The Other Side!

Isaiah 64: 4

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

 

I went yesterday, to the funeral of a neighborhood friend.

His son David, recounted a story for me, while I was there.

 

As the doctor was about to leave the hospital room a few days before Dave’s dad passed away, his dad had a question.

“Doc, I’m not real keen on this dying thing—can you tell me what’s on the other side?”

The doctor scratched his head, and answered… “I’m not sure I really know.”

 

About that time, Dave’s dad’s dog, arrived at the hospital.

Pugsly, as he’s affectionately known, was scratching at the door, trying frantically to get into the room.

The dog had never been to a hospital before—and he didn’t really know anything else, except that his master was on the other side of the door.

 

Most of really don’t know what’s on the other side of this life, do we?

But there’s one thing we know for sure my friends, we know our Master is there, and I guess that’s all that really matters.

 

We may not know exactly what we’ll find in that glorious place called Heaven, but those of us who know Jesus, know He’s there.

Be encouraged today my friends—even if you’re going through a tough time—we know that our journey will end one day, in the loving arms of our God

Absolute Impossible!

Isaiah 50: 2

When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?

 

Have you ever figured out, what keeps us from totally obeying God?

What stands in the way, of us turning every single impulse, over to the authority of God?

 

It can’t be that we think God is unwilling to restore us, or offer us forgiveness.

Certainly His power is able to meet every one of our needs.

So why does our faith, sometimes turn into disobedience?

 

We would never question God’s power on purpose—would we?

If someone asked us… “Do you believe that God created this whole big world, and holds it all in the very palm of His hand?”

Our answer would most likely be… “I sure do!”

 

Does the degree of our difficult situation, have anything to do with whether we believe God can come through or not?

We know the Bible says, that nothing is too difficult for Him—right?

What is it about our own personal situations, that causes us to give up on faith?

 

Let’s none of us forget, that we serve a God of the absolute impossible.

There isn’t one single thing that you’ll face this day, that frightens God, even a little bit.

 

Remember, He stands ready to fix anything we can bring Him….so what are you waiting for?

Why not ask Him to fix it right now. Do you have the faith to ask Him?

That’s what He’s looking for—and that’s what please Him—a great measure of faith…

Pay attention!

Isaiah 48: 18

If only you had paid attention to my commands…

 

“If only”…two very small words, but that have drastic, even tragic consequences.

What they really mean, is that things probably would be a whole lot  different, if we did things differently.

 

God’s people could have avoided so much pain and heart ache, if they had did things His way.

I think every one of us reading this, can surely relate.

 

Everyone has regrets—sometimes enormous ones.

That’s just the way it is, as we live and flourish in a fallen world.

 

Did you ever wonder what it might have been, if we had listened to God in the first place?

Sooner or later, we all come to the realization, that life could have been better than it is.

 

The act of rebellion, might lead to the reason that we’re…in debt—why we lost our job—why our family might be screwed up..etc., etc.

If only I had done this or that or the other thing…

 

That’s the wonderful thing about amazing grace.

It never puts us in a position, where God can’t redeem our past mistakes.

 

We can follow Him, and trust that His ways, lead to a life of no regrets…

Commit!

Psalm 37: 5

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this…

 

As I spoke in church yesterday, I indicated that in 1997, I committed my entire life to the work of the Lord.

Since then, God has taken me on some very interesting journeys.

 

I’ve met some, shall we say, very interesting people, and I’ve also learned some very valuable lessons.

I’ve watched God open some doors, that I never thought possible.

 

I think that’s what happens, when someone totally commits themselves to the work of the Lord.

God wants to be in charge, and rightfully so.

Every time I feel like I need to take the lead, things get all tangled up in a mess.

 

Did you know that there are  30 million people who play fantasy football each year?

And that’s what it is—it’s a fantasy—it’s make believe!

 

I wonder what might happen to the Kingdom of darkness, if those 30 million people committed their lives to the work of the Lord?

What if we became earnestly committed, to the work of our God?

 

“Lord God, thank You for allowing me to share in the work of Your Kingdom.

Thank you for allowing me to reach the world with Your truth, through that little Winneconne pulpit.

May the good news of Jesus, and the precious gift of Salvation be found, through the words You lay upon my heart.

Today, I recommit my life to You again, and I’d prefer not living in the realm, of make believe. Amen.”

Daily Choices!

Acts 5: 29

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!”

I went tonight to run some errands, and had to stop at the store for some cough syrup.

In the same isle I was in, were packages of Halloween candy.

This time I chose the cough syrup, but that would probably be the exception to the rule.

When it comes to flavor, I have to admit that short term pleasure, almost always outweighs weightier benefits.

If I always operated in the short term, I’d probably find myself lacking in some way or another down the road.

The followers of Jesus were left with a choice.

They could keep themselves from a good beating and from jail, if they had only stopped telling the truth about Jesus.

For the temporary, the first option would’ve probably been more beneficial—at least physically it would have.

But every day we have the choice of following man’s plan, or God’s plan.

By staying obedient to the call of God, nothing can outweigh the benefits to come.

What have you been choosing lately?

Just remember this—when choosing to obey God, it will always cost us something. Friends—relationships—honor—reputation…

“Father God—give me the strength and will to choose wisely. Help me never choose what’s good for the here and now, but help me choose Your destiny for my life—even if it hurts. Amen

The Eleventh Hour!

Matthew 20: 6 – 7

About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'

" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'”

 

Some people have followed Jesus all of their lives.

Some have unfortunately wandered off to see what else is out there, that’s more exciting.

 

I got called to the bedside yesterday, of an old neighborhood friend of mine.

He’s the kind of guy, that when you look up word, “neighbor” in the dictionary, you’ll find Neal’s picture there.

 

Did you ever wonder why, God would give some people until the 11^th hour to make up their mind about salvation?

It’s because God is saturated with mercy and grace.

 

What pleased me the most about yesterday’s visit with Neal, is that someone before I arrived, had led him to Christ.

Neal responded with a sincerely heavy heart about his passed sin, and his name is now written in  the Lamb’s book of life.

He’ll be meeting Jesus at any time, now.

 

I was so glad, that all I had to do yesterday, was affirm to Neal, the decision he made in his heart.

Although we know it was the calling/drawing power of God, that engaged the heart of Neal—and yes, in the 11^th hour of his life.

 

Ya know, I happen to think it’s just amazing, that God never gives up on a soul, even up to the very end.

If you’re still waiting to make that decision, please don’t wait too long…

First and last!

Revelation 1: 8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

 

This was a pretty strong statement made by Jesus.

He said He was the first and the last—the beginning and the end.

 

When Jesus was condemned to death, He was convicted of heresy.

A heretic is a person who does not conform to the orthodox system is place.

 

Jesus was a rebel—a pioneer—an innovator, and a heretic in the eyes of the authorities and His peers.

If you stand against the accepted values of the community, of which you live in, there’s a good chance you’ll be considered a heretic.

 

Is there enough evidence to suggest that you’re a heretic?

When one ideology controls everything, new ideas aren’t even allowed to be tabled. That seems to be the case in our modern culture.

That’s the best chance for a heretic to surface!

 

Did you know that it’s up to every person who would call them a Christian, to become a heretical—especially when the worldview in place, doesn’t allow for alternative thinking.

Now mark my word—there are good heretics—and there are bad ones.

 

Make no mistake about it—Jesus was an honorable heretic—because His stake to claim, went against everything the religious establishment stood for…