HE’S ABLE

Our God is strong. Our God is powerful. Our God is able to do above anything you think.

Psalm 89:8, O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

I am reminded this morning of a simple children’s song. It has been on my mind for a few days. So, I thought I’d share part of it with you this morning.

He’s able, He’s able,

I know He’s able,

I know my Lord is able

To carry me through.

Hey friend, whatever you are going through this morning, God can handle it. All you have to do is let go and let God. Let go of your grief, and let God get you through. Let go of your anger and let God show you how to set it down. Let go of your unforgiving heart and let God show you how He forgave those who did Him wrong!

Hey! He’s able… will you let Him do what He wants to do in your life?

DEAD FAITH

A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian.... and most of all, his family ought to know. -Moody

James 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I am sure that I am just like you--we have some family members we are concerned about. We are not sure whether they are saved or not. I mean, they say they are but you wouldn’t know it by their actions. They still go to the same places they did before they made a profession of faith. They still say the same things they said before they made a profession of faith. They watch the same things on TV they watched before they made a profession of faith. They still lie, cheat, lust, and, on occasion, curse like they did before they made a profession of faith.

My main problem is not that they do any of those things, it is what they don’t do. They don’t read their Bibles. They don’t attend church regularly. They don’t fellowship with other believers. They don’t have that personal fellowship with Lord that is so needful for their spiritual growth.

Many times, I really wonder if those family members have faith at all. I believe they are suffering from dead faith--meaning they never had faith at all. Are you one of those types of people? Do you have a head knowledge of Jesus but lack the heart knowledge of Him? Do you tell folks you are saved but there are no works to back up what you say you are? Hey friend, you can get on board with the Lord and be saved today! Your faith can be alive so much that those around you don’t have to wonder! Will you trust Him today?

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

Our responsibilities in marriage are best realized when we are in Christ.

Ephesians 5:31, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

What are your responsibilities to your spouse? Are you the bread winner? Are you the dish washer? Are you the launderer? Are you the lawn care technician? Are you the mechanic? If you had a job description, just what would it look like?

I’m not so sure any of us can fully understand what our role is in our marriage until we know the creator of marriage. The creator of marriage is God. He created it in the garden when He created Eve, giving her to Adam to be a helpmeet to him.

When we give our life to Christ, repenting of our sin, and confess Him as Lord and Saviour, it is then we begin to understand what our responsibilities to our spouse are. We learn to love them as Christ loves them. We learn to forgive them as Christ forgave them. We learn to be patient as Christ is patient toward us!

Do you love your spouse? Do you love your spouse as Christ loves your spouse? If not, maybe you need to repent and trust Jesus as Saviour!

SETTLE DOWN

Anxiety springs from the desire that things should happen as we wish rather than as God wills. -Anonymous

Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There is so much going on in the world today. A lot of things distract us from what is important. A lot of things get our eyes off the Lord and on our circumstances. A lot of things get us uptight, causing us to be motivated by our feelings rather than being led by the Lord.

Hey friend, settle down! The best way to do that is to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning! Can’t go, watch it online! Don’t have a church, tune into ours! We would love to have you join in!

GET ‘ER DONE

Each one of us should do something every day that we do not want to do but know we should do, to strengthen our backbone and put iron in our soul. -Crane

Proverbs 14:23, In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

I didn’t want to. I wanted to lay in bed. But no one else was going to do it. So, I got up, got ready, and trimmed my bushes. Boy, I’m tired! Pooped! Exhausted! I didn’t want to do them but it was necessary for them to be done. You know what else, I am glad I did them.

Friend, there are some things that we may not want to do in this life and in ministry but they are necessary! They are necessary for you and the ministry to grow. They are necessary for you and the ministry to be fortified. They are necessary for you and the ministry to be glorifying to the Lord. Friend… it’s time for you to get ‘er done so you can grow in God’s grace!

NEVER ENOUGH PRAYER

If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say it is in that one word-prayer. -Spurgeon

1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.

Many people claim that we need to do more exercises. Some say we need to invest more money. Some claim that we need more education. Whatever you think you need more of… reconsider. What we need more of is prayer! We need people praying for one another. We need people praying for our country. We need people praying for the government. We need people who sell out and pray for this lost, dying, and hurting generation! There is never enough prayer! If you don’t have anyone to pray for, pray for me!

OUR FOUNDATION

The Bible is the rock upon which our Republic rests. —Andrew Jackson

Psalm 119:130, The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

The Word of God should be the foundation, not only of every nation, but of every believer. Without it, we will be in a mess. Without it, we will miss out on heaven. Without it, we will miss out on the promises of God. Without it, we will miss out on the joys of heaven. No wonder why the enemy attacks the Word of God so much!

Hey friend, is the Bible your foundation? Does it guide you in the midnight seasons? Does it give light on directions to take? Have you followed it to the hope of Heaven—faith in Jesus Christ?  

NOT WILLING

If the Father deigns to touch with divine power the cold and pulseless heart of the buried acorn and to make it burst forth from its prison walls, will He leave neglected in the earth the soul of man-made in the image of his Creator? --William Jennings Bryan

2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord desires that everyone would come to repentance. He desires that none would die without Him. He desires that everyone would die to self and confess Him as Lord and Saviour. Will there be some to reject the Truth of the Gospel? Yes. As a matter of fact, there will be many to reject Jesus Christ as Saviour. However, that does not mean God doesn’t want them to be saved. He does! It means they have believed the lie of Satan. It means they have chosen to live their life, their way, without the love of God in their life. Since they have chosen to live this way, if they don’t repent and confess Him as Saviour before they die, they will live eternally without Him.

Friend, God is not willing that any should perish. That is why He sacrificed His only begotten Son on the Cross of Calvary. That’s why He was buried. That’s why three days later; He arose from the grave, conquering death, hell, and the grave so that you might have everlasting life!

LISTEN TO THE TRUTH

It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.- Disraeli

2 Corinthians 3:5, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Many people will not give you the time of day when you desire to share the Gospel with them. Their responses vary, “I don’t have a religion.”, “I don’t have time”, or even “I have already been saved.” People are all over the place when it comes to salvation. What bothers me the most is, they have no desire to invest any amount of time to hear the truth but they have a lot of time to be critical.

Hey friend, if someone desires to share with you the Truth of God’s Word, listen to the Truth! If you share the Truth with someone, trust that His Word will not return void!

CONTENT LIVING

Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another. -Condorcet

Philippians 4:11, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

It’s Monday…again. Many of us will get up, get ready, and go to work. But I have some questions for you. What are we working for? Is it to provide for our kids? Is it to make a house payment? Is it to keep up with our neighbors, friends, or fellow family members? Friend, God gives us work so that we might honor and glorify Him with it.

Whether giving a testimony of Jesus’ work in our life with our co-workers or using the wages we get from working, we can use the job to honor our Lord and Saviour!

CHURCH- GLUE FOR THE WORLD

The living Church, though never neat, keeps God's world from complete disaster. -Macleod

1 John 1:3, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

You don’t have to look around too long before you see how much of a mess this world is in. Abortion on demand, Christians being martyred, good being called evil and evil being called good, women with women, men with men, Gender Neutral, Gender Plural (whatever that is), destruction of property without recourse, theft without punishment, criminals running prisons. Friend, this world is in a mess! In many cases, the church is even in a mess. Yet, it is what keeps the world from being in utter turmoil, turned upside down, and completely going to hell.

But what in the world is going on? One word—sin. The world is growing worse and worse because of sin. That is why we, the living church, need to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Will you join me this morning by attending your local body of believers?

KNOCK ON A DOOR

Whatever God gives you to do, do it as well as you can.  This is the best possible preparation for what he may want you to do next. -Macdonald

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

The Lord has given each of His children principles to live by in His Word. They are not given to us to make us fit for Heaven. We were made fit when we believed, repented, and confessed Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. They were given for our good and His glory.

One of those principles to live by is that of telling others about Him. It is simply sharing what He has done for us. While we go out by faith, proclaiming the name of Jesus, He opens and closes doors for us. He prepares us for the “What’s Next” on his to do list. So, this morning, get up and go knock on a door in preparation for what He has next for you!

BEST DEFENSE

No better defense than the Lord.

Psalm 94:22, But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

When attacked by this world, there is no better defense than the Lord. When attacked by Satan’s henchmen, there is no better defense than the Lord. Before your flesh gets the best of you, recognize the Lord is your best defense in every situation!

Hey friend, are you in Christ Jesus? Is He your defense? If not, He can be. Call out to Him for salvation. If you know the Lord, use the resources He has given you to bring fourth victory in your life!

BAD NEWS

No matter how bad the news you get, we have a God in Heaven that can take that bad news and turn it into beautiful noise.

Psalm 93:4, The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

On any given day we can hear some bad news. Maybe a friend is moving. Maybe a doctor report of cancer. Maybe a love one passes. Whatever the bad news is, just remember friend that there is a God in Heaven that knows the news before you received it. He can take that bad news and turn it into a beautiful noise bringing joy in your heart! Keep your eyes on Him and watch what He does next!

MERCY APPLIED

Psalm 89:1, I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

It’s because of His tender mercy that we are not consumed. He gives them to us every day! Mercy has been defined as, “Not getting what we deserve”. Praise the Lord for the mercies He has already sent my way today. You might say, “Man its early what are you talking about?” Well, I woke up! I can still walk and talk. I have another day to tell someone of the grace and mercy He freely gives out! If you are reading this, He has bestowed upon you His mercies as well!

So, if we are to be Christ like as the name Christian means, we to must be merciful! I am reminded of the servant that was forgiven much. He went out to his fellow servant that owed him a little and would not forgive him. He threw his fellow servant into prison. How did this make his master/ Lord feel? It made him angry! So much so, that he delivered his servant into the hands of the tormentors.

We should show mercy to everyone. It is easy to forgive our friends, family, co-workers, etc. But those that do us wrong- can we show them mercy? It is easy to look down our own self-righteous nose and say, “I will not forgive! I will not show mercy!” But God has said, “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:26

GOD LOVES YOU

There is no father on earth who has as much love in his heart as God has for you. You may be sinful as hell; yet God stands ready and willing to receive you to His bosom and to forgive you freely. - D.L. Moody

Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

When was the last time you were reminded that God loves you? When is the last time you were reminded that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross for you? When is the last time you were reminded that when Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the grave three days later? He conquered, death, hell, and the grave for you?

Hey friend, God loves you! Don’t reject that love; receive it! Don’t deny that love; display it! Don’t forsake that love; fulfill that love by repenting of your sin and trusting Jesus as Saviour!

NO EXCUSE

It is easy enough to excuse yourself to hell, but you cannot excuse yourself to heaven. -D.L. Moody

Romans 1:20, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Have you seen a rainbow lately? Recently, my wife and I, were coming back from visiting a church member who is in the hospital and it had been raining. We were able to see multiple rainbows on the way back. One was a complete half circle!

That rainbow, the rain, the sun shining through the clouds, and beautiful fields of corn reminded me of God’s creation. It also reminded me of those who will one day stand before God without excuse as to why they did not repent and confess Him as Lord and Saviour.

Friend, if you’re not saved, there is no excuse for you not to be. There are all kinds of evidence that God is real! Stop for a minute, look around you, and see God’s marvelous creation!

LET’S GO TO CHURCH

Church is the best place to invest time together!

Psalm 55:14, We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

I don’t know about you but I enjoy going to church! I enjoy singing the songs. I enjoy hearing God’s Word. I enjoy worshipping and praising the Lord together with other believers.

So, this morning, GET UP, GET READY, and LET’S GO TO CHURCH!

MAKING PLANS FOR TOMORROW

The living Church, though never neat, keeps God's world from complete disaster.

-Macleod

Acts 2:46-47, And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The early church met daily. They met in the temple and from house to house. I imagine with all that church going they probably had some type of organization of the day-to-day events. If they didn’t, could you imagine the chaos? Whose house are we meeting at today? I thought it was yours! I thought it was yours! Where is John? Where is Peter at; he said he was going to be here. (Knock, knock; Hey James, where haveyou been? I thought the meeting was at Thomas’ house today.) Do you see how chaotic it would be without planning?

Hey friend, make plans today to go to church tomorrow! Let your family know where you will be at. Make sure your children know and tell them they are going with you! Make it a priority, not an option!

CRY TO GOD

If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about. -Anonymous

Psalm 54:2, Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

I used to work at a Christian School and the administrator had an open-door policy. He said, that if his door was open, we could come in and talk with him any time. However, if the door was shut, he didn’t want anyone bothering him.

I am thankful this morning that we can cry to God at any time because He has an open-door policy at all times. You see, friend, our Saviour never sleeps nor slumbers so we have full access to Him 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and on those leap years we have an extra 24 hours to make our requests known! We get to cast our care upon Him because He cares for us! Will you invest a little time in prayer this morning?