GET FED FROM GOD’S WORD

           Beware where you get your food from, a corrupt meal, make for long lights!

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread.

            In Jesus’ model prayer, we see the Bible conveying the message that we are to get fed from the Lord daily. It’s not just on special occasions that we need a healthy meal of God’s Word. We need His word to be ingested every single day! Without it we will just shrivel up and fade away!

            How is your diet of God’s Word? Are you on a diet from it? If so, get back to being fed from GOD’S WORD before you starve and become useless to the Lord!

BLESSED FROM ABOVE

           The tongue blessing God without the heart is but a tinkling cymbal; the heart blessing God without the tongue is sweet but still music; both in concert make the harmony which fills and delights heaven and earth. --R. Venning

Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

            Before any man, woman, boy, or girl can bless the Lord truly with their tongue, they must be blessed with the free gift of salvation. It is not an earned gift. It is not an obtained gift. It is a gift that is freely given when whosoever confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour!

Have you been blessed from above with the greatest gift of all? If not, ask Jesus to save you today!

JESUS’ MISSION

           The mission of the church is Missions.

Matthew 28:19-20, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

            The greatest desire for any Christian should be to see that others come to know the same great Saviour that saved them. Christians purpose here on earth is to bring others to Christ. Scripture tells us, “… he that winneth souls is wise.” Our desires, as born again believers, should line up with that of the Saviour. If they don’t there isn’t a problem with God; it’s our problem and we need to get right. We need to get to sharing!   

            Jesus had His mission, He was about His Father’s Business, changing the world. You and I ought to follow in those steps to change this world for the glory of God! Chappell said, “This mission should compel us, challenge us, motivate us, and, coupled with a love for Christ, consume us.”

            What is your mission today? If it’s not souls for God’s glory, change your mission!

JESUS WAS NEVER LUKEWARM

It is a wicked thing to be neutral between right and wrong. --Theodore Roosevelt

Revelation 3:15-16, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

            The fire of example Christ left us in His Word and Actions should be an example for us to follow all the days of our lives. We do not get a leave of absence or paid time off. T.D Burgess once said, “We only have Christians that are AWOL.” We should be so on fire with the Lord that when people leave from us they feel as if they have been with someone who has been with the Lord. Not like the church at Laodicea that the Lord said He would get rid of.

            Hey friend, let’s be on fire for the Lord today! Share the Gospel! Tell others what Jesus did for you! Don’t back down! Don’t give up! Don’t quit! Jesus was never lukewarm and neither should we!

JESUS BRINGS LIFE

           Life is found in Jesus and without it, there is only death.

1 John 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

            He spoke it at creation and He can speak it into your life as well. No matter what your past is like. No matter where you came from. No matter where you have been. No matter what you may have done. Jesus can and will forgive if you ask Him with a humble, repentant heart.

            Have you ever asked Jesus to save you? Did you mean it or were you trying to get someone off your back? Hey friend, there is still time for you to repent and trust Jesus as Saviour! He will bring life into your dead, sin filled life!     

JESUS IS PEACE

           In His will is our peace. -Dante

2 Thessalonians 3:16, Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

            Go here, do that, do it my way, and then you still get fired. Many people step into a job that way. It seems as if they can’t do anything right and then; BAM, they’re fired. Sometimes, no matter what you do it’s just not right! Peace is about as far away as it ever has been.

            I am glad that even though troubles may come our way, we have a God in Heaven that cares for us! Jesus will bring peace back to the broken hearted. Jesus will make a wild sinner come to Christ! Jesus, will give them a peace that passes all understanding.

PROBLEM ANSWERED

            I do not believe there is a problem in this country or the world today which could not be settled if approached through the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount. -Truman

Psalm 91:15, He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

            There are a lot of problems in the world today but none of the problems are too big for God. He has been the problem solver since before the beginning of time. He is just wanting you and I to understand that He has those things we call problems under control.

            Do you have some problems in your life? Have they brought worry and distress? Your problems can be answered if you give them over to the Lord! They may not be answered in the way you thought they would but He will take care of them.

CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST

Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent or careless, but on the contrary it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self- confidence to compare with this. --Ulrich Zwingli

1 John 3:21, Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

            Confidence in Christ provokes us to work for Him. When we are certain that Jesus is who He said He was, we are able to do what His Word says without question. It won’t matter to us what others think or even say about us. Do you have this confidence? If not, you can. You can obtain it in God’s Holy Word.

HELP IN JESUS

           When a Child of God calls on God for help, He is right on time, every time!

Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

            Several years ago, when I was in the Navy, my car was hit on the interstate. I couldn’t call my Dad because it was prior to cell phones. So, I got a ride back to my girlfriend’s house and was able to get up with him there. He came to her house, picked me up, and he drove me all the way to Norfolk, VA to make sure I wasn’t late for roll call. Even though I was eventually able to get up with my Dad, he wasn’t available to come get me when I needed him the most. He would have but since I couldn’t call him, he didn’t know I needed him.

            Hey friend, God’s knows our need before we call out to Him. He is ready, willing, and wanting to help us. All we have to do is call out to Him! Need salvation; call out to Him! Need security; call out to Him! Need strength; call out to Him! It would be great if called out to Him in Sunday School or Church today! So, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TODAY!   

HOPE IN JESUS

           When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. -Allen

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

            Paul was always able to give a word of hope in Jesus, no matter where he was at; in prison, on house arrest, or in a cold dark dungeon, He was an encourager because he needed to be encouraged. He always shared where he got his hope from and Who we should get our hope from as well. Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica to hope in Jesus because that is where he got his hope from! He didn’t direct them to the governor, the market, or to the king. He directed them to the only One that could deliver for them; Jesus!

Needing some encouragement? Feeling like your situation is hopeless? Look to the Cross friend and hope in Jesus!

I GOT THIS

We have no strength but the strength God gives us.

1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

One of the most misapplied verses in Scripture is 1 Corinthians 10:13. Some say, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” That is not true friend! God will load us up so we will call out to Him! He points out first and foremost; our need of Him. Even after we are saved; we need His strength to live the Christian life. Without Him, it can’t be done!

            In all actuality, “I don’t got this!” We don’t have anything in control! We need Him in ever aspect of our lives! Will you humble yourself, acknowledging your need of Him this morning?

LOVE THEM THROUGH IT

I never knew up to that time that God loved us so much. This heart of mine began to thaw out; I could not keep back the tears. I just drank it in...I tell you there is one thing that draws above everything else in the world and that is love. -Moody

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

 In a time when there is so much division, we that have been touched by the love of God ought to be sharing that same love with this lost, dying, and hurting world. No, I didn’t say we need to lay down and let them run all over top of us! We can share the love of God and boldly stand on His Word. Men and women alike, in the eye of danger, stood and shared the love of Jesus with their enemy and God protected them, provided for them, and at times; He proved His Word was best to live by!

            Child of God, are you facing some enemies of this life? Have you tried everything you know to do and the enemy is still pressing on? Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Stand on the precious promises of God’s Word and love them through it!

BETTER GET IT RIGHT

It’s better to be right than to think you’re right and be wrong!

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

            When I was in school there were absolutes. Math, science, history, and every other subject had absolutes engrained in their principles. But not any longer. They now say everything is evolving. Math use to have absolute answers. Science had laws. History didn’t have to be rewritten. What I thought was right is now wrong! No wonder our world is in such a mess!

            You know the only thing that hasn’t changed? God! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is something we can count on! He is the only thing that is always right! Right on time! With the right answer!

            Have you ever thought about eternity? Do you know you will spend it? If you’re wrong, would you want to know? You better get it right because eternity is a very long time to be wrong!

TRUE JOY

Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God. -Pascal

1 Peter 1:8, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

            Many seek to find joy in things. Some pursue joy in their job. Some chase joy in friends. Some hunt for joy in bedroom partners. All the while true joy is found when we trust Jesus Christ with our heart in salvation and then following Him every day of our life.

            Following Him means to seek Him in decision making, not our friends or family. Following Him means to go to Him in prayer. Following Him means to follow His Word. Following Him means seek Him in every aspect of life. Anything less, leads us to temporal happiness that will need to be filled with what this world has to offer.

            Want true joy that leads to a full life content with God’s blessings? Trust Him in what you’re going through today!

RECONCILED

           The riches of reconciliation began at the Cross!

Romans 5:10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

            The riches we have in Christ are limitless! If we begin to list all the riches we have in Christ, we could literally spend the rest our lives listing them but not even touch the tip of the iceberg! His grace. His mercy. His love. His compassion. His long suffering. His reconciliation.

            The reconciliation we have in Christ began when Jesus Christ got up on the Cross of Calvary. When He was pierced; His blood flowed. When He died; his grace showed. When He arose again; our reconciliation was completed!

            Have you tapped in all of the riches we have in Christ? If not; why not? He has an abundant life awaiting for you!

IN CHRIST

Being in Christ is paramount in one’s life.

1 Samuel 22:23, “Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”

David tells Abiathar says, “Abide thou with me… “, “… fear not”, “… for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life.”

David finally tells Abiathar, “… but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”

 I believe we can apply this to what Jesus desires for our lives as well:

            Abide in me- John 15:6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

            Fear not- Matthew 10:31, Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

            Satan’s plots- Luke 22:31, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

            We are safeguarded in Christ-

            Luke 22:32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

            John 10:10, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

            Are you in Christ? Are you abiding in Him? If so, we have nothing to fear because we are safeguarded by the King of kings and Lord of lords!

LEADERSHIP

           Leadership is the ability to generate, communicate, and maintain commonality of purpose. –Unknown

1 Samuel 22:2, And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

            While David was on the run from Saul, God was working to bring David to the throne. The people were seeing just how wicked Saul was and was preparing their hearts for David, the true king.

            Child of God, don’t fret over current events. No matter how bad things get and how much wickedness prevails, God is preparing us for something better than this world offers. Keep your eyes looking up, for your redemption draweth nigh!

FULL OF JOY

           The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. -Babcock

1 John 1:4, And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

            Several years ago, while on a mission’s trip, I heard of a story how a woman would walk 8 miles just to come to church. She would get to the church late each week but she still came. She would often hang around all day for the second service. Why did she sacrifice so much; because she wanted to hear more about Jesus! She knew hearing about Him would make her joy full!

            Friend, are you neglecting the House of God? Don’t you think it’s important? Why sacrifice so little when God has given so much?          

            Black said, “I have found that there is a tremendous joy in giving.  It is a very important part of the joy of living.” Joy in giving of our time, talents, and treasures! Don’t forsake time with the Lord friend! You will never become who God wants you to be until you follow His will for your life!

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

2 Thessalonians 3:16, Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

            Many are looking in the wrong places for peace. They look to drugs. They look to sex. They look to government. They look to their jobs. They look to their kids. They look to social groups. They look to anything and anyone but the One who is peace and that will give it to them.

            Have you been search for peace? Enter into it by trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

LEARNING

           We should ever be learning about Jesus!

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.

            Our goal should be to be constantly learning about Jesus. Then, if someone were to ask us about a certain topic, we will be able to give them a Spirit filled answer. Lord willing, it will be an answer that will bring them under conviction of their sin.

            Do you feel like you have learned everything there is to know about the Bible? Friend, you are so wrong! The Bible is the richest book that has ever existed. You will never exhaust the depths found in the Scriptures!