What have you done for me lately?

                     

We are drawing close to Thanksgiving, and a secular mindset and a humanistic worldview has blown into town. 

May I remind you of Bedford Falls turning into a Potterville.   I didn't demand they put the ten commandments in a courtroom, or Godly references all over Washington D.C. yet they did, while some have had a "change of heart."

We were we so red hot in love with Christ, celebrating His birthday.  Now it's about ...us?    How about the meaning for Christmas on a Charlie Brown Christmas, but now......?    How did the big choir numbers shouting "Hallelujah!" during high school cantata turn into; "If you sing Silent night, we'll sue!?"

 At one time we had our eye on the bigger picture.  We were at one time thankful.  We think we have moved forward.  We didn't have a blow out. It was more like a slow leak.

  There was evolution alright.  We have evolved into people who feel entitled and a generation that asks;  "What have you done for me lately?" I thought evolution was supposed to advance.  We are headed back to the animal stage.

  

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! -2 Timothy 3:1-5

 

"When you pray..."- Jesus. (not if..)

We wonder why Christians are so anemic and powerless...We don't pray as we should.  Children, teenagers, are not introduced to prayer as a lifestyle.  Resulting in a selfish lifestyle that shorts out like a wire with a break in it.  Jesus instructed us to pray and not quit.  Luke 18:1.

"Pray this way...":  Praying to our father.  Are you a part of the family of God?  (John 3:15-18).  Praying like you know God is in control.  Submitting to His will.  Pray, giving Him the honor and glory not only to receive; bread, milk, and a cool spouse.  Rather the result being God receiving the applause, glory and honor!

Jesus said; while asking, seeking and knocking,  pray like a citizen of His kingdom under His Divine authority and government.  We are to ask for forgiveness- Our spiritual position is much more important than our physical one.

So it's a conversation with God, not a wish list to Santa Clause.   Do not worry He understands;  Swahili, Norwegian, German and Dutch, Spanish, Asian, English. 

You can have confidence in prayer:  Hebrews 4:12-16.
You can have fellowship through prayer.  John 15:1-8.

Paul said for us to be praying always, being watchful (expecting), with all perseverance. That's exciting!

Read: Matthew6:9-13, Psalm 27:7-14.

"HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT?!"

You begin to have that sinking feeling when you drive by the price sign for a gas station. The masses around the world are fighting their government because of it's economy, with each one threatening to shut down. The globe is on fire as usual with wars and rumors of wars. People stay home, locked away from the burglaries and attacks on streets of major cities.  Then the scam artist knocks on your locked door, while the hacker unlocks your website.

The future could be fantastic or scary as we face the unknown doom and gloom.  It could very well be the greatest opportunity for ministry and revival in our churches and community. I suppose it is natural for our cultures to ask in fear; "HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO MAKE IT?!"

We as the church and followers of Christ answer; "God!"  We who believe and trust in Christ can inform the world the correct question is; "What must I do to be saved?"  Instead of shrugging our shoulders we share; "Repent and believe, trust in the birth, life, death, blood and resurrection of Christ"

That conversation progresses into answering the question: "How are we ever going to make it?"
Three ideas:  1.  Contentment in God's presence. 2.  Contentment in Gods protection and 3.  Contentment in God's provision.

You can imagine the blessing in your life as these intertwine, as we run into the new warm seasons ahead with great expectation!

Please take some quiet time today reading the 23rd Psalm.

1.  His Presence- Jesus said; "I am with you always."  The song says; "He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way."  Whether you are in a worship service or washing the dishes or ready for sleep. He comes to you in your fears and says; "It is I. Do not be afraid."  God is involved in your life working all circumstances for your good and His ultimate purposes. You don't have to go alone. The Bible says: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

2.  His Protection- Bible assures us:  "The angels of the Lord encamps all around those that fear Him."  When I/we realize the reality of His presence and protection We don't have to be paralyzed by our fear but mobilized by our peace.  Plainly stated; "If God be for us who could be against us."

3.  His Provision-  I get a little anxious sometime. But when I remember what He has done in the past and in the Bible, I begin to "wait on the Lord."  The Hebrew name, Jehovah-Jireh is the "God that provides" I then rest in "Be still and know that I Am God!"

Church, you have a message of HOPE.  In our society you can shine as lights, seize opportunities and challenges,

to help others in trusting Christ as their only hope to spend eternity with God!

"You don't trust me!"

I have told lies, stolen and cheated on tests while in high school.  If someone were to say: "I don't believe you or , trust you." I would have to say  "I understand."  Even though I am not that person anymore ( I have matured and have developed into a more reliable human),  I am not perfect.

I have to snicker when I hear a young person say "I don't believe you don't trust me!" We would support, encourage, mentor them but the keys to the car every night?  "No. The reason is not the trust factor that you mean....." and so you explain for a number of hours until it's to late for them to go anyway.

You had better not trust every chair that comes along.  I speak from experience, sitting in some weak lawn chairs that have bent or snapped.

You can be sincere about believing the boat will get you across the lake, but you had better first look for holes and cracks.

When it comes to heaven or hell, living for eternity with God or not, there will will be many ideals and person,  asking for your trust.  Be sure to check for leaks.

Through life experiences and God's word and following Christ, being taught, comforted, and convicted by God's Holy spirit, we believers know it is trustworthy and reliable.  Jesus said: " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

 Psalms of the Bible tells us to;  "Trust God and do good."

Today's Choice is Huge.

Joshua 24:15

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Ex. 32: 26

then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!”

Deut. 30: 15

“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

Ephesians 2:13,14.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

CHOOSE:  The Gospel, True Worship, Biblical preaching, prayer. 

John 3: 16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!

Stay the course

I believe God's Word encourages/commands us to remain faithful or stay the course.  With the Bible being our map, we might have to do more than glance at it. Some of us should ask ourselves are we on the RIGHT course.  Many times, we say we are sincere in the direction we are headed. We know we can be sincerely wrong as well. Confession and repentance will change our mind as well as our direction.

If you and I are guided by emotions or culture's behavior, we will soon discover, we have slowly gone off course.  The Word of God, prayer and depending on empowerment from His Holy Spirit is what the true Christian will need in order to navigate the "seas of life."

Truth will lead us where we NEED to go. Truth is not what we always want to hear. Paul writes to Timothy that in the last days we'll desire to hear only what we want to hear, having our ears tickled.

It is no secret that this culture and its paradigms are headed for the "rocks of life."  The church in general, is joining the convoy as we veer off course away from God and his Truth.

We have been obsessed about painting the cruise ship, swabbing the deck (mopping?) Some are even down below sleeping in our bunks. We have lost sight of the mission and destination

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

We have been sent (rough waters and all) into all the world with the Gospel. We have chosen rather to dock in safe harbors on every street corner.  We are singing the songs of the sailor while actually being land lovers.  We have counted the cost and we're staying in safe waters. Ships are safer there but are built to handle the stormy seas.

Then there is joy and rest from a job well done.

We have been cruise ships far too long. We must also be rescue boats in the fog shouting "come aboard, come aboard!"  We need all hands-on deck and full speed ahead.

Let's get the map out and read it. In these uncertain waters, we have to get back to the truth and stay the course!

 

A Well Amongst the Flowers.

Sitting still with memories.
A well amongst the flowers,
containing thoughts of a family drawing
life giving water,

Containing cold drink
for a passing stranger.
Children dropping stones
to hear the echo,
while they picnic nearby.

When the family moved on,
Ol' well cried 'til it was dry.
Farmhouse is gone now,
once in a while the children visit,
speaking, while the well.. echoes
their hello and goodbyes.

To you and I,
it's just a well amongst the flowers.
To some it's buckets full of memories.

Perhaps you and I have been useful
to provide God's comfort even gave others...
memories and will leave a legacy.
Allow the Lord to develop you
into a well amongst the flowers.

Amazed

There were occasions Christ was amazed by the faith of some people he met.  Some not even of the Children of Israel.

In the book of Mark, He had done many great miracles and taught the crowds.  They were amazed at His power and authority.  In Mark six they had little faith.  He could do only a few miracles. They were even offended by the message.

It says He was amazed by their unbelief. Amazed by the faith of some. Amazed by the lack of it in others.

With what group, do you and I stand?

ABC's

A mother and father speak proudly about how smart there twin son and daughter are. The are young and still in elementary school.   They can read well and do math, above expected level.  Both will most likely graduate high school early and enter college while friends are still thinking about Winter formal dances and proms.

"We let them be creative and make his own decisions even express themselves. That's why we never tell them no."
 ..You're impressed.

"Before we eat," The Mother proudly says;  "Show us all your math tests from school"
 "No!  I don't want to!"
She whispers to you;  " All A's."

"Okay, show Pastor how you can read."
" NOOOOOOO!!!"
 (they don't say no,  the kids do. Hmm).
 "Do you want to go on the computer?"
 "Yes."

They say: "Well, that went well."
You say: "Yes it did.  They really enjoy that computer."

My word for children, as well as parents, is don't just hope for great grades. Get a great education.

JOY TO THE WORLD!

Wherever you are in this world;

 God’s plan of salvation is God’s loving invitation for every person, in every nation, to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. Sin separates us from God, but because of His great love, God sent His Son, Jesus, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. The gospel calls us to respond by believing in Jesus Christ, turning away from sin in repentance, confessing our faith in Him, and being baptized into Christ. Through this response of faith and obedience, we receive forgiveness, new life, and the hope of eternal life. Salvation is God’s gift, offered to everyone regardless of nationality, culture, background, or past. The question is not whether God has made a way of salvation, but how will you respond to His invitation?

The heart of Nehemiah.

Just a note:
Did you make those New Year resolutions, or goals?  New year's or not; We've a couple months left...It's always a good idea to stand back, regroup, plan, then go for it.

That may include a plan for your vocation.  It could also mean a plan for the vacation!  Let's plan and go! With that said, it might be time to be still and discover the plan of God. 

See what's needed, get the vision, pray, plan, then catapult into God's action.  Now you're looking like Nehemiah of the Bible!