"Getting To Jesus"

"Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So, they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. "But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him." Mark 6:33

The text is pretty self-explanatory. The disciples of Jesus had been so busy ministering and teaching that they didn't even have time to relax and eat. So, Jesus told them to get away from the crowd and rest. They got in a boat to go to a secluded place. The people who saw them departing recognized Jesus. Instead of staying where they were, they started following Him, running along the shore to get to where He was. They outran the boat and were there when Jesus arrived. 

The thing that spoke to me from this account was the fact that the people made every effort to get to where Jesus was. They ran on foot to get to Him. They ran quiet a distance. They did not stop. They did not give up. They did not quit. They did not turn around and go back to where they came from. They pursued Him and they were determined that nothing was going to stop them. 

Are you pursuing Jesus? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to "get to Him"? Are you determined not to stop, give up or turn around until you reach Him? They wouldn't and didn't give up. They had one goal-- get to Jesus! Is this your goal as well? Is it your goal in the good times as well as the bad times? Our one main goal and heart's desire should be to be wherever Jesus is-- and not let anything stop us.

Have a great day. Is pursuing Jesus the goal and desire of your life? 

"Wicked In Thought"

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."  Psalm 10:4

The wicked have too much pride to seek God.  They think they don't need Him because they know it all already.  They think they can take care of themselves well enough without Him.  They believe they are strong enough, have enough power and are wise enough to do life on their own without God.  If they think about Him at all it is in the sense of-- who needs Him, that is if He is even real. 

What we have just stated is the attitude of the wicked, it should never be the attitude of the righteous-- those who have come to Jesus Christ as Savior and had their sins forgiven and lives changed by His grace and power.  Instead, the opposite is true for us.  We denounce pride and humble ourselves before God.  We acknowledge our total dependency upon Him.  We know we can't make it without Him.   The Lord God is always in our thoughts.  Meaning that our minds stay focus on Him and His word.  It means that we think about Him during our waking hours.  It also means that we acknowledge Him in every decision that we make-- knowing we don't have the ability to direct our own lives.   

Which of these two best describes you?  Are you righteous but still acting and thinking like the wicked?  Do you acknowledge God in all your ways, or do you think you can do it on your own without Him?  Do you think about Him only when you need Him, or is He the sum of all your waking thoughts?  Do you seek Him daily, continually, or only on occasion?  Are you full of pride?  Are you a "know it all"?  As Christians, we should not follow the way of the wicked, we are no longer like they are.  We once were but the Lord changed us-- if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things pass away and all things become new. 

Have a great day.  Are you a Christian but are still acting like the wicked?  If so, something is wrong.

For further reading:
Proverbs 3:6
2 Corinthians 5:17
 

"He's Mindful Of You"

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained."  Psalm 8:3

When you look at the magnificence and the vastness of the universe, then you look at man in comparison, we are not even a "speck" in size.  Once you go so far into the atmosphere, we disappear from sight.  Yet, God is mindful of us.  More mindful of us than any other of His creations.  So mindful of us that He sent His One and Only Begotten Son into this world to save us from our sins.  He didn't send Him for the stars, the moon, the sun, the planets, the trees and other plant life, nor did He send Him for the animals, fish and reptiles.  He sent Him for us-- this less than a speck in the universe.

Never think that God doesn't care about you.  Never think that He doesn't see you and isn't aware of you.  Never think that you are too small for Him to notice.  He loves you.  He cares about you.  He sees you.  He knows where you are.  Even the billions of stars and the vast galaxies can't hide you from Him.  He is mindful of you and where you are.

Have a great day.  Man is so tiny in comparison to the vastness of creation, yet God is mindful of us.  He is mindful of you.

For further reading:
Genesis 1:1
John 3:16
Psalm 139
 

"Ride The Storm Out"

"And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish."  Matthew 8:25

A while back my husband and I were in town shopping and the clouds started rolling in, the wind started blowing, the rain started pouring, the thunder sounded, and the lightening flashed.  We had to make a choice-- either stay inside the store or go to our vehicle.  The storm was so bad for a while and the rain was so heavy you couldn't see outside.  The signs were blowing on the buildings-- they looked like they would take flight any minute.  We saw smoke across the street where lightening had struck something.  The lights kept flickering where we were.  Of course, we decided to stay in the store because it was a safe structure that protected us from what was going on outside all around us.

When the disciples were in the boat and the storm was so bad that even these experienced fishermen thought they were going to drown, they had to make a choice.  They could abandon the ship and take their chances in the sea.  Or they could stay in the boat.  Staying in the store was the safer choice for us because it was a covering and fortified place from the elements.  The boat was the safer place for the disciples because Jesus was in the boat with them.

Is there a storm going on in your life?  Are you trying to decide what course of action you should take?  When we are in Jesus, we are in the safest place there is.  He is the ship that will not sink.  He is the fortified place during the storm.  He is the shelter in the storm.  Are you looking for a safer place?  An easier place?  A way out?  Will you stay in the place of safety with Jesus and "ride it out"?  Or will you look for a quick exit that only puts you in more exposure to the thing that is seeking to destroy you?  The choice is up to you.

Have a great day.  It is safer in the boat with Jesus than it is to jump into the sea. 

For further reading:
Psalm 61:3; 46:2,3
Isaiah 25:4; 43:2

"Freedom From Life's Dread"

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Did you wake up this morning feeling pressured and overwhelmed by what awaits you today?  Did you dread getting out of bed because you already feel the weight off all that lies before you?  If so, before you face the world, before you face any task, before you head off to work, or go to meet the responsibilities of the day, take time to get alone with the Lord.  Don't face "life" today without having first faced the Lord.

Go into that secret place-- your prayer closet, take some time to go before His presence and cast your cares upon Him.  Acknowledge Him in all your ways-- in all that you have before you--- and let Him direct your steps, thoughts, ideas, appointments, commitments and responsibilities.

It has been said that "he who knees before God can stand before anything and anyone".  When you humble yourself first thing in the day before the Lord and bring Him into the affairs of your life, you will find that you don't have as much facing you as it seemed.  You will find that that "mountain" of cares is actually nothing more than a "mole hill".  You will also gain a peace that passes understanding, the pressures will dissipate, the dread will be replaced with victory, the confusion will give way to a calm spirit and fear will take a back seat.

There is no denying that we all have responsibilities and things that we have to do each day, but the choice of how they affect us and affect our attitude is up to us.  We can face them with peace or with anxiety.  Anxiety comes naturally, but peace in the midst of overwhelming cares comes as we get into the Lord's presence and cast these cares upon Hm.  Which will you do today?

Have a great day.  Are you overwhelmed by what the day holds before you even begin the day?  Then get in the Lord's presence and leave those cares there.

For further reading:
Matthew 11:29, 30; 6:33

"The Tower"

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."  Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower to the righteous.  What does that mean?  It means several things.  It means that He is a place of safety for us when we are under attack by the enemy.  It means that if He is the place of safety, it is a well-fortified place-- one that the enemy can't break down, break through or destroy.  It means that in order for the enemy to get to us, he has to go through God first-- we are out of his reach because we are in the Lord.

The Lord is like a well-fortified place of safety to us.  We don't have to fear the enemy, the storm, or the devourer as long as we are in Him.  But it means something else as well.  A tower is an elevated place.  It is a raised place.  It is a place that is high above other places and ground level.  When we are in the Lord, our strong tower, we are elevated above the enemy.  We are able to look down on him.  We can see the battle from a different elevation causing us to see it from a different perspective-- God's perspective. 

This is one reason why we must run into the Lord when we are under attack or facing a battle.  Seeing things from God's perspective sheds a whole different light on the subject.  We see the situation from the eyes of faith, not with our natural eyes that would cause us to fear and become discouraged.  We see that we are over the enemy, not under him or equal with him-- he is under us, under our feet.  We also see that though the enemy rages, though he plots, though he sends out his fiery darts, he can't get up to where we are-- making us well out of his reach.  It also means that we are seeing from an advantage point.  We are able to look out over the whole battlefield, not just one small spot. 

Are you in a battle?  Is the enemy "breathing down your neck"?  Are you feeling like you are losing the battle?  Well, get up to higher ground.  Run into the Lord who is your strong tower of defense and advantage point. 

Have a great day.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower... get in the tower. 

For further reading:
Hebrews 2:8
1 Samuel 17:47

 

"Victory's Yours"

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57

Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are not defeated, they are victorious.  We have been given victory.  Jesus secured our victory at the cross and in His resurrection. 

Through Jesus we have victory over besetting sins.  We have victory over the flesh.  We have victory over temptation.  We have victory over the enemy.  We don't have to "give in".  We don't have to be defeated by the trials, problems and circumstances of this life.  Jesus overcame and in Him we overcome. 

Often, we live our lives defeated, downcast and depressed because we don't realize that we have already obtained victory.  We aren't trying to gain victory; the victory is already ours.  We tend to let the circumstances and things that we go through tell us that we have lost or that we can't do it or won't make it.  Well, whose report will you believe?  Will you believe the enemy, the circumstances, the flesh, man's report?  Or will you believe what God has said?  He said you are more than a conqueror.  He said you have power over all the powers of the enemy.  He said you are victorious.

Stop walking around with a defeated mentality and loser attitude.  Child of God, rise up and be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.  You are not defeated... you are victorious... thanks be to God.

Have a great day.  If your faith and trust is in Jesus, you are not defeated but you are victorious.

For further reading:
Romans 8:37
Luke 10:19
2 Corinthians 2:14

John 16:33

"The Three Crosses"

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left." Luke 23:33

I was thinking about the three crosses at Calvary-- one for Jesus, the other two for the malefactors who were hung on each side of Him.  The three crosses are symbols and reminders to us. 

They remind us of several things.  They remind us that we are all "malefactors"-- evildoers, sinners.  "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  They remind us that there is none good except Jesus- the One in the middle.  They remind us that whatever punishment we get, we deserve.  They remind us that we are not innocent, even at our best.  We have sinned against and transgressed the laws of God-- and probably the laws of man as well. The two men's death on the cross was punishment for their own sins.  Jesus' death on the cross was punishment for the sins of all mankind-- not His own.

They remind us that not all who have the opportunity to hear the truth about salvation will accept-- some will, some won't.  They remind us that we have to make our own choice concerning our eternity-- it is an individual choice made by each one individually.  Jesus didn't make the choice for either of these men, they made it for themselves.  He didn't force either one to accept Him, and He didn't push them away either.  They remind us of the love and compassion of Jesus who hears the cries of the repentant heart.  It reminds us that as long as we have breath in our bodies, it is not too late for Jesus to save us if we call out to Him.  It reminds us that we are never "too bad" for Jesus to save.   

The three crosses remind us that one day Jesus will do a separation among all people.  This time He will stand in the middle (not hang in the middle) and separate the sheep from the goats, the righteous from the unrighteous.  The sheep (those who like the thief who accepted Him) will be on His right side, and the goats (those who like the other thief who rejected Him) will be on His left side. 

The three crosses remind us that one day those who accepted Him will be with Him forever in His Kingdom.  We will live with Him in His Father's house forever.  We will rule and reign with Him. 

We have focused on the two crosses on each side, but the most important cross was the one in the middle.  Without it there would be no hope, not opportunity to receive forgiveness.  We would all be like the thief who rejected Jesus-- hopelessly lost forever.  But because of the cross in the middle upon which Jesus hung we can have eternal life if we don't harden our heart like the one who mocked Jesus but repent like the other one did. 

Which malefactor on the cross represents you-- the one who rejected Jesus, or the one who received Him as Savior and Lord?

Have a great day.  There were three crosses at Calvary.  Jesus was in the middle and two thieves on each side.  Which thief represents you?

For further reading:
Luke 23 
 

"Playing Religious Games"

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20

So many people are playing games with their soul.  They think if they accumulate enough "religious points" they will make it to heaven.  For example, I was talking with a guy the other day about his salvation.  He told me he had been baptized in water and has the baptismal certificate.  He thought that certificate was his passport to heaven.  He was surprised to find out that it wasn't.  Several years ago, I asked another man about his salvation.  His reply was for me to turn on the television on Sunday morning to a particular channel and I would see him singing in the choir.  What?!  Sadly, he really thought that because he attended church and sung in the choir he was on his way to heaven.

Never once in either of these answers did I hear anything about Jesus.  I said earlier that people are playing games with their souls.  They are playing "religious games".  If you think you can earn your way to heaven, if you think you will win in the end just because you have accumulated some "religious brownie points" you are sadly mistaken and deceived.

The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders of their day.  They practiced religious rituals.  They taught others the commands of God.  They could quote scripture after scripture.  They were in the temple every time the doors were open.  But Jesus said they would not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Our righteousness doesn't save us-- it is like filthy rags.  Our good deeds don't save us-- they are all wood, hay and stubble that will be burned up.  Our religious knowledge doesn't save-- we know only in part.  The ONLY thing that saves us is faith in what Jesus Christ did for us at the cross.  You may think that is a bold statement.  Well, let me ask you something since you may be the one playing games with your soul.  If you have ever played any sort of game whether it is a board game or a field game, are there numerous ways to win?  Or is there only one?  To win you always have to get to the finish line, get around the board, run the bases in order, etc.  So why do we think there are many ways to get to heaven?

In any game there are rules.  In life there are rules.  If you are going to live life you are going to have to follow the rules.  If you are going to heaven, you have to follow the rules that God has established, or you will not win/go.

Have a great day.  Are you playing games with your soul?     

For further reading:
Matthew 7:21; 18:3
Isaiah 64:6
Titus 3:5
Ephesians 2:8,9
 

"Messenger Of Blessings"

"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."  Palm 118:26

This verse was a prophecy concerning the Messiah who was to come.  It was fulfilled in Jesus when He made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding on the colt of a donkey.

This verse was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, but it is a continuation to what He fulfilled.  It is continued through the Body of Christ.  "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!' (Isaiah 52:7) 

He fulfilled it, but we continue to make it known.  When we share the good news of salvation with others, we do not share it in our own name or authority.  We do it in "the name of the Lord".  We are His messengers, announcing peace and proclaiming good tidings.  We are "blessed" messengers bringing "blessings" to others.  The Greek word here for blessed means:  to invoke a blessing upon a person.  Each time you share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, each time they hear the Good News that Jesus saves, each time you testify to someone about Jesus, you are bringing a blessing into their lives.  (Of course, it is up to them whether they receive it or not.)

Do you want to be a "blessing" to others?  The best way, the greatest way to do that is by sharing Jesus-- sharing the message of His love, His saving grace, His salvation, His mercy and His power.

Have a great day.  We are messengers of the Lord who bring blessings to others as we share the good news that Jesus saves.

For further reading:
John 12:13
Matthew 21:9

"Praying It From The Heart"

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."  Matthew 6:10

When Jesus taught us to pray after the manner of the Lord's Prayer, it was a guideline and model for praying perfect prayers to the Father.  He did not intend for us to pray it out of form, ritual, only from memory or off the top of our head.  It isn't some meaningless, mindless recitation you pray when you don't know what else to pray.

It was meant to be prayed, and any other prayer we pray, from the heart.  It was meant to be prayed in sincerity.  It was meant to be prayed in faith.  It was meant to be prayed with reverence. 

How do you pray it?  How do you pray any prayer to the Father?  Do you pray it from memory only and don't give much thought to what you are saying?  Do you consider it a "stand by" that you pull out when you know you need to pray but don't feel like it?  Do you think you can "throw it up to heaven" and feel justified that you "have prayed"?  When you pray those words, "Thy will be done", do you really mean them? 

I believe we should pray the Lord's Prayer-- I do myself often.  But when we pray it, we should do so from the heart and in faith.

Have a great day.  When you pray the Lord's Prayer, are you just reciting words or is it coming from your heart?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:9-13; 15:8 
 

"Protect The Fruit"

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. " Galatians 5:2,23

When we come to Christ as Savior, one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us.  This Fruit of the Spirit is the nature and character of God.  It is revealed in our attitudes, actions, reactions and dealings with others.  Where we once walked in hate, we walk in love.  Where we reacted in unbelief, we now walk in faith.  Where we were once living in pride and arrogance, we now live a life of meekness and humility.  We should be people who manifest the Fruit of the Spirit because we are people who represent the Lord to this world.

Not only is the Fruit of the Spirit produced in our lives, but it is also to be protected.  I have only raised a few fruit trees, but the one thing about them all is that they need a little TLC in order for them to produce.  We had to take certain measures to protect them from the elements, parasites, and diseases.  They can't be ignored or neglected. 

We have to protect the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives so that we will bear good fruit and glorify God.  We have to protect it too from "disease", "parasites" and the "elements" of this world.  We have to protect it from the spiritual diseases of bitterness, criticism, fear, anger, etc.  We have to protect it from being contaminated by the mindsets of this world.  We do that by transforming our minds with the Word of God.  

Since the Fruit of the Spirit is God's character revealed through His children, its purpose is so that others can "taste and see that the Lord is good".  If we don't protect the Fruit, it will become diseased and contaminated by flesh, and people will not get a true revelation of who God is through our lives.  Instead, it will leave a "bitter" taste in their "spiritual mouths" causing them to not want to have anything to do with Him. 

Have a great day.  Since the Fruit of the Spirit is being produced in our lives, we must make sure we protect it.

For further reading:
Psalm 34:8

 

"They're Like Bees"

"They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them."  Psalm 118:12

Do you ever feel like the pressures, cares, problems and temptations you encounter are like "bees" swarming around you?  They are like "bees" in the fact that they are not the things that are big and monumental-- earth shaking -- but lots of little things.  They are like bees in the fact that they threaten to "sting" you and cause pain.   They are also like bees because they are "flying" all around, keeping you constantly going in circles swatting at them. 

These problems and cares are small, numerous and annoying.  So, what are you doing about them?  The Psalmist said that it was in "the name of the Lord" that he would destroy them.  You deal with them "in the name of the Lord".  This means you:  1) acknowledge the Lord and bring Him into the situation.  2) You look to His strength and ability to help you deal with and destroy them.  3)  You use His Word as the sword and stand on His promises to attack them.  4)  You speak His powerful name over the situation and command them to "stop".

It is the "little" things that tend to do us harm or destroy us.  They can't be ignored.  We must deal with them.  But we deal with them in the name of the Lord, not our own ability.

Have a great day.  Even the little things are often out to destroy us.  We deal with them the same way we deal with the big issues... in the name of the Lord.

For further reading:
1 Samuel 17:45
Psalm 118:10-12; 124:8 

 

"Through Christ"

" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4:13

Perhaps you have wondered why you keeping failing and falling in your attempts to accomplish even the smallest of task?  It is because you are trying to do it in your own ability, strength and effort. 

Israel tried to go against Ai in their own strength and wound up fleeing in defeat from the enemy.  Abraham and Sarah tried to produce the promise in their own ability and wound up with Ishmael, which brought conflict into their home.  David tried to handle the lust of his heart by himself when he looked at Bathsheba.  But he not only wound up giving into it, but also started on a path that led from one sin to another.

There is a reason why the verse this morning doesn't read-- "I can do all things (period)" It is because we can't.  We can't do it through our own strength, through education, through our skills, through our talents, etc.  The key is "through Christ".  He is our ability.  It is only through Him that we can do anything.  The outcome in each of the examples that we used this morning would have been a lot different had they done it "through Christ".  The outcome of what we are trying to do will be a lot better, and perfect, if we will do whatever it is we are trying to do through Christ.

Have a great day.  Trying to do anything in our own ability will only cause us to fail.  Success comes "through Christ".

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25; 3:5,6
Jeremiah 10:23

"What To Do With The Cross"

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:" Ephesians 2:16

I purchased a small ornamental cross with the names of Jesus engraved on it the other day to hang on a wall in my house.  I came home with it and went from room to room looking for a place to hang it.  I tried to find a place in each room, but I just don't know where to hang it.  I can't find a spot.  I don't know what I will do with it. 

As I was looking for a place, not knowing what to do with it, the Lord spoke to me.  He said, "There are a lot of people who don't know what to do with the cross". 

The cross is an offense to many.  They see it as an insult.  They stumble over the simplicity and power of it.  Therefore, they stay away from the cross and have nothing to do with it least it brings conviction to their hearts and draw them to itself.  "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased." Galatians 5:11

The cross and its power to save is foolishness to some.  It makes no sense.  They see no logic in it, so they refuse it.  "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The cross is a place of conflict.  It is a place where you either embrace it or you fight against it and become an enemy of it.  "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" (Philippians 3:18) 

The cross is a place of glory and victory.  It is the place where sin and death were defeated.  It is where the victory over the enemy of our soul was won.  To those who accept the cross and take it up and follow Jesus, it is a place of personal freedom.  "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14)

So, what about you?  What is the cross to you?  A stumbling block?  An offense?  Foolishness?  Or victory and glory?  What you decide to do with the cross determines your eternal destiny.  For those who accept it, love it and embrace it, it is the power of God that brings salvation.

Have a great day.  What will you do with the cross?

"It Wasn't In Vain"

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."  Galatians 2:21

If our good deeds, good works, and religious service could save us; if joining a church, if being baptized in water, if getting a Christian education could save us, then what Jesus went through at the cross was needless and pointless.  That means He went through the suffering, the agony, the pain and the shame for nothing.  It means He subjected Himself to life on earth and crucifixion at the hands of evil men needlessly.  It means it was all in vain.

But it wasn't in vain.  It wasn't pointless.  It was necessary.  Although we like to think that our goodness is good enough to get us to heaven; although we believe that going to church and doing religious disciplines makes us saved, we are not only sadly mistaken, but we are wrong and deceived.  We have believed a lie.  We have made the goodness of God of none affect.  We are frustrating the grace of God.  For if indeed we could save ourselves by our own merits Jesus would not have come to earth and died on the cross.  The fact that He did speaks loudly and clearly.... we can't save ourselves! 

Just because you live in a so called "Christian nation", just because you grew up in the "Bible Belt", just because your grandfather was a preacher, just because you joined a particular church, just because you go to church on Sunday doesn't mean you are truly saved or have eternal life.  There is only One Way to be saved.  There is only One Name given under heaven that can save us.  Consider what Jesus said to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day.  He called them blind leaders of the blind.  White-washed tombs, full of death.  "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.' (Matthew 23:13) He let them know they weren't saved and weren't going to heaven even though they were religious.

Being religious makes you nothing!!! It just deceives you and leads you further away from God if you are putting your trust in it to save you.  The only hope we have of eternal life is in Jesus Christ and His grace that saves us through faith in Him.  "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." (Ephesians 2:8,9)    

Have a great day.  Jesus' death was not in vain... it is the only way that we can be saved.

For further reading:
Matthew 15:14; 23:27
Acts 4:12

"Talking About Him"

"Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works."  Psalm 119:27

What do you talk about?  What do most of your conversations consist of?  Do you spend them talking about self?  About the weather?  Politics?  Your job, family, some hobby that interest you?  There is nothing wrong with talking about these, but is that all you talk about? 

Do you talk about the "wondrous works of the Lord"?  When was the last time He was the subject of your conversation?  When was the last time you testified of what He has done in your life?  When was the last time you talked of His praises?  When was the last time you told someone else about Him? 

Why is it as Christians that we are at no loss for words when it comes to certain subjects, but when it comes to the Grand Subject of our lives-- Jesus-- we can't find anything to say or we "clam up"?  If we don't tell others about Him and His goodness, His saving grace, His salvation, His wondrous works, who will or how will they know?

Have you been quiet about your faith in Jesus?  Have you been quiet too long?  The gospel of Jesus is Good News.  Don't keep the good news from them any longer.  If we don't tell, they won't hear.  We need to open our mouths and speak up more than we do and tell of His wondrous works.  They talk about anything and everything.  Can't we talk about the One who is glorious and worthy to be talked about?  Or are we ashamed to say anything?  Let's pray not.

Have a great day.  When was the last time your conversation was about the Lord and what He has done in your life?

For further reading:
Psalm 89:1; 109:30
1 Corinthians 1:21
Revelation 12:11
Mark 8:38