we are talking to then we are to ask for His kingdom to come and His will be done; which may not be our will. His will is far more important than our will. Remember Abraham and Isaac; God told Abraham to go to the land of Moriah; and offer Isaac there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Abraham goes takes his only son, bound him, and laid him on the altar. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. Wow, how could this be God’s will for a father to slay his only son? God didn’t want Abraham to slay Isaac but to obey Him, regardless of how it sounded. God stops Abraham; lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. God wants you and I to be willing to do His will. Then the next thing, is where you and I usually start our praying. 

Luke 11:3  Give us day by day our daily bread.

The first thing is know who you are talking to. The second thing is be willing to do His will in your life more than yours. Then the third “give us.” Our heavenly Father wants to give us things we ask for. He gave Solomon understanding so that there was none like him before, neither shall any arise like unto thee. God wants to bless His children so don’t be afraid to say give me as long as it’s not something you are wanting to consume for selfish reasons. God wants to bless His children with good things from above so don’t be afraid to say give me.

Learn

 There’s no one reading this blog that hasn’t read the Lord’s Prayer in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke.  In the book of Luke the disciples of Jesus after hearing Him pray asked if He would teach them to pray.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Here we read of Jesus disciples wanting to learn how to pray so they asked one who knows how to get in touch with His heavenly Father. If you and I ever want to learn something we must have someone teach us that knows what they are doing. Here we read basically an outline of the way we are to pray. The very first thing that caught my attention is that word “Hallowed” what is that and what does it mean?

Luke 11:2  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

The word “hallowed” means- o make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify. The very first thing Jesus teaches His disciples is to realize who God is. He’s not the man upstairs, the big man or the man in charge and we are not to approach Him in that manner. We are to come before His presents by calling Him our Father and then we are to show reverence to His name.   

Exodus 20:7  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. It’s important that we reverence His name for there is none like Him; and that’s respect.

Act 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.

 Our Father, there is no one in your category there is no one like you, I’m in the presence of purity. The first thing Jesus wants us to learn about pray, recognize who you are talking to, not what you’re asking for. It could be that we are requesting without repentance and we might be guilty of praise without purity. Our Father “Hallowed” be thy name. When you and I pray do we “Hallowed” His name? Or do we just jump into our prayer asking for God to do something for us and not with us. Lord, teach us that we might know so we can in return teach others. That’s what the Apostle Paul told Timothy.

2Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

The Lord taught the Disciples; the Disciples taught others and one of those others taught Paul and Paul taught Timothy.  Paul told Timothy to teach not just anybody but faithful men that will be able to reproduce it in others. Do you plan on teaching anyone anything spiritual? I sure hope so and I don’t know of a better time to start than this week. Write a name down, pray over it and then ask the Lord to help you start teaching. Reproduce yourself in someone!

Devices

Song of Solomon 2:15  Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

We fail because we don’t understand the enemy nor do we know his tactics or his devices. If you planted a vineyard what would you expect? If you saw little foxes eating your grapes, would you not say that they are destroying my fruit? If you continued to allow the little foxes to eat your grapes what do you think would happen? It would in time destroy your profits. When a person asks the Lord to come into their life or asks the Lord to save them there are some things that we should began to produces, they are called the Fruit of the Spirit.  

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

Galatians 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Now the enemy does not want us to produce these fruits. Why do you think he would care? It is to his advantage to keep us in the dark about: 

1- Deception- Galatians 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

2- Lying- Ephesians 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

3- Anger- Ephesians 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

4- Giving up- Ephesians 4:27  Neither give place to the devil.

5- Corrupt Speech-Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

6- Bitterness- Ephesians 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

If I allow deception, lying, anger, giving up, desperation, corrupt speech, cursing, and being or getting bitter then I have just became ignorant of the enemies devices.

2Corinthians 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

DEVICE, - That which is formed by design, or invented; scheme; artificial inventing, devising or planning; an artifice by which some advantage is intended to be obtained; project; sometimes in a good sense; more generally in a bad sense, as artifices are usually employed for bad purposes.

 If you and I are not aware of the devices of the enemy then we allow him to destroy us.

John 15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

I guess it’s important where we find ourselves abiding. Have a blessed weekend!

Fishing

Here they come faster than a speeding bullet with the words that you have heard them say more than once. “Have you heard about_____!” I’m not much on getting the news out quickly good or bad.  There are times when I see that person and I would love to run over to them and say “did you know.” There was a man in the Bible named John the Baptist that one day had the opportunity to say “behold the Lamb of God.”   

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

What if that someone had been you? Then for centuries to come people were reading your name in the scriptures; the next day Jerry, Mike, Tom, Ron, or YOU!” Now that would be something worth sharing with your grand kids wouldn’t it? Wait a moment, you and I have the opportunity to announce to this world on a daily basis that He did come. Do we take advantage of that opportunity? I’m not much on numbers and don’t keep track of the contacts that I make; it’s just part of my daily routine to make contacts for Jesus. No, I don’t corner someone up and make them feel uncomfortable if they don’t hear me out. If I talk to a person long enough it will not be long before Jesus comes into the conversation. My personal belief is that everyday Jesus has a set appoint for me with someone. I just don’t know with whom or what time. I remember talking with a pilot with a commercial air lines that I had become somewhat friends with over a period of time. One day I asked him a question about the second coming of Christ. This man was not spiritual at all and when I asked him that question he turned and looked me in the eyes and said “had anyone else asked me that question I would not have gave them an answer but because it’s you I will answer.” Little did I know that over a period of time God had been slowly leading me to a day and a point that I could make contact or plant a seed in this man’s life? Like fishing, sometimes we must be patient. Is that not what Jesus told His disciples?

Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

I was trout fishing up in North Georgia mountains years ago and had fished all day and caught nothing. We approached some friends of my father-n-law and he had a string of fish. He asked the question “have you caught any fish.” I said no I have fished all day and have nothing to show for it. He looked at my line and hook and said you’ll never catch a trout with that; your line is too heavy and your hook to big. Take my rod; I did and in just a few seconds I caught a trout. Know what that man did? He taught me something about trout fishing and from then on I have caught trout. Jesus said follow me and I will; not might but will make you fishers of men. Jesus said pay attention boys, listen to what I’m saying and doing for I want to reproduce myself in you.  Give a man a fish and you can feed him for a day, teach that same man how to fish and you can feed him for a life time. Jesus said Follow me and I’ll teach you!

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.

Believe on Him, continue in His word, learn of Him and you’ll know the truth. Did you see it “you’ll know.” Others will not have to tell you, you’ll know. Others will not have to show you, you’ll know. Now be a fisher of men, women, boys and girls. 

Report

In the book of Isaiah in chapter 53 and in verse 1 we read this;

Isaiah 53:1  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

The word that jumped out at me was the word “report.” Here is what it means.

Report an account or statement describing in detail an event, situation, or the like, usually as the result of observation, inquiry, etc.:

Isaiah was asking a question; has anyone believed our report? This was an important question for we read about it two times in the New Testament.

Joh 12:38  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Rom 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

What was this account that is described in detail, an event?

Isa 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5  But he   was wounded for our transgressions, he   was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;   and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Could it be that Isaiah was talking about the Lord Jesus Christ? How He would grow up just like a normal person. Then He would be despised and rejected of men, He would carry our sorrows and He would be chastised for each of us and the reason why; that we all have gone astray and turned to our own way. We just celebrated Easter and I am sure you heard these words sometime during that Easter Sunday “Why seek ye the living among the dead, he’s not here but risen.” The question do you believe the report? To believe is to accept something as true, genuine, or real to put complete trust in. Every day we accept something as true and we put complete trust in it. How many times have you examined a chair to see if it were capable of holding up your weight before you placed your total weight in it? Probably never; I know I haven’t. Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins? Do you believe that when you asked Him to forgive you of all your sins that He did just that? If so then you can say to Isaiah “Yes, I do believe in your report.”   

Frightened

Fear is when someone is frightened by something. You will have no problem remembering the name Goliath. We all remember this man as the giant that came forth and said send me a man that we might fight. This one man had a whole army of men frightened. Then there was a man named Elijah, one day he heard that a woman by the name of Jezebel was going to have him killed and her words frightened him to the point that he ran. Then there was a ship and some men who one day at sea were frightened. I want to take a look at them in hopes that you and I will find another avenue to help when fears come.

Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Fear produces being afraid. Being afraid produces a plan with prayer to God; notice what is said "every man cried unto his god." These men were in the midst of a storm and were fearful of losing their lives. Things were bad; the moment seemed too urgent, so urgent that there seemed no time to wait on an answer from their god. So they made a decision to lighten the weight of their ship on their own. They began to cast forth the wares into the sea. At that moment that seemed like a good idea, but that wasn’t the answer to their problem and it didn’t solve it. You may ask, what in the world does that have to with me? Great question! Let's look at this event in a different way, a way that concerns you and me. The first thing I noticed was the storm. We all have them come in our life and sometimes they come upon us very quickly. We lose our job; a family member gets a bad report from the doctor, we feel a lump, we are involved in an accident and a host of other storms that come our way. Did you notice what was really said in verse 4? It was a great wind; a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was likely to be broken? In the midst of what looked likely to be a problem a decision was made. Reminds me of when we ourselves get into a storm we assume the worst. We pray but like the mariners we too make a decision before the answer comes. The problem wasn’t in the storm nor was it the weight of the ship but it was with a person on board the ship with a sin problem that they were ignoring. Jonah’s sin problem had now effected those around him and he had to be woken up to its effect. That reminds me of principle #7 which says “Our sinful habits do hurt those who are following us.” A good word of advice is don’t let our sin become storms in others lives. Have a blessed week and remember we do have an effect on those around us.

Overflow

Read it with me: Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: In just a few words, Paul said that the same way one gets saved; by grace through faith, is the very same way to live a successful Christian life! You trusted Jesus, believed on Him and received Him as your Savoir now then "walk." Make placing one foot in front of another a regular practice! This indicates that we must put real effort into our walk. Have you ever heard the term “watch where you are going?” Put it all together! The same way you and I were saved is the same way we are to live for Jesus!

At the point of our salvation
1. The Holy Spirit convicted us!
2. Preaching instructed us!
3. Jesus saved us ... by faith!
4. Then, a Church awaited us!
5. A Bible instructed us!
6. A Pastor guided us!
7. And faithfulness became a way of life for us!

And how do we live the Christian life? How do we "walk" in the Lord?
1. The Holy Spirit still convicts and teaches us!
2. Preaching still instructs us!
3. Jesus still sustains us ... by faith!
4. A Church still encourages us!
5. A Bible still feeds and nourishes us!
6. A Pastor still guides us!
7. And faithfulness still must be a way of life to us! As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Paul’s longing was to see new believers in Christ mature and develop, becoming more like our Lord! Notice that these folks have been "taught!" Being taught the Word of God apparently produces some things in the lives of its students!
#1-“ ROOTED” In Him! The Believers, having heard the Word of God so faithfully taught ... have grown roots deep down into the nourishing soil of Scripture! The Water of the Word of God is causing God's people to spring roots!
#2-“BUILT UP” This action, being "built up" by the Holy Spirit, is an on-going thing! It will never end until we reach Heaven!
#3-“ STABLISHED” Meaning to make firm, like the foundation of a building!
Then comes another by-product of being taught the Word of God! Abounding therein with thanksgiving. To "abound" means overflowing, getting out of the banks as does a river! Flooded with what? "Thanksgiving!" “Gratitude!” Thankfulness for having been saved by God's Grace! In fact, the more we learn from the Bible, God's inspired and inerrant Word, the more we will have for which to thank God! Having been taught God's Word ... we become rooted! Then built up! Then established! And always, thankful! Ask yourself are you Thankful for what God has given you? If so then thank Him for it!

Race

Race, a set course or duration of time, the course of life, a contest of speed, progress toward a goal. The race you and I are in involves many adversities within a duration of time. When a runner runs in a race there comes much hard work before the day of the race. The runner knows he's not the only one running toward the finish line and he also knows that if he is going to win he must cross the finish line first. In the race of life that's not the case and the adversity is not to hurt but to help. It matters not what career we are in we learn day by day a better way to perform our work. Yes, it’s hard, yes it’s difficult, yes, it hurts but we must stay in the race for the cost of dropping out is just too high. When one decides to drop out they have just decided to change their goals. In the case of the runner winning it doesn't matter anymore. When you and I get the idea that the race doesn't matter our goals change and then our values change and our future is changed. Those we could have helped we now hurt for we do make a difference in the lives of others. What if Joseph had quit when his brothers sold him into slavery? What if he had given in to his boss’s wife? What if he had given up when he was put into prison for something he didn't do? All those were just adversities in the race that made him stronger for the big job God had for him. Before you give up and quit ask yourself how many will I hurt; how many will follow me and what will be the real cost?
Principles #7- Our sinful habits do hurt those who are following us.

No More

“There’s not enough time to get it all done.” Do you ever feel defeated? May be you feel you’re not hitting on all cylinders. Do you want the best of everything all the time, but have come to realize that it’s just not possible? In the book of Daniel, there’s a story in the first chapter that addresses these concerns.  We are told of four young men who have had their entire lives turned upside down.  They have been taken from their home, they are in exile in Babylon and they are having a new lifestyle forced on them.  They’ve had their names changed and their whole lives upset by new standards and expectations.  In the middle of the first chapter, Daniel has to make a choice about eating the king’s food. Among all the pressure to yield to a long list of new expectations, Daniel chose to say “no more.”  In doing so, he chose faithfulness to God and was blessed in the process. You and I face similar situations daily, not with food from the king’s table, but with our time. We have to decide on a daily basic who or what is going to get our time. We all have the same amount of time each day as we are told in

Ecclesiasles 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: The choices that we make today will either bring us in line with the life and will of God and draw us closer to His purpose or they will move us further from Him. Invest in the choices today that will fulfill God’s purpose in you. Have you taken the time to pray today? Will you have the time to see what God has to say personally to you form His word today? What about that friend that needs a kind word? Do you think you’ll have a few minutes for him or her? Think! What will you be spending your time on today? I hope you will be like Daniel as you decide today. It may be time to say “no more!” These are hard decisions to make to be sure, but you like Daniel, will find yourself blessed. It's going to be a great day because you are here.

Power + Or -

A few years ago I found and viewed a motivational video called “212 The Extra Degree.” As I viewed that video I was able to understand what just a little more effort could and would produce. I have given the link to it at the bottom if you care to view it for yourself. But just as sure as a little more effort will produce greater results it can also be said that the same is true with cooling down. One could start to drift toward coldness and not even realize it. The way of the world you and I live in becomes more and more corrupt and if we’re not careful we may start to cool down. We cool down with our walk with the Lord by spending less time with Him. We then begin to watch things we would have never considered watching before. We begin to listen to things we would have never listened to before. It was not sudden it was gradual, just a little cooling off, just a short time, then sin may become more attractive, and the things of God less attractive. In the book of James we read this.

James 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren. Did you notice the little word “err?” It means to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue, go astray, deceive, wander. But it’s the verses that are before that tell us how one begins to cool down.

James 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Its starts with temptation; temptation will come to us all for there’s not a one of us who will never be tempted. We must know how to deal with the temptation when it comes. We must first know our weak points and know them well. Then one must not make provisions for that temptation in their life. Don’t go where you may have to face that temptation, don’t put yourself around those that will invite you into your temptation. Every one of us is tempted by our own desires as they lure us away and then trap us. It could be a look or a thought that we allowed to linger around too long until we decide to get involved. Just as steam produces power so to go astray will produce results that are weakening.  

212: The Extra Degree

 www.212movie.com/

  

Glad

On yesterday we look at two with their heads hung low on their way home. These two were sad because they had put their trust in a man who seemed to be dead, Jesus. As they walked Jesus joined them not letting Himself be known unto them and as they poured out their depressed words and actions, Jesus said this.

Luke 24:25  Then he{Jesus} said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Here is a stranger talking to these two and He calls them fools and slow to heart to believe; then Jesus begins to expound unto them the scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

As they began to get close to their home Jesus acted as if he were going farther but these two urged him, "stay with us! It's getting late, and the day is almost over." Jesus takes them up on their idea and stays. As He sits at the table with them something happens that changes the way these two are acting. The Bible says that Jesus took bread then He blessed it and then broke it and gave it to them.

Luke 24:30  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

Luke 24:31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

What just happened, these two that were so sad are now glad? The word glad is not mentioned but the actions of these two are, and you’ll have to agree that these two got happy. We are told that these two got up and returned to Jerusalem. Sad people don’t run a 7 to 9 mile trip; one had to be glad, happy and excited to do that.

Luke 24:33  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

Luke 24:34  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Now what changed these two? If you will look back at verse 30 you’ll find the answer. Jesus was sitting at the table with them but they still didn’t know it was Him. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks but they still didn’t realize it was Jesus. Then Jesus took the bread and brake it.  He gave it unto to them and then these two saw something they had missed; it was the hands of Jesus. In those hands were the prints of the nails and then their eyes were opened and they that were sad became glad. So glad that they ran back to Jerusalem and found the disciples. While they were there telling the disciples what they had seen all of a sudden Jesus Himself stood in their midst. Then notice what happened.

Luke 24:36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Luke 24:37  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

Luke 24:38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Luke 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples the same way that He revealed Himself to those two that were sad.

When you go to Church this Sunday will you be looking for Jesus to reveal Himself to you? I sure hope so because Jesus can take a sad heart and turn it into a glad heart. Have a great weekend and be on the lookout for Jesus. 

Sad

It was on a Sunday when two were on their way home with their heads hung low.  As they walked they began to talk about all the things that had happened; what had happened? Well the first thing was that early that morning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and some other women had made a great discovery. They had gone to the tomb where Jesus had been buried only to find that the stone had been rolled away. I love what Luke 24 and verse 3 tells us; And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.  Now that stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out but to let others in. After entering in the tomb these ladies found there was no body and it puzzled them.  Then all of a sudden while in their puzzled state of mind they see two men in shining garments. These men asked them why seek ye the living among the dead? He’s not here but is risen; after being told that the Bible says that they remembered His word how He spoke to them when He was in Galilee saying the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified and the third day rise again. Then they left and told what they had seen and heard to the eleven disciples. Peter jumps up and runs to the tomb to see for himself and found it all to be true. Now as the two were making their way back home they began to reason between themselves when all of a sudden Jesus drew near and began to walk with them. Jesus asked, “What are you talking about that is making you so sad?” The Bible tells us that although Jesus had joined them on their way home Jesus had made it impossible for them to recognize who He was. They couldn’t believe that this man didn’t know what had happened. I tell you what I can’t believe is why in the world were these two on their way home. While all the talk of Jesus not being in the tomb was spreading like wild fire? It’s funny what feeling depressed will do to you. Depressed you might ask how do you know that? It’s easy, listen to what these two said.

Luke 24:21  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. All they could talk about was the negative; we trusted that’s past tense. They are sad and all they can talk about is what could have been. What’s it going to take to make these two glad? Will they ever be glad again? Are their hopes all gone? On tomorrow I’ll show you how Jesus turns their sadness into gladness. You think you know the answer; you may know, but more than likely not all. Don’t miss tomorrow!

Total Darkness

We wrote on yesterday the very first words from Jesus’ mouth were words of pardon for His murderers. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. 

Today I would like to look at something else that Jesus prayed.

Mark 15:33  And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

This darkness was not an eclipse of the sun but was a supernatural darkness which speaks of the awfulness of the condition of a person forsaken by God. When God is gone, light is gone. The awfulness of absolute darkness without God is devastating. I have stood by the bedside and watched as the last breath was breathed out. This is never a pleasant experience but I have seen that all people don’t die the same way.  I remember one night standing by the bedside of a lady fighting to breathe, the death rattle had already begun, she had laid there not moving at all for some time. Then all of a sudden she rose up and had a strange look in her eyes as if she had seen something fearful. I remember another time an elderly lady was lying in the bed knowing she would never go home again, she looked at her family and told them that she was looking for a good place to cross over. In a few days she found that place and crossed with a smile on her face. I don’t know what either of those women saw but after reading what Jesus said “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Only assures me of not wanting to face death alone. For those who have put their trust in Christ we have this promise from the Word of God.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The Apostle Paul put it this way

Romans 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Romans 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Romans 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

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

Romans 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And you thought your retirement plan was secure.

What This World Needs

The singing group Casting Crowns sings a song by the name of “What this world needs.” In that song they bring out some very interesting thoughts.  This world doesn’t need another one hit wonder with an axe to grind or another two bit politician peddling lies. This world doesn’t need another sign waving Super Saint who’s better than you or an ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth. Then they nail it down; what this world needs is a Savior who will rescue, a spirit who will lead, a father who will love them in their time of need. What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside. What challenging words that tell us the bottom line is Jesus. This Sunday we will celebrate Easter once again; how long ago when on that Sunday Morning early the tomb where Jesus had been placed was empty. Today that tomb is still empty; but before the tomb Jesus went through much and I would like to look at that day on Calvary. Get the picture Jesus is hanging on a Roman cross they have already beat Him, spit on Him, slapped Him, said cruel words to Him. It was a bad day to say the least; did I say bad day? Oh no, it was a good day for this was the day the Lord had made.  Jesus begins to pray and the first words Jesus spoke should cause each one of us to stop and think. 

Luke 23:33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. The very first words from His mouth are words of pardon for His murderers. Man’s greatest need is not health, food, clothing, housing, or a job. The greatest need of man is forgiveness from God. Without it we will be condemned by God to hell for all eternity. Do you see what we are being taught here? It would be easy to understand Christ forgiving good people that  had not slapped Him, talked to Him in a cruel way but that’s not what He did, He said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  Jesus looks out at the men who had just drove nail in His hands and feet and He asked His Father to forgive them. If Jesus is willing to forgive men like that don’t you think that He would forgive you? He forgave the thief next to Him; that’s what Jesus does He forgives and you and I should never forget that. He’s on the cross; He’s coming off and a surprise is coming for those who guard His tomb.

Beware

A parable is a fictitious story about a real truth. As we look at Luke chapter 12 we see that word, parable in verse 16.

Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: Jesus will teach his listeners a fictitious truth on being selfish. What caught my attention was verse 15 the word "beware" which means to be on guard. Take heed and be on guard of a desire for possessions.

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Beware of Covetousness; why should we be aware of covetousness? We should be aware of it because it’s a desire for possessions and wealth. Now it's not wrong to have wealth is it? No, but it is wrong to covet.

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's. As we look on we read

Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

How could this be covetousness? Remember that covetousness is a desire for possessions. As we read this fictitious story about a real truth about covetousness.

We see that he thought within himself, he didn't ask God for advice or direction. Notice how much he was self centered by the use of personal pronouns? He said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns: I bestow all my fruits and my goods: I will say to my soul. Covetousness is selfishness, it's thinking that you deserve your neighbors house, it's lusting after your neighbors wife, his car, his job. Thinking you should have it rather than them, that is being selfish. Be on guard against that kind of thinking for it will never have a good ending; what did God have to say about that?

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

We think we are going to be here for a long time, time to spend, time to rest, time to enjoy, time to be merry, but in reality we do not know when our soul will be required, be careful of being selfish!

Mark 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?