Tuesday, February 13, 2018
IRREPLACEABLE
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
SEEING FOR YOURSELF
The story is told of a clothing store manager returned from his lunch break and noticed his clerk's hand was bandaged. Before he could ask him about the bandage, the clerk ran over.
"Guess what, sir?" he asked excitedly “I finally sold that terrible, ugly suit that we've had so long!" "Do you mean that repulsive pink-and-blue double-breasted thing?!" the manager responded in surprise. "That's the one!" the clerk proudly beamed.
The manger said "I thought we'd never get rid of that monstrosity! That had to be the ugliest suit we've ever had! But tell me, why is your hand bandaged?" "Oh," the clerk replied, "after I sold the guy that suit,…. his seeing-eye dog bit me!"
The bible repeatedly warns us concerning the subject of spiritual blindness. Jesus often used the imagery of blindness to illustrate spiritual deception.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
In order to be saved and experience God’s guidance, Psalms 34:8 tells us we must “Taste and SEE that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”
On June 29th 1992 I saw for myself what others had told me about God and salvation. Now I can sing what John Newton wrote so well; “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was BLIND but now I SEE”
“A blind man's world" said E. Paul Hovey, "is bound by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man's world by the limits of his knowledge; a great man's world by the limits of his vision." Vision is more than physical. It’s a matter of insight and spiritual comprehension.
Limited vision leads to lackadaisical leadership. A spiritual leader who lacks vision is not only impaired by his own blindness, but is disqualified to guide the people of God.
This is the rebuke of the Lord Jesus Christ concerning the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day. Christ said of them, "They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14).
Spiritual leaders who take men into the trenches typically do so because of their own inability to see. Many religious leaders do not themselves see the truth, and thus they misguide millions into even greater darkness and despair.
God has called us to see. To see for ourselves. We must look around, look ahead, look behind, look below, and most importantly look above.
Job knew what it was like to see God in the midst of misery, and knew that for the believer, we will one day literally see Him for ourselves!
He said in Job 19:25-27 “ For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another”
Have you seen God work in your life?
Do you have spiritual insight?
If not, you can ask Him to open your eyes, and you will see for yourself!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
The Matter of Music
NOTE: I am NOT against all CCM or modern Christian music.
I do not think drums are Satanic.
This is a message on moderation.
I was once a defender of the opposite side of this issue and a member of a "Christian Rock" band--I was forced to theses conclusions after much study in scripture and hope this will help others who truly want to be obedient to the Bible and healthy in their holiness
Taken from sermon notes from the sermon
“THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC”
Colossians 3:16
Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
Colossians 3:16 is as important to a believer as John 3:16 is to an unbeliever!
Music REALLY is the “American Idol” I have heard many say “I can’t live without my music” You will live according to what you listen to …and we all march to the beat of the drummer we choose to follow.
“Give me the songs of a nation and it matters not who writes its laws.” - Plato
Music INFLUENCES & IMPACTS the way we THINK and feel-consciously & subconsciously
The root word of Music is “MUSE” –a spiritual term for thought.
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Music is a meditation of the heart. It’s time to face the music….literally!
The question is………what KEY is music in? >> Is it in tune with God? Is it in HARMONY with HOLINESS? Is it in BEAT with the BIBLE?
Is God truly God of what we listen to? Is He God of your I-Pod?
Without a doubt, music is very closely tied to the Spirit filled life! Eph 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Note the Very NEXT VERSE ...verse 19,“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Music will either HELP or HINDER you spiritually….there is no neutrality!
Music is MORAL! “I don’t listen to the really bad stuff” …means you admit there is bad stuff!
ALL non Christian music isn’t EVIL—patriotic songs, silly sing along songs etc. But some is.
Music is PHYSICAL! It increases or slows heart rates. Moves your feet….or hips. Makes us snap our fingers
Music is SPIRITUAL! Music has the power to make affect our attitude…. It make us moody or melancholy .
Spiritual music SOOTHES & EXCITES the SOUL.
Sensual music FEEDS the FLESH.
It doesn’t matter from what culture you come , or what your background may be. Marching music sounds the same in every country- for every Army!
- it’s NOT “just the words” - ask someone if they know what he words—and they say “I just listen to the music” .... then ask them about the music and they say “It’s all about the words”
1 Samuel 16:23 “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand (NO WORDS) so Saul was refreshed,(PHYSICAL) and was well, (MENTAL) and the evil spirit departed from him.(SPIRITUAL)”
I. IS DIVINELY DESIGNED
God gave us the gift of Music. The BIGGEST BOOK in the Bible…is a Song book!!!!
When Lucifer ....the music minister was cast out of heaven - he didn’t waste time using it for evil.
I went to a rock concert in Raleigh and the lead singer referred to it as “Worship” He said this was their“Church” . Deut 32:31 “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.”
Romans_12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
WWJD?
Would Jesus break dance?
Dance Gingham style?
Would He head bang?
Titus 2:12 (Grace teaches) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,and godly, in this present world;
"But I like it" Of course we do--the Devil is good at what he does. My flesh still LOVES that kind of music. I went through music withdrawals worse than when I quit smoking.
There’s something that gets inside you and it’s called a HOOK! -always trying to pull you in the same boat
II. IS DOCTRINALLY DEFINED
- the word of God is to “dwell in us richly” in order for it to produce “wisdom.” “ TO THE LORD”; Eph 5:19 & Col 3:16 It is not primarily for the world. .. as a witness tool ..it is for us and Jesus
3 parts required to make music: Each element applies to our being
MELODY- connected to SPIRIT HARMONY- - connected to SOUL RHYTHM-- to BODY
“making melody” is the only one emphasized by God Nothing wrong with Rhythm….in it’s place
>When you hear the car shaking a half mile away—that’s out of order! Most modern music is almost or entirely absent of melody
Church music should remind us of HEAVEN, ...not HONKEY TONKS!
Psalms - sacred songs sung to musical instruments –usually solo. More poetical
hymns - an anthem directly giving glory TO God. More chordal
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” “To God be the Glory” “How Great Thou Art”
“spiritual songs… These are in reference not so much to WHO God IS, as to WHAT He DOES.
“I’ll Fly Away” and even “Amazing Grace” are examples
It is all about the music itself. It is worldly and fleshly. That is NOT a matter of personal opinion , cultue or tastes...it is the definition by the term itself , by the artists themselves! It is a proud part of their purpose and program...the more carnal...the better. Whether it be head banging, hip shaking or foot stomping.
Scientist say that Pop music is basically cranial crack , to the point that they have actually been able to predict which songs would become big sellers by hooking kids up to an MRI scanner and playing previously unheard pop tunes for them. When a future hit came on, the pleasure
center of the brain lit up like a Christmas tree.
And not only does your brain go crazy when it hears catchy, poppy music, but also it actually derives pleasure from predicting the melodies as you listen, anticipating the emotion associated with certain types of music. This leads to a one-two punch where you get one thrill when your brain is expecting something to happen, and when it actually does another rush of dopamine comes in from an entirely different part of the brain. And this is where your brain enters Addict Mode. The easiest way for it to get its dopamine fix is tunes that are simple, predictable and repetitive -- so that's what it prefers, no matter your views on the artistic merits. That's right -- no matter how carefully hipster you are, or how hardcore a metalhead image you maintain, your brain is secretly into Bieber.
Now THAT is should scare us all alot! :-)
III. IS DISOBEDIENTALLY DECLINED
Hebrews 2:12 “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”
This is a command not a suggestion
James_4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
God wants us to use music as a tool - to strengthen ourselves and encourage ONE ANOTHER.
Don’t just hold a hymnbook!! I’m not saying we all have to sing solos….but we are all commanded to sing!
The only bird that doesn’t sing is a BUZZARD!!! (*Evangelist Billy Kelly use to say: “Christians who don’t sing, ought to be sent to Sing Sing till they learn TO sing!”)
Psa 150:1 "praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary"
Psalm 35:18 “I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.”
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” (Matthew 12:34).
Proverbs 29:6 unequivocally says, “The righteous doth sing and rejoice.”
To NOT sing in church...... is to refuse to worship in church!
“singing with grace in your hearts,” will help the “word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”
So lift your voice believers......and sing your heart out!!!
Psalm 40:1-2
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
DEATH'S STING
A little boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in the car window. Since the little boy was deathly allergic to bee stings, he became petrified. Suddenly, the father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hand, and then released it.
As soon as he let it go, the young son became frantic once again as it buzzed by the little boy. His father saw his panic-stricken face and again the father reached out, but this time he opened his hand. There still stuck in his skin was the stinger of the bee.
He said to his son. "You don't need to be afraid anymore. I've taken the sting for you."
The worker honey bees are armed with straight, barbed stingers, so that when a worker stings, the barbed, needle sharp organ remains firmly anchored in the flesh of its victim. In trying to withdraw the stinger, the bee tears its internal organs and dies shortly thereafter. And this is the message of Easter.
We do not need to be afraid of death anymore. Christ faced death for us. And by His victory, we are saved from sin. Christ has taken the sting! 1 Corinthians 15:55 asks: "“O Death, where is your sting? O Grave where is your victory?”
Christ has taken the stinger for us. He has risen!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
"BIGGER Than The Mountain"
In 1924 a group of explorers tried to climb Mount Everest and failed.
They attempted twice to tackle the mountain but with no success. The group lost two of its members in the second effort. After the failed endeavor they met with a group of supporters in London to raise funds for yet another expedition.
On stage one of the hikers stood up and gave a rousing speech of determination. He was persuaded that his team could indeed conquer the mountain if given enough time and support. He closed his remarks by stating, "Mount Everest cannot grow larger, but we can."
The obstacles we face and the mountains we climb can sometimes appear daunting and unmovable. The one advantage we have however is that we can grow, we can get stronger, and we can become wiser. It takes a spirit of resolve and faith to climb the mountains of life. Our failures can actually become our successes if we properly glean from our experiences.
Thomas Edison said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Many of us here in North Carolina remember the name Spud Webb.
Diminutive young mister Webb wanted to be a NBA star when he grew up, but he had a long way to go in more ways than one. Always the shortest kid in class, he said he prayed everyday in middle school “God make me bigger”—but nothing happened."
He said he continued to pray every day in High school “God make me bigger”—but nothing happened. Then one day he said in prayer, “God if you’re not gonna make me bigger on the outside…make me bigger on the inside” …and God did!
All 5 feet 7 inches of him went on to be a star player at NC State, and then in the NBA …where he shocked everyone by winning the slam dunk contest in 1986!
Friend, walk up the mountain one more time!
Everest doesn't get any bigger,…. but you can!
HE SPARED NOT
"He … spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all." (Romans 8:32)
The Bile tells us that almighty God sent us much more than a greeting card when He gave us His own dear Son to die for our sins.
Amazingly, even though we were unworthy and unwilling to receive the gift, God gave us His very best (Rom. 5:8). Truly God held nothing anything back when He “spared not His own Son.”
It is amazing when we think that even though God knew beforehand what this wicked world would do to His Son, He still “spared not.”
It would be as if you would take your own child and cast him into a pit of rattlesnakes. We wouldn’t think of doing such a thing. Yet, this is exactly what God the Father did when he sent His Son into the midst of a “generation of vipers.”
God spared not, knowing the lies, betrayal, humiliation, and the mockery His Son would endure.
God spared not, knowing the scourging, the spitting, and the smiting that would be inflicted upon His own dear Son.
God spared not, knowing the nails that would pierce the sinless hands and feet of His beloved Son upon a cruel cross.
Why? Why did God do it? Because He loved us and knew this would be the only way to provide a way of salvation for us.
If God spared not giving His best to make a way for us to be saved, how can we withhold anything from Him that would help make salvation available to others who are lost?
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Do you care enough to give God your very best? Then spare not
COMFORT ONE ANOTHER
One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to comfort the Christian.
John 14:26 refers to Him as "… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost..." Yet, even though this is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit often uses His people to do this work.
That is why scripture also says "… comfort yourselves together
When the Christian yields themselves to the Holy Spirit of God, then they will find that they will be used to comfort those around them.
How is it that the Holy Spirit uses us to comfort one another?
First, the Holy Spirit uses FAITH to comfort people.
In Luke 8:48, Jesus said to the woman who was healed of the issue of blood, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole;..." The faith of this woman comforted her. If her faith could comfort her, then your faith can comfort others. When people see someone whose faith is strong, it comforts them by giving them security. When we exercise faith it helps all involved and others who only witness.
Second, the Holy Spirit uses the SCRIPTURE to comfort people.
Romans 15:4 says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." It is important that we learn the Scriptures so we can use them to comfort people. Nothing is more assuring than knowing that the Bible backs us up.
Third, the Holy Spirit uses PREACHING to comfort people.
According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, one of the purposes of preaching is to comfort people. This is one of the many reasons why it is critical to be at church regularly because you will hear preaching that will not only comfort you in your time of need, but it will help you to know what to say to others in their time of need. Moreover, you should bring those who need comfort to church so they can hear the preaching that the Holy Spirit will use to comfort them.
Fourth, the Holy Spirit uses your LOVE to comfort people.
Philippians 2:1 refers to the “comfort of love”. Why should we love people? Because loving them brings comfort to them. There is nothing like receiving a phone call from someone who loves you and hearing them say that they are praying for you and that they love you.
Fifth, the Holy Spirit will use the BLESSED HOPE of Christ to comfort people.
2 Thessalonians 4:18 tells us to “comfort one another” by reminding them that Jesus is coming again. The hope that one day all sorrow will end because Jesus is coming is a comfort to those who are hurting. One of the greatest tools of comfort is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Sixth, the Holy Spirit uses FORGIVENESS to comfort people.
2 Corinthians 2:7-8 reminds us that when we forgive people, it comforts those whom we forgive. It teaches us that we should not be unforgiving but “ .. ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him”
Bitterness towards someone who's wronged you will not bring comfort to you or them. When someone knows you have forgiven them for what they did to you, that brings them comfort. How is your ministry of comfort? This list by no means says all there is to say on the subject, but hopefully helps us to be a better help to others.
Are you lacking in one of the tools the Holy Spirit uses to comfort others through you? Make each of these areas a priority in your life, and you will find that the Holy Spirit will comfort many people through you too!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
GIVING GOD YOUR BEST
GIVING GOD YOUR BEST
"He … spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." (Romans 8:32)
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a little brother and sister were playing “Noah and the Ark.” An old shoe box was the ark; the bathtub was their flood. After the flood was over they decided to make an offering to God.
Noah (the boy) said to Mrs. Noah (the girl), “Here, take one of your toy animals as a sacrifice.” “No,” she replied, “Let’s use one of your animals instead!” When they could not agree, she ran to the attic.
In a moment she was back with a little toy lamb. It was dirty, it’s head smashed, and it’s tail missing. “Here,” she cried, “let’s give this as a sacrifice. We’ll never want it again.”
Her brother agreed, and they made their sacrifice. The little broken lamb they did not want was given to God.
NOW THE SCENE SHIFTS. God was looking down at his earth. He saw the people in all of their wickedness and their weakness. They had no hope. All was dark. Something had to be sacrificed if they were to be saved from their sin. God had many angels he might have sent to help. He did not even consider them. Another was chosen instead: the best God had.
The well-known slogan of Hallmark Cards is, “When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best.”
The Bible tells us that almighty God sent us much more than a greeting card when He gave us His own dear Son to die for our sins.
Amazingly, even though we were unworthy and unwilling to receive the gift, God gave us His very best (Rom. 5:8) “But God commendeth His LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Truly God held nothing anything back when He “spared not his own Son.” http://hitherandyonder.blogspot.com/2013/02/giving-god-your-best.html It is amazing when we think that even though God knew beforehand what this wicked world would do to His Son, He still “spared not.” It would be as if you would take your own child and cast him into a pit of rattlesnakes. We wouldn’t think of doing such a thing. Yet, this is exactly what God the Father did when he sent His Son into the midst of a “generation of vipers.”
God spared not, knowing the lies, betrayal, humiliation, and the mockery His Son would endure.
God spared not, knowing the scourging, the spitting, and the smiting that would be inflicted upon His own dear Son.
God spared not, knowing the nails that would pierce the sinless hands and feet of His beloved Son upon a cruel cross.
Why? Why did God do it? Because He loved us and knew this would be the only way to provide a way of salvation for us.
If God spared not giving His best to make a way for us to be saved, how can we withhold anything from Him that would help make salvation available to others who are lost?
1 Corinthians 6:20 tells us “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Do YOU care enough to give God your very best?
Think on this, and keep the SON in your eyes!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Listening For the Lord
“The Earth’s Hum”
There is an old joke that asks, “Why do hummingbirds hum?” The humorous answer given is : “They forgot the words.”
Many animals hum…be it the Bee or the Bird. Humming by humans is usually used to quietly sing a song or melody without words. Sometimes it is used AS words, such as to say “Yes” or “No” by humming “Uh-huh” positively or negatively. Many hum “I don’t know” rather than enunciate. It is also used to express happiness brought on by a pleasant smell of test. Humming is often used in music of genres, from classical to jazz to R&B. Some languages incorporate it to a much greater degree than English. Wherever you go, you will find that people all across the Earth hum.
But did you know that the Earth itself……hums?
Odd as that may seem. Around the year 2000, scientific instruments did indeed detect a hum reverberating throughout the Earth. The hum is at a pitch too low for humans to hear: on a musical scale, the note would come in at 16 octaves below middle C.
The source of the hum is the ocean’s waves. When they meet foul weather, they’re pressed deep into the heart of the sea, and pound like a drum—a huge bass drum—on the ocean floor, creating the humongous hum.
We realize then that the hum had always been there, but it took sophisticated scientific instruments to hear it. Likewise, God is always speaking to His people, but it takes the right instruments to hear his voice, instruments such as the Bible, His Spirit, and the church.
Hebrews 3:15 repeats a phrase found more than a few times in scripture; “…. if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
God is speaking, but we must be willing to listen…and do what is necessary to do so. If we ignore the instruments God provides us, the result will seem like silence even though His voice is always available. We cannot commune with the Creator if we refuse to read His word, listen to His spokesmen, or submit to Spiritual guidance.
In the book of 1 Kings chapter 19 Elijah was on top of a mountain waiting to hear form the Lord. The Bible tells us that God sent a great wind, a earthquake and a fire…but He did not speak through those loud things. It was after they were over that God spoke…through a “still small voice.”
Instead of thinking that we have to wait for some excitement, calamity or earthshaking event to hear from the Almighty, we must realize that God is always softly speaking ….if we are willing to listen.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Don't Take the Bait!
Three animals were having a huge argument over who was the best.
The first, a hawk, claimed that because of his ability to fly, he could attack anything repeatedly from above, and his prey had hardly a chance.
The second, a lion, based his claim on his strength. No animal in the forest dared to challenge him, for they could not overpower him.
The third, a skunk, insisted he needed neither flight nor strength to frighten off any animal using his unique arsenal. No one could outrun his attack.
As the trio debated and deliberated the issue, a grizzly bear came along and swallowed them all: hawk, lion, and stinker!
All were wrong about the inability of others to escape them, to the point that they didn’t escape!
The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”.
In the world in which we live, no one is exempt from temptation, in fact, not even God’s dear Son was while He was on earth. The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus was tempted in all ways, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) We are taught in scripture that temptation itself is not sin—giving in to temptation is.
If you’re a member of humanity, it’s a common thing to be tempted. During these testing times, such temptation can MAKE or BREAK you. The devil’s purpose is to accomplish the latter of the two. If he can get us to “swallow the bait” that our situation is unlike any others, then he has hooked us. He wants us to think our temptation is special, rather than common.
Temptation may be different in SORT, but it can be the same in SEVERITY. There is a difference between a headache and a toothache, but the level of pain can be the same in both cases. To imagine your case to be the worse of the two is incorrect. If, when you are tempted, you feel yours is unlike the temptation of your fellow believers, then you will justify and excuse your yielding and take liberties that you mistakenly believe God will understand and condone.
Jesus instructed us to pray: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
An experiment was conducted at Stanford University in the 1970s designed to investigate the power of temptation. Children were each given a marshmallow. They were told if they waited 15 minutes before they ate the marshmallow they would get a second one. Or, they could eat the marshmallow immediately, but they would not get a second one later.
Some went for the immediate payoff; others held back, distracting themselves from eating the marshmallow by singing, trying to sleep or covering their eyes. A decade later, researchers tracked down the children and found that those who had waited for the second marshmallow got better grades and were more self-confident. And what this research made clear, lines up closely with what the Bible teaches. There’s a definite benefit to the ability to resist temptation.
God makes “a way to escape” fiery temptations, but we must choose it. If one does not avail himself or herself of a fire escape that has been provided for all, then he or she can expect the awful consequence.
Don’t take the bait. Resist temptation and find the way of escape—it is there if you need it.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
WHY GOD WHY?
QUESTIONING GOD
Someone has said, “It is alright to ask God a question, but wrong to question Him.”
Jesus falls under the heading of the former, when on the cross He asks God, “God, Why hast thou forsaken me?”
Israel in the wilderness fits into the category of latter, when they questioned God by saying, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”
When we question Gods WAYS we are well within reason. When we question Gods CHARACTER (as Job found out) we are on shaky ground at best.
The world is full of wrong, and we aren’t wrong when we wonder why.
We go wrong when we try to blame God for it. The Bible is very clear that He is not the author of sin, and that the effects of sin aren’t his fault but ours and the devils.
As God’s “earthen vessels,” it is never acceptable to question Him as to why He made us the way we are. Or, as Paul so vividly illustrates this very thing in Romans, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” The comparison he makes is between a jug and a vase.
Magazines, MTV and a multitude of other media create a mold that many, especially young ladies, think they are supposed to fit into. In reality, even those represented don’t fit into such a mold with makeup , costume, cosmetic surgery and sometimes even computer generated help!
Young men think they are supposed to act like thugs who disrespect women and flaunt immorality and drug abuse in order to “fit in”. That’s not God’ fault. Man's mistakes are made when he disagrees with God’s design and starts making his or her own patterns. The finished product is a failure when it is man made.
One of the secrets of being comfortable in your own skin is in realizing that God made your skin and put you in it!
We are not all the same, but we all had the same Maker. Though we are all from the same clay, a jug is not a vase. When you come right down to it, it really doesn’t make that much difference. All of us, (Christians) have the same treasure within.
Whether it is a crock-pot, or fine china, it is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Monday, June 11, 2012
WHICHEVER WAY THE WIND BLOWS
(Preached after a series of Tornadoes swept through our area last Spring)
“WHICHEVER WAY THE WIND BLOWS”
Jeremiah 10:10-13
John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
It is one thing to hear about such winds on the news, but it is another thing altogether to be in the midst of such a storm.
I. DANGEROUS WINDS WITH HEARTBREAKING OUTCOME
A. Winds Of HERESY
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The winds they are a blowing!
B. Winds Of HOUSEHOLD
Proverbs 27:15- 16 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind,
C. Winds Of HARVEST
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind….
II. DIFFICULT WINDS OF HARSH OPPOSITION
There are always nice people who live in the path of the Hurricane.
They did not invite the storm, but it still comes.
A. CONTRARY WINDS Mark 6:45-51 & Acts 27 “against”
Do you ever feel like everything is against you?
Me neither-except when I am awake.
“tropical DEPRESSION”
B. CORRECTING WINDS
Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty
tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
Jonah 4:8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise,
that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of
Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better
for me to die than to live.
C. CONNECTING WINDS Acts 27:4-14
Some of you have a situation with your FAMILY…others with FRIENDS…within the CHURCH.
Thank God, God gave a WORD in the Storm…and He has a WAY in the Storm!!!!
III. DIVINE WINDS OF HEAVENLY ORIGIN
"He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries" (Psalm 135:7).
A. WINDS OF PREPARATION
The Egyptians were in Hot pursuit and the Israelites were in a horrible panic. It was a sleepless night. Defeat seemed inevitable- they were in trouble on all sides, but while they were a worrying, God was working! Suddenly the tents began to sway. The breeze was blowing! Then it grew stronger! “Oh great, as if we don’t already have enough problems, now this!”
Exodus 14:21 “ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the
sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”
B. WINDS OF PRESCENCE
2 Samuel 5:21-25
And there they left their images, and David
and his men burned them. And the
Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim
. And when
David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass
behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And let
it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry
trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out
before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. And David did so, as the
LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to
Gazer.
No night is so dark to hide His face,
No storm is too rough to be calmed by His grace,
No wind is so strong to stay His hand,
No mountain so great to resist His command
C. WINDS OF POWER
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
THE WIND IS A POWER GENERATING FORCE
Wind mills have been used for thousands of years to grind grain and pump water for irrigation
Modern wind farms can generate the same amount of electrical power as a nuclear power plant!
For centuries the wind has been used in sailing to carry ships and boats across the seas
The WIND Brings Things With It…….
It brings showers
* Showers come from God!
* God wants to shower His blessings upon YOU.
* God wants to shower His blessings upon this church!
Pray for the Wind of the Holy Spirit to blow upon us, within us, and through us!!!
When the stormy winds blow, be like Paul in Acts 27 and "Be of good cheer" (verse 22).
God can handle the wind and get you safely to the shining shore!
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The Right Mixture
Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being MIXED with faith in them that heard it.”
Someone said, "Faith is like calories. You may not see it, but you can see its results."
Romans 10:17 tells us that “ … faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Notice the connection is a concoction. The one requires the other. If there is no belief, there is no benefit. The mixture matters immensely. If we are to profit from God’s precepts, we must have all the ingredients.
God’s revelation requires the right mixture of FAITH and FACTS. The Bible cannot benefit if it is only held in the hand and not the heart. Both the baker and the scientist realize the importance of proper ingredients. The right mixture is of paramount importance. Our founding fathers realized this too.
John Adams warned his fellow countrymen in 1798 by stating, " Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Those who say that faith and politics do not mix, are incorrect and ignorant of both history and reality.
Every voter’s faith plays a part at the poll. This November, let us pray it is the right mixture –in more ways that one!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
God’s “To Do” List
Joshua 1:7-8 tells us “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe TO DO according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe TO DO according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. “
Any body with any sense wants to be a success. In this passage we are told how to have, and be, just that. Notice in God’s commission to Joshua, twice God said, “observe TO DO…” God has a “TO DO” list for all who would follow Him.
In Christ’s commission to the church, He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:18-20).
In our Lord’s commission, we do NOT read, “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Much of our teaching today is just that—the dissemination of information. It says, “teaching them TO OBSERVE…” Here are the two lost words of the Great Commission—“TO OBSERVE.” Throughout the Word of God the accent is on doing, observing, keeping the commandments of the Lord.
Today we teach them, but we fail to teach people to DO them.
The Word is hid in the head, but not in the heart. It is the Word hidden in the heart that keeps from sin (Ps. 119:11).
You can have a head full of Scripture and a heart full of sin.
What’s on your “TO DO LIST” today?
Is there something God wants you TO DO?
PARROTS AND PUPPETS
John 18:34 “Jesus answered him, Sayest this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”
A good question, isn’t it? Especially for this parrot age in which we live in.
People who do not think for themselves, do not speak for themselves.
I remember filling in at another Church and teaching a Sunday School class years ago and asking members of the class what they believed about a certain text, and the repeated reply was, “I just believe whatever the pastor believes.” This is what I call “secondhand religion.” To hear, “Polly wants a cracker,” sounds cute, but you can be sure it’s not an original thought with that bird!
Handed down tradition doesn’t mean its true, only that each generation has accepted it as such. Eternal truths never change, but these are few in comparison to man-made rules handed down to us, like the Jews of old, by well meaning but ill informed folk. Believe what you will about secondary issues, but Paul tells us to make sure we are “…fully persuaded in our own mind.” You’re not to adhere to what your guru tells you, but what God has shown you personally. It’s called the priesthood of all Believers.
It’s a good thing Apollos didn’t have this puppet philosophy (Acts 18:24-28). It is only those uncertain of themselves who want those around them to adopt their pattern of life so as to make them feel more secure in their set of beliefs and convictions.
A puppet cannot speak for itself but only says what another makes it appear to say for itself. Sadly many in our society are the same. They repeat what they hear or are told to tell without ever thinking for themselves. As the Bible says,“these things ought not so to be.”
So how about it? What do YOU say?
Do you know WHY you believe WHAT you believe?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Positive and the Negative
The Positive and the Negative
1 Timothy 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, FLEE these things (negative); and FOLLOW after righteousness (positive)…”
There is no such thing as a car battery with only a positive post. For a battery to work, there must be a positive and a negative side. This is also true in the spiritual realm. The Bible is repeatedly clear on the point that you cannot hold hands with God and the world at the same time.
Paul wrote, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils” (1 Cor. 10:21).
There is a separation from something (negative) and separation to something else (positive). The Jews under Nehemiah “separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God” (Neh. 10:28).
Whenever you say “yes” to God (positive), you must also say “no” to the devil (negative). James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” It is useless to try and resist the devil without first submitting to God. The devil is too strong for mere mortals. Victory always begins with surrender to God. But, at the same time, we must also actively resist Satan. While we positively position ourselves on God’s side, we must also take a negative stand against the enemy. So again, the act of submission (positive) must be coupled with active resistance (negative).
Both elements must be part of any Churches teaching (2 Tim. 4:2). The preacher is to exhort (positive) and rebuke (negative). Any preacher that does not preach both sides is like a battery with no power.
A lady came to Dr. Tom Malone, long time Pastor in Pontiac, Michigan and author of many fine books, and said , “Dr. Malone, you need to be more positive in your preaching. You are so negative when you preach!” Dr. Malone responded saying, “No you’re mistaken, I AM POSITIVE in my preaching—I’m positive that sin is wrong!” He was right!
So remember, in order to have power, it positively takes both positive and negative!
www.fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Losing Your Keys
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29
Car keys! I sometimes wonder if car keys have legs, and sneakily use their legs to get up and walk away. Have you ever searched for your car keys, and still could not find them?
You continued searching diligently, but for some reason you still had no keys in your hand. The worst part about this scenario is that you were likely already late for something important. In this case, you opened every drawer, shuffled through every pile of paper, and looked in every pocket just to find those keys. Why? Because you needed those keys to get you to a specific place.
When you seek God, do you feel the same way? Do you feel as if you are searching and searching, but you still don’t have what you are looking for? The worst part about this scenario is if you are in the midst of a trial. In this case you should seek, search, and study the Scriptures fervently, because you will need God to help you get through the trial.
God promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him, but under one condition.
We are to seek Him wholeheartedly.
God repeats this promise in Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Sometimes we give our hearts to so many different desires, and we only save a small portion of it for God. If we give all of ourselves—our heart and soul—to the dream of success, to the aspiration of a promotion, to the comforts and cares of this world, then what is left for God?
Is God your whole heart’s desire? If you want to find Him, then your answer should be yes!
Losing keys is frustrating. Not being able to find God is far more frustrating. Thankfully, the Scriptures give hope. They show us the simple way to find God.
Seek Him with all of our heart and soul today, and remember to keep the SON in our eyes!
DOUBLE IDENTITY
Some refuse to accept that they were who they were , and are who they are at the same time.
We are indeed "new creatures in Christ”(2 Corinthians 5:17) but that doesn’t distance us from the definition of our identity. Paul put it this way, “I am what I am.”
When the Holy Spirit comes into one’s life, his or her principles are converted from ones of depravity to that of Deity. Your tastes and temperament stay the same, but are now governed by the Divine Nature.
When Jesus spoke of denying self, it was in reference to rights, not recognition.
If we want to live a happy, contented life, we must accept the reality of our duality. We are “born again” (John 3:3) but still retain our identity and humanity. With this in mind, we must stay in Gods Word, obey it as best we can, be filled with the Spirit, and take life a day at a time. It will work, if we will.
CLEARANCE
This is a special area of the store where they sell the items that had been scratched, dented or somehow damaged.
There is surely some process the store must go through to define and select items that are no longer “normal.” Likely there is a policy manual to guide them that specifies how big a dent may be, or how long a scratch can be, before it is labeled “less desirable” and relegated to the clearance area.
In case you haven’t noticed….. no one is normal! We are all unique, special, and we all carry the scars and dents of a life lived in the harsh environment of this world. We are all “damaged goods”.
Maybe our faults are physical, but they can also be emotional, intellectual or a result of our choices or habits. Whatever the cause of the problem, we all have them.
Thankfully God does not search through the shelves of our community and pull the damaged containers off the shelf, toss them into a basket and place them on a clearance isle somewhere in the back, dark corners of the world, or into life’s green dumpster.
In the gospel of Mark chapter 2 and verse 17 Jesus told us that He did not come for the “healthy”, He came for the sick. Jesus came for those that are beaten, bruised and broken. He came to those who are on their last nerve and are ready to give up, give out or give in.
If you feel you are normal and have everything “all figured out” then I apologize, this article is not for you. But, if you are among the other 99.9999% of us who are not abnormal, here this: God loves you!
God wants to lift you up, repair the damage that has occurred and place you, fully restored, into a place of safety and purpose.
You are always valuable to Him.