Choose Wisely!

Joshua 24: 15         NKJV

¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...                                                                                                                                              

One subject that should almost never come up at family gatherings, are politics and religion.

I’m finding out more and more though, that all sorts of people want to talk about religion, in light of politics.

I find it fascinating, that of all the topics that come up the most, it happens to be the rock bottom dollar.

“Will I have enough to retire on?” “How will I ever pay for child care?” “How will I pay my college tuition?”

It’s seldom to hear people talk about topics that in God’s eyes, probably matter the most.

Marriage...Religious Freedom...Sanctity of Human Life...The Nation of Israel...just to a name a few.

Each of us in November, will exercise our right to choose.

I wonder how many people will actually consult God, on who to really vote for?

And yet our choices according to public opinion, aren’t choice...are they?

One party obviously seems to stand more in alignment with God. That you’ll have to figure out for yourself.

Have you done your homework, when it comes to this year’s election?

Do you know what party will line up more with the Word of God?

Personally, not being a part of the election process at all, is a right no one should ever surrender.

Might I suggest that we all take this to prayer, for we should purposely choose wisely... 

Growth Focus!

2 Peter 3: 18            NKJV

¹⁸ ...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s always fun for me to see the people who are a part of my church family, grow in grace and knowledge.

On Tuesday mornings, we’ve been going back to the basics of our faith, and I’m surprised at how much folks desire to grow.

Yesterday morning was especially meaningful to me, and I guess I don’t tell this group that as often as I should.

16 people gathered for fellowship...true fellowship, and the intimate study of God’s Word.

There are two groups of ladies who meet on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings, all because they want to grow.

Some ladies attend all three (3) studies. It’s like they can’t get enough!

We know that Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines GRACE as, (Charis) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life...

In the Strong’s there are a number of accompanying words next to the definition...acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure & thanks.

What is the ultimate goal of every believer in Christ? To bring Him glory.

Do you think growing in GRACE and knowledge, brings God more glory?

The people participating in various Bible studies in our church, are focused on knowing God, which in turn brings Him more glory.

Focusing on growth will also bring a person to another greater spiritual level.

Let’s not forget that Paul told us that we we’re not only created by Him...but we were created for Him.

Keep growing, and you’ll find yourself being changed and transformed into the very image of Jesus.

These are the people that God will use to straighten out this mixed up world. We’re supposed to growing, not slowing...

Why?

Psalm 43: 5              NKJV

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?

When my wife Debbie got home from work last night, she asked me... “Is everything alright?”

I could’ve handed her a line, but because she’s very perceptive, she would’ve known I wasn’t being totally honest.

Do you ever have low, sort of melancholy days?

The older I get, the more I reflect on the life I’ve already lived, and the days I have remaining.

Even Jesus had a wide range of emotions. He was compassionate, angry, distressed, filled with sorrow, and obviously there were times of great joy.

Then I began to wonder, if Pastor’s/Preachers/Minister’s have those same sort of various emotions. Maybe all followers of Christ feel that way?

Before I was a Pastor, I’m not sure I felt the ways I sometimes feel, now.

Loneliness, sadness, disappointment, and sometimes just downright frustrated.

The only people who seem to understand my fickle feelings, are other Pastor’s.

St. Paul seemed to embody the emotions of Jesus when He said... “I long for you with the compassion of Christ.” (Philippians 1: 8)

Maybe when a person focuses on the life of Jesus, that might just bring His emotions into light.

I realize that some theologians will argue that God isn’t at all swayed by feelings, and I get that.

Could it be that as we gaze into the glory of Jesus, maybe we are being transformed into His likeness? (2 Corinthians 3: 18)

The fact of the matter remains, that just because I serve God fulltime, doesn’t mean I’m always on my, “A” game...

Deceived?

James 4: 8

⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

I’ve been going to Physical Therapy the last few weeks, for a persistent shoulder problem from my 4/29/16 accident.

When I entered the waiting area the other day, I noticed something sort of strange...but not so strange.

There were 7 other people waiting for their appointment, but each one seemed to be preoccupied.

Even the 70+ year old women were glued to their i-phones.

God desires intimacy with us, but I have to wonder how much we desire to spend time with Him?

As we call out to Him, He draws us into His inner chamber.

It is suggested that even the millennia’s will vote in lower numbers in this year’s November election.

Many in that age group would say that they’re too busy to vote.

A retired Pastor once told me... “The answers to the secrets of God, are found in the secret place”.

How often do you go to the secret place? Are you too busy to spend time with God?

Jesus said in Matthew 6: 6... “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray...”

It would appear that we have an issue with closing the door to the distractions of life.

I wonder if we haven’t instead, closed the door on God?

I’m also curious, if we too, haven’t been deceived by taking a big bite out of the APPLE...(Apple logo)

How is your faith?

Hebrews 11: 6            NKJV

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

On Tuesday night, my wife Debbie and I went to the onetime movie event, “To Joey with Love”.

It was the life story of Rory and Joey Feek, and their daughter Indiana.

From the very start of the movie, you could testify to their deep faith in Christ.

When cancer struck, their faith seemed to grow larger than life, in spite of the terminal diagnosis for Joey.

Even with the birth of their daughter, Indiana, who was born with Down Syndrome, their collective theme was... “God has a plan”

I have to admit, that when I left the theater, I wondered how strong my faith is. Does my faith please God?

How strong is your faith? Do you diligently seek the God of the Bible?

Would you say your faith is stronger today, than it was a year ago?

I am convinced, that Joey is currently receiving her eternal reward for her deep, and powerful faith.

That same reward awaits her husband. What reward does your faith deserve?

Celebrate!

Luke 15: 7

7 “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents...”

When I was a kid in grade school there was something called, “Lost & Found”

It was a place that was filled with single mittens, shoes, hats, and all kinds of clothing.

Whenever something went missing of a personal article, you could go to search through lost and found.

To find something there that belonged to you, was a personal triumph. Not to mention that it put my Mom in a pretty good mood!

The religious big shots during Jesus’ time, didn’t understand what brought about Heavenly joy.

And yet Jesus said there was great joy in Heaven, when a soul is found, that once was lost.

Picture the greatest party or celebration you’ve ever been to, and then multiply that times 1,000.

When a lost soul is saved and recovered and restored, there is a great celebration in Heaven.

I wonder how excited the church is, when a lost person is found?

If we really understood the depth of that Heavenly joy, we might see more people active in evangelizing the world.

I wonder how often those of us who have been found, celebrate the day we were recovered?

Do we demonstrate the overwhelming joy of Jesus, or the doubtful attitude of the Pharisee?

Jesus placed a high priority on seeing the lost come home.

I wonder if the church places such a high priority on trying to locate the lost? Maybe we’d have more celebrations than we currently do, if we did... 

Evil to Good

Genesis 50: 20

²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good...

I can’t speak for you necessarily, but I’ve had some bad things that have happened to me, that I thought at the time were devastating.

The longer I walk this walk of faith, the more I know I’ve met people who have suffered a familiar fate.

One can learn some valuable lessons from the life of Joseph.

Talk about bad luck!?! Or was it?

So many people through unfair circumstances they’ve had no control of, now go home to empty houses every night after work.

Then those quiet moments are often followed up with times of depression and emptiness.

Sometimes it takes months or even years for the veil of grief to be lifted.

Are you in such a place today?

Don’t give up hope, because the God of the Bible says that He can work all things out for our good.

The Lord has used many of my painful moments, to bring about wonderful healing.

I’m not sure I’d want to go through the gauntlet again, but on the other side of grief, God is there waiting.

The one thing I like to read in the 39^th chapter in Genesis, are these words... “The Lord was with him...”

Even if you’re walking through the valley right now, be encouraged that you don’t travel alone.

God is indeed, the God of second chances...