DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE IT

Spiritual truth is more essential to a nation than mortar to its cities' walls. For when the actions of a people are unguided by these truths, it is only a matter of time before the walls themselves collapse. --Charles Lindbergh

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

What you believe governs your life. If you believe; getting an education and working hard will one day pay off, you will live your life doing just that. If you believe exercise and proper diet will allow you to live a longer, healthier life, you will do that. If you believe saving money and investing it in the stock market will make you financially sound, you will do just that. The same is with the Bible!

If you believe the Bible is the Word of God, it is essential to life, and has the answer to where you came from and where you are going, you will live accordingly! What you believe about Genesis 1:1 will determine what you believe about John 3:16. Your belief doesn’t change the Word of God but it does change you!

What part of your life is not governed by the Word of God? What do you have tucked away in your life that you haven’t given to the Lord? Do you really believe the Bible? Before the mortar of your life gives way, why not surrender all and allow Him to direct your life through His Word???

GET TO WORK!

There are too many people who expect God to work by miracle what God expects people to work by muscle. –Tyson

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28

The Nanny State mentality is one of the many things killing the American way of life. What used to be a Biblical foundation of providing for our family, friends and fellow Americans in their time of need now has become nothing more than a bunch of lazy individuals doing nothing but wanting everything—for free! This mentality has transferred over into many churches across our country and it’s killing the church. Folks come in never wanting to get involved with a church and have a mentality of, “What can your church do for me.”

You want to see the Lord work a miracle? Maybe it’s time for you to put some legs to those lips and get busy serving Him. He can take your physical work and turn them into miracles. The folks serving in the nursery so a lost mother can hear the Gospel preached is helping win her to the Lord! That's the Greatest of all Miracles! Now, GET TO WORK!

THE DAY IS COMING

            Jesus is coming, are you ready?

Matthew 7:22-23 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.

            With all of the events going on in our world, I was reminded of the Blessed Hope this evening. You may not know what that blessed hope is but I am here to tell you. The Blessed Hope is the imminent return of Jesus Christ to this earth to take those who are saved to Heaven to live with Him forever. Did you catch the prerequisite of going to Heaven in that last sentence; “those who are saved”?

            You see, not everyone will be heading to that Blessed City. Not everyone will get to go through those “pearly gates”. Not everyone will see their loved ones again. Not everyone will see Jesus face to face. Why? Because not everyone is saved. Not everyone has repented of their sin and trusted Jesus as Saviour.

            Are you one of those people? Have you trusted Jesus as Saviour? There is a day coming when you will stand before the Lord and give account of what you did with Jesus. What will you hear?

WHATCHA DOING OVER THERE?

            Sometimes we need to recalculate to get back where we need to be with the Lord.

1 Kings 19:9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

            When we get out of the will of God, it’s because of the sin in our heart. That same sin will cause us to doubt if God cares. It causes us to doubt God’s compassion. It causes us to doubt grace and mercy. We find ourselves questioning every move God makes in our lives. We wonder, “If He really cares, why am I all alone?” We question, “If He cares, why don’t He provide for me?’ The problem with both of those questions is that we are actually leaving God out of the equation. We are only caring about ourselves with questions like that.

            But praise the Lord He doesn’t leave us alone! He cares so much for us that He is not willing to leave us by ourselves! He also continues to provide for us when we are not faithful to him. With the Lord’s presence and His supply of food and water—Elijah could have faced anything but He found himself in a cave looking out the opening, hiding from those that would bring Him harm! God asked Him, What doest thou here, Elijah? That is the same thing He asks us when we find ourselves out of the will of God; “Whatcha doing over there?”

            Will you continnue running and hiding like Elijah? Or will you get back working for the Lord? The choice is up to you today!

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

            Salvation is not something that is done for you but something that happens within you.  It is not the clearing of a court record, but the transformation of a life attitude. -Palmer

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

            Many people are looking for something. They are looking to fill that empty feeling in their heart that only the Saviour can fill. They attempt to plug the hole with drugs, alcohol, careers, social gatherings, or whatever. The try everything to fill the void except the One that can.

            Hey friend, this morning how about trying something different. Tune into an online church service. Tune into a radio service. Load up a YouTube video of a preacher of the Gospel. Or, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Be asking the Lord while you do to show you the truth. Ask Him to direct your heart to what you need to hear. (Need a recommendation of someone that preaches the truth? Inbox me and I’ll be glad to give you some.)

HANG ON

            You have received Christ; persevere in receiving him. You have come to trust him; keep on trusting him. You hang about his neck as a poor, helpless sinner; remain hanging there. Abide in him. —Spurgeon

Galatians 5:1, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

            In all account, we have a lot to be worried about. The world in which we live is becoming more and more evil. Our health is at risk from disease. Our freedoms we use to hold dear are eroding away like never before. But didn’t the Lord say it was going to be like this? Didn’t He warn us to prepare? Let me help you out, yes, He did!

            Don’t fret friend! Don’t become entangled with in the bondage of fear! These complicated days doesn’t surprise our Lord! He didn’t wake up this morning thinking, what am I going to do about the Corona-virus. He has not meet with His angels, making a game plan to attack the respiratory enemy. So, trust Him! Use these days to magnify the name of the Saviour! Hang on and share the Gospel. Give hope! Give help! Give heaven! Give Jesus!

ABOUT TIME TO GO

            No man can resolve himself into heaven. -Moody

Luke 13:5, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

            I’m no doomsday prophet. I’m a guy preaching about Jesus and how He is the ONLY way anyone will go to Heaven. This is God’s Word on the matter! You may not like it, believe it or, or agree with it, but that will not change the truth of God’s Word.

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

            Friend, no man will get to Heaven without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will enjoy the promises of Heaven without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will be reunited with love ones, who were saved, without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will be saved from the wrath to come without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will escape hell’s fire without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will be taken up in the rapture of the church without repenting and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. No man will see Jesus, face to face, without repenting and trusting Him as Saviour.

  And let me tell you something… it’s about time to go! Are you ready?

I’M KIND OF HUNGRY

           

Why would anyone eat an onion, it has to be because they are just hungry!

Psalm 107:9, For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

            I was reminded of one of God’s little creatures recently-the ant! It is a very persistent little fellow. In his hunger, he will do anything and everything to get full. If they find food in your house, not even the best exterminator can get rid of them! Their hunger drives them to overcome what ever is in their way.

            Are you hungry for the things of God? Do you have the desire to read and study God’s Word, pray, attend church, and fellowship with other believers? I’m kind of hungry for the things of God, I hope you are too!

COVER YOUR EARS

            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

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

            Let me help you, people will always talk. They will either talk good about the decisions you make or they will talk bad about the decisions you make. Either way, they’re going to talk. But I also know to consider three things;

Who is doing the talking? Is it someone you have respect for? Are they looking out for your best interest? Do they know something about the situation that you don’t?

What are they saying? The decision you made may have truly been a really dumb idea. You may want to take the counsel of that individual no matter who they are.

Finally, is what they are saying apply to me or are they way off base. They may not have all the information and respond without knowing everything but out of concern for you they step in to give advice. If this is the situation, thank them for their concern but let it go in one ear and out the other. Hey, they care enough to speak up!

            You don’t always have to respond to someone’s post on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Tik Tok, or any other social media outlet. Just like you don’t have to listen to someone when they don’t have a clue about the whole situation. Cover your ears, hold back that response and understand people are going to talk. Let the Lord handle their tongue!

DO SOMETHING FOR THE LORD

               The three things most difficult are - to keep a secret, to forget an injury, and to make good use of leisure. -Chilo

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

               Due to this Corona-virus, many kids are sitting around the house playing video games, watching TV, or complaining that they have to be at home. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa-what an opportunity you have to take them with you on visitation. What an opportunity you have to clean out that garage you have been putting off. What an opportunity to invest quality time with your loved ones!

               Don’t take this time for granted. Do something for the Lord! Invest in the eternal things so your kids and grand-kids will see how important they truly are. After all, idle hands are the devil’s workshop!

PEACE, WONDERFUL PEACE

            A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done.  God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do-is to enter into it. - D.L. Moody

Matthew 11:28-30, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

            Do you remember the day you trusted Jesus as Saviour and entered His peace? Do you remember the joy you had that day? The joy filled your heart because with child-like faith you took a step toward Jesus and He lifted you up out of the muck and mire of sin and shame. Do you still have that joy? If not, what happened? Why did you stop walking in His peace?

            This morning, whatever is going on in your life, cast all your care upon Jesus! He cares for you! Jesus wants you to walk in peace, wonderful peace and that is only found in trusting Him day by day, moment by moment. Do you trust Him? Do you have peace?

CRIPPLED BY FEAR

            The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. -F.D. Roosevelt

2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

            Elijah had just won a great victory slaying four hundred and fifty of Baals prophets but with just a few words from one of Jezebel’s messengers, he ran and hid under a tree. He was crippled by fear but God sent him an angel to comfort and encourage him. He got up and went some 400 miles to Mt. Horeb. What should’ve taken between ten to fifteen days took Elijah 40 days and nights to travel. Why did it take him so long? I believe you find the answer in the question the Lord asked him, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” Elijah was still crippled by fear, ended up hiding in a cave. Elijah came face to face with his problem and as he stood there gazing out the entrance of the cave. God asked him once again, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” I am glad God doesn’t give up on His children! He pursues them. He comforts them. He encourages them. He wants them to be courageous and fight on!

            Are you crippled by fear? Fear of the unknown? Fear of what’s next? The fear of being left alone? Be reminded that this fear DOES NOT come from the Lord! Its source is Satan. He loves for you to fear because it keeps your mind wondering around for days in the wilderness making you feel all alone in your life.

            Hey friend, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning before you find yourself wasting time trapped inside your own house crippled by fear! Just remember what the Lord said in Isaiah 41:13, For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

NO NEED TO PANIC

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

John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

            In times like these, it reveals who and what you have put your faith in. Now, I believe we need to be wise in well doing but we don’t need to be gullible! Pay attention to the things going on around you, child of God. Pay attention to the ones promoting the chaos. Pay attention to the words they communicate with their mouths. Pay attention to who they quote and get their information from.

            Child of God, let me take a moment to remind you there is a God in heaven who loves and cares for you! He wants the best for you. He wants to save you from the very thing you are in a panic over. Let Him settle all your fears!

THERE IS HOPE, SINNER FRIEND

            It would be easier to find a man that had not done any one sin that to find a man who had done it only once. Sin multiplies. We must either overcome sin, or it will overcome us. -D.L. Moody

Psalm 130:3, If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

            The Psalmist asked, if we could, in some way, see who has committed sin, who would be able to stand noting they have not? Who would be able to serve the Lord without sin? Truthfully, all of us have committed sin and are unfit to serve the Lord. We are wicked and wicked to the very core. Left to ourselves we would choose wrong over right, darkness over light, and the broadway over the straight and narrow each and every time.

             I am thankful that the Lord didn’t leave us to ourselves though! The Psalmist in verse four of the same chapter said, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” God sent His Son to die on the cross for your and my sin!

            No matter what you have done. No matter how far you have gone. No matter how deep into sin you have drifted, there is hope in Jesus friend! I leave you with this to pray over this morning: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

THE TRUTH IS OFFENSIVE

            Don't you know my friend, it is not the most fluent man that has the greatest effect with a jury?  It is the man who tells the truth. - D.L Moody

Galatians 4:16, Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

            Do you remember in math class when the teacher was writing problems on the board and after she finished you had to go to the board to work a problem out in front of everyone? Do you remember getting the answer wrong? Do you remember when you asked the teacher why it was wrong with that voice telling everyone you were mad at her? Do you remember telling her time and time again that you WERE right and she was wrong? She became your enemy really quick and no one was going to change your mind… until you got home that is.

            The truth is offensive but it doesn’t change that it is the truth. We need to see truth for what it is—the truth! We need to listen to the truth, even when it hurts our feelings or our pride. We need to live by the truth—the truth that will set us free from sin and shame.

            How you handle the truth will make all the difference.

LOVING BEYOND THEIR FAULTS

          To love someone means to see him as God intended him. --Feodor Dostoevski

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

            Love is still a choice. To love your neighbor that doesn’t mow his yard, take off his trash, and plays loud music at midnight, is a choice. To love your wayward child that has broken your heart more times than you care to remember, is a choice. To love your spouse that has been unfaithful, uncaring, or unloving, is a choice.

            The Lord didn’t love us because of who we are, for we are wicked to the core. He chose to love us based on Who He is. So, when you chose to love the unlovable, it is based on the love of God that is in you and that has showed you compassion, love, mercy, and grace.

            We will you forgive as much as Christ has forgiven you? Will you love the unlovable? Will you love beyond their faults and follow scripture?

GRACE, MARVELOUS GRACE

           Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. -Hulbert

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

            This morning I am thankful for grace! The grace that saved me. The grace that sets me free from sin and shame. The grace of God’s presence. The grace that empowers me to be the Christian God wants me to be. The grace that I will get one day when He calls me home! There is just something about God’s wonderful, marvelous grace!

            Many people think that grace ends when salvation begins. They are so wrong! We live by grace each and every day! So, before you step foot outside this morning, thank the Lord for His marvelous grace!  

YES, LITTLE IS MUCH, WHEN GOD IS IN IT

            There are no trifles in the moral universe of God. Speak but one true word today and it shall go on ringing on through the ages. -Pushon

John 6:9, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

            Not only in this scripture but all throughout the Bible, I read how God used little things. I read about this small boy with two fish and five barley loaves feeding the multitude and having twelve baskets of leftovers. I read about the woman with a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruse. Some say she fed Elijah, her son, and herself for up to two years. I read about David using only one of five small stones taking down the Giant Goliath. I read about a little town called Bethlehem in which the Saviour of the world came. I read about all of these stories that have one thing in common; without God they would’ve never happened!

            What are you trying to do for the Lord? Pastor a church? Be a missionary? Raise Godly children? Share the Gospel? If you are attempting to do it without the Lord, He will not bless it. However, the smallest things done with God will bring forth much fruit because little is much when God is in it!

SAD DAYS

            You don't have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods, America is full of them.  Whatever you love more than God is your idol. -Moody

Acts 17:16, Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

            Paul was waiting for Silas and Timotheus to get to Athens. While he was waiting, he viewed the wicked city in need of Jesus Christ. It broke his heart. He did what any man of God would do; he preached Jesus!

            As I was reading those scriptures, my spirit was stirred for my country! I am burdened for America. I am burdened for my children, my co-workers, my town, my family, and yours.

            We are living in some sad days. What used to be wrong is now accepted. What used to be right is now unacceptable. It reminds me of Isaiah 50:20, Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

            Will you help me pray for America? Will you do your part? Will you GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH; seeking what God would have you to do in getting the Gospel to a lost, dying, and hurting generation?

SO THAT SOME WILL BELIEVE

            To be glad instruments of God's love in this imperfect world is the service to which man is called. -Schweitzer

Acts 17:4, And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

            Paul had just seen the miracle of the Philippian jailor’s conversion. He left out of that city and was going from town to town, preaching the Gospel, so that some might believe. He made his way into a synagogue at Thessalonica. He stepped into that dead, religious building and began to preach unto them Jesus. He was there for three days with the Word of God pointing out how Jesus had to have suffered, how He had to die, and how He must be risen from the darkness of death. He was there to preach unto them Jesus was the Christ! Jesus was the Messiah they had been praying for. What happened next was another miracle, “And some of them believed”.

            Friend, as many of us go knocking on doors today, never loose sight of the fact that some will believe the message. Our motivation is the love of God, we go because we love Him. But oh, never forget that within the pages of your Bible is the knowledge of how a man, woman, boy, or girl can be redeemed by the precious blood of the lamb. Never forget that the Gospel can save. Never forget, some will believe.