Goals

Goals are made all the time some I have accomplished and others I have not. Webster says a goal is the end or final purpose; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or accomplish. So what are my aims what am I trying to reach or accomplish? What are yours? When in college I had a teacher whose name was Jim Smith. I took every class he taught and the day came when he became the song leader at the Church where I was a member. This was a great day to say the least! As I got to know him better I notice that every time he signed his name he put a Bible verse. So one day I asked him why he did that! This is what he said "that's my life verse, I sign my name and I always put that verse. I told myself I need me a life verse! So I asked myself what I wanted most out of life! I thought on this for a while and asked myself many questions. This was something important not just something I would do I wanted it to mean something, how I really felt. Solomon when asked by the Lord what he wanted this is what he said.1Ki 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Not great riches not ever great health but an understanding heart! So here the Lord brings Jim Smith into my life, a man I had great respect for. I had a great desire to know God's word; you see when God found me I could not quote one Bible verse. I can remember when in the military I saw the words John 3:16 and asked my friend what was that? He said it's a Bible verse don't you know that! No I didn't! I was 20 years old at the time. So what would be my life verse? What did I desire? Then I read it and without doubt this was it and now over 30 years later when I sign my name I add this verse. Before I tell you what it is let me share something else with you. You may have a goal today and goals are not easy to reach it takes work and a desire. As we work toward our goals opportunities will come, but along with opportunities will also come doubts, others will tell you it's not possible, you will want to quit. The first thing I did was write that verse down and began to put in my head and then when it was in my head I moved it to my heart. I read it every day until I knew it. Why you might ask? Because the day would come when someone would ask me what is this and I needed to be able to tell them without hesitation. So what was and still is my greatest desire? Simple 2 Timothy 2:15- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. You can have all the goals you want but remember a goal, not in writing, is simply a wish. So how many goals did you say you had?

 

Bed of Roses

I wish all in life was like being in a bed of roses; but wait it is! Roses are pretty; have soft peddles but they also have thorns! If one was to lay in a bed of roses you would have some pain and disappointment. Jacob did Genesis 42:36
all these things are against me.
Elijah prayed that he might die; 1Kings 19:4
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

John the Baptist had his doubts Matthew 11:3
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Even our Lord Himself cried: "My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" Many think they were born in the dark and must go through life in a gloomy state of mind with a depressed spirit. They gaze on the lowering clouds and hardly ever see the patches of bright blue skies and all one must do to see the blue is look up. I love what Psalms 146 says; read it with me.

Psa 146:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Psa 146:2
While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Psa 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Psa 146:4
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Psa 146:5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Psa 146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Psa 146:7
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Psa 146:8
The LORD openeth the eyes
of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

Psa 146:9
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Psa 146:10
The LORD shall reign forever,
even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

While you live Praise who? The Lord! Are you happy? Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help. Who is helping you? Is it the Lord? Make sure you are standing in Christ! Your feelings will change but "The Lord shall reign forever." John Bunyan put it this way "I have two sorts of money. One which I deposited in the bank and the other I keep in my pocket. What is in the bank is permanent, while the other is always changing. Feelings are like coins in my pocket, always changing." So you can be feebleminded or have an attitude of ready to quit and with those attitudes you will always see the valleys. How about looking up because you're not in charge anyways and when you are looking up you see things differently and can go over the river singing!

Psa 1:1
Blessed (Happy)
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Who are you listening to? Where is your delight? What are you thinking about?

Wise

In the Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary the meaning of the word "wise" is Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper, and what is improper; as a wise prince; a wise magistrate. Solomon was deemed the wisest man. But a man may be speculatively and not practically wise. Who wouldn't want to be wise! I mean being able to know what is true and what is false. We could look someone in the eyes and know without doubt that what they were telling us was true or either false. Who wouldn't want that gift! I'm sure you would like that; I would love to have that kind of wisdom wouldn't you? As I was reading my Bible the Lord showed me something that just jumped out at me. Let me share it with you. In Proverbs 16 and verse 23 it says The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. That is, a man that is wise in heart, as in
Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. His heart will teach his mouth what to say, when to say it, and before whom; he shall not be at a loss in what to say, nor how to say it; it will furnish him with words and things; My lips will say right things at the right time; wonderful, I'm ready for that you might say. Are you? Well here is how it's done. The mouth is controlled and can only speak what is going on in our hearts; Matthew 12:34……for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. That means I am going to talk about what is going on in my heart; that's what will come out of my mouth. Ever been around someone and they say a bad word? Know why? Because that's what was going on in the heart, and they couldn't control what came out the mouth. Notice it said the "abundance" Great plenty; an overflowing quantity. Like a pool of water that gets too full, the water is going to over flow so what we talk about the most is what our heart is full of. So when our heart is full of God it will come out our mouths but not only that our heart will teach our lips and we will know when and where and how to say it. If a man or woman gets mad and goes to fussing and talking loud it is easy for you and I to do the same; it's called getting in the flesh. We were born knowing how to do that, is that the way God wants us to handle a disgruntled person? I think not because Proverbs 15:1 teaches us how we are to react A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. What do you want to do? See who can get the loudest and say the most hurtful things? I love the next verse Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge the right way. Where does the wise get his knowledge? Simple 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.

Want God to come out of your mouth? He must first be in your heart! So what are you thinking about? Has someone hurt you? Then expect bitterness and unforgiveness to come out. Thinking about you and yours a lot? Then expect to hear the pronouns like I, me and mine used a lot in your vocabulary. Well, I just want the Lord to be seen in me today and I want to spend time thinking about Him today because I realize that without Him I'm nothing and He is the one others need to see and focus on. Stop right now and lift your hands in the air and say thank you Lord for your blessings on me; it will do you good!

 

Slave

One of my good friends just got back of a long needed vacation with his family. Vacations are great! For a few days we get to do what we want. No phone calls, No problems, Sleep as late or get up as early as you want and then decide what will be the daily activity. It is a time when we are free from the things we become slaves to. You see not all slaves wear chains; not all slaves are sold on an auction block. Some slaves have been physically free all their lives but are slaves to guilt over those mistakes of our past, shame over what we've been, or what we've done. Yes, slaves to our dark said, our anger, selfishness, habits and patterns that we just seem powerless to break. Why you can even be a slave to religious bondages! Fears of legalisms, allowing others to have power over us making us feel inadequate and helpless without their advice. It allows them to put shackles on us. We don't need to become slaves to religion or religious leaders and we don't need to become slaves to our past what you and I need is a Liberator and the liberator we need is Jesus Christ for He comes with what could be the very best news you have ever heard. Look with me in John chapter 8 John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, (surely, surely) I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin (lives a sinful life) is the servant (salve) of sin.

John 8:35 And the servant (slave) abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

John 8:36 (So) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (Absolutely free)

Look at these two verses John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

There's no religion, no spirituality, nor ritual that can liberate you from sin's shackles. The only one who can do that is the man who bought your freedom with His Blood. 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.
(To redeem many people)

He gave His life on the cross to take the guilt and the penalty for every wrong thing we've ever done. There is no other way to break sin's hold over us and to keep our sin from condemning us for all eternity. The line had been drawn between spiritual slavery and spiritual freedom and it runs by the cross of Jesus Christ. The question is have you ever stepped across that line and into His waiting, forgiving, healing arms? You cross that line when you say Lord I understand now that you love me so much that You died for me. You took my sin and gave me a new life in Christ Jesus and have "MADE ME FREE." What He's done for others He'll do for you because He is no respecter of persons." Act 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: That's how I got in the family! God didn't say this boy came from a good family and has had a good up bringing so he'll be good for my family. Oh no! That's not the way it happens at all. I was a sinner and when I realized that I asked God to forgive me and He did just that and He put me in His family and nobody can put me out. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
"Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, No freedom from my sorrow I felt; But Jesus came and listened to me And glory to God, He set me free, He set me free, He set me free, He broke the bonds of prison for me. I'm glory bound my Jesus to see, for glory to God, He set me free."

House or Home

Southern Railroad Company in 1905 constructed a tunnel along the face of Lookout Mountain and this tunnel intersected and sealed off the natural entrance to the Lookout Mountain Cave. In doing this, the Lookout Mountain Cave was completely shut off to the public. But
Leo Lambert, a local cave enthusiast knew of Lookout Mountain Cave and had even explored the cave prior to it being sealed off. He had a desire to reopen it to the public and devised a plan from which to do so. In 1923, Mr. Lambert along with a group of investors decided to enact his plan. His idea was to drill an elevator shaft from another point on the mountain to access the cave from the surface above. On December 28, 1928, while excavating the elevator shaft a worker operating a jackhammer discovered a void in the rock and felt a gush of air.
This void was located at the 260 foot level, still 160 feet above the Lookout Mountain Cave. Upon further inspection, an opening, 18 inches high and five feet wide, was discovered. Lambert, along with a small crew, entered this opening to explore the new found cave. While exploring they discovered a number of unusual and beautiful rock formations, flowing passages and several stream beds. Pushing their way deeper and deeper into the cave, they finally reached its marvelous jewel, the waterfall. Mr. Lambert and his exploration party were awestruck by its magnificence and beauty, and quickly returned to the surface to share their new found discovery with the rest of the crew.
Lambert named the falls in honor of his wife "Ruby." While in pursuit for something else Mr. Lambert found something that was far more important than what he was searching for. That's the way life is we are in pursuit of our dreams, we are working hard, we are making progress and then all of a sudden the Lord shows
us something far more important that will bring more enjoyment into our lives than we could have ever imagined. Can you remember the day that you were on the track toward your dream? It could have been a business, a bank account, a dream house (noticed I didn't say home for you can't buy a home just a house) position, or maybe it was just to fit in with a certain kind of people. We have all had dreams. Digging our way to what we thought would bring us true happiness when all of a sudden the Lord shows up and says this is the way walk ye in it! Some; like myself and hopefully you followed His direction and as I had said many times "I would not trade one day with the Lord for all the days without Him." Like the songs says

 

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No, not one! No, not one!

None else's could heal all our soul's diseases, No, not one! No, not one!

 

No friend like Him is so high and holy, No, not one! No, not one!

And yet no friend is so meek and low-ly No, not one! No, not one!

 

There's not an hour that He is not near us, No, not one! No, not one!

No night so dark but His love can cheer us, No, not one! No, not one!

 

The song goes on for two more verses as it tells us that Jesus is a friend that will not forsake his children or a sinner so bad that He would not take him into His family. Then we are told of the gift like the Savior that was given and then "Will He refuse us a home in heaven? "No, not one! No, not one!"
Wait that means me! Excuse me but I am just going to have to shout about my HOME in HEAVEN (home, remember you can't buy homes) John 14:2-In my Father's house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. "I go to prepare a place for you. (Wayne)
V-3-
And if I go and prepare a place for you, (Wayne) I will come again and receive you (Wayne) into myself; that where I am, there ye (Wayne) may be also. Don't you see it? Put your name there and you can shout too!

 

Money! In the Field

When my grand children were young I would tell them stories and in those stories I would give them a way to answer with an A answer or a B answer. Let me explain. I would say "you are out playing in this field and you saw a bag, you ran over to it and opened it up and it was full of money what would you do? A-would you tell your Mom & Dad or B- would you hide it and spend it yourself? How would you answer that? In a case like this I would say "it's my lucky day and hide the money and spend it myself. Not on wrong things mind you but on good things. Why I would give some to the poor, battered children, the Church, children's hospitals and a host of other worthy causes. You know like you hear people say they only play the lottery for the children! I have yet to hear of any lottery winner giving anything to the children. But to read how they went broke after a few years. So let's say I choose to hide the money and spend it myself. Now finding the money wasn't wrong; but it wasn't mine. If it's right why do I have to hide it? Now let's say I go in to a store and spend some of the money and the serial numbers come up and the police are called and I am taken in for questioning. So I tell them what has happened then they say we want you to look at something. They then show me a video tape of the money being taken and the person taking it. The body of the person taking the money looks like mine even his face except for the mask looks like me. Guess what? I may be going to jail for a long time for something I didn't do!

That is just a story I made up but what about this. James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Now I am sure if we found a bag of money in a field I would hope we would do the right thing. But what about when we know to do right or good and we don't do it? James says it is sin! So if I know something is right and I hide it; what is that?

Genesis 3:8
And they (Adam & Eve) heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:10
And he (Adam) said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. If it's not wrong don't hide! Here is what is interesting; we may think we are hiding it but Psalms 69:5
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. We battle with it every day it's called sin; small, little, big, large it really doesn't matter it is sin and we all need help with it. 1John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Every sin has its origin in your heart.

Small compromises lead to great disasters.

Our sinful habit hurts those who follow us.

We lose our freedom of choice after we have chosen our actions. The consequences of our actions are now up to God.

God balances guilt with blame. Accept the blame for our actions and God, through our confession and forgiveness will eliminate the guilt.

 

If you were to find the money in the field don't hide it! For God knows where it's at!

 

 

Complaining

Complaining is something we all do from time to time. We complain if it rains too much and we complain if it doesn't rain enough. We complain if we miss an opportunity, we complain if we get sick, we complain if we….you get the picture I'm sure. There is not one who is reading this now that hasn't been treated wrong at one time or another. We have cried, felt lonely and left behind and at times we have felt that no one even cares about poor oh little me. But wait, there is nothing you or I can do about the troubles that come into our life is there? Well I think there is! Troubles will come that is for sure and if we live with a troubled attitude it will only make things worse. Try this instead of listing the troubles and problems why not make a gratitude list. That's right a list of things that you are grateful for. Let's see! How's your health? Are you enjoying eating every day? Loving family? Maybe you are glad the weekend is almost here? Do you have clothes to wear? Someone who loves you? Maybe you're the hero in your sons or daughters life? You are taking a vacation in a few weeks? A wife who still loves you and has encouraging words for you each day? If all else fails you may have a pet that awaits for your arrival each day. I love it, when all else has gone wrong I walk in the door and my dog is always glad I'm home. I am sure you can think of others to add to your list. Remember now only put on your list things you are grateful for. This is a terrific way to change your attitude in a hurry. You may say why is that? When I was in the military we were taught about our enemy but we were also taught about our weapon and how to use it. Now with that in mind let me show you something about our enemy. Our enemy only wants to do three things and he is very successful at doing them and he has destroyed many a person's life. John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: There they are Steal, Kill, Destroy…Steal your joy by your complaining... Kill your desires by dwelling on the past; which you can do nothing about. Destroy your zeal by getting you to think everybody is against you and no one loves you. Think like that and you'll soon be so depressed and stressed out and feel you're hopeless. But I love the next part of that verse…. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Now you can dwell on what's going wrong or the abundant life! I choose the latter! I say let's cut the pity party short and shift to the gratitude list because gratitude will get you much farther in life than complaining. The weapon we need to know how to use is our Bible it needs to get off the table and into our hearts. Psa 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Notice he said in our heart not our head. This is not Bible memorization for that will be in your head David said in your heart. Wonder what my wife would say if I said "sweetheart I love you with all my head." No, I love her with all my heart and there is a big difference. With my heart I know her and love her. So it is with Jesus Christ I know Him and love Him with my heart.

Now get busy with your Gratitude list…..only things you're grateful for! You have 10 minutes and we are turning the light out on the pity party.