Thursday, April 30, 2009

PERSECUTION

Acts 8:3-4 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (4) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

It seems that the early church was much like us. They were comfortable and they all stayed together enjoying their salvation and fellowship with one another.
It wasn't until persecution came that they began to scatter and spread the gospel through the world as Jesus had commanded them to do. They had to be pushed out of their comfort zone before they did that which they were commanded to do.
We certainly can identify with the early church. Most of us are in that comfort zone where we are enjoying our relationship with Christ and our fellowship with other Christians but we are not concerned about those who don't yet know him.
Things are quickly changing in this country. Don't be surprised if persecution comes. It might be the only way we will do the things we should be doing anyway.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

HOLDING THE ROPE

Ac 9:24-25 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.(5) Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

There are many today who want to be in the limelight. They want people to see their good works and know what they are doing. Someone said that great things can be done if it doesn't matter who gets the credit. Read the entire chapter of Acts 9. You will see how things were and you will see that there are heroes in this chapter who never were mentioned.
Paul was beginning a great ministry after his conversion. Many of the other disciples were suspicious of him. Many of his old friends and others wanted to kill him.
As his enemies were pursuing him some of the disciples helped him escape by lowering him in a basket out of a window. Who was holding the rope? As far as I know, no one knows for sure but look at the great ministry they were a part of. Paul carried the gospel to the gentiles and preached wherever he went.
Holding the rope is a thankless job but it is definitely important. There is so much that we can do that others may never know about. When we pray for others we are holding the rope. When we give we are holding the rope. When we are present and encouraging others we are holding the rope.
Remember what is at stake when you have the opportunity to be a rope holder.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

NO DISCRIMINATION

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
I like this verse. It means that God does not discriminate.
God does not look upon a persons status in life. He doesn't care what we look like or how smart we are. The color of our hair or skin doesn't make a difference. It is not necessary to be rich or popular.
God looks upon us and sees our need. He provides for that need according to His riches in glory through Jesus Christ.
There have been times in my life I have had strong feelings of inferiority. I have often overcompensated by being a loud mouth and a show off. I thought that everyone else suspected that I was inferior so I would try to impress them in some way. If they didn't think I was inferior to begin with my rash behavior might have made them think so.
I guess what I really wanted was to be accepted, to be loved, to be cherished.
When I begin to feel inferior now I try to remember. God loves me. He loves me with a perfect love and He loves me in spite of everything else. That makes me feel pretty good knowing that the Creator of the Universe is interested in me as an individual.

Monday, April 27, 2009

THE NEW BIRTH

(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The new birth is really very exciting when we take a close look at it. We are passed from an old way of life to an entirely new way of life.
We have a new way of seeing. We have eyes that see by faith instead of normal sight. We have a new focus, Jesus instead of the world. There is a new light to show us the way. We have a new vision, the vision of God's glory.
We have a new way of thinking. The new mind is the mind of Christ. Our thoughts are celestial and not terrestrial. Our thoughts are eternal and not terminal. Our mind is focused instead of foggy.
We have a new strength that should keep us from growing weary:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
We can fly above the circumstances. We can run the race that is set before us. We can walk the straight and narrow path and keep our balance.
We have a new voice. A voice for praise and an attitude for service instead of being served. We will want to minister instead of being ministered too.
Most of all we have a new heart. A clean heart and a pure heart. We have a heart that won't stop beating through eternity because it comes with a new spirit that is eternal.
Isn't it wonderful to be Born Again?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Building Your House

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go, and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, “This is your house – my gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with shock, we realize we have to live in the house we’ve built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Your attitude and the choices you make today help build the “house” you will live in tomorrow. Build wisely.
(copied)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Train of Life

Some folks ride the train of life, looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by, and marking every year.

They sit in sad remembrance, of wasted days gone by,

And curse their life for what it was, and hang their head and cry.

But I don't concern myself with that, I take a different vent.
I look forward to what life holds, and not at what’s been spent.

So strap me to the engine, as securely as I can be.
I want to be out in front, to see what I can see.

I want to feel the winds of change, blowing in my face.
I want to see what life unfolds, as I move from place to place.

I want to see what’s coming up, not looking at the past.
Life’s too short for yesterdays, it moves along too fast.

So if the ride gets bumpy, while you are looking back,
Go up front and you may find, your life has jumped the track.

Oh, it’s all right to remember, that’s part of history.
But up front is where it’s happening, there’s so much mystery.

The enjoyment of living is not where you have been.
It’s looking forever forward to another year, and ten.

It’s searching all the byways, never should you refrain.
For if you want to live your life, you've gotta drive the train.

Copied from Bob Dearborn's Website
http://bobdearborn.blogspot.com

Friday, April 24, 2009

NOT WELL PLEASED

1 Corinthians 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
This verse is a real attention getter. It is referring to those who died in the wilderness between Egyptian bondage and the promised land. It does not say that God was angry with them. It does not say that they had acquired God's wrath. It simply says that God was not well pleased.
God was not well pleased with them simply because they lacked the faith to trust Him. He had promised to lead them into a land flowing with milk and honey. A land of plenty lay before them for the taking but they did not trust God enough to posses their possessions.
God has promised us an abundant life in Jesus Christ but many of us are still wandering in the wilderness, that place between spiritual bondage and the life God would have us to live. I suspect that there are many of us in whom God is not well pleased. How sad that many die in the wilderness without ever truly enjoying the abundant life in Christ that is available by submitting to Him.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

THE COMPLETE PICTURE

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Sometimes it is hard for us to realize how much we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. The way we look, the way we act, the way we feel has an effect on others. This is particularly true in the Church because it is supposed to be one body.
Just like the parts of the body though we each have a purpose and we must achieve that purpose in harmony with the rest of the body. Sometimes I would like to make all the rest of the parts do right but the truth is that I only have control over myself.
Once a busy dad was trying to occupy his son while he finished some work so he tore a picture of a world map out of a magazine and cut it into small pieces. He gave the picture and some tape to his young son and told him to put the picture of the world together again. He figured that this would occupy his son for a good while.
To his surprise his son finished very quickly and when he asked how he got it together so fast his son replied, "There was a picture of a man on the other side of the page. When you get the man right then the world comes out right too."
I can't get the other people right but I reckon if I get myself right at least part of the body will be healthy.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A LOT OF NOISE

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

I once heard of a church who was looking for a pastor. They were trying to decide between two men. When they finally chose one of them he wondered why they chose him over the other. One of the members explained, "Well, you both preached from the same text. You both preached like you thought we were bound for hell." He paused, "But the other preacher acted like he was glad of it and you seemed to be sorry about it."
When we warn others of their sins it seems just like a bunch of noise if we don't do it with love. One of the things that I learned early in my ministry was that everyone was not going to love me. God convicted me that he did not send me there to be loved by them but so that I might love them.
A young girl was visiting a mission field when she saw how dirty all the little children were. She asked the missionary, "How can they let their children be so dirty? Don't they love them?"
He answered, "Yes they love them. They just don't hate dirt. You hate dirt but you don't love the children. It is only when someone who hates dirt and loves the children comes along that they will be cleaned up."
That is the way with reaching the world. We must hate sin and it's destructiveness and at the same time love the sinner that is being destroyed. It is only then that we can lead them to Christ. Anything else is just noise.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

NOT EVEN DEATH

1Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?(56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We hear a lot about life expectancy and how to lengthen our lives. You can't open an electronic gadget without reading a warning that if you fail to unplug it it could cause injury or death.
I guess as you get older you begin to think more about death. When you get sick you think a little more about it. As a pastor I have heard people say of someone, "They are in bad shape, they are dying." I am not making light of people who are terminally ill but we all have something terminal, it is called life. If the Lord doesn't come back for us first we are all going to die.
That might sound morbid and seam to be negative but the truth is if you read the rest of the verses surrounding the ones above you realize that death does not have victory over the believer. The believer in Jesus has victory of death, hell, and the grave.
If you are ever reading the obituaries and see my name and it says that I am dead, don't believe it. At that time through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior I will be more alive than I have ever been before. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," for the believer. Not even death can defeat those who have victory in Christ.

Monday, April 20, 2009

I LIE NOT

Galations 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Paul was emphasising the truth of his message to the Galations. He was stating with God as his witness that he was telling them the truth. What was this message that was so important for him to place this emphasis on telling the truth. Read the rest of this chapter from the beginning when you have the chance.
Paul was a messenger sent by God. It was a message to all who would hear him. It was a message of grace through Jesus Christ.
The message was a message of salvation. It was a message of peace. Not world peace that people are clamoring for in the world today but an inner peace that can only come from God and His marvelous grace.
Paul's message was delivered according to God's will. He spoke what God wanted him to speak, to whom God wanted him to speak. How could he lie? It was a message to glorify God.
How tragic it would have been if Paul had not spoken the truth. How tragic it is when we fail to spread this truth. How selfish and destructive it would have been if he had not spoken at all and had kept the message to himself. How selfish and destructive it is if we fail to continue to share the message.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

So Much To Do

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's
getting late. I think I'll go to bed."
She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's
lunches. She rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the
freezer for dinner the following evening, checked the cereal box
levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the
table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.
Mom then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of
clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose
button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table and put
the telephone book back into the drawer. She watered the plants,
emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.
She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped
by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some
cash for the field trip, and pulled a textbook out from hiding
under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend,
addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for
the grocery store. She put both near her purse.
Mom then washed her face with a three-in-one cleanser, put on
her Night Solution and age-fighting moisturizer, brushed and
flossed her teeth and filed her nails.
Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed."
"I'm on my way," she said.
She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside,
then made sure the doors were locked. She looked in on each of
the kids and turned out their bedside lamps, hung up a shirt,
threw some dirty socks into the hamper and had a brief
conversation with the one still up doing homework. In her own
room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, and
straightened up the shoe rack. She added three more things to
her "Six Most Important Things To Do" list. She said her
prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.
About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced, to no one
in particular, "I'm going to bed." And he did ... without
another thought.
Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women live longer?
It's because they're made for the long haul! And, they CAN'T die
sooner. They still have things to do!!
FROM BOB DEARBORN'S BLOG

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Grumbling or Grateful?

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

One day, there was a preacher on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. This woman was complaining about everything -- the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service. The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, "And what does your wife do?" The man replied, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness." You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us. Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful. (copied)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Looking Toward Home

1Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

One night not long ago I was having trouble falling asleep. When I have this trouble usually I let my imagination run freely and make up stories in my head. Sometimes I mentally write devotionals and try to remember them the next day so that I can write them down. Sometimes what I think is just pure foolishness and doesn't amount to much more than daydreaming at night. On this particular night I began to think about Heaven and what it would be like.
I could see the faces of friends and loved ones who have already gone on before me to their rewards. You might think it depressing to think of those who have died but it was quiet the opposite. In my mind that night each one greeted me with a smile and it was a joyous reunion.
The scenery was beautiful and the air was fresh and clean and as I imagined it an inner peace came over me. My desire was to complete the journey and see Jesus. In the course of thinking of these things I fell asleep and maybe continued to dream a little of the same things.
After falling asleep I don't remember much of what I dreamed but I know it was pleasant and I woke up the next morning refreshed and with a stronger appreciation for what is waiting on those who know Jesus. Maybe if we got in the habit of doing this, of thinking what Heaven must be like, we might be laying up more treasures there by making sure all our loved ones and friends will be there.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

NO OTHER WAY

JohN 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We are living in a time of compromise when everyone seems to be accepted except conservative Christians. We are called mean spirited and narrow minded because we believe that Jesus is the only one who can save you.
Actually we are not mean spirited. Jesus loved the lost and so do Christians with the proper attitudes. We still believe that they are wrong. We still believe that they are lost in their sin if they have rejected Jesus. Loving someone does not mean you have to accept their beliefs or behavior.
True Christianity does not want to see the destruction of other people. We do not want to kill them if they do not convert. What we do want is for them to know that Jesus is the only way. Jesus is the truth and all else that promises salvation is a lie. Jesus is the only one that can give us eternal life and any other path leads to death and destruction.
Many will be shocked some day when they stand before God and He rejects them because they tried to come to Him some other way than through His only begotten Son, Jesus.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

I CAN - BUT I WON'T

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
This is probably one of the most quoted scriptures in the New Testament. We use it when we are struggling with a problem or going through hard times. We especially use it when we want to gain victory over certain difficulties.
It is a shame that there are so many times that we do not use it. Instead we say, "I can't."
I can't stop this bad habit or behavior.
I can't forgive someone for what they did.
I can't give as I know I should.
I can't get along with someone.
I can't get over a tragedy.
I could go on and on but I think you get the point. The scriptures never lie. If we are perfectly honest with ourselves we can, through Christ Who strengthens us, but we won't. We won't because if we are perfectly honest we don't want to.

All things is a pretty inclusive statement. Whenever you start thinking I can't, just remember you can if you will.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Helpless But Not Hopeless

By Jeremy Burkes
1 Corinthians 10:12-13Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
When we are on our own we can do nothing. If we try to handle our own sins we fall flat on our face. We as Christians tend to turn the small stuff over to God and hang on to the big stuff ourselves. What we need to realize is there is no big stuff. Nothing is too big for God. It is all small stuff to Him.
We all want a mountain top experience but Satan is waiting halfway up the mountain. Satan knows our weaknesses and he uses them against us. When Satan attacks we need to know that God will give us victory.
We never go through our troubles alone. God is with us every step of the way. God is not along as our passenger but as our pilot. He is in charge and He can carry us through the troubles along the way. When you feel the presence of God in times of trouble and know He is with you it gives you strength.
He is with us during trials just as he was with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
On our own we are helpless but we are not Hopeless. We always have hope in God.

Monday, April 13, 2009

REAL FREEDOM

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Much is said about freedom today. I am very thankful that I live in a country with more freedom than any other.
As a young person is growing up, too often they think that freedom is being able to do any thing that you want to do. Every choice has it's own consequences. Every decision leads to certain outcome.
Many people think they are exercising their freedom when what they are doing is actually putting themselves in bondage to some sin. True freedom is being able to do the right thing. When we do that which we know that God wants us to do we are then free. "Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

REMEMBER WHEN

REMEMBER WHEN
BY Jeremy Burkes
Falsly Accused,
Beaten and Bruised,
He did it for me.
WillinglyHe bore my shame,
Willingly He felt my pain,
He carried His cross because,
He knew I would be lost,
Had nails driven in His hands and feet,
So that someday I could walk down golden streets,
A crown of thorns he gladly wore,
For my bad thoughts he suffered more,
He took my place to offer amazing grace,
Rose again on the third day,
To offer me a way to be saved,
Prepared a place so that one day,
I could see His glorious face.
(From my family, our church, to you, I wish you a happy and blessed Easter.)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

HAPPY EASTER

THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...
Happy Easter!
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips.. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.
One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.
Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.
Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"
Beverly said, "Why yes I do."
Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"
Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, " Beverly , don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.
After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"
Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient" With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."
Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"
Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"
Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.
Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick.
Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."
Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.. I'm not interested."
Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family."
Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."
One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day"
Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."
Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"
Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."
Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"
Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"
Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
(Note: I do not know the origin of this but someone emailed it to me and I thought it worth sharing.)

Friday, April 10, 2009

KNOWING THE MASTER

Isaiah 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Sometimes we forget Who we belong to and who cares for us.
There was a band of theives that had been raiding villages and killing and stealing from the people. Soldiers had learned of a planned raid on one particular village and they were waiting when the bandits came. They surprised the theives and killed some of them and chased the rest of them off. They had tried many times in vain to find where their hideout was but the captain of the soldiers knew his Bible and from it he devised a plan.
They had captured the horses of the theives that had been killed and they kept them up for several days without feed. When they released them they lead the soldiers straight to their masters hideout because they were hungry and were looking in their usual place for feed.
If even the animals know who it is that provides for them shouldn't we acknowledge God as our Lord and return to Him for the spiritual nourishment we need for our souls?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

SIMPLE REQUIREMENTS

Micah 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

I just can't seem to get everything done. There seem to be so many demands on my time and everyone seems to want something from me that I can't deliver. I never seem to get caught up to where I can concentrate on the important things.
Do these thoughts sound familiar. We all have seem to let the world and those around us demand so much of us and use so much of our time. Actually God's requirements are very simple and are the things that ought to guide our actions.
Do justly. That is do what is right, fair, and honorable. That really is not something so out of the ordinary for most people that would be reading this devotional in the first place.
Love mercy. Remember it is not justice that we crave. Justice gives us what we deserve. It is mercy that we need and mercy forgives us in spite of everything as we should show mercy to others.
Walk Humbly with God. How else can we stand before Him. He is perfect and Holy. He is righteous and full of grace and we are... well, we are us. That should cause us to be humble.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

CLEAN THE INSIDE

Matthew 23:25-26 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
The late Lewis Grizzard once wrote an article about buying a pair of Gucci shoes. One of his friends commented that Lewis in a pair of Gucci shoes was kind of like putting perfume on a hog. I have always liked that analogy.
So many times people will clean up, dress up, and pretty up the outside when the inside is still the same of sinful mess.
The only way we can clean up the inside our ourself is by asking Jesus to come in and be our Lord and Savior. He will take care of the filthy sin if we just let Him have control.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

CHILDREN OF GOD

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

I once heard someone say, "A man should live his life in such a way that if they tell his son he looks like his daddy that he will stick out his chest instead of his tongue."
Watch a child with a good and loving parent and you will see that the child begins to imitate the things the parent does. I guess this is true of parents who do the wrong thing too. This could explain a lot about why the world seems to be falling apart.
We have God as a perfect Heavenly Father. Don't you think that it would be wonderful if people could see that we are following His ways and trying to imitate Him. There is definitely no reason for us to be ashamed of our Heavenly Father. He gave us Jesus to set the perfect example and we should be striving to follow that example.

Monday, April 6, 2009

THE INWARD FIRE

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not .
The work of the Church is to spread God's Word to a lost world. It is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as mans only means of salvation.
We know that and we acknowledge that and we are all for it, but do we have a desire to spread God's word that burns within us as an inward fire?
A pastor was visiting a man who had been out of church for a good while and they were sitting in front of the fireplace. The preacher took the poker and rolled a coal away from the rest of the fire and left it to the side. It was hot and glowing at first and then it began to cool and become covered with ash. The pastor was silent as the church member watched him. Finally the church member got the point, "I see what you mean pastor, I'll see you in church Sunday."
Sometimes we need to work closer with others and with our church because the inward fire begins to fade when we are not in close fellowship with others. When the fire is burning inside our hearts, it makes a difference to the whole world.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

THE DEAD CAT

Clutching their Kohl's shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down at a dead cat in the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent hit, no flies, no smell. "What business could that poor kitty have had here?" murmured Ellen. "Come on, Ellen, let's just go."
But Ellen had already grabbed her shopping bag and was explaining, "I'll just put my things in your bag, and then I'll use this tissue." She dumped her purchases into Kay's bag and then used the tissue paper to cradle and lower the former feline into her own Kohl's bag and cover it.
They continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their goods in the trunk. But it occurred to both of them that if they left Ellen's burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the Texas sunshine while they ate, Kay's Lumina would soon lose that new-car smell. They decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to Luby's Cafeteria.
After they went through the serving line, they sat down at a window table. They had a view of Kay's Chevy with the Kohl's bag still on the trunk. BUT not for long! As they ate, they noticed a woman in a red gingham shirt stroll by their car. She looked quickly this way and that, and then took the Kohl's bag without breaking stride. She quickly walked out of their line of vision. Kay and Ellen shot each other a wide-eyed look of amazement. It all happened so fast that neither of them could think how to respond. "Can you imagine?" finally sputtered Ellen. "The nerve of that woman!"
Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh was building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the female thief. Just when she thought she'd have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed Ellen's eyes freeze in the direction of the serving line. Following her gaze, Kay recognized the woman in the redgingham shirt with the Kohl's bag hanging from her arm. She was brazenly pushing her tray toward the cashier. Helplessly they watched the scene unfold. After leaving the register, the woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the bag on an empty chair and began to eat. After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans, she casually lifted the bag into her lap to survey her treasure. Looking from side to side, but not far enough to notice her rapt audience three tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper and peered into the bag.
Her eyes widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise grew. The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the floor, wheezing and clutching her upper chest.
The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and sent the busboy to call 911, while she administered the Heimlich maneuver. A crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained riveted to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance arrived.
In a matter of minutes, the woman with the red gingham shirt emerged from the crowd, still gasping, and securely strapped on a gurney. Two well-trained EMS volunteers steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third scooped up her belongings. The last they saw of the distressed cat-burglar was as she disappeared behind the ambulance doors, the Kohl's bag perched on her stomach!!
God does take care of those who do bad things! (AND once in a while, He allows us to witness it!)
(This was received in a forwarded email and it was too good not to share.)

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Windows Operating System

Your Windows Operating System
A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood.
The next morning, the two new residents were eating breakfast when the young woman saw her neighbour hanging the wash outside.
“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better soap.”
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
This continued for weeks. Every time the neighbour hung out her wash to dry, the young woman made the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice, clean wash on the neighbour’s line!
She said to her husband, “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her how to do this?”
The husband said, “I got up early this morning … and cleaned our windows.”
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
(From Bob Dearborne's Blog)

Friday, April 3, 2009

LAYING ASIDE MALICE

1st Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Sometimes we read words in the Bible and we just casually pass them by without ever looking at them closely and examining them. The word malice basicly means holding a grudge or wishing someone bad fortune.
When Peter wrote this verse it preceded:
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Before we can grow spiritually we need to get rid of some things that hinder us. Malice might just be one of the most destructive.
The word malice comes from the same root word as malignant. When we wish ill toward others it is like a cancer to us spiritually just like a malignancy is to the body. It will eat away at our spirituality.
Lay aside any ill feelings you have toward others. You will be pleasantly surprised at how you will begin to grow in grace.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

LIFE IS SHORT

James 4:13-14 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

I can remember when I was a child. I could not wait to be a teenager and get my driver's license. Then I could not wait to be 21 and be considered an adult. It seemed that the year between birthdays lasted forever.
I can also remember when I turned 39. It dawned on me that I was a middle aged man. Now when I go into a restaurant they ask if I get the senior citizen discount. Unlike when I was young it seems that I have a birthday about every month. I guess you go much faster when you are going downhill.
The one thing I have learned is that life is short. As James says it is like a vapor, here only briefly. Your life is not just made up of decades and years. It is made up of days and of moments.
Time is the stuff that life is made of and that is why it is important to use it wisely. Let us learn to savor the moments, the days, and get the most out of life. Let us dedicate every day to the Lord and allow Him to fill it with blessings. It is way too short to waste even a part of it.
(I woke up at 3:00 am on the day of this writing. I tossed and turned for thirty minutes trying to go back to sleep. I decided that it was a waste of time. I got up and began to work on my devotionals. I feel a whole lot better than I would have if I had just got up and sat there and pouted.)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

RESCUE THE PERISHING

An artist, seeking to depict on canvas the meaning of evangelism, painted a storm at sea. Black clouds filled the sky. Illuminated by a flash of lightning, a little boat could be seen disintegrating under the pounding of the ocean. Men were struggling in the swirling waters, their anguished faces crying out for help.
The only glimmer of hope appeared in the foreground of the painting, where a large rock protruded out of the water. There, clutching desperately with both hands, was one lone seaman. It was a moving scene. Looking at the painting, one could see in the
tempest a symbol of mankind's hopeless condition. And, true to the Gospel, the only hope of salvation was "the Rock of Ages", a shelter in the time of storm. But as the artist reflected upon his work, he realized that the painting did not accurately portray his subject. So he discarded the canvas, and painted another. It was very similar to the first: the black clouds, the flashing lightning, the angry waters, the little boat crushed by the pounding waves, and the crew vainly struggling in the water.
In the foreground the seaman was clutching the large rock for
salvation. But the artist made one change: the survivor was holding on with only one hand, and with the other hand he was reaching down to pull up a drowning friend. That is the New Testament picture of evangelism--that hand reaching down to rescue the perishing. Until that hand is extended, there is no Gospel--and there is no hope for the world. (Copied)
We should take some of our Christian Hymns seriously. "Rescure the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save."