HEAR AND DO

Yesterday many of us probably spent the morning in church or attended  on Saturday night. If you did not I am not trying to guilt you but if you did it is my hope you experienced a good message from the pastor and did not fall asleep. That one hour on Sunday is important. Not only is it one of the Ten Commandments which says "remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy" ( Exodus 20:8) but it is more than that. It does little good to sit in a pew for one hour and then go out and live your life with no changes. God wants you to change and grow. Giving him one hour on Sunday is great but your heart should desire a closer walk with him through reading his word and prayer. There is a saying, "going into a church will not make you into a Christian any more than going into a garage will make you into a car."

When you make your list of things 'to do' for the day is daily devotions or 'quiet time" one of them? The Lord does so much for us so we should want to give him time back. When our love for God grows our love for people will grow.  It will be hard to hold a grudge or talk bad about someone if we are studying his word daily and in fellowship. Of course our enemy the devil will do all he can to distract you and keep you away from the Bible for it is in it you have power and victory. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

1 Corinthians 1 :18 says "the preaching of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Being a Christian does not have to be dull and boring. Find a vibrant church that preaches God's word and is alive. Being a Christian is not about religion but is about relationship. Maybe you will even have to change churches or break away from one you went to forever just because your family did. If it is not alive for Christ find one that is!
Has your love for God grown cold? God can help you. Do you want him to be first in your life? He is there. Just call on him. No matter what you have done God is ready to forgive and is waiting for you to come to him in prayer. Jeremiah 33:3 is also affectionately called 'God's phone number' for it says "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things that you do not know."


PRAYER: Lord Jesus with so much vying for our attention today we know how important it is to stay firmly connected to you and your word. Forces are out there trying to drag us downhill and trying to get us to deny God. Or perhaps trying to get us to just do our Sunday thing but not care to grow in the knowledge of God. Father give me a hunger for you and your word that I have never known. Help me be more than just a 'Sunday Christian."  In Jesus name. Amen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-oZbBS_OhM

ZIP THAT LIP

 

Jesus suffered the ultimate torture and betrayal yet his only words were "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." (See Luke 23:34).In Isaiah 53:7 it says "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth." How many of us could say the same? It is hard to not get the last word or make our point or try to fight back.The best response is no response at all. Human nature wants to get back at someone who has offended or hurt you but 'God's nature' is to 'let it go' and pray for the person. When you are accused wrongly or otherwise,your flesh wants to lash back and defend yourself. God is your defender. Psalm 59:17 says "To you oh my strength I will sing, for God is my defense and the God of my mercy." Give it to him. Matthew 5:44 says to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." It is only with the Holy Spirits' help that this can be done.

 

"The power of life and death is in the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21). Uttering a word in haste or without thinking can end you up in much trouble too. James 1:19 is a excellent verse for all people but especially those that are married. I am surprised it is not read at  marriage ceremonies. It says " This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."  Giving something over to God is easier than continuing to fester.  Satan loves conflict and he is the author of it so when you offend with your words you only bring glory to the enemy and hurt a person. Proverbs 17:27 says "He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."

 

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11). Let your mouth be under God's control. Use it for blessing, encouraging,kindness, promoting, praising, and thanking and not cussing, ridiculing, gossip, lying, or belittling. Zip that lip and learn the discipline of knowing when to speak and what to say .

 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

 

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord my mouth can get me into trouble if I speak before I think. Oh Lord I want to use my mouth to bless others and not cause trouble. Help me know when to speak and what to say and give me the ability to keep my mouth closed when it is not appropriate to add my 'two cents'. Give me wisdom and discernment so I do not have to dig myself out of a hole because of a careless word. In Jesus Name. Amen.

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

 

Our freedoms in the United States of America are God given. No nation on earth is like this one having liberty and justice for all. But when there is liberty there will be evil forces trying to take it away from us. That is why Christians should be on their knees in prayer for this great land of ours. No other government was founded like ours on Biblical foundations. Those settlers who came over to America came so they could have a Christian society and worship God freely. But we can not take this freedom for granted as little by little forces come in and try to destroy it and educate us a different way.

 

The founders looked to the Bible when making the laws of this land. There is no mistaking when you visit Washington, D.C. that this nation was founded to serve God. Nearly all the monuments say "In God We Trust." But anti God and anti Christian forces have permeated our land in the last century trying to remove God from everything. Prayer and the Ten Commandments were prominent in schools in the 60's when I was growing up. Things were much kinder and gentler then so to speak. But evil is always looking trying to take freedom away and can trick those not informed. In 2 Corinthians 11:14 it says " But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." In 1 Peter 5:8 is says "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." We  have to be on our guard.

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 says "Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom."  There are voices out there today trying to say America is not a Christian nation and  we need to tolerate all religions. When you take God out of society it will fall. Look at examples all around the world. You can not separate being a Christian with caring about your country. We are so blessed in the United States of America and forces are out there trying to take these blessings away. Sometimes we can become complacent when we have things too good and if we do not wake up and do our part for freedom we may one day live in a regime and not a free land. It can happen. We are in spiritual warfare in this country as Satan does not like liberty and freedom and he will try any means and any trickery to destroy it and take us captive.  John 8:32 says "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

 

Psalm 33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage." We will not continue be blessed if we do not get on our knees and cry out to God to save our land. Some say 'don't talk to me about politics." Well 'politics' is all over the Bible. I have cited some of the verses right here. The citizenry has to be aware of things going on and do more than 'just pray'. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says " if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." May God bless America and heal our land and its' people.

 

PRAYER: Lord wake us up to the freedoms we have that we may lose if we are not on our knees in prayer. Father we thank you for living in such a great land. I thank you that the truth can set us free. Father help me remember to pray for my nation and its' leaders daily. Help me father to pray for freedom and liberty to continue to bless this land. Forgive me Lord if I have ever taken my freedoms for granted. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWv-UOHzaIc

MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY

 

Presently I am in a Bible study of the book "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter. That is where I got the idea for this title on one of the key points in one chapter about 'making room' for God. God is known as our 'daddy', Abba Father. We are to call out to him and run to him and say "Daddy!" Do you feel that way about your heavenly Father? Is he your daddy? Galatians 4:6 says "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Abba is an Aramaic word which means "daddy" or "papa".  In Romans 8:15 Paul tells us that we have "received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father." Think about adoption for a moment. That baby is chosen and God chose us!

 

If you have a guest in your home overnight you 'make room' for them. You set aside a special place where they will stay and they are not an inconvenience for you. You are happy to 'make room' for them as they are a special friend. Is God an inconvenience or a burden to you? Is the thought of God way over your head or do you call him your 'daddy'? Think of a daddy loving you and bouncing you on his knee and playing with you. God is supposed to be that type of loving father to us. Some may have not had good relationships with earthly fathers so maybe it is difficult to relate.

 

John 8:37-38 says "I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father." Just like back in the days before Jesus was born there was 'no room' in the inn for Mary to give birth so she ended  up in the manger or stable giving birth to the king of kings, we today do not 'make room' for God in our day or in our week at times. Think what he did for you. He died to set men free yet we continue to ignore him and put him on the shelf. Sometimes we may think we do not need him because we have so much and are so busy that there is little time for 'religion'.

 

Psalm 10:4 says "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." When things are going good people tend to forget God and when trouble comes they cry out "Oh God!' Why not cry out to him all the time? Do you set aside time for God each day? This is a way to insure you have 'made room' for time with him. God wants you to make room for him. He is waiting. All you need to do is call out to him.

 

PRAYER: Father you are our daddy. We want to sit at your feet and praise you and worship you. Forgive me for not making room in my day for you and your word. I know I can not truly know you unless I commit to reading the Bible and desire you more than gold. Daddy I need you in my life now and forever. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAk8KBjB6Mo

GLAD,SAD or MAD??

You may have lots of reasons to not feel glad today but the Bible says "This is the day the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Do not focus on your problems and your fears but make a mental effort to focus on God and good things. Bad stuff will always be there. There may be difficult people in your life weighing you down and causing you trouble or there may be a misunderstanding with someone or a bad situation. We are still to give thanks in all things as well. Yes, it does say that in the Bible.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "In all things give thanks for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you."  'But wait just a minute God I can not be thankful for bad junk'. Get in a habit of saying 'Lord I do not know why this is happening but I pray you will make stars out of scars.'

We are to try to live at peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14 says "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Romans 12:18 says "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." It is a challenge with some people to even feel like talking to them especially if you have been hurt but you see it here that we are to try to be peaceful. God can give you the strength if you only ask him.

Our afflictions are only momentary it says in scripture. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! " Things happen in life but this too shall pass.

Remember tribulation works patience and is for our good even though it does not seem like it. Romans 5:3 says "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance." "Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me."(Psalm 51:10).

Try to learn to be quiet even though humanly you have every right in the world to fight back. Ask God for strength to have a calm spirit and whoever in your life is sandpaper give them to the Lord and say " Lord what I am supposed to be learning because of the conflict with this person." Remember you can not change anyone only the Holy Spirit can do that. Keep praying and do not give up.

Romans 8:31 says "If God be for us who can be against us."

PRAYER: Father show me if there is anything in my life that is contributing to the misunderstanding with a person or the problem in my life. Lord God I want to experience your joy 24/7 and delight myself in you. Forgive me for focusing on stuff I can not do anything about. I want to walk with you and I want to be your servant. Help me to have patience with the 'thorns' in my life and show your love even when I do not feel like it. In Jesus Name. Amen.

REACTING TO UGLY PEOPLE

Are there people in your life that push your buttons? You would truly like to give them a piece of your mind but you know the gift of self control(Galatians 5:23) does not really say that is the right thing to do. These people could be family, friends or strangers. It could be a harsh word or criticism or something like being cut off or tailgated by a rude driver. These little irritations can drive us nuts and unless we focus totally on the Lord and stay in an attitude of prayer we can make matters worse. Fighting back does nothing but add fuel to the fire.

 

Ephesians 4:31-32 says " Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This means giving up your right to get back at someone or get the last word or react in a negative way. It does no good and in fact can make matters worse.

 

Last night I was blessed to get to see a new movie that is coming out next week. It is called "The Grace Card". (www.thegracecard.com). I do not want to give away the content of the movie and spoil it for you but basically it boils down to a man who held bitterness and a grudge for over 17 years and it flowed over into all areas of his life. It was grace that finally set him free. Basically grace means giving up your right to get back at someone and to give it to God. It is trying to be like God. It is defined as a capacity to accommodate and forgive. Try to see people through Gods' eyes and ask God "Why is this person acting like this" and instead of lashing back in some fashion pray for the person.

 

 Look at Jesus up on the cross being beat to a bloody pulp. He had all the reason in the 'human world' to be angry but instead he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Remember the real enemy is not the person but the devil who tries to destroy relationships and get people all angry and bent out of shape. Even if the other person is not kind you go ahead and show God's love and let God take care of the rest.

 

Ephesians 4:27 says "for anger gives a foothold to the devil." Finally watch what you say and how your react. Colossians 4:6 says " Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

 

 

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord thank you for situations you put in our life to allow us to practice grace skills. No matter if it is someone we know or a stranger we thank you for helping us ahead of time to know how to respond. Help us Father to see hurting people through your eyes Lord and show compassion. Lord Help me to love people like you do and give me the ability to love and show grace even when humanly I do not feel up to it. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Footnote..I have added a nice praise song to help you focus on God.

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13yY9sXFKB8

DEAD TREES AND OTHER THINGS

I heard a sermon this past Sunday where an illustration was given of a dead tree and compared it to we in the body of Christ. Picture for a moment a dead lifeless tree in winter. Dormant, no leaves, no blooms. Just a big piece of wood sticking up out of the ground. It is not truly dead but lying dormant for the winter months waiting to burst forth again in spring. Christians can be kind of like that tree. We can sit dormant for a long time and not 'bloom' at all for the Lord. We would not look any different than any other person and have no real value other than taking up space waiting for spring so we can bloom and bud. It should not be like that. We need to remain alive and vibrant year round so we can be effective for the Lord. Sure times in life come that can make us feel lifeless but that is where we need to stay connected to the 'vine' to get the nourishment we need.

Maybe we need a little nourishment in order to start growing. This fertilizer is the word of God, worship and fellowship. By feeding our spirits with Gods' word and listening to good praise music and attending church or Bible study our spirits can grow and soar and come to life!

Ephesians 2:1-2 says "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world." The entire second chapter of Ephesians is worth reading. Grab a cup of java and sit down and feast on the word. Stay connected to the vine in order to grow.Let me end with this wonderful word from the book of John. John 15:1-5 says " I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Go out and bloom for the Lord!!

PRAYER: Father recharge our spirits. Awaken us to those around us who need the light of Jesus in their lives. Keep us growing for you. Forgive us for when we have coasted through life and not given you any time and thus causing our spirits to shrink and our Christian life to be stagnant and dormant. I want to be alive for you Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ZAN2HKS4c
(Devotion idea today came from sermon by Rev. Jimmy Aycock of Asbury UMC, Madison, AL)