NO MATTER WHAT, REJOICE

         Happy is the soul that has been saved and is looking forward to the day they meet their Saviour, face to face.

Habakkuk 3:18, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

            Recently, there has been a lot of turmoil in this world. Covid19, racial tension, threats of war, and nations on the brink of bankruptcy are affecting every corner of our globe. On a more personal level, longtime friends dying “unexpectedly”, kids turning their backs on what they were taught all their life because some college professor said it was all fairy tales, health issues are creeping in because of age, and the list goes on and on. You turn on the news to hear some good news and you get very little hope. You go outside to see some good things and very little is to be seen. It is natural to ask, “Why Lord?” “Why is this happening to us?” “Why is this happening to me?”

             I was reminded recently, in the mist of chaos, Habakkuk said, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

            Will you rejoice today? No matter what comes your way? Hey, friend, God’s been God!

AND THEN, THEY WERE GONE

         It matters not how long we live, but how. -Bailey

James 4:14, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

            Yesterday, we had a funeral service for a longtime friend and sister in Christ. As I was reflecting this morning about the brevity of life, I was reminded of how short life really is. It’s as if yesterday I was in high school, chasing girls, working, and enjoying my youth. How much time have I wasted? How much time has gone by without thinking about eternity? How much time have I been spinning my wheels but going no where or doing anything for the Lord?

            Friend, you and I have had many friends and family members to go on before us. We shared a meal with them at the kitchen table, went fishing, took vacations, played cards, spent quality time together and then, they were gone. C.T Studd wrote, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Life is not guaranteed, how are you living this life?

YOU’RE NOT OKAY

         The greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul. -Spurgeon

Proverbs 16:25, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

            Have you ever been around one of those people who know it all? The guy that knows how to work on everything sitting at the shop but when you get to a piece of equipment that isn’t working, they conveniently have something else to do. The mother that knows exactly what YOUR kid needs but her kids are disrespectful, disobedient, and dysfunctional. The fisherman that can out fish you at the table but not on the water. Even the guy that knows exactly what you are doing wrong in ministry but hasn’t done anything for the Lord himself.

            Yes, there are a lot of people who proclaim they know this and that about everything but sooner or later the truth will come out. Some proclaim they are saved because they had some religious experience. Some proclaim they are saved because their Dad was a deacon or their Mom serves in the nursery and sings in the choir. Some think because they do some good things such as; giving money to the church, visiting a nursing home, or giving to a local charity God will let them into Heaven. Friend, that is about as far from the truth as one can get.

            If you believe something like that above, You’re not okay! If you have never repented of your sins and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you’re on your way to Hell. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” So, are you really okay or are you on the way to hell?

I’M DEAD TO THAT

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

Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

            There are somethings in our lives we need to crucify! We need let God get somethings out of our lives so that He can truly have His way with our life. We will never become what He wants us to be until we let Him have His way with us! He won’t force Himself into our lives! We have to live it by faith, letting God do the work only He can do.

            Will you let God have His way with your life? Will you put Him back on the thrown of your heart? If so, you will understand there are somethings that  you are dead to because Jesus crucified them!

IMPORTANT: PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL

           Preaching is the means by which one is able to understand how to get to Heaven.

1 Corinthians 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

            The most important message you will ever hear is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the message for you to repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour. Have you heard it? Did you believe it? Did you act upon it? Did you get saved? If so, it’s because some one preached the Word of God to you.

WORK WHILE YOU CAN

          Working hard will eventually pay off especially when doing the work for the Lord.

Galatians 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

            Child of God, it’s easy to get tired of what God has given us to do when we don’t do it in His strength. His strength is found when we have the joy of the Lord in our lives. Without it we will be like a raisin, all shriveled up. With His strength we can face and do anything He sends our way! Leading the choir, singing a special, telling someone about what Jesus did for you, all comes with strength when we yield our lives over to Him, working in His will for our life!

            Are you working for Him or against Him? The work will eventually become a joy if you work for Him and it will become the strength to get you through another day!

TUNE IN

         There are no foolish questions and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions. -Steinmetz

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.

            “More about Jesus would I know, More of His grace to others show; More of his saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.” That great hymn we sing so often is burning in my mind this morning. What a privilege to learn more about our Saviour! What a privilege we have in His Word. What a privilege we get to go to church.

            This morning, I’m going to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH to learn more about the One who gave His life for me. I don’t have to go but I get to go. Whether by drive in, live stream, in person service, or however you listen this morning, tune into what the Lord has for you by being where you can hear the Word of God preached!

Committed

         I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him. –Spurgeon

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

            In a day and age when commitment is thrown out the window, we are still faced with this one truth that will never change- 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. Are you truly committed to Christ or are you just playing games?

FLIGHT

            After your first flight, you’ll never want to walk again.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

            Have you ever taken a trip on an airplane? A couple of years ago we took a mission trip to Montana with our church and one of the sponsors had never taken a flight. She didn’t know what to expect. Going up, she was scared to death. Coming down, she was scared to death. There were air pockets that we went through which caused slight rocking and rolling of the plane. But on the trip back, she wanted to know when our next trip was going to be.

            Child of God, we are waiting on that plain air ride to Heaven! While we are waiting, enjoy the trip. There will be ups and downs. There will be bumps and bruises. One thing about the whole trip, He will always be with us!

GONE FISHING

To catch fish, one must go! To “catch” a few men for Jesus, one must go!

Matthew 4:19, And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

            This morning at 6am, a friend and I set out to catch some fish! We have the bait, the rods, and even some lunch to keep us strong to reel them bad boys in! But if we never cast the line into the water, we will never reel one of those bad boys in!
            On July 12, 1992, a great friend was fishing for a man and God put me on the line. Since that day, I often go fishing for men. Every once and a while, God is so gracious allowing me to “catch” a few. But I have to go if I want to catch a few and so do you. When is the last time you went fishing for men? Today would be a great day to go!

        The Bible isn’t a science book, but when it speaks on science, it is always right.

Psalm 8:8, The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

            In John Morris’ article, “Does Science Conflict with the Bible?”, He says, “We must all ask this question, for if science has disproved Genesis, we have no confidence that John 3:16 is correct.” This is why many attack the truth found in the Infallible, Inerrant, Immutable, Inspired Word of God! They want to destroy the foundations laid out in the Bible. It brings about the collapse of the family, the school, the government, and each and every individual that strays from the truths found in it.

            If someone were to ask, “What truth do you hold to?” What would you say? Why would you say that? Does your truth change like science does; ever evolving with the view of the next petri dish? Stand on something firm such as the Word of God! It will not collapse and crumble underneath the weight of life!

MISSIONS

      The mission of the church is missions.

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

            The Great Commission of every believer is to tell others about the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. It is not only up to the Pastor, Missionary, or Evangelist. Each one of us that has been born again has the responsibility to share the Good News.

            You can’t win someone to the Lord by living a carnal lifestyle. You can’t win someone to the Lord by being wrapped up in self. You can’t win someone to the Lord by making excuses of why you don’t tell them about Jesus. (I don’t know what to say. I’m scared they will not like me anymore. They might curse me out.) Quit making excuses, go in the power of the Lord, and stand amazed at what Christ can do through a willing vessel as yourself!

            One of the greatest things we can do as believers is to win souls. Proverbs 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. How is your soul winning going? When is the last time you shared your testimony? When is the last time you told someone Jesus loves them? When is the last time you told someone about hell? Time is fleeting friend—win someone to Jesus today!

BEING READY

           Some people never learn anything because they understand everything too soon. -Alexander Pope

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.

            Education is good. It is needful for an occupation. It is needful for health. It is needful in order to share the Word of God. It is needful for the simple things in life. Problem is, many people let their education get in their way of serving God.

            Are you well educated; graduated high school, college, or some vocational school? Have you let your education go to your head? Has it become a stumbling block to your witnessing? Has it become a road block for your personal growth in the things of God? Has your education caused you to think somethings in serving the Lord are beneath you? Maybe its time for you to get rid of your education! Maybe it’s time for you time get back to the basics, being “ready to always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” and exalt Jesus once again!

GET TO GO

A good appearance is at a premium everywhere. –Anonymous

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

I have heard many say it doesn’t matter what you wear to church as long as you get there. While I understand what they are saying I will have to humbly disagree. I believe the Lord would have us to wear our best to church. We are not going to the beach, to a ball game or to the supermarket. We are going to worship GOD; The Creator, Redeemer, Saviour of the World! But yet, we throw on an old holey pair of jeans, a piece of gum in the mouth, spray some cologne on, and out the door we go. Is that really preparing to meet with the Lord; The One who sent His Son to die on Calvary for you?

So, if you were expecting the President would you not wear your best? Would you not clean the kitchen? Would you not take a shower and brush your teeth. Would you not find some “more appropriate attire”? I dare not say that some would even go in depth and clean some closets!

I believe the true heart of the matter is we respect those in positions more than we respect God, yet He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hey—it’s Sunday! TIME TO GET UP, GET READY AND GO TO CHURCH!

DELIVERANCE

            God brings deliverance when we trust in God alone for victory.

1 Samuel 14:12, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

            More times than once in the Word of God, we see God bringing the victory when a man or woman’s faith is wholly in God. On the flip side, when they don’t hold the reigns of faith they go down in defeat. In 1 Samuel 14, we see this very principle on display when Jonathan tells his armor bearer that the Lord hath delivered the Philistines into their hands. This shout of victory was proclaimed before the victory had been won. This is Jonathan’s faith in God on display for you and I.

            Today, you may be facing some of the largest battles you have ever faced. Cancer, divorce, or even a wayward child can seem to be overwhelming at times. Child of God, the Lord will deliver you out of the hands of the enemy if you hold the reigns of faith tight! Don’t give into the temptations of the devil! Don’t give up in the good fight of faith! Because God brings deliverance when we trust in Him alone for victory!

BE GOOD

It is a mistake to suppose that God does not want us to be holy until death, for that would mean that He wants us to be unholy until death.  God does not want us to be unholy at any time. -Anonymous

1 Peter 1:16, Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

            The last thing many Christians want to hear today is for someone to tell them to be holy. When you open the pandora’s box of challenging individuals to be holy, all of a sudden you are a legalist. In their mind, you believe that you are better than they are. Oh, but that is far from the truth.

            The truth is, when I challenge someone to be holy it’s because I don’t want that person to make the same stupid mistakes I did. I don’t want them to get multiple speeding ticket while they are young, driving their insurance rates out the roof. I don’t want them to go out drinking on the weekend, making a complete fool of themselves. I also don’t want them to place way too much confidence in man instead of the God of the man! So, I comment to many when I go to leave, Be Good. It’s not saying they haven’t been good, it’s just a challenge to be good until I meet with them again! So be good and enjoy your Friday!

MY LITTLE ANGEL

God always has an angel of help for those who are willing to do their duty. --T.C. Cuyler

Hebrews 13:2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

            You probably thought by the title I was talking about one of my daughters. While they are my little angels, this post is about the angels God has given us to help us in this journey we call life. Yes, He has given us His Holy Spirit to comfort, convict, and cultivate a spiritual life. But He often sends an angel to assist us right when we need them. A well spoken word, a special blessing, or even a simple note on a slip of paper from our “guardian angels” goes a long way in this life.

            Have you ever had something happen and then realize that was God! Well, you’re probably right but it may be that God used one of His angels to help you do what He wants you to get done!

SERVE THE LORD

The cross is 'I' crossed out. –Anonymous

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Many people are busy doing good things like serving at the homeless shelter, giving money to the poor, volunteering in the local school, or even a community garden while missing their real need of giving their life to Christ. While doing good things is right to do and needful, none of that will get you into Heaven. Only by confession of sin and repentance will one enter through Heaven’s gate. 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. Romans 10:9.

Don't miss the greatest opportunity of service!

          The teacher is like the candle that lights others in consuming itself. -Ruffini

2 Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

            What are you learning about the Lord right now in your life? What lessons has He been bringing you through: patience, trust, love, compassion? Who are you going to teach what you have learned? If you don’ teach someone else what you have learned, what real good was it for you to go through?

            Teaching others a life lesson is one of the greatest things we can do. This way, they may avoid some trap Satan has laid for them or they will be able to teach it to someone else helping them along their way!

HOW’S YOUR WITNESSING

God cannot use you until you are willing to have the world point the finger of scorn at you. - D.L. Moody

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

Someone has given some statistics on the average Christian and their witnessing:

          > 95% of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ.

         > 80% of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.

           > Less than 2% are involved in the ministry of evangelism.

          > 71% do not give toward the financing of The Great Commission.

            How is your witnessing compared to the above? Whatever you are doing, there is always room for improvement! GO YE!