YOUR SIN MATTERS!

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

YOUR SIN MATTERS!

Isa 59:1-2

59 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

           Pastors are unusual folk. Your sin sticks out like a sore thumb and we see it more readily than others do. Your friends are often blind to your sin but we see it as clearly as the Emperor’s New Clothes! Why should it matter to us? Are we just busy bodies? Why does it matter?

           Your sin matters to God! It is a huge clog in the plumbing of blessing. God hears well enough but he can’t hear you when you call. He is strong enough but He is hindered from helping you because of your sin. The light of His presence is dimmed so that you can’t see Him. Your sin has made you blind to God and has made God blind to your troubles.

           Your sin matters to your family! I have seen the smiling faces of mothers whose eyes reveal a deep seated pain because of the sins of their sons and daughters. They have lost sleep, wept tears, and prayed prayers because of your sin.

           Your sin matters to your church! The Bible often tells of the halted progress of the Children of Israel because of the sin of one or just a few. Your sin is a hinderance to your community of faith.

           Your sin matters to YOU! The voice of Jesus said to Saul on the road to Damascus “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks!” [Acts 9:5] Your rebellion against God only harms yourself and others. It is self damaging and self destructive. Your persistence in it is irrational.

Isa 55:7

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Dear Lord, I know the first step on the road to recovery is to acknowledge and abandon my sin. Thank you for your abundant pardon. AMEN

OUR MISPLACED GOD!

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

OUR MISPLACED GOD!

2 Chron 34:14-15

14 And … Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. 15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.

           I’m always up early – but 2:00 AM is probably a record for me. Yes, I will probably crash and burn at some point today! In spite of that I rediscovered something that I had set aside in all my busy-ness. I rediscovered the Bible. I suppose that sounds strange coming from a preacher but we get so busy working that we sometimes forget to worship.

           If you continue to read in Second Chronicles 34 you will see that what the King read caused him to rip his clothing in anguish because the words condemned him and his people. He recognized that they had misplaced God. He and His Word had been tucked away in some dusty corner where He waited to be rediscovered.

           I hope you can rediscover God at a more convenient time but please make His discovery a priority. Read the Bible. Spend time in prayer. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. It is well worth the early hour.

Ps 46:10

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Lord I’m glad I found you in the early morning hours. Let me not misplace you again. AMEN

A LONG REMEMBERED GIFT!

Monday, October 29, 2018

A LONG REMEMBERED GIFT!

Mark 14:8

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

           Fifty years ago, just before leaving home to begin Bible college studies, an elderly lady baked me a pie. I don’t even remember what kind of pie it was. Perhaps it was double crust apple but that detail has escaped me. What has not flown away is the memory of that simple kindness. The lady was probably living on retirement income so she couldn’t give me money. She didn’t offer sage advice. She simply did what she could. She baked me a pie.

           The fact that I remember the kindness and not this woman’s name is testimony to the power of small investments made in others. It may seem insignificant to us but it may literally linger a lifetime in the grateful mind of the recipient.

           Thanksgiving is just days away and we will gather with family and try to remember why we are thankful. It shouldn’t be as hard as it usually is. Perhaps it would be easier if we recalled the small kindnesses given simply. These enrich our lives and bore deeply into our thinking. They make a home there and change us for the better. For this we should be thankful.

           Stop thinking of what you can’t afford to do. Stop mourning your lack of time and energy. Just do what you can do and ask God to bless it. Your gift may last a lifetime.

Dear Lord, today someone will need a small act of kindness. Let me do what I can to be a blessing to others. AMEN

Trials Are Worth It!

October 28, 2018

Please enjoy this guest devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley,

October 28, 2018

Trials Are Worth It!

James 1:9-12
God’s Word says that trials are an opportunity to build endurance and grow in wisdom, so we should face them with joy (James 1:2-4). But are they worth it? Does it pay to go through all the pain, heartache, and struggle to let God do His work in your life?
The answer is yes, because when God is at work, His plan is to bless His children. The steps en route to that blessing can be burdensome, though, so it’s important to stay mindful that He has good purpose for your adversity. Seven truths will help you to rejoice, even in the midst of difficulties. Know that trials ...

• Are under God’s control; He limits their length and intensity.
• Have a purpose and are not endured in vain.
• Will result in good.
• Can strengthen your faith and develop Christlikeness in you.
• Are an opportunity to demonstrate perseverance under pressure.
• Will encourage your dependence on God.
• Aren’t for you to face alone; God will go with you the entire way. And through His grace and power, you will ultimately be victorious.

Remember that God is a caring heavenly Father. He loves us too much to give in to complaints when there is something awesome He wants to do in our life. And He hopes that when the difficulty has passed and we’re where He wants us to be, we will recognize the blessing and say, “Thank You, dear God, for not doing what I wanted You to do!”

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

Saturday, October 27, 2018

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

1 Cor 1:9

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The phrase “God is faithful” is found only twice in the King James Version of the Bible and both times it is found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. Each time the word faithful means “trustworthy!” I’m glad I have a God who is trustworthy.

           In the First instance – the effectual calling of the Holy Spirit has “romanced” us to God and betrothed us to the Son in a trustworthy relationship. Through the courtship of the Spirit we became aware of our sins and the horrible nature of them. We ultimately agreed with God regarding our sins and resolved to rid ourselves of them but discovered that we were unable. God offered His own remedy in the sacrifice of His Son and we readily received it.

This wonderful relationship is founded upon the faithfulness of Christ, His divine trustworthiness. He will never leave us for one more lovely. He will never abuse us. He will never neglect us due to some selfish pursuit. He will never fail to provide for us for he is faithful!

The trustworthiness of God can only be comprehended as it is set against unfaithfulness. The marvel of His constancy is set against the infidelity of man where it shines like a diamond against a black cloth.

In the Second instance – He is trustworthy in keeping us through temptation by providing an escape. He will always make a way to flee youthful lusts and to avoid the snare that is set for us. In trouble, He will provide the strength to carry the load because He knows the limits of our endurance. God is faithful both in the calling and in the completion.

1 Thess 5:24

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Be Still, My Soul

Words: Katharina A. von Schlegel; translated to English by Jane L. Borthwick

Music: "Unde et Memores" by Willian H. Monk

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. AMEN