A good laugh

Psalm 126: 2

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for me.

When was the last time you had a good laugh?

It would seem that we’ve forgotten how to laugh.

The weight of life brings about a somber attitude.

Once we consider how Jesus defeated the enemy of death, we should learn to laugh in the face of trial.

What Jesus accomplished at the Cross, should bring a smile to our collective faces.

We are redeemed, joint airs of the Son of the Most High God.

We have been adopted into the family of faith.

We will enjoy the inheritance of the King one day.

Tell me that doesn’t make you want to burst out into joyful laughter?

Maybe this will put a smile on your face………

Knock, Knock

Who’s There?

Dolores

Dolores Who?

Dolores my shepherd, and I shall not want

Finish it!

Ecclesiastes 7: 8

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.

Why is it important that we finish what we begin?

If we don’t finish what we have promised to do in the first place, it can affect our reputation.

Following through on a specific spiritual task, helps to produce patience and as a result, humility becomes a part of our overall character.

Have you specified a task that God has given you to complete?

If so, how are you coming on it? Are you currently doing anything to expand the great Kingdom of God?

People often start strong, and then interest begins to wane.

While you’re working on the task that God has given you, you will experience blessing in great proportion.

While you complete Godly tasks, God deserves and should receive all of the glory.

Is that happening in your life?

The older I get, the more I know that God has given me certain things to take care of.

I want to finish strong, while I still have the energy.

I know that the one who finishes strong, will receive reward one day.

Do you know that the church is full of people, who have started something for God, and have abruptly stopped?

While there’s still time, we need to reengage in Godly purposes and bring them to completion………

Self Sufficiency Vice

2 Corinthians 1: 9

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Paul in his second letter to the church of Corinth, was explaining about the hardship endured by the Asian believers.

And yet God is the God of all comfort in the midst of every kind of trial.

He might even bring about trials and hard ships, to bring about dependency.

If you listen to any of the pre-election speeches given by candidates these days, they are telling young people to be self reliant.

In the new world system, self sufficiency is a virtue.

The truth is, self sufficient in the spiritual sense, is not a virtue at all—it’s actually a vice.

God is working in us day by day, to bring about complete dependency upon Him.

He won’t stop that work, until we our totally dependent upon Him.

Ask yourself this morning; Can you trust God for the many promises He’s revealed?

If you have trouble answering that question, then God has more work to do in you, in the area of dependency........

Empty Barns

Proverbs 3: 9 – 10

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 

Did you ever stop to think, how we’re doing as a nation, at honoring God?

 

America spends the following on the various commodities each year:

Soda—$73.9 billion

Candy—$6 billion

Cigarettes—$42 billion

Alcohol—$100 billion

 

Guess how much food, America wastes each year?

160 billion pounds!

 

The evangelical, protestant church gives in offerings, some $4 billion dollars annually.

It’s no wonder so many of our barns are empty…………

Reliable Speech

Matthew 5: 36 – 37

“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

In simple terms, what Jesus was saying here was, don’t break your word.

In Kingdom terms, truth is ensured by the integrity and reliability of our speech.

We don’t have to swear on a stack of Bibles to ensure the Word of God.

And Jesus takes it even another step. He says, don’t swear an oath to personally guarantee your word.

He says, let the truth of your speech, be the standard by which you live.

Our word must be reliable.

Would you say that most people, can bank on your word?

Is your speech seen as reliable in the church or the work place?

At home?

The great Department Store owner/entrepreneur, J. C. Penny once said………

“Seek not to be admired, but believed.”

Hello? God is that you?

Ecclesiastes 11: 9             (NLT)

Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in.

But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

 

Have you stopped to think lately, that God has called you and me to do and accomplish specific things?

God gives each of us the freedom to follow different paths.

Over the course of life, He allows us to participate in all kinds of different activities—some good and some not so good.

Remember this though; we will have to answer to Him for everything that we do.

 

Not everything we choose to do, is a call from God to do so, but we will be held accountable to God none the less.

What is God calling you to do today?

 

The way you know that’s it’s God calling you to do something, is in direction proportion to how much time we spend in His Word.

God communicates to us through the Bible.

No time spent in prayer and in reading the Bible—no communication from God.

 

When we let the Holy Spirit transform us, we will begin to change the way we think.

When we think like God thinks, you will surely know what He wants you to do.

 

What do you think He wants you to do today?

Kingdom Responsibility

Mathew 25: 29

For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

A follower of Jesus, is responsible for a lot of things.

We’re responsible in how we respond to Jesus and His message of Salvation.

We are responsible for the words we speak, and the actions we take or don’t take.

We’re actually responsible for taking the message of Salvation to others.

Kingdom responsibility is very important, because we will be held accountable for the actions we take.

We will not be able to blame others, for the actions we don’t take.

Did you know that responsibility, opens the doors to opportunity?

If we are responsible for things given to us by God, greater opportunity is afforded us.

If we are responsible for the things given to us, greater responsibility awaits us.

How are you doing, with what you have been given?

Servant Service

Colossians  1: 25

I have become its (the church) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness…..

 

Paul said that he had become a servant to the church, by commission of God—to present the Word of God in fullness.

The presentation of the Word in fullness, isn’t received any more like it once was.

 

If someone on the street today, came up to you asked where your servant service in the church was, would you have an answer?

Jesus said in Matthew 6: 24 that no one can serve two masters. He also went on to say, that he will hate one and despise the other.

 

The question of the day is this….Which master owns you, and in this life, what really masters you?

If we will call ourselves Christians, we must look conscientiously at our lives and ask some seriously tough questions.

 

 

Jesus, I pray that you would continue to give us grace and mercy and direction. I pray that you would reveal to us our areas of dark living, and those things that really masters us.

Jesus, give us strength not to ignore the dangerous signs in our lives, but rather to look at them prayerfully and soberly, allowing you to conform us in a more godly way.

By the Holy Spirit, sanctify us and make our allegiance clear to us and to all. It must be to you always and in every way…..God, may You get all of Your glory! Amen

Reproof & Correction

2 Timothy 3: 16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness……

Is the world impacting the church today—or the church impacting the world?

I wonder if in the church, people actually enjoy reproof and correction?

I don’t think that’s very popular anymore.

When is the last time you were in church, and the message preached, so burned in your soul, that you had no other recourse, than to confess sin right on the spot?

That’s not very popular anymore, either.

The truth of the matter is this……there are people within the church, who are changing.

Some have lost their fight, and some have truly lost their spiritual direction.

I think last night’s Presidential Debate was important toward considering the future of our country, but not nearly as important as getting things right with God.

I wonder how you might feel, if I came to you in church one day, and told you that you were changing?

Would you accept the reproof, or get mad and hold it against me?

Life is short, is it not? But forever seems very long………..

Wake Up!

Hebrews 6: 11 – 12  (NKJV)

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Now is the time to take the Word of God seriously, and yet that is not the case in the lives of many people.

Many people in the church have become sluggish, some have even fallen asleep.

God means what He says, and your opinion or my opinion is not going to change that.

Today, I believe that God looks down upon a church that is more than sluggish, it’s fast asleep.

Jesus is coming back soon, and yet there are people who are totally unconcerned.

Some, once showed signs of diligence in studying God’s Word and had even made it a priority.

The church today, should be wholly dependent upon God and the Holy Spirit, but more and more people today are dependent upon themselves.

The church today does not need anything else, but God Almighty on His throne.

When the study of God’s Word becomes boring, or even if the teacher does not seem to connect anymore, the sluggish, sleeping people will still be judged by God.

Whatever happened to sacrifice? Whatever happened to dying to oneself? Whatever happened to hungering and thirsting after righteousness?

I’m afraid some folks have become addicted to the easy life, and I believe that makes God very sad.

The Word says that we should NOT set our heart on the things of this world, but the fact is, many of us have.

And one day, those worldly things are going to go up in smoke.

I think it’s time to wake up, because those who are sluggish and fast asleep, will not inherit the promises………

He is Crystal Clear!

1 Corinthians 14: 33

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

In our walk of Faith, God actually demands peace and order in the church, and not confusion.

That dos not go for just a few churches, but it was meant to be that way in all churches.

Do you ever have a time, when it feels like there are two voices trying to speak reason into your life all at once?

Just be sure of this, when that happens, that is never the spirit of God.

God is crystal clear when He is trying to reason and communicate truth.

God requires that all things be done orderly and with clarity.

It is estimated that there are over 7 billion people in the world.

It’s also estimated that of the 7 billion, 1.5 billion are Christians.

Many within that group, are involved in many pagan beliefs.

It’s estimated that only 500 million Christians have some basic understanding of the Bible.

Now the kicker…..only 5 million would claim to hold to the absolute truth of God’s Word.

It sounds like there are many confused people in the world.

Which group do you fit into?

Nothing is too difficult

Romans 5: 5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Have you found the hope, that makes the difference?

Our lives should be this daily quest, to seek out love, as God intended.

Sometimes believers see hope as something we wish for, or something we dream of.

But sometimes dreams don’t come true, and what we wish for doe not happen.

Hope on the other hand, never disappoints.

God has created beauty in the form of hope.

You may be going through, what you would consider a hopeless time.

Remember something very important today; Nothing is too difficult, with the God whom we serve and love.

We finite creatures always seem to seek a beginning and an end.

The love of God, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, is infinite.

No doubt, life has it’s many contrasts.

There are times in life when we’re walking in the promised land, and other times in the wilderness.

Today you may have hardship and disappointment, and you may even have great difficulties, but don’t forget today, that you also have great hope……

Consult and Commit

Proverbs 16: 3

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

 

The decisions you make today, will certainly affect your tomorrow.

Do you consult the Lord, in whatever you do?

If not, it’s probably a good idea to rethink your strategy.

 

In the midst of making simple or complex decisions, it’s always good to consult the Lord.

In the midst of decision making, just let God be God.

 

How can you know you’re making the right decision?

Here are some sound and simple biblical tips;

·         Study the Word so you that know what God would do in the first place.

·         Surround yourself with folks who are further along in their spiritual journey, and ask questions.

·         Never give up trying to make the right godly decision.

 

It takes time to develop good, sound judgment and decision making ability.

One you make the “decision” to commit everything to the Lord, you’re already half way home.

Working with God is a continuous process, but it sure is worth the effort.

 

Without God, our plans can never find true, meaningful success………..

Be anxious for nothing

Philippians 4: 6 – 7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

The possible causes for fear and anxiety are many.

It could be conflict—health issues—spiritual issues—false beliefs.

 

It is wrong to become paralyzed by excessive worry—which in turn, is sin.

Sometimes, anxiety is the result of sin in one’s life.

The solution? Repent—confess the sin and seek God’s forgiveness and set things right.

 

Did you know that most people worry, about events that never take place?

Wouldn’t you agree, that worry and anxiety are time wasters?

 

I wonder….When worry and fret and fear enter in, do you take God at His Word?

That might be the issue, right there.

 

Maybe these verses of scripture, will bring about God’s reminder of His peace and heartwarming presence?

What do you reject?

1 Thessalonians 4: 8

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 

Preaching God’s Word can take its toll sometime.

I recently sent out a pile of mail, containing invitations for an upcoming church event.

It required the recipient to RSVP, and yet some people have in essence rejected the invitation, because they haven’t yet expressed their intentions.

Some of the mail even came back, marked…”return to sender”.

 

The instruction from God’s Word is often like that.

The message goes out, but people often reject the content.

God’s Word says that the rejection of the Word, is not the rejection of the messenger, but the author of the message.

 

The more I read God’s Word, the more I realize His wishes and content, are only meant for our good.

God gives us His Holy Spirit to discern right from wrong, and yet rejection of the Holy Spirit’s prompting, is like…. “return to sender”.

 

What will you choose to do with God’s Word today?

Will you receive the full effect, and make changes, or reject it as people often do?

 

The message is clear, it is not the rejection of the messenger, but it is the rejection of the One who mailed it in the first place……..

Faith Driven

Proverbs 3: 3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Regardless of the results, a farmer puts tiny little seeds in the ground, where he/she expects them to die.

One day those seeds will spring forth, and faithfulness to the cause will bring additional production.

I often wonder sometimes, why farmers, farm.

Could it be that the farmer is driven by faithfulness more than they are driven by fruitfulness?

To be driven by faithfulness, one has to continue to do what they are convicted to do.

To be successful in the things of God, a person has to be driven to do the things God has instructed them to do, regardless of the outcome.

The farmers faithfulness to farm, comes from a heart that is committed to the calling.

If you weren’t always promised something in return, how committed to the things of God would you be?

I also have to wonder what our level of commitment would be to God, if all the blessings just went along the wayside?

Faithfulness is not affected by what we get in return.

Without faithfulness though, it is impossible to be fruitful.

What’s your level of faithfulness these days—to the things of God, that is………

Constant Flow

Ephesians 5: 18

Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

 

Do you know, that there are no real exceptions to this verse?

We are called to be filled with the Spirit.

If we are not filled, then something is wrong—and that wrong is sin.

 

The Greek explains that we should be continuously filled with the Spirit of God.

Translated, this verse actually plays out as….. “Be filled and keep on being filled.”

It’s not like going and filling a bucket full of water—a onetime thing—it’s a constant flow and filling.

 

My great Grandma who lived in Tustin, WI, had an artesian spring flowing right into her kitchen.

I remember seeing that the faucet, or in this case the pipe, that came to her sink, had a constant flow of fresh, cold water—it never stopped.

Where does your constant flow come from?

 

We should never be emptied of the Spirit.

We should receive a daily influx of God’s Spirit, and the flow should be constant.

 

What are you doing, to keep a constant flow of God’s Spirit?

Actually, the Spirit should be overflowing, and you’d be surprised at how many dry people fill the churches week after week………….

A wonderful Promise

Matthew 28: 20

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Do you lay claim daily, to this awesome promise from our Lord and Savior?

Whatever you face today, you can be rest assured, that Jesus Himself is with you.

From every event of testing, we know that we can emerge in the light of His unfailing love.

The way may seem dim and dark right now, but we possess a promise, that we can step into His glorious light.

One day we will even go to live with Him, and be with Him forever.

Is this promise enough for you, today?

He is with you, ALWAYS……

Father, how can I even begin, to thank You for this incredible love?

You have shown me this love, by allowing Your Son to die in my place.

I will purpose myself, to live this life daily, so that it glorifies You in both victory and defeat.

Thank You for always being with me, even to the end of the world. Amen

There are blessings in Adversities

Psalm 94: 12 – 13 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity…..

Maybe today, you’re facing adversity in your life in some way.

Did you stop to think, that God may be using adversity to teach you some things that are eternal?

To resist God’s hand of discipline, is to miss out on one of the greatest blessings that may ever come your way.

This side of heaven, is time spent in the class room of life.

Consider this; Going through adversity, could mean that God cares for you very much—and He does.

Read the book of Job, and you’ll soon discover that he suffered like few men have.

One thing he did though, was that he never lost sight of God’s presence in his life.

Job must have been an extraordinary man.

It be wise for us to remember this verse, when life isn’t going like we think it should……..

Hebrews 12: 11 (NIV)

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.