James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
Life by its very nature is a mixed bag.
-It hands us both beauty and tragedy,
love and loss, pleasure and pain.
-What we do with it, however, is up to us.
-We
can let it split us in two, or we can use even its hardest times to make our
souls stronger and our hearts more loving.
-We can spend it complaining or we can
use it to help others, share God’s love, and make Heaven smile.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12).
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Change
Romans
1:14-16 “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the
wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the
gospel to you that are at Rome
Change! Can you believe that one word can impact the world, open doors of ministry, and at the same time tear churches apart. Perhaps you have seen on TV in the past the commercials that advertise the city ofLas Vegas
Unfortunately I believe that is what has been happening in the church today. Undeniably, we have seen some wonderful moves of God take place. The Holy Spirit’s gifts are in operation. Healing is taking place. Wonderful testimonies of God’s power have been shared. But are we living by the code, “what happens here stays here”?
Don’t you know that the world is looking for the
spiritual excitement that we are experiencing here? Don’t you know that many in
this town have been in one church or another at some point in their lives and
there was nothing to keep them there? Don’t you know that the Holy Spirit power
that is evident in this church is enough to provide something lasting in the
lives of those who have never found anything in any other church?
“I will take away your hearts of stone and give you
hearts of flesh.” Once we have changed our minds to the necessity of
evangelizing, we have to be predisposed to it. Change your hearts. Solomon
pronounced a blessing over the children of Israel
“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his
people Israel
-Having a change of Spirit.
Verse 16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
I know a lot of people who are dedicated to a church.
-One group is so dedicated to a particular church or
denomination that it makes you stop and wonder if their salvation comes through
Christ or through that church. They see their obligation to their church as the
first and foremost priority. They may or may not have a true change of heart.
-We see those who have an obvious change of heart but
fail in their commitment to the church
of Jesus Christ
-Personal evangelism is about winning people to
Christ. There is no question about that. But Jesus didn’t simply tell us to go
and witness. He said go and make disciples. You can have a change of mind and a
change of heart, but if you are not truly changed in your spirit you can say,
“I am not ashamed of the gospel…” and not really mean it. To Paul not being
ashamed of the gospel meant being willing, and compelled in his spirit by the
Spirit of God, to go! The word “ashamed” means disfigurement or disgrace. Paul
is not disfigured or disgraced over the truth of God. He is willing to preach
the gospel at any cost. In this case it meant his going to Rome
-Change is a difficult word. But change within the church can change the world. I want you to notice one thing that we haven’t discussed. I know we have power in the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but verse 16 tells us that the “gospel” is the power of God to salvation. The gospel message is simple. Point 1: Who Jesus Was! Point 2: What Jesus Did! It’s that simple.
-Change your minds. Let God’s word dwell in you
richly. See things from God’s perspective. Know that you need to share the
gospel. Be obligated.
-Change your hearts. Remember how Jesus walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection? He shared with them how the word of God had foretold everything that would happen. He shared the gospel message with them. Luke 24:32 says, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Be eager.
-Change your spirits. The prophet Jeremiah got to the point that he thought it was useless to speak God’s word. Nobody listened. “But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak anymore in His name, His word is like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.” Be unashamed.
Change! Can you believe that one word can impact the world, open doors of ministry, and at the same time tear churches apart. Perhaps you have seen on TV in the past the commercials that advertise the city of
Unfortunately I believe that is what has been happening in the church today. Undeniably, we have seen some wonderful moves of God take place. The Holy Spirit’s gifts are in operation. Healing is taking place. Wonderful testimonies of God’s power have been shared. But are we living by the code, “what happens here stays here”?
Romans 1:14-16 is part of a passage in which Paul
writes of his desire to visit the church in Rome
-Obligated to change our mindset.
Romans 1:14 NIV “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish.”
Romans 1:14 NIV “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish.”
The word translated “obligated” in the NIV is “debtor”
in the KJV. Paul’s recognition is that he has a responsibility as a Christian.
In the context of the passage his responsibility is win the lost. Paul’s
passion was for the lost. Obligation originates in the mind. As Christians we
know that we have certain obligations. When we are saved our minds are changed.
We see things from a different perspective – from God’s perspective. God’s
perspective is that He desires that none should perish but that all should come
to repentance. So our obligation is to do everything we can to affect that
purpose.
Romans 12:2 says that it is the renewing of our minds
transforms us. “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
So the way we think should be in a constant state of
change. We as the church must be obligated to changing our minds. Why-Because
the word says so? No, but because we want to know God’s will. Now, how do we
exercise our obligations? It is through the church. When our minds are in that
continual state of renewal and change we will recognize that we are obligated
to God through the church. We are obligated to God’s work in the church – which
is what? – bringing the lost to Christ.
-Eager to have a change of Heart.
Verse 15 “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you inRome
Verse 15 “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you in
The word translated “eager” means that Paul is
predisposed to the task He is ready, but it includes an element of passion or
fierceness. We already developed the idea of changing the way you think.
Eagerness comes from the heart. Eagerness to win the lost involves having a
heart transplant. Isn’t that the fulfillment of what the prophet Ezekiel said?
-Having a change of Spirit.
Verse 16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
-Change is a difficult word. But change within the church can change the world. I want you to notice one thing that we haven’t discussed. I know we have power in the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but verse 16 tells us that the “gospel” is the power of God to salvation. The gospel message is simple. Point 1: Who Jesus Was! Point 2: What Jesus Did! It’s that simple.
-Change your hearts. Remember how Jesus walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection? He shared with them how the word of God had foretold everything that would happen. He shared the gospel message with them. Luke 24:32 says, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Be eager.
-Change your spirits. The prophet Jeremiah got to the point that he thought it was useless to speak God’s word. Nobody listened. “But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak anymore in His name, His word is like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.” Be unashamed.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Keeping Christ In Christmas By Living Right Every Day
Every year I hear about Christians who hear the "Happy Holidays" greeting given to them at stores to mean there is a full-on war against their faith. I find it funny that the person checking out their big screen TV on Black Friday somehow is thought to have some power to destroy Christmas. Yet some believers get absolutely hot about the fact that we don't keep Christ in Christmas as far as the world is concerned and want to blame somebody as the result.
What they fail to understand is that culture didn't remove Christ from Christmas. We Christians did. We transformed the period from late November until December 24th, from a time of holy watching and waiting to one of hyper-consumerism and cultural observances. So much so that when we go to a big box store and don't hear "Merry Christmas" we see it as an attack on our faith-but we let it happen!
Let me explain what I mean.
I believe that Christmas is under attack, but I don't think the stores who have "holiday sales" are the attackers. I don't think it's towns that remove Nativity scenes from parks. I don't believe it's public schools that insist that Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist kids not be asked to sing songs affirming a faith different from their own. I believe the greatest attack on Christmas has come from within our ranks. It has come from those of us who claim our greatest hope comes from the fact that God became a person of goodness, kindness, justice, and love, and who then act nothing like that person did.
When Jesus called his followers up to a hill and preached to them, he told them who the "blessed" were. These were the ones whom God has looked with favor upon and will grant joy. The ones Christ calls blessed are often the same ones we as a culture are the quickest to condemn or criticize. We blame them for their own situation, and we refuse to help them. We somehow forget that when God became incarnate and preached a sermon about who was most blessed by God, these are the ones who were named: the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the peacemakers, the merciful, the mourners, the pure in heart, the gentle. If Christmas is about the incarnation of God, and this is what God incarnate saw fit to tell us, then this is the ultimate Christmas message.
So how do we keep Christ in Christmas? Worry less about the holiday policies of non-religious institutions, and think more about whether we are actually listening to, and then doing, what Christ has told us to do. In short, keep Christ in Christmas by acting like Christians not just for a season, but 365 days a year. How many times have we told God by our actions that we could care less what Christmas means? Because if we don't take seriously the words of the man who was that baby born on Christmas, we have no idea what it means to keep Christ in Christmas.
If you want to keep Christ in Christmas live like He did every day. It won't be a seasonal celebration you receive, but one that is eternal and will never cease.
What they fail to understand is that culture didn't remove Christ from Christmas. We Christians did. We transformed the period from late November until December 24th, from a time of holy watching and waiting to one of hyper-consumerism and cultural observances. So much so that when we go to a big box store and don't hear "Merry Christmas" we see it as an attack on our faith-but we let it happen!
Let me explain what I mean.
I believe that Christmas is under attack, but I don't think the stores who have "holiday sales" are the attackers. I don't think it's towns that remove Nativity scenes from parks. I don't believe it's public schools that insist that Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist kids not be asked to sing songs affirming a faith different from their own. I believe the greatest attack on Christmas has come from within our ranks. It has come from those of us who claim our greatest hope comes from the fact that God became a person of goodness, kindness, justice, and love, and who then act nothing like that person did.
When Jesus called his followers up to a hill and preached to them, he told them who the "blessed" were. These were the ones whom God has looked with favor upon and will grant joy. The ones Christ calls blessed are often the same ones we as a culture are the quickest to condemn or criticize. We blame them for their own situation, and we refuse to help them. We somehow forget that when God became incarnate and preached a sermon about who was most blessed by God, these are the ones who were named: the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the peacemakers, the merciful, the mourners, the pure in heart, the gentle. If Christmas is about the incarnation of God, and this is what God incarnate saw fit to tell us, then this is the ultimate Christmas message.
So how do we keep Christ in Christmas? Worry less about the holiday policies of non-religious institutions, and think more about whether we are actually listening to, and then doing, what Christ has told us to do. In short, keep Christ in Christmas by acting like Christians not just for a season, but 365 days a year. How many times have we told God by our actions that we could care less what Christmas means? Because if we don't take seriously the words of the man who was that baby born on Christmas, we have no idea what it means to keep Christ in Christmas.
If you want to keep Christ in Christmas live like He did every day. It won't be a seasonal celebration you receive, but one that is eternal and will never cease.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Words to live by
-Before middle age – Do not fear!
-After middle age – Do not regret!
-Enjoy Your Life While You Can.
-Do not wait till you cannot even walk just to be sorry and to regret!
-As long as it is physically possible, visit places you wish.
-Get out of the stock market! When the share prices are up, your blood pressure goes up too, you want to buy but you cannot get. When the share prices are down, you panic and want to sell, but no one wish to buy.
-You can’t make all the money, why not let the young ones have a chance!
-When there is an opportunity, get together with old classmates, old colleagues & old friends.
-The gathering is not just about eating, the concern is there is not much time left!
-Money kept in the banks may not be really yours. When it is time to spend, just spend.
-You should treat yourself well as you’re Whatever you feel like eating, just eat!
-It is most important to be happy!
-After middle age – Do not regret!
-Enjoy Your Life While You Can.
-Do not wait till you cannot even walk just to be sorry and to regret!
-As long as it is physically possible, visit places you wish.
-Get out of the stock market! When the share prices are up, your blood pressure goes up too, you want to buy but you cannot get. When the share prices are down, you panic and want to sell, but no one wish to buy.
-You can’t make all the money, why not let the young ones have a chance!
-When there is an opportunity, get together with old classmates, old colleagues & old friends.
-The gathering is not just about eating, the concern is there is not much time left!
-Money kept in the banks may not be really yours. When it is time to spend, just spend.
-You should treat yourself well as you’re Whatever you feel like eating, just eat!
-It is most important to be happy!
Monday, November 26, 2012
The history of the candy cane
One of the most often seen symbols of Christmas is the candy cane. Not only are candy canes used as a sweet Christmastime treat but they are also used for decoration. How did this seasonal candy get its familiar shape, and when did it become part of Christmas tradition?
When the practice of using Christmas trees to celebrate Christmas became popular in Europe the people there began making decorations for their trees. Many of the decorations were food items including cookies and candy. The predecesor of our modern candy cane appeared at about this time in the seventeenth century. These were straight, white sticks of sugar candy.
Part of the Christmas celebration at the Cologne Cathedral were pagents of living creches. In about 1670 the choirmaster there had sticks of candy bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to children who attended the ceremonies. This became a popular tradition, and eventually the practice of passing out the sugar canes at living creche ceremonies spread throughout Europe.
The use of candy canes on Christmas trees made its way to America by the 1800’s, however during this time they were still pure white. They are represented this way on Christmas cards made before 1900, and it is not until the early 20th century that they appear with their familiar red stripes.
Many people have given religious meaning to the shape and form of the candy cane. It is said that its shape is like the letter “J” in Jesus’ name. It is also in the shape of the shepherds’ crook, symbolic of how Jesus, like the “Good Shepherd” watches over his children like little lambs. It is a hard candy, solid like a “rock”, the foundation of the Church. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.
Some say the white of the candy cane represents the purity of Jesus and his virgin birth. The bold red stripe represents God’s love. The three fine stripes are said by some to represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Others say they represent the blood spilled at the beating Jesus received at the hands of the Roman soldiers.
From its plain early beginnings to its familiar shape and color of today, the candy cane is a symbol of Christmas and a reminder of the meaning of the holiday.
When the practice of using Christmas trees to celebrate Christmas became popular in Europe the people there began making decorations for their trees. Many of the decorations were food items including cookies and candy. The predecesor of our modern candy cane appeared at about this time in the seventeenth century. These were straight, white sticks of sugar candy.
Part of the Christmas celebration at the Cologne Cathedral were pagents of living creches. In about 1670 the choirmaster there had sticks of candy bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to children who attended the ceremonies. This became a popular tradition, and eventually the practice of passing out the sugar canes at living creche ceremonies spread throughout Europe.
The use of candy canes on Christmas trees made its way to America by the 1800’s, however during this time they were still pure white. They are represented this way on Christmas cards made before 1900, and it is not until the early 20th century that they appear with their familiar red stripes.
Many people have given religious meaning to the shape and form of the candy cane. It is said that its shape is like the letter “J” in Jesus’ name. It is also in the shape of the shepherds’ crook, symbolic of how Jesus, like the “Good Shepherd” watches over his children like little lambs. It is a hard candy, solid like a “rock”, the foundation of the Church. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.
Some say the white of the candy cane represents the purity of Jesus and his virgin birth. The bold red stripe represents God’s love. The three fine stripes are said by some to represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Others say they represent the blood spilled at the beating Jesus received at the hands of the Roman soldiers.
From its plain early beginnings to its familiar shape and color of today, the candy cane is a symbol of Christmas and a reminder of the meaning of the holiday.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
All I Want For Christmas
All I want for Christmas is the return of my member's prodigal.
Lord, please, for Christmas could their child come home? Would you set him free from his addictions? Cause her to choose not to live with her boyfriend? May they see the emptiness and destructiveness of their choices? And, Lord, may they have peace in their family for Christmas.
For many years I have asked for just such gifts for members of my congregation. If you are a pastor you have as well. A couple of helpful thoughts that helped me through those years:
-God knows the yearnings of your heart. He knows exactly what you want for Christmas. And He is so willing for you to ask, to be honest, to cry out. So don’t be afraid to tell Him how your heart aches, about your fears for your loved ones, about your concerns for your other children, about how overwhelmed you feel at this time meant for celebration.
-At the same time, remember that His answers almost always look so different, and have such later timing, than our requests. We can’t understand what He is doing and He tells us His ways are above ours. Yet Scripture tells us repeatedly that He knows, understands, and is filled with compassion for our pain.
He has given us many wonderful promises that enable us to express our love for and trust in Him and see His faithful responses. Just read and meditate on these words from God:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“ (Matt. 6:33)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:28-29)
So for this Christmas, I join you in asking God for miracles in the lives of your prodigals. But I also ask that He will help you to seek Him first and enable you to experience His peace and freedom from fear and deep rest in Him.
May His blessings overflow you this Christmas season.
Lord, please, for Christmas could their child come home? Would you set him free from his addictions? Cause her to choose not to live with her boyfriend? May they see the emptiness and destructiveness of their choices? And, Lord, may they have peace in their family for Christmas.
For many years I have asked for just such gifts for members of my congregation. If you are a pastor you have as well. A couple of helpful thoughts that helped me through those years:
-God knows the yearnings of your heart. He knows exactly what you want for Christmas. And He is so willing for you to ask, to be honest, to cry out. So don’t be afraid to tell Him how your heart aches, about your fears for your loved ones, about your concerns for your other children, about how overwhelmed you feel at this time meant for celebration.
-At the same time, remember that His answers almost always look so different, and have such later timing, than our requests. We can’t understand what He is doing and He tells us His ways are above ours. Yet Scripture tells us repeatedly that He knows, understands, and is filled with compassion for our pain.
He has given us many wonderful promises that enable us to express our love for and trust in Him and see His faithful responses. Just read and meditate on these words from God:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“ (Matt. 6:33)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:28-29)
So for this Christmas, I join you in asking God for miracles in the lives of your prodigals. But I also ask that He will help you to seek Him first and enable you to experience His peace and freedom from fear and deep rest in Him.
May His blessings overflow you this Christmas season.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
'Tis the Season
I got to see the Million Dollar Quartet at the Peace Center with my family. This has been one of if not the best Thanksgiving ever. Candy cooked a wonderful meal Thursday, Becky made the Mac and cheese and of course her fabulous Haystacks. We ate, played with Samson and Sable, threw the football and Frisbee, watched the parade, and roasted marshmallows. What a great day just being together. Then all of us watching Elvis, Carl,Jerry Lee, and Johnny last night together at the Peace Center brought back some special childhood memories. That's what makes this season special. It's the love and togetherness that families have for each other and getting to spend that time with each other.
Whether it's listening to Hannah talk, or hearing Gracie complain (LOL), or watching Hayden play I am reminded so of when Shane was their age. My grands help make this season special and with the new baby on the way it can only get better. My dad never got to know all of his grands, but he sure would have enjoyed them. I told someone this week that Becky completed me, Shane was a miracle, Candy a double-blessing, and my grandchildren icing on the cake. I may not pastor the largest church, or have the biggest bank account, but I'm a blessed man.
Looking at the time I've been given with my family reminds me of what Christmas really is all about. It's about enjoying childhood and those special in your life. It isn’t about how expensive the gifts we give and receive are. It is about the birth of a special child some two thousand years ago. This child would grow up to teach us all how to love each other. He would give us all so much joy. He would show us all how to face the trials of this life with faith and hope while preparing our souls for the greater life to come. He would help us to know that it's those we love matter more than all the riches of this world.
May we all embrace the wisdom of this special child. May we all fill this Christmas with hugs, kisses, laughter, and joy with our families. Don't waste this opportunity, but take advantage of it. Make this Christmas season special just by being together as a family.
Whether it's listening to Hannah talk, or hearing Gracie complain (LOL), or watching Hayden play I am reminded so of when Shane was their age. My grands help make this season special and with the new baby on the way it can only get better. My dad never got to know all of his grands, but he sure would have enjoyed them. I told someone this week that Becky completed me, Shane was a miracle, Candy a double-blessing, and my grandchildren icing on the cake. I may not pastor the largest church, or have the biggest bank account, but I'm a blessed man.
Looking at the time I've been given with my family reminds me of what Christmas really is all about. It's about enjoying childhood and those special in your life. It isn’t about how expensive the gifts we give and receive are. It is about the birth of a special child some two thousand years ago. This child would grow up to teach us all how to love each other. He would give us all so much joy. He would show us all how to face the trials of this life with faith and hope while preparing our souls for the greater life to come. He would help us to know that it's those we love matter more than all the riches of this world.
May we all embrace the wisdom of this special child. May we all fill this Christmas with hugs, kisses, laughter, and joy with our families. Don't waste this opportunity, but take advantage of it. Make this Christmas season special just by being together as a family.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thanksgiving
There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the people responsible for the American Thanksgiving tradition. Contrary to popular opinion, the Pilgrims didn’t wear buckles on their shoes or hats. They weren’t teetotalers, either. They smoked tobacco and drank beer. And, most importantly, their first harvest festival and subsequent “thanksgivings” weren’t held to thank the local natives for saving their lives.
Do you know there are public schools in America today actually teaching that? Some textbooks, in their discomfort with open discussions of Christianity, say as much. I dare suggest most parents today know little more about this history than their children.
Yet, there is no way to divorce the spiritual from the celebration of Thanksgiving – at least not the way the Pilgrims envisioned it, a tradition dating back to the ancient Hebrews and their feasts of Succoth and Passover.
The Pilgrims came to America for one reason – to form a separate community in which they could worship God as they saw fit. They had fled England because King James I was persecuting those who did not recognize the Church of England’s absolute civil and spiritual authority.
On the two-month journey of 1620, William Bradford and the other elders wrote an extraordinary charter – the Mayflower Compact. Why was it extraordinary? Because it established just and equal laws for all members of their new community – believers and non-believers alike. Where did they get such revolutionary ideas? From the Bible, of course.
When the Pilgrims landed in the New World, they found a cold, rocky, barren, desolate wilderness. There were no friends to greet them, Bradford wrote. No houses to shelter them. No inns where they could refresh themselves. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims died of sickness or exposure – including Bradford’s wife. Though life improved for the Pilgrims when spring came, they did not really prosper. Why? Once again, the textbooks don’t tell the story, but Bradford’s own journal does. The reason they didn’t succeed initially is because they were practicing an early form of socialism.
The original contract the Pilgrims had with their merchant-sponsors in London called for everything they produced to go into a common store. Each member of the community was entitled to one common share. All of the land they cleared and the houses they built belonged to the community. Bradford, as governor, recognized the inherent problem with this collectivist system.
“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years … that by taking away property, and bringing community into common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing – as if they were wiser than God,” Bradford wrote. “For this community [so far as it was] was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any recompense … that was thought injustice.”
What a surprise! Even back then people did not want to work without incentive. Bradford decided to assign a plot of land to each family to work and manage, thus turning loose the power of free enterprise. What was the result?
“This had very good success,” wrote Bradford, “for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.”
As a result, the Pilgrims soon found they had more food than they could eat themselves. They set up trading posts and exchanged goods with the Indians. The profits allowed them to pay off their debts to the merchants in London much faster than expected. The success of the Plymouth colony thus attracted more Europeans and set off what we call the “Great Puritan Migration.”
But it wasn’t just an economic system that allowed the Pilgrims to prosper. It was their devotion to God and His laws. And that’s what Thanksgiving is really all about. The Pilgrims recognized that everything we have is a gift from God – even our sorrows. Their Thanksgiving tradition was established to honor God and thank Him for His blessings and His grace.
Yesterday we continued that tradition in my family– and I hope in yours. God bless you, God bless America, and Happy Thanksgiving Weekend.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
An Attitude Of Gratitude
It takes an effort to develop an attitude of gratitude daily. We have to learn how to be grateful and thankful even in the midst of our trials. So it is with great discipline I constantly remind myself of the many reasons I have to be grateful.
I hope you take some time today or tomorrow to come up with your own list. And if it doesn’t come naturally, don’t let that stop you. There is still much to be thankful for. Here are ten of my reasons to give thanks today:
- I am thankful for my health and for the chance to make it better.
-I am thankful for my wife, who has been my biggest fan since the day we were married and has never once let me down.
-I am thankful for my church that it is sometimes difficult and yet easy to pastor at the same time. Always frustrating, yet always rewarding.
-I am extremely thankful for Shane, Candace, Hannah, Gracie, Hayden, and our new one coming in the spring. They are my greatest inspiration to succeed in the world today.
-I am thankful for living in a state full of creative minds and opportunities.
-I am thankful for doing work that matters to God and for the Church of God that gave me the opportunity.
-I am thankful for music. Yes, all kinds of music. Elvis, the Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Blackwoods, The Statesmen, The Imperials-you name it and I like it.
-I am thankful for movies that allow me to turn part of my brain off and still be inspired.
-I am thankful for books-eBooks, audiobooks, children’s books, novels, and memoirs.
-Lastly, and most importantly, I am thankful for Grace-for love that cannot be explained (only surrendered to), from our Creator that inspires creativity, for purpose and a hope that there is more to the story than we see.
I hope you take some time today or tomorrow to come up with your own list. And if it doesn’t come naturally, don’t let that stop you. There is still much to be thankful for. Here are ten of my reasons to give thanks today:
- I am thankful for my health and for the chance to make it better.
-I am thankful for my wife, who has been my biggest fan since the day we were married and has never once let me down.
-I am thankful for my church that it is sometimes difficult and yet easy to pastor at the same time. Always frustrating, yet always rewarding.
-I am extremely thankful for Shane, Candace, Hannah, Gracie, Hayden, and our new one coming in the spring. They are my greatest inspiration to succeed in the world today.
-I am thankful for living in a state full of creative minds and opportunities.
-I am thankful for doing work that matters to God and for the Church of God that gave me the opportunity.
-I am thankful for music. Yes, all kinds of music. Elvis, the Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Blackwoods, The Statesmen, The Imperials-you name it and I like it.
-I am thankful for movies that allow me to turn part of my brain off and still be inspired.
-I am thankful for books-eBooks, audiobooks, children’s books, novels, and memoirs.
-Lastly, and most importantly, I am thankful for Grace-for love that cannot be explained (only surrendered to), from our Creator that inspires creativity, for purpose and a hope that there is more to the story than we see.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I am thankful
The older I get, the more I realize the importance of the little things that are right in front of me to appreciate all year long. So, once again, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, this uniquely American holiday, here is the list of blessings for which I am thankful in 2012.
First and foremost, I am thankful to God, who gives me what the Bible calls “a peace that passes all understanding.” This was at the core of the first Thanksgiving celebration in Colonial America, as red men shared their bounty with white men, and early Americans gave thanks to Almighty God for the gift of life.
I am thankful for my loving bride, Becky, a beautiful, talented, godly woman who has borne my troubles and my child, who has been my life partner and my prayer warrior, my trusted counselor and my best friend for almost 41 years and counting.
I am thankful our son, Shane. He grew up far too fast, and as he went out to make his own way in the world, he has left behind a trail of memories for his mother and me. This Thanksgiving, as always, we will once again rejoice in he and his wife's company and the gift of the three (soon to be four) grandchildren they have given us.
I am thankful for the people in my life who know me well and still love me. You know who you are. As I told someone the other day, the people who love us will still be here long after the people we try so hard to impress have forgotten our names.
I am thankful for the Founders of the United States of America, who risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor that I might be born in a free country. When I consider the odds of having been placed here in this nation at this moment in time, I cannot do the math. With so many billions of people in this world who live in political, economic and/or spiritual bondage, I am in awe of the blessing God has granted me.
I am thankful for the Declaration of Independence, which acknowledges that my rights come from God, not from man. I am thankful for the Constitution — especially the First Amendment, which guarantees us the right to worship God freely and me the right to express my opinions freely every day.
I am thankful that I still live in a Constitutional Republic, where the ballot box has consequences and the people are able to make corrections to the course on which our leaders have put our nation, and that in this land I love, power is transferred peacefully, following free and open elections.
We have plenty of problems. Political scandal, fiscal cliffs, budgets, tyrants and corruption — all these will be there next week as topics about which I can groan about next week. This week, I just want to be thankful.
May we all be thankful, and may God richly bless America and her people in these trying times.
First and foremost, I am thankful to God, who gives me what the Bible calls “a peace that passes all understanding.” This was at the core of the first Thanksgiving celebration in Colonial America, as red men shared their bounty with white men, and early Americans gave thanks to Almighty God for the gift of life.
I am thankful for my loving bride, Becky, a beautiful, talented, godly woman who has borne my troubles and my child, who has been my life partner and my prayer warrior, my trusted counselor and my best friend for almost 41 years and counting.
I am thankful our son, Shane. He grew up far too fast, and as he went out to make his own way in the world, he has left behind a trail of memories for his mother and me. This Thanksgiving, as always, we will once again rejoice in he and his wife's company and the gift of the three (soon to be four) grandchildren they have given us.
I am thankful for the people in my life who know me well and still love me. You know who you are. As I told someone the other day, the people who love us will still be here long after the people we try so hard to impress have forgotten our names.
I am thankful for the Founders of the United States of America, who risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor that I might be born in a free country. When I consider the odds of having been placed here in this nation at this moment in time, I cannot do the math. With so many billions of people in this world who live in political, economic and/or spiritual bondage, I am in awe of the blessing God has granted me.
I am thankful for the Declaration of Independence, which acknowledges that my rights come from God, not from man. I am thankful for the Constitution — especially the First Amendment, which guarantees us the right to worship God freely and me the right to express my opinions freely every day.
I am thankful that I still live in a Constitutional Republic, where the ballot box has consequences and the people are able to make corrections to the course on which our leaders have put our nation, and that in this land I love, power is transferred peacefully, following free and open elections.
We have plenty of problems. Political scandal, fiscal cliffs, budgets, tyrants and corruption — all these will be there next week as topics about which I can groan about next week. This week, I just want to be thankful.
May we all be thankful, and may God richly bless America and her people in these trying times.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thankful
The more thankful you are, the more there is to be thankful for. You cannot complain and thankful at the same time, nor can you worry about money or health or anything while being thankful. To dwell on political or economic woes, international crises, personal problems, or even someone else's problems, will only invite irritability, confusion, mistrust, disgust, depression, a sense of helplessness, hopelessness and futility.
It's better to stop and take into consideration what and who is truly valuable in one's life. There is always something to be thankful for. “Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
Life is not all about accumulation of things. He who dies with the most money or the most toys, still dies. No one can take their friends or their collections with them to the grave. Job, in Job 1:21 said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”)
A very well-grounded perspective. Solomon repeated the truth in Ecclesiastes 5:15. “As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand. Jesus asked the rhetorical question, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25) And Jesus taught clearly in Luke 12:15 to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Life is more than food and clothes and houses and cars and stuff. Life for the Christian is about loving God and loving others, and introducing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. People are to be loved and things are to be used, and never the opposite. All things considered, life is precious and fleeting and fragile, and it challenges believers to take the time often to just be thankful. Make a list of things to be thankful for if necessary, but part of obeying God's Word is taking time for thanksgiving.
Many verses in the Bible teach God's people to be thankful, regardless of circumstances. No matter how unpleasant a situation becomes, it is good to remember that it could always be worse.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Remembering that unthankfulness leads to hardness of heart, which leads to bitterness and unbelief, may serve as a deterrent to being unthankful. Hebrews 13:5 presents a beautiful and balanced way of thinking, and serves as a reminder of what and Who is truly important. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Why Me Lord?
Why? How can three letters evoke so much anger and worry? We ask these questions and more:
"Why did this have to happen?"
"Why did I lose my job?"
"Why did he die?"
"Why?" "Why?" "Why"
The more I look at that word the less I understand it. It's a good word. It is solid yet flexible, demanding but gentle, firm and soft all in one. It's a word I am sure God hears all the time. "Why, God?" It can give you all you need to succeed. If you ask it enough times you will gain enough answers to move ahead, move on, move up or move out. Take away the question mark and it still demands an answer...why.
When I was a child my parents would always reply, "Because I said so." It meant they really didn't have a why. It was just the way it was. So I looked up "why" in the dictionary and found a definition made up of other questions: Adverb: 1. for what? for what reason, cause or purpose? It's also a noun and an interjection. I don't know why. It just is.
Still such a simple word can keep us up at night as we toss and turn wondering "why?"
I do believe it comes before the question "How?"
-I want to know why something happened and then how.
-I want to know why God is so good to me. I already know how.
I do know why such a small word has such an big impact on our lives-because of our faith.
We know God holds all the answers. We ask "why?" of God and He doesn't just say "Because I said so." Although on His authority, His Word, He could easily say that. Instead He shows you, He leads you, and He takes "Why" and turns it into "how."
In the end we really just want to know how to move beyond the "why." In many cases we are never fully satisfied with the answers. We want to know what to do about it, how to respond to it, and how to learn from it so that we are not crippled by the event. However you can spend a lifetime asking the question and waste a lifetime waiting for an answer. When I don't understand something I have stopped asking why of God. I get right to it, right through it by saying "I don't need to know "why" just help me to learn "how" I can live with it."
In our pain and sorrow-filled days people often offer us what they believe to be comforting words..."It was God's Will." "It is beyond our understanding." "No one knows the mind of God."
As true as that may be, we find little comfort in it. Our pain is real, it's happening now and we demand an answer. Yet when the tears dry up and the pain fades to an acceptable level we then begin to reconnect with our Creator. He was there all along. We let go. Suddenly the light breaks through the darkness. Comfort and warmth embraces us. It is then we hear His voice more clearly. We move beyond the "Why?" into the peace of His love. We may not understand the "why", but we understand His love.
"Why did this have to happen?"
"Why did I lose my job?"
"Why did he die?"
"Why?" "Why?" "Why"
The more I look at that word the less I understand it. It's a good word. It is solid yet flexible, demanding but gentle, firm and soft all in one. It's a word I am sure God hears all the time. "Why, God?" It can give you all you need to succeed. If you ask it enough times you will gain enough answers to move ahead, move on, move up or move out. Take away the question mark and it still demands an answer...why.
When I was a child my parents would always reply, "Because I said so." It meant they really didn't have a why. It was just the way it was. So I looked up "why" in the dictionary and found a definition made up of other questions: Adverb: 1. for what? for what reason, cause or purpose? It's also a noun and an interjection. I don't know why. It just is.
Still such a simple word can keep us up at night as we toss and turn wondering "why?"
I do believe it comes before the question "How?"
-I want to know why something happened and then how.
-I want to know why God is so good to me. I already know how.
I do know why such a small word has such an big impact on our lives-because of our faith.
We know God holds all the answers. We ask "why?" of God and He doesn't just say "Because I said so." Although on His authority, His Word, He could easily say that. Instead He shows you, He leads you, and He takes "Why" and turns it into "how."
In the end we really just want to know how to move beyond the "why." In many cases we are never fully satisfied with the answers. We want to know what to do about it, how to respond to it, and how to learn from it so that we are not crippled by the event. However you can spend a lifetime asking the question and waste a lifetime waiting for an answer. When I don't understand something I have stopped asking why of God. I get right to it, right through it by saying "I don't need to know "why" just help me to learn "how" I can live with it."
In our pain and sorrow-filled days people often offer us what they believe to be comforting words..."It was God's Will." "It is beyond our understanding." "No one knows the mind of God."
As true as that may be, we find little comfort in it. Our pain is real, it's happening now and we demand an answer. Yet when the tears dry up and the pain fades to an acceptable level we then begin to reconnect with our Creator. He was there all along. We let go. Suddenly the light breaks through the darkness. Comfort and warmth embraces us. It is then we hear His voice more clearly. We move beyond the "Why?" into the peace of His love. We may not understand the "why", but we understand His love.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Medical Mistatements
The following statements are reported to have been found on patients' charts during a recent review of medical records. These statements were written by health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, at major hospitals:
The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce.
She is numb from her toes down.
When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.
Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses.
The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.
Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily.
History: Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle.
Chief complaint -- headache.
Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old white male, mentally alert but forgetful.
The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it had completely disappeared.
The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce.
She is numb from her toes down.
When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.
Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses.
The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.
Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily.
History: Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle.
Chief complaint -- headache.
Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old white male, mentally alert but forgetful.
The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it had completely disappeared.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Who Did Jesus Die For
“Who Did Jesus Die For?”
Matthew 8:1-4
We meet a lot of different people in our life's travels. In a nation like ours where there is so much diversity there will be those who we can rejoice over and others that we would rather ignore or have banished.
But let me ask you this question-Who did Jesus die for?
We like to believe that Jesus came for all the good people because this makes sense to us. Yet, Jesus demonstrated time and time again that He came not just for those who are well, but for those who were sick, both physically and spiritually. Christ's example is a great challenge to us as Christians because it calls us to reach out to those who make us uncomfortable, to those we would rather not have to deal with, and to those we would dismiss as ever deserving God's love and favor. How easily we forget the price it that Jesus paid for us.
Truly it was often the most abused, the most outcast, the most rejected by society that found the love of Christ so rich and full. It was often the self satisfied, that mocked Christ and His ministry. Some of the greatest spiritual things come from the greatest pains and tragedies of life when Christ is in the picture.
When Handel wrote the "Hallelujah Chorus," his health and his fortunes had reached the lowest possible ebb. His right side had become paralyzed, and all his money was gone. He was heavily in debt and threatened with imprisonment. He was tempted to give up the fight. The odds seemed entirely too great. But it was then he composed his greatest work ever-Messiah. When everything seemed lost an outcast wrote one of the greatest musical works in all of history.
God's ears are always open to the prayers of the afflicted, outcasts, and humble. It is the proud heart that cannot find God or His graces. The Bible teaches us that God looks on the heart and not the external appearances, and that there is no one excluded who would come to Him in humble need and faith.
(1) Finding God-Verse 1 “When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.”
-Jesus had finished doing preaching and ministry to the crowds, which now followed Him as He continued on His journey.
-If someone had hoped to get Jesus' attention as an individual they would have had a difficult time in the press of the large number of people.
-So many people feel today that their relationship to God is nothing more than an institutional reality and that God seems so far away or impersonal. A true believer knows though the closeness of God on a regular basis.
-The world doesn't always understand us as Christians. Although the human family seems to be losing ground they see us rejoicing because we have our hearts and souls tuned into a different frequency. It is tuned to God's heart and purposes.
(2) What does it take to get God's attention?
It takes faith-Verse 2 “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”
-A leper found it more difficult than most to get close to Jesus.
a. They were the outcasts of Jesus' day.
b. They were held in great fear because they had a disease that could not be cured, was communicable, and was considered by some religious people as the proper sentence for what was assumed to be hidden sins in people's lives.
c. Lepers could not interact with the rest of society, they were physically removed and all rights stripped from them. They even had to cry out loud "UNCLEAN" if any normal person approached them or they could be stoned or killed.
d. They were never allowed to touch other people, or be touched by "clean" people.
e. It was a horrible lonely way to live, and an even worse way to die.
-One leper however wanted desperately to get Jesus' attention. He knew his only hope was God because there was no hope by man's abilities.
-Those who were humbled by their suffering and pain did not find it hard to come to Christ because He offered them hope, acceptance, love, peace, and real joy even in the midst of their pain and suffering. So often it is the weak and broken that find Christ long before the strong and self satisfied.
-The leper's statement of faith: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
a. There is no demand in his voice, nor presumption in his petition, only the steadfast acknowledgement that Jesus was God's Messiah.
b. There is also no doubt the hope in his plea that Jesus will touch him and restore him again.
-Jesus could not ignore a single human with faith even in the midst of a huge crowd of people. One cry of faith will be noticed by God even when all the other voices are screaming for their own way.
(3) Favored by God-Verse 3 “And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
-While this leper may have hoped for Jesus' attention, he never expected Jesus to actually touch him.
a. No "good Jew" would ever touch a leper. Even if they were moved by some compassion to give them alms to ease their suffering, they still would never physically touch them!
b. Jesus however breaks the code of the law to show the heart of compassion in God.
c. Before Jesus heals him, before Jesus forgives him, Jesus touches him.
d. Sometimes we have to touch a life before the healing comes.
-Christ is not ashamed to make contact with the worst of sinners.
a. There is no one God will ignore that comes to Him in faith.
b. There is no one so disgusting that God would reject.
c. There is a God in heaven that wants more than our soul. He wants to touch our lives as well.
-While the rest of society had their rules to keep at arm’s length these sick and dying people Jesus is not ashamed nor bound by laws except the language of love.
a. This man may have gone years with no one touching him except other lepers.
b. The fact that he had to yell out loud if anyone even came near him "UNCLEAN" made this touch by Jesus an amazing thing.
-Christ is moved by this man's acknowledgement of faith in Him, and the man's humble way of asking for help.
a. Jesus did not see the crowds, but He saw a heart of faith in an individual.
b. Christ will still see this today, how about you?
c. Though repeatedly rejected by others, this man found Christ's acceptance.
d. Rejection causes many to give up too early. However we must remember that just because others have rejected us does not mean God will too.
e. God looks for something in us that the world doesn't see, our faith in Him.
f. Though this leper was feared by man, he was favored by God.
-Jesus is quite willing to meet this man's need, and reward his faith.
a. Christ is more willing to minister to others that we would like to think.
b. Those whom we may think are undeserving may find God's blessings if they come in humble faith believing.
When Christ pronounces the leper "CLEAN" the man is healed immediately.
b. Christ's pronouncement of "BE CLEAN" probably included the spiritual as well as physical.
c. So often when Jesus healed He also forgave their sins, which was and is an even greater healing.
(4) The gift of faith-Verse 4 “And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”
-Jesus understood that this man needed acceptance by society too, and so He sends him to the priests for an examination.
a. God is not afraid of doctor's exams when He heals.
b. Jesus honored the law in doing this, and also made a way for this man to be accepted by society again.
c. The priests were the doctors when it came to leprosy. Their confirmation of this man's total healing would be his ticket back into society, back into the worshipping community, and back into his family's life again.
-Not only does this man find the greatest reward for his faith, but others will be given a testimony of God's power as well.
a. While Jesus tells the man not to broadcast the healing all over the place, He does want the priests to receive a witness of God's power.
b. These priests could do so much good if they too had faith.
c. No doubt Jesus didn't want the man telling the entire crowd so that the crowds didn't just come to Him for physical needs alone.
-The man's suffering proved to be a great gift in the end, for it led him to Christ.
Faith's gift was not just physical healing because this man was restored to God, to his family, to his society, and to himself.
a. When others saw a hopeless case, Jesus saw possibilities.
b. What about us? Who have you dismissed as hopeless?
c. Are we too good to reach out a hand to touch those who are trying to find God?
The good news is that Jesus died for all and requires that we only come in faith. We can rest assured that even if we are only a small voice in the crowd, a voice with faith in it our God will hear and answer.
Matthew 8:1-4
We meet a lot of different people in our life's travels. In a nation like ours where there is so much diversity there will be those who we can rejoice over and others that we would rather ignore or have banished.
But let me ask you this question-Who did Jesus die for?
We like to believe that Jesus came for all the good people because this makes sense to us. Yet, Jesus demonstrated time and time again that He came not just for those who are well, but for those who were sick, both physically and spiritually. Christ's example is a great challenge to us as Christians because it calls us to reach out to those who make us uncomfortable, to those we would rather not have to deal with, and to those we would dismiss as ever deserving God's love and favor. How easily we forget the price it that Jesus paid for us.
Truly it was often the most abused, the most outcast, the most rejected by society that found the love of Christ so rich and full. It was often the self satisfied, that mocked Christ and His ministry. Some of the greatest spiritual things come from the greatest pains and tragedies of life when Christ is in the picture.
When Handel wrote the "Hallelujah Chorus," his health and his fortunes had reached the lowest possible ebb. His right side had become paralyzed, and all his money was gone. He was heavily in debt and threatened with imprisonment. He was tempted to give up the fight. The odds seemed entirely too great. But it was then he composed his greatest work ever-Messiah. When everything seemed lost an outcast wrote one of the greatest musical works in all of history.
God's ears are always open to the prayers of the afflicted, outcasts, and humble. It is the proud heart that cannot find God or His graces. The Bible teaches us that God looks on the heart and not the external appearances, and that there is no one excluded who would come to Him in humble need and faith.
(1) Finding God-Verse 1 “When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.”
-Jesus had finished doing preaching and ministry to the crowds, which now followed Him as He continued on His journey.
-If someone had hoped to get Jesus' attention as an individual they would have had a difficult time in the press of the large number of people.
-So many people feel today that their relationship to God is nothing more than an institutional reality and that God seems so far away or impersonal. A true believer knows though the closeness of God on a regular basis.
-The world doesn't always understand us as Christians. Although the human family seems to be losing ground they see us rejoicing because we have our hearts and souls tuned into a different frequency. It is tuned to God's heart and purposes.
(2) What does it take to get God's attention?
It takes faith-Verse 2 “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”
-A leper found it more difficult than most to get close to Jesus.
a. They were the outcasts of Jesus' day.
b. They were held in great fear because they had a disease that could not be cured, was communicable, and was considered by some religious people as the proper sentence for what was assumed to be hidden sins in people's lives.
c. Lepers could not interact with the rest of society, they were physically removed and all rights stripped from them. They even had to cry out loud "UNCLEAN" if any normal person approached them or they could be stoned or killed.
d. They were never allowed to touch other people, or be touched by "clean" people.
e. It was a horrible lonely way to live, and an even worse way to die.
-One leper however wanted desperately to get Jesus' attention. He knew his only hope was God because there was no hope by man's abilities.
-Those who were humbled by their suffering and pain did not find it hard to come to Christ because He offered them hope, acceptance, love, peace, and real joy even in the midst of their pain and suffering. So often it is the weak and broken that find Christ long before the strong and self satisfied.
-The leper's statement of faith: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
a. There is no demand in his voice, nor presumption in his petition, only the steadfast acknowledgement that Jesus was God's Messiah.
b. There is also no doubt the hope in his plea that Jesus will touch him and restore him again.
-Jesus could not ignore a single human with faith even in the midst of a huge crowd of people. One cry of faith will be noticed by God even when all the other voices are screaming for their own way.
(3) Favored by God-Verse 3 “And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
-While this leper may have hoped for Jesus' attention, he never expected Jesus to actually touch him.
a. No "good Jew" would ever touch a leper. Even if they were moved by some compassion to give them alms to ease their suffering, they still would never physically touch them!
b. Jesus however breaks the code of the law to show the heart of compassion in God.
c. Before Jesus heals him, before Jesus forgives him, Jesus touches him.
d. Sometimes we have to touch a life before the healing comes.
-Christ is not ashamed to make contact with the worst of sinners.
a. There is no one God will ignore that comes to Him in faith.
b. There is no one so disgusting that God would reject.
c. There is a God in heaven that wants more than our soul. He wants to touch our lives as well.
-While the rest of society had their rules to keep at arm’s length these sick and dying people Jesus is not ashamed nor bound by laws except the language of love.
a. This man may have gone years with no one touching him except other lepers.
b. The fact that he had to yell out loud if anyone even came near him "UNCLEAN" made this touch by Jesus an amazing thing.
-Christ is moved by this man's acknowledgement of faith in Him, and the man's humble way of asking for help.
a. Jesus did not see the crowds, but He saw a heart of faith in an individual.
b. Christ will still see this today, how about you?
c. Though repeatedly rejected by others, this man found Christ's acceptance.
d. Rejection causes many to give up too early. However we must remember that just because others have rejected us does not mean God will too.
e. God looks for something in us that the world doesn't see, our faith in Him.
f. Though this leper was feared by man, he was favored by God.
-Jesus is quite willing to meet this man's need, and reward his faith.
a. Christ is more willing to minister to others that we would like to think.
b. Those whom we may think are undeserving may find God's blessings if they come in humble faith believing.
When Christ pronounces the leper "CLEAN" the man is healed immediately.
b. Christ's pronouncement of "BE CLEAN" probably included the spiritual as well as physical.
c. So often when Jesus healed He also forgave their sins, which was and is an even greater healing.
(4) The gift of faith-Verse 4 “And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”
-Jesus understood that this man needed acceptance by society too, and so He sends him to the priests for an examination.
a. God is not afraid of doctor's exams when He heals.
b. Jesus honored the law in doing this, and also made a way for this man to be accepted by society again.
c. The priests were the doctors when it came to leprosy. Their confirmation of this man's total healing would be his ticket back into society, back into the worshipping community, and back into his family's life again.
-Not only does this man find the greatest reward for his faith, but others will be given a testimony of God's power as well.
a. While Jesus tells the man not to broadcast the healing all over the place, He does want the priests to receive a witness of God's power.
b. These priests could do so much good if they too had faith.
c. No doubt Jesus didn't want the man telling the entire crowd so that the crowds didn't just come to Him for physical needs alone.
-The man's suffering proved to be a great gift in the end, for it led him to Christ.
Faith's gift was not just physical healing because this man was restored to God, to his family, to his society, and to himself.
a. When others saw a hopeless case, Jesus saw possibilities.
b. What about us? Who have you dismissed as hopeless?
c. Are we too good to reach out a hand to touch those who are trying to find God?
The good news is that Jesus died for all and requires that we only come in faith. We can rest assured that even if we are only a small voice in the crowd, a voice with faith in it our God will hear and answer.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
One Step At A Time
There are four easy steps that empower you to make a difference in other people’s lives daily and lead you along the path of Biblical and Spiritual fulfillment:
-When you wake up each morning, remind yourself of your goals and purpose for the day, which is to become the-best-version-of-yourself you can be.
-Ask yourself, “Whose day can I make today?”
-Ask yourself, “How can I make that person’s day?”
-When you have made these steps get ready for the day. Take a few minutes to plan, reflect, and pray. Find a quiet place, and visualize how you would like your day to unfold. Make plans to fulfill your true needs physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Take a moment to become aware of, and to appreciate, all you have and all you are, and then you will be ready for the day.
If you faithfully commit yourself to this simple plan for the next ten days, your life will begin to be filled with the fruit of the Spirt, namely peace, joy, and love. You will also find an increased ability to be loved, a rare happiness and satisfaction, a profound sense of fulfillment, and the passion for life as intended for you by God.
That's when you find the Biblical and Spiritual fulfillment you seek as you personally discover the power of making a difference in someone's life. Remember life will issue you the challenge daily to continually face difference-making decisions, but once you learn how to make them you can consistently engage that power in your daily life.
You can do all things in Christ-it just takes one step at a time.
-When you wake up each morning, remind yourself of your goals and purpose for the day, which is to become the-best-version-of-yourself you can be.
-Ask yourself, “Whose day can I make today?”
-Ask yourself, “How can I make that person’s day?”
-When you have made these steps get ready for the day. Take a few minutes to plan, reflect, and pray. Find a quiet place, and visualize how you would like your day to unfold. Make plans to fulfill your true needs physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Take a moment to become aware of, and to appreciate, all you have and all you are, and then you will be ready for the day.
If you faithfully commit yourself to this simple plan for the next ten days, your life will begin to be filled with the fruit of the Spirt, namely peace, joy, and love. You will also find an increased ability to be loved, a rare happiness and satisfaction, a profound sense of fulfillment, and the passion for life as intended for you by God.
That's when you find the Biblical and Spiritual fulfillment you seek as you personally discover the power of making a difference in someone's life. Remember life will issue you the challenge daily to continually face difference-making decisions, but once you learn how to make them you can consistently engage that power in your daily life.
You can do all things in Christ-it just takes one step at a time.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Cut Down That Tree
In his book Lee: The Last Years, author Charles Flood reports that after the American Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Union artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss.
After a brief silence, the general said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it." He seemed to know that as long as she continued to recount her losses, she'd never get over them. She had to release the North from her debt in order to find anything like happiness again.
There’s a lot I have had to cut down and forget. I believe it’s the only way ahead. It’s the only way to really live after loss, hurt or insult. Cut it down and forget it.
People will always trespass against us. But there comes a time to cut the tree down and forget it. I’ve discovered that only when I fully release others from my debt am I able to build the happy and productive life I want. And though cutting that tree down is rarely my first impulse, but it is my best final response to those who trespass against me.
After a brief silence, the general said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it." He seemed to know that as long as she continued to recount her losses, she'd never get over them. She had to release the North from her debt in order to find anything like happiness again.
There’s a lot I have had to cut down and forget. I believe it’s the only way ahead. It’s the only way to really live after loss, hurt or insult. Cut it down and forget it.
People will always trespass against us. But there comes a time to cut the tree down and forget it. I’ve discovered that only when I fully release others from my debt am I able to build the happy and productive life I want. And though cutting that tree down is rarely my first impulse, but it is my best final response to those who trespass against me.
Monday, November 12, 2012
I Can
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
-I can tell people about the goodness of God.
-I can spread good cheer every where I go.
-I can be a witness to those searching for answers.
-I can be faithful to God, my family, and my friends.
-I can be a good husband, father, grandfather, and son.
-I can laugh with you, cry with you, comfort you, and wish you well.
-I can speak blessing in Jesus Name over you.
-I can pray for peace, protection, profit, and prosperity.
There are a lot more things that I can do than can't. The same goes for you as well. So instead of worrying about what you can't do, focus on what you can.
It might not change your world over night, but it just might change your day.
-I can tell people about the goodness of God.
-I can spread good cheer every where I go.
-I can be a witness to those searching for answers.
-I can be faithful to God, my family, and my friends.
-I can be a good husband, father, grandfather, and son.
-I can laugh with you, cry with you, comfort you, and wish you well.
-I can speak blessing in Jesus Name over you.
-I can pray for peace, protection, profit, and prosperity.
There are a lot more things that I can do than can't. The same goes for you as well. So instead of worrying about what you can't do, focus on what you can.
It might not change your world over night, but it just might change your day.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A Salute To Our Veterans
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
In war, there are lives risked and lives taken,Men and women giving their best to defend what they love;
They defend their country-Their honor
Their people.
Some call them soldiers-Others call them heroes.
Our veterans have risked their lives for us.They have lived through hell and fought with honor. Many have killed in the line of duty and regret doing so.
For every life, there is a soul.
For every soul, there is a life.
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance.
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle.
Some, memories of defeat;
Some, memories of victory.
Our veterans were more than soldiers.
They were, and still are our heroes.
Thank you this Veteran's Day.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
In war, there are lives risked and lives taken,Men and women giving their best to defend what they love;
They defend their country-Their honor
Their people.
Some call them soldiers-Others call them heroes.
Our veterans have risked their lives for us.They have lived through hell and fought with honor. Many have killed in the line of duty and regret doing so.
For every life, there is a soul.
For every soul, there is a life.
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance.
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle.
Some, memories of defeat;
Some, memories of victory.
Our veterans were more than soldiers.
They were, and still are our heroes.
Thank you this Veteran's Day.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
A Good Church
I do not pastor the largest church with the biggest crowd, but I pastor a good church.
So what makes up a good church?
-People that are more concerned about others than themselves.
-People that have their faith planted in God and not in man.
-People that will forgive like Jesus, love like Jesus, and live like Jesus everyday.
-People that realize their imperfections and trust The Lord to help them do something about them.
-People that know they need to leave a positive legacy behind rather than one that is negative.
-People that welcomes others to join with our fellowship regardless of their position in life.
If you ask me do I pastor a perfect church, I would have to say, "No." If you ask me do I pastor flawless people I would have to say, "No." But if you ask me if I pastor a good church with good people I would answer, "Yes."
Sometimes good churches with good people are the best kind.
So what makes up a good church?
-People that are more concerned about others than themselves.
-People that have their faith planted in God and not in man.
-People that will forgive like Jesus, love like Jesus, and live like Jesus everyday.
-People that realize their imperfections and trust The Lord to help them do something about them.
-People that know they need to leave a positive legacy behind rather than one that is negative.
-People that welcomes others to join with our fellowship regardless of their position in life.
If you ask me do I pastor a perfect church, I would have to say, "No." If you ask me do I pastor flawless people I would have to say, "No." But if you ask me if I pastor a good church with good people I would answer, "Yes."
Sometimes good churches with good people are the best kind.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Men's Rules
-The floor is considered an acceptable clothing storage location.
-Never ask me to purchase feminine products. Assume that I will come home with the wrong thing.
-When we are watching your show and I change the channels during a commercial, do not hassle me that the commercials have probably finished, and to change the channel back. I always know when the timing is right. Also, when we are channel surfing do not ask me to go back, there was a good reason why I skipped it.
-If you need help with the laundry, I am more than willing to carry it from the bedroom to the washer. In my mind this is half the chore and I am now free to return to the couch.
-If I mention that a male friend of mine is allowed to do something it is not necessary for you to call his wife/girlfriend to discuss it.
-If you don't like the way I am driving, close your eyes. And I would appreciate it if you would refrain from making that reverse inhaling alarmed noise. I haven't hit anything yet and if I do it will be your fault.
-I go clothes shopping to buy, never to look.
-Just tell me what you want me to wear before I get dressed. And remember that this takes me less than ten minutes no matter what the occasion is. After all, I am getting dressed, not getting ready.
-Don't ask me if I prefer one outfit over another or if a certain accessory should be worn or not. I consider this a no win situation and would rather just wait for you to get dressed while watching TV.
-If you want me to put the seat down when I am finished then you should leave the seat up when you are finished. It's only fair.
-I will cook anything as long as it is on the BBQ.
-Yelling to me across the house sounds exactly like stadium crowd background noise to me. I am not ignoring you.
-Never ask me to purchase feminine products. Assume that I will come home with the wrong thing.
-When we are watching your show and I change the channels during a commercial, do not hassle me that the commercials have probably finished, and to change the channel back. I always know when the timing is right. Also, when we are channel surfing do not ask me to go back, there was a good reason why I skipped it.
-If you need help with the laundry, I am more than willing to carry it from the bedroom to the washer. In my mind this is half the chore and I am now free to return to the couch.
-If I mention that a male friend of mine is allowed to do something it is not necessary for you to call his wife/girlfriend to discuss it.
-If you don't like the way I am driving, close your eyes. And I would appreciate it if you would refrain from making that reverse inhaling alarmed noise. I haven't hit anything yet and if I do it will be your fault.
-I go clothes shopping to buy, never to look.
-Just tell me what you want me to wear before I get dressed. And remember that this takes me less than ten minutes no matter what the occasion is. After all, I am getting dressed, not getting ready.
-Don't ask me if I prefer one outfit over another or if a certain accessory should be worn or not. I consider this a no win situation and would rather just wait for you to get dressed while watching TV.
-If you want me to put the seat down when I am finished then you should leave the seat up when you are finished. It's only fair.
-I will cook anything as long as it is on the BBQ.
-Yelling to me across the house sounds exactly like stadium crowd background noise to me. I am not ignoring you.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The Walking Wounded (Part 2)
(3) Our habitat is desolate.
Without a doubt, we live in a sick and perverted world. All you need to do is watch a portion of the nightly news and that truth becomes obvious.
Verses 7, 8 “Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.”
Everywhere that we look, our nation seems to be spiritually desolate.
-It used to be a part of the culture to attend church throughout the week. It is almost rare that many attend a single solitary Sunday morning service.
-Our cities are consumed with sin. Those in control are no longer in alliance with the godly, the good, and the decent.
-The enemy has taken control, and it was all allowed through wrong thinking by those with a faint heart. And everywhere we look, the churches are deserted.
-Every time we turn around, another congregation votes to close the doors. The once great congregations who pleaded the blood and called sin what it is are decreasing in numbers and growing old.
(4) God’s judgment isn’t just in the future-His wrath has already begun.
Verse 9 “Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
We have a few survivors that are holding on, and as such we have not yet faced the consequences as did the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Just as evil as the Ninevites were when the Lord called His reluctant prophet Jonah into service, our nation might still heed the call to righteous and holy living and be spared like the Ninevites, at least for a time.
We have an advantage, living in the time that we do.
-We have a wealth of past history that we might use to guide us from making the same mistakes again.
-We believe in the total accuracy and applicability of the Word of God. It wasn’t only for the days in which it was written, it is equally valid for all of the decisions that we need to make in our lives today. God did create the world out of nothing. God did send His only Son to die on the cross for us. Jesus was raised from the dead, just as the Scripture and He Himself has foretold. He is coming again, on a day of the Father’s choosing, and things as we know them will end.
In many cases, we are in much the same position as Isaiah. We have a good idea about what happened in the past and how these things happened as they happened. We are not blind to the things that are going on around us. If there was ever a time in human history where the fallenness of man is obvious, it is now. We have a vision or at least an understanding of the “End Times”. We know that there will come a time when enough will be enough and Jesus will return.
We can’t stop the return of Jesus, but there are many souls in this world that could have a totally different outcome for their eternity. There may have been those in the past that have slipped into an eternity separated from God, but we can do much to prevent that from happening to others. If we fail to act on the knowledge that God has blessed us with, it is going to continue to happen. Satan’s fold will get bigger and bigger if we fail to act.
We can see the total moral and ethical deterioration of our nation today.
-The sacred bond of marriage is scoffed at, and those that seem the most interested in uniting are the gay and lesbian factions.
-A man’s word was his contract, but even now, with stacks of papers filed, signed, sealed and witnessed by many, contracts are made to be broken. A man’s word is not even worth the breath that is expended to exclaim it.
-The sky is polluted, the water is dirty, the land is contaminated, the resources are drying up, the rain pours down acid, and the food that we eat is more artificial then natural.
The fallenness of creation is total, and there are really no serious efforts to return the land to the glory that God once meant for it to hold. The infection of sin is all encompassing and there is no true antidote being sought. We know Jesus is the answer but the world is saying no thanks.
Everywhere we look, we can see the effects of the ravages of sin in the world. The blessings seem to have been blocked and sin appears to be winning. The wounds of our nation just don't want to go away.
So what can we do?
-Our thoughts will have to change.
-We must grow strong of heart.
-We must have the courage to stand up for the things that we have read, understood, and lived in God’s Word.
-We must demonstrate that we have the authority to call the remainder of the world to the same standard by being an example of a believer.
Verses 7, 8 “Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.”
Everywhere that we look, our nation seems to be spiritually desolate.
-It used to be a part of the culture to attend church throughout the week. It is almost rare that many attend a single solitary Sunday morning service.
-Our cities are consumed with sin. Those in control are no longer in alliance with the godly, the good, and the decent.
-The enemy has taken control, and it was all allowed through wrong thinking by those with a faint heart. And everywhere we look, the churches are deserted.
-Every time we turn around, another congregation votes to close the doors. The once great congregations who pleaded the blood and called sin what it is are decreasing in numbers and growing old.
(4) God’s judgment isn’t just in the future-His wrath has already begun.
Verse 9 “Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
We have a few survivors that are holding on, and as such we have not yet faced the consequences as did the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Just as evil as the Ninevites were when the Lord called His reluctant prophet Jonah into service, our nation might still heed the call to righteous and holy living and be spared like the Ninevites, at least for a time.
We have an advantage, living in the time that we do.
-We have a wealth of past history that we might use to guide us from making the same mistakes again.
-We believe in the total accuracy and applicability of the Word of God. It wasn’t only for the days in which it was written, it is equally valid for all of the decisions that we need to make in our lives today. God did create the world out of nothing. God did send His only Son to die on the cross for us. Jesus was raised from the dead, just as the Scripture and He Himself has foretold. He is coming again, on a day of the Father’s choosing, and things as we know them will end.
In many cases, we are in much the same position as Isaiah. We have a good idea about what happened in the past and how these things happened as they happened. We are not blind to the things that are going on around us. If there was ever a time in human history where the fallenness of man is obvious, it is now. We have a vision or at least an understanding of the “End Times”. We know that there will come a time when enough will be enough and Jesus will return.
We can’t stop the return of Jesus, but there are many souls in this world that could have a totally different outcome for their eternity. There may have been those in the past that have slipped into an eternity separated from God, but we can do much to prevent that from happening to others. If we fail to act on the knowledge that God has blessed us with, it is going to continue to happen. Satan’s fold will get bigger and bigger if we fail to act.
We can see the total moral and ethical deterioration of our nation today.
-The sacred bond of marriage is scoffed at, and those that seem the most interested in uniting are the gay and lesbian factions.
-A man’s word was his contract, but even now, with stacks of papers filed, signed, sealed and witnessed by many, contracts are made to be broken. A man’s word is not even worth the breath that is expended to exclaim it.
-The sky is polluted, the water is dirty, the land is contaminated, the resources are drying up, the rain pours down acid, and the food that we eat is more artificial then natural.
The fallenness of creation is total, and there are really no serious efforts to return the land to the glory that God once meant for it to hold. The infection of sin is all encompassing and there is no true antidote being sought. We know Jesus is the answer but the world is saying no thanks.
Everywhere we look, we can see the effects of the ravages of sin in the world. The blessings seem to have been blocked and sin appears to be winning. The wounds of our nation just don't want to go away.
So what can we do?
-Our thoughts will have to change.
-We must grow strong of heart.
-We must have the courage to stand up for the things that we have read, understood, and lived in God’s Word.
-We must demonstrate that we have the authority to call the remainder of the world to the same standard by being an example of a believer.
Monday, November 5, 2012
The Walking Wounded (Part 1)
Isaiah 1:5-9 “Why should ye be stricken anymore? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
We cannot say that we are unaffected by the things that are taking place in our world today. We are all wounded by the sins of this world to some degree. Isaiah uses a medical analogy to describe what exactly was awaiting Judah as a result of its behavior as a nation. The medical term for their lack of relationship with the Lord was relapse. They had been healed to a certain degree many times in the past, but the healing was never complete. They continued to do what made them ill in the past and if they continued on they would get exactly what it was that they had to begin with. Just like with us today. If we continue doing the same old thing, we can’t expect anything other than the same old results.
Isaiah was not born into the depths of poverty nor brought up in religious ignorance. Their history was passed on from generation to generation orally. Past failures and past successes were given to the next generation and then that generation would pass it on as well.
So Isaiah knew the events that led up to the many victories of his people and he also knew the events that took the nation to ruination. He had perfect hindsight through the oral tradition of His people plus a clear vision of the future from God. His fingers were on the pulse of Judah at the time of these writings. The problem that Judah was facing was they were totally infected by the sin they were living in. The infection was spreading to every portion of their nation and if the process continued, there would be no hope. Infection is treated easily until it is deeply entrenched in the vital areas. Infection is easily treated until the reason for infection becomes immune and adapts to the course of treatment. If we fail to continue with the medication that we are given the resulting surviving germs are more resistant to the treatment. The heart-hardening of Isaiah’s people was evident. They were involved in a full blown spiritual infection and there was no form of treatment in place.
It wasn’t simply that the people were sin-sick, but the places that they lived were sin-filled as well. Godlessness had increased and even creation was suffering the effects of their sinful behavior. The signs of despair were evident because the strength of the nation was waning and financially things were on a decline. It wasn’t that God’s wrath was imminent it was already quite obvious that it was beginning.
(1) The Wounded Generation of 2012.
Verse 5 “Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."
If we look into our history as a nation, we can see that every time there is a great advancement in our financial, material, or personal quality of life there is usually a decline in moral and ethical responsibility. This is caused by a shift from reliance upon God to self-reliance, and the end result is a loss of blessings. We see it in the story of Israel in God’s Word, but if we read American history carefully we can see the same pattern mirrored in our nation.
This passage says why should you be stricken and it doesn’t offer the possibility that nothing will happen. There will be consequences because of your sin. The only question to be answered is when the consequences will take place.
Isaiah then goes on to tell about the sickness of the head. Wrong thinking, wrong ideas, and motives are responsible for the difficult situation that our nation and our world finds itself in today.
-If you keep the thoughts off of the things that are immoral, then the action can never take place.
-If you never allow yourself to get to the point where murder is an issue, you will never take a human life.
-If the thought never entered your mind to steal something that belonged to another, a theft will never take place.
The absence of teaching right and wrong from God’s Word has weakened the very moral fiber of this nation.
Along with wrong thinking, Isaiah brings forward the charge of a weak heart. He isn’t talking about heart disease here, but is charging his fellow countrymen with having “no guts” to change things.
How has the church in America lacked intestinal fortitude? We have failed to call sin what it is. The problem with this recognition of sin seems to be based on what different churches view as important.
-If you feel that numbers are important, in regards to attendance and offering, there are some that will overlook sin for the sake of their fellowship. This kind of thinking removes the responsibility of holding a brother or sister accountable for fear of losing them as a member or missing out on their offering.
-Some are so focused on the external, that they overlook the needs of a poorly dressed seeker of Jesus in favor of the well dressed hypocrite. Those who think that outward appearances are always true to someone's relationship with Jesus or projected spirituality usually are greatly disappointed.
Isaiah is trying to get us to that we are going to fall flat on our faces again, if we don’t get our heads screwed on straight and have the guts to do what we know that we ought to do. The longer we wait, the worse things are going to get.
(2) When infection sets in there is no treatment that works.
Verse 6 “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”
Isaiah said, “You are sick from head to toe.” That is a pretty dismal prognosis if it were to have come from our doctors. Let us look at this description in light of what we see in our country today. Think of the binding of a muscle and joint that has slipped out of the location that it was designed to be in. Without a restrictive wrapping or cast, the healing will never take place properly. We have become a nation without moral and ethical boundaries. If you are allowed to do whatever you wish, the consequences will continue as long as the freedom aspect continues. Until the boundaries, the wrappings, the restriction are in place and left in place, God ordained morals and ethics will not happen. If a protective covering is not placed over an open wound, the infections that are surrounding it will set in and cause the open wound to worsen. There needs to be a protective covering. The covering of the shed blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all wounds of all proportions. The problem that many have in seeking this treatment is the boundaries that are in place to prevent any further injuries of the same nature. It goes against the “do as you please” mentality of this day. There is nothing placed on the wound to soften the resulting scab.
How many have cut themselves on the knuckle of one of their fingers? When that wound is healed, unless there is a softening of the area, it keeps ripping and tearing open. Yes, it usually heals but the resulting scar is often readily visible and more pronounced then need be. Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit’s guidance be the anointing oil to the wound, and allow it to soften as it heals, and lessen the scars that are left behind. Nothing slows the growth of a new convert more than the course and uncaring remarks from some of the saints of the church who expect instant sanctification of a soul that was deeply entrenched in sin on their way out of the depths of the society in which we all live.
We cannot say that we are unaffected by the things that are taking place in our world today. We are all wounded by the sins of this world to some degree. Isaiah uses a medical analogy to describe what exactly was awaiting Judah as a result of its behavior as a nation. The medical term for their lack of relationship with the Lord was relapse. They had been healed to a certain degree many times in the past, but the healing was never complete. They continued to do what made them ill in the past and if they continued on they would get exactly what it was that they had to begin with. Just like with us today. If we continue doing the same old thing, we can’t expect anything other than the same old results.
Isaiah was not born into the depths of poverty nor brought up in religious ignorance. Their history was passed on from generation to generation orally. Past failures and past successes were given to the next generation and then that generation would pass it on as well.
So Isaiah knew the events that led up to the many victories of his people and he also knew the events that took the nation to ruination. He had perfect hindsight through the oral tradition of His people plus a clear vision of the future from God. His fingers were on the pulse of Judah at the time of these writings. The problem that Judah was facing was they were totally infected by the sin they were living in. The infection was spreading to every portion of their nation and if the process continued, there would be no hope. Infection is treated easily until it is deeply entrenched in the vital areas. Infection is easily treated until the reason for infection becomes immune and adapts to the course of treatment. If we fail to continue with the medication that we are given the resulting surviving germs are more resistant to the treatment. The heart-hardening of Isaiah’s people was evident. They were involved in a full blown spiritual infection and there was no form of treatment in place.
It wasn’t simply that the people were sin-sick, but the places that they lived were sin-filled as well. Godlessness had increased and even creation was suffering the effects of their sinful behavior. The signs of despair were evident because the strength of the nation was waning and financially things were on a decline. It wasn’t that God’s wrath was imminent it was already quite obvious that it was beginning.
(1) The Wounded Generation of 2012.
Verse 5 “Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."
If we look into our history as a nation, we can see that every time there is a great advancement in our financial, material, or personal quality of life there is usually a decline in moral and ethical responsibility. This is caused by a shift from reliance upon God to self-reliance, and the end result is a loss of blessings. We see it in the story of Israel in God’s Word, but if we read American history carefully we can see the same pattern mirrored in our nation.
This passage says why should you be stricken and it doesn’t offer the possibility that nothing will happen. There will be consequences because of your sin. The only question to be answered is when the consequences will take place.
Isaiah then goes on to tell about the sickness of the head. Wrong thinking, wrong ideas, and motives are responsible for the difficult situation that our nation and our world finds itself in today.
-If you keep the thoughts off of the things that are immoral, then the action can never take place.
-If you never allow yourself to get to the point where murder is an issue, you will never take a human life.
-If the thought never entered your mind to steal something that belonged to another, a theft will never take place.
The absence of teaching right and wrong from God’s Word has weakened the very moral fiber of this nation.
Along with wrong thinking, Isaiah brings forward the charge of a weak heart. He isn’t talking about heart disease here, but is charging his fellow countrymen with having “no guts” to change things.
How has the church in America lacked intestinal fortitude? We have failed to call sin what it is. The problem with this recognition of sin seems to be based on what different churches view as important.
-If you feel that numbers are important, in regards to attendance and offering, there are some that will overlook sin for the sake of their fellowship. This kind of thinking removes the responsibility of holding a brother or sister accountable for fear of losing them as a member or missing out on their offering.
-Some are so focused on the external, that they overlook the needs of a poorly dressed seeker of Jesus in favor of the well dressed hypocrite. Those who think that outward appearances are always true to someone's relationship with Jesus or projected spirituality usually are greatly disappointed.
Isaiah is trying to get us to that we are going to fall flat on our faces again, if we don’t get our heads screwed on straight and have the guts to do what we know that we ought to do. The longer we wait, the worse things are going to get.
(2) When infection sets in there is no treatment that works.
Verse 6 “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”
Isaiah said, “You are sick from head to toe.” That is a pretty dismal prognosis if it were to have come from our doctors. Let us look at this description in light of what we see in our country today. Think of the binding of a muscle and joint that has slipped out of the location that it was designed to be in. Without a restrictive wrapping or cast, the healing will never take place properly. We have become a nation without moral and ethical boundaries. If you are allowed to do whatever you wish, the consequences will continue as long as the freedom aspect continues. Until the boundaries, the wrappings, the restriction are in place and left in place, God ordained morals and ethics will not happen. If a protective covering is not placed over an open wound, the infections that are surrounding it will set in and cause the open wound to worsen. There needs to be a protective covering. The covering of the shed blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all wounds of all proportions. The problem that many have in seeking this treatment is the boundaries that are in place to prevent any further injuries of the same nature. It goes against the “do as you please” mentality of this day. There is nothing placed on the wound to soften the resulting scab.
How many have cut themselves on the knuckle of one of their fingers? When that wound is healed, unless there is a softening of the area, it keeps ripping and tearing open. Yes, it usually heals but the resulting scar is often readily visible and more pronounced then need be. Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit’s guidance be the anointing oil to the wound, and allow it to soften as it heals, and lessen the scars that are left behind. Nothing slows the growth of a new convert more than the course and uncaring remarks from some of the saints of the church who expect instant sanctification of a soul that was deeply entrenched in sin on their way out of the depths of the society in which we all live.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Keep Smiling
Keep Smiling!
When you dress for the day
always put on a smile.
And as you walk out the door
let your smile stretch a mile.
You always look your best
with a smile on your face.
And others will look at you
as a person full of grace.
Your radiant smile says much
about your state of mind.
And it leaves a remembrance
of a sweet and lasting kind.
Many people are drawn to you
because they see your smile.
It rubs off on those you meet
and they to will smile awhile.
A smile lifts heavy loads
and helps people on their way.
Its value cannot be measured
so wear a smile everyday.
~ Lenora McWhorter ~
When you dress for the day
always put on a smile.
And as you walk out the door
let your smile stretch a mile.
You always look your best
with a smile on your face.
And others will look at you
as a person full of grace.
Your radiant smile says much
about your state of mind.
And it leaves a remembrance
of a sweet and lasting kind.
Many people are drawn to you
because they see your smile.
It rubs off on those you meet
and they to will smile awhile.
A smile lifts heavy loads
and helps people on their way.
Its value cannot be measured
so wear a smile everyday.
~ Lenora McWhorter ~
Saturday, November 3, 2012
We Need A Joshua
Joshua 1:1-18
-Moses is DEAD!
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
-I will be with YOU!
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
-Be strong and courageous.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
-Hold onto the WORD!
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-The Order to Cross the Jordan
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
-Respect for Authority.
12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
-Be strong and filled with courage!
16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."
We still need a Joshua today!
-Moses is DEAD!
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
-I will be with YOU!
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
-Be strong and courageous.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
-Hold onto the WORD!
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-The Order to Cross the Jordan
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
-Respect for Authority.
12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
-Be strong and filled with courage!
16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."
We still need a Joshua today!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Footsteps
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Some people have no problems with talking to you about almost any subject you can think of. They can ramble on and on and say thousands of words, and not really say anything of importance. Three boys were bragging to one another about their fathers. One of them said, “My father is a professor. When he is talking about nuclear physics, there are only fifty other people in the world who can understand him.” The second boy said, “My father is a world class brain surgeon. When he is talking about his surgery there are only 20 other people in the whole world who can understand him.” The third boy said, “That’s nothing. My dad is a Church of God preacher. When he is preaching, nobody seems to understand him.” Talking is a wonderful thing. It is one of the ways that God gave us to communicate and relate to one another, but there are many people who call themselves Christians who can talk the talk, but they can’t seem to walk the walk. Being a born-again Christian is more than just saying the right words. It’s more than doing good deeds, and coming to church, and talking about the Bible. The test of a true Christian comes in our everyday walk with Jesus.
There is an old saying that has grown from its infancy until today that goes like this: “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”. Most accredit this old proverb to our Native Americans of yesteryear, but it is one proverb not directly in the Bible that we need to adhere to as we walk this path of life.
Jesus made some very distinct and definite footprints when He walked the earth. He blazed a trail that is easy for us to see, and, to walk worthy of Him, we must follow in His footsteps.
(1) Jesus said that there are two paths that we can walk on in this life:
Matthew 7:13, 14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
a. There is a strait gate that opens to a narrow way which leads to life, but few find it.
-It is the way of holiness.
-It is the way of righteousness.
-It is the way purchased with His blood.
-It is the way to heaven.
-It is the way of hope.
-It is the way of destiny.
-It is the way of eternal life.
b. There is a wide gate that opens to a broad way that leads to destruction, and many travel down that path.
-It is the way of despair.
-It is the way of darkness.
-It is the way of desperation.
-It is the way of spiritual death.
-It is the way of forgotten promises.
-It is the way of the fallen.
(2) Jesus desires us to follow in His footsteps.
-Because we choose to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
-Because we love and know Him personally.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…”
(3) He wants our footsteps to be a path from someone who needs direction.
-With each step we take we establish a pathway for someone to follow.
Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
-Each step we take influences those who come after us.
Isaiah 58:11, 12 “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
-Our footsteps are directed by the Lord and we are glad.
Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
(4) Why are footsteps of a righteous man so important?
2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished…”
a. Because no temptation or trial that can overtake you is new. These things have been in existence even in previous generations.
-Temptation is initiated by the world around us-1 John 2:15-17
-Temptation is rooted in the desires of man’s nature-James 1:13-15
- Temptation is a struggle between man and Satan-1 Peter 5:8
-Temptation’s after effects are not confined to one place, or to one moment in time, or even to one person, but stretch out throughout much space and time and affect many people-Galatians 6:7, 8
It is no sin to be tempted. A temptation becomes sin full-blown when we give in and pursue after it. The temptations that we face are no different than what others before us faced and just like them we must decide for ourselves whether to yield to them or not.
b. Others have faced the same situations you face and have overcome them and set the example for you to follow.
-Our God will never let us down.
Lamentations 3:22-24 “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”
-Our God will never let us be pushed past our limit.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
a. You will not be tempted above your limit without God making a way of escape from it.
b. You will find strength in Jesus in areas that you don’t think you have within you when you are pushed to your limits of endurance.
c. Your ability to resist evil increases every time you humble yourself before the Lord.
-Our God will always be there to help us come through it.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Some people have no problems with talking to you about almost any subject you can think of. They can ramble on and on and say thousands of words, and not really say anything of importance. Three boys were bragging to one another about their fathers. One of them said, “My father is a professor. When he is talking about nuclear physics, there are only fifty other people in the world who can understand him.” The second boy said, “My father is a world class brain surgeon. When he is talking about his surgery there are only 20 other people in the whole world who can understand him.” The third boy said, “That’s nothing. My dad is a Church of God preacher. When he is preaching, nobody seems to understand him.” Talking is a wonderful thing. It is one of the ways that God gave us to communicate and relate to one another, but there are many people who call themselves Christians who can talk the talk, but they can’t seem to walk the walk. Being a born-again Christian is more than just saying the right words. It’s more than doing good deeds, and coming to church, and talking about the Bible. The test of a true Christian comes in our everyday walk with Jesus.
There is an old saying that has grown from its infancy until today that goes like this: “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”. Most accredit this old proverb to our Native Americans of yesteryear, but it is one proverb not directly in the Bible that we need to adhere to as we walk this path of life.
Jesus made some very distinct and definite footprints when He walked the earth. He blazed a trail that is easy for us to see, and, to walk worthy of Him, we must follow in His footsteps.
(1) Jesus said that there are two paths that we can walk on in this life:
Matthew 7:13, 14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
a. There is a strait gate that opens to a narrow way which leads to life, but few find it.
-It is the way of holiness.
-It is the way of righteousness.
-It is the way purchased with His blood.
-It is the way to heaven.
-It is the way of hope.
-It is the way of destiny.
-It is the way of eternal life.
b. There is a wide gate that opens to a broad way that leads to destruction, and many travel down that path.
-It is the way of despair.
-It is the way of darkness.
-It is the way of desperation.
-It is the way of spiritual death.
-It is the way of forgotten promises.
-It is the way of the fallen.
(2) Jesus desires us to follow in His footsteps.
-Because we choose to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
-Because we love and know Him personally.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…”
(3) He wants our footsteps to be a path from someone who needs direction.
-With each step we take we establish a pathway for someone to follow.
Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
-Each step we take influences those who come after us.
Isaiah 58:11, 12 “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
-Our footsteps are directed by the Lord and we are glad.
Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
(4) Why are footsteps of a righteous man so important?
2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished…”
a. Because no temptation or trial that can overtake you is new. These things have been in existence even in previous generations.
-Temptation is initiated by the world around us-1 John 2:15-17
-Temptation is rooted in the desires of man’s nature-James 1:13-15
- Temptation is a struggle between man and Satan-1 Peter 5:8
-Temptation’s after effects are not confined to one place, or to one moment in time, or even to one person, but stretch out throughout much space and time and affect many people-Galatians 6:7, 8
It is no sin to be tempted. A temptation becomes sin full-blown when we give in and pursue after it. The temptations that we face are no different than what others before us faced and just like them we must decide for ourselves whether to yield to them or not.
b. Others have faced the same situations you face and have overcome them and set the example for you to follow.
-Our God will never let us down.
Lamentations 3:22-24 “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”
-Our God will never let us be pushed past our limit.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
a. You will not be tempted above your limit without God making a way of escape from it.
b. You will find strength in Jesus in areas that you don’t think you have within you when you are pushed to your limits of endurance.
c. Your ability to resist evil increases every time you humble yourself before the Lord.
-Our God will always be there to help us come through it.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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