January - June, 2008 Devotional
Articles
By Rev Mike Jones
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Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 1, 2008
NEW YEAR
OBJECTIVES
A
Christian needs to “Nail Down” some things as we enter this new year. We are
presently engaged in an all out war in
Christian need to “Nail Down” that they are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ and because of that fact then they will remain firm in their beliefs and
their Christian behavior no matter what others may say or do. It is time
Christians stood up instead of shut up and declare that we are much more
interested in being what God would have us be than we are in being what a few
loud mouthed unbelievers want us to be.
Christians also need to “Put Down” some things. We need to put down the remote
and pick up the Word of God. We need to put down quarreling and bickering about
the color of carpet in the Church and pick up the banner of love and concern for
a lost and dying world. We need to put down living for pleasure and pick up
living for God and good.
My
advice to you this new year is to Nail Down some things and Put Down some things
and make living for God your priority.
Minister Message for Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A SPIRITUAL
PERSON
He
goes on to say that the character of this Spiritual Person will be shown as they
live out Christ in their daily life and the cause of this new life will be the
unhindered indwelling Spirit. He summaries by saying that “True Christian
character is simply the fruit of the Spirit manifested in the life of the
believer”. This fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance”.
This
is the “Secret to Victory” that is desired so greatly by dedicated Christians.
Christianity is not a result of developing character through the energy of our
flesh (In fact, Paul states very plainly that the “flesh” is the enemy of the
Spirit’s development of our life). True Christian character is produced IN the
Christian but not BY the Christian, it is the result of allowing the Sprit of
God to produce His Fruit in our life. What a relief! Change in my life is no
longer my feeble efforts. Change comes when I yield to the Spirit at work in my
life and allow Him to produce His fruit in me- Glory!
You
can try your best to be your best this year; and end up failing once again. Or
you can yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to produce His character
transforming fruit in your life. The choice should be obvious.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 8, 2008
GENUINE
CHRISTIANITY
A
Christian is not spiritual simply because he abstains from worldliness.
Christianity is not about what we stop doing; it is about what we become because
of our yielding to the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit who now lives
within us. A dead leaf may cling to the branch of a tree throughout all the
winds and storms of winter but it will fall to the ground when new life begins
to flow through the “sap” of the tree in the spring. Old habits and attitudes
may cling to the Christian as they develop but if they allow the life giving
“sap” of the Holy Spirit to flow through their life then old things will pass
away and all things will become new; and this is the wonder of Christianity.
ANESTHETIC
SINS
People
slide back into sinful and harmful behavior because they find in them an
anesthetic to deaden the pain and hurt of an empty life. The life part of life
is so stressful until people seek escape in food, fantasy, or foolishness. The
sad part of this “escape” is that most of the time we see, and try to deal with,
only the “fruit” of the problem (our sinful behavior) instead of getting to the
root of the problem which is an empty hurting heart.
It is
absolutely crazy for a drunk (substitute your “anesthetic sin” here) to be a
drunk. Being a drunk empties your bank account, corrupts your morals, and
destroys your health; very few people are dumb enough to do that deliberately.
Yet many people get drunk week after week to escape from reality or dull the
ache in their life. Oh, how I wish they could experience the life changing joy
that comes when the Holy Spirit moves into a person’s heart and begins to fill
the empty places with God’s love and peace.
Just remember what Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that
my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).
Lessons for Living
for Tuesday, January 15, 2008
BEING LIKE JESUS
I am a Christian. I am a believer in, and a follower of, Jesus Christ. I
believe that faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only way
to be justified before God and that Jesus is the only door to Heaven. I know
about my future destination (Heaven) and I am excited at the prospect of those
things that await me; it is the day to day living in this life that concerns me.
More
than anything, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, soul, mind, body, and
strength. Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I want my life to please Him and show
Him. As I meditated upon how to do this I realized that three things stand out
in the life of Jesus in His relationship to God. If I can get these three things
right in my life then I will be a long way toward my goal of being like Jesus.
First,
Christ was willing to GO where His Father chose for Him to go- God had only one
Son and He was a missionary. If I am to be like Christ then I must be willing to
hold my possessions lightly so I can easily walk away from them in order to go
to the places of God’s choosing.
Second, Christ was willing to BE whatever His Father chose- The King of Kings
who was adored and admired in Heaven became a carpenter who was despised and
rejected of men on earth. Being like Christ means I must give up my rights in
order to do His will. It sounded hard at first until I realized God loved me and
would never ask me to be anything that was not right and good.
Third,
Christ was willing to DO whatever His Father chose for Him to do. That needs no
explanation, just obedience.
Minister Message for Wednesday, January 16, 2008
ABIDING IN
CHRIST
First,
when you abide in Christ Prayer become powerful-
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7).
Secondly, when you abide in Christ Joy becomes constant and wonderful-
These things have I spoken unto you, that
my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11).
Thirdly, when you abide in Christ Fruit becomes perpetual-
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John
15:16).
Abiding in Christ is simply becoming connected to Him and then allowing the Holy
Spirit to support you as you rest in the strength and life giving nourishment of
the vine. And, oh, the wonderful results of such a union.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 22, 2008
YOUR IMPACT
It
happened in a town called Sychar. Jesus knew that talking to the mayor or the
town banker would have won Him approval among the elite in town but winning them
as converts would have caused but a small ripple in the fabric of the town.
Instead, Jesus sat at a well, talked with the most notorious woman in the town,
and then sent her back with living water in her soul and a town changing
testimony on her lips. Soon the whole town was buzzing about Jesus.
Occupied with His coming crucifixion,
Maybe
you think of yourself as too bad for God to love or too isolated for God to
notice. Cheer up; you may be just the person Jesus is looking for! Just imagine
what an impact it would have on your family and in your community if your life
was turned around by you becoming a follower of Christ. Another good reason for
you to come to Christ today.
Minister Message for Wednesday, January 23, 2008
WHY GOD LOVES
YOU
The
answer to this question is both exciting as well as life changing. God loves you
because you are Significant to God and you have Potential for God. Please
understand that God’s Love (God loved us when we were unlovable) and God’s Grace
(Unmerited and unearned favor with God) are part of God’s nature and these
provide the impetus for God wanting to have a relationship with you. Do not get
the idea that I am implying that God is simply trying to add a “trophy” to His
trophy case when He invites you to become His child because you have
significance and potential.
You
are Significant enough to God until He would allow His only Son to leave Heaven,
live on earth, and die as a man to pay the sin debt you incurred because of your
sinful nature and your sinful conduct. That is pretty Significant! You have
Potential for God because He looks beyond the sinful person you have become and
see the justified son of God you can become through the life transforming power
of the Holy Spirit that comes to live in your heart when you become a Christian.
How wonderful it is to know that God sees us in this way!
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 29, 2008
GET TO KNOW
GOD
J. I.
Packer in his classic book “Knowing God” list 5 things about God that each
person should consider and purpose to learn about.
1) God has spoken to man, and the Bible is his Word, Given to us to make us wise
unto salvation.
2) God is Lord and King over his world; he rules all things for his own glory,
displaying his perfections in all that he does, in order that men and angels may
worship and adore him.
3) God is Savior, active in sovereign love through the Lord Jesus Christ to
rescue believers from the guilt and power of sin, to adopt them as his children,
and to bless them accordingly.
4) God is triune; there are within the Godhead three persons, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit; and the work of salvation is one in which all three
act together, the Father purposing redemption, the Son securing it, and the
Spirit applying it.
5) Godliness means responding to God’s revelation in trust and obedience, faith
and worship, prayer and praise, submission and service. Life must be seen and
lived in the light of God’s Word. This, and nothing else, is true religion.
I wish
I had been smart enough to have said all that! Please make it your business this
week to seek to Know God and then to know more about God. It will be the best
investment of your time you could possibly make.
Minister Message for Wednesday, January 30, 2008
ENEMIES OF
GOD’S PLAN
I
cannot think of anything that would be worst than for God to say I am an enemy
of His plan and purpose. In the slang of the kids that is “big time bad news”.
Let us see what causes this and what we can do to correct it.
Note
first that this is a common situation- “Many walk” and a sad situation “tell you
even weeping”. Note also that it is a specific situation- “they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ”. They may believe in God and start doing better but they
only seek ease from guilt and acceptance by society instead of being willing to
deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Christ .
Finally, look at the description of those who are enemies of God’s plan: 1)
Pleasure Driven “god is their belly”. 2) Character Corrupted: “Glory is in their
shame”. 3) Occupied with wrong goals: “who mind earthly things”. 4) Destined for
destruction: “Whose end is destruction”. None of these sounds good to me.
The
good news is that God provides a way for enemies to become children of God- “And
you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet
now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you
holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1:21-22). God
waits with open arms for His enemies to come to Him and become His children.
Won’t you make that decision today?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 5, 2008
THE
DEPENDABLE GOD
God
does not need to mature or develop. There is nothing that needs to be added to
Him and nothing needs to be taken from Him.
He does not need to get stronger or wiser as time goes by.
God’s Character is, has always been, and
will continue to be completely faultless. He never becomes less truthful, less
merciful, less just, or less good. God has never done wrong and He will never do
wrong. God has always done right and He will always and at all times do right.
What a great peace comes to us when we rest in the love of such a stable God-
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
(Malachi 3:6)
In a
world of change and chaos where economic recession and political upheaval bring
doubt and dread to our heart and mind, we need to remember that God is
dependable and steadfast. He is a rock in the midst of a stormy sea and we can
rest with complete confidence in His love and care- “The LORD is my rock, and my
fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my
buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalms 18:2).
God is
the perfect God who has always been, and will always be, completely and
absolutely perfect. We should never doubt His love or His provision. He is the
great “I Am” who will never be the weak “I Was”! What a great and wonderful
privilege to serve such a stable and dependable God.
Minister Message for Wednesday, February 6, 2008
ABSENT ALTOS
The
choir would have been a tremendous blessing to the service but all the Altos
decided to
This
lost man went home without Christ and the inner anger he felt drove him to curse
his children and beat his wife. The oldest boy in the family finally grew so
frustrated until he picked up a gun and shot his dad. Seeing the police cars and
ambulance at the home caused a person who sang Alto in the choir of the local
church to investigate the situation. As she gazed on the dead body, the weeping
mom, and the struggling boy, she asked herself, “Why couldn’t our church have
done something to help this family before the situation got this bad! It is such
a shame those people at church don’t care for others as they should.”
Many
life changing events start with a decision that seems so small at the time.
Affairs can begin with a look. Divorces can begin with a word. And shattered
families can begin with absent Altos. That is why it is important to let God
direct your steps as well as your destination.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 12, 2008
LIFE’S
MEANING
Ecclesiastes is one of the most profound books you will ever consider
that is found in the most profound book ever written- the Bible. Most of the
other books of the Bible are written to show us the ruin of man, the redemption
of Christ, the regulations of religion, and the reason God does the things He
does. Ecclesiastes was given to us by a wise man who was inspired by God to
write about the doubts and unexplainable things of life that occupy much of our
thoughts but are seldom mentioned in public (and almost never in church!).
Ecclesiastes tells us that the cycle of life and death happens for the wise and
the wealthy just as it does for the wicked and the worldly. It tells us there is
not always a rhyme or reason to things and “time and chance happen to all men” (Ecc
9:11). It shows us that God’s ordering of things is inscrutable and can never be
completely known by mankind because God has planned it that way- “(God) hath
made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their
heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning
to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Ecclesiastes tells us that God wants us to walk the path He has given us with
joy, to learn wisdom from the sorrow that comes the way of all humans, and to
realize that death and judgment are coming to everyone. Then Ecclesiastes points
out that God is the one who walks with you down life’s path, who holds you
during life’s sorrows, and who will judge you at life’s end. Keep that in mind
and Life will be good.
Minister Message for Wednesday, February 13, 2008
WHEN LOVE
CAME
People sometimes ask me why I am willing to give up fame and fortune in
order to serve as a shepherd to people who have a bad habit of acting just like
people! They talk about me, quarrel at me, anticipate more from me than I can
give, and then expect me be right there with a kind attitude, a wise word, and
just the help they need when something comes along to disturb their life.
I wish
I could say I did it because I am a Saint and it is the right thing to do.
Sadly, I find many of the same faults in myself that I quarrel about so badly in
other people. I get tired and frustrated and just plain human more times than I
like to admit. I do what I do because God loved me when I was unworthy of His
love and I want more than I can say to be able to share the love God has given
me with others.
I
could write all kinds of “cute” things about love today but most people would
simply ignore them or use them to try to force someone to more adequately meet
their needs. Instead, I just want to remind you that we love God because He
first loved us (I John 4:19) and if we say we love God and do not love others
then we are a liar (I John 4:20).
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 19, 2008
WORDS OF THE
WISE
The
“tools” of a preacher’s trade are words. Of all the methods God could have
chosen to show men His Goodness, His Glory, and His Goal for their life He chose
to use preaching- “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew
not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21). That means a preacher must know how to use his
words correctly if he is to adequately represent the God of the Universe. Note
what this means in our scripture.
Wise
words are acceptable words- suitable words that people understand. Wise words
are truthful words- Truthful not just in content but also in application. For
example, the statement, “If you go to church you will eventually die” is a true
statement (It is appointed unto all men to die) but it implies a wrong
application (Your death would be caused by attending Church). In reality, Church
is the place that helps prepare you for death and shows you how to live until
that time. The Application needs to be as truthful as the Statement.
Wise
words are also “goads” to push us in the direction God desires us to go and
“nails” that bind our life and our society together to keep things from falling
apart. They are the right words because they are given by our “shepherd” whose
voice the sheep know and who loves his sheep. I pray these are the kind of words
your preacher will preach to you this week.
Minister Message for Wednesday, February 20, 2008
POWER OF THE
SPIRIT
The
Power of the Holy Spirit is meant to enable us to witness or to establish us in
holiness or to energize us for humble service. It was never meant to boost our
personal ambitions or to stroke our human ego. The Holy Spirit is God and God’s
goal is always to use His power to declare His glory and to demonstrate His
justice. Men are wrong when they seek to obtain God’s Power for their own
benefit instead of seeking it so that God can empower them to accomplish His
work and will on the earth.
Jesus
was very plain about how to get the Holy Spirit to work in your life- “If ye
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more
shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke
11:13). If it is “not happening” for you then you need to examine the motives
behind your prayer. It may just be that the Holy Spirit needs to work ON you
before He can work IN you and the words of James may apply more than you
realize- “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 26, 2008
PROMISES
And
all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
(Matthew 21:22)
And
this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according
to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
If ye
abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you. (John 15:7)
The
righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their
troubles. (Psalms 34:17)
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
Call
unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which
thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Offer
unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in
the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalms
50:14-15)
Now
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
For
the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good
thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:11)
Minister Message for Wednesday, February 27, 2008
RIPPLE
RESULTS
Here
is how that all came about. Brother Todd Smith, SCFWB Executive Secretary, sends
out a weekly email containing news and prayer requests. In a recent email he
asked people to pray for another pastor in our state named Jones. A pastor in
I do
not know your need today but I do know God may already have “thrown the rock in
the pond” so that the “ripple” will arrive even before you begin praying- Isa
65:24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and
while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” What a great God we serve.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 4, 2008
DRIP DISASTER
Our
home is a mobile home. The faucet they installed was the least expensive non
drip faucet available. When I tried to remove the “O” ring assembly a major
piece of the faucet which happened to be plastic broke. Okay, now I have to
replace the entire faucet. Did you forget, we live in a mobile home? The faucet
is attached to the sink in such a way until the sink must be replaced as well as
the faucet. Need I remind you, we live in a mobile home? The sink was very small
so my wife wanted to get a deeper sink since we had to replace it anyway. Did I
happen to mention that we live in a mobile home? The counter top was so small
until in order to replace the sink a larger opening had to be cut. The space
needed was so small until none of my saws would work so I had to use a
woodworking knife to do most of the trim work- Long hard day.
Like
my faucet, sin can begins with a little “drip” in your life and then escalates
into a major problem very quickly. And the more you try to fix it yourself the
worst things will become. Better call “plumber Jesus” for Help. He always has
exactly what is needed to fix exactly what is wrong.
Minister Message for Wednesday, March 5, 2008
FOLLOWING GOD
LIKE JESUS
Jesus
always sought the Will of the Father- “For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38). “Jesus saith unto
them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
(John 4:34). Is God’s plan for you your plan for you?
Jesus
showed us the Love of the Father- “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved
you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my
love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
(John 15:9-10). Jesus did not just show us love on the cross, He showed us the
Love of the Father in everyday situations. That is something all of us can do.
Jesus followed the example of the Father-
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son
can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things
soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” (John 5:19). If people
accused you of living like Jesus would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Jesus
obeyed the Father, loved the Father, and showed the Father. Do You?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 11, 2008
KNOWING AND DOING
Jesus lists two very important ingredients
here about living life. If you want to KNOW then you must be willing to DO.
Many times I find myself with so much work demanding my attention
until I come to a stand still trying to figure out where to begin! The battle
begins to rage in my mind- "Should I do this or should I do that?" And I end up
arguing with myself instead of accomplishing anything.
That is when I need to start applying the Principles Jesus
talked about in this verse. I know I need to visit people but I cannot figure
out which person to begin with. All I have to do is pick someone, anyone. While
I'm on the way to visit them I will always pass a home or remember a person that
I need to see and then I will find things falling into place.
I know that Sunday is coming. I know that sermons have to be
prepared. I can sit and wonder what to preach and end up throwing something
together at the last moment or I can take my Bible into my prayer closet and
find out what God wants so I can begin making preparations.Knowing something
needs to be done is not enough; you must actually start doing those things.
Remember that about the changes you want to make in your life.
Remember that in witnessing and working for the Lord. And especially remember
that when it comes to making your decision about eternity. It does no good to
know Christ can save you if you are not willing to do anything about it.
PERFECT PEACE
This
verse contains a Promise, a Prescription, and a Provision. The Promise is very
straight forward. Resting in God will keep a person in a state of perfect
(constant) peace. The Prescription to obtain this Promise involves changing your
thought process. You used to think only of self and circumstances. Now your mind
is “stayed” (centered) on God; His power, His Presence, and His Providential
oversight of life's circumstances.
The
Provision for this Promise is a constant confidence in God. You trust that God
is working all of life's circumstances for your good and His glory (See Rom
8:28) so you can remain confident no matter what the circumstances.
People
get seasick when they start thinking about how the boat is rocking and then they
start watching the waves; which only adds to the problem. Unable to find
stability, the mind triggers terrible sickness in the body. When I was living
aboard a ship I would lift my eyes to the horizon and find a place of stability.
That always solved my problem.
Perfect Peace is not the absence of problems. It is “stable horizon” we can
focus on that enables us to remain well in the midst of life’s tossing sea.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 18, 2008
COMING TO CHRIST
We
were not really “bad” people. My brothers and I got into plenty of boyhood
mischief but not a lot more than the other kids in our neighborhood. Our parents
were not part of the correct social circles in our community but they were good
parents and they did the best they could with the limited income my dad received
while my mother stayed home and tried to keep 4 boys from killing themselves or
someone else!
Then
one day our next door neighbor extended an invitation to me to attend a revival
at the church he attended and he added enough of a bribe (I will let you play
with my boys Sunday afternoon) so that I accepted his invitation. I did not
understand a lot of what was going on at Church but I did understand very well
when the preacher started talking about the empty place in my heart that existed
because sin separates me from God. Some wonderfully divine way, God worked past
my ignorance and allowed me to understand enough to repent of my sins and accept
His magnificent gift of salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ and
that night I became a Christian.
I am
still in awe of how God worked and what God accomplished when I became part of
the family of God. It just reminds me anew of the importance of sharing the
pardon and power of God with everyone in the community.
Minister Message for Wednesday, March 19, 2008
TELLING YOUR
TESTIMONY
Rather
that repeat my testimony in this devotion I thought I would encourage you to
write out your testimony and share it with others. I got this idea from the
Apostle Peter who wrote in his last letter - “Knowing that shortly I must put
off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. …I will
endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in
remembrance.” (2 Peter 1:14-15).
Do you
find it hard to tell your testimony to others? Write it down and put a copy in
letters and cards to these people. When you die do you want to make sure your
family knows how important your faith was in your life? Write out your testimony
and instruct the Pastor to read it at your funeral. Do you want to experience
peace and confidence about your relationship with the Lord? Writing out your
salvation experience may be exactly the right way to bring the reasons for, and
the results of, your faith into focus.
The
most important event in my life was the day my sins were forgiven and I became
an heir of heaven. If you feel the same way, then write it down and pass it on.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 25, 2008
LOVE
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Becoming a Christian pays your sin debt to God but it does not eliminate the
sinful nature within you. Jesus did not tell His disciples to “pray a magic
prayer so you will never sin again”. His called His disciples by saying, “If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me.” (Matthew 16:24). Real Christianity involves a “daily denial” of sin and
self.
What
actually changes when a person becomes a Christian is their attitude toward sin.
They, like
Christians do not become sinless but they do sin less because their heart has
been changed and is being renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. No longer are
they being “conformed to the world because now they are being transformed by the
renewing of their mind.” (Rom 12:2). Glory! What a wonderful change takes place
in our heart because of Christ.
Minister Message for Wednesday, March 26, 2008
YAHWEH
Knowing that God is absolutely complete in Himself is a good thing but it does
not impact us in the way that it should until we realize that if God is complete
in Himself then He can provide all I need so He should be all I want! This was
the truth that Jesus was attempting to convey when He summarized man’s first
responsibility to God by asserting, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear,
O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all
thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:29-30). We can only love
God in this way when we are convinced that the complete God is what we need to
complete us; therefore, all that I seek in life is found in a totally committed
relationship with God.
You
will never be successful in your Christian life until the great “I AM” becomes
more than a spare tire. You must have faith in Yahweh as your “LORD” before you
can experience the peace that passes understanding that has been promised by
God.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 1, 2008
HAS SIN MADE
A FOOL OF YOU?
When sin comes into your life it “clocks in” and begins to accumulate its
death wages. Sometimes the wages are immediate and graphic. Sometimes sin’s
wages come so slowly until they are hardly recognized until death’s cold clammy
breath is felt on your neck. But sin's payday always comes sooner or later.
People
die in different ways. Some die young and some die old. Some die instantly and
some die gradually. Some slip into death gently and easily while others suffer
terrible and painful torments.
Not
only do people die in different ways but different parts of people die; and this
is where Sin makes a fool of so many. Most people have heard enough sermons
until they immediately associate the wages of sin with the eternal pain and
punishment that follows death. But engaging in sin is like buying a house; it is
not just the mortgage payments that empty your bank account each month. Buying a
home means you also have electric bills, insurance payments, taxes, and so
forth.
In the
same way, Sin does more than bring death to your soul. Sin decimates your body,
kills your innocence, slowly strangles your dreams, and chokes your spirit. Sin
enslaves you and weaves a tangled web of deceit and disgrace as it sucks the
very life from all that you are. And then it laughs out loud as it drops you
into the darkness of eternal punishment.
Thank
God that Jesus paid the debt of sin and conquered death. And it gives His gift
of eternal life to whosoever will come and request it. Glory! What a wonderful
God!
Minister Message for Wednesday, April 2, 2008
SIN'S SLAVERY
I live
very close to the
I
asked her where she was going and she said she needed to get home to her mother
who was recently released from the Hospital so my wife and I decided to go out
of our way to help. As we rode along and talked I asked about jail conditions
(bad food and boring days), home life (lived with mother), and spiritual life (I
read my bible a lot in jail and I am thinking about going to church). Pressing
the matter of a decision for Christ only led to excuses. As she got out of the
car, my wife and I noticed that she went directly to the beer joint located next
door instead of to her home to see her mother.
I was
reminded again of the terrible consequences of sin. Sin is a terrible taskmaster
who destroys a person's body, mind, and spirit before it ultimately dooms a
person's soul to eternal pain and punishment. Good preachers do not preach
against sin in order to earn a living; they preach against sin in order to save
a life. May that happen through your Minister's message this week.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 8, 2008
WHAT CAN
SATISFY?
Seeking to satisfy these needs often lead men to destructive behavior such as
becoming “drunk with wine”. The problem with trying to satisfy our needs with
wine is that the momentary satisfaction soon wears off and our drunken behavior
often leads to hurt and heartache for family, friends, and even innocent
bystanders.
The
Bible proclaims that the way to combat this negative behavior is to be filled
with the Spirit. Instead of yielding to wine’s destructive power a person needs
to yield to the constructive and satisfying control of the Holy Spirit. This
will bring about a change in attitude (you will have God’s melody in your heart
and God’s praises on your lips which will satisfy the inner hungry of your soul)
and your actions (you will learn to accept your place in God’s family so you
will be at peace with yourself and with others which will satisfy the hungry of
your heart).
The
greatest need in your life can never be found in anything in this world. The
secret to the abundant life you are seeking is found in a right relationship
with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. So do not be drunk with wine but be
filled with the Spirit this week.
Minister Message for Wednesday, April 9, 2008
COMMITTED OR
GIFTED
Churches are full of “burned out” Christians because preachers talk about the
need of “commitment” almost every sermon but seldom preach about finding and
using the gift God has given you. So earnest dedicated people feel compelled to
volunteer to do things that they have no skill or “heart” for and they soon come
to the place they dread coming to church and serving the Lord because of the
stress involved in being a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.
Amazingly, when they come to the pastor or church leaders and tell them about
their situation they are told it is a lack of commitment on their part and they
should just “try harder”. Soon the frustration and failure of the wrong person
in the wrong place overwhelms them and they quit the position (and some times
the church!).
When
will we learn that it is not a question of commitment but of giftedness that
determines our success in God’s work? Read again what God’s word declares- “For
as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let
us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that
exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he
that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom
12:4-8)
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 15, 2008
MINISTRY
MONEY
In
reality, a true man of God is someone who receives a salary from the members of
his local congregation in order that he might devote his time and energy to
fulfilling the ministry to which God has called him. He is not a “hirling”; he
is called to be a shepherd (John 10:11-13). He is a man of God sent to the
people of God to do the work of God; and that is the reason he gets a paycheck
each week.
Minister Message for Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PITFALLS OF
PREACHERS
In
spite of my great love for Preachers, I am not unaware of their failures and
foolishnesses. Here are several pitfalls that Preachers seem to fall into with
an amazing degree of regularity. May they read, heed, and avoid these dangers
today.
Potential pitfalls for Preachers include no vision, no visitation, and no
victory. A Preacher who loses the vision of what God is trying to accomplish in
his ministry will simply show up each service, preach a sermon; and watch as his
church stagnates and dies. A Preacher who isolates himself in his office, or
worst, on a golf course or in a fishing boat will soon lose contact with, and
compassion for, his people. A Preacher who becomes lukewarm in his own prayer
and Bible Study time will find it impossible to preach with energy and
enthusiasm; and, if he is not careful, he will begin to look to “wildfire” to
replace the fire of God in His heart and message.
The
scriptures declare that “A faithful man shall abound with blessings:” (Proverbs
28:20). They also say “Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way,
he shall fall himself into his own pit:” (Proverbs 28:10). May your Preacher be
blessed as he avoids every pitfall.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 22, 2008
JOINING THE
CHURCH
- Get
acquainted before you join the family. The Bible tells us to “Lay hands suddenly
on no man” (I Tim 5:22). A person should attend a church long enough to observe
worship styles, church goals, people personalities, and Pastoral leadership
before they decide to become a member. This gives them time to get to know the
Church and for the Church to get to know them.
- Meet
with the Pastor or a representative in order to understand the requirements for
membership. In our Church we have a new member form available at the entrance to
the Church and on our web site-
www.lebanonfwbc.com -that people fill out before meeting with the associate
pastor. Basic requirements for joining our church include being born again,
baptized by immersion, willing to follow the faith and practices of our church,
and declaring that you will support the church with your gifts and your talents.
-
After this meeting the associate pastor will introduce you to the church, share
some of the information he has learned about you, and ask the Church to vote to
receive you into membership. You will then be welcomed into the Body of the
Church where you can use your abilities to build and bless the work of God.
The
goal of every person should be to get right with God and then serve God in a
local fellowship of believers. I hope that is your goal.
Minister Message for Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SANCTUARY
GUIDELINES
Here
are some guidelines we have established in order to encourage people to properly
honor this newly established
- Please do not bring food or drink into the Sanctuary
(cleanliness and consideration for others).
- Please dress modestly and appropriately for God’s House.
- Please cut off all cells phones during service (Parents may consider keeping
their children’s cell phones during service- I see those little hands busily
sending text messages during service!).
- When possible, Families are encouraged to sit together. Worship should be a
time when the entire family draws near to God and near to each other.
- Please visit rest room facilities BEFORE Services begin. A child that needs to
go to the rest room every ten minutes has a medical problem that needs to be
under a doctor’s care lest it do them harm mentally (school) and physically
(unable to participate in outdoor activities).
Hope
to see you as part of our growing church this week. Fellowshipping with God’s
People in God’s house is absolutely the best way to spend a Sunday.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 29, 2008
GOD KEEPS
RECORDS
Some
of the information God keeps about me is a comfort to me for it lets me know He
is aware of every detail of my life; which means I can always be assured that He
knows every need I have- Mat 10:29 30 Are
not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the
ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Some
of the information God has access to about me causes me a little discomfort. God
knows every idle word I say and will one day call for an accounting of these
words- Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That
every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day
of judgment.
Most
important of all, however, is the fact that God’s record books have an entry
beside the name of every person for all time that declares where each person
will spend eternity- Rev 20:12 And I saw
the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out
of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
God
keeps records and these records are absolutely accurate. What does the
information beside your name reveal?
Minister Message for Wednesday, April 30, 2008
SELF
ACCOUNTING
One day we will have to stand before God and give an account of ourselves
to God. What will be included in this “self accounting”? God is the judge so He
will have His own set of standards but He has revealed numerous items for this
accounting that should cause us to “sit up and take notice”.
We
will have to account for the use of our Tongue (Including idle words-Matt 12:36,
lying and angry words- Eph 5:25-26, and denying words- Matt 10:33); our Talents
(God gives each of us “talents” to use for His work. We will be rewarded
according to how we use those talents and if we fail to use those talents then
God will reject us [Faith without works is dead being alone]- Matt 25:14-20);
our Time (We are to “redeem the Time” (Eph 5:16) and “Past the time of our
journey here in fear of God” (1 Peter 1:17)); our Tithe (Robbing God of His
money- Mal 3:8, and misusing the resources God has given us- Acts 5:1-11); our
Troubles (Troubles sometimes correct us- Heb 12:5-11 and sometimes give us the
ability to comfort others- 2 Cor 1:4); and our Trust (The Just shall live by
Faith- Rom 1:17).
Every
one shall give account of himself to God. What will your life and lips reveal on
that accounting day?
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 6, 2008
PETER’S
MOTHER IN LAW
It had been a very busy day. Jesus had taught the multitude and then
asked Peter to launch out into the deep where he caught the vast catch of fish.
Finally, Christ had called Peter and Andrew, James and John to full time
discipleship.
Now
Peter has invited everyone to his home for supper only to find that his wife is
busy caring for her very sick mother. Stunned, Peter simply stands there until
Jesus comes over, lays His hand on Peter's mother in law, and, suddenly, the
fever is all gone. Now she can rise and help minister to Jesus, the disciples,
and the crowd.
Note
the spiritual lessons in this story. First, life sometimes brings trouble and
stress. Something inside this lady had gone wrong and now her body was being
consumed with fever. And to make a bad situation worst, suddenly her home was
invaded by a huge crowd of hungry men. This is a clear representation of what
sin does in the life of a woman (or man). Sin consumes our life and destroys our
ability to establish relationships.
But
what a change takes place with a savior comes on the scene. Suddenly the fever
is gone and this mother can do her part in serving the Lord and His people. That
is exactly what happens when salvation comes into the life of a woman (or man).
Soul healing takes place and relationship service begins.
May
this Mother’s Day bring healing to your soul and body and the joy of family and
friends to your home.
Minister Message for Wednesday, May 7, 2008
GOD’S WONDER
WOMEN
Tamar
(vs 3)- The woman who schemed to have a child by her father-in-law, Judah. She
acted like a prostitute in order to continue the line of God. Surely, God is the
Friend of Sinners.
Rahab
(vs 5)- A Gentile of bad reputation
who decided to trust God and take God's side against her own nation.
What courage and conviction was shown by this woman. How wonderful that
we as Gentiles can come for shelter to the Great God of the Jews.
Ruth (vs
5)- A Moabite woman who trusted in Naomi's God for supply and direction. She was
willing to leave home and friends in order to be part of God’s plan. What a joy
to know that even though we have been excluded by others we can be included by
God's Grace.
Bathsheba (vs 6)- Defiled by the King who had her husband killed. Then she
watched in agony as the child of this act slowly died; yet, she still rose to a
place of honor and privilege. God can take even broken vessels and make them fit
for the Master's use.
Many
mothers think of themselves as “plain Jane” instead of “wonder woman”. But when
God is in their heart then greatness for God is just an act of faith away. May
God bless you as a Mother to be exactly what He wants you to become. If that
happens, then many will wonder at what you have accomplished for God.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 13, 2008
BLESSING WITH
BLESSINGS
Many
times the main reason people do not receive the blessings they crave is because
God is concerned about two things: 1) What will the Blessing do to the person
receiving it? 2) What will the person receiving the Blessing do with the
Blessing they receive?
I love
children and I certainly would like to give them ice cream if I had ice cream to
give. I would not give them ice cream, however, if it would spoil their supper
(Mad Moms are not a pretty sight!), if it would be harmful to their health (Some
people cannot handle milk products), or if they wanted ice cream all the time
instead of eating the nourishing fruits and vegetables they need to grow strong
minds and bodies. God thinks about
some of these same things when it comes to giving blessings to His children.
The
God
wants to bless His children but He wants His blessings to be a blessing. So do
not get discouraged or disgruntle.
God knows what you need; and He always does right.
Minister Message for Wednesday, May 14, 2008
THE GIVING
GIFT
The
openness of your hand will many times determine the amount of God’s Blessings
given to you. God blesses His children in order to bless them but He also
blesses His children in order for them to be a blessing. God expects us to be a
witness of His love and generous heart by sharing with others in the same loving
and gracious way that He has shared with us.
My
wife and I try to be generous in our giving to our church, to missions, to help
those in need, and to other organizations that we feel help God’s Kingdom or
God’s world (We give to some “non religious” organizations such as rescue squad
or cancer society because we want to be good citizens as well as good
Christians). I say this for no praise because I assume all Christians give with
a generous heart and we are extremely small givers compared to some whom God has
blessed to give very generous gifts.
The
reason we give is because God has been extremely generous to us and has led
people to give to us time after time when we were in great need. We do not have
much but we want to bless others in the same way we have been blessed. We feel
this helps others and pleases God; which is a pretty good principle to guide
your life.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BORN AGAIN
BENIFITS
But
Justification is just the beginning. When a person is Born Again by faith in
Christ the Holy Spirit moves into this person and begins to instruct them in how
to walk with Christ in a new holy life (Sanctification). The ways and wishes of
God now become more and more clear and dear to this child of God as he devotes
himself to serving God and daily denies his own sinful selfish ways.
All of
this will one day end gloriously when this Born Again child of God is brought
into the very presence of God where they will receive a new body and live in a
new home. We call this Glorification because all the trials and troubles are
over and these believers in Christ now live in the purity and peace of God’s
glory.
So a
Christian is someone who has escaped the penalty of sin, is escaping the power
of sin, and will one day escape the very presence of sin. He is someone who has
been justified by the blood of Christ, someone who is being sanctified by the
Spirit of God, and someone who will one day be glorified in the very presence of
God. Good stuff being a Christian. I am glad I am one.
Minister Message for Wednesday, May 21, 2008
SOUL HEALING
Amazingly, this is the only place in the entire Bible where the phrase
“heal my soul” is found. The word “soul” as used in the Bible means “the living
part of a person” and refers to the fact that when God created man He “formed
man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7). The soul is the eternal part
of man that exists even after his fleshly body has ceased to function.
In
light of the fact that the eternal abode of the soul is either a place of
painful punishment or a place of perpetual pleasure, it should be obvious why
people would want God to “save their soul”. You do not have to be a rocket
scientist to realize that Heaven is much better than the alternative!
But
why would a person cry for God to “heal their soul”? The word “heal” is a Hebrew
word meaning “to cure or to make whole”. According to the rest of this verse the
Psalmist had sinned against God and it had brought “sickness” to his soul. Now
he is asking for forgiveness and cleansing by God so his soul would return to
health and happiness.
If
life has lost its joy and you seem to just exist from day to day it may be you,
like the Psalmist, need to cry out to God, “Heal my soul”. Life is good when
your soul is “well”.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 27, 2008
CARRY
CHILDREN TO CHURCH
1. GOD
COMMANDS IT “And these words, which
I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them
diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou
risest up” (Deut 6:6-7).
2. IT
CAN LEAD YOUR CHILD TO SALVATION
“That from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim
3:15).
3. IT
FORMS A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE IN THE CHILD
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded
that in thee also” (II Tim 1:5).
4.
JESUS WANTS YOU AND YOUR CHILD IN CHURCH
“Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto
me: for of such is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:14).
Do not
just give your Children food, clothes, and toys. Take them to the house of God
and give them Principles that will last for a life time- “Train up a child in
the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov
22:6).
Minister Message for Wednesday, May 28, 2008
GOD’S
EXPECTATIONS
God
expects you to GROW- (2 Pet 3:18)
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
God
expects you to GO- (Mat 28:19) Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
God
expects you to GLOW- (Mat 5:14) Ye
are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
God
expects you to SOW- He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psalms 126:6)
God
expects you to SHOW- (1 Pet 2:9) But
ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light:
God
expects you to KNOW you are Saved- (2 Tim 1:12)
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to
keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Are
you meeting God’s expectations??
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 3, 2008
DANGEROUS
DECISIONS
1) Be
careful making a major decision when your emotions are in turmoil. Overactive
emotions almost always lead to wrong choices. Try to make no major decisions
within 3 months of the death of a loved one. Do not let the excitement of
momentary emotions cause you to do something in the back seat of a car you will
regret the rest of your life.
2) Be
careful making a major decision when you are Angry- An angry man stirreth up
strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs 29:22). Calm
your soul, collect your thoughts, and then do what is best for the situation
instead of lashing back and making poor choices that can lead to dangerous and
damaging results. .
3) Be
careful making a major decision when you are Discouraged. Discouraged people
often do not think realistically and the resulting decision can remove them from
a good marriage, a good job, or a great opportunity.
4) Be
careful making a major decision when you are not at peace about the Decision. I
have almost always regretted decisions I made when I did not feel the peace and
direction of God about the decision.
God
declared that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5).
Decisions have consequences. “Flipping a coin” will help you make a choice but
depending on God’s wisdom and direction will help you make the RIGHT choice.
Minister Message for Wednesday, June 4, 2008
DOWNWARD
STEPS
Inside
these verses are the four downward steps that destroy many people’s happiness,
reputation, peace, and even their life.
The
first Downward Step is TEMPTATION - Something excites our Desire for the
downward life. (This is not Sin; it is the inclination to do wrong-you can not
keep the bird from flying overhead but you can keep him from building a nest.
And you can keep out of his flight path!)
The
second Downward Step is PARTICIPATION- The temptation is embraced by our mind
and emotions and we yield to the wrong that Satan has tempted us to do.
The
third Downward Step is DOMINATION- Sin begins to control our life.
"Recreational" Drugs eventually turn from a joyful high into a harmful jailer. A
"little" uncontrolled anger eventually leaves bruises on your wife and children
and turns a loving home into a miserable mess.
The
fourth Downward Step is CONDEMNATION- Sin, when it is full grown, produces
denial, despair, disgusting behavior, and, eventually, death. When you give in
to sin it slowly but surely destroys you Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, and
Spiritually.
Downward decisions can lead to a long hard fall. Ask God for wisdom and
directions in order to think right, live right, and die right.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 10, 2008
MALCHAM
In
this passage we find several reasons that God brings wrath instead of blessings
upon His people. As we watch with increasing anxiety the destruction of our way
of life by the economic earthquake of ever increasing prices and the moral
collapse of society in
Simply
put, God declares that His Blessings have ceased because society has begun to
follow the directions of other gods (Baal). This happened because they are led
by priests who secretly believe in darkness (Chemarims) instead of light. They
show this in their worship of the “host of heaven” instead of the God of Heaven.
The
“kicker”, however, is the fact that they worship and swear by the Lord while at
the same time swearing by Malcham (a “god” who promised them blessings if they
would sacrifice their children to him). Does this sound like America as we
sacrifice a generation of youth upon the altar of mom and dad both having to
work all the time in order to build bigger homes and have more things?
God’s
answer is simple. Seek the Lord and enquire for Him. In simple English, come
back to God and God will once more bless and guide you.
Minister Message for Wednesday, June 11, 2008
PRAY FOR
FATHERS
Remember that God gave you children instead of robots. They will not be perfect
(even God’s children give Him problems!) but they have tremendous potential if
you can point them in the right direction: “Lo, children are an heritage of the
LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a
mighty man; so are children of the youth.” (Psalms 127:3-4).
Children have different personalities; take time to learn each child so you can
guide them in the way that fits who they are- “Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).
Finally, remember that God did not say for you to make sure your child was
always entertained but He did say to give them room to grow as you guide them in
God’s ways- “ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4).
I am
praying for you Dad that you will receive wisdom and strength. God wants you to
succeed and He will give you the help you need if you listen to Him and submit
to Him.
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 17, 2008
OPINION
IMPACT
I also
learned when a preacher expresses himself about almost anything; whether people
agree or disagree, the opinion expressed by the preacher will usually produce
some sort of response. That is the reason the apostle James declares that if a
man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man (James 3:2).
The
main “tools” a preacher uses are words and words have an impact through their
sound, their source, and their significance. The tone of his voice, the
testimony of his reputation, and the truthfulness of his message all play a
vital roll in the impact of a preacher’s words.
You
may not be a preacher but those around you listen to what you say about people,
politics, and problems. You are helping to shape opinions and attitudes almost
everywhere you express yourself- from waiting in line at Wal-Mart, to gossip
around the office water cooler, to talking about family and friends in your
living room. Words are like knives, they can be used to heal and help a person
(like a surgical knife) or they can be used to destroy or kill a person (like a
murder weapon). But words always have an impact for good or bad. Keep that in
mind.
Minister Message for Wednesday, June 18, 2008
STUMP FLOWERS
Recently, while my wife browsed through an antique shop I sat on the porch in an
old rocker trying to move enough so that the people who came to the shop would
not think I was one of the ancient items for sale! In the yard beside the shop
was a stump from a tree that someone had cut in years gone by. From several
cracks in the top of that decaying stump beautiful flowers had sprung up and
added bright colors to the stump and the yard.
Several lessons immediately came to mind. Sometimes you must learn to bloom
where life puts you. I imagine these flowers would have preferred a better
situation but they did their “job” in spite of being on a stump instead of in a
flower bed. Secondly, these flowers used the rot and decay of this dead tree to
produce life and beauty. They took what they had been given and turned it into
something better- a good motto for anyone.
Some
people do not catch the same “breaks” that other people catch; they end up on
stumps instead of being pampered with care and concern in some person’s flower
bed. The good news is that God cares about these “people” flowers and is aware
of every detail of their circumstances. (See Matt 6:28-30)
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 24, 2008
VICTORIOUS
LIVING
How do
you grow to a place of victorious living in the midst of life’s storms? Here are
two principles to stabilize you.
First-
Rest in the fact that God will provide the Help you need WHEN YOU NEED IT. God
does not allow you to “store up grace” for an emergency ahead of time because
that would cause us to look to our own efforts. Instead, God tells us to “come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). God gives us what we need for each trial
just at the time we need it.
Secondly, Rejoice in God’s pre-preparation- God always prepares us FOR what He
is preparing FOR US. No problem ever takes God by surprise. God has been
teaching and training you as you journey through life so that when you come to a
time of need God has everything in place you will need to survive and succeed in
the problem - “your Father knows
what things you have need of, before you ask him” (Matt 6:8).
Never
doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. Jesus may seem to be
asleep but He is always with you in the boat and He can calm the storm with a
word! Keep the faith, brother.
Minister Message for Wednesday, June 25, 2008
ACTIVE
MISSIONS
Jesus
did not tell his disciples to arrange a conference and invite someone to share
heart wrenching stories and slides about missions. He commanded His followers to
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
And when the early disciples decided to settle in Jerusalem instead of obeying
this command God allowed such persecution and pressure to come on the church
until they were scattered abroad (Acts 8:4) [Ever wonder why churches have so
many problems and splits? Notice how much harmony and enthusiasm you see in a
church when people are being saved on a regular basis].
If you
are a believer in Christ then you are on a mission. You may never go to Africa
or