YES HE CAN HEAR YOU!

God keeps up a continual conversation with every creature. –Claudel

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15

In World War 2 came a need to have secret communications. They didn’t have to look far to the somewhat unknown Navajo language. These Code Talkers took to the airways providing help to our service men’s movements and anticipated attacks. Where we could hear and understand them, the enemy could not and they provided vital help during one of our nation’s needed times.

In our time of need God will help because He hears our cries! He hears the cries of the lost for salvation. He hears the cries of the saved for peace, direction, help, hope, and so much more! There are two things that keep Him from hearing us; sin and silence. If you have unconfessed sin God will only hear the prayer of confession, Psalm 66:18. And obviously, if you don’t ask He will never answer your prayer, Psalm 54:2.

Lift up your voices this morning Christians! Lift them up high and let Him hear the desires of your heart! D.L. Moody said, “Sometimes a few minutes in prayer have done more for a man than two hours in talk.”

CALM IN THE MIDST OF YOUR STORM

The whole trouble is that we won't let God help us. -Macdonald

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:29

I was listening to the local news yesterday concerning the hurricane that is upon us, the Emergency Management Director said, “In the midst of the storm, if you have an emergency, we will not be able to come rescue you.” I sit there and thought about when I was in the midst of my storm of sin, Jesus not only came to me but He made the storm be still in my heart! He rescued me from the very pits of hell! All I had to do is call out to Him and Him met my need right where I was at!

Are you in the midst of a storm of sin? Jesus can rescue you too! Call out to Him! Repent and confess your sin! He will forgive and the greatest calm that has ever taken place will come upon your soul!

OH HOW I WISHED I UNDERSTOOD!

O Lord, help us not to despite or oppose what we do not understand. --William Penn

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 19:7-10

There are many things going on in our world today that I just don’t understand. I could spend time here listing some of them but I believe you already know several of the things I am talking about so I won’t waste our time this morning. In Psalm 19, the Lord points to One thing in order for us to get wisdom and that One thing is His Word.

Look at what it does:

            It converts the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, and it endures forever.

Look at what it is:

            It is true and righteous altogether, more to be desired than gold, and sweeter than the honey and the honeycomb!

Friend, do you want to begin to understand some things in this life? Go to His Word and get understanding! Get wise by getting in the Word!

WHERE’S YOUR FAITH?

The Lord is looking for faithful servants; faithful to His Word, faithful to His Way, and faithful to His Work. But many are too busy with their own person, their own purpose, and their own production.—Jay O’Dell

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

Compromise is on every hand. Folks are turning back to the slop of this world only to end up in an early grave. Where are the men of faith? Where are the women of faith? Where are those that truly mean it when they sing, “No turning back, no turning back”?

Child of God, remain faithful! Don’t give up, give in, or give out! It’s worth serving the Lord!

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

C.S Lewis said, "Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, or He is Lord."

Jesus asked His disciples in Mark 8:27-29, “Whom do men say that I am?” They answered Him and said, “John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.” Jesus asked specifically, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered Jesus, “Thou art the Christ.”

I know Jesus asked them all but I wonder if Jesus may have been looking right at Peter when He asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” How much more personal does that get? Jesus, the only begotten Son of God looking you in the eyes and asking you, “But whom say ye that I am?”

Well, this morning, I am asking you, Who is Jesus to you? It’s not going to change Who He is, it has the potential of changing your destination! It may change you! If He becomes Lord of your life! Consider this, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

If He has saved you it ought to show up in your actions! Consider what Jesus says in Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” This morning, why don’t you show others you have been saved and that you know who Jesus is by GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and GOING TO CHURCH?

LITTLE LETTERS

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18

So, I am taking classes on line. And the papers and tests are due at certain times. This morning I was as prepared as I could be to take a verse quiz. So, I log on to the web page only to find the test had been locked out. I was like, “What in the world?” Then I saw the two little letters at the end of the time was to be taken by- am. It must have been taken by 2:59 am. Missing those two letters may have cost me a zero on a test.

As much as that hurts there are some things that hurt even worse; like buying a Bible that has missing verses or missing or added words. It’s important that we have the entire Word of God in hand to read, to memorize, to meditate, to live by, and to share. If we don’t have the whole thing, it’s like missing out on a test because of two little letters, we’re not getting much accomplished for God.

IT’S A GOD THING!

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25

I love hearing news from God’s people how He is working in their life! I was listening to a service the other day and a missionary was sharing how he was asking God to meet a specific need. He didn’t share this need with anyone else but God. God worked it out. He met the need! I heard just today how a dear friend was praying specifically for God to open a door. He did it, exactly how they asked for Him too!

All throughout the Bible we see where God did the exact same thing as He is doing today! Many times He does it when no one even asked for Him to do something! He parted the Red Sea! He gave a cloud by day and fire by night! He healed the lame! Caused the blind to see! He raised Lazarus from the dead! He got up on a tree, died for you and me, and He arose the third day conquering death, hell, and the grave!

Child of God, don’t be surprised when God does a God thing! Don’t be surprised when God does a miracle for His people! Don't be surprised when God does it for you! Rejoice, that He is still working! Amen!

AM I PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK?

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. Psalm 10:3

Do you remember when you were growing up bragging about what you were going to be doing over the weekend? A lot of the time it went something like this; “I'm going to get a keg and go down to Mr. Jones’ farm, camp out, and get drunk.” “I'm going off with Mary Lou and get frisky with her.” “I'm going to the mall and steal some new shoes!” 9 times out of 10 what we were bragging about wasn’t anything good. As a matter of fact, it was wicked and God said He hates it!

Don't be like the wicked! Make sure you're not bragging on self and patting yourself on the back! Brag on Jesus! Brag on what He has done for you! Brag on what He is doing for you! Brag on what He has in store for you tomorrow!

WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OUR LABOR IS IN VAIN.

We must not be content to be cleansed from sin; we must be filled with the Spirit. --John Fletcher

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Acts 11:24

Notice how Barnabas was a good man, filled with the Holy Ghost and of faith. That is what makes the difference in our lives! The righteousness of Jesus was what made Barnabas good. When he repented and trusted Jesus as Saviour he was filled with the Holy Ghost. Each day that he walked with the Lord his faith grew stronger. It was not his education that made the difference. It was not fame, nor fortune that caused people to repent. It was the Spirit of God living and abiding in him that made the difference!

Do you have the Spirit? If not, your labor is like a bridge going no where, it's unless!

CONFUSED?

Many look for answers in science and education only to be left with more answers than they started with.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Corinthians 1:27-30

God isn’t interested in how much you know! He is interested in how much you will let Him be the Lord of your life. The only way you will let that happen is by faith! There are many things we will never know or understand this side of glory! However, the things that are important He does! He let us know He loves us! He let us know He sent His Son to die for us! He let us know unless we repent and believe in Him we will perish! So there is no need to be confused! Trust and obey in the Lord Jesus! He will not leave you confused or looking for answers!

JUST WAIT!

In the fast food society we live in waiting seems to be a lost art instead of a needed necessity.

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. Isaiah 40:31

Spurgeon said, “Wait in prayer.  Call on God and spread the case before.  Express your unstaggering confidence in him.  Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord.  Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it.”

Wait for the right spouse, wait for the right job, wait for the right house, wait for the right time, etc! How do I wait, in faith. Why should I wait, to be in God’s will. When should I wait, always. What should I wait for, God’s best for my life. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

REFLECTING

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Have you ever sit back and considered all of the ways God was trying to get your attention before you asked Him to save you? I often wonder how many ways He tried to get my attention before I finally surrendered. Here is just one of the many ways I believe He used with me.

Consider with me the Boy Scout Oath or Promise:

On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Did you catch that? "I will do my best to do my duty to God..." First duty to God-- "I will do my best" Our best is found when we Repent and be saved! After that, we know how to love, serve, and follow!

Second duty-- serve your fellow man by serving Jesus!

D.L Moody said, “The measure of a man is not the number of his servants, but the number of people he serves.”

As I often sit and think about how good God has been to me I am amazed at His faithfulness to me! It reminds me of how much I need to be faithful to Him and serve others.

Go serve Him today by GETTING UP, GETTING READY and GOING TO CHURCH!

BE FAITHFUL

It is not faith and works; it is not faith or works; it is faith that works. –Anonymous

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

Being faithful to Jesus requires more than just saying we are it requires us to invest our time, our talents, and even our treasures in what He says is necessary. It requires us to invest in His church, in His work of missions, in His people, and the lost, dying, and hurting people of this world.

Are you walking the talk or are you just blowing hot air? To get a good analyst of your life look at your checkbook—it will reveal a lot about what you’re faithful to.

POSTING BUT NOT POSSESSING

Imitations are fakes dressed in another’s clothing.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23

Every once and a while we will cook a steak at the house. We get the grill fired up, cleaned up, and throw a nice slab of beef on there and I’ll cook it to medium well. We go inside, pray, and begin to taste the steak. Sometimes it needs just a little something to set the flavor off. I reach across the table to a nicely packaged bottle of imitation A1 steak sauce. I reluctantly pour some out onto the plate. It lacks the bold flavor of A1. It’s runny. It’s kind of gritty. I wonder what in the world is this stuff doing on my table. But I chew without complaint. But, that bottle may just get missing before the next steak is cooked…just saying!!!

Sometimes I get on social media to catch up with friends and family. I scroll down through pages and it never fails, there is a “godly” post from someone. The post is package all nice and pretty. At first glance I’m like, “That’s a powerful message.” However, I remember in just a few posts up the same person had posted some of the most ungodly, vile communication I had ever seen. Are they posting without possessing the Lord Jesus or are they struggling with sin in a BIG time way?

First off, I believe there is a huge disconnect to what and who God really is. I believe many have missed what His holiness is all about. Yes, for many sin has a grip, a strong hold on them. They need Jesus to break those chains of sin for the first time! For some, Jesus broke those chains but yet they willingly put them back on.

What is needed is to be set free and free indeed! The blood needs to be applied! We need to be washed! What is needed is to get rid of the sin just like I got rid of that steak sauce—throw it out! Make no provision for the flesh and have victory!

Make it a point to make sure you are possessing and not just posting today. Make sure you're not an imitation! Make sure your calling and election is sure! How? Pick up that Bible, read it, and see if you are producing the fruit of the spirit according to what it says!

JUST DRIFTING ALONG IN LIFE?

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Proverbs 4:14-15

I see young and old people drifting away from the foundations their loved ones laid for them all the time. Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles, have done their best to rear up their loved ones in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They have brought them to Sunday school, to church, to revival services, sent them to camp, prayed with them, instructed them in the way of righteousness and then the child gets to their teenage years only to drift away from the things of God. Did Mom or Dad fail? No! Did the church fail to teach? No!

What happened was the child, now a young adult, has decided within their own heart to enter the path of the wicked. They have decided to follow the lives of evil men and to give head to false doctrine. Solomon, under the inspiration of God warned against this, “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” vs. 15.

Instead of drifting, decide this morning to follow. Follow Jesus and follow Him all the way to your heavenly home!

JESUS, THE MISSING PIECE TO YOUR LIFE!

There is a missing piece to every man, woman, boy, and girl in this life. Until we repent and trust Jesus as our Saviour, the piece will continue to be missing.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Many people walk around this life trying to find the missing piece of the puzzle in their life. They try to fill it in with all sorts of pieces, such as; drugs, money, jobs, sex, family, and success. These always come to the same point, they just don't fit. They just don't bring complete satisfaction. Sure, they will bring pleasure in the sin for a season but for the perfect and complete fit that bring peace to an unsettled heart, it must be filled with Jesus!

Jesus is the piece of the puzzle that completes the puzzle of an incomplete heart! He brings salvation! He makes a soul at peace with God! He makes a beautiful picture out of our life that He alone can do! 

Do you have Him? He's not hiding from you! He wants to save you today! "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

OH, JUST TAKE A SHORT CUT!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Many people would like to take a short cut when it comes to getting into Heaven. They would love to make in on their own good works. And many of them believe that is exactly how you get there. The problem is, that’s not what the Bible says. Yes, the Word of God actually says something totally different than what you are use to hearing. What it says is, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 You may ask, “what is good works for then? The answer, to show you are saved and on your way to Heaven! “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18

If you’re saved and on your way to Heaven, your works will line up with your mouth is saying. In other words, your walk will line up with your talk!

How’s your walk? Are you trying to take a short cut? Be careful because what will happen is you will remain lost—forever!

WHAT EXCUSE WILL YOU USE?

It is easy enough to excuse yourself to hell, but you cannot excuse yourself to heaven. -D.L. Moody

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20

I never read it anywhere. I never saw it on CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC. No one ever told me. All of these and more will be some of the excuses the Lord may hear when we stand before Him and give an account of what we did with the Lord Jesus. These and many more will be of no excuse. It will be way worse than giving your Mom and Dad and excuse why you were out late! For where Mom and Dad may have believed the lie or they chose to overlook your rebellious heart—God will know the truth and you will be held accountable!

What excuse will you attempt to use? You don’t have to use any! You have the opportunity to trust Jesus as your Saviour today! Right now! Repent and believe!

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42

Notice what it says in the verse above, “…they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Why didn’t they teach home economics or shop class? Why not a class on business or how to balance a checkbook? They didn’t teach and preach those things because those things won’t get anyone to Heaven!

And then look where they did it at, “…in the temple, and every house.” This temple is our modern day church. It was the central place of worship. So they came to the temple to worship the Lord while begin taught and preached to. Not only did they come to the temple but they started at home! What a challenge for you and I! It’s not up to the church to teach our kids, it’s yours and mine Mom and Dad!

Lastly, look at how often they did it, “And daily…” In their homes and in the temple they met daily to worship the Lord Jesus by teaching and preaching about the death, burial, and resurrection. 

This morning, GET UP, GET READY, and TO GO TO CHURCH! But before you leave the house, will you teach and preach Jesus?

IS THE LORD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE?

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings of Heaven. –Lichtenberg

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

So often we go around asking for the best in life but we are not willing to give our best. Young men and women want a spouse that will love them like a romantic movie or book, but they go looking for them in the arm pits of society. All they are going to find is a sweaty body! We want the best paying job but we aren’t willing to work hard to get it. We want every blessing that the Lord can give but we don’t want to make Him the Lord of our life!

I like how the Word of God instructs us in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

What are you searching for? Whatever IT is, put God first in your life! Praise Him for working in and through your life along the way-- even in the times when it seems as if He is a thousand miles away! Just remember, the Teacher is always silent during a test!