You are not your own

1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.   I’m reflective this morning about life and death. I am considering today, that in life and death I am not my own. If I am who I say I am, I belong only to my faithful Savior and Lord, and no one and nothing else.   His precious blood flowed, and has satisfied all of our sins. He delivered you and me, from the power of darkness and has preserved our soul.   The will of our Heavenly Father friends, is that not even a single hair will fall from our head, that He won’t know about. He assures us eternal life, and makes us willing and ready, to live for Him.   If I ever realized the fullness of the price paid for my soul, I can do nothing else, but live for Him. The Spirit of the living God resides in us. It’s maybe time, we started to live like it………….

Chasing

Ecclesiastes 4: 4

And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

 

Things haven’t changed much over the years.

This morning’s verse still has special meaning even today.

It will be played out over and over again, all this week.

 

Our neighbor will get something new, and we often have to have it.

We’ll even work as much overtime as possible, to get it.

 

We’ll forgo worshipping God—or spending time with our spouse and children.

Just to get what our neighbor already has?

We must look pretty foolish sometimes, chasing after the wind.

 

I am determined, that the only thing that my neighbor could ever have, that I would want over everything else…….is Jesus.

How about you?

What are you chasing?

What will you chase today

The Truth will set you free

John 4: 17 – 18

"I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.

The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

 

It doesn’t appear that Jesus was politically correct in any manner.

He asked pretty tough questions, and gave very candid responses.

 

What would happen in the church setting today, if someone were to pose a question like this?

The other person would probably become irritated, and even leave the church.

 

Isn’t the truth supposed to set us free?

Then maybe we should consider being more honest with one another, and stop with this foolish political correctness.

Jesus never beat around the bush.

 

My mother always told me, that honesty was the best policy.

It appears Jesus felt that way too.

 

Are you being honest with other people, or are you more fearful of the implications of honesty?

I don’t think life would be as complicated as it has become, if we were more honest………..

Submit Resist & Flee

James 4: 7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Don’t we often get this backwards?

We sometimes submit to the devil, and resist the things of God.

Why would we put up such resistance to the One who truly loves us?

And why do we submit, to the one who hates us?

We’re funny people……………..

Strength & Courage

Joshua 1: 7

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law……………

 

I’ve been studying the Word of God in Joshua as of late.

Moses has just died, and God put Joshua in charge, to lead the people into the Promised Land.

 

Not only did God charge Joshua to be strong and very courageous, but he also wanted him to be observant of the law—all the law!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s easier to be strong, courageous and observant, when friends aren’t dying, ya know?

 

The people Joshua was leading, had been on a 40 year journey.

Maybe there was reason for him to be strong and very courageous?

 

How is your journey of faith going? Do You feel stuck in the middle of nowhere?

Do you need strength? How about courage?

 

Maybe we really do need to go to the One, who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly, all that we ask or think.

Maybe that’s where our strength and courage come from in the first place…………….

What are you neglecting?

Luke 11: 42

"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.”

Sometimes in our daily walk of faith, we do all the practical and spiritual things right, but neglect practicing the love of God.

Even the religious elite thought they had it all together—until Jesus exposed their true heart.

If Jesus had to expose your true heart, what would He say you were neglecting?

Before we get all into ourselves, it might be wise to filter our lives before God’s written Word.

In the end, it’s His opinion that matters most.

Summer is a good time for neglect. Some people don’t even need summer as an excuse.

We don’t seem to neglect entertaining ourselves in the summer—but often neglect the true things of God.

What needs to change in your life?

What’s on the back burn spiritually speaking, that needs attention today?

Ask God to show you, but be very careful what you ask for.

Don’t be taken back, by what He reveals, that’s in the neglect category…………….

and when you fast!

Matthew 4: 2

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

There has been a group of folks praying and fasting as of late in our church.

The cause is certainly worth the investment, and sacrifice.

It has been said that prayer is preparation for the battle.

I don’t agree—prayer is a battle!

All that we can do to enhance the power of prayer, fasting is certainly the most potent.

Fasting humbles the flesh, and when we do it for that purpose, it pleases the Spirit of the living God.

Jesus said in Matthew 6: 16………… “and when you fast….”

He didn’t say…. “and if you fast……….”

A true disciple will fast!

Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. To say He was hungry, was probably a huge understatement.

Who wouldn’t want to pray and fast, to someone as powerful and disciplined as Jesus?

Want to get carried away?

Luke 16: 22

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side.”

I can’t think of a single time in my life, when I have been escorted anywhere.

Wait a minute………Unless you count the times, I was escorted to the principal’s office in High School.

In life sometimes, we do get carried away, don’t we?

We get carried away by things that have no single eternal meaning or purpose.

Lazarus when he died, was personally escorted or carried away by angels into heaven.

Moments before that, he was begging at the gate of a rich man.

Can you imagine the adrenaline flow, from that experience?

Now there’s an escort, I’m actually looking forward to—unlike the ones I had in school a long time ago.

That’s the kind of entrance I want one day, into the glorious presence of God—carried there by angels.

How about you?

How desperate are you?

Psalm 142: 6

Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

 

We sing the worship song……. “Breathe”.

In part of the lyric set, it uses the words…… “And I…. I’m desperate for you”……. “And I….I’m lost without you…..”

Yet, I don’t see many people who are desperate to worship to God, or even talk to Him.

 

When trouble comes, our petitions become more of a desperate cry, don’t they?

When airplane engines stop running, I’ll bet you’d have people praying desperately.

 

Billy Graham speaks of a time, when he was flying through a severe thunder storm.

He said, that even the stewardess was bent over in her seat, with hands clasped, and she was praying.

Could it be that she was desperate?

 

When we consider our position as being lost, lonely and wandering sheep, we should be desperate.

Are you in desperate need today?

Then why not cry out to the One—the only One, who can help………….

Profit or Proverty

Proverbs 14: 23

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

America is driven by the word “profit”.

I wonder what might happen, if we, who are in the church, were driven by spiritual hard work and profit?

We talk about sharing our faith, but when it really comes right down to it, how hard do we work at it?

If evangelizing is what you and I should focus in on, God will award us with a plethora of opportunities, to share with others what we know about His Son.

Profit, according to God, are people coming to a revealed nature, of the love of His Son.

Think for a moment……….. How many people do you know, who are living in spiritual poverty today?

If America is driven by the almighty dollar, what could happen if we all became driven by sowing seeds of God’s immeasurable love?

Maybe it would lead to profit? Maybe someone might even get saved.

Isn’t that the objective of our faith?

Maybe we should stop talking about it, and do it…………..

No need for Confusion

1 John 3: 8

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

 

Do you ever get really confused about life in general?

The spirit of confusion is of the devil, because in him there is no truth at all.

He is a liar and he will always try to confuse us, confound us and mislead us.

 

Did you know, that you can overcome confusion by the written Word of God?

Through the precious blood of the Lamb of God, confusion can be turned into perfect peace.

 

Do you want that kind of peace? Then start by reading God’s Word this morning.

God is a God of order, not of chaos and confusion.

 

So why not start today, by taking Him at his Word?

Don’t allow yourself to concentrate on the confusion or lies.

Instead, try focusing in on, the author and the finisher of our faith

Preparing

Amos 4: 12

"Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

 

The prophet Amos was pretty angry when he made this statement, but that’s not my point.

My point this morning is this…………. Are you preparing to meet your God?

 

Life is shrouded with the unknown, that often leads to anxiety and sometimes even depression.

But God’s message is one of love and encouragement that leads to peace that’s beyond our understanding.

 

As we prepare to meet our God, we have to remember what awaits us one day.

No doubt, we’ll all face a death in the future, but as we prepare, we are getting ready to experience the fullness of forgiveness and eternal life.

 

The joy of our salvation chases away all fear and doubt.

Eternal hope assures meaning and purpose and a destiny beyond the grave.

You can be prepared to meet your maker with confidence, because the sting of death is gone forever!

Hallelujah to the Lamb!!! 

Do you have the key?

Isaiah 33: 5 – 6

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

 

Something that is valuable, is worth looking for.

The world around us, is full of temptations, and the drawing power of sin is so great.

 

I don’t know about you, but I looked the other day, over the collection of keys that I have.

I have some keys, that I’m not even sure what they open anymore.

I have a specific key that I’m looking for today, and without it, I won’t be opening the place I want to enter.

 

The key to keep from sinning, is walking in the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is defined as living according to His Word.

Out of reverent awe of God, we strive to keep His commandments.

 

His provision, and the key to a rich store of treasure, is for those who walk in the fear of the Lord.

Will you walk in His provision today?

 

Walking in the fear of the Lord, is a life filled to overflowing with blessings.

How could anyone resist the invitation, to walk in the fear of the Lord?

The cutting edge

Proverbs 27: 17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

 

Did you know that there is mutual benefit in rubbing two iron blades together?

Both blades become sharper and makes the task of cutting and slicing more efficient.

 

There is this constant need for fellowship with one another in the church.

Where do you get your fellowship from? A blade all by itself will become dull in time.

The meeting together in the Lord, always means guaranteed blessing from the Lord.

 

There is a group of women who will be meeting this morning for prayer in Omro @ 6:30am.

One woman drives from the east side of Oshkosh, or 14 miles just to be in fellowship with other praying sisters.

What does she get for her effort? BLESSING!

 

A dull blade is less effective in the Lord’s service.

Maybe the writer of Hebrews knew something about blade sharpening, when he said in vs. 24: And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Two often, fellowship in the church centers around food and fun, and not sharpening one another with the written Word of God.

 

Beginning today, where will you be getting your edge from?

Never changing

James 1: 17 – 18

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

 

I don’t know about you, but if I don’t hear the word “recall” for a long—long time, I will be greatly satisfied.

I’m so glad that Jesus chose you and me to give birth to the Word of truth. Do you see your life that way?

 

Once chosen by God, there is no chance to be recalled, because we will have this insatiable desire to produce His created fruit.

Even as people gather at the polls today, I take comfort in the fact, that the One who has given us every good and perfect gift, does not change.

He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! Who wouldn’t vote for someone like that?

 

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t go to the polls today to exercise our right, but remember that God does have everything in His control.

There is no need to get caught up in the moment, because from the very foundations of the earth, God knew what we would struggle with.

 

Remember—our God does not change like shifting shadows.

You can depend on Him, and that’s what I’m going to do today………………

What do you imitate?

Ephesians 5: 1 – 2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In the book, “The Cost of Discipleship”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said…… “When the world began, God created Adam in His own image, as the climax of His creation.

He wanted to have the joy of beholding in Adam, the reflection of Himself. “And behold it was very good.” God saw Himself in Adam” (Page 298—Chapter 32—Paragraph 2)

God made you and me in His image.

I wonder how often God sees His likeness in my life?

Does He see His likeness in yours?

We’re supposed to be imitators of God.

I wonder how often He sees me imitating Himself?

I wonder how often He see me imitating something that looks like the world?

To have the appearance of God is supposed to look like something.

I wonder how often do I give myself up as a fragrant offering?

I wonder how many times, I actually give off some other kind of fragrance?

I guess for me, it’s time to put up.

Either my actions look like God—or my actions look like something else.

I guess the ultimate decision, lies deep within me……………….