Why Are We Bothered With Troubles?
The Pot of Sin Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
At noon, on Wednesday, April 10, 1912, the crowd on the dock was tremendous. Family members and friends of 2201 people, which including the employees themselves, that were going on a trip of a lifetime were waving and cheering. It may have very well been a brisk day in South Hampton, England, as all the people looked upon the ship, which was deemed unsinkable by many. False security was built up to people about this ship. A group of reporters gathered at the New York office of White Star Line and questioned the company’s Vice President, Philip Franklin, when he showed up for work, and he reassured everyone with the following statement. “There is no danger that the Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable and nothing but inconvenience will be suffered by the passengers.” Even one of the White Star Employees, who was about to launch out on this trip said, “Not even God Himself can sink this ship.” The fact is there were not many people, including the captain and the ship’s engineers believed that God could sink it either. Four days later, the bright stars were shining down on a wide open sea. It was reportedly 33 degrees, on that cold Sunday night of April 14, 1912, as many of the passengers, who had enjoyed a meal and went on to the dancing, and wining and dining, that usually goes on with these trips. Of course, at 11:00 p.m., many of the people had no doubt gone to bed, to be refreshed the next morning. There had been many warnings about icebergs in this area. “Full steam ahead,” the captain said, “We are making great time.” It is said that they were ahead of schedule on this trip. However, at 11:40 p.m. the ship came to an abrupt stop when it encountered an iceberg that doomed this unsinkable ship. By 2:20 a.m. on Monday, April 15, the ship was sunk and 1,517 people including men, women, and children were all gone.
In the passage of 2 Timothy 3:2, Paul writes, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” We have established that perilous times will come because of men loving themselves, and because of men’s love for money. However, Paul covers two things that go hand in hand after that. So, in this pot of death stew we are cooking we add boasting and pride. We see that “In the last days, men will be boasters and proud.” Pride has always been a downfall for man. The pride happened when Lucifer told God that he was going to ascend his throne above the Lord’s. He, in fact, had 1/3 of all the angels supporting him. He was cast to the earth, where he controls the lost and makes war with God’s children. Pride got the best of the captain of the Titanic. He thought the ship was unsinkable and invincible. Even though he may not have said it his actions showed it. He found out that his pride ended up costing 1,516 more lives. It wasn’t just his life lost.
America has the same kind of problem today. We are full of pride and boast about the accomplishments that we make. Pride will be the downfall of America. It already is. Many people who call Jesus their Savior have the same pride. We have become complacent in our nation and in our lives. We believe we are invincible too. Pride separates man from God. He cannot work in a person’s life the way HE wants too, when a man is proud. This nation has had many great tragedies happen to it in it’s 200 plus years. Many hurricanes, tornadoes, and natural phenomenons have happened and many lives have been lost. However, we stay with the way we are and the way we live. Pearl Harbor and the twin towers were wake up calls from God, but we return to our sinful ways. I can remember when the nation prayed after 9/11, but less than 2 months we went back to life as we love it. God was, again, put to the side.
Solomon tells us, in Proverbs 6:16 – 19, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto HIM: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Does it surprise you that the seven things start off with pride? I know many people who believe in a Godly pride, but we need to understand that God will not have that which HE hates. There is no such thing. Pride has been the downfall of man since Adam. Adam had to test the Lord, so he could know as much as God. Guess what? He still doesn’t know as much as God and we don’t either.
Humility draws God to us. I am reminded of what the Lord told Solomon when he finished the house of the Lord. Solomon had prayed and dedicated the house of the Lord to the Lord. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land,” (2Chronicles 7:14). This applies to all the Christians who have truly accepted Christ as Savior. The Lord specifically addresses this to HIS people. Christians are the ones who are really called by HIS Name. The instructions HE hands out here can only be done with humility. We are instructed to be humble before we pray.
Just like the Titanic, we feel our nation, our lives, and everything about us are pretty much invincible. We believe we are unsinkable. With that attitude, we will find our fate. Humility never hurts, and pride kills. The pot of stew is cooking good now. Can you smell what we are cooking in America? Loving ourselves and money more than God; boasting about it and being proud. This things by themselves lead to destruction.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Thought of the Day - A Pot of Deadly Stew
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles? (3)
A Pot of Deadly Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
As I watched some of the news today it became even more apparent that we, as a nation, are falling fast into the pot. The pot I’m referring to is found in 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha came into Gigal where there was a famine in the land. He told them to boil up a pot of herbs, wild vine, and wild gourds. As these sons of prophets were eating it they cried out, “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.” Many might say, ‘well that pot brought forth death.’ So are the sins, which are mentioned in this passage of 2 Timothy. James said, “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Paul very carefully shows us that the perilous times are a stew of many things, which equal to a huge pot of SIN. The word ‘for’ can be translated as ‘because’ in verse two. There should have possibly been a semicolon or comma after the word ‘come’ in verse 1. The pot that these people were eating out of in 2 Kings was causing a serious perilous time. However, Elisha had the answer, just as Christ has the answer for this pot we are building up in America and the whole world.
We’ve covered the men who shall be lovers of their own selves. Verse 2 says, “For (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then the list continues. There is an old song about keeping up with Jones’. In the lyrics it reads, “we have a four car garage, and we’re still adding on”. Now, I know most of who will read this knows the song. But, this particular sentence describes most Americans today. We want to keep up with the Jones’. I know one set of Jones’ who will probably read this and think, ‘well it won’t take much to keep up with us.’ The point is if the Smiths build a 250,000 dollar home, we want it. However, we want to out do them, and build a 260,000 dollar home, and add a pool. The definition of coveting is, wanting something so bad that you will make every effort to get it. The actual word in the Greek for the word ‘covetous’ is philarguros, means fond of money. Uh oh, you mean that this particular verse means that men will become fond of money too? Look at what has happened in America alone! Remember what happened to Wall Street? How executives come out with millions of dollars and retired people who had money saved lost most, if not all, their savings? Does the word, ‘recession’ mean anything?
So, let’s read this scripture how it means to this point; “Because men will be lovers of their own selves, and be in love with money.” I know that is not KJV, but that is what it means. This particular part reminds me of a young man coming to Jesus and asking Him a very important question. The accounting is shown in Matthew 19:16 – 24; Mark 10:17 – 23: Luke 18:18 – 25. He asked Jesus, “What good thing can I do, that I may have eternal life?” This man was rich! He had all he needed and could usually buy anything he wanted. Guess what?!?! He could not buy eternal life! Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments from his youth. He said, “Now that I’ve done this, what do I lack?” Jesus said, (Layman terms) “Okay, well if you want to be perfect sell all you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” Now, let’s look at the contrast here. Jesus told the disciples, “Follow Me,” and they dropped their lively hoods and followed Jesus. Today, there is not anyone, in America, who would truly give up everything to follow Jesus. This rich young ruler would not give up his money, because it was more than he thought he had to do. He actually thought he could buy his way to heaven. His riches were so important to him, that if he lost them he would have been like many people who lost the money in Wall Street in the great depression. He would have killed himself. He was used to a lavish lifestyle that he didn’t want to give up for anyone.
Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “It is easier for the camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” (vs.24). Most people today are not this rich, but there are a whole bunch of us that are not willing to give up anything for Christ. The pot of sin, as I call it, has started with money. I guess that is why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It’s says the love of money is the root of all evil. Everything in this old world revolves around money! Nothing is free! Salvation was not free either. Jesus paid for it with HIS life.
This description of perilous times that Paul is talking about has been happening for a while. We are lovers of our own selves; we do love money. The reason we love money is because it empowers us to do what we want. It’s all about self. Some even do what they can to make more and more and more of it. A rich person is never satisfied, if they have not allowed God to lead them with their money. They are always looking for ways to make their money grow. It becomes a god or idol in their lives. That’s why Jesus said, in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon actually means money.
The perilous times show that man has lost focus upon the Lord. Our priorities are in the wrong place and, in our minds God is only there when we think we need Him. Truth is HE is always there. We just choose to ignore Him, and since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there are usually only perilous times in our lives. To have peace in our lives and nation, we must first allow Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in our lives. Many saved people have lost that focus and need to return to Him. Lost people will never have peace in their lives without Him.
A Pot of Deadly Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
As I watched some of the news today it became even more apparent that we, as a nation, are falling fast into the pot. The pot I’m referring to is found in 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha came into Gigal where there was a famine in the land. He told them to boil up a pot of herbs, wild vine, and wild gourds. As these sons of prophets were eating it they cried out, “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.” Many might say, ‘well that pot brought forth death.’ So are the sins, which are mentioned in this passage of 2 Timothy. James said, “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Paul very carefully shows us that the perilous times are a stew of many things, which equal to a huge pot of SIN. The word ‘for’ can be translated as ‘because’ in verse two. There should have possibly been a semicolon or comma after the word ‘come’ in verse 1. The pot that these people were eating out of in 2 Kings was causing a serious perilous time. However, Elisha had the answer, just as Christ has the answer for this pot we are building up in America and the whole world.
We’ve covered the men who shall be lovers of their own selves. Verse 2 says, “For (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then the list continues. There is an old song about keeping up with Jones’. In the lyrics it reads, “we have a four car garage, and we’re still adding on”. Now, I know most of who will read this knows the song. But, this particular sentence describes most Americans today. We want to keep up with the Jones’. I know one set of Jones’ who will probably read this and think, ‘well it won’t take much to keep up with us.’ The point is if the Smiths build a 250,000 dollar home, we want it. However, we want to out do them, and build a 260,000 dollar home, and add a pool. The definition of coveting is, wanting something so bad that you will make every effort to get it. The actual word in the Greek for the word ‘covetous’ is philarguros, means fond of money. Uh oh, you mean that this particular verse means that men will become fond of money too? Look at what has happened in America alone! Remember what happened to Wall Street? How executives come out with millions of dollars and retired people who had money saved lost most, if not all, their savings? Does the word, ‘recession’ mean anything?
So, let’s read this scripture how it means to this point; “Because men will be lovers of their own selves, and be in love with money.” I know that is not KJV, but that is what it means. This particular part reminds me of a young man coming to Jesus and asking Him a very important question. The accounting is shown in Matthew 19:16 – 24; Mark 10:17 – 23: Luke 18:18 – 25. He asked Jesus, “What good thing can I do, that I may have eternal life?” This man was rich! He had all he needed and could usually buy anything he wanted. Guess what?!?! He could not buy eternal life! Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments from his youth. He said, “Now that I’ve done this, what do I lack?” Jesus said, (Layman terms) “Okay, well if you want to be perfect sell all you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” Now, let’s look at the contrast here. Jesus told the disciples, “Follow Me,” and they dropped their lively hoods and followed Jesus. Today, there is not anyone, in America, who would truly give up everything to follow Jesus. This rich young ruler would not give up his money, because it was more than he thought he had to do. He actually thought he could buy his way to heaven. His riches were so important to him, that if he lost them he would have been like many people who lost the money in Wall Street in the great depression. He would have killed himself. He was used to a lavish lifestyle that he didn’t want to give up for anyone.
Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “It is easier for the camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” (vs.24). Most people today are not this rich, but there are a whole bunch of us that are not willing to give up anything for Christ. The pot of sin, as I call it, has started with money. I guess that is why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It’s says the love of money is the root of all evil. Everything in this old world revolves around money! Nothing is free! Salvation was not free either. Jesus paid for it with HIS life.
This description of perilous times that Paul is talking about has been happening for a while. We are lovers of our own selves; we do love money. The reason we love money is because it empowers us to do what we want. It’s all about self. Some even do what they can to make more and more and more of it. A rich person is never satisfied, if they have not allowed God to lead them with their money. They are always looking for ways to make their money grow. It becomes a god or idol in their lives. That’s why Jesus said, in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon actually means money.
The perilous times show that man has lost focus upon the Lord. Our priorities are in the wrong place and, in our minds God is only there when we think we need Him. Truth is HE is always there. We just choose to ignore Him, and since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there are usually only perilous times in our lives. To have peace in our lives and nation, we must first allow Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in our lives. Many saved people have lost that focus and need to return to Him. Lost people will never have peace in their lives without Him.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Thought of the Day - Life in the Fast Lane (2)
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles (2)
Life in the Fast Lane
I Timothy 3:1 – 7
Paul has addressed the perilous (dangerous) times that we will endure in the last days. We know that as dangerous as our country has become in work, play, and just everyday living that we have become safety conscious. We know that many dangers can be avoided if we change our ways. As we read this particular passage, we could probably agree that many of the things Paul outlines from verse 2 through 7 are contributing issues to dangerous times in our lives. Verse 2 of this passage starts off, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and of course the list goes on.
There are a lot of things to cover in this passage, but I want us to look at the first statement. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” I would like to say that there is no time in history that is more tied to this scripture than it is now. However, you can find it throughout God’s Word where many men have been about self. The phrase, “lovers of their own selves,” means that people will be about doing things that they want to do and not necessarily concerned about others or what others might think, much less God. Becky occasionally has told me, when in a conversation about something, “Not every thing is about you.” Sometimes we need to realize it is not about us. Most people are really selfish. We have to have the best of everything and can’t be satisfied with what we have. I know I have to fight myself when I see something that I really want. If I don’t, I usually get it anyway. Selfishness goes deeper than that though. We see people in need, and ignore them. If we give them something we think we should be honored by other men, or at least seen by others. We have this attitude of, “Did you see what I did?” If someone donates something to the church or to people, or to an organization, even our churches make plaques. And if they don’t, we want to know why.
I am reminded of the prayers of two men. Jesus told some people, which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, a parable about these two men in Luke 18:9 – 13. He said, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Then Jesus laid it on the line when He said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This is what Paul is talking about in this passage. There are two types of people. One chooses to look down his nose at people and uplift himself. The other has humility, and is willing to depend on God for salvation and later, other things. I would almost bet that the Publican, when forgiven, even helped others. We can see the humility in this man’s prayer. He acknowledged that he was worthless. This Pharisee fits the category in a lot of the ways Paul was telling Timothy about. You don’t see humility in his prayer; do you? Ask yourself this question; what category do you fit in?
Many people have been saved, but their thoughts and their ways are as the Pharisee. They think their religion has brought their relationship closer to God, but their attitude and self love has separated them from the relationship that they need from God. For the ones who have the attitude of the Publican, they see themselves as using a phrase that I hear Dave Ramsey say. He says, “I am blessed; more than I deserve.” We all are blessed. However, to see the true blessings of God, we must not love ourselves more than we love HIM. What does that mean? It means we must first be willing to do as the disciples did when Jesus told them to “Follow ME.” They gave up what they loved about themselves to really follow HIM. All people, this great nation, and the whole world need to see that it really isn’t about us; and it shouldn’t be. It’s all about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
So, what part of the statement fits you? Do you love self more than God? A simple test will answer that for you. Are you really serving God, or are you doing just what you want too? You say, “I go to church.” That’s not the question; there are many people who go to church, but their relationship with the Lord is not strong, because they don’t allow HIM to be first in their lives. Another might say, ‘Well I don’t like to go to church, or I don’t like that preacher or some of those people, etc., and that is why I’m not going to church. Is that being all about self, or is it putting God first? Another question, Will that excuse be suitable to Jesus? If many would tell the truth, there are more of us who put self before the Lord many times. There are perilous times in the wicked old world, and there are perilous times in many peoples hearts. Loving our own self is a contributor to the perilous times that Paul talks about, and in our hearts. Because, when we put self before God, then there really is no real peace. In the movie, “Air Force One,” Harrison Ford is playing the part of the President. When addressing at crowd, at a dinner, he said, “It’s not the absence of war that brings peace. Real peace comes with the presence of Justice.” Jesus is the only one that can bring real peace to our lives and to this world. Let him calm the wars in your life; get out of HIS way by denying self.
Life in the Fast Lane
I Timothy 3:1 – 7
Paul has addressed the perilous (dangerous) times that we will endure in the last days. We know that as dangerous as our country has become in work, play, and just everyday living that we have become safety conscious. We know that many dangers can be avoided if we change our ways. As we read this particular passage, we could probably agree that many of the things Paul outlines from verse 2 through 7 are contributing issues to dangerous times in our lives. Verse 2 of this passage starts off, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and of course the list goes on.
There are a lot of things to cover in this passage, but I want us to look at the first statement. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” I would like to say that there is no time in history that is more tied to this scripture than it is now. However, you can find it throughout God’s Word where many men have been about self. The phrase, “lovers of their own selves,” means that people will be about doing things that they want to do and not necessarily concerned about others or what others might think, much less God. Becky occasionally has told me, when in a conversation about something, “Not every thing is about you.” Sometimes we need to realize it is not about us. Most people are really selfish. We have to have the best of everything and can’t be satisfied with what we have. I know I have to fight myself when I see something that I really want. If I don’t, I usually get it anyway. Selfishness goes deeper than that though. We see people in need, and ignore them. If we give them something we think we should be honored by other men, or at least seen by others. We have this attitude of, “Did you see what I did?” If someone donates something to the church or to people, or to an organization, even our churches make plaques. And if they don’t, we want to know why.
I am reminded of the prayers of two men. Jesus told some people, which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, a parable about these two men in Luke 18:9 – 13. He said, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Then Jesus laid it on the line when He said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This is what Paul is talking about in this passage. There are two types of people. One chooses to look down his nose at people and uplift himself. The other has humility, and is willing to depend on God for salvation and later, other things. I would almost bet that the Publican, when forgiven, even helped others. We can see the humility in this man’s prayer. He acknowledged that he was worthless. This Pharisee fits the category in a lot of the ways Paul was telling Timothy about. You don’t see humility in his prayer; do you? Ask yourself this question; what category do you fit in?
Many people have been saved, but their thoughts and their ways are as the Pharisee. They think their religion has brought their relationship closer to God, but their attitude and self love has separated them from the relationship that they need from God. For the ones who have the attitude of the Publican, they see themselves as using a phrase that I hear Dave Ramsey say. He says, “I am blessed; more than I deserve.” We all are blessed. However, to see the true blessings of God, we must not love ourselves more than we love HIM. What does that mean? It means we must first be willing to do as the disciples did when Jesus told them to “Follow ME.” They gave up what they loved about themselves to really follow HIM. All people, this great nation, and the whole world need to see that it really isn’t about us; and it shouldn’t be. It’s all about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
So, what part of the statement fits you? Do you love self more than God? A simple test will answer that for you. Are you really serving God, or are you doing just what you want too? You say, “I go to church.” That’s not the question; there are many people who go to church, but their relationship with the Lord is not strong, because they don’t allow HIM to be first in their lives. Another might say, ‘Well I don’t like to go to church, or I don’t like that preacher or some of those people, etc., and that is why I’m not going to church. Is that being all about self, or is it putting God first? Another question, Will that excuse be suitable to Jesus? If many would tell the truth, there are more of us who put self before the Lord many times. There are perilous times in the wicked old world, and there are perilous times in many peoples hearts. Loving our own self is a contributor to the perilous times that Paul talks about, and in our hearts. Because, when we put self before God, then there really is no real peace. In the movie, “Air Force One,” Harrison Ford is playing the part of the President. When addressing at crowd, at a dinner, he said, “It’s not the absence of war that brings peace. Real peace comes with the presence of Justice.” Jesus is the only one that can bring real peace to our lives and to this world. Let him calm the wars in your life; get out of HIS way by denying self.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Thought of the Day - Life in the Fast Lane
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles? (1)
Life in the Fast Lane
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
I’m not one that listens to the radio in my truck a whole lot. Unless there is a good football game on, news I want to hear, etc. I love to hear preaching and Christian music too. However, my wife would vouch that most of the time I don’t even listen to the radio in the truck. However, today I was listening to our local radio, and as soon as the program was over there was a country song that came on that I listened to the lyrics on. I really don’t know what the name of it is, since I very seldom listen to that type of music, and I couldn’t tell you who the artist is that sings it. But, if I had to guess at the title of the song, it would be, “That’s life.”
In that song there is a story of a wife calling her husband’s best friend for help. She told him that he had gone off the deep end and she needed help. He finds his friend, who was at a bar, and he begins talking about how he was struggling, not getting enough hours at the job to pay the bills, how he had a wife with three kids that were depending on him and also may have another one on the way. He was feeling really sorry for himself and his friend told him, “That’s life.” The song was so true for a world that is going in the wrong direction today.
This once great nation is in despair! Everyone wants to point fingers at someone else. Our politicians don’t want to acknowledge that they were the main culprit in our nation being in a huge bind. They are too proud to say, “You know, we just flat messed up.” On top of this, there is nobody who is safe any longer in this county, must less the world. Paul told Timothy this would happen in the last days. 1st Timothy 3:1 – 7 outlines, to me, a whole lot of what is going on in our nation today. Of course the whole world is experiencing these problems. Paul said, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are in a very dangerous world! People kill people for almost anything today. Our nation is in trouble because we have our own agenda and, most of the time, it doesn’t fit the way God leads us or wants us to go. Solomon put it simple in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” David added a verse in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man”. So if they were combined in the verse you could say, There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. However, this world chooses, more often than not, to put more confidence in man and less trust in the Lord. This combination in itself is the beginning of perilous times and troubles. The Lord simply calls it SIN.
Paul gets into the many things that are key factors of these perilous times. I hope to look at these points a little closer as I study them out. We, as Christians, and as a nation need to get back to the basics of life. These basics start off in one simple direction. That is why the Lord told us what He did in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The whole world needs to focus on God’s will. He is the answer to solving troubles and problems. If we follow these simple directions, we will go a long way in solving troubles and problems.
Life in the Fast Lane
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
I’m not one that listens to the radio in my truck a whole lot. Unless there is a good football game on, news I want to hear, etc. I love to hear preaching and Christian music too. However, my wife would vouch that most of the time I don’t even listen to the radio in the truck. However, today I was listening to our local radio, and as soon as the program was over there was a country song that came on that I listened to the lyrics on. I really don’t know what the name of it is, since I very seldom listen to that type of music, and I couldn’t tell you who the artist is that sings it. But, if I had to guess at the title of the song, it would be, “That’s life.”
In that song there is a story of a wife calling her husband’s best friend for help. She told him that he had gone off the deep end and she needed help. He finds his friend, who was at a bar, and he begins talking about how he was struggling, not getting enough hours at the job to pay the bills, how he had a wife with three kids that were depending on him and also may have another one on the way. He was feeling really sorry for himself and his friend told him, “That’s life.” The song was so true for a world that is going in the wrong direction today.
This once great nation is in despair! Everyone wants to point fingers at someone else. Our politicians don’t want to acknowledge that they were the main culprit in our nation being in a huge bind. They are too proud to say, “You know, we just flat messed up.” On top of this, there is nobody who is safe any longer in this county, must less the world. Paul told Timothy this would happen in the last days. 1st Timothy 3:1 – 7 outlines, to me, a whole lot of what is going on in our nation today. Of course the whole world is experiencing these problems. Paul said, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are in a very dangerous world! People kill people for almost anything today. Our nation is in trouble because we have our own agenda and, most of the time, it doesn’t fit the way God leads us or wants us to go. Solomon put it simple in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” David added a verse in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man”. So if they were combined in the verse you could say, There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. However, this world chooses, more often than not, to put more confidence in man and less trust in the Lord. This combination in itself is the beginning of perilous times and troubles. The Lord simply calls it SIN.
Paul gets into the many things that are key factors of these perilous times. I hope to look at these points a little closer as I study them out. We, as Christians, and as a nation need to get back to the basics of life. These basics start off in one simple direction. That is why the Lord told us what He did in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The whole world needs to focus on God’s will. He is the answer to solving troubles and problems. If we follow these simple directions, we will go a long way in solving troubles and problems.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thought of the Day - Preaching the Gospel God's Way
Preaching the Gospel God’s Way
Not Bowing to Man’s Way
Galatians 1: 9 – 11
I’ve gotten accustom to listening to a radio station that promotes God’s Word to be taught and preached. Some of these men have great messages and others are more like lecturers. They give long speeches and put you to sleep at the same time. The apostle Paul was not a man who lectured people. He told it plan and simple, and if you didn’t like it, then tough.
In Galatians 1, we find that Paul said it as plan as it gets in verse 11, when he wrote, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” What a great statement! Today we are in a world in which men who are called to preach have to meet three criteria’s. First they must meet men’s approval. We know that this is not the way it should be, because God calls the man and when that man is man enough to answer that calling, God is the one that qualifies him. No person has the right to tell a man if he is qualified to preach or pastor; only God does. Second, the pastor or preacher must have at least a master’s degree, but a doctor’s degree qualifies him more. Resumes for pastoring are ridiculous. A man who is called by God to preach is not looking for a job, but for a church to lead as he follows Christ. Most churches can’t even pay a pastor a salary that allows him to concentrate on the church by itself. He usually has to get a secular job, and be available all the time. Third, and this is the most ridiculous and heart breaking thing of them all; he can’t follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and preach. It must only be a 15 – 20 minute message and you better not go after 12:00 p.m. The pastor better preach a message to make me feel good, because that is what we need.
Okay, so I may have gone overboard a little, but that is what many of the churches seem to be doing now. Let’s give lectures on books that pastors, preacher or some so called Christian author wrote and not use the Bible. I often wondered what the apostles would do in this horrible world today. They would not fit into the mold of the churches in this world whatsoever. Can you even imagine what Paul would have said if the church at Corinth told him, “You preach too harsh, we want to feel good about ourselves! I am reminded of the time he was preaching and a man came to listen. He sat in the window and fell out of it and died. The amazing thing was Paul continued to preach. After he finished, he then attended to the man. What a heartless man, huh? Where was his heart? He was totally sold out to Jesus! Just like we need to be
The preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, I Corinthians 1:18. It is foolish to those who choose not to listen to it. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be saved that do not want to listen to the Word preached. It’s a waste of their time. There is a preacher I know, who was pastoring a church, and the deacons wanted him to prepare two sermons for Sunday morning. They wanted to look at them and if one of them was too harsh, they wanted him to preach the other. They wanted to dictate what he preached instead of God leading him in what to preach. The reason they had given this pastor was that visitors were being offended and that they wanted the church to grow. We need to remember, before a church can grow in number, it must first grow spiritually. Some of the spiritually strongest churches are small in number. The man did the right thing and resigned the church when he was told to do that, and he should have! God calls men to preach not men. Paul said, “I’m not preaching what you necessarily want to hear, but what God leads me to.” He went on to say in verse 10, “If I try to please men, in preaching, then I shouldn’t call myself a servant of Jesus Christ.” Of course, that’s in layman’s terms. If a man tells people he is called to preach you can measure that by what he preaches and how he preaches it. Many of the pulpits have been filled with men, and now women, who God did not call to preach, and their motives are totally wrong. John tells us, in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
America is in turmoil because many people have made the wrong decisions when voting for our elected government officials. These people have their own agendas to fulfill. Our churches are in a bigger turmoil because we have our own agendas we want fulfilled in a church. Some leaders of churches are the cause of the problem. If we want America to get back on the right track, pastors need to preach the gospel God called them too. Churches need to adhere to God’s Word and quit changing it to fit their lives instead of changing their lives to fit God’s Word. God’s way is the only way! That’s why Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU;’ Notice it didn’t say whatsoever man commanded you? We have to hold on to what we are taught from God’s Word. Pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelists and other Christians need to follow God’s direction and do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a world out there that needs to know the truth of God’s Word and not some watered down version of it. It’s time for Christian people to get back to the basics of teaching and preaching the Word of God like God intended for it to be. Thank God for pastors and preachers who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preach it boldly. Thank YOU Lord, for YOUR WORD that we may study it and grow thereby.
Not Bowing to Man’s Way
Galatians 1: 9 – 11
I’ve gotten accustom to listening to a radio station that promotes God’s Word to be taught and preached. Some of these men have great messages and others are more like lecturers. They give long speeches and put you to sleep at the same time. The apostle Paul was not a man who lectured people. He told it plan and simple, and if you didn’t like it, then tough.
In Galatians 1, we find that Paul said it as plan as it gets in verse 11, when he wrote, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” What a great statement! Today we are in a world in which men who are called to preach have to meet three criteria’s. First they must meet men’s approval. We know that this is not the way it should be, because God calls the man and when that man is man enough to answer that calling, God is the one that qualifies him. No person has the right to tell a man if he is qualified to preach or pastor; only God does. Second, the pastor or preacher must have at least a master’s degree, but a doctor’s degree qualifies him more. Resumes for pastoring are ridiculous. A man who is called by God to preach is not looking for a job, but for a church to lead as he follows Christ. Most churches can’t even pay a pastor a salary that allows him to concentrate on the church by itself. He usually has to get a secular job, and be available all the time. Third, and this is the most ridiculous and heart breaking thing of them all; he can’t follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and preach. It must only be a 15 – 20 minute message and you better not go after 12:00 p.m. The pastor better preach a message to make me feel good, because that is what we need.
Okay, so I may have gone overboard a little, but that is what many of the churches seem to be doing now. Let’s give lectures on books that pastors, preacher or some so called Christian author wrote and not use the Bible. I often wondered what the apostles would do in this horrible world today. They would not fit into the mold of the churches in this world whatsoever. Can you even imagine what Paul would have said if the church at Corinth told him, “You preach too harsh, we want to feel good about ourselves! I am reminded of the time he was preaching and a man came to listen. He sat in the window and fell out of it and died. The amazing thing was Paul continued to preach. After he finished, he then attended to the man. What a heartless man, huh? Where was his heart? He was totally sold out to Jesus! Just like we need to be
The preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, I Corinthians 1:18. It is foolish to those who choose not to listen to it. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be saved that do not want to listen to the Word preached. It’s a waste of their time. There is a preacher I know, who was pastoring a church, and the deacons wanted him to prepare two sermons for Sunday morning. They wanted to look at them and if one of them was too harsh, they wanted him to preach the other. They wanted to dictate what he preached instead of God leading him in what to preach. The reason they had given this pastor was that visitors were being offended and that they wanted the church to grow. We need to remember, before a church can grow in number, it must first grow spiritually. Some of the spiritually strongest churches are small in number. The man did the right thing and resigned the church when he was told to do that, and he should have! God calls men to preach not men. Paul said, “I’m not preaching what you necessarily want to hear, but what God leads me to.” He went on to say in verse 10, “If I try to please men, in preaching, then I shouldn’t call myself a servant of Jesus Christ.” Of course, that’s in layman’s terms. If a man tells people he is called to preach you can measure that by what he preaches and how he preaches it. Many of the pulpits have been filled with men, and now women, who God did not call to preach, and their motives are totally wrong. John tells us, in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
America is in turmoil because many people have made the wrong decisions when voting for our elected government officials. These people have their own agendas to fulfill. Our churches are in a bigger turmoil because we have our own agendas we want fulfilled in a church. Some leaders of churches are the cause of the problem. If we want America to get back on the right track, pastors need to preach the gospel God called them too. Churches need to adhere to God’s Word and quit changing it to fit their lives instead of changing their lives to fit God’s Word. God’s way is the only way! That’s why Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU;’ Notice it didn’t say whatsoever man commanded you? We have to hold on to what we are taught from God’s Word. Pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelists and other Christians need to follow God’s direction and do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a world out there that needs to know the truth of God’s Word and not some watered down version of it. It’s time for Christian people to get back to the basics of teaching and preaching the Word of God like God intended for it to be. Thank God for pastors and preachers who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preach it boldly. Thank YOU Lord, for YOUR WORD that we may study it and grow thereby.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thought for the Day "Tea Bags in Hot Water
Tea Bags In Hot Water
What Comes Out When the Bag Burst?
Mark 7:20 - 23
Like most East Texas natives, I love sweet tea. I can drink a gallon a day if it were there. I was boiling a couple of tea bags as I stepped away for a few moments. I returned in just about five minutes to find that the tea bags had busted and tea grounds were all over the boiler. Now, I had a mess! Sure the tea could be drunk as soon as I put it into a gallon pitcher, through a strainer, and add a cup and a half of sugar, but what a mess! I just hate when that happens.
As I looked at that boiler of tea grounds it occurred to me that man is no different than those tea bags. Think about it for a minute; if our lives were represented by the tea bags and the world was the pot of water we could probably make the analogy. Tea bags do not bust in cold water. However, put it into a pot of boiling water and watch those bags bust wide open in about five minutes.
In Mark 7:20 -23, we find that Jesus said, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Jesus was careful to show that this is what is inside of men. Until God convicts a man of his sin, they don’t’ see anything wrong with their lifestyle. Man justifies it before themselves and only before themselves, because we cannot justify it to God. God hates sin! (Proverbs 6:16-19). Isaiah said, in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” We have to understand that these rags he was comparing sin too were what came off of lepers’ sores. They were full of corruptions and they smelled terrible. This boiler full of tea grounds looked awful, but not as awful as sin does to God. Man is not righteous before God without Jesus!
So, where did the awful sin come from in man? It is simple. We were conceived in sin. David said, in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Because of our sin our heart is unclean. All these sins that are mentioned in Mark 7:20 – 23 are in every man’s heart. When we think bad thoughts of someone we might need to think about what we are doing. In Proverbs 23:7 Solomon wrote, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”
Many people, even people who claim salvation, have a big issue. This sin, though well hidden from some people, is never hid from the Lord. When we get put in hot water, or wrong situations, the bag busts and all the grounds are shown. Funny thing though, just as the tea bags, the grounds can be seen all the time. That must be what Moses was talking about in Number 32:23 when he said, “and be sure your sin will find you out.” They are not as invisible to the world as many think they are.
Even though our life is as dirty, God wants to clean them up. He will if we allow Him too. Just by repenting of our sins and allowing Him to be the Lord of our life. If we do allow Him to be Lord of our life then we don’t have to live for anyone or anything, but Him. We must try to put our personal beliefs and ideas to the side, if they don’t line up with God’s Word. Reason for that is simply said by Solomon also. “There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” That death is eternal separation from God. So remember that what comes out of the tea bag when it burst was there all the time; just like your life.
What Comes Out When the Bag Burst?
Mark 7:20 - 23
Like most East Texas natives, I love sweet tea. I can drink a gallon a day if it were there. I was boiling a couple of tea bags as I stepped away for a few moments. I returned in just about five minutes to find that the tea bags had busted and tea grounds were all over the boiler. Now, I had a mess! Sure the tea could be drunk as soon as I put it into a gallon pitcher, through a strainer, and add a cup and a half of sugar, but what a mess! I just hate when that happens.
As I looked at that boiler of tea grounds it occurred to me that man is no different than those tea bags. Think about it for a minute; if our lives were represented by the tea bags and the world was the pot of water we could probably make the analogy. Tea bags do not bust in cold water. However, put it into a pot of boiling water and watch those bags bust wide open in about five minutes.
In Mark 7:20 -23, we find that Jesus said, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Jesus was careful to show that this is what is inside of men. Until God convicts a man of his sin, they don’t’ see anything wrong with their lifestyle. Man justifies it before themselves and only before themselves, because we cannot justify it to God. God hates sin! (Proverbs 6:16-19). Isaiah said, in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” We have to understand that these rags he was comparing sin too were what came off of lepers’ sores. They were full of corruptions and they smelled terrible. This boiler full of tea grounds looked awful, but not as awful as sin does to God. Man is not righteous before God without Jesus!
So, where did the awful sin come from in man? It is simple. We were conceived in sin. David said, in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Because of our sin our heart is unclean. All these sins that are mentioned in Mark 7:20 – 23 are in every man’s heart. When we think bad thoughts of someone we might need to think about what we are doing. In Proverbs 23:7 Solomon wrote, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”
Many people, even people who claim salvation, have a big issue. This sin, though well hidden from some people, is never hid from the Lord. When we get put in hot water, or wrong situations, the bag busts and all the grounds are shown. Funny thing though, just as the tea bags, the grounds can be seen all the time. That must be what Moses was talking about in Number 32:23 when he said, “and be sure your sin will find you out.” They are not as invisible to the world as many think they are.
Even though our life is as dirty, God wants to clean them up. He will if we allow Him too. Just by repenting of our sins and allowing Him to be the Lord of our life. If we do allow Him to be Lord of our life then we don’t have to live for anyone or anything, but Him. We must try to put our personal beliefs and ideas to the side, if they don’t line up with God’s Word. Reason for that is simply said by Solomon also. “There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” That death is eternal separation from God. So remember that what comes out of the tea bag when it burst was there all the time; just like your life.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thought of the Day - A True Friend
A True Friend
The Definition of a Real Friend
Proverbs 18:28
Over the last couple of months I have been able to find friends of what I call, ‘yesteryear.’ Many of these friends are people I went to school with, played with, worked with and the list goes on. I was thinking about the impacts that each one of these friends made upon my life. Some made greater impacts upon my life than others, but granted every one of them made an impact.
Many times we have all had friends that were like family. We fought with them, played with them, argued with them, laughed and cried with them, and we shared special moments with them. Some moved off to far away destinations and we may not have had contact with them. Some live next door, and many moved to another town, but we keep up with them. Now, with the computer and internet we can keep up with a lot of people and even find people. Even with all this technology many friends just seem to disappear. That brings me to my thought for today.
Solomon wrote, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24). There are two statements in here and both are true. For a man to have friends he has to be friendly. Every group of kids, that grows up together, end up in some different kinds of categories, or clicks, so to speak. You have the one group who seem to do everything right to be in the ‘popular’ sect. Then you may have the middle of the class group and then the group nobody seems to hang around. It didn’t matter what group you were in, you had your friends in that group. It didn’t make any difference at what group you were in, you had to show yourself friendly to that particular group. Then, you weren’t guaranteed to be liked either.
Our nation is in this same turmoil today. It doesn’t stop in school. You still fit in an upper, middle, or lower class and many of these look down at the others. Many still ignore people that they feel are beneath them; it doesn’t matter how friendly those others are. However, the friendships that are true never really end.
The second statement in the verse is talking about nobody else, but Jesus. He is the greatest friend any human can ever have. In Hebrews 13:5 we find that He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Many people who call themselves friends to others drop them like a hot potato when something bad arises. Jesus will be there for you. Your friends on this earth cannot love you like Jesus does. If they do say they can, ask them would they be willing to die for you. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, (John 15:13). Jesus died that you may have life. He hung on the cross for everybody, which includes you. He clarified this verse in verse 15 when He said, “I have called you friends.” This friend has provided you a place to stay when you leave this earth. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, (John 14:2).
This friend provided you with life everlasting. It’s up to each individual to accept that by repenting of their sin and asking Him to be their Lord and Savior. He will always be there, because He said He would. In Matthew 28:20 he said, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen.
With all these worldly friends God has blessed us with there is none that is a better friend than Jesus. Thank God that He is a true friend indeed.
The Definition of a Real Friend
Proverbs 18:28
Over the last couple of months I have been able to find friends of what I call, ‘yesteryear.’ Many of these friends are people I went to school with, played with, worked with and the list goes on. I was thinking about the impacts that each one of these friends made upon my life. Some made greater impacts upon my life than others, but granted every one of them made an impact.
Many times we have all had friends that were like family. We fought with them, played with them, argued with them, laughed and cried with them, and we shared special moments with them. Some moved off to far away destinations and we may not have had contact with them. Some live next door, and many moved to another town, but we keep up with them. Now, with the computer and internet we can keep up with a lot of people and even find people. Even with all this technology many friends just seem to disappear. That brings me to my thought for today.
Solomon wrote, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24). There are two statements in here and both are true. For a man to have friends he has to be friendly. Every group of kids, that grows up together, end up in some different kinds of categories, or clicks, so to speak. You have the one group who seem to do everything right to be in the ‘popular’ sect. Then you may have the middle of the class group and then the group nobody seems to hang around. It didn’t matter what group you were in, you had your friends in that group. It didn’t make any difference at what group you were in, you had to show yourself friendly to that particular group. Then, you weren’t guaranteed to be liked either.
Our nation is in this same turmoil today. It doesn’t stop in school. You still fit in an upper, middle, or lower class and many of these look down at the others. Many still ignore people that they feel are beneath them; it doesn’t matter how friendly those others are. However, the friendships that are true never really end.
The second statement in the verse is talking about nobody else, but Jesus. He is the greatest friend any human can ever have. In Hebrews 13:5 we find that He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Many people who call themselves friends to others drop them like a hot potato when something bad arises. Jesus will be there for you. Your friends on this earth cannot love you like Jesus does. If they do say they can, ask them would they be willing to die for you. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, (John 15:13). Jesus died that you may have life. He hung on the cross for everybody, which includes you. He clarified this verse in verse 15 when He said, “I have called you friends.” This friend has provided you a place to stay when you leave this earth. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, (John 14:2).
This friend provided you with life everlasting. It’s up to each individual to accept that by repenting of their sin and asking Him to be their Lord and Savior. He will always be there, because He said He would. In Matthew 28:20 he said, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen.
With all these worldly friends God has blessed us with there is none that is a better friend than Jesus. Thank God that He is a true friend indeed.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Honoring God with Obedience
Had a great day on Sunday. Preached from 1 Samuel 15:22. Thought I'd post the notes. Anyone can use them, or study them out more.
Honoring God with Obedience
1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; 15:14
INTRODUCTION
A. There are many Christian people who make the decision to not follow God’s instructions.
1. Even though they say they are seeking God’s direction they really aren’t.
· Some have their own agendas to fill
· Some have their own ideas or beliefs on something or how to do something
· Some even choose to go with traditional ways because that is what some preacher or teacher said way back when.
· There are even some that have their minds made up to do it their way, because they believe their way is the right way.
2. Many have even chosen to eliminate God in their daily lives.
· They don’t study the Word of God or pray daily.
· They don’t support churches that they belong too, with attendance, finances, or even prayer.
· They easily upset over petty issues that are of no real importance.
· The lack of God’s direction is evident in their lives.
B. Saul and Samuel are two great examples of what to do and what not to do in obedience.
C. Three things we can learn from this lesson to help us with our Christian walk and teach us on why we should listen to God
D. From the beginning of time man has had this idea that his way was better than God’s way.
E. The Lord said, (Isa 55:8 KJV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
KNOW THAT MAKING EXCUSES FOR NOT FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS IN UNACCEPTABLE VS. 21 & 24
A. Saul had an excuse for it all
· Wait, I obeyed God; I did exactly what He told me too. The sheep on oxen, well, we took the best of them, because we wanted to sacrifice them to the Lord.
· Excuse no. 2 – I know I sinned, but the people scared me and told me to do it.
· Even though he admitted he sinned, he then blamed it on others by using the word ‘because.’
B. Today we all have an excuse for everything.
· I planned on coming to church, but I was just tired.
· I would have gone to church, but I had to work all week and it was my only day off.
· I know the Bible says that, but….
KNOW THAT OBEYING WHAT GOD TELLS US TO DO IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE CAN DO. VS. 22
A. We are in a world that believes doing good things will get us to heaven.
B. This world thinks that just because they say they serve God, go to church, or have been baptized, that this will get them to heave.
· Ephesians 2:8-9“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.”
· Saul had this same attitude; “I know that the Lord told me to destroy it all, but after all, I was thinking about rewarding God.”
· That’s what he was saying, but truth is he was only thinking about the value of what he had.
· HE WAS THINKING ABOUT SELF.
C. Even though He sees us worshipping Him and trying serve Him, we need to remember that listening to Him and being obedient honors him.
D. We can say what we want, but God knows our every thought.
E. He knows what’s in our hearts!
KNOW THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SINNING AGAINST THE LORD. VS 26
A. Saul lost everything he had.
· His kingship.
· His authority.
· His relationship with his friend Samuel.
· His relationship with the Lord.
B. He was removed from being the king by God.
C. He didn’t have anymore authority…..God removed it!
D. It broke Samuel’s heart to the point he cried all night long about it. However, after it was over Saul did not see Samuel anymore.
E. His relationship with the Lord, as he knew it was gone.
F. Today we make decisions to go into different directions than the Lord tells us.
· We pray and ask God to lead us or show us to what he wants us to do; when He does, we choose to ignore it, because He can’t be in that.
· Churches ask God to show them directions to go, but because many have different ideas, they decide to follow their ideas.
SAMUEL’S OBEDIENCE HONORED GOD.
A. A quick look into Samuel’s life.
· Dedicated to God by his mother.
· Raised in the temple.
· Heard God call his name three times and as instructed by Eli he answered, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”
· Became of Judge of Israel.
· Anointed Saul King of Israel.
· Obeyed God and with a broken heart told his friend Saul that he was no longer King.
· From a child he obeyed God even when it hurt him.
· He was blessed.
B. If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15.
C. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:14.
D. If any man serve me, let him follow me. John 12:26.
E. Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for the is the whole duty of man.
F. To bring honor to the Lord we must;
· Fear HIM. This means to respect Him.
· Obey HIM. This means to do what He asked or tells you to do.
· Follow HIM. To follow Him you must first be a servant, which shows respect to Him and honors Him with obedience.
· Are you obeying him and hearing what he is telling you to do with your life; your service to Him; and with path of life?
PLEA TO THE LOST
A. Your cannot be obedient to God if you do not know him
B. Romans 3:23; 6:23;
Honoring God with Obedience
1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; 15:14
INTRODUCTION
A. There are many Christian people who make the decision to not follow God’s instructions.
1. Even though they say they are seeking God’s direction they really aren’t.
· Some have their own agendas to fill
· Some have their own ideas or beliefs on something or how to do something
· Some even choose to go with traditional ways because that is what some preacher or teacher said way back when.
· There are even some that have their minds made up to do it their way, because they believe their way is the right way.
2. Many have even chosen to eliminate God in their daily lives.
· They don’t study the Word of God or pray daily.
· They don’t support churches that they belong too, with attendance, finances, or even prayer.
· They easily upset over petty issues that are of no real importance.
· The lack of God’s direction is evident in their lives.
B. Saul and Samuel are two great examples of what to do and what not to do in obedience.
C. Three things we can learn from this lesson to help us with our Christian walk and teach us on why we should listen to God
D. From the beginning of time man has had this idea that his way was better than God’s way.
E. The Lord said, (Isa 55:8 KJV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
KNOW THAT MAKING EXCUSES FOR NOT FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS IN UNACCEPTABLE VS. 21 & 24
A. Saul had an excuse for it all
· Wait, I obeyed God; I did exactly what He told me too. The sheep on oxen, well, we took the best of them, because we wanted to sacrifice them to the Lord.
· Excuse no. 2 – I know I sinned, but the people scared me and told me to do it.
· Even though he admitted he sinned, he then blamed it on others by using the word ‘because.’
B. Today we all have an excuse for everything.
· I planned on coming to church, but I was just tired.
· I would have gone to church, but I had to work all week and it was my only day off.
· I know the Bible says that, but….
KNOW THAT OBEYING WHAT GOD TELLS US TO DO IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE CAN DO. VS. 22
A. We are in a world that believes doing good things will get us to heaven.
B. This world thinks that just because they say they serve God, go to church, or have been baptized, that this will get them to heave.
· Ephesians 2:8-9“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.”
· Saul had this same attitude; “I know that the Lord told me to destroy it all, but after all, I was thinking about rewarding God.”
· That’s what he was saying, but truth is he was only thinking about the value of what he had.
· HE WAS THINKING ABOUT SELF.
C. Even though He sees us worshipping Him and trying serve Him, we need to remember that listening to Him and being obedient honors him.
D. We can say what we want, but God knows our every thought.
E. He knows what’s in our hearts!
KNOW THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SINNING AGAINST THE LORD. VS 26
A. Saul lost everything he had.
· His kingship.
· His authority.
· His relationship with his friend Samuel.
· His relationship with the Lord.
B. He was removed from being the king by God.
C. He didn’t have anymore authority…..God removed it!
D. It broke Samuel’s heart to the point he cried all night long about it. However, after it was over Saul did not see Samuel anymore.
E. His relationship with the Lord, as he knew it was gone.
F. Today we make decisions to go into different directions than the Lord tells us.
· We pray and ask God to lead us or show us to what he wants us to do; when He does, we choose to ignore it, because He can’t be in that.
· Churches ask God to show them directions to go, but because many have different ideas, they decide to follow their ideas.
SAMUEL’S OBEDIENCE HONORED GOD.
A. A quick look into Samuel’s life.
· Dedicated to God by his mother.
· Raised in the temple.
· Heard God call his name three times and as instructed by Eli he answered, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”
· Became of Judge of Israel.
· Anointed Saul King of Israel.
· Obeyed God and with a broken heart told his friend Saul that he was no longer King.
· From a child he obeyed God even when it hurt him.
· He was blessed.
B. If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15.
C. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:14.
D. If any man serve me, let him follow me. John 12:26.
E. Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for the is the whole duty of man.
F. To bring honor to the Lord we must;
· Fear HIM. This means to respect Him.
· Obey HIM. This means to do what He asked or tells you to do.
· Follow HIM. To follow Him you must first be a servant, which shows respect to Him and honors Him with obedience.
· Are you obeying him and hearing what he is telling you to do with your life; your service to Him; and with path of life?
PLEA TO THE LOST
A. Your cannot be obedient to God if you do not know him
B. Romans 3:23; 6:23;
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Following Jesus
Following Jesus
A Choice for Man and Churches
John 12:26
In preparation for Vacation Bible School there are bulletins that are issued that has the VBS theme on them. When I got my copy the scripture underneath the picture read, “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” This scripture is found in John 12:26. The Lord immediately had my attention. Bro. Dale preached the message, but I couldn’t get this verse off my heart and mind.
I shared this with several people, and on more than one occasion I was asked, “Are you ready to follow Him? I believe it is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir that sings a song entitled “Daystar,” which is one of my favorite songs. On the chorus the song sings, “Lead me Lord I’ll follow, anywhere you open up the door. Let me know your wisdom, show me things I’ve never seen before. Lord I want to be your witness; You can take what’s wrong and make it right. Daystar shine down on me; let your love shine down through me in the night.” Most hymn books has the song in it that we love to sing that sings, ‘follow…follow, I will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.’ The amazing thing is that it is easier said by the mouth than it is done.
Jesus told the disciples on the night He was praying in the garden, “the heart indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. This has been man’s calling card from the very beginning. We are like Peter. We are bold at times, and hiding at other times. We say we are willing to follow until God puts the challenge up to us. Then we find one of those excuses we have in the bag.
Jesus was willing to die for us on the cross, and we say we are willing to serve Him. To serve Him we must follow Him with boldness. That will go against all traditional beliefs we might have concerning the church, against all opinions we have, and against to doubts that Satan puts up against us. When we as churches follow Christ, we should do it boldly. That means that we make stands when others are not making stands that please God.
So, what’s the lesson we learn here? The lesson I’ve learned for myself is that maybe I’m not serving God the way I’m suppose too. How do I come to that conclusion? I’ll answer that question with the same question you may be answering it with. Am I really willing to follow HIM wherever he leads me, with a willing heart? This is a choice we have as people and churches. However, the true answer should be, yes Lord, here am I, send me. Then when He does send you; go! Thank you Lord for speaking to my heart.
A Choice for Man and Churches
John 12:26
In preparation for Vacation Bible School there are bulletins that are issued that has the VBS theme on them. When I got my copy the scripture underneath the picture read, “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” This scripture is found in John 12:26. The Lord immediately had my attention. Bro. Dale preached the message, but I couldn’t get this verse off my heart and mind.
I shared this with several people, and on more than one occasion I was asked, “Are you ready to follow Him? I believe it is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir that sings a song entitled “Daystar,” which is one of my favorite songs. On the chorus the song sings, “Lead me Lord I’ll follow, anywhere you open up the door. Let me know your wisdom, show me things I’ve never seen before. Lord I want to be your witness; You can take what’s wrong and make it right. Daystar shine down on me; let your love shine down through me in the night.” Most hymn books has the song in it that we love to sing that sings, ‘follow…follow, I will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.’ The amazing thing is that it is easier said by the mouth than it is done.
Jesus told the disciples on the night He was praying in the garden, “the heart indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. This has been man’s calling card from the very beginning. We are like Peter. We are bold at times, and hiding at other times. We say we are willing to follow until God puts the challenge up to us. Then we find one of those excuses we have in the bag.
Jesus was willing to die for us on the cross, and we say we are willing to serve Him. To serve Him we must follow Him with boldness. That will go against all traditional beliefs we might have concerning the church, against all opinions we have, and against to doubts that Satan puts up against us. When we as churches follow Christ, we should do it boldly. That means that we make stands when others are not making stands that please God.
So, what’s the lesson we learn here? The lesson I’ve learned for myself is that maybe I’m not serving God the way I’m suppose too. How do I come to that conclusion? I’ll answer that question with the same question you may be answering it with. Am I really willing to follow HIM wherever he leads me, with a willing heart? This is a choice we have as people and churches. However, the true answer should be, yes Lord, here am I, send me. Then when He does send you; go! Thank you Lord for speaking to my heart.
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