GEAR UP!

There is a fierce enemy seeking to destroy you. What will you do to prepare to have victory?

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

Satan doesn’t want you to have victory in your life. So he throws everything he can at you so you will trip up, fail, and fall. What are we to do; gear up! We must be sober and vigilant.

What does sober mean? Well it has the meaning of not being drunk, being alert, and being aware. We are not to be overcome with this world and it’s ways in such a way that causes us to let down our guard. If and when we do—the enemy attacks!

What does vigilant mean? It means to be kept awake. Often after we have our Sunday lunch the Z monster sets in. We sit in our recliner and before you know it we are snoring like a freight train going through a tunnel. With that deep sleep going on we can’t hear the enemy sneaking up on us to attack. We must keep watch for the enemy is lurking!

             There are other ways we can gear up as well; prayer, Bible reading and study, serving at church, attending Sunday School, and church activities are excellent ways to gear up and get ready for your adversary’s attack!

WE NEED TO BE DELIVERED!

When a man who professes to be converted says that he goes into the world and into sin for pleasure, it is as if an angel went to hell for enjoyment. –Spurgeon

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Many Christians are bound up in their sin because they have not yielded their life to the Spirit living in them. While the natural man cannot get out of yielding to the flesh, the carnal man has the means in which to be set free but continues to live in sin. What makes the difference? What gives victory in a lost man’s life? What sets the captive free from the bondage of sin? What gives the carnal man the freedom from sin he desires? Jesus Christ is the only hope for peace the natural man or the carnal man has.

Are you living in sin? Do you battle with your flesh? Is there a war raging inside you that no one else knows about? Jesus can deliver you! Yield you life to Him! Give in, give up, and give it all to the Lord!

RETURN TO THE JOY YOU ONCE HAD!

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24

While you are alive there is always time for you to return to the joy you once had. When the prodigal son returned home he was expecting the father to put him out with the hired hands, that’s not what he did. He did not rebuke him, chastised him, or punish him for his willful disobedience. What he did do was rejoice in the fact that his son had returned to the family he left. How do you think the son felt? We don’t know but I can’t help but to think his cup was running over!

Been out of the will of God long? There’s room at Calvary for you! The Heavenly Father is waiting for your return.

WHAT A JOY TO SERVE JESUS!

When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need. -Brunner

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

            There is no better place to serve God than in His will. We can strive to go against what He wants but true joy will only come when we are where He wants us. There is no substitute when it comes to serving the Lord. We cannot substitute going to church with watching a TV evangelist and expect God to be pleased. We cannot substitute tithing with faithless giving and expect Him to work in our lives. We cannot substitute serving where He wants us to serve and expect Him to bless our ministry.

            Here is something God wants all of us to do today—GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Don’t wait! Don’t put it off! JUST GO serve Jesus and watch how He begins to bless your life!

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

            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

            John Harper was a Scottish preacher that is best known for his last message. While the Titanic was sinking he proclaimed to many of those on board, “Are you saved?” If the answer was “No”, Harper shouted, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Harper continued to go from person to person until He slipped under the waves for the last time.

            Brother Harper should be an example to each of us. There is truly no greater message we can proclaim than the Good News of the Gospel!

WHAT’S YOUR DRIVE IN MISSIONS?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon  

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

Drive is just another way of saying motivation. Our motivation should be the love of Jesus Christ. His compassion, His longsuffering, His mercy, and His grace should motivate us to tell others about Him. It should provoke us unto good works. It should spark a desire to stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel to every person we come in contact with.

John told Gaius, “…for his name’s sake they went forth.” What’s your drive in Missions? Just look to Calvary and it tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love!

HOW IS YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:6-7

            When I was growing up we had baseball tryouts. This is when any young man trying out for the team would compete for an opportunity to play ball. Every young man would give it his best shot but there were more guys than spots on the team so someone had to get cut. What made the difference? What cause one fella to stand out more than another? What caused the coach to cut one boy and allow another to be on the team? Two words come to my mind; faithfulness and fruitfulness.

            Notice what the John tells Gaius, “…thou shalt do well”. John didn’t commend Gaius on his social status, his economic wealth, or anything else. What John commended Gaius for was his walk with Jesus. It was a faithful and fruitful walk. Anything less would have caused John not to mention Gaius at all.

            How is your walk with the Lord? Is it faithful and fruitful? Will you hear Him say, “Well done?”

WHO SHOULD I SUPPORT?

To support a Missionary is to fund the greatest campaign in the world.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 3 John 1:8

             The fierce race of the 2016 elections can be seen in the amount of money that was spent for the presidential and congressional campaigns; over 16.5 billion, with a B, dollars. That’s more than the winner wants to build a border defense along our southern border. But if you spend a lot of money, will anyone change their minds because of it? According to an article from 2018, Rick Perry’s 2006 re-election campaign for Texas governor, advertising did produce a pro-Perry response in the markets that received ads. But it fizzled fast. Within a week after ads stopped running, it was like no one had ever seen them. So what makes the difference? Core values!

            With all of the Missionaries calling, sending emails, and information packets, who should I support? In 3 John vss. 6-8, we see three core values in who we should support going into Missions.

1. Those who are already serving. The Apostle John told Gaius in so many words, I have seen your work for the Lord and I want to support you in it.

2. Those who are not seeking vain glory. John told Gaius he went out for “His name’s sake”. Whose name? —Jesus’! Gaius wasn’t out for fame and fortune, he went out for Jesus!

3. Those willing to yoke up with us for the cause of Christ. Being like-minded goes deeper than just going to church;

             It involves Foundational Truth— The Word of God.

             It involves Methodology— How will you get the Gospel out?

             It involves Faithfulness— We not only want to see Missionaries start well but we want to see them run and finish well.

IT’S YOUR DUTY!

A man's feet should be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world. -Santayana

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

            Paul, speaking to the Church at Ephesus said, “…, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel,” We are bold when it comes to finding a deal, when someone cuts us off on the interstate, or when we ask our Boss for a raise. We find all kinds of courage, tenacity, and our voice. What about when it comes to being a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? Where is your courage? Where’s your zeal? Where is your fiery spirit? Where is your voice to tell the hurting Jesus cares? Where’s your voice to tell the lost and dying that Jesus saves?

            Church, it’s our duty to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost, dying, and hurting world. If you don’t who will?

JUST TRUST THE LORD!

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4

Many times right after some of the sweetest victories in our life God will allow some discouragement enter in. This is exactly what happened to Elijah. He had just defeated 450 of Baal’s prophets and then old Jezebel sent a messenger telling him she was going to kill him. Instead of Elijah calling upon God the same way he did against the prophets of Baal— he ran! A couple of days later we find him under a juniper tree ready to die. How can a man of God be so on fire one day and discouraged, hiding under a tree the next?

He listened to evil influences. He got his eyes off God. He ended up discouraged, despondent, and destitute. There was a cure for Elijah just like there is a cure for you—Just trust the Lord!

MISSIONS- THE HEART BEAT OF THE CHURCH

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. –Spurgeon

 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16

            When I visit other churches I often find myself looking at the Missionaries they support. Some have pictures of their Missionaries along the walls, some have Missionary displays, and I went to one church that had a digital photo frame with pictures of the Missionaries it supported scrolling on the screen. I thought, “WOW, what a way to honor those that give so much!”

            Today, we start our 2019 Faith Promise Mission’s Conference at Calvary. Our goal this week is to challenge our people with this thought, “How am I winning souls for Jesus Christ?” What and how am I being effective in seeing someone come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Some people can’t get around too well so they pray for those that can, some knock on doors, some surrender to the Missionary Call from the Lord, some give to Missions, and some do it all! One thing is for sure, if you’re saved you will be doing something in the area of Missions! The greatest thing we can do is tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for you!

STAND FIRM ON THE WORD!

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16

The value of the Word of God, this side of eternity, is often misunderstood. It has more depth than the deepest sea. It has more height than the highest mountain. It can heal the broken hearted, set the captive free, and save the lowest of the low. A young Christian packing his bag for a journey said to a friend, "I have nearly finished packing. All I have to put in are a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a microscope, a telescope, a volume of fine poetry, a few biographies, a package of old letters, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of tools."  "But you cannot put all that into your bag," objected the friend. "Oh, yes," said the Christian.  "Here it is." And he placed his Bible in the corner of the suitcase and closed the lid.

Will you read it today? Will you share it today? Will you make it a priority in your life? Will you stand firm on it?

COMPASSION IS MORE THAN WORDS!

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:15-16

While I agree the greatest thing we can give anyone is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I also believe sometimes we need to sustain their life so they can have an opportunity to repent and ask Jesus to save them! An, “I’ll pray for you” will fill the heart with joy and bring comfort but if someone’s belly is empty it would probably be best if you and I give them a bag full of groceries!

If you have an opportunity to help someone out, don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you”, do whatever you’re able to do!

WHAT A JOY TO SERVE THE LORD!

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:7

Serving the Lord shouldn’t come with strings. We should never have the mentality of; I’ll serve the Lord if He will do this. I will serve the Lord if I can do it when I want to. I will serve the Lord if I don’t have anything else going on! But yet, so many of us respond to the Lord in such as the ways mentioned!

Child of God, get busy doing the Lord’s Work! Do it His way with His Word in hand! It will bring about a blessing bringing a smile to your face and joy in your heart!

WHAT WON’T BE THERE?

 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

            We love to dwell on what will be in Heaven. We sing about it, preach about it, and praise the Lord time and time again. There will be streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and the crystal sea are just to name a few. Taking a different view on Heaven, Bro. Doug Ramage wrote a song of what won’t be there; headaches, back aches, age spots, reading glasses, snow, bunions, and arthritis to name a few.

            No matter which view you take, the best thing about Heaven is Jesus! He will be there! He will wipe the tears away! He will destroy death! Peace will reign throughout eternity! The pains of life will be no more!

            I’ll be there, will you be?

POOR CHOICES?

The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: 'grace.'

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Psalm 119:59

Life is built upon choices. Elimelech had a choice to make because of the famine in Israel but in choosing not to trust in God he ended up making three mistakes. The first, He chose to leave the promise land. The second, he chose to live in Moab. Finally, his family dwelt in the Land of Moab for ten years.

So often we make some poor choices in our life just like Elimelech. These poor choices are nothing more than the sin of NOT trusting in the Lord. After we make the first choice it is easier to stay right there in the sin this world has to offer. However, I am glad our life doesn’t have to end there. It says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Do you have a life that has been built upon poor choices? Have you disobeyed the Word of God and went another way? There is forgiveness! There is hope! Confess, Repent, and Ask God to help you change your direction!

DO YOU HAVE A LABOR OF LOVE?

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4:11

            Many people work for the next paycheck. Many work for fame. But what the Lord wants us to do is have a labor of love towards one another. We cannot do that if we are constantly throwing accusations, mean spirited advice, or demeaning those who are in despair. No, a labor of love is done by setting aside your preconceived notions, giving Godly counsel, and uplifting those who have hit rock bottom. It’s easy for you and I in our abundance to look down our self-righteous nose and judge. But what if what we had today was taken from us? Would we have the same outlook on life? Would we still treat people the same way? Would we still walk with our noses in the air?

Child of God, He has commanded us to love one another! So let’s start doing it!

HOW’S YOUR HEART TOWARDS CHURCH?

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalm 42:1

Unless there are people who are responding to the love of God as revealed in Christ and so are worshipping Him, the Church is not very important. –Blake

Many people will use one excuse or another why NOT to go to church. They say it’s old fashioned, it’s irrelevant, the pastor is pushy, the pastor is dry, the pastor’s wife is stuck up, the people aren’t friendly, or the one that makes absolutely no sense at all… it’s full of hypocrites. Whatever reason you give to not go to church will expose what’s in your heart!

Here’s a better idea when it comes to your church attendance, make reasons why to go to church. How about my walk with Jesus is more important, my kid’s spiritual walk is more important, and most of all honoring my Saviour is worth more!

GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH THIS MORNING!

YOU’RE ALWAYS WELCOME AT CALVARY

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20

             In talking with a friend the other day I told him in reference to him visiting our church, “You’re always welcome at Calvary.” But that phrase has stuck in my head since it left my lips. “You’re always welcome at Calvary.” Wow! Did you catch that; “You’re always welcome at Calvary.” But are we? Are we always welcome at Calvary? What if we come with pride? What if we come with contempt? What if we come with hatred? What if we come with jealousy? What if we come with envy? What if we come with bitterness? What if we come with a lying tongue?               

            Well yes, we are always welcome at Calvary IF we are willing to humble ourselves before God. We are always welcome IF we are willing to repent from such sin. We are always welcome IF we are willing to acknowledge God in our lives. We are always welcome if we are doers of the Word and not hearers only.

Hey friend—YOU’RE ALWAYS WELCOME AT CALVARY!

TIME THIEVES

There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time. –Napoleon

 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

             We have a lot of gadgets to rob us of our time these days. Smart phones, computers, smart watches, video games, internet radio, and the old television will rob more time for us than you can shake a stick at. It seems as if Satan has more ways to keep us busy doing nothing than we have ever had in history.

             I recently noticed a new feature on my phone; it tells me how long I have been using it each week. I was amazed at the amount of time I was using it on social network sights. So what’s a man to do, make a commitment to the Lord and adjust the amount of time spent on them!

             Have you been wasting time on your go to gadget? Make a commitment to spend less time on that and more time serving others. Make a commitment to spend more time in your Bible! Make more time with your family! Get the drift? Number your days that you may apply your heart to wisdom!