ARE YOU ALIVE?

            I count all that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God, or in doing good. -Donne

Ephesians 2:1, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

            Jesus quickened us unto eternal life the day we repented of our sin and trusted Him as Saviour. Prior to salvation we were dead in our sins and trespasses but the day we got saved, Jesus changed everything about us. Our destination changed. Our duties changed. Our daily activities changed. Our devotion changed.

            Have you been saved? If you died today, would you go to Heaven or Hell? Salvation is not about you or what you have done. Salvation is about the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s about His death, His burial, His resurrection. It’s about His finished work on Calvary!

            Will you GET UP, GET READY, and GO worship the Saviour this morning? Will you head over to your church?

PRESS ON

The best way out of a difficulty is through it. –Anonymous

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: Proverbs 24:3

            Have you ever been working on something and run into a problem? Maybe you didn’t calculate correctly on the cost. Maybe you didn’t plan for something and in the mist of the project it became a problem. Maybe you didn’t wire a thermostat the right way when you originally set it up and well it took you an hour to figure it out…yep been there done that!

            Well, if we quit in the middle of the project, who would finish it? Who would get the satisfaction of accomplishing the job, who will finish what you started, or in my case— who will rewire the stat? No-one! Sometimes God gives us a door of adversity to go through in order to learn some valuable lessons! Patience, craftsmanship, care, compassion, and so many more don’t come overnight, many times they are learned through adversity.

So, PRESS ON child of God knowing He will be with you all the way!

SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU!

Stop playing hide and seek with the Lord!

            Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Growing up, there wasn’t anything like a good game of hide and seek. Friends or families got together but the kids wouldn’t be gathered around the TV or some silly video game. They would be outside jumping in mud puddles, chasing butterflies, or torturing the neighbor’s cat. When night time fell, it was like we were transformed into another world. We would be fighting spider webs, gnats, and bats! Sometimes I won at the game but more times than not, I lost.

            Hey friend, the Lord is looking for some good men and women to follow Him but He ain’t playing no hide and seek! He is looking for some who will love their families more than their next night on the town. He’s looking for some who will lead their families in the Lord. He’s looking for some who will lift their families before the Lord in prayer. He’s not going to play hide and seek with you either. He doesn’t have to. He knows you better than Santa Claus! Will you stand up and be counted for the Lord?

QUIT LEANING!

Wisdom is only found in truth. -Goethe

Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

            In order for you to clearly see God’s will for your life you’re going to have to yield your will over to God. You are going to have to die to self, daily. You’re going to have to seek His face. You’re going to have to get in His Word. You’re going to have to seek godly counsel from God’s people. You need to stop using your own wisdom and seek God’s truth to find out what true wisdom is.

            Friend, let me remind you of something this morning; His ways are not our ways! God is willing to work in and through your life if you quit leaning unto your own understanding. If you don’t, you may as well wrap it up and quit because you’re spinning your wheels!

SPEAK UP TODAY!

Living without telling someone about Jesus isn’t really living at all!

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

            No one has the guarantee of life tomorrow. All we have is today to invest in the lives of lost, dying and hurting people with the Word of God. So, with that being said, if you knew you couldn’t tell anyone about Jesus tomorrow, who would you tell about Jesus today? Get to it!

YOU BETTER BE THERE

            There is but one question, and that is the will of God.  That settles all other questions. --William E. Gladstone

Ephesians 5:17, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

            I have had people ask me in the past, Bro. Jay, how can I know this is God’s will for my life. I always go back to what a friend of mine shared with me several years ago; He said, Bro. Jay, if God opens a door for you go through it, if He closes it, don’t force it back open. I have had to apply this to my life a few times in the past 15 years. From leaving a job I held for over ten years, to leaving a church I had been at for over 25 years, God always gives a clear path.

            Child of God, if you are questioning whether you need to make a change in your life, don’t do anything until God give you the green light. Don’t quit that job, buy that new car, go on that trip, take on another responsibility, or anything else before you consult with your Heavenly Father! You better be there where He put you until He moves you. If you don’t, you are making the biggest mistake of your life!

TRUST HIM

            You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much. -Anonymous

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

            Let me remind you it is better to have a plan in place before something happens so you can take action instead of making a total mess in a reaction. Yes, you can be prepared in EVERY situation, even in something you thought would never happen to you. How? You, trust in the Lord! Trust Him on the mountain tops and down in the valleys. Trust Him when you have a bonus in your check or when you don’t have a check at all. Trust Him when death knocks at your door and when new life is given. Trust Him in all thine ways!

Convenient Worship

               The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church, someone has said, is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the telephone and spending an evening with her. -Moody

Psalm 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

               It sure is convenient to listen to a sermon today. Access to our favorite preachers has changed so much with the introduction to the internet. We use to have to get into a car a ride an hour or two to hear them preach. Not only do we access to our favorite preachers but we also have access to some that stood the test of time and have gone on Home to be with the Lord. We have all sorts of access to good solid preachers, pastors, and evangelist from all around the world, what a blessing! With that being said, God’s Word hasn’t changed. It still says not to forsake the local Bible Believing Church. Nothing is to take it’s place, not even an internet sermon.

               Child of God, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! God has a message prepared for you through His man! Don’t miss it for convenient worship!

THANKS LIVING

            Gratitude to God should be as habitual as the reception of mercies is constant, as ardent as the number of them is great, as devout as the riches of divine grace and goodness is incomprehensible. -Simmons

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:18

            I’m not sure who started it but November has become the month of giving thanks in which folks post for 30 days things they are thankful for. Jobs, homes, family, dogs, and even their cats become the center of their one day of thanks. There is nothing wrong with this but my question is, why does it only have to be for 30 days? Why can’t it be every day of the year? Why can’t it even be when you lose your job, your home goes up in flames, or your dog dies?

            You know scripture has a lot to say about being thankful. Here in the Book of Thessalonians, Paul tells the church at Thessalonica to be thankful for everything. Now in and of ourselves, that is impossible but when we understand, “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” it is not only possible but it is commanded.

            Child of God, do you have a life of thanks living?

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

            The things that are wrong with the country today are the sum total of all the things that are wrong with us as individuals. --Charles W. Tobey

James 1:23-24, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

            It’s easy sitting behind a screen commenting on other people’s post or throwing your opinion out on social media. It’s real safe to open your filthy mouth distorting facts and telling blatant lies to push your agenda when no one can question your view. It’s amazingly convenient that you’re never around to take the responsibility of your own actions.

             If you were to stop long enough to survey your own life, you may find out that many of your problems would disappear, if you truly looked in the mirror of God’s Word, finding out what God says about you.

WHEN WISDOM ENTERETH…

            He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever. -Tillotson

            Proverbs 2:10-11, When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

            Many people claim to be wise but yet if they were so wise, they would have repented and trusted Jesus as Saviour a long time ago. This; I need to spread my wild oats, I need to live a little, or I’m just not ready, has cost many people an eternity in Hell. Verse 10 says, “Discretion shall preserve thee…” The wisdom of salvation is a gift from God. God tells us that this wisdom gives us a chance to be saved. It is offered to all but many will reject it because they don’t have the wisdom to know they need it. They don’t have the wisdom to see the simplicity of the Gospel. They don’t see their need of The Saviour thereby they would rather take their chances.

             Friend, if you are wrong it will cost you an eternity. If I’m wrong, it costed me nothing!

DO IT FOR HIM NOT THEM

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. - D.L. Moody

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

Fame and fortune have been the motivators of the masses for generations. People want to be seen or paid. Their motivation is ill placed and if seen or paid it’s never enough. They strive for what will get the pics or what will fill the pockets.

What about doing the little things just for the glory of God? What about being a blessing to those in your circle of influence? What about being a good husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother? What about being a good church member? What about being a good pastor? What about being a good neighbor? Don’t do it for them but do it for Him!

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

If you play with fire, sooner or later you’re going to get burnt! 

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

Adultery doesn’t just happen one day when you’re bored. It begins in the mind. It begins by fantasying about how a different life would be. It begins by being flirtatious at work, at the supermarket, or sadly enough, at church. It begins by striking up a conversation with another man or woman that’s not your spouse about your marriage. It begins by allowing Satan to work in your life when he has no place in it! 

Husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. Love her when she isn’t what you see on tv or in some magazine. Wives, love your husbands likewise. Love him when he isn’t the man in a Hallmark movie or a Harlequin novel. 

Love your spouse unconditionally! Love them enough to forgive. Love them enough to forget. Love them enough to show the love of Jesus to others! 

JUST TIRED

Matthew 11:28, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The mid-watch, a baby being born, a death in the family; all can bring about some times when we are extremely tired. But what about a lost job, a wayward child, or a very busy schedule? Yes, these are times when exhaustion can set in causing us to lose focus on what God has called us to. We lose our focus on our spouse, our ministry, and other important God given responsibilities.

So, what are we to do? I believe it may have been Vance Havner that originally said; “Come apart, before we come apart.” We must change our schedule in order to get the needed rest we need.

Do you find yourself tired? Wore out by life’s demands? Take some time off. Change your schedule around. Come apart from those things before you come apart having a nervous breakdown. Adjust your priorities in order to be the leader God wants you to be!

BLOWN AWAY

Just because there are shift winds of the air doesn’t mean you need to change with every wind of doctrine that comes by.

Ephesians 4:14, That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Have you ever flown a kite? If you have, you will remember how when the winds change direction the kite changed with it. Child of God, you don’t have to be that way. You can be firmly planted in the Word of God so that when a false wind of doctrine comes by, it won’t effect you.

You get planted in the Word by staying in the Word. You read it, study it, and apply it! You do that by GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and GOING TO A BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH! Are you going?

ARE YOU READY?

There is only one way to be ready, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

Luke 12:40 - Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Some of us prepare for college classes. Some of us prepare to go to work. Most of us prepare in order to get a promotion. But do we prepare for eternity? Have we settled the account of sin we have with the Lord? Are you prepared to meet the Lord and give account of your life?

Hey friend, there is only one way to know for sure you’re going to Heaven, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN! Be ready, repent and trust Jesus as your Saviour today!

STAY HUMBLE

Some people talk of how humble they are; but a lighthouse does not have a trumpet blown, it is its own witness. - D.L. Moody

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23

Although Alexander the Great reigned a short twelve years, he conquered 22 million square miles and Hellenized the conquered nations. During this time of victory, Alexander began to think he was a god never giving God the glory for the victories he enjoyed. I believe he began to think he was invincible, never being satisfied with what God had accomplished, and thereby it became his downfall dying at a young age of 32.

Are you building something for yourself but leaving the Lord out of it? Are you celebrating victories God has given but you are claiming them for yourself? Be reminded this morning that greater men and women such as yourself have come tumbling down because of pride. But those who have continually given God the Glory for their life, God has honored.

ARE YOU A TRASH DIGGER?

I am thankful this morning that Jesus doesn’t dig up our past like some fellow Christians do-

 Psalm 103:12, As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Why is it so hard for us to forgive and forget what someone has done to us or to someone we care about? Why is it we love to sit around and talk about what someone did to us 5, 10, 15, or even 30 years ago? Why is so important for us to gossip about people?

I rejoice in knowing that Jesus isn’t like me! When He forgives sin, He chooses to remove it, forever!!! He doesn’t dig it up when He’s upset with me! He doesn’t throw it up in my face when I go to Him in prayer. He doesn’t hash it over and over day after day! You know why; It’s under the blood, oh praise His dear name!! I’m not what I use to be, My life’s been changed! It’s because He forgives and choses to forget… forever!

Do you like digging up trash on people? Maybe you need to be a little bit more like Jesus: forgive, chose to forget…. forever.

THE REAL PRIZE

Don’t miss the prize for the potholes along the way.

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

Several years ago, I had the privilege to go to Kenya. We flew in to Nairobi and spent the night. The next morning, we rented a van and headed to the village in which the missionary that we were helping lived. Let me tell yah, there was more potholes then there was road but we made it. We couldn’t miss them all but we did a few.

Along this road of life, there will be some potholes. Some deep, some dry, some lonely, some heart breaking, some disappointing, but there are a couple of things for sure; if we keep or eyes on the real prize- Jesus, we will make it to the destination without hitting all of them and the ones we do hit, Jesus will be there to help us out of them! Press on, it won’t be long!

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM THE LORD

The potential of a child is the most intriguing thing in all creation. -Wilbur

 Matthew 10:14b, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

From spiritual matters to financial issues, God has used my kids to help teach me how to honor Him with my life. Many times, it is in the everyday trials that these lessons come forth; patience, honesty, thriftiness, sin, repentance, truth, all have been taught in my life since I held my first born. What a blessing it is to have been given this privilege to learn from the little ones God entrusted us with.

Do you push the children aside at church? Do you look down your self-righteous nose when they make mistakes and commit sin? Do you wish they would just go away? Take a couple of steps back and look, listen, and learn from the mouth of babes. It will amaze you to what depths God will take you if you will, Be still and know He is God.