Get over it!

Psalm 18: 29

For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. (NKJV)

We all have obstacles that seem to get in our way—spiritually speaking or otherwise.

It could be an unforgiving spirit—or some difficult issue that comes along during life’s journey.

Some obstacles in life, we can do all right by scaling on our own, but some are just too high for us to climb over on our own.

We might even need a little boost.

King David wrote in the Psalms, that he had some high barriers in his life—maybe you can relate.

These were things that he could only get over, with the help of God.

God doesn’t lift the person over the wall—He helps the person take the leap of faith.

What is it that you need to get over?

How long have you been trying to do it on your own?

Maybe it’s time to look to God for help?

Escape the trap

2 Timothy 2: 25 – 26

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Today is an anniversary that most people won’t ever forget.

People who opposed the plan of God, attacked many innocent people.

These evil people fell into the devils’ trap, and that trap is still set, and people are still falling into it, in record numbers.

People boarded airplanes on 9/11/2001, and were taken captive by an enemy.

They had no choice, but to walk the way of suffering that awaited them.

The trap had been sprung.

We like to think, that all the innocent people on planes that day, found peace with God.

I hope that was true in all cases.

It’s easier to think, that the Radicals that instituted this terror, would find their eternal reward in hell—and no doubt all of them did.

It’s harder to think, that an innocent bystander, would suffer the same fate.

I believe it’s time, that we all come to our senses—and walk in the spirit of true repentance—and live within the knowledge of truth……….

Good Seed

Mark 4: 16 – 17

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Do you know that there are people like this, who are part of our local churches?

Some come in, and seem to fit in well at first, but at the first sign of any kind of trouble, they quickly fall away.

They are the same kind of people, who hear something they don’t like, and also turn away.

This kind of person also has their feelings hurt easily, and carry a grudge. The joy they often have, quickly goes by the way side.

This should come as no surprise, because Jesus said it would happen.

How deep is your root?

To spring up and produce Kingdom fruit, a person needs to be planted in good soil.

No other soil will do.

Being planted in good soil, reproduces a bumper crop.

If there’s no return, then one can conclude, that the seed or person in this case, has fell among the thorns and rocky places.

Some folks represent good seed. They hear the Word—accept it, and produce a crop……..

Ready or not! Here I come!!

Matthew 24: 44

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

 

I was trying to think this morning, the number of slogans that use the word “ready”…..

READY to use—READY to eat—Let’s get READY to rumble—READY to serve—Are you READY for some football—READY or not—I was born READY—READY for anything

 

Are you ready for anything?

I mean, Jesus could come back at any time.

I wonder how many people, won’t be ready for that moment in history?

 

Our culture would much rather get READY for some football—than they would the return of Christ.

Matthew says in this Gospel account….. “So you also must be…. ready….”

 

Those words seem so insistent.

And yet, I believe many people will find themselves unprepared (not ready), when that time comes.

 

They’ve been talking about the return of Jesus for centuries—but one day it’s going to happen.

Some folks will be ready, and others will find they waited too long, to make eternal preparations

Light & Momentary troubles

2 Corinthians 4: 17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

 

There are those who believe that sickness and sorrow are the result of sin in a person’s life.

I don’t think I buy that at all, although everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

 

Is the reason that John the Baptist was beheaded, was it because he was sinful?

What about Lazarus? Was he sinful, and is that why he died? I’m pretty sure the  bible says that Paul had an infirmity.

 

Psalm 34: 19 says…..A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all….. 

Sickness can be a byproduct of transgression, but I don’t believe for a moment that believers who are forgiven, are never afflicted.

Affliction is because of the fall of man in the Garden—period!

If sickness is a result of my sin, then I should be one really sick person.

 

I know that when God brings trial, it is often times for my own good.

Deuteronomy 8: 5….Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.

 

C.S. Lewis once wrote…… “We have no right to happiness—we only have an obligation to do our Christ centered duty”………..

Subtle tatics

2 Kings 17: 14

But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God.

 

The condition spoken of here in scripture, is the condition of backsliding.

Backsliding usually begins with a general feeling of spiritual indifference.

 

As a person fails to focus on spiritual things, and then the flesh seeks to feed itself.

In almost every case, the person who slides backward, is never ever able to identify it on their own.

The devil is a sly one, and he uses very subtle tactics.

 

Just like an illness, there are symptoms that go along with the backslidden condition.

Here are just a few: A calloused attitude toward sin—lack of prayer or worship—apathy toward lost souls—stubbornness and pride.

A backslidden person, neglects the bread of life, and in that case, they can hardly grow in the love and admonition of the Lord.

 

But there is a remedy to this spiritual illness……..God promises to receive those, who return with a repentant heart.

The road back to God is never long. Do you need to return to Him today?

 

Proverbs 24: 16…… for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

Labor in faith

1 Timothy 4: 9 – 10

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God,

who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

For this we labor and strive?

Labor Day

Labor: an expenditure of physical and mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory………

Have you put your hope in the living God?

It takes tremendous effort to do so.

What effort did you extend last week, in your walk of faith?

How will you “labor” for the faith this week?

Just know this…..it’s not for the weak—it’s for the strong—those willing to labor.

It’s not for the prideful, it’s for the humble……….