It's A Gospel Shame!

We live in a day when it is increasingly unpopular and incorrect to stand up for the Gospel.  Those that stand on the morals of the faith that are represented in Christ are often considered closed minded and out of touch.  Both of the above statements are true, but they are not one in the same.   The Gospel is the power of salvation through Christ that forever changes one's status, future, and heart.  The morals of the faith change the lifestyle that we live when we accept Christ.  However, oftentimes, Christians get the two mixed up.   We have a tendency not to speak of the Gospel message near as much as we speak of what is wrong in America, what we ought to be doing as a society, or what is not right about the evergrowing liberal lifestyles that mark America.  Our focus is often on the evidence of the greater spiritual problem.  If we would focus on the greater spiritual problem, a lot of the evidence or society's mixed up ways would fade as the power of Christ worked in the lives of new believers. 

I am not saying that we should stop standing up for what is right.  However, I am saying the lifechanging Gospel is where more of our focus ought to be.  God, once in one's life, would change their perspectives. 

Paul put it this way in Romans 1.16-17-  ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

It is one thing to speak out for the right Christian way for America and, yet another, to speak out for Christ to lives that need Him.  Let's do both but let's let our priority be on the Gospel.

Praying for Others

Have you ever wondered how to pray for fellow believers?  Read the words of the apostle Paul.  He will teach you how. 
I Thessalonians 5.23-24- Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

That is my prayer for you today. Don't you worry- God is faithful and He will do it. 

The Increase of the Lord

After Paul would minister to a people, help them from a faith community, and build them up in the Lord, he would write back to them to encourage them, corrcct them, or guide them. Much of the New Testament is made up of these type letters.  He also had a wonderfully pleasing reflection on them many times. He did to the Thessalonica church and he told them often that he thanked God for them. He also gives them insight into how he prays for them.  Notice what he says in 
I Thessalonians 3.11-13- Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

What a powerful prayer!  May God direct you and strengthen you to such a degree that it shows forth in the fellowship and your life. 

That is my prayer for you today!  May we increase in the Lord!

The Responsibility of the Opportunity

So, who's fault is it, anyway?  When given a chance to respond to Jesus, your response is in your hands, not anyone else's.  Pilate was handed the responsibility to respond to Christ properly.  He tried to let others decide what he would do with Christ.  He did not like what they said, but he went with popular opinion anyway.  It is stated like this in Matthew 27.24- So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”

Pilate did not have to follow their wants.  He chose to ask them first.  Let it be a lesson.  We do not need to ask anyone else how we should respond to Jesus when we are given the responsibility and the opportunity.  It is not their fault what we do and they will not answer to the Lord for we you do.  We will. 

Let's let our decision for Christ be what is most important in our lives and make a commitment not to get caught up in the world's wants, woos, and woes. 

In every situation respond to Christ obediently today.  It is your responsibility and, oh my, what an opportunity!

Responding To Others

Matthew 25.34-40- Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

It is crucial that you understand this passage.  This is not a claim that salvation comes from our benevolent activity.  Our salvation comes by the cross of Christ and our receiving of the eternal gift He has offered.  However, if we are saved, it ought to show forth in our lives by how we respond to others. 

As Christ has been generous to us, let us be generous to others.

Think on such thoughts today. 

All On the Field

Matthew 21.28-31  -“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

Many start out ready to do a good thing, but for some reason, it just never seems to pan out.  Usually, it is a matter of priorities.  There are others, however, who get a late start and never stop.  Who would you rather have: a player that quits about halfway through the game or one who has a slow first quarter, but continues to warm as the game goes on?  I'll tell you who a coach would want.  A coach would want the guy who he could depend on in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.

Folks, spiritually the game is on the line.  If we are not in the fourth quarter yet, we are closer than we have ever been.  As they say in football 'let's leave it all on the field.'  Let's make every effort in the time that we have left to do all that we can for the Lord, spend all the time we can with those we love, and have no regrets when the buzzer...I mean, trumpet...sounds! 

Go to Church today!  You need them.  They need you.  We all need the Lord!

Celebrating Thanks

Children mimic what they see in us.  Little girls want baby dolls  so they can  play 'Mommy'.  Little boys make tools out of sticks and build or tear up stuff....just like Dad.  In the days of Christ's life weddings and funerals were big deals.  They are still but weddings went on for days and funerals involved whole towns. Children would mimic what they saw, just like they still do.

When Jesus saw how John the Baptist was met when he preached repentance and how Christ himself was met when he preached a life more abundant, he compared their listeners to school children that did not want to play along.  Notice it:

Matthew 11.16-17-  “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

¹⁷ “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

Let's be sure to 'play along.'  Let's celebrate what Christ wants us to celebrate and mourn what He would have us to.  Often we get it backwards- we celebrate a sick society and we mourn a saint receiving her promised inheritance.  It ought not be.  Let us live as if The Lord is presently living in our lives and loved ones that we dearly miss this Thanskgiving (and her BIG OL' dish pans of dressing) are actually living out the promise that they have thankfully been looking forward to. 

And I ain't playing....

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving and please pray that the Sumrall's will continue to feel the overwhelming peace that God has granted during these difficult days.

Faith In the Healer

How's your faith? Notice these guys with Jesus.

Matthew 8.2-3- And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” ³ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

Matthew 9. 2- And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

 Matthew 9.22- Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

A lot more healing could come if there was a lot more faith.  Let's lay it out at His feet and trust Him with it.  That is where true healing is.  

Approach the Healer today with full faith.

Our Comfort

Yesterday my mother-in-law was rewarded with heaven after a few months battle with cancer and a  lifetime of striving for The Lord. As I rest in her too empty house, I am amazed at the Scripture she penned in so many places  that focused her on her strength in The Lord.   Please pray today and this tough week for my wife, her brother, and her Dad, who is in a horrible health fight himself. Barbara  Sumrall was loved and leaves a great void that only God can fill. Pray for the power of His Presence.

Thank God that Christ said in Matthew 5.4-Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  We rest in that today.

Pure-T Fruity

It is interesting to see people's approach to their disobedience toward God in their life.
When the Holy Spirit confronts them concerning their wrongdoing, responses may be varied.
Let me give you some examples. 

1) Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to a heart through someone else's words.   When this happens, the guilty may blame it on the speaker when, in reality, it is not the words that hurt but the conviction.  John the Baptist lost his life by decapitation because of this kind of situation.
The opposite can happen as well.  Some considered Peter and Paul to be gods when God used them.

2)Sometimes people listen to the Holy Spirit, but try to make light of it.  They busy or clutter their lives enough to become sidetracked and fail to make a change.

3)Sometimes they hear what the Spirit has to say and feel bad about their guilty.  They may become real upset and cry and mourn and apologize... and then go right back to what they were doing.

4)However, sometimes the words stick, the message is heard, the effort is made, and the Spirit enables, and great change comes.  That is what John the Baptist was talking about this morning that really laid on my heart.  He stated a very simple but powerful statement in John 3.8- Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

If we are truly sorry when the Spirit convicts us, we won't shrug it off or cry it out, but we will live it out.   When we live it out, we will be fruitful in our effort for the Lord. 

Be fruitful today!

A Restoring Word

Just a word of advice for the day.  I love football as much as anyone. My Toppers had a great season and the upsets from last night's college action made my day.  Great rivalries will be fought this coming weekend.  But, folks, let's don't burn bridges over football.  Let's not lose our testimonies, our friendships, our camaraderie.  Some folks can handle ragging and some can't.  Be easy.  It isn't worth it.

I love politics.  My 12th grade Political Science teacher got me hooked and I have seen some disappointing things happen in recent days.  However, our Savior is not in the Oval Office in Washington, our Savior is on the Throne in Heaven and in the Center of our Hearts if we have committed our lives to Him.  Let's not look to D.C. to decide our attitude for the day.  Let's look to Calvary and the Throne where Christ is making intercession for us. 

With all that said, what stoked me this morning was  2 Corinthians 13.11-
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

We bring honor to Him when we honor each other.  We bring peace to others when we consider them first. 

Don't bellyache today!  Rejoice!!

A Breath of Fresh Air

2 Corinthians 9.6-8- The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Whether it is an offering at the church or a hug at the house or a helping hand to a family or friend, do what you do today cheerfully. What a breath of fresh air you will be!

Living In Love

He died to give us life.  He arose in victory. Because He lives, we too may live.

2 Corinthians 5.14-15-  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (www.lifejournal.cc)

The love of Christ is in us and needs to be shown in us.  More than anything else, this world needs the love of Christ.  May we not live for ourselves today but for Him.  Dead to self but alive in Christ.  May God bless such a path for each one of us.

What's That Smell?

We carry a spiritual scent with us wherever we go...
2 Corinthians 2.14-15-  But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
(www.lifejournal.cc)

The question is:  Do we stink? Do we carry a presence with us like the rest of the world?  A lot of stuff in this old world stinks.  OR

Are we triumphing in the Lord, proceeding on His Path, spreading a scent of freshness with  a welcoming aroma in our personalities and our conversation and our presentation?  It is an important question.   There are people that need the Lord around us and we are to be a witness to them.  There are also people around us who are Christians and need encouragement. 

In Biblical days fragrant incenses were often used in worship in an attempt to attract the 'nostrils of the Lord' so that He would come and hear their prayers.  Now we are to spread the fragrance of the Lord and influence others for Him. 

Let's be freshly fragrant for the Lord today, and have a blessed one!

What A Shame!

I Corinthians 15.19- If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

What a shame it would be if we threw all of our spiritual eggs in one basket and was wrong! 
What a shame it would be if we trusted in a god that we could not see and fail to acknowledge he did not exist!
What a shame it would be for us to live this life disciplined to please God  only to find out we had simply lived a better life than others!


But guess what?   He lives!  Therein lies our hope.  Hope for the daily struggles of this life, but not only for this life....for all eternity.  Savor it and celebrate today! This is not all there is.

The real shame would be to miss it.

Hush!

The greatest lesson that I learn from Job...well...one of them (there are several 'greatest' ones)...is the freedom that we have to express ourselves to the Lord when He moves in ways we don't understand.  Job expressed his thoughts and feelings to God.  Sometimes it is uncomfortable to read when he does it.  Those of us raised not to question the Lord so much, don't feel real comfortable with it.  However, it is there.  He brings his petitions, oh let's be honest, his gripes and complaints to the Lord very openly.  Let me tell you where he got it right-- he brought his complaints to the Lord.  He did just tell everybody else what his problem was, but brought it straight to the Lord.  When you understand that God knows our heart, knows what we are thinking, and is fully aware of our fears, doubts, and bellyaches about the life that has 'been thrown at us', you understand that we are better off dealing with those things with God than with everyone else. 

With that in mind read Job 40.3-5
³ Then Job answered the Lord and said:

⁴ “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
⁵ I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”

 

Yes, we can ask and complain away, however, it may be best just to hush.   That is right-- I said it.  Hush!  The next time you burst in before the throne of God having gained access to the Father through the shed blood of Christ who is making intercession for us until He comes back to receive us, spill your beans and then....hush....and listen.  Get it off your chest, but hurry, because your time is better spent listening to Him talk to you than listening to yourself talk to Him.  That is especially true when you think about the fact that He knows what you are going to say before you say it.

 

We can get so busy telling God everything that we want and need and how we want it that we miss His still, small, steadying voice that cuts through the darkness that has seemed to envelope us. 

 

Hush and listen today!  And enjoy His Presence!

The Company of Encouragement

It is a gift and a responsibility to be a part of the Body of Christ.  We are blessed to have each other.  Even more so....much more so...we are blessed to have the Lord.  With that blessing comes responsibility.  We all have a job to do.  We must be faithful to get it done.  We are to serve the Lord and to work together to do it. One of the great ways that we do that is described in
I Corinthians 12.26- If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.   (www.lifejournal.cc)

One of the great ways we serve the Lord is by being a company of encouragement.  Never underestimate your value in God's Body and your value to your fellow members.  

Be a part of the Company of Encouragement today.

Let's Go!

Psalm 122.1-  I was glad when they said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”   (www.lifejournal.cc)

I hope to see you there today!

As The Lord Assigns

As the first century church grew, people from different backgrounds started to meet together.  Some were Jewish males who had been physically marked by circumcision to show their Judaistic faith.  Others were Gentiles with no such background, faith, or markings. Since all believers from the Jews' past had been 'marked' should the Gentiles be as well.  The Gentiles did not see the need.  It led to a struggle with all kinds of questions:  Does he have this? Where is he from? Should he or shouldn't he? Should I or shouldn't I? On and on the questions went with, I am sure, some finger pointing along the way.

Notice what Paul says about it.
I Corinthians 7.17- Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.   (www.lifejournal.cc)

The theme: Don't worry about what others do or what others think.  We are all different.  We have different backgrounds.  We come from different places.  We have had different experiences.  All Chrisitians have one thing in common:  Jesus.  Keep our eyes and our minds on Him and the rest of this stuff will work out. 

Let's just follow the Lord's assignments.

With All My Being

Keep this in mind today:
I Corinthians 6.19-20- Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

Honor God with your body.

In Balance

I want you to be balanced today-not too high on yourself and definitely not too low.  Hear the way Paul puts it in
I Corinthians 1.30-31- And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,³¹ so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

It is not about you, it is about The Lord. Don't thump your chest and pride yourself, you are nothing outside of Christ.  At the same time don't listen to the devil give you partial statements.  He will whisper in your ear that you are nothing.  He leaves the 'Christ' part out.  In Christ, however, you are big stuff; not because of who you but because of whose you are. 

Let The Lord keep you balanced on that today and brag on Him.

After the Election

Job was not guilty but I really feel like Christians in America (as a whole) are guilty.

⁵ “If I have walked with falsehood
    and my foot has hastened to deceit;
⁶ (Let me be weighed in a just balance,
    and let God know my integrity!)
⁷ if my step has turned aside from the way
    and my heart has gone after my eyes,
    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,
⁸ then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me^[a] be rooted out.- Job 31.5-8

But keep it in perspective, folks.  Remember the following that I borrow from the Daily Encourager, David Langerfield.

After the Election

1. God will still be on His throne
2. Jesus will still be King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
3. The Bible will still have all the answers to every problem.
4. The tomb will still be empty.
5. Jesus will still be the only way to heaven.

6. Prayer will still work - it will still make a difference and God will still answer prayer.
7. The cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
8. There will still be room at the cross. 
9. Jesus will still save anyone who places their faith and trust in Him.

10. God will still be with us always - He will never leave us or forsake us.

An Election Day Prayer

Dear Beloved God in Heaven,

Please give us a president that loves this country and everything it stands for.

Please give us a president who respects you as the one true God.

Please give us a president who will, with your help, restore this nation to its former glory, the way you created her.

Please help us to respect what you have given to us and not take anything for granted ever again.

Please God weaken the evil and strengthen the good both without and within.

May our eyes be opened.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

God Bless America

Living By Faith

Galatians 2.20-I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (www.lifejournal.cc)

Living by faith is trusting God with the scary things in your life and the matters you dread.
Living by faith is trusting God with the financial matters in your life that you do not have the answers for.
Living by faith is trusting God to be in your tomorrows and blindly following Him there.
Living by faith is trusting God to give you the words to say when He gives you the lead to speak.
Living by faith is trusting God with the limitations that you find in your own ability.
Living by faith is trusting God that He is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.
Living by faith is trusting God to lead you through this day right now, no matter what may be ahead.

Live by faith....trust God today.

No Alarm Here

What is worrying you today?  Don't be alarmed.

Mark 16.6-  And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. (www.lifejournal.cc)

Christ lives.  Because He lives, we too shall live...in victory.  Do not be alarmed.  He lives!

Come and celebrate Him in worship today.

Even So

Mark 13. 32-33- But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.³³ Be on guard, keep awake.^[a] For you do not know when the time will come. (www.lifejournal.cc)

We don't know.  Quit trying to figure it out.  Just live today like it is your last. Share Jesus like it is your last. Love Him and serve Him like it is your last. 

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Not Easily Swayed

What a political race we find ourselves in.  If you spend much time listening to the talking heads, reading the headlines, or watching debates, you come to the conclusion that most of the time either candidate will tell you what they think you want to hear.  Then there are other times, when they try to feed you like you are a kid taking your medicine.  They make cool airplane noises and whirl their ideologies around and around in the air and when you are delighted by their charm, they shove the spoon of their thought into your mind so smoothly that they hope you forget that you do not agree with them.   Where is the truth in all of this?  Somewhere buried down there. 

Of course, I don't think I am baffled.  I have clear direction about the matter, but that is not a conversation for this time.  Ask me later.  I'll tell you. 

They never had a doubt where Christ stood.  They may not have always understood it, but they knew they could not change it.  What a statement is made in our passage today!  It is found in
Mark 12.14a- And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.
(www.lifejournal.cc)

Do you know where you stand?  Does everyone else?  To have a reputation as one that is not swayed by the popular vote or by the persuasive opinion is a standout quality in our day.  To be true to Christ and not fall to others' whims and ways makes a powerful difference for the Lord.

Stand for Christ today.  Don't be swayed by the crowd.  You will make a difference...an eternal one.
Have a great day in the Lord!

Days of Dread

These are the days we dread.
As I write, Dawn is lying on one of those awful, jackknife hospital chairs/beds or up caring for the needs of her mother.  Barbara, my mother-in-law, is suffering from the symptoms of a powerful, innovative chemo drug that can cause irreversible symptoms.   The chemo campaign has now been called off. We, instead, pray for appetite, strength, settling of the system, and proper medical support. As I said, these are days we dread.

If the symptoms can calm down soon, we will be in a wait to give the chemo the time it needs to take effect and then a PET scan will follow to check the status in the fight.  However, we now earnestly pray for a great settling and stabilization.

Many have been through it.  Maybe all go through it. I guess so, but that does not take the weight off in the midst of it.  What do you do in the midst of the storm? I find my strength in The Lord and I give Him praise for reminding me to look to Him in all things.  He did this morning through Ps.121.

Psalm  121 

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
⁸ The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

No matter the weight of this old world, thank God we re not alone.  He knows our needs and can provide every time.   To God be the Glory and please pray for my wife, her mother, brother, and Dad.  

Thanks.