Tired of all the Mess?

. . .if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.

(2 Peter 2:9-10)

At times, don't you just get tired of all the mess around us? I know I do!!! However, we must remember that God IS in full control. He will not simply remove His people from all the ridiculous stuff going on around us, but give us what we need to be effective for Him in the midst of it all! We can STAND! Even in such a time as this . . .

God singles out the ones who will suffer the most: those who despise and reject authority and those living bodly to the lustful desires of their flesh, ignoring the words of the Lord. God will judge them . . . however, we need to be sure we are following all God instructs us to do as His children! We must call sin what it is and not ignore the degradation around us. Believers need to challenge the politicians, speak up against injustices to our children and families, and continue to influence the community both in our neighborhoods and in Congress and the White House. We are still a force of One! We do not have to crumble quietly into the night!!!

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

God requires us to stand for Him, not give up. Tired of all the mess? Be a change agent for God. Be a good soldier and fight!

Public Embarrassment

No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 2:7-10)

Just as with the early church, there is evil trying to infiltrate the church today! Even those who had once been taught the truth, are now not just believing a lie, but actually lobbying for those lies, trying to convince others of its truth and mutual benefits.

Why else would a Christian nation be up in arms because a nation continents away decide that an abomination to God is unlawful? (http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/6483/29/11/2011/Nigerias-Senate-votes-to-make-gay-marriage-illegal.aspx)

Why else would a state official who was once a believer in the Word of God announce that what God calls sin should now be allowable and endorsed by law? (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/31/us-gaymarriage-maryland-idUSTRE80U2AQ20120131)

Why else would two church leaders dare to not only announce that they are in direct disobedience to God but actually say that certain sins are in fact civil issues, not biblical issues!

There is no secret knowledge accept that in which God reveals by His Spirit! Here it is straight from God's Word:

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

All of us have sinned. By God's grace, the one who accepts Christ's sacrifice upon the cross is forgiven and saved from hell. However, we do not continue in that sin and still call it right and acceptable . . . we repent and realize it is in fact an abomination before a holy God! There is now guilt from sin for the redeemed sinner. Shall we continue to sin? Ask the apostle Paul:

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

(Romans 6:1-2)

Sin is sin and despite what many may be calling it today, we who know better need to stand up! No longer can we allow the Gospel to be a public embarrassment! We need to let others know what we know to be the TRUTH!

Investments

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

(Matthew 6:24)

Finacial investments are for the long haul. They are not a get-rich-quick scam. They require patience and trust. It is very similar with the Kingdom of God. One must place their trust in the promises of God and trust Him to work things out in the end. In the mean time, we invest our labor, our plans, and our finances in His plan. There will come a time when it comes down to choose a plan for our lives. In this case, the portfolio needs NOT to be diverse, but one must choose one plan or the other . . . God or man!

Luke puts it this way:

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

(Luke 12:29-31)

Financial investments are not bad. In fact, wise finacial decisions are a good thing and show good stewardship of the things God provides for us. But it is more than money. Where do we invest our time? Are we sharing our talents and abilities to serve God and His purposes? The question is what are we investing for and for who? Is it for the buiding up of God's Kingdom of our kingdoms?

As Christians, we can send blessings ahead . . . laying up treasures in heaven or eternal rewards. Investing in God's Kingdom also leaves a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.

There is a life beyond this earth . . . where are our investments?

We fight, we fight, we fight!!!!

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

(Matthew 24:12-14)

It is not going to get any better . . . we can see that in all that going on today. It doesn't take rocket science to figure it out. Listen to the news . . . compare political candidates . . . examine the crumbling structures of basic social norms and institutions.

Jesus warns: "Take head that no one deceives you". (Matthew 24:4)

Please do not be fooled by the empty promises of man. Yes, we continue to fight for righteousness and battle for the weak. We defend the poor and stand up for biblical values. But this is a fight only God will win . . . and He will . . . in His timing! Yet we remain His soldiers.

However, we must be honest with people, even when they turn a deaf ear. Even as man grows colder and colder and evil runs rampant, we hold up the Gospel and stand upon His Truths, regardless of the consequences. We echo the words of many who have gone to battle before us: we fight, we fight, we fight!!!!

. . . and God wins . . . live victorius today!!!!

Just For Men . . .

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

(Ephesians 5:25-28)

Ever sit under some great Bible teaching and think "Boy they could sure use that!" or "I can't wait to share that with_______." ? I know I have! many times we are quick to hear a word for someone else, but we find it hard to allow God's work to convict us personally. We are always more gentle when it comes to our own shortcomings! But guys, this is about you and me!

This word is just for men! Forget reading about the wives or the children guys . . . this is for us! Paul is specific in these few words of Ephesians5 and 6 to speak to wives, husbands and children. So let's pay particular attention to our part alone: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church . . .

These are challenging words indeed and humbling to the point of embarrassment . . . at least for me. We say we love our wives and would literally die for them, but Christ pleads for us to live for them as well! Just as Christ came as a sacrifice for each of us, we as the leaders of our families are to live in such a way that all that we do is for the best interests of our spouse. She is to be our focus, not "me"! All our prayers, all our plans, all our desires . . . should be to first honor our wives and be able to cover them from evil. If we can get to such a point in our walk and allow God to take care of the rest, imagine the joy we will experience!

Listen to Peter (a married man by the way):

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

(1Peter 3:7)

It is not that wives are any less a person or weaker in faith, but we as men are called to lead in every aspect of married life . . .to be accountable! This begins with our relationship to our Father! Our prayer life reflects our relationship with God and family. To better know our wives, we have to be intimate with God as well. After all, He created marriage! But on the other hand, if we are not right with our spouse, we cannot be right with God.

Men, it is time to get right. Single guys, do not even consider marriage until God is your first and primary love. Married men, it is God first! It is wife next . . . then kids. We . . . are last on the to-do list! Leave us to God. Besides, a good wife will never reject a Godly man.

Is It Clear?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God . . .this is your spiritual act of worship.

(Romans 12:1)

As many times as I read this my most challenging verse in the Bible, it always hits my heart. The least I can do for God is to give my body over to Him to use! Last I checked, my body included my mind, my heart, my eyes, my hands, my feet, my belly, my biceps . . . do you get my point?

Is it clear whatPaul is saying here?

Paul (Saul)was such a zealot for the Jews before coming to Christ. In fact, he authorized the killing of Stephen. (Acts 8:1-3) he was determined to do away with the Christians. However, once he was convinced that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, he was even more determined that all be saved, especially the Jews! (Romans 9:3) We know how he suffered constant persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

As we enter the weekend, let's be challenged to once again offer all we are and all we do for the sake of Christ. Our prayers, our workouts, our diet, our personal relationships should all be geared to be God-honoring and sacrifical in nature.

Personally I am way too selfish . . . too worried about my agenda, my time, and my needs. I have to realize it is NOT about me, but God and others . . . all the time!

Do We Define Love?

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

(1 John 3:16-18)

How do we define love? JESUS! Love is all the things we read in 1 Corinthians 13. But more than that, love is defined within a person, namely Jesus Christ. As little Christ (Christians), when people see us, do they say, there goes love? Do they define us by our love?

John tells us here that if we have the necessary things of this world (material things that sustain life)than we are to freely share them with those around us. If God so loved the world (John 3:16) than we too are to be known by our love!

John ends these few lines by saying that if we are indeed of God, than we are to put love into action. Sacrifical love should define us! If we have it, we should be willing to share it! Whateve IT is, IT has been provided to us by God . . . so if someone is in need of IT, let's share IT!

The definition of love . . . are we included in IT?

Who Knows?

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

(Isaiah 55:6-7)

The prophet has an open invitation here in the 55th chapter to all who can hear: there is freedom in the Savior! There is complete salvation in the Lord. No matter our situation, we may find rest and forgiveness in Him and Him alone. Yet there is a time when He will not be found . . . the decision must be made while we are yet living!

Who knows how long that will be? How long will we live? How long until He returns? Who knows?

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

(Psalm 32:6-7)

David expresse the joy of forgiveness in Psalm 32. As he responded to God after the devastating events with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), David expressed the relief of forgiveness, honesty before the Lord, and His comforting grace. Yet he still lets us know that time is of the essence! Sin has a way of overwhelming us and we do not know where to turn. We can get so deep and never get out . . . but for God!

God is waiting . . . but not forever. He is patient . . but there is a day when we all will held accountable! What about this day? Running out of time? Who knows when our time is up? Today is a good day to seek the Lord!

Keeping It Simple

Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.

(Luke 4:8)

Jesus is keeping it simple here . . . one God, one worthy of worship, one is to be served. Only God is to receive our honor and praise. We are created to serve Him alone. Even when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he kept it very simple by referring to Scripture(Deuteronomy 6:13). God's word rules over everything else!

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

(Matthew 16:23)

We cannot allow ourselves to become a channel for Satan's message. Jesus warned Peter of this very thing. Any time we stand in the way of God's will, we are giving satan opportunity to speak and act.We must make every effort to be in His will and to be obedient! We cannot serve both the world and God's will.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

(Matthew 6:24)

God first . . . God always . . . keeping it simple!

Common Sense or God-Sense?

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

(James 1:5)

Wisdom from God is not meant to get one out of trouble, but rather to give us keen insight to better learn from difficult circumstances. God does not share more information on how to avoid pitfalls and testings, but He provides a new and different perspective on trials we face.

God's wisdom begins with a genuine reverence for Him (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10). One must possess a steadfast confidence in Him knowing God controls all circumstances. (Hebrews 11:6) God orchestrates all activities according to His good purposes for each of us, as we trust Him.

Common sense tells us to avoid tough situations and live a trouble-free life. God-sense tells us that troubles will come (Matthew 24), yet God makes a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

How can one make any sense of this world . . . KNOW and TRUST the One who is in control!