PRAYER IS BEST ACCOMPLISHED WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
Prayer- secret, fervent, believing prayer- lies at the root of all personal godliness. --Carey's Brotherhood
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:5-7
Many times when we are called on to pray during a church service we are not praying so the Lord can hear us, we are praying so others can hear us. I believe many of the times during a service when someone opens their mouths to pray…it’s as if God puts His fingers in His ears because instead of wanting to be heard of by God, the person praying wants to be heard of by man! Do you say something because you have something to say or do you say something just to be heard?
Child of God, we have plenty to pray about! Do we pray when we ought to? Do we waste our time talking about things that mean nothing in life? Do we speak because we have something to say or do we speak because we want to say something?
WHOM DO YOU RESPECT?
One should hold those Christians with gray hair in much respect for they have paved the road before us!
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:32
Sometimes, I sit back thinking about what our senior citizens have seen come to pass in their lifetime; Microwave ovens, Telephone Answering Machines, Super Glue, Liquid Paper, and Mr. Potato Head. Yes, Mr. Potato Head! Boy they have seen a lot come to pass. Now we have the internet, cell phones, and remotes for our ceiling fans! But boy there is are more reasons to honor them than that!
Our Christian Seniors have been in this spiritual fight longer than we and have stood by the stuff! They have sent out missionaries, built churches, and have seen lives changed for the glory of God more than once! They have stayed true to the Lord when churches split, pastors fell, and members fought! Our seniors have a lot to be honored for. Let us give them a little respect while we can. Move over and let them have a seat. Help them inside the church house. Give them hugs and honor them for their service! Why? Because the Lord said so…”…and honour the face of the old man.”
PONDERING THE WORD OF GOD
One of the most essential preparations for eternity is delight in praising God; a higher acquirement, I do think than even delight and devotedness in prayer. –Chalmers
Psalm 100- A Psalm of praise
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
The first time I came across Psalm 100, Sharon and I had taken a trip to Antigua to visit now retired Missionaries Benny and Judy Aldridge. The church that they started sang this Psalm in a little chorus and it has stuck with me ever since. Remembering the joy on their faces singing of our great Saviour brings a smile on my face and a joy in my heart!
Do you have a scripture in your heart that reminds you of a certain event in your life? Do you remember what was preached when you were saved? Maybe a scripture that brought you comfort when a loved one graduated to Heaven? The Word of God is rich and can make an awesome impact in your life forever!
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Revelation 2:4
Many believe they don’t have to go to church in order to be a Christian. While this is true let me just share a few thoughts on that:
1. Does a husband HAVE to live in the same house with their wife?
2. Does a wife HAVE to spend time with their husband?
3. Does a husband HAVE to study his wife in order to get to know her likes and dislikes?
4. Does a wife HAVE to prepare meals for her husband or VISE VERSE?
5. Does a husband or wife HAVE to honor their spouse?
Just a few thoughts all with the same answer, “No!” However, if you love your spouse you will live with them. You will spend time with them. You will study them. You will help them around the house. You will honor them. And much, much more!
Such it is if we are a Christian…We will love the times we get to go to church. We love getting to spend time with His children people worshipping and praising Him. We love getting to study His Word learning more about Him and ourselves. We love getting to help in God’s House, where we meet corporately with one another. We love to get to partake of the Lord’s Supper with one another. We love and honor our Saviour by coming to church!
Child of God, what has happened in your life that has distracted you from the love of God you once had? What has caused you to leave your first love? Well, this morning set that aside for a little while and GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
HONORING VETERANS TODAY!
It Is the Veteran
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus [or community] organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
Who serves under the Flag.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:7
In honoring veterans, I am reminded of the oath they took to defend the Constitution of United States of America. Here is this oath in its entirety:
"I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
In this oath I see a few key things each veteran will do:
1. Take an oath to defend their country.
2. To remain true to their country.
3. A rendering of their will to our president and those officers appointed over them.
4. To live by a standard. “UCMJ”
5. Seals the oath. “So help me God”
We as Christians need to live by a similar oath as the American Soldier. We need to stand up for God and be a witness for Him. We need to remain true, no matter what comes our way. We need to render our will to God’s will and obey the authorities He has placed over us. We need to live to the standards of God’s Word. We need to seal this oath by faith in Christ Alone.
As you look at your life could one look at it and call you a Spiritual Veteran?
CREATION OR EVOLUTION
One should look at creation seeing The Architect, The Designer, and The Creator!
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25
Many in our world have twisted the truth of creation into a lie. The lie is “Evolution”. The Evolution theory in a nut shell is “Everything came from nothing and will return to nothing.” With this type of belief, comes many repercussions in which we are reaping right now in this world. When a society proclaims there is no God, that He did not create us, that we came from nothing, turned into something, and then evolving into an animal which would one day become a human, it will not be long before that society begins acting like animals; animals that kill its own, animals that change the natural use of what it was created for (procreation) into something unnatural, animals that worship themselves instead of The Creator.
Have you believed this lie of Evolution? The outlook of life for an Evolutionist is pretty dim; death and decay! But with a Creationist, with Jesus as Saviour; Life and Life eternal!
ARE YOU LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY
He who has no vision of eternity has no hold on time. -Carlyle
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Living in the light of eternity has the meaning of a great expectation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. It does not mean we sit back and do nothing. What we need to do is be patiently preparing for His return, patiently pondering His return, and patiently proclaiming His return. As we live in that light, we will see Him continuously working in the lives of the lost, hurting, and dying of this world!
Are you living in the light of eternity or are you living in your own light?
A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS ALWAYS CONFUSED!
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8
The Book of James speaks a lot on the tongue. He says in James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Why do some people bless the Lord and then turn around and curse Him, they are double minded. Why do they rejoice with the people of God but then they head to the watering holes of this world, they are double minded. Why do they go to the altar on Sunday but on Monday they are gossiping at the water cooler, they are double minded. Why, because they, like Lot, choose the things of this world rather than the things of God.
Do you say you love the Lord but your actions don’t back it up? Are you constantly walking in the darkness of this world rather in the light of the Gospel? Have you, like Lot, chosen the water holes of this world rather than the things of God? Elijah asked the people in his day, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” So it’s decision making time, Is Jesus Lord of your life—if so then serve Him!
GETTING JESUS IN FOCUS
Man was created with two eyes, so that with one he may see God's greatness, and with the other his own lowliness. -Samuel Y. Agnon
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:5
The older I get the more I am realizing I need glasses! When I turned forty-six I dropped by the old Walmart and picked up a pair of the cheap reading glasses. I have been putting off going to get the old eyes checked because I know what the Docs gonna say—time for some real specks old boy! Time to get things into focus!
I believe this relates to us and our Saviour as well. During this life we get out of focus with Him because of the sin in our lives. We get out of focus while lusting after material wealth of others. We get out of focus looking at the flesh of others. We get out of focus by looking at the successes of others. Mean while He is trying to get our attention to look back at Him; to focus on His grace and mercy, to zoom in on His goodness, to see Him high and lifted up! When is the last time you’ve been by The Great Physician to get a check up? Maybe this Wednesday would be a good day!
MONDAY IS TODAY…
Don’t count your eggs before they hatch…you won’t know how many chicks you have until they’re in the pin.
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
Many people have posted gloom and doom pictures over the last 24 hrs about Monday being today. “Keep calm and pretend it’s not Monday. Monday…I want to break up. What to do when you encounter Monday” are just a few of the sayings that gets to the point of no one likes Mondays!
But let me remind you of a certain truth about Mondays; God made them too! And with a Monday comes another 24 hrs. to bring Him honor and glory! For us to share the Gospel call. But there is a problem us posting about Monday—yesterday: none of us were guaranteed to make it to today. We didn’t have to make it to today and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. So I have a bit of advice for you; invest in today like it’s your last for it may very well be!
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
The great sin of the church is to be so interested in serving those within it that it cannot serve the needs of those without. –Rasmussen
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42
Notice in this verse it says, “…and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”. We are challenged not only to preach and teach “IN THE CHURCH” but in every place we go. Some may say, “You don’t have to wear your Christianity on your shoulders.” I say, “No, I do not wear it at all. It is who I am, not something I wear or something I do!”
On this Sunday morning as you GET UP, GET READY and HEAD OUT the door, take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to give you someone to share the Gospel with. It may be someone in Sunday School, in the nursery, or it could be before you get to church at the gas pump, in the checkout line, or in a drive through. Make sure you are prepared to give an account of the hope that lives and abides in you!
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK…
Do not believe that you are standing still; you are not. Your pulses each moment beat the funeral marches to the tomb. You are chained to the chariot of rolling time. There is no bridling of the steeds or leaping from the chariot. –Spurgeon
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. James 4:14
Each time a family member, co-worker, or former classmate passes I am reminded of how short life is. With each tic of the clock, opportunities are passing before our lives; for some, the opportunity to be saved. For others, the opportunity to see someone else get saved! Whatever the opportunity you have before you today, do not be so naive thinking you have another day to waste. The clock is ticking and before you know it life will be over and it will be too late to be saved or see someone get saved!
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost! –Anonymous
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
Many years ago men would seal a deal with a hand shake. Whether the deal was over a $100 lawn mower or a $100,000 tract of land; a man’s word use to mean something. It held weight. It meant He said what he meant and he meant what he said. You could take it to the bank!
Well I am still thankful there is One that is good to Their Word! Our Saviour has said He would save you if you receive Him. Our Saviour said He would secure you if you ask Him. Our Saviour said He would be seen in the clouds coming again! Hallelujah! Even so come quickly Lord Jesus! Why do I believe that; because of His name sake!
WHAT ARE YOU LOYAL TO?
Loyalty to man leads us to misery, Loyalty to The God-Man leads us to a Mission Accomplished!
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Many people are attempting to build a legacy for themselves. They have big houses, fancy cars, and debt up to their ears. All because they are loyal to a lie; the lie being; “These things will bring about happiness.” All the while they are empty inside!
For a short period of time happiness can be found in a big house, fancy cars, and any form of worldliness one can buy into…but that happiness is short lived. That type of loyalty will leave you empty and wanting because those “toys” grow old and something new is needed. What the real need is salvation. Salvation fills us with joy! Loyalty to the Son of God is what we need! With loyalty to the Lord we have the joy in our hearts we were longing for! With that joy, we have Mission Accomplished through the Lord Jesus!
HOW MUCH CAN YOU GIVE?
Generosity consists less in giving much than in giving at the right moment. -La Bruyere
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Proverbs 28:27
Jim Elliot, the missionary whose life was portrayed in the movie, “End of the Spear”, once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” He and the five other men knew something about generosity and sacrifice. They gave their lives in order to get the Gospel to the Auca Indians.
You may feel “misled” by the title of this post, thinking it post was about finances. Well, when talking about missions, it is so much more than giving of finances; it’s giving of time, talents, family, it’s the giving of the comforts of home. You see the generosity these men and others just like them give is not just for physical problems but it is for spiritual problems. For if you meet the spiritual problems of a man many of his physical problems will go away. The drunkard will be sober, the thief will steal no more, the homeless will own their own home. So the question for today is, “How much of your time, talents, and of course your treasures can you give to the poor in spirit, making an eternal difference in their life?”
TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE, IS A GREAT QUESTION!
Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true. –Bacon
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
In the information age we live in I believe if one truly seeks for the truth, they will find it. But when you find the Truth, will you believe it? Will you obey what it says? Scripture says this about truth, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm 145:18” Don’t wait to begin your search for the truth. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to believe the truth when you hear it!
TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY…AGAIN!
The world has many religions; it has but one gospel. –Owen
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
My wife can watch the Hallmark channel for days on end. I am like, “Haven’t we seen this movie like 20 times already?” She says, “Well yeah!” with a smile on her face. I am not much on reruns. They kind of bore me! I mean how many times can a man watch Mrs. Miracle, A Country Wedding, or A Royal Christmas? UGH!
Well, there is one story I love to hear and I love to hear it again and again. It’s no fairy tale. It has no made up story plot. It’s a real story about real people. Those people being you, me, and our Saviour. It’s the Gospel story of The Saviour’s love for a lost and dying world. It’s the story of redemption. It’s the story of sacrifice. It’s the story of victory. It’s the story that has the potential of setting you free from your sin! Oh we could go on and on but I will leave you with this one thought; “What have you done with the message of the Gospel?”
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH
The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones. -Beecher
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
There are many people walking around today not thinking about tomorrow. They are living for today and have no interest in investing in the future. We see it in how they live their life of instant gratification. Never obtaining complete joy always going back to the slop pits this world offers!
Friend, Stop! Stop running from the thoughts of what tomorrow holds. Stop and think for a moment about what’s after this life. Think about your future! What if this is not all there is to life? What if I could have joy this world can never match—today and forever?
Do yourself a favor, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH. As you listen and learn about Jesus, it will not be long until the answers to these questions and more will become evident. It won’t be long before you are looking to Him to be your Saviour. It is then when you will find out what true joy and life is all about!
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY!
You will never make a missionary of the person who does no good at home. He that will not serve the Lord in the Sunday school at home will not win children to Christ in China. –Spurgeon
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
If you are saved you will want to tell someone what He has done for you. It’s natural! Think about it this way; when a kid wins a ball game he doesn’t go home, go to his room, and become a hermit. No sir! He goes to the car and calls Grandpa and Grandma, his best friend, and even the pastor! He excited about the win! Just for the record, we adults do the same thing when we are excited about something! When share it!
When is the last time you got excited about what Jesus did for you? When is the last time you shared with a family member or a high school friend what Jesus did for you when He saved you? Why wait any longer? Pick up the phone and call someone that the Lord lays on your heart!