Not Golden

Silence Is Golden was a song redone by the Tremeloes in 1967 which was a #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart on May 18, 1967, staying at the top for a total of three weeks. That may be well and fine for a song but is silence really golden? I am afraid we are silent about too much; we must not be silent about those we love. We must tell our children we love them, our wife that we love her, those we care about that we love them, they must hear us say that, for love is golden and keeping silent about it is not golden.  One day you and I will be gone, we must ask ourselves this question will the ones I love know that I loved them. I have made  many mistakes in my life, I have said words that I wish I could recall, but many years ago I decided to let those I love know it on a regular basis. When talking to one of my children on the phone I always say before I say good-bye “I love you.” When talking with my wife I always say before I say good-bye “l love you.” My mother lives with us now she has Alzheimer disease and she doesn’t remember like she once did but every morning and every night she gets to hear me tell her that “I love her.” What a blessed opportunity I have; I realize that one day she will not even know who I am but today I get to tell her I love her. God has told each of us that He loves us in His love letter to us the Bible.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Don’t you see it “For God so loved the world” aren’t you and I in the world? God so loved each one of us that He gave the only Son He had; Jesus Christ that you and I could have everlasting life. Now that’s something to shout about! He doesn’t stop there.

Ephesians 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

We are told again that God loves us.

1John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation(payment) for our sins.

God not only loves us He likes us and He wants us to know that it’s not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent Jesus Christ to be the payment for our sins. So learn a lesson for our Heavenly Father don’t just say I love you show your love for the ones you love by your actions. Take the time today to let someone you love hear you say the words “I love you.”

Have a blessed day and a lovely weekend and don’t be silent!

Forward Ho

Years ago there was a T.V. program that came on called "Wagon Train.”I can still see Major Adams played by Ward Bond sitting upon his horse as he raised his hand in a forward motion and yelled “forward, ho.” There is a lesson for each of us to learn in those fateful words “forward, ho."  We should not be satisfied in staying in one place for the remainder of our lives.  No need to spend years upon years doing the "same old thing."  No progress will ever be made by someone who constantly changes direction or worse yet, by someone who never moves at all. The person that doesn't move will not grow, and when there is no growth there is no change. The Christian life is a life that should be going forward, growing day by day as we read our Bibles, as we pray, as we love one another. I dare say that there is not a one reading this blog that hasn’t had discouragement come into their life, upsets as well as disappointment. When those things come into our lives when can give up, quit or we can say forward, ho. Paul put it this way.

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Paul didn’t want those who have put their trust in Christ to be ignorant and to be sorrowing as those who have no hope.

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Paul says when times get bad and disappointments come, comfort each other with the words of hope in other words “forward, ho.”  Job said it long before Paul and he put it this way.

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: I like someone that knows!

Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job said, “Forward ho”. These two men had something forward that they were looking for greater than the problems of this life so our attitude should be forward ho.  

Comma

Years ago while working for my father-n-law we were riding to get our last pay check; the contractor we were working for had just laid us off. I was thinking how was I going to pay the bills? No money and no work; it looked very bad. That's when my father-n-law said something to me that I have never forgotten. He simply said to me these few words "the sun is going to shine again." I actually knew what he meant and those few words have helped many times. In other words he was saying don't put a period when you should just put a comma. Too many put a period when times are tuff, some go as far as to end their lives. Now that's definitely a period when it should have only been a comma. Marriages come to an end and a period is placed upon it without ever trying to make it work. Those periods are costly; they not only cost each one of us but also the ones we love. We put periods on our learning when we should put a comma. We put a period on a friendship when we should put a comma. We judge others and feel that they will never amount to anything so we put a period when it should be just a comma. We put a period in our lives and quit just before topping the hill. I like what the Apostle Paul had to say, he said “I can do all things.” Wow what an attitude to have and if that is all we were to read it would sound as if Paul was arrogant and proud but there is more that he had to say.

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

You see Paul said I can do all things not through myself but it is through Christ and in Him do I find the strength to do all things. Now think about where you may be putting a period when it should be just a comma. Paul was ship wrecked but it was only a comma. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake but it was just a comma. Paul was beaten and left for dead but it was just a comma. Paul was imprisoned and knew that his day of death was fast approaching but it was only a comma.

2Timothy 4:6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

2Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Just comma’s in his life, for he saw beyond what others saw as periods to what was laid up before him. Paul knew that this life wasn’t permanent. I went by the grave of my grandmother yesterday she’s been gone 55 years and still engraved on her tombstone are these words “Earth has not Sorrow that Heaven can’t Heal.” Don’t be so quick to put a period learn to put commas for it is true Earth has its sorrows, but one second in Heaven will heal all those sorrows.

Psalms 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

Sowing

Principle #9- We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable and up to God.

Galatians 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The sowing of choices always brings a harvest of consequences. We harvest what we sow; we harvest more than we sow; the farmer that sows corn will grow a cornfield.  It’s those choices that we make; we are free to make good choices or bad choices, but we must remember that those choices we make will also produce a harvest. The man or woman who decides to have an affair, get behind the wheel of their car after ingesting drugs or alcohol will reap a harvest; and  the harvest will cost much more than they were willing to pay. The affair will not stay hidden and the price tag could be your family? Stop and think is it worth it? The one that drives while drinking or doing drugs could cost you your life or the life of another; is it worth it? The quick look on the internet at inappropriate material will stay in your mind maybe a life time; is it worth it? Those unkind words that went flying out of your mouth before you realized what you were really saying could destroy a lifelong friendship; is it worth it?  Judas chose to sale the Lord out; if we could ask him was it worth it I’m sure he would say NO! Peter denied the Lord not once or twice but three times; was it worth it Peter? NO! If you plant it you’re going to reap it. So let’s work on sowing that which will please the Lord and will be worth the reaping.

Early Appointment

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in London from the 27^th of July to the 12^th of August 2012. All the contestants have plans to bring the gold home; that’s what they have all been training for. This will be no place for the lazy, the players for this contest have been encouraged by their trainers but it will take more than encouragement to win. There has been much preparation, discipline, self denial and self control and the commitment has been made to do their absolute best. These are the rules if you plan on winning. Just a minute; I’m not going to the summer games as a player or even as one sitting in the crowd, the best I’ll do is watch some of the games on the T.V.  As I think about those games I am reminded of Hebrews chapter 12 where the writer tells his readers that there is a great cloud of witnesses in the grand stands. The players have gotten rid of the weights that would hold them back and the sin that so easily distracts them. With patience they are to run the race that is set before them and just as in any race they are to have in view the finish line; but here in this chapter it’s Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. As we Christians run this race that is set before us it will take dedication, commitment, patience, self denial and self control. When you got up this morning what did you see? Was it just another day with the same routines; or did you say to yourself wonder what the Lord will bring my way today? Are you looking for it? Will you know it when it arrives? What are you expecting? If you say nothing then why not take the time to ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do today. A few years ago I started leaving home each morning knowing that sometime during the day the Lord has something or someone He wants me to spend time with. I call them appointments from my Heavenly Father. I don’t know when or where or what time they will be but they come each and every day. It may be a phone call or a face to face meeting with someone; I don’t know, I just want to be available. I don’t want you to think that I am so patient and self-disciplined that I never get ants in my pants. That being interpreted means having no patience; I can’t see waiting or killing time when I could be somewhere else. It could be and has been in the past that the Lord had me waiting for someone; in other words I was early for the appointment. In John chapter 4 Jesus is setting at a well waiting on a woman; He was early for the appointment, so sometimes we are to just stop and wait; that’s patience. Why don’t you look at this day a little different; it’s you sitting at the well waiting on a person whom God will use to change a life forever!

What's More Important

On Page 4 of Texas City Sun July 6, 2002 you’ll read about a man by the name of Paul Loetz. Paul has a bad punctured lung, broken ribs and internal bruising. While lying in the ER barely conscious and in pain the unthinkable happened; two doctors who were responsible for his care began arguing over who would get to put a tube into his chest. The argument became a shoving match and one doctor threatened to have the other doctor removed by security. Would you agree this was not the time or the place for this type of attitude and action to have taken place? I am sure you would agree but have you ever read in Matthew chapter 20 what took place? Jesus is going up to Jerusalem with His 12 disciples. He begins to tell them that there He shall be betrayed, condemned to death, scourged and then crucified but on the third day He shall rise again. Now what is so amazing was what happened next. One would think that some questions would be asked about what was just told them; but no questions were asked.

Mat 20:20  Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

Mat 20:21  And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

What? The question was asked not about what was about to happen to Jesus but a mother wanting her sons to sit one on the right and the other on the left in the Kingdom. What was really important, where there’re going to sit or knowing about the greatest event in history? What is important to you and I what someone is telling us or the next question we want to ask? What is important a man’s life or which doctor will be chief? Please keep me from falling into the big I! I’m the greatest; I’m the most important person around here. Please Lord; keep me from that type of an attitude.

Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Humble- not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive  

It’s totally up to each of us; we can be proud or we can be humble.

Father Knows Best

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil:

John Gill- And some are afflicted all their days, from their youth up; so that not only the days of old age are evil days, in which they have no pleasure, but even the days of their youth; all their days, as Jacob says, "few and evil have the days of the years of my life been",

Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.; because they had been filled up with affliction and trouble of one sort or another. Or, "all the days of the poor" {f}; either in purse, who want many of the good things of life; or in knowledge,

but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.

a heart that has "the kingdom of God" in it, which lies "not [in] meat and drink, but [in] righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost",

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.: which has the love of God shed abroad in it by the Spirit, where Christ dwells by faith; and that lives by faith on him, and on the provisions of his grace; all this is a constant continual feast to a gracious soul, made joyful hereby.

That word "afflicted " means depressed in mind or circumstances. He that is depressed in mind or circumstances his days are evil, but he that has, keeps a merry heart has a feast continually. As we are told in Romans 14:17 The kingdom of God IS NOT meat and drink; is that all we want? Good job, more money, good health, big house, get away house, camper, condo...... Those are only earthly treasures and will make this life more comfortable. If the Lord doesn't give them to us and we think we should have them then we will become depressed. We should have peace and joy in the Holy Ghost with what The Lord has seen fit to let us have, for He knows best. If we keep this attitude then we will have a continual feast for our happiness will be in the Lord and not the things we have. I am blessed to be a child of the King and I must remember;

Psalms 118:24 This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we (I) will rejoice and be glad in it. Could it be we're not rejoicing and glad because we think this is the day I have made. Have a blessed weekend and rejoice in who you are in the Lord!

Dead Dreams

The young boy sat in the doctor’s office; he loved to play football but not only did he love the game he was good at playing it. The colleges were already talking with him about a full scholarship if he would play for them.  The doctor walks into the room the words were "You'll never play football again." That was the day his dream died.  I’m sure you’ve had dreams die. I sure have; eleven grade in high school I decided what I wanted to do and for two years I made plans to accomplish that goal. But 3 months out of high school I another friend decided we would join the military; the recruiter convinced me as well as my friend this is what we both needed to do; we did. For the next four years my dreams died; it was like hearing you’ll never play again and I didn’t. Now, many years later as I look back over my life I can say I have no regrets. God had a better way for me and it took me off the way I was headed which was my way and not His way. He did that with the Paul, as Paul headed out to cause harm to the Christians of his day.

Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Paul’s way, go get those men and women who say they love the Lord, bound them and bring them back to Jerusalem. But something happened on that day; he heard as if the words were said you’ll never play again.

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?  And from that day forward Paul’s life was changed for the best. Sometimes we really don’t know what’s best for us or which direction we are to go, but if we will listen to the Lord and follow after Him I assure you we will be far better off. Paul was and so was I and you?  

Just the Facts

“Just the Facts, Ma’am, just the facts!”  Sergeant Joe Friday was his name and all that mattered to him were just the facts. He was not interested in hear say, just the facts. Sometime the facts aren’t what we like to hear but facts are facts and we can’t change them even if we want to. As I was thinking about the facts I got to thinking about those 12 spies that went to view the promise land and the report they came back with. These 12 spies were to go into the land and they were to see if the people of the land were strong or weak, few or many. They were also to view the land and see if it was good or bad. They were to check out the cities where these people lived and see if they lived in tents or in strong holds. They were to see what the land was; whether it be fat or lean, is there wood there or not. They were to be of good courage and bring back fruit from the land they spied.  After 40 days these 12 spies returned with one cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry, they also brought pomegranates and figs. Here is their report after 40 days; just give us the facts men!

Numbers 13:27  And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

Numbers 13:28  Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

 Numbers 13:31  But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Numbers 13:32  And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

Numbers 13:33  And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

The fact is, it’s for sure a land that flows with milk and honey; great fact. But then comes what they really saw, the people are strong, the cities are walled and very great, we saw men of great stature, we saw giants and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers .  Where was God? Not one word of what and how God was going to deliver them, all they saw were the facts! No one saw beyond the facts; Oh, I’m sorry there were two men who saw God and not giants. They looked beyond the fact and by faith they knew the land could be theirs.

Numbers 14:6  And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

Numbers 14:9  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

These two men saw beyond the facts and instead of seeing themselves as grasshoppers they saw their enemy as bread. So, just what was it you were seeing? The facts, that looks like giants or beyond the facts and in Faith looking unto God who will give you the victory. What are you seeing? Giants or God? Mountains or Mole hills? Lemons or lemonade? Glass half empty or half full? The you that can’t or the God that can????

Overcome the Moment

“Have you ever felt like life is not fair? Looking around you see other people seemingly glide through life receiving one blessing after another while you’re dealing with a double dose of hardships. Their children make the honor roll; their careers prosper; their marriage flourishes. You find yourself stuck wondering why is all this happening to me; I serve you Lord, I give to His work, I pray and read my Bible on a daily basis and my life seems always hard. I am afraid that someone has told you that those who serve the Lord will always be blessed. You’ll not have to read very far in the Bible to find out that’s not true. There was Joseph; he goes to prison for something he did not do. Job lost all he had even down to his health and this is what he had to say about it.

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

There was the Apostle Paul; he too spent time in prison and this is what he had to say.

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Paul said that he learned to be pleased and satisfied with what he had no matter what state he found himself in.  Paul had leaned to lean on the God of Grace no matter what; when he was cold he was thankful, when he was hungry he was thankful. Paul refused to give up to his outward problems and by doing that he learned to trust God, his Savior and God’s love was stronger than any problem that would come his way. May I remind each of us we are all going to have down  times in our life but we must remind ourselves that God has something much better for His children.

1Corinthains 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Maybe Joseph, Job and Paul didn’t look so much at what was happening now but instead reminded themselves of what eternity would be like and in so doing was able to overcome the moment of hardships. 

Be Strong

“Extremely popular with both men AND women. One of the few programs that helps preserve and even build muscle mass while losing fat.” That only one program and you could find more without looking very far at all. All weight loss and all muscle building programs only work if you commit to the plan. Sounds like our Reformers Unanimous Program! I know a man his name is Mike and he helps people build muscle mass and lose weight; I asked him when his busiest time of the year was and he said after the first of the year. New Year and many decide to get rid of that extra weight they put on. Many will choose to devote themselves to some physical routine to strength their body, they will pay money spend their time to accomplish their goal, while letting their spiritual mind become weaker and weaker. Nothing is wrong with losing weight and building body mass if we don’t sacrifice our spiritual man in the process. Timothy put it this way;

1Timothy 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Don’t sacrifice your prayer and Bible time for weight loss; but instead commit yourself to becoming strong in the Lord so that when the problems of the day come you’ll know how to handle them.

Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

What will it be weights or God’s Word? Three times in chapter 31 we read these words “Be strong and of a good courage:“

Deuteronomy 31:7  And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 31:23  And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. As Moses was coming to the end of his life he knew that it was time for Joshua to continue to lead the Israelites into the promise land. He tells him three times be strong and of a good courage; don’t be afraid for God will not fail you neither will He forsake you. You know what? The same can and will happen to each of us if we only put our trust in the Lord and know that the Lord will not forsake us. Too many times we get our mind on the here and now and we forget that the Lord will never forsake us. We must choose to pursue spiritual strength as we exercise ourselves in prayer, Bible reading, study and daily godly living. It’s a brand new week press the up button and get off at the top.

Warning

Broken homes, broken hearts; towns that were nearly erased all because of a tornado. Homes lost, pets gone, picture, memorabilia, cars and boats all gone in a flash. As one man said it’s just stuff but I thank God that my family is okay. We’re all safe, no one is hurt because we had enough warning of the oncoming storms and we left for safer ground, thank God. It’s the difference between life and death taking heed to the warning we heard. In John chapter 8 and verse 24 we read this I (Jesus) said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Living without Him is hard. Dying without Him is hell. With God's warning also comes God's way to escape the storm.

Romans 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I know, I know we have heard the warning too many times but have we heeded the warning that we heard? Or have we said to ourselves not right now maybe later. What would have happened to those in the line of the tornado had they heard the warning and said “maybe later I am too busy at this moment; can’t you see I am putting the finishing touches on this project maybe then I’ll find a safer place. You would say to that person that they were out of their mind. What about those; maybe even yourself that have heard the warning that they could die in their sins or Jesus could come back at any moment. The warning is not taken seriously or the idea of later will be a more convenient time. That could have been what the people of Noah’s day thought and by thinking that way they literally missed the boat. Most everyone, if not everyone who reads these blogs knows the Lord as their personal savior; aren’t you glad you took heed to the warning and moved to safer ground; Jesus. In order for that to have taken place someone had to warn you that a storm was approaching so you could have the choice to make the decision to move to higher ground. Well, are we passing that same warning on to others? I’m not talking about pushing others into a corner and waving a big Bible in their face. Oh no, that’s not the kind of warning I want to do or see done to others. We all can warn others in small ways for we all have the ability to share and live what God has done in our life. Some plant, some water and some harvest but we can all have an opportunity to warn others.

1Corinthians 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Do others want what you have spiritually? See you next week have a great weekend!

Going Up

You'll see one as you walk down the corridor at the hotel, at the state building, at the department store, at the hospital. They are all over the place; what in the world am I talking about, you may ask. At the hotel, state building and the department store it's so small and it only takes one finger to press it, although I have seen some people hit it with the palm of their hand.  What, what is it? Why it's, the up button! You may be thinking, you made me read all that for an up button? Yes; but the question is not about the up button on the elevator. Oh no, it’s our attitude when we got up this morning, did we push the up bottom? Our attitude is our choice; we have the choice to push the up bottom or the down button. We can find the best in what we do, we can search for the best in people, we can praise the good or we can ignore the good and push the down button. We can have the controls to rule our spirit or we can be like a city with broken down walls.
Proverbs 25:28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls. Are you going up or are you taking others down? You're in charge! I choose the up button.  My good friend Joe heard it this way; Everyday is like getting on an elevator ; you can go “up” or go “down “; when you wake , (  “ALWAYS CHOOSE THE UP BUTTON “ ) it will make the day much brighter.

This Day

I'm one of those morning people. As you already know I'm sure! You have to admit that there are some advantages to those early hours of the day, getting started on things before there are interruptions, beating the world to the punch.

 Zephaniah 3:5-The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. Co-workers will fail you some days, your boss will, your family will, your mate will, your church, fellow believers, even spiritual leaders. But "every morning, He will not fail."

I'm so glad God has based some of His central promises on daily delivery, because we don't experience our life as weeks, or months, or years. What we do we do a day at a time, and so does God! He meets our needs in the form of "daily bread"

Matthew 6:11-Give us this day our daily bread. "His mercies are new every morning

Lamentations 3:22-23-It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Lamentations 3:23-They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. In

Psalm 68:19-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. We're told that God is our "Savior, who daily bears our burdens." That's a good thing, because that's how we experience our burdens isn't it - the weight of this particular day.

Deuteronomy 33:25-Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Our strength will equal our days. You will never have a day for which you do not have matching strength, even if some days give you more to carry than the day before. The Apostle Paul tells us one big reason why we never need to "lose heart."

2 Corinthians 4:16-For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. So, no matter how battered you got yesterday, God has promised that He will give you a renewing, rejuvenating, re-energizing touch each new day. Some days you're going to wake up anxious. Some days you're going to wake up dreading the day. Some days you're going to be excited about what's ahead. Other days you're going to be overwhelmed by what's ahead, or some days you may be discouraged, or eager, or exhausted. But however you are, no matter what that day holds, the sun is going to come up again. It always does. And God is going to light this day, no matter what. So why don't you claim God's guarantee for yourself. "every morning He faileth not" You can count on HIM! Now put some excitement into your day and a smile on your face, for the Lord will give you the strength for this day and this day only. Concentrate on today!

 Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Today is all we can handle!

Not by Accident

I witnessed a man talking with another man one day and I heard one of those men say to the other that he had great wisdom; I heard him tell him two times that he had great wisdom. I wondered what he meant by that statement? In the book of Proverbs that word “wisdom” is mentioned 54 times. If it is mentioned that much it must be an important word, let’s look at it for a moment and I believe we will see why that man was called a man of wisdom and where his wisdom came from.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Get wisdom, get insight; prize her and she will bring the honor. Just as a person would get anything else you must work for it. Want riches? It doesn’t come by accident. No one gives them to you. Want to be a professional football player, baseball player, basketball player? It doesn't come by accident. Want to be a writer of some kind it doesn't come by accident. Want to be the best in your field; it doesn't come by accident. Neither does wisdom come by accident for one must first know where to obtain wisdom. One must not let wisdom decline, therefore one must use the wisdom they get. The word principal means most important thing, influential; wisdom is the most important thing, wisdom will influence everything you do, so be sure you get it and understand what you have.
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.
Wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from the Lord and when we don't have wisdom we can ask for it. Now that’s ingenuous isn’t it?  The Lord wants us to know and understand so He’s made it fool proof for us to get; just ask!

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
That word upbraid means to criticize severely: find fault with; so when we asked the Lord for wisdom no matter how small or how much, He has promised that He would give it and give it literally and without criticizing us for asking. We'll never hear the Lord say you should have known better or you should have known that. The principal thing is to know God's word and the only way to do that is to read it and study it daily. Wisdom doesn’t come by accident, either!

Slippery Slope

When you think of the name Judas what comes to mind? Do you think that was the disciple that betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ? I got to thinking about that name and I have never met or known any one named Judas. Come to think of it I have never know anyone who has named their pet Judas; now I had a horse one time that was so mean that I named it Satan, but I never thought about the name Judas. Now I want to write about him for a reason and although we may have never betrayed the Lord Jesus as he did, you and I have sinned. Have you ever gotten so caught up in a wrong doing; oh, excuse me, have you ever justified something that you had planned on doing to the point that you did it? As Steve Curington has always said, “Before you did it you thunk it.” So Judas; before he betrayed the Lord Jesus, thought about it, planned it and then he did it.

Mark 3:19  And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

Mark 14:10  And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Mark 14:43  And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Wrong is always a slippery slope downward. It all seems so right, you get yourself all into it. You then keep telling yourself, why only one beer will be ok, one joint won’t hurt, just a few pills will help me to relax, wonder how he or she would treat me, one quick look on the internet will be ok. I’m an adult and I have seen it all before. Then before you know it one beer has turned into 50, one joint has lead you to buy a gram, those few pills now have you down at the ER telling lies to get more pills. Those thoughts about that person you were wondering about have gotten you into divorce court and that quick adult view on the internet now has you using your credit card. My, my, how those little innocent thoughts have gotten you into some more kind of problems and trouble. Just like Judas it all started in your head and finally got into your heart and then it was no stopping you. After it’s all over and we have done our wrong or our sin we then feel the guilt of our actions just as Judas did.

Matthew 27:3  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Matthew 27:4  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

Matthew 27:5  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Judas was angry with himself so angry that he allowed his guilt to bring him to a wrong response to his actions. When you are coming down off the high the guilt is horrible. We must be careful what we allow to enter into our heart. Guard it for you are the keeper, you’re the guard, you are the only one that will let it through. Think before you let it in I assure you you’ll be a happier person. Have a blessed week and watch out for wrong thinking.

Following Him Two

A closer look at this night aboard a ship with Jesus; If you’ll remember these disciples followed Jesus into the ship before the storm of earthquake proportions.

Matthew 8:23  And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. The storm has begun, the ship is now being covered with the waves; but what’s this? Jesus is not upset, why no He’s asleep; how could this be possible? These disciples are all upset!

Matthew 8:25  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. This disciple didn’t ask Jesus for Strength; They don’t ask Him to   still  the storm; They don’t ask Him for Knowledge or Wisdom; They don’t ask if He is aware of the Storm. No! No! They now have doubts about Jesus and His character: Don’t you care we are going to perish? Get the picture, The Disciples are screaming while Jesus is Dreaming. I want you to notice Jesus is not catnapping or resting He’s asleep. Let me ask you a question; could you sleep on the scream machine at six flags? That’s what Fear Does it clouds our confidence in the Goodness of God, It confuses our control “Do something, Do something, will somebody please do something!” Fear dulls our Miracle Memory! This fear caused these disciples to forget all they had witnessed earlier. What about you and I? When the storms come into our lives do we then allow fear to rob us of our miracle memory? Jesus was right there with His disciples, Jesus was right there in the storm with His disciples. Wait a minute, do we not have the same promise?

John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. In this storm Jesus had control.

 Matthew 8:26  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. I don’t want you to think fear doesn’t have a purpose, for it does. Signs, read Danger High Voltage, No Smoking while you are pumping gas, stay away from the edge, swift currents, rip tides…. Fear is not sin; but it can lead to sin. Many medicate fear with anger, alcohol, self-starvation, drugs, unhealthy fear is not from God 2Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Fear will always be around, don’t invite it in. When I was about 10 years old I went with a bunch of neighborhood boys to the theater to see a movie about Frankenstein and that afternoon I allowed fear to enter in. Life for years to come would never be the same. I became afraid of the dark, the man in Red, and any one that was dead. And just as you’re thinking right now “that’s crazy, why were you so fearful of something that was nothing.” That’s the same way Jesus felt toward His disciples and He said so “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? “ So why do you and I act the way of those disciples? Because many times when troubles come our way we too wonder where is Jesus and just like that night on the ship, He’s right there all the time. Have a blessed weekend and watch out for Mr. Fear and don’t let it cloud your confidence of the Goodness of God and don’t be robbed of your Miracle Memory.