Convince people of the truth

One of the three things that I wanted to challenge the church to do in 2009, is to share the gospel more with others. We need to take a hand full of Bible tracks with us wherever we go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when the Spirit leads us, just share with them what Jesus has done in our life or just tell them to read it. We never know what God is doing in the heart and life of others, they might just be ready to get saved. Now as we go, we will be dealing with different beliefs and heart conditions, so we do need to know how to convince people of the truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) Tells us to, “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” meaning that we need to study the Bible to know where in the Bible to turn and how to answer people. Do you know how to personally lead someone to Christ? Can you take the Bible and the book of Romans and show someone that they are a sinner and in need of Christ? Can you refute falsehood? Study, for there may be times when you are ashamed of yourself because you don’t know the Bible as you ought, but share your faith anyway!

Regret

One thing that I have learned over the years and that I have tried to teach others, is that you cannot change your past but you can your future. Regret is an awful thing to live with, and unless we determine now to obey the known will of God for today, tomorrow will most assuredly be something we regret. Take salvation for instance, God’s Word tells us that eternity is forever. So why do so many people give so little attention to it now? The Bible tells us in (Luke 16:19-31) that not everybody is going to make it to heaven, that hell is a real place, and that once you’re there, there’s no getting out. According to my Bible, Hell is full of people that regret for all eternity not caring about spiritual things. Who put money and the cares of this world before God. Who when they lived, lived for self and selfish pleasures, not realizing that this life is only a drop in the bucket when it comes to eternity. And, who now suffer forever the torture and agony of Hells fire. Even Christians some how fail to realize that we only have so much time to reach our relatives, our towns, and our world for Christ. Why do we waste so much time on things of no value, when the valuable things like God and souls get so little attention ?

How are you doing on your new year’s promises?

The new year is upon us and the first month of 2009 is almost gone. How are you doing on your new year’s promises? Maybe it is that you promised the Lord that you would read your Bible this year. Are you on track? Maybe you promised to be faithful in attendance, praying, giving your tithe, or Faith Promise, etc. Have you been faithful? If you haven’t, don’t let a slow start keep you from redirecting your heart again toward obedience. Sometimes we get sidetracked, but when we do, remember your promise, confess your failure to the Lord and start again. Our God is a forgiving, and long suffering God, but He does not take lightly our vows. (Ecc. 5:5) “Better is it that thou should not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” So get up and start again!

Now that’s faith!

As we continue our study on the “Obedience of Abraham,” we have learned over the past few weeks that we need faith to back up obedience. (Rom. 10:17) tells us that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Meaning that, we must fully believe God, before we will fully obey God. Abraham was so convinced in what God promised, that he took the very son that God gave him by promise, and was wiling to kill him in sacrifice just because God asked him to, “believing that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.” Now that’s faith! It’s easy to obey God when what He asks of us makes sense, but what about when it doesn’t? It didn’t make sense for God to kill Isaac when Abraham waited so long for him to be born, yet Abraham’s faith would have. Oh that we would have such faith, believing so strongly in God’s Word that all He commands of us, we will do. That was the mind set of Abraham, he was fully persuaded, and so must we, if we wish to see the miracles of God!

“Obedience of Abraham”

As we continue our study on the “Obedience of Abraham,” we learn from the story of Isaac’s birth, how easy it is to jump ahead of God, and mess things up when we're impatient. Abraham was 75 yrs. Old when God called him out and promised him a son through Sarah, and he was 100 years old when Isaac (the promised son) was born. Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 yrs. for God’s promise to come to pass, and so we too must learn to wait or we'll grow impatient with the time schedule of God also. God does not work according to our schedule, nor will he stop us if we decide to jump ahead of His. So beware, God has everything under control even if it looks like He doesn't. Abraham fathered Ishmael from his wife’s handmaiden, because Sarah and Abraham grew impatient, and look at the problems that one act of impatience had on the nation Israel and this world. Impossibilities, years of time, old age, disappointments, hard circumstances, etc., are no match for the miracle working power of God. What He promises, He will bring to pass in His time and in His way. So learn to wait patiently on God and His Word, and you will see them fulfilled every time.

Take An Inventory Of Our Spirituality

As we embark upon another year, it’s always important to take an inventory of our spirituality. Spirituality is not measured by how many times in a week we pray, or by how many chapters a day we read, nor is it measured by how many souls we have one to the Lord. Spirituality is measured by the spiritual fruit in our life, and by our willingness to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. In (1 Cor. 2&3) the Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthian church, that the born again Christian, can be either “carnal” (controlled by the flesh), or ”spiritual,” (controlled by the Holy Spirit). Being carnal is certainly not a badge of honor, and yet that is precisely what many Christians have chosen to be in this life. 1) To be a "carnal Christian," a Christian has to choose to think like the world, because in (2:16) the Apostle Paul says that we should “have the mind of Christ.” My question is, how can somebody be truly saved and live like the world when they know it is definitely wrong? Saved people are the only people in this world that know exactly what is right and wrong, and what is not truth. So they are carnal by choice ! 2) The carnal Christian is also a “babe in Christ,” by choice (3:1). Carnal people choose not to follow God’s Word, nor do they take the time to read it themselves. Therefore their lifestyle and character are immature and they reflect the sinful ways of this world and not the godly character of Christ. But the cure is simple, simply repent of your sin, choose to read and follow God's Word, but also choose to surrender yourself to walk in and with the Holy Spirit.

It’s Jesus’ birthday not ours

Another Christmas is now upon us, and if you’re like everybody else you have been busy shopping and preparing for a nice family Christmas. This past fall, Diane and I were given a DVD set of the early years of the TV program “Little House On The Prairie.” Recently, as we watched the early episodes it brought back so many memories of watching the show together with my children. I had forgotten how well the program depicted the life and struggles of the early pioneers, and how even though they had none of the modern luxuries we have today, nor the lifestyle, their spirit was much more appreciative. Even at Christmas time when they had little, there words were,“ after all it’s Jesus’ birthday not ours.” They were satisfied with just a warm fire, food, family, health, and the safety of a roof over their heads. As I watched it hit me, just how far I have grown away from appreciating the basic things that God has given me. Oh that we all have that attitude again, and remember that Christmas isn’t about us, it’s about the greatest gift that you and I could ever receive or share; Jesus! After all it’s his birthday not ours !