"Understanding God's Word"

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."  Psalm 119:18

Have you heard anyone say-- I just can't understand the Bible when I read it?  Perhaps you have said it yourself.  God intends for us to understand it or He would not have given it to us.  But at the same time, it is not just any natural book, its words are "spirit" and "life".  Jesus even said, when He spoke in parables to the people, that it was given unto the disciples (followers) of His to know the mysteries in His word but not unto those who are not. 

He wants you to know His word and understand it.  He wants you to apply it to your life.  If you can't understand it, how can you apply it?  Therefore, you pray the same prayer above that the Psalmist prayed-- "Open my eyes, that I may see the wondrous things in your Word."  He was praying that his spiritual eyes would be open, and the eyes of his spiritual understanding would be enlightened. 

If you are having a hard time comprehending God's Word, don't give up.  Don't cast it aside.  That is what the enemy of your soul wants you to do.  Pray and ask God to give you the understanding.  After all, He is the Author, therefore, He can help you understand it. 

Have a great day.  Don't give up reading God's Word just because you don't understand it.  Ask God to tell you what it means-- He will.

For further reading:
Matthew 13:10-12

"Behind And Before"

"Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid thine hand upon me."  Psalm 139:5

Just a word to remind you this morning-- Never fear, child of God, He is always with you.  You are not alone.  He is in front of you-- leading the way as you allow Him to.  Follow Him, trusting that He knows where He is going, and where He is leading you.  He is behind you-- taking up the rear.  Protecting you from the enemies' attacks that would try to sneak up behind you and blindside you. 

We see Him doing this when the children of Israel came out of Egypt.  He went before them leading them, and was a covering of protection from Pharaoh and his army behind them.  He is still the same.  He did it for them, He will-- and does-- do it for you.  So know today that no matter where you are and what you are walking through-- He is with you.  He is before you and behind you and has His hand upon you.

Have a great day.  You are totally surrounded by the Lord. 

"Are You A Christian?"

"... And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26

When I ask you if you are a Christian, I am not asking you if you are a Baptist, or Methodist, or Assembly of God, or a member of any other denomination.  I am not asking you what church you attend.  I am not asking you if you have joined a church.  I am not asking you if you have shaken the preacher's hand.  I am not asking you if you have been water baptized.  I am not asking you if you have walked an aisle at church.  I am not asking you if you sing in the choir at a church.  I am not asking you if you are a good person, or if you pay your taxes, or if you don't beat your wife, or if you have a job.  I am not even asking you if you read the Bible, pray or believe that God is real.   

When I ask people if they are a Christian, these are some of the answers I have received.  When I ask you if you are a Christian, what I want to know is whether Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord.  I don't want some answer that includes various religious behavior or activity that you participate in.  Instead, tell me, are you following Jesus?  Is He in control of your life?  Does He have the "steering wheel" and "driver seat" of your life?  Are you more concerned about pleasing Him than you are about pleasing yourself or others?  Does your lifestyle show it?  Is your life a reflection of who He is?  Do others see Him in you or do they hear an empty profession that is not backed up by any proof?  Is your life surrendered to Him and His will?  Are you loving Him and serving Him with your whole heart?  Are you denying yourself and living for Him?  Do all the comments you post on Face Book always line up with your profession of being a Christian?  Are you the same no matter where you are or who you are with, or are you a "different" person in church and on Sunday than you are the rest of the week-- on your job, in the classroom, at a social gathering? 

You can profess to be something but that doesn't mean that you are what you profess.  You can believe "in" God, and Jesus, but that doesn't make you a Christian-- even the devils believe in Him, but they don't love, serve or follow Him.  There is a children's song that we use to sing that says, "If you're saved and you know it then your life will surely show it."  There are so many people who say they are "saved/Christians" but their lives don't attest to what they profess.  In other words, their lives don't "line up".  The Word Christian means "Christ-like".  There is nothing that is "Christi-like" in their behavior or lifestyle. 

It is amazing to me that almost everyone I ask if they are a Christian says they are.  That means that the majority of people are Christians.  It means there are a lot of Christians-- more that are than aren't.  That isn't right.  Jesus said that those who were true Christians were on a straight and narrow road and that there were few of them.  He also said that there are many more who are on the broad wide way that leads to destruction than there are that are on the road leading to heaven and eternal life.  If you are professing to be a Christian, you better be sure you know what that really means.  You better make sure you are among the few who really are than the many who aren't but think they are.

Have a great day.  When I ask you if you are a Christian, how will you answer that question?

For further reading:
Matthew 7:13,14

"Seek Ye What?"

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

The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom.  It is not natural or physical.  It is not something you can see with your eye or touch with your hand.  But it is more real than what is physical.  It is an eternal kingdom.  It is not temporary.  It does not remain for only a short while and then falls like so many earthly kingdoms have throughout history.  It last forever and ever-- it has no end, unlike this world that is slowly but surely passing away.  "And of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:33)

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God".  Are you seeking that which is eternal?  Or are you seeking (spending time, money, resources and effort) on what is temporary?  Are you laying up treasures where moth and rust won't destroy, and thieves don't break in and steal?  Are you seeking those things that decay and pass away with time?  Are you spending your life pursuing that which is like a vapor or the grass that withers?  Are you seeking that which is spiritual?  Righteousness, peace, holiness, joy in the Holy Ghost?  Or are you living for self-- pleasure, entertainment, greed, always consuming your life on your own lusts and desires?

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God" means more than just giving Him first place and having your priorities in order.  It involves as much "what" you seek as it does "when" you seek it.  So, are you seeking "first" His kingdom- is His kingdom priority in your life?  Are you seeking "what" His kingdom is- that which is spiritual and eternal?  

Have a great day.  What are you seeking?  The physical or the spiritual?  The temporary or the eternal?

For further reading:
Matthew 24:35
James 4:14
1 Peter 1:24

"Answer Alone"

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet."  Acts 5:1,2

There are many applications to this story, but I want us to look at one in particular.  It is not about a wife submitting to her husband by plotting with him to hold back some of their money.  It is about a spiritual matter.  "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost.  How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?"  

When we stand before the Lord, we stand alone.  When one day we give an account to God of our lives while we were on earth, we will stand by our self.  Our spouse won't be with us.  Our parents won't be with us.  Our pastor won't be with us.  Neither will our friends, our fellow employees, other family members, no one that we are acquainted with here.  This couple was not together when they faced the Apostles.  They each faced them without the other.

They each were asked the question concerning what they were bringing to the Lord.  Even though they had previously agreed to give the same answer, they each one individually had the choice to be truthful.  They conspired together and they both died.  The point I want to make is-- don't let anyone else cause you to "die".  Don't let your allegiance to a person cause you to miss out with God.  Don't let your agreement with someone else cause you to go to hell.  Just because her husband lied and told her to, doesn't mean she had to do it.  This was a spiritual matter.  In spiritual matters we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling".  

Don't let anyone else cause you to sin against God-- no matter how close you are to them.  Don't let anyone else talk you into doing what is wrong in God's eyes.  Don't let anyone convince you to commit sin.  Don't let anyone cause you to lose your soul and go to hell.  You will stand before God one day and give an account and you will stand by yourself.  

Have a great day.  Don't let anyone, no matter who they are, cause you to spend eternity in hell. 

"Where's Your Trust?"

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8

Why is it that we will put our trust in people and things more than we do in God?  We will put our trust in medicine to make us well; in counselors to tell us what to do; in a judicial system to defend us; in our jobs to provide for us; in the government to take care of us; in law enforcement to protect us; in other people to affirm us yet we will not put our trust in God to do all of the above, plus more.

We put more trust in man than we do in God.  We put our trust in the creation instead of the Creator.  We put more trust in what is temporary than we do in Him who is Eternal.  Something is definitely wrong with this picture.  Isn't He trustworthy?  Can't He who died for us be trusted with our lives?  Can't He who created us to begin with be entrusted with our well being?  Can't the One who loves us with an everlasting love that is greater than we can even comprehend be trusted to take care of us?  I am not saying that these things and people don't have a place in our lives at times.  I thank God for His grace that has given them to us... but He never gave them to us to replace Him!

What are you putting your trust in the most?  Is it in man and this worldly system?  Do they have a greater level of your trust then the Lord does?  Before you answer with, "Of course, I trust God more", take a good look at your life and your daily routine and choices.  Think about what you would do if suddenly today all means of help and support were gone and it was just you and God.  How would you feel, better yet, how would you react? 

Have a great day.  Do you put more trust in people and things than you do in God?

"Two Perspectives"

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

The pessimist says the glass is half empty.  The optimist says the glass is half full.  It is a matter of perspective as to how something is seen.  As Christians we can either see things from a natural perspective, or we can see them from God's perspective. 

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and were before the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army pressing in behind them, the natural perspective was-- we will either die at Pharaoh's hand or drown in the sea.  God's perspective was-- be still and see the salvation of the Lord, after today you will not see Pharaoh again. 

The natural perspective viewed the cross as a place of defeat-- Jesus is dead.  But God's perspective saw it as a place of victory and triumph-- Jesus is alive, sin has been conquered. 

When we view circumstances through a natural perspective, we can become fearful, hopeless and discouraged.  Viewing them from God's perspective brings faith, hope and peace. 

When we view things through our own perspective, we can easily fall into self-pity because we see it as something happening "to" us.  But when we view it through God's perspective, we see it as something happening "for" us.  From his own perspective Joseph saw his brother's hate, the pit, Potiphar's house and the prison as something that was done "to" him.  Once he viewed all that had happened from God's perspective, he saw it wasn't done to him but "for him".  "All things work together for the good".  It brought him into God's purpose and destiny for his life.  It put him in a position to be able to save the nation of Israel. 

Viewing what is happening in your life from your own natural perspective will bring self-pity, fear, doubt, unbelief and discouragement.  But when we view it from God's perspective it will bring hope, life, comfort, strength, peace and faith. 

Are you in a situation?  Ask God to help you see it from His perspective-- His viewpoint.  The higher you go, the broader your view becomes, and you can see more of the picture and realize that whatever comes your way has been filtered through the hands of God first and instead of it being done "to" you, it is actually being done "for" you, to work out God's greater plan for your life.

Have a great day.  Seeing the situation from our perspective produces fear.  Seeing it from God's perspective produces faith. 

"Yoked"

"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." Matthew 11:29

What is a yoke?  The dictionary defines it as:  

a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.  When two animals were yoked together it meant that they both shared the load of what they were pulling.  It also meant that if one got tired or weak, the strength of the other one would help lighten the load.  Jesus said to take His yoke upon us.  What does that mean? 

 

The yoke of Jesus is two-fold.  Being yoked to Him has two meanings.  When we are yoked to Him, it doesn't mean that something has simply been imparted to us.  But it is something that we now share with Him.  We share in the fellowship of His suffering.  We share in drinking the cup in which He drank.  What they did to the Master, they will do to us.  We conform to His death.  We take up our cross and deny ourselves.  We surrender to the Father's will.  It means we labor together with Him.

 

Being yoked to Him also means that we share in His victories.  When we are weak, His strength is made perfect in us.  When we get weary and feel like giving up, He will undergird us and carry the load helping us to make it through.  Being yoked to Him means we are "yoked" to peace, joy, love, grace, and all that He is.  We are yoked to the King of kings and Lord of lords.  We are yoked together with the Savior, the Redeemer, the Healer, the Deliverer, the One who was triumphant over death, the One who is fairer than ten thousand, the Lord of Glory, the Lord of hosts, the Lord Strong and Mighty, the Almighty God!

 

Being yoked to Him means we follow Him, even into suffering and death.  It feels at times like a hard yoke to bear, but Jesus said it was light and easy.  It is light and easy because as we submit to letting Him take the lead, He will help us, He will carry the load, He will give us grace and He has already been victorious over the suffering and will lead us through any difficulty we face.  It is also light and easy because we are yoked to Jesus and He will never leave us but stay attached to us no matter what we face.

 

Have a great day.  The yoke of the Lord is a yoke of sharing-- sharing in His suffering and sharing in His victory.

 

For further reading:

Romans 8:17

Philippians 3:10

Mark 10:39

"The Greatest Blessing"

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

This verse was a prophesy concerning Jesus and it was fulfilled in Him at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey's coat.  But this verse is also still being fulfilled.  It is being fulfilled in each and every person who witnesses and testifies to others about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

When we share the message of hope, eternal life and salvation, we don't do it for our own sakes.  We aren't doing it in our own name.  We are doing it in His name.  We are coming in His name commissioned by Him, not by our own selves.  We are His messengers. 

When we share this wonderful message of love and life with others, we are being a blessing because we are bringing a blessing.  There are many ways we can be a blessing to others-- giving a hungry man a meal; clothing someone who is naked; being a shoulder to cry on for someone who is sad; giving a ride to someone so they can go to church; mowing the yard of a widow; paying a light bill; etc. etc. etc.  But the greatest blessing we can be to someone is to give them the message of eternal life.  It is a much greater blessing to be a light to someone who is in darkness and looking for a way out.  It is a much greater blessing to throw a rope of hope down to someone who is in a pit of despair and pull them out.  It is a greater blessing to show a captive of sin the way of escape.  It is a greater blessing to help someone who is in bondage find freedom. 

On that day in Jerusalem as they cried out-- "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"-- they had a preconceived idea of what the blessing was that Jesus was bringing.  They thought it was deliverance from Rome and restoration of the throne of David.  But it was a much greater blessing that Jesus was bringing-- an eternal one.  Let's not have a preconceived idea that the only way to be a blessing is by doing something "physical, tangible, material" for others.  Let's not forget that the greatest blessing is not just food and clothing, but giving someone the opportunity to hear, and receive, the good news that Jesus saves.

Have a great day.  The greatest blessing we can be to someone is to tell them the message of salvation and eternal life through Jesus.

"Love Others"

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."  1 John 4:11

God loved us so much that He gave up His Son Jesus to die for us.  God loved us so much He gave us not only a way to be saved through Jesus, but the opportunity to be saved.  He should have left us on our own without hope.  But He didn't.  There is no greater demonstration of love than to lay down your life for someone else-- especially an enemy.  This is exactly what He did. 

If He did that for us.  If He loved us in such an amazing way.  If He loved us so much that He was willing to do whatever it took to show us His love.  Then, shouldn't we be willing to do the same toward one another?  If God Himself, humbled Himself to love us so much, why can't we?

Why do we keep holding on to grudges?  Why do we show respect of persons?  Why do we love only those who love us?  Why are we full of hate?  Why are we more interested in self than others.  Why aren't we willing to forgive? 

God did not, and does not, have to love us, but He does.  If He loves us in spite of ourselves, can't we love others?  Who is it that you are having a hard time loving?  Ask God to help you to love them.  They may not be "worthy" of your love, but neither were you "worthy" of God's love, but He gave it to you anyway.

Have a great day.  If God loved us who were undeserving of His love, why can't we love others?

 

"He's Mighty To Save"

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord God is a mighty God.  He is a saving God.  He saved us from our sins through the shed blood of His Son Jesus.  He saves us when we are in trouble.  He saves us from the enemy.  But His salvation doesn't always come the way we think it should or prefer it to.

His salvation of our souls always comes the same way-- through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is no other way that He saves.  We aren't saved through religious acts and good deeds.  Only through the Lord Jesus Christ.

But His salvation in trials, afflictions, problems, etc. may come through various ways.  Sometimes His salvation delivers us out of the situation, but sometimes His salvation delivers us through it.  For example-- sometimes He saves us in sickness by healing us of it.  Sometimes He saves us in sickness by taking us home to be with Him.  Sometimes His salvation in a financial problem comes through sending us the money.  Sometimes it comes through acts of faith and obedience that He shows us to do to correct the situation. 

He didn't save Joseph from the pit, slavery and the prison, He saved him through it and brought him to a greater purpose.  We often think the best way would be instant deliverance in our problems and trials.  But that is not always true.  Sometimes what we go through, instead of being delivered out of, works in us a far greater weight of glory.  It produces a greater level of faith and trust.  It brings a greater revelation of who this Mighty God we serve truly is.

Are you in a trial?  God is mighty enough to save you.  And He is saving you even if you don't think He is because it isn't coming the way you think it should.  Just trust this Mighty God to work all things together for your good-- even His plan to save you.

Have a great day.  God's salvation in the situation doesn't always come the way we want it to, but it is the best way.

"Bowing Things"

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10,11

One day all mankind will stand before the Lord.  Everyone from Adam to the last person born on earth.  We will not only stand before Him but bow our knee before Him and confess that He is Lord.  This includes kings, presidents, emperors, politicians, judges, college professors, policemen, mayors, movie stars, the affluent, the poor, the worshippers of false gods, the atheist, Pharisees, preachers, teenagers, children, etc... it will include all no matter who they were in life or what position or title they held.  All will bow their knee to King Jesus and confess that He is Lord.

Are you bowing your knee to Him out of loving devotion and service now?  Will you be forced to on that day or are you doing it willingly and cheerfully now?  Let me ask you another question-- is all you are, all you have, all you possess bowing its knee to Him?

The verse says, "things" in heaven, "things" in earth, "things" under the earth.  Are your "things" bowing to Him?  Or are you bowing to them?  Is your time bowing to Jesus-- meaning, are you making your time honor and serve Him, or are you wasting it on too much busyness that accomplishes nothing?  Are your talents bowing to Him?  Are your hobbies?  Is whatever form of entertainment you enjoy bowing to Him?  Or, again, are you bowing to it by watching and engaging in activities that are not pleasing to Him or by allowing it to have first place in your life?  Are your relationships bowing to Jesus?  Or are you holding on to certain people because of your own desire and wants?  Are your finances bowing to Him?  Are you using them for His kingdom or furthering your own, spending them strictly on selfish desires?  What about your appetites, ambitions, dreams, etc.?

Think about it.  Even though you have bowed to His Lordship in your life when you received Him as Savior, how much of you is not "bowing" to Him.  How much of what you possess and have been given is not bowing and declaring Him as Lord?

Have a great day.  Is all of you and what you possess bowing to Jesus?

For further reading:
Romans 14:11 

"Persuaded In His Love"

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38,39

Neither shall famine, terrorists' attacks, a failing economy, corrupt politicians, wolves in sheep's clothing, a broken relationship, an unfaithful spouse, rebellious children, you name it-- it cannot separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. 

Paul was persuaded concerning the love of God that nothing could separate us from it.  He was confident because it was God's love-- not man's love.  God's love is so powerful.  It isn't conditional.  It isn't affected by external variables.  It isn't temporary.  It isn't fickle.  It has stood the test of time.   

He was persuaded because of God's demonstration of love.  While we were still sinners Christ died for us.  He didn't wait for us to get "cleaned up".  He didn't wait for us to quit sinning.  He didn't wait for us to become righteous.  He didn't even wait for us to repent before He showed His love.  Had He, He would still be waiting, and we would never have the opportunity to experience God's love.  But He didn't wait.  He sent His One and Only Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins because He loved us.

He was persuaded because God's love was in and through Christ Jesus.  He saw what great lengths God went to to demonstrate His love to us-- He went to the cross.  He suffered pain, shame, the reproach of ungodly and wicked men, He was nailed to a tree, He was mocked, lied about, abandoned and forsaken.  He died on the cross. 

He was persuaded because Christ was resurrected from the dead.  He demonstrated His power by doing what He said He would do-- rise again on the third day.  He knew that He was faithful to His word, and nothing could alter it or stop it.  Therefore, when God says He loves us with an everlasting love-- He means it and nothing can change that.

Are you persuaded of God's love for you?  Do you really believe He loves you?  Are you allowing anything to make you believe otherwise?  Have you accepted His love by accepting His Son Jesus as your Savior and Lord?  Are you secure and confident in God's love for you?      

Have a great day.  How persuaded are you that nothing can separate you from God's love? 

"Jesus Is The Theme"

"But we preach Christ crucified..." 1 Corinthians 1:23a

If you have watched the movie "The Cross and The Switchblade" there is a scene where David Wilkerson was getting ready to preach to the gang members, he said that he doesn't preach religion, he preaches about a man.  The whole theme of his preaching was Jesus Christ.  It seems as though today that we hear anything, and everything, else preached about but Jesus.  We preach about our religion, our programs, our visions, our philosophies, our convictions, but very little about Jesus. 

Without Jesus there is no gospel-- no good news.  Without Jesus there is no message.  Without Him there is no hope for a lost and dying world, or our own soul.  Our church growth sermons won't change the hearts of men.  Our sermons on religion won't help the downcast and broken hearted.  Our spiritually based motivational speaking won't set captives free.  There is only one thing that can break through a heart of stone, a soul in bondage, a ruined life--- His name is Jesus. 

The preaching of the cross seems foolish, but it is the power of God that brings salvation, and it is the means in which God chose to save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:18,21) The cross and Jesus Christ crucifixion is the greatest demonstration of the love of God.  The love of God revealed through Jesus at the cross was so great that it forgives to the uttermost-- no sin is too bad that it can't forgive.  It reaches into the deepest pit of despair that is present in the heart of men-- no pit is too deep.  It can penetrate the grossest darkness in our lives and bring into it the brightest light.  It saves so completely that nothing else needs to be added to it.  It is able to completely transform a life and make it brand new.  Our eloquent, well educated, religious, enticing words of man's wisdom, leaning to our own understanding, faddish, new-fangled methods, flesh filled sermons won't and can't do any of that.  Only Jesus can-- He is the Way, the only Way. 

Have a great day.  Jesus Christ is the theme of our message because He is our only hope. 

"Stand Before The Judge"

"Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."  Psalm 98:9

If you ever have to go into a court of law and stand before a judge, sadly, you aren't always assured that he/she will deal out true justice.  Many do uphold the law and do what is right, but many also judge according to their own preference, convictions, outside influences and even through bribery.

Perhaps you have never gone to court and stood before a judge.  It is a sobering experience.  That person, in a sense, holds your whole life and future in their hands- or in their decision.  You may never find yourself standing in a court of law while you live on earth but one day we will all stand before the Judge.  Not just any judge or person appointed or elected by men, but The Judge of the Universe.  The Creator.  God Himself.  We will all stand before Him one day and give an account. 

When we stand before Him, we won't have to wonder if He will be fair, be just, be influenced against us, bribed, listen to false accusations, or make a mistake.  He will judge us in righteousness, and His judgment will be true.  His verdict will either be-- "well, done, good and faithful servant", or "depart from me".  His sentence will be to those He finds faithful to enter into His rest and the joy of heaven for an eternity.  For those to whom He says, "Depart", it will be into everlasting torment. 

If you were to stand before Him today, what would the verdict be?  What sentence would He decree?  There is no reason that anyone should not hear Him say, "Well, done, enter into heaven".  The reason being because He has provided a way for us to receive a "not guilty" verdict.  We were all guilty of sin and trespassing against Him.  We were all guilty of being rebellious toward Him.  We all deserve eternal damnation.  But, unlike many earthly judges, He is merciful.  He has given us a chance to be "innocent".  That chance comes through His Son Jesus Christ.  Accept Him as Savior and follow Him as Lord and you will be found innocent when you stand before Him.  Reject Jesus and you will be found guilty.  It is just that simple.  He is a just judge. He will not clear the guilty, but He will not condemn the innocent.  Which are you?

Have a great day.  We will all stand before God one day and He will be our Judge.  What verdict will He pronounce on you?   

"The True Deterrent"

"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"  Genesis 39:9

Joseph was in Potiphar's house as a slave.  You know the story.  Potiphar's wife had her "eye" on him and the first opportunity that availed itself, she tried to seduce him into having sex with her.   What was his reply?  He didn't answer her by telling her that they couldn't because Potiphar might find out, or one of the other servants might see, or any other excuse.  His answer was plain-- "how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

When we are faced with the temptation to sin, it is good to have a deterrent to that sin, but the real deterrent is that we will not sin against God.  Some people reframe from sexual immorality because they are afraid of getting pregnant or a disease, etc.  Some reframe from lying and cheating because they are afraid of getting caught.  Some reframe from breaking the law because they are afraid of going to jail.  Some don't engage in other sinful behavior for fear of losing their family.  These are all praise-worthy deterrents, but the reason we don't engage in sin has to be deeply rooted in our love and fear of the Lord.  The reason being because our minds and feelings can change.  We can "reason" ourselves out of our deterrents.  Our conscience is a good deterrent, but we can ignore it and eventually "sear" it.  For example, the teenage girl who won't have sex with her boyfriend out of fear of her parents finding out or of getting pregnant can easily change her mind once her living arrangement changes and one day she leaves her parent's home.  But if her deterrent is grounded in her relationship with the Lord, she won't give in no matter where she is-- like Joseph.

We need to see sin through the eyes of God.  We need to understand that it hurts His heart each time we sin.  We need to realize that sin is always against Him.  We should never forget that God sent His One and Only Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross to save us from our sins.  If we love Him, we don't want to sin against Him or hurt Him through sinful actions.

Have a great day.  The greatest deterrent to sin is our love and fear of the Lord.

"Take A Pill"

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.   For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:20-22

Let me preface what I am going to say by telling you that I am not against medicine.  I thank God for giving it to us to help us when we are sick.  I take it on occasion when I need it.  This is not intended to bring condemnation, guilt or accuse anyone of lack of faith if you are taking medicine. I just want to make a point.

We take medicine when we have an illness.  We go to the doctor- who in most cases we only know on a professional level- or we go to a clinic and see someone we have never laid eyes on before.  He/She gives us a prescription for medicine that is supposed to help.  We take the prescription to the pharmacy and trust that the pharmacist is following the doctor's orders and giving us the right meds.  We follow the directions and take it the way the doctor prescribed.  We take it even though the side effects include- may cause cancer, blindness, or even sudden death. 

The point I am getting to is this- we take medicine that man prescribes in hope of being helped or cured.  But God's Word gives health to our spirit, soul and body but we neglect it. We have to exercise a lot of trust and faith in the doctor, the pharmacist and the medicine when we are sick.  Where is our trust in God's Word? 

Again, I am not trying to bring condemnation to anyone or belittle medicine.  I just wonder if we give even half as much attention to the reading, studying, and "eating" of God's Word which gives greater health in all areas of life to us?  His Word will give you peace of mind.  It will restore health to your body.  It will change your attitude.  It is the best anti-depressant, best attitude disorder medicine, the best heart medicine, the best painkiller, the best mood medicine-- it will take care of whatever ails you.

Have a great day.  As diligent as you are about taking medicine that is prescribed by a doctor, you need to be more diligent about "taking" the Word of God into your life every day.
 

"Living For Today"

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  Matthew 6:35

We hear lots of preaching about not living in the past and how we should let what was in the past go so that it will not hinder our future.  But we don't hear much about not taking thought about tomorrow.  Just as many people live in the future as they do in the past.  We are always looking to some event that is months off, or something that we anticipate in the future.  We are busy making plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and we are focused on it.

Let me say there is nothing wrong with "planning" and making sure that when you get to that place-- when it finally comes-- that you are prepared.  The Bible says for us to occupy while we are here.  You can't wait to take care of some things until they arrive.  Weddings have to be planned in advance.  A baby's arrival has to be taken care of before it gets here.  There are years of educational training that have to be done before you can start your career.  A store has to be set up before it can open for business.  These are not the things I am talking about.

What I am talking about is being so consumed with the future that you miss out on today.  God doesn't want us living in the past.  But He doesn't want us living so far in the future that we miss the wonderful things He wants to do for us today.  He doesn't want us to miss His plan for today.  He doesn't want us to lack in what He wants to use us to do today.  Yesterday is gone, you can't do anything about it now.  Tomorrow isn't promised to us-- it may or may not come.  So let yesterday go.  And in all your planning and preparation for tomorrow, don't forget about today.  Enjoy it fully.  Love those who you can while you can today.  Don't stress over tomorrow.  Trust and believe God for your provision today.  Live today with Jesus to the fullest.  Remember, today will be yesterday when tomorrow comes.  Will it be one of those days that you will look back at with regret?

Have a great day.  Yesterday's gone.  Tomorrow isn't promised.  Live today to the fullest in God's plan.     

 

"Real Prayer"

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

"Have you prayed about it?  Pray about it.  I will pray about it.  I am praying for you."  These are our answers when it comes to a need that one expresses.  But do we, or are we, really praying?  Is what we usually do really considered prayer? 

When you are given a prayer request, or you have a need, how do you pray?  Most people spend about two minutes of prayer concerning the matter.  They aren't willing to stay any longer praying for an answer-- although they want an answer. 

There is an old hymn entitled, "Sweet Hour" of prayer.  Being in the presence of the Lord is "sweet"; it is wonderful and glorious.  But prayer is more than a "sweet hour"-- it is work.  It is labor.  It is travail.  It is standing in the gap-- that is if we do it right. 

Real prayer for an answer involves staying on your knees before the Lord until the answer comes.  It is staying there until you know that you know that you have heard from God.  It is staying before the Lord until that peace and assurance comes and the doubt is gone. 

There are times when we are placed in a situation and our prayer has to be immediate and quick.  But mostly prayer is a matter of waiting and continuing until we have "touched the hem" of His garment.  Jesus prayed three times in the garden.  He would often pray all night.  Hannah prayed until she looked like a drunk women to the priest.  Jeremiah prayed for ten days interceding for the nation of Israel.  Esther and the Jews prayed for three days before she went to the king.  The disciples tarried in prayer until the Holy Spirit was poured out.  The Bible is full of examples of prayer.  There was nothing flippant or casual or rushed about the praying they did. 

Don't think that the answer in prayer will always come quickly.  You may have to wait for it.  You may have to stay still and stay on your knees awhile-- if it is true prayer, I can guarantee that will be the case.  But it is so worth it because you will get your answer.  This is the reason why we still don't know what to do or see results after we have "prayed".  Because what we call prayer is not really prayer at all.

Have a great day.  Real prayer involves staying on your knees until you get the answer, no matter how long it takes.   
 

"Hidden From View?"

"Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."  Luke 24:12

When Jesus prayed in the garden before His crucifixion, He prayed that the Father would glorify Him with the same glory that He had with Him before the world was formed.  This glory would come through His death, burial and resurrection, which would exalt Jesus and reveal Him as Savior and Lord and King.  When He rose from the dead, He did two physical things so that we could see His glory.  He rolled the stone away and He left His garment laying to the side.  With these removed, nothing hid His glory from plain view.  His glory wasn't hidden behind the stone, and it wasn't covered by the linen clothes. 

We should pray daily that others would see Jesus in us.  But is He hidden from view in our lives?  Is there a "stone" blocking their view so that can't see Him?  Is there a stone of hypocrisy?  Unforgiveness?  Immorality, lying, cheating, compromise?  Is He hidden by our "clothes"-- our own flesh?  Selfishness, self-centeredness, pride, arrogance, etc.? 

When the disciples saw Jesus after the resurrection, they glorified Him.  We want Him to be glorified in our lives.  Therefore, we must by His help and grace, remove the "stone" and "clothes" that shroud Him from view.  We must lay aside everything that would cover Him so that He is not seen.  We must remove everything that hides His glory from being openly revealed in our lives.  Is there anything that is hiding His glory from view in your life?

Have a great day.  For others to see Jesus in our lives, everything that hides Him from view must be removed out of the way.

For further reading:
John 17:1-5