TO SERVE OR NOT TO SERVE, THIS IS AN EASY ANSWER…

The same people who can deny others everything are famous for refusing themselves nothing. -Hunt

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:5-8

Many have forgotten the acronym for JOY they learned when they first got saved. It goes; J- SERVE JESUS, O- SERVE OTHERS, Y- SERVE SELF…that’s the way you spell JOY.

Of course we should serve! We serve the Lord with gladness! We serve others better than we serve ourselves! And last but not least we serve ourselves. When we serve ourselves we are investing in another day to serve the Lord and others! So friend…in your latest Facebook post…who did you serve?

HELP THEM OUT

One said to a minister who preached a sermon, after which there was to be a collection, "You should preach to our hearts, and then you would get some money."  The minister replied, "Yes, I think that is very likely, for that is where you keep your money." –Spurgeon

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8

Many have lost their way in the area of finances. They believe it is better to hoard up and save for a rainy day rather than to invest in their family, their community, or even in the House of God. The god of money has got them blinded to what is important. There was a time when family stuck together and took care of one another…not so much anymore.

Friend do you have family TRULY in need; help them out. Do you have friends TRULY in need; help them out. Does someone in your community TRULY have needs; help them out. If you don’t…don’t EXPECTa handout if you’re ever in need because you may not get one!

AVOID COVETOUSNESS

Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

There are so many things men and women covet after; money, fancy cars, big houses, etc. One thing about all of it though, one day you won’t take it with you. One day you will either have spent it all, given it to family, or it will be worn out.

Child of God, be happy with whatever God has blessed you with. Quit trying to keep up with the Jones’. Paul told Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6”  So in order to have that “great gain” we better start….”seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness….”

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN…

            If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about. -Anonymous

           Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.             Proverbs 1:28-31

            But preacher, “I enjoy complaining!” I really believe some people LOVE to complain! They complain if it’s too hot…then ten minutes later it’s too cold. The Lord can meet all of their needs and they would still complain because they He didn’t give them something they wanted!

            Sometimes I really want to say…well…what have you done about it? Have you prayed? Have you done anything to improve the situation? Have you contributed anything to improve what you’re going through? When we don’t… we are saying, “God can’t handle this problem. God doesn’t need to hear about my problems. God isn’t concerned about me.

           Remember what James 4:2b-3 says,”…yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

            You want peace in your life…ask God.

            You want financial freedom…ask God.

            You want joy in your life...ask God.

            You want contentment in your life…ask God.

            You want to be saved…ask God.

            Do you get the point yet? DON’T JUST COMPLAIN...PRAY!

EXCUSES, EXCUSES WE HEAR THEM EVERY DAY!

         Just suppose the Lord should take away the child whom the parents use as an excuse for staying away from church…

         A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Luke 14:16-20

          What keeps you out of church? No, I’m not talking about the occasional miss for health, vacation, or work. I am talking about the one who claims to be a Christian yet they miss worshipping with their church family week after week. I am talking about the one that misses Sunday School and the mid-week services. I am talking about the one that misses fellowships and outings. What keeps you out of church?

            What if whatever that was, was taken from you? What if God took your property from you because you have placed it before Him? What if God took your wealth because you have made it your god? What if the Lord was to take one of your family members because you made them a god? Just for a simple reminder today consider with me the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

I NEED HELP NOW!

To the man who himself strives earnestly, God also lends a helping hand. -Aeschylus

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

            Mary thought Jesus was late when her Brother Lazarus had died. She said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”But Jesus had other plans. Cutting to the quick of the story Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth.” The whole lot of them thought there was no hope for Lazarus but Jesus knew what He was doing and guess what…He was right on time!

            If you want help from the Lord all you have to do is ask. For the lost sinner, He can save your soul from hell giving you life and life more abundant! For the living saint, He can save you from yourself. No matter what trouble, no matter what temptation, no matter what mountainous of a problem you may have, God is never late with help. He is always right on time, all time!

GET UP, GET READY, and GO!

The living Church, though never neat, keeps God's world from complete disaster. -Macleod

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Psalm 55:14

GET UP, GET READY, and GO WHERE; to church of course! There is no better place for you to be on a Sunday morning! The fish don’t bite any better and you won’t find better deals at the mall on Sundays either. Even though it may be the only day you have to sleep in and you get your best cleaning done, don’t forsake the day the Lord has set aside for us to come together and worship Him in spirit and in truth! So please join me in worship this Sunday morning somewhere!

FOR ATTENTION OR FOR ADORATION?

All of our motives will be exposed one day!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Why do you do what you do? Why do you go to church? Why do you pay your tithe? Why do you visit the sick? Why do you help the widows? Why do I write these posts? If you and I cannot answer that question, “Why do I do what I do?” without wondering for a moment…you may want to do a check up on your motives. Is it for attention or is it for adoration? Is it to praise the Lord or to praise yourself?

SITTING OR STANDING

Sitting is for a person when their work has been accomplished. A person standing has their hands busy doing something for the lord.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Philippians 4:1

To stand fast Matthew Henry says is, “To stand fast in his strength and by His grace; not trusting in ourselves, and disclaiming any sufficiency of our own.”

Are we living by His grace? Are we truly thankful for getting what we do not deserve? I believe when we disrespect others, whether on a field or not, we are in turn being unthankful for the grace God gives.

Do we trust in ourselves? Do you believe you live in your own strength? Do you take for granted the strength God gives you to breathe, get out of bed, to walk, or to talk? It is only by His mercy we are not consumed!

Friend, if you think there is any good in you, you need to read the Bible one more time. We have no sufficiency of our own. If we are not standing in the Lord; standing in His strength, by His grace, not trusting in self, or claiming any sufficiency of your own, we may as well be sitting with satan.

You want to make a difference in this life? Quit sitting around and trust Jesus as Saviour! Get busy serving Him!

MIRACLES OR MUSCLE—WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON?

There are too many people who expect God to work by miracle what God expects people to work by muscle. –Tyson

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

Many people sit around waiting on God to work a miracle in their lives all the while He is waiting on them to get off their cans to do something with their hands. As we look to nature, God supplies every animal with their food to eat but they have to go get it. Such it is with you and me, God gives us our food as well; we just have to work to get it.

Friend, while you are sitting around waiting on a miracle, opportunities are passing you by day after day. Stop letting them slip by! Get off your can, take a step of faith, and get to work for the Lord!

FRIENDS ARE TO BE CHERISHED, NOT TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

They who have loved together have been drawn close; they who have struggled together are forever linked; but they who have suffered together have known the most sacred bond of all. -Anonymous

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Some friends come and go like the dew in the morning. Some will use you up like soap in a dish. But then there are others that will stick with you through thick and thin. When you’re on the mountain top rejoicing with the Lord for blessing you, they will be right there laughing beside you! When you are on your dying bed, taking your last breath, you can’t get them to go home.

Do you need an example of how to be a real friend? You don’t have to look far. Jesus is the perfect example! What kind of friend are you?

Friend, Do me a favor; share with me where you are from and your testimony on our Facebook page. Thanks!

Oh, the Old Rugged Cross….

To remember Jesus is to remember first of all his Cross. -John Knox

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

There is no other song in our Hymn book I love to hear more than “The Old Rugged Cross.” That song reminds me of my Mom first because she use to play it on an old desk top organ. But it means more to me now because I actually know what that cross represents. It represents the way of salvation—for everyone must come by the cross! It represents the means of salvation--- for without the cross no one would be saved! It represents the glory of salvation—for through it we have Heaven as our eternal home!

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven at one spring when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer's blood. –Spurgeon

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I believe many would remove the blood right out of the Gospel message if they could. They do not like a bloody Christianity. It doesn’t fit in with their God is Love, Prosperity, More than one way to Heaven Gospel. But friend that couldn’t be any more from the truth!

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin! Without the shed blood there would be no forgiveness! Without the shedding of blood we would still be dead in sin and trespasses! On this Monday I am thankful for the blood of my Lord and Saviour!

YOU NEED TO TAKE THE HARDEST PATH…SAY WHAT?

Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory. –Donne

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

Many people do not like nor want a challenge any more. They want their instant potatoes, books read to them, and groceries delivered to their door. Man what’s wrong with cutting yourself while peeling 5lbs of potatoes, a good nap while reading a book, or fighting the lines at the local grocery store? You can learn a lot about life by just taking the hardest path!

 

So on this Sunday morning how about doing something that is hard for a lot of people, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Trust me when I say you will learn a lot about life when you get there!

YOU HAVE HIS WORD ON IT!

A deal signed with a pen is no better than the man signing his name on it. If he doesn’t value his name then the contract isn’t worth the paper it was written on.—Jay O’Dell

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

On the day Jesus transcended into heaven a decree went out to the Galileans giving them hope and it still gives us hope today! The angels declared, “He’s coming back!” This has been preached for over two-thousand years and let me tell you friend, He’s coming back! How do I know? Not because of the millions of Bibles written and printed, not because of the millions of sermons preached, not because my Mom or Dad told me, it is because He values His name! For that reason friend, “YOU HAVE HIS WORD ON IT!”

I’M TOO BUSY FOR THAT

Beware of the bareness of a busy life.—Socrates

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

Many people are busy. They are busy taking the kids to ball games, gymnastics, piano lessons, and to the mall. They are busy working on a new degree, working a second job from home, and working on getting the house cleaned for the pastor to come over. Some are so busy they don’t make time for the important things in life.

Christian friend, spending time with your Saviour should be paramount in your life. Spending time with your spouse comes in second. Spending time with your children slides in at third. Your church family comes gliding in at fourth and beyond that—divvy up your time the way you would like.

If you are too busy in life to spend time with your Saviour, your family, and your church family…you’re too busy. But preacher, I have to work. Do you really HAVE to? Every Sunday? Every Wednesday? Child of God, be reminded…Mary chose the good part and that was to spend time at her Saviour’s feet. Where are you spending your time at?

IF YOU SLEEP ON WATCH, SOMEONE MAY END UP GOING TO HELL!

For Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. –Watts

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

That word vigilant has the meaning of being watchful or keeping an eye toward. It is to keep a look out for. It is to be on watch!

When I was in the Navy, we had 6 different watches over the course of 24 hrs. The one I most dreaded was the mid-watch. It was from 11:45pm until 3:45am. Boy, talk about ruining a night’s sleep—that would do it! But even so, we had to be on alert. Everyone had to do their part and keep the ship moving. If one person slept on watch, it put the whole ship’s company at risk.

Friend, who are you putting at risk by you sleeping on your watch? Is it your spouse? How about one of your children? What about a co-worker? While you’re asleep, someone may die and go to hell! Is it really worth the rest?

LORD, MAKE ME BEAUTIFUL WITHIN!

I pray thee, O God that I may be beautiful within. – Socrates

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4

            Last night, I heard a great message by Pastor Ricky Easter from 2 Corinthians 4 entitled “not losing heart”. During the message we were challenged to think about the attention we put on the outward man. We take it to the doctor, we take the medicine he prescribes us, we go to the buffet and we buffet our bodies, we entertain our minds with empty television hour by hour, and the list can go on and on.

              Child of God, what about the inward man? If you were to give half as much time you devote to the inward man as you do to the outward man, how much more would your life be like Christ? How many of your problems would go away? If you spent time in His Word, with His people, doing His work, most, if not all of your problems would disappear and you would be beautiful within just like a butterfly bursting forth from a cocoon!  

GOD'S BEEN GOOD!

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God. –Coleridge

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Psalm 33:1

            Several years ago I went out for an early hunt. I got to my tree seat and it was pitch black. As the sun began to come up, I was looking up to the sky and I saw the dark tree limbs clapping in the wind. I was sitting there thinking about how even those trees where singing a song unto the Lord.

            In Luke 19 the Pharisees wanted the Lord to rebuke the multitude of disciples that were saying, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” But Jesus Himself said, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”

            Friend, we all have something we can praise the Lord for! Even if it’s nothing but the device you’re reading this post on! God’s Been Good in our lives!