GOD’S GENEROSITY

God’s generosity is manifested in His grace to mankind throughout history.

            It is seen when He sent His Son in the fulness of time to redeem mankind, Galatians 4:4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

            It is seen when He sacrificed His Son for the forgiveness of sin. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

            It will be seen again when He is sends His Son to get His Sons and Daughters! James 5:8, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

            Have you recognized God’s grace that has been bestowed upon your life? What have you done with it? Will you act on it before it’s too late? Will you repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour before it’s too late?             

WHAT DO YOU TAKE FOR GRANTED?

If you want to live more, you must master the art of appreciating the little, everyday blessings of life. This is not altogether a golden world, but there are countless gleams of gold to be discovered in it if we give our minds to them. -Porter

Philippians 2:3, Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

How often do we take for granted those whom we love? How often do we not appreciate the job we have been given? Why is it we do not value the things that are most valuable in life? Do we forsake the Word of God, the People of God, and the House of God?

You can show the Lord how valuable these are in your life by GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and GOING TO CHURCH!

LOSE THE BAGGAGE

No distraction is small if it keeps you from God. It may have consequences immeasurable.

   Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

   In running a race, a runner will get as light as possible. Light weight shoes, light fitting clothes, and short hair all are set aside in order to have an advantage over other competitors. You see, that extra weight, even so small, can add time to a runner’s clock and cost them the race.

  There are just some things we, as born-again believers, need to lay aside in order to have a victorious life. Old places we use to hang out at, websites we used to visit, social media, and even some people may have to be put out of our life in order for us to be the men and women God wants us to be. Sometimes, living for the Lord requires tough choices in which people, places, and things become the baggage we need to get rid of so we can have the victorious life God wants us to have! Will you get rid of it? 

DEADLY DISTRACTIONS

Pay attention where you’re going or you’re going to end up somewhere you didn’t want to go!

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Have you ever relied on a GPS to get you to a destination you’re unfamiliar with? Have you been looking at sights along the way and missed a turn? Have you been talking to a friend on the phone or in the car with you and realize 10, 15, or even 30 minutes down the road that you missed a turn? (Especially after you heard the GPS say recalculating 5 difference times!) If you don’t pay attention, you’re going to end up way out of your way!

Friend, there are a lot of things going on in this world to distract us from what is important. Television; 24-hour news stations, movies on demand, and the shopping network channels can be huge distractions. Social Media; Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social medias can distract you. Sports, the hunting club, and even a quilting guild can cause you to miss the important things of life! Now, I’m not saying TV, social media, or something you may enjoy as a hobby is necessarily evil but they can be. They can be deadly distractions if it takes you away from the important things of life. Important things such as: The Saviour- Jesus Christ, Time in your Bible, Prayer, Your Family, Your Friends, Your Local Church, and Your Job.

What distraction is leading you away from the Lord more and more? Be wise! Get rid of it! Redeem the time with the Lord! Redeem time with family! Redeem time with friends! Redeem the time before it’s too late!

CORRECTION OR PUNISHMENT

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

Proverbs 3:11-12, My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Discipline from the Lord comes in three ways; Corrective, preventive, and instructive. In either way the goal of the Lord is always the same, correction. It is not just being punished for sin we have been done. He wants us to be corrected and conformed to His image. He wants us to correct and respond to His Word in such a way that we bring Him honor and glory and we grow in grace! So, He corrects us when we are in sin!

In what way do you respond to the Lord’s chastening and correction? It ought to be the way scripture says, ”…it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.“- Hebrews 5:11

ECHO HIS WORD

Blessed is the man who having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact. -Eliot

Proverbs 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

So often we have some problem that may arise in our lives. Maybe it is physical needs, medical needs, or even spiritual needs. We hit each one of our friends up for advice trying to find some peace and comfort. The answer is right before us all the time-- Trusting in the Lord.

When we give advice or counsel to those in need we should be like a canyon, we should echo what the Word of God says. You see there is nothing good within any of us except Him. Instead of opening our mouth with empty vain words, we should be studied up and prayed up ready to echo the Lord's message!

Are you facing some unexpected problems? Are you searching for peace in your life? Do you have a friend that is looking to you for answers in their life? No matter where we stand- giving advice or receiving it our guide should be: Proverbs 3:5-7 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. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

WHAT’S MY PURPOSE?

            More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent. -Sunday

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

            Many Christians miss the blessings of God in their life because they are more centered on their life instead of God’s will. Their purpose is clouded because they are so actively doing the exact opposite of what God wants. In doing so, they miss out on some of the greatest things God has prepared for them: leading someone to the Lord, teaching kids about Jesus, supporting a missionary as they head off to their called place of service. You can’t buy the blessings that come from being and doing what God wants you to do.

            What purpose have you been avoiding? What does the Lord want you to do with your life? It can be a onetime event or a lifetime of service. Whatever “it” is, get busy doing it!

GET REAL

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. -Sunday

Ephesians 2:8-9, 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.

            Not every person that proclaims the name of Jesus really knows Jesus as Saviour. They know His name. They have heard of His works. They may have seen Him work in someone’s life. However, they do not know Him in a personal way because they haven’t repented of their sin and trusted Him as Saviour.

            Does that describe you? Do you know the Lord by name? Have you heard about how He has worked in other people’s life but you haven’t had Him work in yours? Have you ever repented and trusted Him as your Saviour? Good News- you can do that right now! Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

TOUCHES OF GRACE

The trials of the Christian life you shall find heavy, but...grace will make them light. -Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

            Throughout the Word of God, we can read about grace being bestowed upon people. Some follow the Lord and some didn’t. Some recognize the grace bestowed while others took it for granted.

            We see the same thing in the world today. We see folks walking around breathing God’s air, enjoying His creation, enjoying good health, and taking it all for granted. On this Sunday morning, it would be good to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH to hear about the touches of God’s grace on our lives!

JUST BEHAVE

            Conduct yourself in such a way that no one would be surprised if you told them you are a Christian.

            1 Timothy 3:15, But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

            Many people have a distorted view of what true Biblical Christianity looks like. They believe what Mom or Dad taught them. They believe what secular schools tell them. They believe what they see on social media, in the newspaper, or on television. They believe anything but what the Bible says.

            It would do us all good to pick up a Bible. Read it. Study it. Pray over it. Then apply it to our daily living so we can learn how to behave in order that some might be saved!

YOU SAY CAN’T- GOD SAYS DONE

You can fully trust God even when the circumstances seem to be impossible. —Paul Chappell

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

            Oft times, there have been times in our lives when we say I can’t do this. We are so weighted down with a burden that we lose hope, thinking we have no help. Then, one of those, “But God” moments happens. When He steps in and takes care of business. When He says, “It’s Done!”

There are many of those moments in scripture and you can have one too, if you trust fully in Him!

 

 

PRAY- THEN PRAY AGAIN

When life is too hard to stand, kneel.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

            Many days go by and you feel like your prayers have went unanswered. A year’s worth of tears has fallen from your cheeks, soaking your pillow at night. Sleepless nights, praying over a wayward child, a parent in the hospital, an unsecure job; the list of the things we pray over are numerous and become weighty at times. But Child of God, do not wain! Do not waiver! Do not vacate your post of prayer! Just pray and then pray again and again! Knowing that your heavenly Father is looking and listening to what you have to say.

YOU SAY YOU TRUST, BUT DO YOU?

Don't try to hold God's hand; let Him hold yours.  Let Him do the holding, and you the trusting. -Webb-Peploe

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.

            I am troubled in the way some “Christians” claim to trust in the Lord but deny the Word of God. They say they love the Lord on Facebook, Instagram, and many other forms of social media but to actually darken the door of a church, good luck. So, can someone tell me how someone can “trust in the Lord” but not attend church without a real reason. Health, work, or maybe even traveling occasionally will hinder a person. But to flat out not go because they say they don’t have to go is just contrary to the Word! Can someone tell me how they can justify their unfaithfulness without leaning to their own understanding? Can anyone explain to me how they are acknowledging Him if they don't love His people? And finally, can someone help me understand how the same person can expect God to direct their paths when they don't follow His Word?

There are a lot of people who say they trust in the Lord but in all actuality, they don’t trust Him at all! Are YOU one of those people?

HYPOCRITICAL LIVING

I saw about a peck of counterfeit dollars once. Did I go to the window and throw away all my good dollars? No! Yet you reject Christianity because there are hypocrites, or counterfeit Christians. –Biederwolf

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27

There is hypocrisy in every aspect of life! Sure there are hypocrites in the church but they are at work as well. Yet, it doesn’t stop you from clocking in each day to collect that paycheck! There is hypocrisy in the government but we still go vote, for the same hypocrite candidate—AGAIN! There is hypocrisy in sports—your favorite player gets traded and all of a sudden they’re not your favorite player anymore because they're not playing for your team…I thought they were your favorite player????!

The bottom line is we do what we want to do. So quit making excuse of why you don’t go to church. One day you will stand before God to give an account of your life. The excuses won’t cut it anymore. If you’re not saved, He will say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” That should be a humbling thought!

HOPELESS LIVING

Life without Jesus is like a donut, there’s a hole in the middle of your heart! 

1 Thessalonians 4:13, But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Do you feel as if there isn’t a remedy to your problems? Do you feel helpless or hopeless? Do you find yourself with more month than money? Have you made a complete mess of your life thinking all is lost? Poor choices got you thinking there is no hope for you? There is hope and there is a remedy!!!  

Jesus is our help and hope! The remedy has a name, His name is Jesus! Titus 2:11, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

HOLIDAYS BRING FOCUSING

            Man was created with two eyes, so that with one he may see God's greatness, and with the other his own lowliness. -Samuel Y. Agnon

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

            During the holidays, many of us focus in on the wrong things. We focus on the past memories or long-gone experiences that many times leave us questioning our past choices. We cannot live in the past and we cannot change the past so why attempt to live there? Why not take those experiences and memories and learn from them?

            Child of God, we should trust the Lord was directing us in the past. He was directing us to salvation, sanctification, and even into somewhere to serve the Lord. What we should focus on is the things we can change, our finish and future! Paul gave us the pattern to follow and focus on in Hebrews 12:1-2: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Confessing of sin, growth in the Lord, and KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS!

HOLIDAYS BRINGS GOOD MEMORIES

          Grief drives men into habits of serious reflections, sharpens the understanding and softens the heart. -John Adams

Psalm 130:1, Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

            When family centered holidays come by, my mind has a way of drifting back to days growing up or when my own kids were still at home. Mom was busy making chocolate pies. Getting ready to go hunting with Dad. My kids trying to sneak a peak of what Santa was bringing them or fighting over who got the egg beaters. Things are different now. My kids are grown. My Mom and Dad are gone. If we let it, the bitterness of loss can overwhelm us.

            Child of God, rejoice in the time you had with your parents. Reminisce over memories with your kids. And when old Satan tries to get you into the mully-grubs, call out to your Heavenly Father and remind that old loser where he will spend eternity!  

JUST BE THANKFUL

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in meek and thankful hearts. -Walton

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

            In Romans 1, we see the progression of a weak Christ-less mind going the way of sin. Verse 21 says, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” When you have been blessed to know God, whether it be by surmountable witnesses, occasional exposures, or by the creation that God Himself formed, there is an expectation of a response on your behalf. If you chose not to give God the glory for who He is or what He has done, God’s Word says, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:” Romans 1:26

            This Thanksgiving, take a moment and consider all the Lord has done for you. If you can’t think of anything, just look to the Cross and be thankful!

Bible Study- cause we are a work in progress.

            Zeal without knowledge is fire without light. –Fuller

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

            Have you ever opened your mouth and inserted your foot while trying to be a witness for the Lord? I sure have. It is nothing wrong with each one of us sharing our testimony with others. As a matter of fact, we need to do that! However, if during our sharing the Living Hope that is within us, there comes up topics about Christianity or religious matters that we do not know about, don’t get into an argument with those people. Just share what we know and allow the Lord to use it.

            None of us knows everything there is to know about the Lord Jesus. We can take the time to research what the topic of debate is later and then approach that person when we know more about it. I mean, how did Noah get all of those animals on the ark??? Where did Cain get his wife??? Yes, there are Biblical answers for these questions! Read it, Study it, Meditate upon it, but most of all let the Bible read you and allow it to work in your heart that you might be able to be a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth!

PERSECUTION IS COMING

It is better to incur the world's hatred by testifying against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it. -Henry

2 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

If you are attempting to live for the Lord, He has said you will suffer persecution. You will have people make fun of you when you go to church. You will have people poke fun when you will not drink that glass of wine or beer. You will have them to ridicule you on every level you can imagine. However, at the end of the day when they need someone to pray. When they need someone to reach heaven. When they need a friend to be there for them, you will be that friend. It will be the time for you to stand and give an account to what Jesus has done for you and can do for them!

            Persecution is coming, will you stand up, speak up, and be counted for the Lord?