WHERE DO YOU GO FOR STRENGTH?

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Psalm 84:3-4

When weary, go to church. When discouraged, go to church. When depressed, go to church. When confused, go to church. When weak, go to church. When overcome with sin, go to church. When tired, go to church. When lost, go to church. When broken, go to church. When overwhelmed, go to church. But wait… When joyful, go to church. When cheerful, go to church. When satisfied, go to church. When contented, go to church. When blessed, go to church. When happy, go to church. When living on the mountain top, go to church.

Child of God—GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! No matter what your circumstances are this morning, go church today to get the strength you need for today or what you may need for tomorrow!

THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD

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

Often my mind goes back to a time before my salvation, a time when life was empty and I was longing for something to fill it. A time when I would do the things sinners would do to attempt to fill an empty life. I am thankful to be reminded of where God has brought me from. But much more than that, I’m thankful for how far God has brought me through His shed blood!

Take a moment and reflect on how good God has been to you this morning! He shed His blood for our wretched life! Oh what a Saviour!

STAY THE COURSE

The seasons may come and go and the harvest will change with them, but God always honors those who remain faithful in His service.—Paul Chappell.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

What are you holding back from the Lord? Is it your soul that needs saving? Is it your life that needs sanctifying? Is it your talents that need to be used? Whatever you are holding back from the Lord—surrender to Him! Commit thy way! Trust in Him! Then watch Him work miracles in and through your life!

PRESSING FORWARD

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

I was reading yesterday of a missionary, Mary Slessor. Her favorite missionary was David Livingstone. He has a quote that would be good for you and I to take heed to. He said, “I don’t care where we go as long as we go forward.”

Are you pressing forward for the Lord? Are you growing in God’s grace or have you become stagnant? Many will encourage you fall back into sin. Many would love to see you back at the bar, drinking the devil’s juice. Many would love to have you back partying with the devil’s music. Many would rejoice in having you out of church, living for self, miserable like them. Child of God—don’t give them the time of day or you will be right back doing what God saved you from in the first place! PRESS FORWARD!!

WHAT ARE LIVING FOR?

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.—C.T Studd

            For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

            In commenting at a graduation service a graduate once said, “Mom and Dad, I am thankful for all you have sacrificed.” I began to wonder about this word sacrifice; it is giving up something I want, something I desire to keep, something I hold dear to my heart. So is giving money for my children to go to a Christian School really a sacrifice? What did I sacrifice? I wanted them to go. I wanted them to hear from a Biblical view point about our world. I wanted to protect them from the wiles of the devil. I wanted them to be grounded in the Bible. So no, it was not a sacrifice for me. I am not sure I have ever sacrificed anything when compared to what God has sacrificed for me. Sure, I give my tithe, I give my faith promise, I give to needs of the church and the needs of the people in the church, but have I sacrificed?

Church, we are no longer to live for ourselves. Verse 15 says, “…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Are you living for self or the Saviour today?

WASTING TIME

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.—C.T Studd

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

Life is fleeting away before us. We sleep it away, play it away, and work it away. People are lost and dying, slipping off into an eternity without Christ. What did you do for Jesus yesterday? What will you do for Jesus today? What will you invest for Him tomorrow? Tomorrow is no guarantee so you better get bust today!

GUARD YOUR HEART

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO GUARD YOUR HEART:

1. GET INTO THE WORD; STUDY, MEDITATE, and APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE.

2. GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

3. STAY FOR THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE.

4. LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE AND APPLY IT.

5. SURROUND YOUR SELF WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS WHO TRULY LOVE THE LORD.

TIRED BUT NOT TOO TIRED TO PRAISE JESUS!

Get off your buttocks, there's work to be done!

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

While serving in this world we can, at times, grow weary. We can even, at times, want to quit. But let me share this with you child of God—DON’T! Don’t give ear to anyone or anything that would try to convince you to quit, slow down, or give up! Why? Because it’s worth it! It’s worth every dollar you invest, every second spent, and every talent used for His honor and His glory!

A LITTLE LAUGH GOES A LONG WAY!

Good-humor makes all things tolerable. -H. Beecher

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Satan wants to keep us with a broken spirit. Because when we have that broken spirit we do not have the joy of the Lord. We feel defeated. It can go as far as we don’t even feel saved.

I am glad my salvation isn’t dependent on my feelings! My salvation is sure in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done! When we rejoice in the Lord we give that old liar a punch right in the nose and it brings joy to our hearts!

HAVE YOU SWERVED BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU?

Blessed is the man who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night. –Anonymous

A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:1-2

While riding to work each morning I used to either listen to a gospel message or to Christian Music on CD. Sometimes a shout would come out or a tear might go flowing down my face. Why? Well, I began to think of how much I have done wrong in my life and I am overwhelmed just thinking about God sending His Son to die for all of it! I often ask myself, “Why would He do that for me? Why would God give up His Son to die? Why would God rescue an unworthy wretch like me?” It surely isn’t because of me- it’s because of who He is!

Are you distressed at the thought of dying so much it has affected your work? Are you losing sleep to the reality of hell? Why not surrender your life to the Lord and allow Him to give you the peace of mind and rest for your weary soul today! Before you know it you too can be praising the Lord swerving into other people’s lanes on the interstate!

NEVER ALONE!

Some die without having really lived, while others continue to live, in spite of the fact that they have died. –Anonymous

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

The day I gave my life to Christ is the day that I truly began to live. Up to that point I had seen places and done things the average person may never get to do. From riding on a train in Chicago to seeing the Statue of Christ in Lisbon, Portugal but nothing, absolutely nothing compares to the life I have now in Christ.

Have you reached the pinnacle of the status quo? Are you at the top looking down? One famous ball player was asked, “Mike, How is it on top?” He said, “Lonely”. He was as empty inside as a gallon of milk in my house!  Let me tell yah, I am never alone, Christ is always with me. He walks with me and talks with me through His Word! And as another song goes, “You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart!”

LOOKING GOOD- I KNEW YOU WOULD

A good appearance is at a premium everywhere. –Anonymous

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Eye liner, hair spray and lip stick are used to enhance a woman’s beauty. However, some women think this is what makes them beautiful. They gob it on like Duke’s mayonnaise on a mater sandwich. Even too much of Duke’s will make a sandwich gross!

We can put on a lot of masks and seem to be happy, content and at peace with ourselves but God sees right through all of them! Not only does He see your heart, the closest people in your life can see it as well. They know something is not right. They try to reach into your heart to help but you continue to say…..”It’s All Good” when in fact….your about to come apart.

Are you tired of putting on a false front? Are you ready to get real with the Lord? He is waiting! He is wanting! Why not trust Him as your Saviour today! Christian, why not confess sin and ask the Lord to help you remove that mask; take that make up off! It may hurt for a while but when you do, God gives you His Son which is greater than anything you can put on! (Romans 13:14)

WHY ARE YOU SO WEAK WHEN WE SERVE AN OMNIPOTENT GOD?

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must some time fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now, and where you stand. --Robert Louis Stevenson

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 7:18

I am thankful when Christ was about to ascend into Heaven He told us (those that are saved) that He was leaving us the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. (John 14:26) He did this so that we could have strength. He did it so that we could have understanding of His Word and Wisdom to apply it. He did it so that we can have victory in this life- victory over sin- victory over self- victory over death!

Do you have a weakness in your life you just don’t seem to have the strength to overcome? Maybe it’s time to quit trying in your flesh and give it to Christ. Stand up right where you are at and have faith to see Him work it through! I am reminded of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

SURE YOU CAN FORGIVE

Faith makes all things possible...love makes all things easy. -D.L. Moody

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

Forgiving someone when they have wronged you is probably one of the hardest things to do in life. But faith in knowing the relationship might be reunited once again is what keeps us going. It motivates us to go above and beyond what man is accustomed to. The love that we have for that person, as Moody said, makes it easy.

As I think about the Lord’s love and forgiveness to me, I wonder how can I not forgive those that have done me wrong; those that have stabbed me in the back, forsaken me, lied about me, etc. None of that compares to what I did to my Saviour- for my sin put Him on the cross but His love for me kept Him there.

JESUS- HE DID IT ALL- FOR YOU AND ME!

No sin is small.  It is against an infinite God, and may have consequences immeasurable. --Jeremy Taylor

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. Proverbs 14:9

The Cross is the emblem of suffering and shame because of our sin. Not just those “BIG” sins we commit but the little ones as well. Jesus died on the cross for the murderer, the child molester, and the whoremonger. He also died for the liar, the thief, and even the cheat. Sin is sin in the eyes of our Saviour and He died for all sin once. (Romans 6:10)

The Cross, it is the focal point of man’s history, present, and his Future! For without the Cross of Calvary we are all condemned to an eternity in Hell. When you come face to face with the Cross of Calvary, do you see your sin? Do you see His mercy and grace? Let me remind you what you don’t see, you don’t see Jesus Christ. He is no longer there just as He is no longer in the Grave! He came down from Heaven, to get up on the Cross, to get up from the grave, to conqueror death, hell, and the grave- the punishments for sin! Your sin, my sin- both great and small!

WHAT'S DRIVING YOUR STANDARDS?

Are your standards growing out of the desire to live a holy life?- Clarence Sexton

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 20:7

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

Notice it doesn't say perfect because we cannot be perfect! However, we can be holy- a holy life starts with Jesus! Have you started a new life with Him? If not you can start one today by repenting and receiving Him as your Saviour today!

COMMITTED UNTO DEATH

Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection of all his joys. –Aughey

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

How is your devotion to the Lord? If someone were to inspect your life after you died, would there be enough evidence left behind to convict you of being a Christian? Would someone say, this man or woman had been with Jesus?

I can think of many heroes of our faith that has left behind testimony after testimony of God’s faithfulness in their life. David Livingston, Kenneth Cates, Mary Slessor, George Mueller, and Curtis Hudson are a few. Never heard of them? Grab a book or do a Google search for them. They are great reads of modern day Missionaries serving God by faith in miraculous ways! They were committed unto death. 

OUR GREAT GOD AND GLORIOUS SAVIOUR

Here is my creed.  I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render Him is doing good to His other children. --Benjamin Franklin

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3

When I consider all the Lord has done for me, I can’t help but shout with praise! He saved my sin sick soul. He gave me my faithful wife. He gave me three children. He called me into the ministry. He gave me a church to pastor. He has provided every single need I have ever had and thrown in so many wants I cannot begin to count them all. Rejoice with me this morning in all He has done in your life!

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE DONE FOR THE LORD!

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

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. Ecclesiastes 10:18

From the cutting to the grass to teaching of Sunday School there is always room for you to do something. If you are not physically able to help doing manual chores, you can pray, teach, or sing in the choir. If you want to see your Pastor light up with a smile on his face, go ask him, “Pastor, what can I do to help out around the church?” If he doesn’t give you something to do, come see me because I’ve got plenty for you to do! 

BE HUMBLE

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:19

Being a humble instrument in the hands of our heavenly Father, I desire that all my words and acts may be according to His will; and that it may be so, I give thanks to the Almighty, and seek His aid. --Abraham Lincoln

Humility is missing in many Christian lives today. This is one of the main reasons we do not have the power of God in the pulpit or the pew. Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God Christian friend and watch Him move in you and through you!