Eating Worms

What would you say to a man who sat in a candle lit room and began to eat dates; as he bit into the first he saw a worm and he threw it away. He picked up another only to find the same. He then blew out the candle and ate the rest of the dates. I would say that, that man chose to live in the dark. Too many are choosing living in the dark when Jesus said He was the light. John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 1John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. In the very first book of the bible we find God separating the light from the darkness. He calls the light "good" but darkness is not a good thing. On the cross, during the middle of the day, darkness compassed the earth, demonstrating the bleakness of the power of sin that Jesus was conquering. Darkness is always a symbol of impurity, ignorance, being lost and evil. Now, that should be a clue to us about how we should live. We can see the worms and do something about them or we can turn off the lights and enjoy the dates. If Jesus is the light {and He is} then you and I need to live in the light of His word and the way we do that is by turning the light on by opening up our Bibles and reading them. As long as our Bibles stay closed then darkness will prevail. 1John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we walk! What is walking? It is putting one foot in front of the other to make progress. If we open our Bibles and begin to read we are walking and over a period of time as we walk in the light we will grow. Light dispels darkness so we need to get as much light as we possibly can. Are you walking in light because of the light you've been given from God's Word today or are you in darkness? In darkness you will stumble. John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

John 11:10
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

 

What is Death

This past weekend I went to a walk through Reality Theater which was designed for teen to show then what could happen to them it they made wrong choices. I must say it was very impressive and it dealt with death from car wrecks to suicides and drug use how young lives are wrecked. So what is death any ways? Aristotle called death the thing to be feared most because it appears to be the end of everything. That is sad depressing language! If death is nothing more than the end of everything what is the possibility of dying bravely? Suppose death is different less a curse and more a passageway, not a crisis to be avoided but a corner to be turned? So if death is the end of everything what in the world was Jesus talking about when He said these words.

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

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.

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also.
You are going to do what Jesus did; return from the dead and recue your followers. Not only did Jesus promise an afterlife, but a better life. I remember my friend he was a hard man he had almost killed a man in a fight. His health was failing him and when I went by his home it was to invite him to Church. He was kind but said no thanks. That day I made up in my mind that I was going to reach this man for Christ. So I began going by his home often and we talked about everything but Christ and Church. We soon became friends over a period of time and after a long time he came to Church and then one day he walked forward and asked the Lord to forgive him of sins. I saw an immediate change in him and we became even closer friends. I liked him for we were good enough friends that even when he was mad at me he was over it in about 5 no more than 10 minutes. He went to the doctor and the doctor told him he was going to have to have another open heart surgery. I remembered the morning he was to operated on I was at the hospital at 5:30 AM he arrived about 6:00 AM. I will never forget those hours we spent before they took him for his operation. We laughed and joked and then it was time; I walked with him as far as I could. He then looked me in the eyes and with a big smile on his face he said see you in a few hours. I then said are you not fearful? He said about what? If things go wrong I'll be better off, just remember all is in God's hands. I then bent over and kissed him on the check and told him I loved him. He made it through the operation just fine and he lived a good many more years in great health. Then one day he went to the bathroom and shut the door and went home to be with the Lord. He was not fearful of facing death. I went by his grave the other day he has been gone 5 years now and I can still hear his laugh and his concern for others that they might have the joy that he was experiencing. I spent much time with him and we never went anywhere that he did share his faith with whoever would listen. Didn't matter who or where he told everyone. He taught me much and when it came to death there was no fear he knew in who he had believed. I would have missed out had I given up on him; it just goes to show God can and is willing to forgive anyone who comes to him. So if you have been forgiven don't be fearful of death for you are headed to a far better place. Jesus said so!

 

The Bogeyman

Did you ever have trouble when you were younger with maybe the bogeyman and things that go bump in the night? I remember one night when I was about 12 years old my brother, my dad, my uncle and a bunch of others were sitting around a camp fire; when my uncle told me that he would give me $100.00 if I would go to the creek and get a hand full of wet sand. Now the creek was maybe 500 yards from where we were; and I sure would like to have a $100. But between me and that creek was nothing but darkness. As bad as I hated it I had to recline for I wanted to keep my life safe from the monsters that may be just leering around who knows what tree or valley. Now today I wouldn't even give that a second thought I would say "I'll take that in cash please and I'll be right back with a bucket of wet sand." I am sure we all had some childhood fears at one time or another and as adults we can laugh off those fears that seemed so real as a child. But the fact is that many adults experience something very similar. After the lights go out and the sound of silence fills the room, we are forced to face things that hid themselves in our busy day. No not the monsters of our childhood but the grown up monsters of deadlines, pressure at work, addictions, abuse, declining health, unemployment or the fact that tomorrow you may be asked to clean out your deck. Fear invades your sleep and if you let it, it will soon zap your strength. So what does our heavenly Father have to say about fear? 2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. If fear does not come from God would you like to take a guess then where it comes from?

1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

1Corintains 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Wow! Did you get all that? Fear will torment you if you let it. It has the possibility of taking away your sound thinking. But wait God has not given us the spirit of fear, but He has given us the power to have a sound mind. His love will case out fears {did you get that "FEARS"}! That's plural meaning more than one. Did you understand that the Lord is on your side and because of that we are not to have fear! For God is not the author of confusion but of peace so if He is not the author of confusion who pray tell do you think is? Let me close with this Psalms 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Opportunity to be Great

Have you ever missed an opportunity to be great? I think we would all like to be great in our children's lives, our wives eyes. There is a man I go to Church with and every time he is talking and his wife is by his side she has this look that says "my man knows what he is talking about you better listen." I have watched her many times and to tell you the truth I am not so much listening to him as I am watching her expressions. She has the opportunity and she takes advantage of it. I read this story I want to share with you; I wonder how many times I missed being great? It was in the Oklahoma City airport when a man saw a woman walking along with three little girls. They were skipping and singing, "Daddy's coming home on a big jet! Daddy's coming home on a big jet!" All excited! Eyes lit up like diamonds! Wild anticipation! They had never before met Daddy coming home on a jet. Their mother was so proud of them. You could see it in her eyes. Then the plane arrived, the door opened and the passengers streamed in. You didn't have to ask which one was Daddy. The girls' eyes were glued on him. But his first look was for his wife. Seeing her, he yelled, "Why in the heck didn't you bring my top coat?" and walked right past his adoring daughters. You see, here was a man who had an opportunity to be great, and he didn't recognize it. I wonder how many times a day or a week, a month do we have the opportunity to be great, and not even know it? The apostle Paul say in Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. It may be with just our looks and talk when our children show us something or as they dash across the room and grab us around our legs and make us almost fall. If we get angry we just missed an opportunity to be great. If we arrive home and our wife has not so much as fixed your supper you have a choice you can blow up and tell her how sorry she is or you can jump in and fix her something to eat. She may have had an awful day, or may not be feeling well herself. It's up to you! I had rather hear her telling someone how wonderful I am than hearing her telling someone how I acted with no consideration of how she felt. Take the opportunities to be great and watch for that opportunity to reveal itself. One day I will be gone and I want my children to have good memories of me in their heart. How much I loved them and showed them. My wife how much I loved her and the memories I want to be endless. I have missed times that I could have been great and have become like the man in the airport but I want them to be far and few between and if possible never. So why not today let's go see if we can be great in someone's life; look for the opportunity.

Satisfied with Yourself

It's seems we live in a day when many are not satisfied with themselves. Their hair is not the right color so they dye it. They are too tall or too small, their teeth are not white enough, their job is not what they want and on and on we could go. But stop for a minute and read this verse with me Psa 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; (I have been so amazingly and miraculously made). and that my soul knoweth right well. The very first word out of the mouth of the Psalmist is praise he is praising God because he is different and was made that way. We can't do much to change the way God made us but we can change our reactions about how we feel. You may never have heard of the name Tom Sullivan; no he wasn't related to Ed. But he was a world class athlete with two national championship records in wrestling. He was on the 1958 Olympic wrestling team. He earned a degree at Harvard in clinical psychology. He's an author. He's a sports enthusiast. He runs six miles every day. He swims. He even skydives and has 37 jumps to his credit and all this is good and even great but the best part is that Tom is blind. Amazing man! So you have a disadvantage well take advantage of it for you were made that way by God. Who wants to be like everyone else anyways? This is what sets you apart and makes you distinct and different. I am afraid we beat ourselves up with discouragement and self pity instead of looking at things differently. I want you to remember two things #1- We are in God's School
Job 36:22
God does great things by his power. Is there any teacher like him? In God's school we learn through the heart instead of the head, and by faith rather than by logic. #2- We have been bought with a price 1Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Why do you want to be just like everybody else? Be all that God made you be, what He wants you to be. Look to Him for leadership because He made you and He bought you so therefore He knows what is best for you so quit trying to be something or someone you're not! Praise Him and thank Him for His great creation; you!

 

Priceless Opportunity

If God knew that man would sin, why did He create him? That is a negative approach. The positive approach is If God knew that millions would find and enjoy eternal happiness, would He have been justified in not creating man. There are two sides to every picture. We have a free will. Varying circumstances may influence us; strong pressures may bear upon us; but we always have the power to choose.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Noah was asked by God to build a ship, the question is was he a fool? He worked without wages for many years. He served an employer who never came to see the job or send money to the worker. That's the way it looked but Noah kept working. When he did take time off he preached. The people listened to this old man and many must have decided he was good fun! When he rebuked their sinfulness they tolerated him; when he spoke of the holiness of God, they probably frowned and denied their sinfulness. When he told them the time of punishment was at hand they undoubtedly laughed at him. When Noah's predictions came true, they were dumbfounded. Yet they let the last seven days of priceless opportunity pass by. At anytime during that period, if any had walked through the door they would have been admitted. They let the opportunity go by. Have you ever stopped to think why? I mean out of all those people no one believed what Noah was saying; not one person. Were these people content with things the way they were? Was what Noah was saying so unbelievable? Then we read about another group in Matthew 25 we are told that there were ten virgins who all planned on meeting the bridegroom. In verse 2 we read
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
There were five wise and five foolish. What amazes me about the five foolish is that they were content and at ease. They were not fussy or fearful they fully expected to be there. Then we read Matthew 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (They thought they had plenty of time; they were wrong)

Matthew 25:7
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Matthew 25:8
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Matthew 25:9
But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Matthew 25:10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Matthew 25:11
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Matthew 25:12
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

These five virgins had let some very important details slide. You might ask what? I think it was readiness. They came they knocked but it was too late. When they had time they took it easy they were sleeping. Then the Lord tells us Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
We must be ready for when that day comes we will not have time to get ready! 1Corinthians 15:52
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Think you'll have time? Don't be fooled you will not if you are not ready get ready now don't delay.

That’s the same way Jesus felt

Like I promised on yesterday; how did Jesus' disciples handle the fear that was to be upon them?

Matthew 8:23
And when he (Jesus) was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

Now finally they are safe and have entered into the ship with Jesus; you couldn't be any saver could you? But as we read the next verse notice what it doesn't say "and behold a great rainbow was seen in the sky, a flock of doves were in happy formation, the sea like glass calm as a cruise on the Caribbean. No that's not what we are told. That's how many think; now that I am saved, one of God's children things will be great never another heart break, always money in the bank account never ever will there be unhappiness in my life. Wait, wait before you get to carried way thinking nothing ever again will go wrong in my life read John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Christians have heart attacks, Battle addictions, Bury their Children, we have incurable diseases and we face fears, and we also die! Here these disciples are and all is well until we read the next verse Mat 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
What was it, a "Great Tempest?" Remember this tempest is at earthquake proportions this ship was being agitated from side to side to and fro up and down. Are you getting the picture? Water is coming on board things look real bad; Then comes the question where is Jesus? Know where they find Him? Asleep! Then with a voice to get over all the sounds at sea, the storm and the screaming of the disciples this is what we read. Mat 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord,
save us:
we perish. They don'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. That is 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! These disciples have let what they saw and heard before the storm slip from their minds it's now Lord, Save us, we perish. As I read that I wonder how many times I have let the fears of today rob me of the blessing I had on yesterday and the day before that. Fear can cause us not to remember the past and focus on the present. I am reminded of what John 10:10
tells me The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I must say he does a great job at it but you and I must not forget the rest of that verse for it says something of much importance I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus had control during the storm just as He will have during our storms. Mat 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 that fear does not 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. Too 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 you 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 become 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?
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