Monday, October 31, 2016
Sense Of Humor
A life without humor is no better at getting through life's bumps and jolts than riding in my convertible with the top down in a hail storm. Life will groan and complain at any obstacle thrown in its path, and there is plenty of debris along the way. Every life path is filled with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. I can guarantee you will face obstacles on life's road at every turn when you least expect it.
Cynical
A healthy skepticism is probably needed to
get by these days. From the phone calls I get everyday telling me I've qualified for a $250,000.00 business loan (and I don't even have a business), to the offers from folks thru e-mail who
want to help me get rich and all I have to do is to give them enough personal
banking information to make the deposit. It’s a good thing that I’m
not willing to swallow every false claim that comes my way.
It's easy to become scarred by all these false attempts. I don’t want to become cynical or go through
life believing that behind every act of kindness there is a hidden motive. It seems to many people that
inside every silver lining there is a dark cloud ready to pour bucketfuls
of water on their parade. I don’t want to grow wary of every stranger I meet or turn a suspicious eye to any good thing that comes my way because of cynicism. I
want to trust people.
It is not nearly so important to hone a sharp edge of
skepticism as to be somebody with a keen ability to trust. Relationships that
work, after all, are built on trust. Trust in families is essential if want to
raise healthy, happy children. As adults, we want to be trusted by others and
our closest friends are usually people we can depend on. And what’s left in
marriage when trust is shattered?
I have discovered that I can live far
better without cynicism than I can without trust. So I worry less these
days about swallowing everything I hear and more about fine tuning my ability to catch glimpses of whatever good there may be around me. My father-in-law was an eternal optimist who always saw the good in people. He would always speak what the Bible says about finding something good to speak of. He trusted that there was always something good to find in everybody. Let us pray the Lord will help us do the same.
Hope
Having hope means having life. Without it you will wither and die. What makes Hope so special?
-It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break.
-It sustains us when nothing else can.
-It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.
-It puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.
-It puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.
-It moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.
-It is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return.
-It can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.
You can lose a lot of stuff, but you can't afford to be without hope. It is eternal!
Wasted Lives
Wasted Lives
What good are our lives if we don’t give them away? What good are the things we have if they just go to waste? We all come into this world naked with nothing. We can take nothing with us when we leave here either. Our lives and possessions are only momentary gifts. They have meaning only when we share them and use them to help others.
The real blessings of life come from every act of giving, helping, and sharing we do. These true riches are love, joy, and wholeness with God. They are the wealth of the spirit and the treasures of Heaven. The best thing about them too is that they never run out. The more you give them away, the more God pours them into your heart, soul, and mind.
Don’t let your life go to waste. Give it away.
-Give it joyously in service to others.
-Give it lovingly in service to God.
-Give your money, your time, your talents, your help, your skills, your energy, and your love.
-Give without fear knowing that God will always give you back even more.
Make yourself rich in the treasures of Heaven and bring a little Heaven to Earth as well. Be a blessing and not a burden.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Door Is Always Open
Jesus said, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, which no man can shut." The conclusion is there is no key to happiness because the door is always open. Since Jesus is that door all you have to do is walk through and find what you've been looking for.
-It's the door of peace.
-It's the door of eternity.
-It's the door of opportunity.
-It's the door of deliverance.
-It's the door of provision.
-It's the door of regeneration.
-It's the door of revival.
-It's the door of safety.
-It's the door of hope.
-It's the door of grace.
-It's the door of victory.
You can spend your whole life trying to find the key to happiness. Some go on great journeys, great distances, and spend years seeking for answers. Jesus is just as close as the mention of His name. He simply says, "Ask, and it shall be given; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Nobody but you can close that door. You have the ability to open it and make sure that answer you are seeking becomes a reality. Don't waste your time looking for happiness in places that are locked-just walk through the open door He has set before you into delightful pasture. Pure joy comes to those who graze there.
-It's the door of peace.
-It's the door of eternity.
-It's the door of opportunity.
-It's the door of deliverance.
-It's the door of provision.
-It's the door of regeneration.
-It's the door of revival.
-It's the door of safety.
-It's the door of hope.
-It's the door of grace.
-It's the door of victory.
You can spend your whole life trying to find the key to happiness. Some go on great journeys, great distances, and spend years seeking for answers. Jesus is just as close as the mention of His name. He simply says, "Ask, and it shall be given; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Nobody but you can close that door. You have the ability to open it and make sure that answer you are seeking becomes a reality. Don't waste your time looking for happiness in places that are locked-just walk through the open door He has set before you into delightful pasture. Pure joy comes to those who graze there.
Religious Nuts
God desires spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. If you watch a lot of Christian TV you figure out why most sinners classify Christians as religious nuts. One guy preaches this and another that, both conflicting the other. Others predict a day or time for the world to end while others teach we will go through the tribulation. It can confuse even the most godly saint, if they are not grounded in the Word.
The Bible tells us that, "We are known by the fruit we bear." It is that fruit that identifies us as sons and daughters of God. It is not extremist or degrading, but gracious, patient, and kind. It is the kind of fruit that signifies there has been a heart change on the inside of an individual. Their outward expressions share what Jesus has done on the inside.
We are to be, "Zealous of good works." Yet good works does not create a religious nut. My idea of a religious nut is one that constantly and consistently walks the walk of a Pharisee with an attitude toward others that they are not holy enough for God. It's the individual that says they have no sin, but bears false witness against their brother. It's the person that is always right and righteous and everybody else is beneath them. Yes, that's what a religious nut is-so unheavenly minded they are no earthly good because of their attitude and spirit toward others.
It was Peter and Paul that reminded us about bearing spiritual fruit and what God requires from us. They also instructed us on how to use that fruit in our everyday lives to influence others for Christ. They also warned us of counterfeit fruit and the damage it could do to the Kingdom of God. I want to bear that spiritual fruit more than be a religious nut. I am not more holy than my brethren or more worthy of heaven because of my sacrifices. I'm just being a fruit bearer according to the Word. If there are nuts around, the squirrels won't be far away.
The Bible tells us that, "We are known by the fruit we bear." It is that fruit that identifies us as sons and daughters of God. It is not extremist or degrading, but gracious, patient, and kind. It is the kind of fruit that signifies there has been a heart change on the inside of an individual. Their outward expressions share what Jesus has done on the inside.
We are to be, "Zealous of good works." Yet good works does not create a religious nut. My idea of a religious nut is one that constantly and consistently walks the walk of a Pharisee with an attitude toward others that they are not holy enough for God. It's the individual that says they have no sin, but bears false witness against their brother. It's the person that is always right and righteous and everybody else is beneath them. Yes, that's what a religious nut is-so unheavenly minded they are no earthly good because of their attitude and spirit toward others.
It was Peter and Paul that reminded us about bearing spiritual fruit and what God requires from us. They also instructed us on how to use that fruit in our everyday lives to influence others for Christ. They also warned us of counterfeit fruit and the damage it could do to the Kingdom of God. I want to bear that spiritual fruit more than be a religious nut. I am not more holy than my brethren or more worthy of heaven because of my sacrifices. I'm just being a fruit bearer according to the Word. If there are nuts around, the squirrels won't be far away.
Growing Older And Growing Up
Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is an option. My youngest granddaughter is going on 10 months old. I was looking at some pictures yesterday of my 3 year old grandson from that same period of his life. Watching these two little ones grow up has become the joy of my life. My oldest will soon be graduating and the two middle ones are growing quicker than I want to realize. If the Lord doesn't come before then, they will be like their parents and us, their grandparents. It is inevitable that they will grow older everyday.
To bad that growing older doesn't always guarantee that people grow up. I shared with someone this week that the church has often lost its vision of Christ's calling to win the lost because too many Christian's are expecting people who come into church to look and act a certain way. As a child I can remember people who didn't look like us holiness people who came into church and were not judged because of what they looked like and we were a whole lot stricter in our teachings them. Now days if they don't match what the 50+ crowd think they should be like they're not always made welcome.
Isn't it a shame that many churches treat people who need Jesus the most in a bad way just because they don't fit in with the "saved crowd". The older some people get the more judgmental they become when it comes to sinners. I remember the day when the drunks would stagger in off the street and be convicted by the Holy Ghost and run to the altar. The older I grow, the more I urn for that same move of the spirit in our nation and communities today. I've grown older, but I've also grown up to realize the same God that saved my forefathers from a horrible life of sin can do the same for people who commit horrible sins today. Jesus has not changed, but we sure have.
We should desire the meat of the Word and not the milk. Older believers should be grown-up believers. They should remember that, "Save for the grace of God, there go I," when they look at the harvest, no matter what they look like. It is time to grow-up and recognize if we don't reach the unreachables, regardless of how they have lived or how they look, our churches will die. So remember it's not how old you are that makes you a better Christian or how long you've served the Lord. it's how you mature in His grace that can make the difference in people's lives.
Isn't it a shame that many churches treat people who need Jesus the most in a bad way just because they don't fit in with the "saved crowd". The older some people get the more judgmental they become when it comes to sinners. I remember the day when the drunks would stagger in off the street and be convicted by the Holy Ghost and run to the altar. The older I grow, the more I urn for that same move of the spirit in our nation and communities today. I've grown older, but I've also grown up to realize the same God that saved my forefathers from a horrible life of sin can do the same for people who commit horrible sins today. Jesus has not changed, but we sure have.
We should desire the meat of the Word and not the milk. Older believers should be grown-up believers. They should remember that, "Save for the grace of God, there go I," when they look at the harvest, no matter what they look like. It is time to grow-up and recognize if we don't reach the unreachables, regardless of how they have lived or how they look, our churches will die. So remember it's not how old you are that makes you a better Christian or how long you've served the Lord. it's how you mature in His grace that can make the difference in people's lives.
YOU!
Dear God, I have a problem - it's me. Have you ever thought your worst problem in life is you? There's only one person you can truly answer for and it is you. You make the decisions that infest your life. You learn to grow or be stalemated. You can't blame anyone but yourself for success of failure. It starts and ends with you.
I've always said to myself and others the worst problem you face everyday looks back at you in the mirror. Nobody but God knows what's on the inside of your mind, your heart, or your spirit, except for you. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know your hopes and dreams. You know your limitations and excesses. You know your abilities and your emotions. It is all about you, because you know how to handle you better than anyone else.
We blame everybody else for our problems and sure some have contributed mightily to them, but we need to examine ourselves daily and see if there be a right spirit within us. By searching your life daily and dealing with your issues, you are available to be used by God to minister to others as you feel lead by Him. You know your problems and the people you have problems being around. Face your issues, leave the harassing mob behind, and get busy becoming what you can be in Jesus. Don't let you stand in the way of what God wants to do with your life.
I've always said to myself and others the worst problem you face everyday looks back at you in the mirror. Nobody but God knows what's on the inside of your mind, your heart, or your spirit, except for you. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know your hopes and dreams. You know your limitations and excesses. You know your abilities and your emotions. It is all about you, because you know how to handle you better than anyone else.
We blame everybody else for our problems and sure some have contributed mightily to them, but we need to examine ourselves daily and see if there be a right spirit within us. By searching your life daily and dealing with your issues, you are available to be used by God to minister to others as you feel lead by Him. You know your problems and the people you have problems being around. Face your issues, leave the harassing mob behind, and get busy becoming what you can be in Jesus. Don't let you stand in the way of what God wants to do with your life.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Fish
In our Christian walk, Jesus calls us to a new definition of success that is determined not by what we accomplish, but by our obedience. The disciples walked and talked with Jesus, but they still faced many challenges with faith and obedience. One morning after fishing all night without a catch, Jesus called from the shore. John 21:6 says, "He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some {fish}.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."
The disciples were successful that morning. But we must understand that the large number of fish did not define their success. They would have been successful even if the nets remained empty. They were successful the moment they were obedient and threw out the net. One thousands years earlier, King Saul was told to "attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them," according to 1 Samuel 15:3. But Saul allowed the Amalekite king and the best livestock to survive. He tried to cover His disobedience by saying the calves and lambs were for a sacrifice to God. "But Samuel replied in Verse 22: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
In any task we undertake for God, it's easy to become discouraged by our apparent lack of success. We often feel inadequate and those feelings increase when our goals seem to be elusive. But we must remember, the outcome of the task is secondary to our obedience. God doesn't need our "fish"; He just wants our devotion and trust. He desires that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let's take our eyes off the accomplishment of the "catch" and what we can produce. Rather, let's focus on walking each step according to His leading. Let's concentrate all our effort on obeying His call to cast out the net.
Thy Will Be Done
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He taught them to ask for God's will in Matthew 6:10, and the New Testament is simply filled with instances and examples of the occasions upon which Christ prayed. More numerous than the miracles are Christ's prayers. And in the Garden, shortly before He was betrayed, He prayed to the Father, "may your will be done." in Matthew 26:39. Even Christ, with His high standing as the only Son of God, did not attempt to superimpose His will over that of the Father, but rather accepted the will of His Father over what He would will. And let us recall Paul's strong teaching to the church at Thessalonica: "Pray continually." in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
So if the Son of God recognizes the Father's Will as the only right will, who are we to pray or rationalize otherwise? As we attempt to please Father God and follow His will, the devil loves to suggest sneaky little detours, but if we keep our focus upon God and get on our knees and in His Word and seek His will, our prayers will defeat the devil and his minions.
Beloved, prayer is the most powerful thing we can do as Christians and it is simultaneously the easiest and most difficult thing we do. Frankly, there is absolutely no substitute for it. Show me a Christian who doesn't pray, and I'll show you instead a heathen whose initial salvation may well be a sham.
So when we pray, let's seek only His will and pray accordingly. We probably won't be able to pray without ceasing until we are in His presence, but that standard should remain as our standard, just as Jesus' life should remain our standard.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Prayer for America's Election
Heavenly Father, we come before You to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe on those who call evil good,' but that's what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that:
-We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.
-We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
-We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
-We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
-We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
-We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
-We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
-We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
-We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
-We have abused power and called it political savvy.
-We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
-We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
-We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless the men and women who are elected by the people of our nation, and who are ordained by You to govern this great country. Grant them the wisdom to rule, and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I ask it in the name of Your Son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Funny Business
Church is a funny business. Things can be going along very well and then the bottom falls out. It often comes unexpectedly and from someone you wouldn't believe. Sadly, when it happens it's worse than an earthquake or hurricane. Somehow you hope to be able to clean up after the destruction and salvage what you can. So many of our churches have huge buildings and small congregations because of that funny business the devil brings into the church.
When Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church that's exactly what He meant-His church! It's difficult to admit but we love many things about the organization or structure much more than we love Jesus. If we loved Jesus where we met or when we met wouldn't really matter as much as it does to most individuals. Serving God should be a privilege and opportunity rather than a requirement.
As I said earlier church is a funny business. It's funny because people think if you don't do it a certain way it's not holy or sacred. If the pastor preaches anything but the King James Version he's a hypocrite. If the KJV was good enough for Jesus it ought to be good enough for us. Sorry to burst your bubble, but King James came a long time after Jesus and his version wasn't available to the Son of God. Or mention that some hymns have the same tune as old tavern songs of their day and it's a sacrilege. That's why I say church is a funny business when it comes to facing the truth and messing with people's conception of what church ought to be.
It is a different day and the times have changed along with the seriousness of what church ought to be. Some will appeal to the older generation and others to the millennial crowd. Yet, who's to say which model is correct or incorrect because neither is patterned after the churches of the Bible. Man's traditions have influenced and tampered with the way the church operates for years and will probably continue to do so.
So the best advice to anyone who reads this is quit looking for a reason to stay away from the house of God and find you a place to worship. Young or old need to support, love, and pray for their pastor and congregation and support them with your finance and attendance. It's not a laughing matter, but one that has eternal ramifications.
When Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church that's exactly what He meant-His church! It's difficult to admit but we love many things about the organization or structure much more than we love Jesus. If we loved Jesus where we met or when we met wouldn't really matter as much as it does to most individuals. Serving God should be a privilege and opportunity rather than a requirement.
As I said earlier church is a funny business. It's funny because people think if you don't do it a certain way it's not holy or sacred. If the pastor preaches anything but the King James Version he's a hypocrite. If the KJV was good enough for Jesus it ought to be good enough for us. Sorry to burst your bubble, but King James came a long time after Jesus and his version wasn't available to the Son of God. Or mention that some hymns have the same tune as old tavern songs of their day and it's a sacrilege. That's why I say church is a funny business when it comes to facing the truth and messing with people's conception of what church ought to be.
It is a different day and the times have changed along with the seriousness of what church ought to be. Some will appeal to the older generation and others to the millennial crowd. Yet, who's to say which model is correct or incorrect because neither is patterned after the churches of the Bible. Man's traditions have influenced and tampered with the way the church operates for years and will probably continue to do so.
So the best advice to anyone who reads this is quit looking for a reason to stay away from the house of God and find you a place to worship. Young or old need to support, love, and pray for their pastor and congregation and support them with your finance and attendance. It's not a laughing matter, but one that has eternal ramifications.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
One Man
Luke 23:39-43 NIV “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise'."
ONE MAN WAS DYING TO SIN!
ONE MAN WAS DYING IN SIN!
ONE MAN WAS DYING FOR SIN!
ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REBELLION!
ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REPENTANCE!
ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REDEMPTION!
ONE MAN LOST HIS LIFE!
ONE MAN FOUND HIS LIFE!
ONE MAN GAVE HIS LIFE!
Friday, October 14, 2016
The Garbage Truck
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Every pastor has dealt with someone like this from time to time no matter how good a pastor you are.
However, don't take it personally. Just smile, say a prayer for them, and then move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people in the church, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that godly people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right and forgive the ones who don't. We're not always responsible for everything that happens to us, but we are
responsible for how we react to what happens.
Life is ten percent of what you make it and ninety percent of how you take it. Don't be a stinker, but a fragrance of hope to those addicted to the garbage.
However, don't take it personally. Just smile, say a prayer for them, and then move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people in the church, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that godly people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right and forgive the ones who don't. We're not always responsible for everything that happens to us, but we are
responsible for how we react to what happens.
Life is ten percent of what you make it and ninety percent of how you take it. Don't be a stinker, but a fragrance of hope to those addicted to the garbage.
There's Got To Be A Pony Somewhere
I'm sure you've heard the story about the little boy who prayed for a pony. On his birthday he went to his grandfather's farm on the day the stables had been cleaned out. Outside was a large pile of manure that had been gathered from the stalls. When the little boy got out of the car he ran and dove into the huge pile. Both his parents and grandparents were upset and started screaming for him to stop digging in the pile. They could not comprehend his reasoning. He responded to their request to stop with this answer: "With a pile this big, there's got to be a pony somewhere!"
Here's the point of it all-we go through a bunch of mess in our life. Sometimes it piles up so high that we can't see the top or bottom.Yet, somewhere in that mess is a blessing that is about to take place. You can't see it, but you believe it's there. It doesn't seem any good can come out of it, but something good is about to happen, because of your faith.
Just like the little boy believed the evidence pointed to the existence of a pony, you've got to believe your trial points to a blessing. For some reason you were chosen to endure and for some purpose God knew you could do it. It wasn't a guess on His part. He saw your faith and persistence and knew you wouldn't give up. You didn't see the mess-you saw the pony!
Our heavenly Father promised that He would never leave or forsake us. Sometimes it feels He's nowhere near the mess we are going through. We keep searching and searching, but the pile keeps getting bigger. Its at that moment faith kicks in and says I can overcome. I can find the answer. I can solve this equation with the Lord's help. He hasn't left me, but was right here all the time.
Hopefully this will make supernatural sense to you. In spite of the mess there's got to be a pony somewhere. Why not let your faith find it?
Here's the point of it all-we go through a bunch of mess in our life. Sometimes it piles up so high that we can't see the top or bottom.Yet, somewhere in that mess is a blessing that is about to take place. You can't see it, but you believe it's there. It doesn't seem any good can come out of it, but something good is about to happen, because of your faith.
Just like the little boy believed the evidence pointed to the existence of a pony, you've got to believe your trial points to a blessing. For some reason you were chosen to endure and for some purpose God knew you could do it. It wasn't a guess on His part. He saw your faith and persistence and knew you wouldn't give up. You didn't see the mess-you saw the pony!
Our heavenly Father promised that He would never leave or forsake us. Sometimes it feels He's nowhere near the mess we are going through. We keep searching and searching, but the pile keeps getting bigger. Its at that moment faith kicks in and says I can overcome. I can find the answer. I can solve this equation with the Lord's help. He hasn't left me, but was right here all the time.
Hopefully this will make supernatural sense to you. In spite of the mess there's got to be a pony somewhere. Why not let your faith find it?
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Joe South sang a song years ago entitled, "Walk A Mile In My Shoes". It basically emphasized the idea of understanding before you made a judgement. We continue today to ignore this truth and make remarks about people and things we don't understand. Righteousness is not regulated by our perception, but by understanding what people are facing today in their daily lives as Christians. Denomination or personal convictions cannot put you in the mindset that you are holier or better than someone who is struggling to spiritually survive. You would know that if you walked a mile in their shoes.
I know that Jesus warned us that there would be those that identified with Him in these perilous times that had no real relationship with Him. He also warned us of doctrines of deceit that would permeate the culture around us. You and I have lived to see these things happen. Yet, He also warned us that our attitude about people could alter our relationship with Him. Too many people are dwelling on other's past, rather than seeing their attempt to change for today. This is dangerous territory for a believer.
I've never smoked, so I despise cigarettes, but I have seen the desperate attempts of someone trying to serve the Lord and break that habit. Years ago, folks would not even allow them to be called Christians because of their tobacco dependency. From what I've been told that's a terrible habit to break and many people struggle with it. Jesus never said it was my responsibility to break people's habits first before He could save them. All I was called to do was lead them to Him and then let Him take care of the rest. He's the one that has the power to break every habit that would create a void in people's relationship with Him. Because I never smoked I don't always understand their struggle to quit-but He does.
It was grace that changed me and mercy that birthed me. I didn't earn it or deserve it, but He freely gave it to me. There are many trials I never had to face because of my upbringing, but everyone didn't walk in my shoes. Some had no church background. Some had habits and addictions. Some were abused and mistreated. Some committed sins and atrocities that scarred them for life. Yet Jesus died for all of them just like He did for me and you. Pointing fingers and rejecting people because of their past and their struggles isn't your job or mine. We are to live and teach by example, not judge and reprimand. Remember, everyone has a skeleton in their closet. Aren't you glad Jesus forgot yours?
I know that Jesus warned us that there would be those that identified with Him in these perilous times that had no real relationship with Him. He also warned us of doctrines of deceit that would permeate the culture around us. You and I have lived to see these things happen. Yet, He also warned us that our attitude about people could alter our relationship with Him. Too many people are dwelling on other's past, rather than seeing their attempt to change for today. This is dangerous territory for a believer.
I've never smoked, so I despise cigarettes, but I have seen the desperate attempts of someone trying to serve the Lord and break that habit. Years ago, folks would not even allow them to be called Christians because of their tobacco dependency. From what I've been told that's a terrible habit to break and many people struggle with it. Jesus never said it was my responsibility to break people's habits first before He could save them. All I was called to do was lead them to Him and then let Him take care of the rest. He's the one that has the power to break every habit that would create a void in people's relationship with Him. Because I never smoked I don't always understand their struggle to quit-but He does.
It was grace that changed me and mercy that birthed me. I didn't earn it or deserve it, but He freely gave it to me. There are many trials I never had to face because of my upbringing, but everyone didn't walk in my shoes. Some had no church background. Some had habits and addictions. Some were abused and mistreated. Some committed sins and atrocities that scarred them for life. Yet Jesus died for all of them just like He did for me and you. Pointing fingers and rejecting people because of their past and their struggles isn't your job or mine. We are to live and teach by example, not judge and reprimand. Remember, everyone has a skeleton in their closet. Aren't you glad Jesus forgot yours?
When I Get What I Want
The biggest lie on the planet is, "When I get what I want, I will be happy." How many of you feel that way? I've always loved a Ford Mustang and have had the opportunity to own several over my lifetime. Yet, they like every other automobile I've owned, lost their appeal to me as they got older. Even though their value has increased with the years gone by the happiness they brought me was shot-lived.
When Becky, Shane, and I toured Graceland years ago and saw all the memorabillia of Elvis Presley I was stunned. Looking at his costumes, guitars, automobiles, bikes, and other belongings let us see how much wealth he had. Yet, he died very young and as a very lonely man. The King of Rock and Roll had what many would say would make any person happy, but he wasn't. He was always searching for more.
The Bible says the treasures of this world will one day pass away and you can't take it with you. There was a man buried in his Cadillac in New York a few years ago. He said he wanted to spend eternity in luxury. Sadly, if you opened that grave today you'd fine his decomposed body and a rusty hunk of metal. Friend, if you're waiting to get something that you think can make you happy in this life, you need to try Jesus. What He gives lasts for eternity and never fades away. It will bring you joy in this life and blessings in the life to come.
Cars won't do it, neither will houses or lands. Stuff becomes cluttered and you can see that once the new wears off, it's just another thing you've accumulated. Even if it makes you happy for a while, it won't forever. Salvation can change that scenario. It can bring peace in trials, joy in adversity, and hope when all things seem lost. It will never rust, deteriorate, or fall apart. It will be the greatest gift you ever receive.
Don't listen to the lies of now, but focus on what is to come. Enjoy your success, but don't be a slave to things that lose their value. Invest in an eternal plan that brings joy unspeakable and full of glory.
When Becky, Shane, and I toured Graceland years ago and saw all the memorabillia of Elvis Presley I was stunned. Looking at his costumes, guitars, automobiles, bikes, and other belongings let us see how much wealth he had. Yet, he died very young and as a very lonely man. The King of Rock and Roll had what many would say would make any person happy, but he wasn't. He was always searching for more.
The Bible says the treasures of this world will one day pass away and you can't take it with you. There was a man buried in his Cadillac in New York a few years ago. He said he wanted to spend eternity in luxury. Sadly, if you opened that grave today you'd fine his decomposed body and a rusty hunk of metal. Friend, if you're waiting to get something that you think can make you happy in this life, you need to try Jesus. What He gives lasts for eternity and never fades away. It will bring you joy in this life and blessings in the life to come.
Cars won't do it, neither will houses or lands. Stuff becomes cluttered and you can see that once the new wears off, it's just another thing you've accumulated. Even if it makes you happy for a while, it won't forever. Salvation can change that scenario. It can bring peace in trials, joy in adversity, and hope when all things seem lost. It will never rust, deteriorate, or fall apart. It will be the greatest gift you ever receive.
Don't listen to the lies of now, but focus on what is to come. Enjoy your success, but don't be a slave to things that lose their value. Invest in an eternal plan that brings joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Turmoil In The House
Turmoil is a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty. Synonyms are confusion, upheaval, turbulence, tumult, disorder, disturbance, agitation, unrest, disquiet, trouble, disruption, chaos, and mayhem, just to mention a few. This describes the home life of many families in America today. There is so much happening in society that effects our families and many of us have allowed those events to invade our lives. We are paying for it here in 2016.
How many children are growing up without a father in their home? How many only get to see a parent every other weekend? As the rate of adultery and fornication rises so do the crime rates in our nation. Adults have sunken into the depths of depravity on may levels that have infected the lives of their children and others around them. Isn't it time for a moral compass to point us back in the right direction?
We, in Pentecostal churches, sing and shout about the blessings of the Lord. We lift up His name in worship while we are in church, but many of our families are living in turmoil. Mothers and Fathers are concerned about job security, raising their children, paying the bills, and making ends meet. They're also fearful of what their child or children will face in the future. Children are facing attacks by bullies, social media, and an ever changing cultural attitude about lifestyles that bring terror and confusion. Sometimes the pressures are so great on the home and family that they feel as though they are going to explode.
I have stated time and time again in these blogs that we as Christians are not immune to the adversities of the world. The main difference is we have a Savior who loves us and will help us through these turbulent times. However, you still have to face many of these situations in your home fulfilling the responsibilities that God has given you. Turmoil may invade the home temporarily, but it doesn't have to live there. In the name of Jesus you can deal with it and move forward.
I could give you a lot of scripture here and end on a high note, but then I wouldn't be responsible to my calling. Problems are real and turmoil in the house has to be dealt with daily. Its like treating a wound. If you leave it untreated it will get infected. If you're not willing to address a problem it will continue to grow. So many families could have been saved if only they had dealt with the turmoil the family was going through. Let me leave you with three things:
-Don't ignore the turmoil! If there's an elephant in the room tactfully address it, deal with it, and get it out in the open. You can't solve a problem if you can't talk about it.
-Don't let stress stop you! It's not easy to address turmoil in your house, whether it's with your companion or children. Stress will kill you or destroy what you have if you allow it to. Meditate on God's Word. Seek an amicable conclusion to the turmoil and move forward. Sounds easy, but it's not. Just do the best you can to not let your emotions ruin you mentally or physically.
-Don't forget who's on your side! Jesus never promised an easy voyage, but He did declare the safety of the harbor. If He can't help you, then nobody can!
I wish I could say that every dilemma had a solution, but that's no always the case. In spite of great efforts, some turmoil leads to divorce and desertion. Not every prayer is answered in the way we expect or every family is saved as we hoped. But, if Jesus lives in the house there is hope to solve the turmoil. Put it in His hands by faith and believe when you've dealt with it things will be all right.
How many children are growing up without a father in their home? How many only get to see a parent every other weekend? As the rate of adultery and fornication rises so do the crime rates in our nation. Adults have sunken into the depths of depravity on may levels that have infected the lives of their children and others around them. Isn't it time for a moral compass to point us back in the right direction?
We, in Pentecostal churches, sing and shout about the blessings of the Lord. We lift up His name in worship while we are in church, but many of our families are living in turmoil. Mothers and Fathers are concerned about job security, raising their children, paying the bills, and making ends meet. They're also fearful of what their child or children will face in the future. Children are facing attacks by bullies, social media, and an ever changing cultural attitude about lifestyles that bring terror and confusion. Sometimes the pressures are so great on the home and family that they feel as though they are going to explode.
I have stated time and time again in these blogs that we as Christians are not immune to the adversities of the world. The main difference is we have a Savior who loves us and will help us through these turbulent times. However, you still have to face many of these situations in your home fulfilling the responsibilities that God has given you. Turmoil may invade the home temporarily, but it doesn't have to live there. In the name of Jesus you can deal with it and move forward.
I could give you a lot of scripture here and end on a high note, but then I wouldn't be responsible to my calling. Problems are real and turmoil in the house has to be dealt with daily. Its like treating a wound. If you leave it untreated it will get infected. If you're not willing to address a problem it will continue to grow. So many families could have been saved if only they had dealt with the turmoil the family was going through. Let me leave you with three things:
-Don't ignore the turmoil! If there's an elephant in the room tactfully address it, deal with it, and get it out in the open. You can't solve a problem if you can't talk about it.
-Don't let stress stop you! It's not easy to address turmoil in your house, whether it's with your companion or children. Stress will kill you or destroy what you have if you allow it to. Meditate on God's Word. Seek an amicable conclusion to the turmoil and move forward. Sounds easy, but it's not. Just do the best you can to not let your emotions ruin you mentally or physically.
-Don't forget who's on your side! Jesus never promised an easy voyage, but He did declare the safety of the harbor. If He can't help you, then nobody can!
I wish I could say that every dilemma had a solution, but that's no always the case. In spite of great efforts, some turmoil leads to divorce and desertion. Not every prayer is answered in the way we expect or every family is saved as we hoped. But, if Jesus lives in the house there is hope to solve the turmoil. Put it in His hands by faith and believe when you've dealt with it things will be all right.
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