CHRISTIANS SHOULD LIKE CONJUNCTIONS!

Within a conjunction we find hope!

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26

     All throughout the Word of God we find little nuggets of hope. Some are found in the words; and, but, and or. These nuggets of hope bring hope for today and for tomorrow. Consider with me for a moment these shortened verses of hope:

But God came to…..

But God shall be with you……

But God meant it unto good……

But God led the people……

But God delivered……

But God said unto me……

But God will redeem my soul…….

    You don’t have to look hard to find them. It’s easier than panning for gold in the NC Mountains! All you have to do is open your Bible and begin to read!

BURNT OUT?

Anything worth doing is worth doing for the Lord.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

     So often we quit serving in the capacity we are serving in because we are doing it for the wrong reason. We do it for praise of parents, praise of the pastor, or praise of the people. When those people stop praising us we burn up and burn out.

    Go into service for the Lord with one goal in mind... bringing glory and honor to the Lord! When you do, burn out will not be an option!

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MAN?

     Fame is vapor; popularity an accident; riches take wings.  Only one thing endures, and that is character. –Greeley

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

     The steps…the order of his life…his character…his life as a whole and not just for a moment in time- I think I read part of this post from something someone shared yesterday but I’m not sure. Anyway the Lord sees our life as a whole, from beginning to end. It is not defined by one poor choice or slip of the tongue. I am thankful when I fall He doesn’t kick me to the curb never to be used of Him again. What He does is come to where I am at and helps me up. Just as He lifted me from the miry clay, He lifts me day by day! As someone once said, “He saved me, He is saving me, and I will be saved!” So what makes a good man…good, life-long character!

SIT DOWN FOR A MOMENT!

Ten minutes spent in Christ's society every day, aye, two minutes, if it were face to face and heart to heart, will make the whole life different. -Drummond

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

            The older we get the busier our life becomes. Many days we get so busy we don’t make time for The Lord. Or if we do make time for Him we go into our devotion time, our Bible reading, or prayer closet in a rush. Child of God, if you want to grow in God’s grace, you are going to have to sit down for a moment taking time out of your day and get alone with God! Don’t put it off—start right now! (Adapted from a post by Paul Chappell.)

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN/WOMEN!

There is no better test for a man's ultimate integrity than his behavior when he is wrong. --Unknown

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1

       Let’s admit it; no one likes it when they are wrong. However, the way we handle when we are reveals a lot about our heart. If we cover the wrong up, if we are deceptive, or if we tell an outright lie we reveal how wicked our heart is.

      Child of God, do you want to have a life of integrity? Start by having pure thoughts; begin by getting the Word of God into your mind daily- Romans 12:2. Second- have a pure tongue; your mouth reveals what’s in your heart- (Matthew 12:34). Last have a pure testimony before God and man. God knows your heart better than you do- David says in Psalm 139:1-2, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

     God is willing to work with you right where you are at but are you willing to be the man or woman of integrity that He needs?

OH LOOK, A SQUIRREL!

Don’t get distracted!

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 2 Timothy 3:14

     I know way too many Christians getting distracted by the temptations old Satan throws at us. The distractions are many: control, money, sex, and fame to name a few. These in and of themselves are not the problem. The problem is when we don’t handle each one of them Biblically.

     Christian, there is nothing wrong with leadership but when that leadership position goes to your head that you beat people down to exalt yourself—you have a problem. We are not to let money be the motivation in our service. We serve Him because He called us to a certain place for a certain time. We are to keep our intimate relationship with our spouse— the one God gave us. However, if you have been divorced, God wants you to keep your intimate relationship with the spouse you have right now—FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! And if by chance you do get famous, don’t let it go to your head! Stay humble, bring honor to God, and stay focused on the things which you where taught!

The, Oh look a squirrel mentality is killing the church! Don’t get distracted! GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Stay focused! CONTINUE THOU!

WHAT CAN’T BE DONE?

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

We can do anything God wants us to do because He equips us for the task at hand. Don’t you know oh Christian God knew what He was doing when He called Moses to lead a nation, Gideon to lead an army, Peter to preach, and you to the task He has giving you. Don’t give up too soon, have faith, victory is right around the corner and if you quit, you’ll miss it. So be reminded, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

YOU CAN’T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP

Trust Christ and you shall live. The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners. –Spurgeon

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

Cain attempted to bypass the blood sacrifice for sin. If you leave Jesus and the Crucifixion out, you have missed the whole point of Him coming. (John 10:10) Cain was intentionally trying to deal with his sin his own way instead of how God said to deal with it. Many people today are trying to do the same thing. But just as Cain’s sacrifice was denied, one day, theirs will be also. The Lord will say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

How are you getting to Heaven? Is it by good works? Is it by lineage? Is it by social status? Friend, if you haven’t received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour…your turnip is going to fail you!

I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE

It is a man's peculiar duty to love even those who wrong him. –Antoninus

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

By choosing to forgive those who have wronged you shows the love of God to that person and those familiar with the situation. It’s totally against the eye for an eye and tooth for tooth mentality. It’s sharing the Gospel in the most practical way and that is the greatest duty we have o n this Earth!— Come and see, Go and tell!

WORSHIP WITH MUSIC

Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body. -Cabot

            And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 2 Samuel 6:5

            Mankind has always strived to please their god in some form or fashion. Vegetables out of the garden, money from an account, or human sacrifices, they all fall short of what God calls worship. Worship is not a form of entertainment for the masses. Worship is exalting the Majesty of Our Lord.

            Sure you can use any instrument you want but notice in this scripture where it says, played—before the LORD. You see, the LORD has to be in the church before we can— play before Him. Unfortunately, God has left some churches and for some, He has never been in them at all. So, what am I saying… line your church up against the churches in the Bible and see how close you are to what the early churches were. It may surprise you how far from a church it really is.

I’VE GOT TO PAY HOW MUCH???

No one likes to pay taxes but when we do we support our Military, our Fire Fighters, our EMT, our Police, and much, much more!

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:17

The dreaded tax time is upon us. The time when many of us pick up the phone to the words, “Are you sitting down, I’ve got bad news.” No matter what your tax guy says, we have a friend that will be with us to provide needed comfort when the tale is told. So Child of God, don’t fret! The Lord will help you through this difficult time and provide in ways you never thought of!

A LITTLE MONEY IN MY POCKET…

Money is a good servant but a dangerous master.  –Bouhours

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Money is a tool in which we use to acquire things we need and/or want. Our money has been entrusted to us by the Lord to invest in things which matter. Money should not be our master, we should master our money.

How does one do that?

1. Be content with the things you have.—Do you really need a new couch or is it something you just want?

2. Be frugal with your money.—You don’t have to have name brand clothes, the skips will work for a while.

3. Be Biblical.—Do your best to only have the debt you need. There is no need to go in debt for food.

4. Put God first.—Your tithe should come out of your gross income before you pay anything else.

5. Be patient.—You don’t have to have everything now. You can make it another month without that new fishing rod.

With wise use of your money you may have a little money left in your pocket. With that you may be able to help a missionary, a family in need, or your church pave its parking lot. 

THERE MUST BE A BREAK UP!

If I were God, this world of sin and suffering would break my heart. –Goethe

“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” Jeremiah 4:3

Murders, theft, envy, lying, and all other forms of sin are becoming so prevalent in our day and age it must make our Saviour sick! It has got to break His heart! He is so faithful to us and we are so unfaithful to Him it’s a wonder He don’t throw His hand us and say, “ENOUGH!” Off to hell with the wicked, unfaithful sinners!

But God is longsuffering, compassionate, caring, merciful, and graceful! He isn’t willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He wants to save you—today!

So get up, get ready, and go to a church that preaches, teaches, and believes the Bible! Trust Him who says He can save you!  Break up with your love affair with sin! Repent and turn to God!

JESUS— Liar, Lunatic, or LORD? C.S. Lewis

Jesus Christ is light to the eye, honey to the taste, music to the ear, joy to the heart. –Spurgeon

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

            Do you think Jesus was a liar? That He come to deceive a multitude in order to gain some influence over them? Here’s one problem with that notion—no one has ever lied that good for so many years. People tell a lie and then tell another to cover up the one they told. Eventually they get caught!

            Do you think Jesus was a lunatic, a crazy man that brain washed millions? One problem with that is He met many of the prophecies of the Messiah. I believe Jesus met over 130 prophecies about Him. From the place of His birth to His betrayal He met them to the tee! How could a crazy man do that?

            I proclaim to you HE is LORD! The First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, The Alpha and Omega. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

FORGIVEN

He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for every one has need to be forgiven. –Herbert

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

God has forgiven you for all that you have ever done to Him, don’t you think it would be wise to forgive the one who has done you wrong?

WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING BACK FROM GOD?

A buried talent is never a buried treasure. Talents become treasures only through use. –Rupert

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

            When we bury something it’s normally dead or of no use. So unless our service here on Earth is finished we ought to be about our Father’s business! We don’t need to hold anything back while serving Him. We need to use every ounce of life that is within us to edify and equip the saints and to evangelize the lost. Give it all to Him! 

WHERE WILL YOU LIVE ETERNALLY?

Yes, in Heaven or Hell you will lift your eyes for all of eternity, which shall it be?

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:12

You will live eternally either in Heaven or hell. You will either have eternal life or eternal death. The choice is yours. You have not been pre-ordained to die and go to hell. God has given each of us an opportunity to be saved and redeemed from hell. To go to hell, you don’t have to do a thing—you’re already headed that way! But to get to Heaven, “Ye must be born again!” You must receive Jesus as Saviour, repent, confess known sin, and trust Him with your life.

That is why I am more convinced today there must be a clear presentation of the Gospel not only on our death bed but in everyday life! Have you heard it? Have you believed it? IF not now, when? The Bible says, Today is the day of salvation, don’t let it pass you by friend!

WHAT IS GOD TO YOU?

He’s my LORD and SAVIOUR!

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14

     If you had to describe God to someone else, how would you describe Him? He described Himself to Moses as “I AM” or the God who becomes. “Becomes what?” you may ask. Well what are you in need of today?

     If you need comfort, He’s the God of all comfort. If you need to be redeemed, He’s The Redeemer. If you need grace, He’s the God of all grace. If you need forgiving today, He forgives the vilest sinner. If you need someone to talk to, He’s just a prayer away—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and He throws in an extra day on leap year!

Who is God you ask, well here let S.M Lockridge explain it to you: https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE

WE’VE GOT TO PRAISE GOD MORE—OPENLY!

          Why should we go reeling and staggering under the burdens and cares of life when we have such prospects before us?  If there is nothing but glory beyond, our faces ought to shine brightly all the time. - D.L. Moody

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

           This morning I just want to praise the Lord for what He did yesterday. You say, “What did He do?” He gave me another opportunity to worship Him here on Earth with fellow believers. He gave me an opportunity to preach His Word. He gave me an opportunity to sing songs of Zion. He gave me an opportunity to be a witness of His saving grace. He gave…so we ought to praise Him for it!

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!

         If Facebook, Fox News, or a place like Freddy’s Fun House was church, many members would have perfect attendance.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Psalm 65:4

         What excuse will you give today? I’m tired, after working in the yard all day yesterday. I have some fish to go catch. I need to clean the house. I’ve got to wash my husband’s clothes. I need to mow the yard. I really need to go see my sister, I haven’t seen her since last weekend (The last Sunday you missed.) Yeah I know, these are some “good” excuses but that’s all they are! Just Stop!

         We have time for Facebook, Fox News, and time to go out to have fun but what about time with the Lord? Time that will reap benefits forever! Child of God, there is no better way to invest your time than to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH and Sunday School! You may even have perfect attendance one day!