YOU STILL DOING THAT?

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

There are some Christians that have held on to the former things that feed the flesh. Lying tongues, deceitful hearts, jealousy, back biting, pride, discord, murdering thoughts and a mind that promotes wickedness are just some of the things they are known for. What’s amazing to me is God is willing to forgive if they just ask!

Hey Child of God, did one of those topics hit you between the eyes? Grow up! Put away childish things! You should repent and turn every ounce of your life over to the Lord. Hold nothing back! Give it all to Him! And one last thing, stop doing that!

WORSHIP YOUR SAVIOUR

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

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4:8

Worship is my response to what I value most. What I value most is God. I was made by him and for him. He is awesome beyond comprehension. I exist for the purpose of reflecting back to God his matchless glory. I will exalt him with my mouth and with my life for he is my hope, my joy, my strength, and my salvation. This day will be used to know and love him better.— One Way Out

What is hindering you from worshiping your Saviour today?

WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR SOMETHING!

Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will. -Collier

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

 When David cried out to the Lord he didn’t do as we do to the Lord today. He didn’t relentlessly pester the Lord, day after day. He didn’t question the Lord’s motives or His actions. David, patiently, waited on the Lord.

            It would do you and me a great service to follow David’s lead in waiting. What do we need to wait on after we pray? Well, Pastor, wait on the Lord to give you the flock He wants you to have. Mom, wait on the Lord to give you the desires of your heart. Dad, wait on the Lord to give you the promotion you have worked so hard for. Single lady, wait on the Lord to give you the man of your dreams. Single man, wait on the Lord to give you the Proverbs 31 woman. High School student, wait on the Lord to open the next door of your life. College student, wait on the Lord to give you the career God wants you to have.

Waiting is hard, being out of the will of God is harder!

LOOK UP!

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Acts 7:55

When it seems life has swallowed you up- look up!

When it seems life has beat you down- look up!

When everything around you is falling to pieces- look up!

When it seems you're down to your last dollar- look up!

Right before Stephen was stoned to death he looked up! Why? He got his strength to face what was about to happen from God! Whatever you're facing today- Look Up!!

THERE’S COMING A DAY!

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6

The Children of Israel had a blessed hope of being delivered form all of the oppression, bondage, and slavery they had been enslaved in. But they had hope in the coming Messiah would come and set them free! That the Messiah would make everything right! That the Messiah would conquer their enemies! In much the same way, the blessed Hope is still alive today! We look for Jesus to return to set us free; free from deceptive Self, free from the bondage of Sin, and free from the satanic influences thrown at us day after day!

I don’t know about you this morning but I am looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ my Saviour!

BLABBER MOUTH

Birds are entangled by their feet and men by their tongues. -Thomas Fuller

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

Many people don’t believe anyone can control their tongue. I disagree! What it takes is a person who is Holy Ghost filled to control their tongue. Let me remind you what the Lord said in Philippians 3:14, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Either you believe God’s Word or you don’t! Either you can humble yourself to the Spirit’s leading in ways in which you can keep your mouth shut or you won’t because you have a rebellious heart.

Child of God, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH TODAY ready to worship our Lord and Saviour! One way of getting ready is by repenting BEFORE you get there!

DON’T OVERLOOK YOUR YOUTH!

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

           In ministry, some would overlook the youth in a church in order to fill a position because they felt like they needed someone with a little bit of experience. They say, they haven’t been saved long enough to give their testimony before the church, they can’t teach a Sunday School class, or they can’t ride the church bus. While this is true in many cases, it may not be what the Lord would have you to do.

            In context of the scripture, this verse is talking about you and I acting our age. I believe this is why some will not allow babes in Christ to attempt to do something for the Lord. Those in authority can’t see past their childish ways in order to help them become what God wants them to be.

            Church leader, before you make a decision based on feelings, take the situation before the Lord. Get down on your knees and plead the blood of Jesus over it. Don’t try to take a short cut because there isn’t any with the Lord. That young man or lady may be who the Lord wants you to put to work! Don’t overlook them!

IN JANUARY, WE NEED GODLY MOTHERS!

The bearing and the training of a child are woman's wisdom. –Tennyson

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

             One of the attributes of a Proverbs 31 woman is, “She looketh well to the ways of her household”. Some would take this to mean that the woman is to take care of all the laundry, the dishes, the sweeping, and mopping. No matter where you fall on that issue, it’s actually far deeper than just doing choirs! It’s making sure her children have an understanding of who God is and what He has done for them! It’s making sure the children are up and ready for school. It is teaching them the important things in life. It’s being the help meet to her husband. It’s being frugal at the grocery store. It is cutting coupons, using discount cards, and using Apps. to help save money when and where she can! There are a lot of things the woman is better at! That’s exactly how God made her and there’s nothing wrong with it!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR JESUS?

            When we read, we fancy we could be martyrs; when we come to act, we cannot bear a provoking word. –More

 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

            Have you ever heard someone say, “I would do anything for the Lord”? Many times they really mean it. They may even start out running well for the Lord. However, when they see the sacrifices they have to make in order to REALLY do something for the Lord they are nowhere to be found.

All the Lord really wants is your availability; available to listen to Him, available to love Him, and available to labor for Him. Would you really do anything for the Lord? Then, be available!

NEED A LITTLE MOTIVATION?

Motivation founded upon faulty information will lead to failure!

            By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

            Each time I read through the 11th chapter of Hebrews a little adrenaline begins to flow through my veins. I believe it’s because of the truth found in those 40 verses. Look at the description of Moses’ faith; He was motivated by faith, refused to be identified with wickedness, chose to suffer rather than celebrate in sin, and He chose Jesus over the riches of this world! Why? Because of his motivation! His motivation was his eyes, by faith, were fixed on the promises of God not on the premise of worldly lies!

What’s your motivation this morning? Read through Hebrews 11 and get a little touch of what those Faith Champions have!

KEEP A WATCH ON YOUR TONGUE!

            You cannot stop people's tongues, and therefore the best thing to do is to stop your own ears and never mind what is spoken. -Spurgeon

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: Psalm 39:1

            David isn’t like many people of our day, he actually cares about what the Lord hears him say. Folks today will tell a lie in a heartbeat, whine and complain if they don’t get their way, and blaspheme our Saviour’s holy name at the blink of an eye. People’s mouths are like a cancer not dealt with! The longer you don’t do something about it, the worse off it becomes!

Child of God, the Lord wants you to be holy and this includes your tongue! Guard it! Protect it! Cleanse it! You do that by putting the right things in your mind!

LET’S GO TO CHURCH!

The Christian church is a society of sinners.  It is the only society in the world, membership in which is based upon the single qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership. –Morrison

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

The first Sunday of the New Year is upon us! What will you do? Will you go to the lake, the park or will you GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH? Will you forsake the fleshly desires of your heart to neglect time with fellow believers? Will you repent of the slothful man you have become when it comes to your faithfulness? Will you trust Christ knows what’s best for your life and that best begins with you attending church when the doors are open?

Spend some time with the Saviour today—in Church!

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS…

To share the Good News of the Gospel is paramount in winning souls!

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

I like what one person said the other day, “We are not left here on this earth to make friends but to make disciples.” How true of a statement that is and we do it by sharing the Gospel. Oh yes, we need to mend fences, build bridges, and have connections throughout society but if we are not following that up by sharing the Gospel with this lost, dying, and hurting world we are living in, we are missing when it comes to our mission in the Great Commission.

Child of God, the New Year has come and we are 5 days into it. How is your witnessing going? How is your sharing going? How many people have you told about Jesus this week? Get out and tell them about Jesus this week! Tell it on the mountains, over the hills,= and everywhere!

DON’T BE REFORMED, BE TRANSFORMED!

I believe a man may be as vile as hell itself one moment and be saved the next. - D.L. Moody

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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 2:1-2

            I once new a man who had been brought up in a godless household. This man’s father was a hard worker but yet he was lost and full of fruits of the flesh. This man’s mother was a hard working woman, saved but yet she was carnal in her deeds. This man had a good work ethic, loved his wife and son, but yet he was bound for hell. Tormented with his childhood he wondered if Jesus could save a man such as him. One day, he was asked the question of all questions, “Are you saved”, his pastor asked. He answered, with a matter of fact tone in his voice, “No sir”.  His pastor led him to the Lord that night. He repented of His sin and trusted Jesus as his Saviour! He wasn’t reformed, he was transformed into one of God’s Children!

You too can be vile as hell one moment and be saved the next. I’m glad I’m not that man anymore! I’ve been transformed, have you?

VICTORY IN JESUS

Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for the Lord.

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Many that claim to be Christian forget one of the things Christ said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 Jesus came to serve and that is about the last thing anyone wants to do today. As Children of God, this should be one of our goals as well; to serve others! Without the thought of fame or fortune, we need to get down in the trenches, get our hands dirty, and serve one another! Without serving we will not see lasting victories in our life! But the key is to be “In Christ”!

If you are not in Christ, the victories you have in this life will be temporary. The only victories that will mean anything or last for eternity are those accomplished in Christ.

YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

What we mean by salvation is this-deliverance from the love of sin, rescue from the habit of sin, setting free from the desire to sin. –Spurgeon

Leading up to one, if not the most, well known verses in all of scripture John 3:16, we have the story of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He had an important position within the hierarchy. Nicodemus’ problem was just like so many in the church today, he was unsaved. He didn’t understand what salvation was all about. When Jesus told him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was perplexed and didn’t understand what He meant. His response was, “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” Nicodemus literally thought Jesus was talking about a rebirth. This is a perfect example of a religious, unsaved man not understanding the things of God.

Throughout the church today we have unsaved men and women in leadership positions. They are spiritually bankrupt, not understanding the simple things in scripture such as, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN”. But I am thankful on this day, my physical birthday, that God gives even unsaved religious leaders in the church grace. Just as He did not close the coffers of His grace to Nicodemus, neither will He to anyone who repents and turns to Him. Look at the answer Jesus gave to Nicodemus, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7

Have you been born again? Have you trusted Jesus as your Saviour? If not now, when? If not now, why? Here is a little truth, “…now is the day of salvation.” Today, you too can be born again!

NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

You will never "find" time for anything.  If you want time, you must make it. -Buxton

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

While reading my Bible several years ago I came across Galatians 6:10. It became the verse I would pen at the bottom of a card, when signing a Bible, or at the salutation of a letter or email. It is so applicable how I look at life.

We have so many opportunities every single day to serve others and our Lord and Saviour; a fellow customer in the parking lot with their hood up, a widow with a door about to fall off the hinges, a single mother with uncut grass, a man who’s wife left him, a child about to be expelled, a family in need of some counseling, a newly married couple with a baby on the way, the list goes on and on.

The opportunities are endless! Will you make yourself available to serve in 2019? Or will you continue on down the road serving only self? I am reminded this morning of the acronym “JOY”:  

JESUS

OTHERS

YOURSELF

Are you in the right spot? If so, your joy will be full. If not, you’ll be of most men miserable!

I CAN ONLY BEGIN TO IMAGINE!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

I’ve seen some wonderful sights and heard some wonderful things in my life. From the plains of Kenya, the Mighty Mississippi, to the Grand Canyon, all are wonderful sights on this Planet we call Earth. I’ve heard the sounds of echoes across the Grand Canyon, received a voice message from my children, and heard some powerful preaching from some Spirit filled preachers. However, nothing compares to the sights and sounds of Heaven! Seeing the streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and Jesus! Yes! I get to see My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in Heaven! Then the sounds of Heaven; the angels, love ones who have gone on before me, and Jesus! Yes, I get to hear my Saviour’s voice first hand, in person! Hallelujah what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!

I may only be able to imagine what Heaven will be like here but would it be really awe inspiring if we knew everything Heaven would be like? Would it really be Heaven? Read one more time what Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

WHAT’S TO COMPLAIN ABOUT?

The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. –Babcock

            But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

            There are so many that find fault in everything in life. Their long ride to work, the length of time in the drive thru, the car they drive, their own spouse, their spoiled children, even the church they worship at. Yet, they do nothing to improve any area they whine and complain about. They just complain and make it miserable for everyone.

            Get up this Sunday morning understanding, if you’re saved, your sins have been washed away, you’ve been redeemed by the precious blood of the lamb, and you’re on your way to Heaven. Understand that many, if not all, of your problems are your own fault and can be avoided! A little work will get you the money for a new car. A little love, compassion, and sacrifice can change your spouse’s heart. A little responsibility will not kill your child. A little sacrificial investment in your church will improve the whole church.

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Your own joy depends on it!

JUST WAITING...

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. –Spurgeon

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

            If there is one thing that is hard to do while serving the Lord is this thing of waiting. In this instant society we live in, no one wants to wait for anything. But I have found that when we wait on things it sure is better! A Crock-pot of pintos, a pot of vegetable beef soup, a trip to a distant vacation spot, a visit with relatives in a different state, waiting on God to move instead of attempting to do it all ourselves!

Child of God, wait on the Lord! If you don’t, you’ll miss it! He has what is best for you! No, you’re not going to get your best life now, but what you will get is God’s best for you now! And then, when He calls you home, you’ll have the best life anyone can ever have!