TO GOD BE THE GLORY

In whatever we do, may God get the glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Have you ever wondered, “What is the purpose of the trial you are going through?” Have you ever wondered why you had to face so much opposition? Have you ever thought, “God, why is this happening to me?” I believe if we were all honest, we would say yes to several of those questions and could probably add to the list.

As hard as it may seem, no matter what we are going through, no matter what trial or tribulation, it is so that God might get the glory. Does that mean He will, no it doesn’t, not immediately anyway. God did not get the glory when David sinned with Bathsheba. God did not get the glory when Joseph was sold into slavery. God did not get the glory when Judas took his own life. Did God take those messes and provide a message in them—YES! Yes, He did! He eventually got the glory and He can do it for you as well! Give Him your mess and see what He can do this morning! Give Him your trouble and watch Him give a triumph! Give Him your pain and watch Him provide! Give Him praise, honor, and glory in your trials and tribulations! It may just surprise you how He works in and through your life!  

JESUS IS GOD

Jesus is not humanity deified. He is not Godhead humanized. He is God. He is man. He is all that God is, and all that man is as God created him. -Spurgeon

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

I have heard more than once that Jesus was either a liar, lunatic, or He is Lord. God’s Word proclaims Him to be God in the flesh. Some make the claim that Jesus isn’t the Son of God. When they make that claim, they are also saying that the Bible is full of lies. If I can’t trust the Bible in this one important point, where could I trust it?

Friend, Jesus is God. He was manifested in the flesh for us so that He could do that which we could not do ourself; He came to save our wretched souls from an eternity in Hell.

Do you believe Jesus is God? That’s a start! Now, have you repented of your sins and trusted Him as Lord and Saviour? If so, life should be different! Is it? 2 Corinthians 5:17- go read it!  

GOD’S WORKING

Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us.” — Author Unknown

How often to we try to pray ourselves out of something God led us into instead of trusting Him in it? It is often during these times that we grow the most in our spiritual walk with the Saviour. Instead of running from our problems why not do something that most in this world would counsel you not to--- Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

It is during these times we see God work "at His best" humanly speaking! What good have we seen out of wars of the past? What good have we seen out of missionaries remaining on the field where God sent them, even when the mission board was telling them to depart, God is finished with that country? What good came out of Jonah going to Ninevah? What good came out of Paul going to Rome? What good came out of Jesus going to the cross?

Sit down, pay attention, and watch the Lord work!

HALF DONE

Anything less than your best… is half done!

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

            Some people only do what they need to do to get by. They never have the mentality of 1 Corinthians 10:31. Some work just enough to get a paycheck or a pat on the back. Some never quite come to the realization our motivation is not the almighty dollar but the Almighty Himself!

            If you are ever asked to do something and you agree to do it, do it with all of your might. Do it for the glory of God! Go the extra mile and you may get some extra money! If not, at least you will know God is please and to be honest, that’s all that matters!

RESOLUTION FOR VICTORY

            Before any victory comes in your life there must be an understanding that God is.

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

             Understanding that God is our refuge; He is the place of safety when life goes wrong. He is our place of refuge when the enemy attacks.

            Understanding that God is our strength; He is much more than a set of crutches, He is the very reason we stand. He is our source of strength when everything else doesn’t work. That’s why I developed this saying, Before all else fails—God is the answer!

            Understanding that God is our help; Be still, and know….God is our only help to be saved!

God is all this and much, much more! He is our all in all! He is the reason for victory!

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

            I have never known the time when I have felt for a moment free from a sense of unworthiness, or free from a consciousness of imperfection and of a sinful nature, but since I have come to understand that I am accepted of God on the ground of Christ's righteousness and not my own, and therefore my standing is in Him and His righteousness and not my own, I have ceased even to question the fact of my present salvation. -Stebbins

            If you ever taste God’s marvelous grace there will never be a question of where you ought to be at on Sunday—IN CHURCH! Have you made plans to be there this morning? Are you GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and HEADED TO CHURCH?

IS THE LORD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE?

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings of Heaven. –Lichtenberg

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

So often we go around asking for the best in life but we are not willing to give our best. Young men and women want a spouse that will love them like a romantic movie or book, but they go looking for them in the arm pits of society. All they are going to find is a sweaty body! We want the best paying job but we aren’t willing to work hard to get it. We want every blessing that the Lord can give but we don’t want to make Him the Lord of our life!

I like how the Word of God instructs us in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

What are you searching for? Whatever IT is, put God first in your life! Praise Him for working in and through your life along the way-- even in the times when it seems as if He is a thousand miles away! Just remember, the Teacher is always silent during a test!

DO YOU HAVE AN UNCHANGING LOVE?

Nothing binds me to my Lord like a strong belief in his changeless love. –Spurgeon

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7

The entirety of Psalm 112 is a reminder to us that if you give your life to Christ and live for Him, He will bless and take care of us! It begins with, “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” Blessed in his soul, blessed in his family, blessed in his finances, blessed in his community, blessed in the work place and even before the wicked of this world he is blessed.

Have you drifted away from where you once were with the Lord? Have you allowed THINGS to get in between you and the Lord? Have you laid your Bible down and picked up something in its place? Have you found that your joy is gone you once had? I can assure you that the Lord and those that love the Lord would love to see you rejoicing with them in His changeless love once again!

OUR GREAT GOD AND GLORIOUS SAVIOUR

Here is my creed.  I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render Him is doing good to His other children. --Benjamin Franklin

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3

When I consider all the Lord has done for me, I can’t help but shout with praise! He saved my sin sick soul. He gave me my faithful wife. He gave me three children. He called me into the ministry. He gave me a church to pastor. He has provided every single need I have ever had and thrown in so many wants I cannot begin to count them all. Rejoice with me this morning in all He has done in your life!

HE’S GOT HIS EYE ON YOU!

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19

If you have never heard the song, “He Knows My Name”, you’re missing out on a blessing. Do a YouTube search with the Rochester’s singing it. Hallelujah if that don’t get your goose fired up in the morning, you’re deader than a door nail!

Let me tell you something, Uncle Sam knows my name, but that doesn’t bring me the security, peace, joy, and assurance in knowing Jesus knows my name! And not only does He know my name, He has His eye upon me! Jehovah, the Great I Am, the Creator of the universe, My Lord and Saviour, He has His eye upon ME! It helps me to understand He cares for me! He cares for every need I have! He wants the best for me and He is looking to see that I get it.

Don’t mistake this by thinking bad things won’t come to you because they will! Just remember friend, in His prefect plan, He's got His eye on you! And because He does, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE THE SAVIOUR?

When God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart not the head. –Anonymous

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Obedience is the very best way to say “I love you!” How much are you being obedient to the Lord today? Have you obeyed Him when it comes to Bible reading? Have you obeyed Him in church attendance? Have you obeyed Him in sharing the Hope of the Gospel? In our obedience we reveal our love to our Saviour. How much do you love Him today?

WHAT IS GOD TO YOU?

He’s my LORD and SAVIOUR!

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14

     If you had to describe God to someone else, how would you describe Him? He described Himself to Moses as “I AM” or the God who becomes. “Becomes what?” you may ask. Well what are you in need of today?

     If you need comfort, He’s the God of all comfort. If you need to be redeemed, He’s The Redeemer. If you need grace, He’s the God of all grace. If you need forgiving today, He forgives the vilest sinner. If you need someone to talk to, He’s just a prayer away—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and He throws in an extra day on leap year!

Who is God you ask, well here let S.M Lockridge explain it to you: https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE

WE’VE GOT TO PRAISE GOD MORE—OPENLY!

          Why should we go reeling and staggering under the burdens and cares of life when we have such prospects before us?  If there is nothing but glory beyond, our faces ought to shine brightly all the time. - D.L. Moody

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

           This morning I just want to praise the Lord for what He did yesterday. You say, “What did He do?” He gave me another opportunity to worship Him here on Earth with fellow believers. He gave me an opportunity to preach His Word. He gave me an opportunity to sing songs of Zion. He gave me an opportunity to be a witness of His saving grace. He gave…so we ought to praise Him for it!

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED THE LORD TO SEARCH YOUR HEART?

I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness that remains in him. -Spurgeon

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Psalm 139:23

We sing the song, “SEARCH ME OH GOD” which comes from Psalm 139 in our church. I often wonder as we are singing it if we are really thinking about the message of the song. Do we really want the Lord to search our hearts? Do we really want Him to see if there be some wicked way in us? Do we really want Him to make us pure within?

Oh friend, we should echo what David said in Psalm 139. We should ask the Lord to search our hearts. We should allow Him to “See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

GET UP, GET READY, and GO THANK YOUR SAVIOUR AT CHURCH!

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God. –Coleridge

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

I am thankful I can thank my Saviour anywhere and at anytime! But what a blessed privilege you and I have to gather with fellow believers to sing, praise, and worship our Saviour! Don’t take it for granted! Don’t forsake it! Don’t make excuses! Don’t give place to the devil by not going! Just get up, get ready, and go!

MAN’S ONLY HOPE—JESUS

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. –Allen

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Psalm 146:5

There are people we come in contact every day of the week in need of The Saviour. Many of them we have condemned to hell because we do not believe God will save them. This happens because there is a disconnect between our understanding of who God is and at what links He has gone and will go to save someone. Let me take a moment to remind us all that JESUS left heaven to sacrificially give of Himself to die for man’s sin. There was not any certain sins but for all sin! So, Child of God the next time you see the drug addict, the whore monger, the reprobate, the scorner, the liar, the thief, or the adulterer be reminded that JESUS died for their sin too!

AVOID COVETOUSNESS

Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

There are so many things men and women covet after; money, fancy cars, big houses, etc. One thing about all of it though, one day you won’t take it with you. One day you will either have spent it all, given it to family, or it will be worn out.

Child of God, be happy with whatever God has blessed you with. Quit trying to keep up with the Jones’. Paul told Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6”  So in order to have that “great gain” we better start….”seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness….”

WHAT ARE ANGELS?

             Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth unseen, both when we sleep and when we awake. –Milton

             Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

            The messengers of God we call angels were created by God for a two-fold purpose; To glorify God and to do His will. You may ask, “Where do you find that?” Well, I’m glad you asked! I find it in Job 38:4-7, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

            God told Job the angels watched His handy work of creation and rejoiced about it! So before Adam and Eve were created, God had angels with Him. So, when a love one dies they do not become an angel, they graduate from this earthen vessel to a heavenly body. Bodies that never grow old, never have cancer, never break a leg, nor gets hungry. What a day that will be my friend! But until then, we have angels taking care of us until we reach that Heavenly City!

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 34:7

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

Silence is just a different enemy!

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

I believe with my whole heart that if the church of the living God would stand up and speak up a lot of the mess going on in this world would be silenced. If what’s called the moral majority would stand up and speak up during elections, during debates, and during when it matters most we could see a turn in this world for the glory of God.

But if you want to continue to see this world silence the witness of God, just sit back and say nothing. With the enemy of silence at the helm it won’t be long until you won’t have to worry about hearing about Jesus anymore because His name will be outlawed to mention!

What does your check book reveal about you?

Wealth is like a viper, which is harmless if a man knows how to take hold of it; but if he does not, it will twine round his hand and bite him. -St. Clement

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

There are of plenty of people with riches but the problem with many is that their riches have them as well. They are constantly looking to make another dollar. The next endeavour is around the corner. The next big score is over the next hill. I have found in my life that it is better to walk in faith than to walk trusting in the finances this world has to offer.

What’s driving you? Is it the next payday or the promises of God? You can look at your check book and find out!