“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: of whom I am chief.” (I Timothy 1:15)
Most of us have heard lies. In fact we have heard some “whoppers.” To be perfectly honest, most of us have told one sometime. Too often, man’s speech is very undependable.
One saying we can all depend on is in this verse of scripture: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He never came to give us a holiday: He came to save sinners. He never came to help merchants get in the black or to help the economy. He came to save sinners. He never came to make us feel good about ourselves; He came to save sinners. He never came to take sides in political campaigns; He came to save sinners.
He is not one among many who came to save sinners: He is the only One who came to save sinners and He is the only one who is able to save sinners. Has He saved you? Is He your Savior?
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Commit All to Him
“…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” II Timothy 1:12)
God had appointed the Apostle Paul to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. As a result of fulfilling that assignment he went through much suffering and bodily affliction.
But, Paul knew the Lord. He had committed his soul and his eternal safekeeping to the Lord Jesus. He was firmly convinced that the Lord would keep what the old apostle had committed to Him. It was as though he had made a deposit of his total being into the bank of heaven for eternal safekeeping.
I trusted the Lord a long time ago and committed my eternal destiny to Him. You and I cannot keep ourselves saved any more than we can save ourselves. But the Christ who saves us is able to keep us safe.
Commit your soul to Him for salvation now and for eternity.
God had appointed the Apostle Paul to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. As a result of fulfilling that assignment he went through much suffering and bodily affliction.
But, Paul knew the Lord. He had committed his soul and his eternal safekeeping to the Lord Jesus. He was firmly convinced that the Lord would keep what the old apostle had committed to Him. It was as though he had made a deposit of his total being into the bank of heaven for eternal safekeeping.
I trusted the Lord a long time ago and committed my eternal destiny to Him. You and I cannot keep ourselves saved any more than we can save ourselves. But the Christ who saves us is able to keep us safe.
Commit your soul to Him for salvation now and for eternity.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Teach Us
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
(Psalm 90:12)
He is a wise man who knows his life on earth is short. He is wiser still if he applies his heart unto wisdom and uses his time wisely. The Bible says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)
The request in our text is that God would teach us to number our days. God answers the request throughout His written word.
We are reminded over and over in His word of the brevity of life. He tells us how we are to live. He tells husbands and wives how to get along. Life is too short to spend it quarreling. He tells us how to rear our children so that they will be productive adults one day. He tells us of the choice of two ways and the destination at the end of each way. He tells us of the Christians’ daily walk, of how to live by faith, trusting Him.
(Psalm 90:12)
He is a wise man who knows his life on earth is short. He is wiser still if he applies his heart unto wisdom and uses his time wisely. The Bible says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)
The request in our text is that God would teach us to number our days. God answers the request throughout His written word.
We are reminded over and over in His word of the brevity of life. He tells us how we are to live. He tells husbands and wives how to get along. Life is too short to spend it quarreling. He tells us how to rear our children so that they will be productive adults one day. He tells us of the choice of two ways and the destination at the end of each way. He tells us of the Christians’ daily walk, of how to live by faith, trusting Him.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Seventy or Eighty
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10)
God is eternal, without beginning of days or end of life. But that cannot be said of mankind. We are temporary; just seventy or eighty years. We look at the daily obituaries and our hearts break over infant and toddler deaths. Then we see the few that go beyond the seventy or eighty years and rejoice that their families had them that long.
Many years ago I was having a conversation with a man who had just turned ninety. A tear trickled down his cheek as he said, “It seems like yesterday that I played on the little cabin floor. I don’t know where it’s all gone.” In a few months I preached his funeral message.
Life is soon cut off. When Pharaoh asked Jacob his age he responded, “My days are one hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days of my life been…” (Genesis 47:9)
Make preparation for death. Even the Son of God, the Lord Jesus died. But, He lives and is alive forever, and can give you eternal life if you will receive Him by faith.
God is eternal, without beginning of days or end of life. But that cannot be said of mankind. We are temporary; just seventy or eighty years. We look at the daily obituaries and our hearts break over infant and toddler deaths. Then we see the few that go beyond the seventy or eighty years and rejoice that their families had them that long.
Many years ago I was having a conversation with a man who had just turned ninety. A tear trickled down his cheek as he said, “It seems like yesterday that I played on the little cabin floor. I don’t know where it’s all gone.” In a few months I preached his funeral message.
Life is soon cut off. When Pharaoh asked Jacob his age he responded, “My days are one hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days of my life been…” (Genesis 47:9)
Make preparation for death. Even the Son of God, the Lord Jesus died. But, He lives and is alive forever, and can give you eternal life if you will receive Him by faith.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Our Eternal God
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psalm 90:2)
When there was nothing; when all was empty space; when there was no earth, no mountains and no oceans even then there was God.
Before there were calendars, clocks, watches, sun-dials or hour glasses filled with sand, before there were trees whose growth rings one might count to determine their ages there was God.
One might step into the middle of a time-line of any length or step into the time-line anywhere toward either end and there you would find God.
As far back in eternity past you may travel, God is making preparation to speak the earth and the universe into existence and set man in the midst. Even then He knew you and made preparation for your presence with Him. He loves you and desires you to receive His free gift of eternal life in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
When there was nothing; when all was empty space; when there was no earth, no mountains and no oceans even then there was God.
Before there were calendars, clocks, watches, sun-dials or hour glasses filled with sand, before there were trees whose growth rings one might count to determine their ages there was God.
One might step into the middle of a time-line of any length or step into the time-line anywhere toward either end and there you would find God.
As far back in eternity past you may travel, God is making preparation to speak the earth and the universe into existence and set man in the midst. Even then He knew you and made preparation for your presence with Him. He loves you and desires you to receive His free gift of eternal life in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Be Thankful Every Day
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, a day set aside annually in which we are encouraged to express our thanks to God for His bountiful goodness to us. Today, the day after the designated day is also a good day to give thanks. In fact, there is not a day when we should not be thankful, be it the day before, the day of or the day after Thanksgiving.
Two verses before our text we are told to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) Verse nineteen strongly indicates that as a result of that filling we are to sing songs of joy. Our text says a Spirit filled person is not only a singing person, but he is also a thankful person. We have no less reason to be thankful today than we had yesterday.
A Spirit filled person will find many reasons to give thanks to God every day. Thank Him for the Cross, for the blood of Christ, for the empty tomb, and His daily intercession for us. Thank Him for heaven, the forever home of the redeemed.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, a day set aside annually in which we are encouraged to express our thanks to God for His bountiful goodness to us. Today, the day after the designated day is also a good day to give thanks. In fact, there is not a day when we should not be thankful, be it the day before, the day of or the day after Thanksgiving.
Two verses before our text we are told to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) Verse nineteen strongly indicates that as a result of that filling we are to sing songs of joy. Our text says a Spirit filled person is not only a singing person, but he is also a thankful person. We have no less reason to be thankful today than we had yesterday.
A Spirit filled person will find many reasons to give thanks to God every day. Thank Him for the Cross, for the blood of Christ, for the empty tomb, and His daily intercession for us. Thank Him for heaven, the forever home of the redeemed.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving
Psalm 100
A Psalm of praise
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD He is God:
it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people,
and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
Have a wonderful,
Christ-filled day of Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Give Thanks unto the Lord
“Oh give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” (Psalm 105:1)
The sunrise is predictable. Every morning an old red rooster crows and he thinks that his crowing caused the sun to rise.
Suppose that some morning the sun never came up. T.V. and radio stations would be reporting numerous phone calls from people wanting to know why the sun had not come up. Perhaps someone might even check the old red rooster.
Folks would go to bed at the end of that day, confident the sun would come up tomorrow. But tomorrow was just like today. World counsels would be called into session. Their final conclusions: “We have no power over the sun to cause it to rise or set. This is beyond our understanding or ability. There must be a power greater than us about which we know nothing.”
On the third day prayer meetings are being conducted in church houses, cathedrals, palaces, mud huts and in caves. People confess sins. They repent. They make promises to keep their old promises.
Then early the fourth morning there is a lavender hue in the eastern sky. The sun is coming up. Neighbors are calling neighbors to tell them the sun is coming up. It is a “breaking news” announcement on the early morning T.V. shows. The sun is coming up and people are beginning the day with thanksgiving to God for the sunrise.
The sunrise is predictable. Every morning an old red rooster crows and he thinks that his crowing caused the sun to rise.
Suppose that some morning the sun never came up. T.V. and radio stations would be reporting numerous phone calls from people wanting to know why the sun had not come up. Perhaps someone might even check the old red rooster.
Folks would go to bed at the end of that day, confident the sun would come up tomorrow. But tomorrow was just like today. World counsels would be called into session. Their final conclusions: “We have no power over the sun to cause it to rise or set. This is beyond our understanding or ability. There must be a power greater than us about which we know nothing.”
On the third day prayer meetings are being conducted in church houses, cathedrals, palaces, mud huts and in caves. People confess sins. They repent. They make promises to keep their old promises.
Then early the fourth morning there is a lavender hue in the eastern sky. The sun is coming up. Neighbors are calling neighbors to tell them the sun is coming up. It is a “breaking news” announcement on the early morning T.V. shows. The sun is coming up and people are beginning the day with thanksgiving to God for the sunrise.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
God’s Unspeakable Gift
“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” (II Corinthians 9:15)
Perhaps you and a friend were looking at the same beautiful sunset when you attempted to describe it. Finally you exclaimed, “It’s indescribable!” Or you heard a song that said how you felt about your Savior. But you did not have the words to describe the song or the Savior. It is unspeakable.
That is where the Apostle Paul is in his thanks to God for the unspeakable gift of salvation in His Son Jesus Christ. There aren’t enough letters in all the alphabets of all the world’s languages to put the right words and adjectives together to describe the gift of God’s Son to mankind.
We raise our voices in unison to say simply, “Thank you, God.”
Perhaps you and a friend were looking at the same beautiful sunset when you attempted to describe it. Finally you exclaimed, “It’s indescribable!” Or you heard a song that said how you felt about your Savior. But you did not have the words to describe the song or the Savior. It is unspeakable.
That is where the Apostle Paul is in his thanks to God for the unspeakable gift of salvation in His Son Jesus Christ. There aren’t enough letters in all the alphabets of all the world’s languages to put the right words and adjectives together to describe the gift of God’s Son to mankind.
We raise our voices in unison to say simply, “Thank you, God.”
Monday, November 21, 2016
Giving Thanks in Everything
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
The inspired writer is not instructing us to be thankful “for” everything, but to give thanks “in” everything. For instance, if you are taking a walk, trip over a limb on the trail, fall and break your arm, you are not expected to thank God for your injury. But, if you are right handed and it is your left arm that was injured, be thankful. And be thankful you were able to seek medical personnel who could take care of it. You should be thankful that God was there to protect you from further injuries.
Certainly, we should not sit on the sidelines and be thankful “for” floods, tornados, earthquakes and other disasters. But “in” them we should be thankful that there are people who can come to the rescue of people in those situations. In those situations we should be thankful if we have the strength, ability, finances and “know how” to be of help.
In every problem, every circumstance, every situation give thanks. You do not know what tomorrow may bring, but God knows. Be thankful that He has not left you alone to work things out all by yourself.
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
The inspired writer is not instructing us to be thankful “for” everything, but to give thanks “in” everything. For instance, if you are taking a walk, trip over a limb on the trail, fall and break your arm, you are not expected to thank God for your injury. But, if you are right handed and it is your left arm that was injured, be thankful. And be thankful you were able to seek medical personnel who could take care of it. You should be thankful that God was there to protect you from further injuries.
Certainly, we should not sit on the sidelines and be thankful “for” floods, tornados, earthquakes and other disasters. But “in” them we should be thankful that there are people who can come to the rescue of people in those situations. In those situations we should be thankful if we have the strength, ability, finances and “know how” to be of help.
In every problem, every circumstance, every situation give thanks. You do not know what tomorrow may bring, but God knows. Be thankful that He has not left you alone to work things out all by yourself.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Be Thankful to God
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful…” (Romans 1:21)
From the very beginning of mankind on earth thanklessness has been one of the many sins of which man is guilty. As I read descriptions of mankind in His last days on earth, I discover that mankind will still be unthankful. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy, without natural affection…”(II Timothy 3:2-3)
Presidents of the U.S. have made bold attempts to get us to express “thanks” to our maker by declaring days and times of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving must be an “attitude of gratitude” from the heart. Declaring a day does not necessarily mean we are thankful.
During this Thanksgiving season let us be thankful unto God our maker and sustainer for all the many benefits bestowed on us individually and nationally.
From the very beginning of mankind on earth thanklessness has been one of the many sins of which man is guilty. As I read descriptions of mankind in His last days on earth, I discover that mankind will still be unthankful. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy, without natural affection…”(II Timothy 3:2-3)
Presidents of the U.S. have made bold attempts to get us to express “thanks” to our maker by declaring days and times of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving must be an “attitude of gratitude” from the heart. Declaring a day does not necessarily mean we are thankful.
During this Thanksgiving season let us be thankful unto God our maker and sustainer for all the many benefits bestowed on us individually and nationally.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Seek Ye First…
“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
The people of our day work feverishly, laying up money for retirement, investing in this and that fund, anxiously wondering if there will be funds to see us through to the end. Such thinking stops us from doing the work God has bidden us to do.
A little poem says, “Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘friend, I would really like to know, what makes these anxious human beings rush about and worry so?’”
Replied the robin to the sparrow, "Well, I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me."
The people of our day work feverishly, laying up money for retirement, investing in this and that fund, anxiously wondering if there will be funds to see us through to the end. Such thinking stops us from doing the work God has bidden us to do.
A little poem says, “Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘friend, I would really like to know, what makes these anxious human beings rush about and worry so?’”
Replied the robin to the sparrow, "Well, I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me."
Friday, November 18, 2016
An Obscure Prayer by an Obscure Man
“And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bare him with sorrow.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me!’ And God granted him that which he requested.” (I Chronicles 4:9-10)
I have not read the little book, “The Prayer of Jabez,” so if I say something here that the author said in the book, I apologize. Here are just a few short points about prayer gleaned from these two verses from God’s Word.
For Jabez to pray as he did and his prayer to be answered indicates that he had faith in God. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that cometh to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We must have faith when we pray. An old quartet song says, “prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar”
I have not read the little book, “The Prayer of Jabez,” so if I say something here that the author said in the book, I apologize. Here are just a few short points about prayer gleaned from these two verses from God’s Word.
- The prayer of Jabez is short, just thirty-three words in length. Prayer does not have to be long.
- The prayer of Jabez is specific, with five requests. We need to be specific when we pray.
- Jabez took time to pray.
- Jabez came boldly to God. The Bible says, “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) Boldly does not mean arrogantly.
- His prayer reminds us that even “nobodies” can pray. He is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Are you a “Nobody” in the eyes of others? You can pray.
- His prayer was answered. “And God granted him that which he requested.”
For Jabez to pray as he did and his prayer to be answered indicates that he had faith in God. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that cometh to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We must have faith when we pray. An old quartet song says, “prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar”
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Bring Someone to Jesus
“And he brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:42)
It doesn’t take a seminary or college degree and it doesn’t take a person with name recognition to bring a person to Jesus.
The word, “he” in this verse is referring to Andrew, Simon’s brother. The word, “him” is referring to Simon, better known to most as “Simon Peter.” Both Andrew and Simon were as common as grass beside the road. They were fishermen. They were just plain, ordinary, hard working young men.
Andrew had heard John the Baptist speak and refer to Jesus as the, “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” The first thing he wanted to do after meeting Jesus is the first thing we wanted to do after meeting Him; that is, to bring someone else to meet Him.
After Simon met Jesus he was never the same. He was chosen by the Lord to be in the inner circle with the brothers, James and John. On the evening before the crucifixion Peter denied that he knew Jesus. But Jesus forgave and restored him. Peter wrote two outstanding epistles which are huge blessings to Christians today: all because “he” brought “him” to Jesus.
Is there someone you love that you may bring to Jesus? It will change his/her life.
It doesn’t take a seminary or college degree and it doesn’t take a person with name recognition to bring a person to Jesus.
The word, “he” in this verse is referring to Andrew, Simon’s brother. The word, “him” is referring to Simon, better known to most as “Simon Peter.” Both Andrew and Simon were as common as grass beside the road. They were fishermen. They were just plain, ordinary, hard working young men.
Andrew had heard John the Baptist speak and refer to Jesus as the, “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” The first thing he wanted to do after meeting Jesus is the first thing we wanted to do after meeting Him; that is, to bring someone else to meet Him.
After Simon met Jesus he was never the same. He was chosen by the Lord to be in the inner circle with the brothers, James and John. On the evening before the crucifixion Peter denied that he knew Jesus. But Jesus forgave and restored him. Peter wrote two outstanding epistles which are huge blessings to Christians today: all because “he” brought “him” to Jesus.
Is there someone you love that you may bring to Jesus? It will change his/her life.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Be Ready for the Lord’s Return
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)
Just as certainly as the Lord Jesus came into this world the first time, just that certainly He is coming back to raise the dead in resurrection power and snatch away the church in the rapture. Three hundred and eighteen times in the New Testament we are told He is returning.
To “be ready” as the text implores, one must first “get ready.” To be ready to go on a trip one must get ready. Getting ready for His return requires two things: Repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has not told us when He is returning, just that He is returning. We must be ready or be left behind to face the terrible “great tribulation” that will come on earth following His return. He is giving mankind the opportunity to get ready, but no one knows when that door of opportunity will close. Are you ready?
Just as certainly as the Lord Jesus came into this world the first time, just that certainly He is coming back to raise the dead in resurrection power and snatch away the church in the rapture. Three hundred and eighteen times in the New Testament we are told He is returning.
To “be ready” as the text implores, one must first “get ready.” To be ready to go on a trip one must get ready. Getting ready for His return requires two things: Repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has not told us when He is returning, just that He is returning. We must be ready or be left behind to face the terrible “great tribulation” that will come on earth following His return. He is giving mankind the opportunity to get ready, but no one knows when that door of opportunity will close. Are you ready?
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
The Simplicity of Biblical Salvation
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
In our text Jesus is speaking to the Jews when they accosted Him for healing a man on the Sabbath day. Notice several things found in our text about simple salvation.
I encourage you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive everlasting life now.
In our text Jesus is speaking to the Jews when they accosted Him for healing a man on the Sabbath day. Notice several things found in our text about simple salvation.
- First, we find that the authority for salvation is the word of Jesus: “I say unto you.”
- Notice also the simplicity of salvation: Faith in God who sent Jesus into the world.
- We also see the wonder of salvation. For those who believe His word and put their faith in Him, salvation becomes a present reality. The word “hath” is in the present tense. When one turns in faith to Jesus he HAS, right then, everlasting life.
- Notice what faith brings the believer: “Everlasting Life.” How long is everlasting? There is no end to everlasting.
- Notice also the absence of condemnation: “Shall not come into condemnation.” Shall Not is emphatic. The Bible says, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)
- Finally, notice the transformation from death to life.
I encourage you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive everlasting life now.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Let Jesus Give You a New Heart
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:19)
The writer is speaking of the seat of the emotions; not that fist sized muscle in the center of your chest.
Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies. (Matthew 15:19) Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the writer of the Proverbs said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Ezekiel prophesied of the day when man would receive a new heart, not like the transplant Christian Barnard performed in December, 1967, but a new heart, new emotions, new motives, new life, with old things passing away and all things becoming new. It would not be a sinful heart.
The Great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, performs this heart surgery when a person surrenders his/her life to Christ. This is the only way to eradicate the sinful heart disease that all mankind is born with. Turn to Jesus for a radical change from the inside out.
The writer is speaking of the seat of the emotions; not that fist sized muscle in the center of your chest.
Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies. (Matthew 15:19) Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the writer of the Proverbs said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Ezekiel prophesied of the day when man would receive a new heart, not like the transplant Christian Barnard performed in December, 1967, but a new heart, new emotions, new motives, new life, with old things passing away and all things becoming new. It would not be a sinful heart.
The Great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, performs this heart surgery when a person surrenders his/her life to Christ. This is the only way to eradicate the sinful heart disease that all mankind is born with. Turn to Jesus for a radical change from the inside out.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Only One Way to Heaven
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
There are numerous ways from my house to Nashville, Tennessee. I may take Interstate sixty-five or I may take US 31W. I may go through Springfield, Tennessee or Portland and Gallatin. I may walk, ride a bicycle, ride a train or take a helicopter and go as the crow flies.
But, there is only one way to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way…no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) He did not say, “I am one of the ways.” In His Sermon on the Mount He tells us there is only one gate and one way.
One may think that his way is as good as God’s way but he will discover at the end that his way led to hell and not to heaven. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)
If I were you I would not wait. I would take the only way to heaven; that way is through Jesus Christ.
There are numerous ways from my house to Nashville, Tennessee. I may take Interstate sixty-five or I may take US 31W. I may go through Springfield, Tennessee or Portland and Gallatin. I may walk, ride a bicycle, ride a train or take a helicopter and go as the crow flies.
But, there is only one way to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way…no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) He did not say, “I am one of the ways.” In His Sermon on the Mount He tells us there is only one gate and one way.
One may think that his way is as good as God’s way but he will discover at the end that his way led to hell and not to heaven. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)
If I were you I would not wait. I would take the only way to heaven; that way is through Jesus Christ.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
They Had Been With Jesus
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
Peter and John had a boldness that defied explanation. They had just been confronted by the religious authorities and had given them their testimony about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
The authorities knew these men were not educated in the things of God nor were they trained. But they knew that these two men had been with Jesus.
The more time we spend with Jesus the greater difference He makes in our lives and the more it shows. If we spend little or no time with Him that also shows.
Years ago I often heard a man on a gospel radio program say at the end of his broadcast, “Walk with the King today, and be a blessing.”
Peter and John had a boldness that defied explanation. They had just been confronted by the religious authorities and had given them their testimony about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
The authorities knew these men were not educated in the things of God nor were they trained. But they knew that these two men had been with Jesus.
The more time we spend with Jesus the greater difference He makes in our lives and the more it shows. If we spend little or no time with Him that also shows.
Years ago I often heard a man on a gospel radio program say at the end of his broadcast, “Walk with the King today, and be a blessing.”
Friday, November 11, 2016
In the Beginning God Created
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)
God asked the old patriarch, Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4) That’s a good question for those who deny the Biblical account of creation and cling to so called, “scientific evolution.”
The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
If someone has trouble accepting the first ten words of the Bible he is likely to have trouble with the rest of it.
God spoke the universe into existence. Eternal, omnipotent, omniscient God stood upon nothing and held nothing in his hand. There was no material out of which to fashion the earth. “And God said,” is recorded ten times in the first chapter of Genesis. He spoke it into existence.
Take what the Bible says by simple faith. Faith is not a “blind leap in the dark,” as some have said. Faith rests upon the foundation of God and His precious word. You will discover a peace and joy that many people do not have.
God asked the old patriarch, Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4) That’s a good question for those who deny the Biblical account of creation and cling to so called, “scientific evolution.”
The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
If someone has trouble accepting the first ten words of the Bible he is likely to have trouble with the rest of it.
God spoke the universe into existence. Eternal, omnipotent, omniscient God stood upon nothing and held nothing in his hand. There was no material out of which to fashion the earth. “And God said,” is recorded ten times in the first chapter of Genesis. He spoke it into existence.
Take what the Bible says by simple faith. Faith is not a “blind leap in the dark,” as some have said. Faith rests upon the foundation of God and His precious word. You will discover a peace and joy that many people do not have.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Faithfulness: A Requirement for Stewards
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (I Corinthians 4:2)
A steward is someone who watches after and cares for the goods of others. A bank acts as a steward over your money when you make a deposit into your account.
Often we think of a “stewardship” sermon as a message on money, tithing our incomes and giving our money to the Lord through the local church. The writer of our text, however, is telling us that he is a steward, or an overseer, of the mysteries of God. Being a steward of the mysteries of God, he sees the responsibility of being found faithful.
The Lord Jesus entrusted the church with the stewardship of the Great Commission, of going into the world with the Gospel of salvation. We have been given the stewardship of our time, the stewardship of our children and the stewardship as citizens of our country. Let us be found faithful in every area of stewardship.
A steward is someone who watches after and cares for the goods of others. A bank acts as a steward over your money when you make a deposit into your account.
Often we think of a “stewardship” sermon as a message on money, tithing our incomes and giving our money to the Lord through the local church. The writer of our text, however, is telling us that he is a steward, or an overseer, of the mysteries of God. Being a steward of the mysteries of God, he sees the responsibility of being found faithful.
The Lord Jesus entrusted the church with the stewardship of the Great Commission, of going into the world with the Gospel of salvation. We have been given the stewardship of our time, the stewardship of our children and the stewardship as citizens of our country. Let us be found faithful in every area of stewardship.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
What shall we do with Jesus?
“…What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22)
Following a local option election on whether or not our city would be “wet” or “dry,” my preacher father, who had taken a very active part with the anti-liquor group said, “I’m afraid the devil is laughing at us pastors. If we had spent as much time and effort presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and trying to get folks saved as we did in trying to get them sober we would have accomplished both, salvation and sobriety.”
Pilate’s question to the multitude is valid for us today. Millions upon millions of dollars, much time and much labor have been spent to save the population from big, corrupt government. But, during that time what did we Christians do with Jesus and His purpose for coming into the world?
It is a question we should ask before we undertake any project, large or small, whether at the court house or the church house. “What shall we do with Jesus?” There are many worthy projects, such as the local option election mentioned above. But, if a project puts Jesus on a shelf or stands Him in a useless corner, we need to re-think the project.
Following a local option election on whether or not our city would be “wet” or “dry,” my preacher father, who had taken a very active part with the anti-liquor group said, “I’m afraid the devil is laughing at us pastors. If we had spent as much time and effort presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and trying to get folks saved as we did in trying to get them sober we would have accomplished both, salvation and sobriety.”
Pilate’s question to the multitude is valid for us today. Millions upon millions of dollars, much time and much labor have been spent to save the population from big, corrupt government. But, during that time what did we Christians do with Jesus and His purpose for coming into the world?
It is a question we should ask before we undertake any project, large or small, whether at the court house or the church house. “What shall we do with Jesus?” There are many worthy projects, such as the local option election mentioned above. But, if a project puts Jesus on a shelf or stands Him in a useless corner, we need to re-think the project.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
You have a Choice
“…Choose you this day…” (Joshua 24:15)
Today is Election Day. You should go to the polls and vote. Voting is both a freedom and a responsibility. Pray before you go. Your choice for president of the United States is important to the future of this country.
Make a wrong choice at the polls and you will regret it for a few brief years. If you fail to choose Jesus Christ the Son of God to be your Savior, Lord and Master of your life you will regret it for eternity. Repent, turn to Him and receive Him by faith before death comes and it is eternally too late. Only God knows when the “grim reaper” will come to your door.
Joshua challenged the people to choose “this day” whom they would serve. You must make your choice today because yesterday is gone forever, there is no guarantee of tomorrow and today is all you have.
Today is Election Day. You should go to the polls and vote. Voting is both a freedom and a responsibility. Pray before you go. Your choice for president of the United States is important to the future of this country.
Make a wrong choice at the polls and you will regret it for a few brief years. If you fail to choose Jesus Christ the Son of God to be your Savior, Lord and Master of your life you will regret it for eternity. Repent, turn to Him and receive Him by faith before death comes and it is eternally too late. Only God knows when the “grim reaper” will come to your door.
Joshua challenged the people to choose “this day” whom they would serve. You must make your choice today because yesterday is gone forever, there is no guarantee of tomorrow and today is all you have.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Tomorrow is Election Day
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)
Unless you have been living in seclusion as a hermit or you have been living in a cave you know that tomorrow, Tuesday, November the eighth, is Election Day for choosing a president of the United States of America.
God’s word demands that we pray for all people who are in authority. Those in authority would be the current president and whoever succeeds him in office. It would include senators and representatives, Supreme Court justices, police officers, sheriffs, their deputies and other office holders.
Did you know that not voting does not relieve you of the above responsibility? Did you know also that parliamentary law says that if you abstain from voting that your vote is cast with the majority?
I encourage you to vote for the candidates, especially President and Vice-President, whom you believe to have the nearest Biblical views on abortion, same sex marriage and the many other important issues.
Unless you have been living in seclusion as a hermit or you have been living in a cave you know that tomorrow, Tuesday, November the eighth, is Election Day for choosing a president of the United States of America.
God’s word demands that we pray for all people who are in authority. Those in authority would be the current president and whoever succeeds him in office. It would include senators and representatives, Supreme Court justices, police officers, sheriffs, their deputies and other office holders.
Did you know that not voting does not relieve you of the above responsibility? Did you know also that parliamentary law says that if you abstain from voting that your vote is cast with the majority?
I encourage you to vote for the candidates, especially President and Vice-President, whom you believe to have the nearest Biblical views on abortion, same sex marriage and the many other important issues.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
By the Rivers of Babylon
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” (Psalm 137:1)
This is a picture of what happens when a nation or an individual turns their backs on God and refuse to turn back to Him and away from their sins.
Individuals, churches, homes and nations cannot ignore God and His word and not pay the consequences.
This is a picture of what happens when a nation or an individual turns their backs on God and refuse to turn back to Him and away from their sins.
- Sin captivates its participants. Judah had been taken as captives to Babylon, just as Jeremiah the prophet had warned.
- Sin stills us. They sat down. They had no motivation to rejoice. When we are out of the will of God there is no reason to rejoice until we turn around.
- Sin brings bitter tears and sad memories. They wept when they remembered Zion, another word for the holy city of Jerusalem. Do you remember the days and nights of living for the Lord and enjoying the peace that passes all understanding?
- Sin silences our music. Once happy, singing and playing their harps, now they have hung their harps upon the willow trees of Babylon. Their music is silenced. That’s what sin does. Our reason for singing is gone when we sin and do not repent.
- Sin on the part of God’s people brings mockery from the devil’s crowd. “Sing us one of the songs of Zion,” the Babylonians said to the backslidden Jews who were paying a tremendous price for their folly. “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”
Individuals, churches, homes and nations cannot ignore God and His word and not pay the consequences.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Give to God as He Has Given to You
“But who am I, and what are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”
(I Chronicles 29:14)
King David of Israel and father of Solomon had prepared material for the building of the temple to be finished by Solomon after David’s death. Much more material and labor were needed. The king asked the people, “And who then is willing to consecrate his service to the LORD? (I Chronicles 29:5) The Bible says they gave willingly.
When we are challenged to give an abundant offering to the Lord through the church and we meet the challenge we should give all praise to the Lord.
David acknowledged that everything they gave came from the Lord. You and I would have nothing to give to the Lord on Sunday morning if God had not first blessed us out of His abundance. Let us give to Him as He has given to us.
Friday, November 4, 2016
A Word from the Lord
“…Is there any word from the Lord?” (Jeremiah 37:17)
The setting for our text is Jeremiah had been imprisoned for prophesying the seventy year captivity of Jerusalem and Judah by the Chaldeans. The charge against Jeremiah was treason. He had been brought out of jail and was standing before king Zedekiah of Judah when he was asked is there a word from the Lord.
It’s a very good question if folks will listen to and heed the answers.
There is a word from the Lord concerning sin, the forgiveness of sin and how to be saved and go to heaven. There is a word from the Lord on how to live the Christian life, about loving the Lord with all our being and loving our neighbor as ourselves. There is a word on the home, how husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and how the wife is to be submissive to her husband as the church is to be submissive to Christ. There is a word about raising children so they turn out right. There is a word from the Lord on every issue of life.
Jeremiah did not change the word upon being released from prison and standing before the king. He repeated the word that had gotten him thrown in jail in the first place. God’s word never changes to satisfy man’s ways.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Be Still
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
It is very seldom that we sense the presence of God in our endless religious activity. We meet ourselves coming back from one meeting after another. We beat our drums and cymbals trying to manufacture the presence of God.
The prophets of Baal danced and cried aloud to be heard. They cut themselves with lancets and knives and their blood ran out and onto their altar. Elijah mocked them for their frenzy.
God is not attracted to a frenzy nor to beating a blister on our musical instruments. When Elijah was hiding in a cave from Jezebel God spoke to him, not in the wind, or an earthquake or a fire, but in a still small voice.
Why not just be still once in a while and know that God is God? Give God time and space to work. It was after Moses implored the people to, “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord,” (Exodus 14:13) that God parted the waters of the Red Sea and the people walked across on dry land.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
We Need Patience
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)
When a farmer plants corn in the spring of the year it will take a few days for the seed to germinate and then to “spike” through as a young plant. He anticipates a harvest in the fall.
Suppose he impatiently uncovers a few grains of freshly planted corn every day. Then if some of that unearthed corn did sprout, suppose he pulls up the plants and examines the roots every day. There will be no harvest.
Likewise, the Christian life requires patience. When we pray we must wait patiently for God to answer. When we witness to a lost person we must wait patiently for the “seed to germinate.” I have known of wives who have prayed for their husbands to be saved. Years after that Godly wife was taken to heaven her husband turned to Christ for salvation. She had been patient in her prayers, in her witness and in her Christian life. God rewarded her patience with the salvation of her husband.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Are You a Child of God?
“…For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)
Everyone is a creation of God, but not everyone is a child of God. This verse is addressed to Christians who had then, and who have now, strayed away from the simple gospel of grace and faith to the erroneous gospel of law and good deeds. It is not addressed to the unsaved except in the sense to tell them that they can not become Christians by any other way than faith in Jesus Christ. It is written to the churches of Galatia and therefore to all the saved in all churches then and now.
When a person is saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus he becomes a new creature. He is a changed person. Praise God for the simplicity of Biblical salvation.
I encourage you that if you think you are a child of God and a candidate for heaven because you were created by God or because you are, “keeping the law,” that you change your thinking and place your faith in Christ Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)