STAND AMAZED

            Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish. -A Bradstreet

Luke 4:32, And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

            It’s one thing to know what you believe; it’s another to know why you believe it. God is the source of all knowledge, so it’s no surprise the wisdom He gives to His children is not only astonishing to hear but it is saturated with the power of God! That, my friend, ought to make you stand proud and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel!

            When was the last time you got a fresh look at the Lord and stood in amazement? Get a fresh look at the Word of God friend! It will be the best thing you have done in a while!

YOUR CHARACTER IS SHOWING

Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            You probably already know that the moon reflects the light from the sun. Without the sun the moon would be dark and not much to look at. Much like the moon, we should reflect the character of God’s only begotten Son— Jesus. As we do, others will want to know more about the Saviour and Lord willing, they will call out to Him for salvation.

            As one old friend use to say, “You are now becoming what you will one day be.” You are in the development stages of your character building and it is showing to everyone you are around. What is your life telling them about Jesus?

WHERE IS GOD

           I heard the story of a man, a blasphemer, profane, an atheist, who was converted singularly by a sinful action of his. He had written on a piece of paper, "God is nowhere," and ordered his child to read it, for he would make him an atheist too. The child spelled it, "God is n-o-w h-e-r-e-God is now here." It was a truth instead of a lie, and the arrow pierced the man's own heart. –Spurgeon

Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

Proverbs 5:21, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.”

            Our view of God means everything. God is no-where or God is now-here is a perfect example. If I realize there is no place where God is not at then I will change the way I walk and talk. However, it goes deeper than that because God looks in the heart. He sees our hearts motives. He sees the why we do what we do. Is it for fame or fortune? Or is it because we love God? Our motivation should always be that we love God. I mean look what He did for us out of love. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Keep in mind throughout your day that, “God is now-here!”.

LET’S SING

            Our singing should be such that God hears it with pleasure-singing in which there is not so much art as heart, not so much of musical sound as of spiritual emotion. –Spurgeon

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

            In Exodus 15, Moses sang a song of Spiritual victory. The victory God had given was victory over Moses’ enemy, Pharaoh and his army! Do you have a song of victory? Is there a song that comes to your mind when God does something special in your life? If not, find one! Do not go another day without finding that special song of victory for your life!

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing, I will sing,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness,i Thy faithfulness,

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness to all generations,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

HAVE FAITH DEAR FRIEND

Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength. -D.L. Moody

Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

            Throughout the pages of the Bible we see many different circumstances and situations play out before our eyes. Some of those stories end with a display of God’s great power and strength, giving the believer victory. Others stories end with distress, destruction, and even death. What made the difference? What determined a different outcome? Faith!

            Faith is our victory friend! Saving faith! Daily faith! Even dying faith is needed! If your faith is waning this morning, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH, having your faith recharged from the Word of God! He will surely give you faith to face the trial you’re in now or the one tomorrow may hold!

WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR?

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

How do others see you? If someone was to describe you what would your testimony be to them? More importantly how do you stand before the Lord? If we are bringing honor to our Saviour then our conversation or our testimony before others should be honorable. What are you telling your co-workers, your family, and your friends about your Saviour with your actions? 

There is an old children’s song that goes something like this, be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go. Maybe we as adults, teens, and children need to get back to songs like this so that it will affect our testimony! Maybe we need to put down the remote, the game controller, the phone, and/or the computer and get back to the Word of God.

WHO YOU FOLLOWING?

Be careful who you follow, they may lead you straight to hell!

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Have you ever had to follow someone on the road when you didn’t know where you were going? Sometimes the one leading you will drive too fast and leave you at the stop light. Sometimes they will make a wrong turn leading you somewhere you shouldn’t be. Sometimes you have to start all over because they led you so far down the wrong road; it was easier to start over!

When we follow someone who isn’t following the Lord, we will always end up going to opposite direction the Lord want us to go. Some follow fools; they say there isn’t a God at all, leading people to hell. Some follow the backslidden; they say it isn’t worth it, leading people away from God’s blessings. Some follow those bitter; they are holding a grudge and will not forgive, leading people from God’s forgiveness.

Who are you following?

CHARACTER HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

            Fame is vapor; popularity an accident; riches take wings.  Only one thing endures, and that is character. -Greeley

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8

            Character has been defined as: who we are when no one else is around. What we watch, what we listen to, where we go, and what we do when no one else is around all make up our character. Interesting thing is our character is put on display when times in our life get rough. It shows up in the classroom when our teacher “gives” us a failing grade. It shows up in the work place when we don’t get that promotion we thought we deserved. It will even show up at the kitchen table when you don’t get the fried chicken you wanted for supper.

            How are you preparing when your character is put on display?

WHAT WE NEED NOT WHAT WE WANT

           Every Christian ought to have a compassionate heart to invite people to the Saviour.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Matthew 25:35

            A few days ago, I visited my brother who was having surgery. I got back home around lunch, so I prepared myself a sandwich, ate it, and sat in my recliner to catch a nap. It wasn’t but a few minutes when I heard a knock at the door. I got up and a homeless lady was standing there. She asked for a ride to the bus station and a ticket to Boston. I told her I didn’t have any money for a ticket and I was not, by myself, taking her to the station. She asked for a Coke or other soda. I didn’t have either so I offered her a bottle of water. It seemed as if it offended her that the only thing I had was water. To make a long story short after talking to her about salvation, she went away with a couple bags of chips and a chip her shoulder.

            Many people come looking for something from the Lord. God offers them exactly what they need and they too walk away with a chip on their shoulder. Unfortunately, that chip is what will end up sending them straight to hell.

            Friend, if you have come to the Lord looking for something other than salvation, rethink why you came to Him. He didn’t come to give you financial peace. He didn’t come to make your life easy. He didn’t come for you to have your best life now. He came to seek and save that which was lost! He came to save sinners! He came to save you!

REVIVE US LORD!

Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body. –Cabot

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

            After David was confronted by Nathan the prophet, the Lord convicted him of his sin with Bathsheba. David cried out in this repentant song asking for mercy, forgiveness, and for his joy to be returned so he might proclaim the grace and mercy of God to those who have strayed off the straight and narrow and those who have never repented.

            David surrendered his will for the Will of God. When he did, we find David worshipping our Saviour in such as way he proclaimed: “O God, thou God of my salvation:” What a testimony for you and I! If we repent and ask God to forgive, He will! When He does- it is natural for us to worship!

            Aren’t you tired of running from God? When is the last time you trusted the Lord enough to ask Him to forgive you? When is the last time you repented of some sin that it brought you to the point of worship and it gave you rest?

GOT STRENGTH?

For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Psalm 43:2

In 1993, the Milk Processor Education Program started running a campaign to help promote the sale of milk. The “Got Milk” slogan was promoted by media, sporting, and entertainment celebrities. The message of these commercials was that milk was the source of strength to become famous athletes, rock stars, or other celebrities. The success of this campaign ran for 21 years and boosted milk sales to record levels.

            Child of God, our strength comes from God. It comes from His Son! John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. It comes from His Word! John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. It comes from His Spirit! John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

            When we have to do the hard things in life, standing up against temptation, loving our enemies, or facing life’s storms when they come, we can rest in our Saviour by knowing He is our strength and He will strengthen us!

GEAR UP!

There is a fierce enemy seeking to destroy you. What will you do to prepare to have victory?

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

Satan doesn’t want you to have victory in your life. So he throws everything he can at you so you will trip up, fail, and fall. What are we to do; gear up! We must be sober and vigilant.

What does sober mean? Well it has the meaning of not being drunk, being alert, and being aware. We are not to be overcome with this world and it’s ways in such a way that causes us to let down our guard. If and when we do—the enemy attacks!

What does vigilant mean? It means to be kept awake. Often after we have our Sunday lunch the Z monster sets in. We sit in our recliner and before you know it we are snoring like a freight train going through a tunnel. With that deep sleep going on we can’t hear the enemy sneaking up on us to attack. We must keep watch for the enemy is lurking!

             There are other ways we can gear up as well; prayer, Bible reading and study, serving at church, attending Sunday School, and church activities are excellent ways to gear up and get ready for your adversary’s attack!

WE NEED TO BE DELIVERED!

When a man who professes to be converted says that he goes into the world and into sin for pleasure, it is as if an angel went to hell for enjoyment. –Spurgeon

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Many Christians are bound up in their sin because they have not yielded their life to the Spirit living in them. While the natural man cannot get out of yielding to the flesh, the carnal man has the means in which to be set free but continues to live in sin. What makes the difference? What gives victory in a lost man’s life? What sets the captive free from the bondage of sin? What gives the carnal man the freedom from sin he desires? Jesus Christ is the only hope for peace the natural man or the carnal man has.

Are you living in sin? Do you battle with your flesh? Is there a war raging inside you that no one else knows about? Jesus can deliver you! Yield you life to Him! Give in, give up, and give it all to the Lord!

RETURN TO THE JOY YOU ONCE HAD!

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24

While you are alive there is always time for you to return to the joy you once had. When the prodigal son returned home he was expecting the father to put him out with the hired hands, that’s not what he did. He did not rebuke him, chastised him, or punish him for his willful disobedience. What he did do was rejoice in the fact that his son had returned to the family he left. How do you think the son felt? We don’t know but I can’t help but to think his cup was running over!

Been out of the will of God long? There’s room at Calvary for you! The Heavenly Father is waiting for your return.

WHAT A JOY TO SERVE JESUS!

When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need. -Brunner

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

            There is no better place to serve God than in His will. We can strive to go against what He wants but true joy will only come when we are where He wants us. There is no substitute when it comes to serving the Lord. We cannot substitute going to church with watching a TV evangelist and expect God to be pleased. We cannot substitute tithing with faithless giving and expect Him to work in our lives. We cannot substitute serving where He wants us to serve and expect Him to bless our ministry.

            Here is something God wants all of us to do today—GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Don’t wait! Don’t put it off! JUST GO serve Jesus and watch how He begins to bless your life!

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

            You will never make a missionary of the person who does no good at home.  He that will not serve the Lord in the Sunday school at home will not win children to Christ in China. –Spurgeon

            John Harper was a Scottish preacher that is best known for his last message. While the Titanic was sinking he proclaimed to many of those on board, “Are you saved?” If the answer was “No”, Harper shouted, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Harper continued to go from person to person until He slipped under the waves for the last time.

            Brother Harper should be an example to each of us. There is truly no greater message we can proclaim than the Good News of the Gospel!

WHAT’S YOUR DRIVE IN MISSIONS?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon  

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

Drive is just another way of saying motivation. Our motivation should be the love of Jesus Christ. His compassion, His longsuffering, His mercy, and His grace should motivate us to tell others about Him. It should provoke us unto good works. It should spark a desire to stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel to every person we come in contact with.

John told Gaius, “…for his name’s sake they went forth.” What’s your drive in Missions? Just look to Calvary and it tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love!

HOW IS YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:6-7

            When I was growing up we had baseball tryouts. This is when any young man trying out for the team would compete for an opportunity to play ball. Every young man would give it his best shot but there were more guys than spots on the team so someone had to get cut. What made the difference? What cause one fella to stand out more than another? What caused the coach to cut one boy and allow another to be on the team? Two words come to my mind; faithfulness and fruitfulness.

            Notice what the John tells Gaius, “…thou shalt do well”. John didn’t commend Gaius on his social status, his economic wealth, or anything else. What John commended Gaius for was his walk with Jesus. It was a faithful and fruitful walk. Anything less would have caused John not to mention Gaius at all.

            How is your walk with the Lord? Is it faithful and fruitful? Will you hear Him say, “Well done?”

WHO SHOULD I SUPPORT?

To support a Missionary is to fund the greatest campaign in the world.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 3 John 1:8

             The fierce race of the 2016 elections can be seen in the amount of money that was spent for the presidential and congressional campaigns; over 16.5 billion, with a B, dollars. That’s more than the winner wants to build a border defense along our southern border. But if you spend a lot of money, will anyone change their minds because of it? According to an article from 2018, Rick Perry’s 2006 re-election campaign for Texas governor, advertising did produce a pro-Perry response in the markets that received ads. But it fizzled fast. Within a week after ads stopped running, it was like no one had ever seen them. So what makes the difference? Core values!

            With all of the Missionaries calling, sending emails, and information packets, who should I support? In 3 John vss. 6-8, we see three core values in who we should support going into Missions.

1. Those who are already serving. The Apostle John told Gaius in so many words, I have seen your work for the Lord and I want to support you in it.

2. Those who are not seeking vain glory. John told Gaius he went out for “His name’s sake”. Whose name? —Jesus’! Gaius wasn’t out for fame and fortune, he went out for Jesus!

3. Those willing to yoke up with us for the cause of Christ. Being like-minded goes deeper than just going to church;

             It involves Foundational Truth— The Word of God.

             It involves Methodology— How will you get the Gospel out?

             It involves Faithfulness— We not only want to see Missionaries start well but we want to see them run and finish well.

IT’S YOUR DUTY!

A man's feet should be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world. -Santayana

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

            Paul, speaking to the Church at Ephesus said, “…, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel,” We are bold when it comes to finding a deal, when someone cuts us off on the interstate, or when we ask our Boss for a raise. We find all kinds of courage, tenacity, and our voice. What about when it comes to being a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? Where is your courage? Where’s your zeal? Where is your fiery spirit? Where is your voice to tell the hurting Jesus cares? Where’s your voice to tell the lost and dying that Jesus saves?

            Church, it’s our duty to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost, dying, and hurting world. If you don’t who will?