GOD IS ENOUGH!

Monday, August 12, 2019

GOD IS ENOUGH!

Eph 5:19-20

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1 Thess 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

           I am seated here this morning surrounded by abundance! I am generally healthy and almost pain free. To my right is a cup of coffee flavored with my favorite exotic creamer. To my left my wife is peacefully reading the morning newspaper. The antique mantel clock has just chimed the hour and, although it is four minutes late, it is only four minutes late. On my lap is a wonder of technology which holds a vast digital library which would be the envy of Spurgeon or Tozer and would require a huge room to hold the volumes.

           Merriam-Webster defines the word “spoiled” as: “to damage the disposition by pampering; to indulge; to coddle.” I am afraid that, from time to time, I am not simply blessed – I am spoiled!

           The Thanksgiving Day Holiday is yet three months away and yet I am reminded of all the things I have in God. I shall not want (Psalm 23). The Father, which is in heaven, gives “good things” to them that ask. (Matthew 7:11). With his stripes [the lashes given to his back] we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) These are parcels inside a package. When we have God, we have all we need.

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Dear Source of all good things, let me be reminded of all the things I enjoy because of thee. AMEN

ARE YOU RAISING GODLY CHILDREN?

Sunday, August 11, 2019

ARE YOU RAISING GODLY CHILDREN?

1 Kings 22:51-52

51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 52 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:

1 Sam 2:18-19

18 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod 19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

           Why are so few of our young people serving the Lord? We could blame the culture but we ARE the culture. We made the culture what it is. Our two texts point to the influence of HOME and PARENTS upon our spiritual fabric.

           In yesterday’s newspaper, one of ten people “busted” for drugs was a former member of our Sunday school. I remember her as a lovely young lady with bright eyes and clear complexion. There was such promise in her face. The mug shot, I thought, could not possibly be her! It was a picture of an old woman with frazzled hair and a miserable expression. What went wrong? My heart still aches for her.

           Parents, are you having conversations with your children regarding “God’s will and plan” for their lives? Are you pushing your agenda instead of being open to God’s agenda? Perhaps you are even resistant to God’s control of your children. If you wish for your child to be free of God’s control then you should be careful what you wish for.

           Samuel’s mother gave her son to the ministry in the Temple as soon as he was weaned! She visited him once every year and brought him a hand-sewn coat. She was his mother but God was his God. Hannah was a partner and not a competitor with God.

Matt 16:25-26

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Dear Lord, as this new school year begins, protect our children and guide them into your perfect will. AMEN

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

Saturday, August 10, 2019

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

Luke 12:47-48

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

We live in an age void of personal responsibility having replaced it with syrupy sentimentality and feeble excuses. Violence is due not to the depraved nature and twisted will but to some long-buried abuse in childhood. Anything from promiscuity to bestiality is now excused because of some perverse act in childhood.  Perhaps someone robbed you of your candy!

Without minimizing the trauma of childhood experiences, let me just say that there are many well balanced individuals who are well balanced despite childhood trauma. When calling His disciples Jesus did not say: “Hey Peter, I know you come from a long line of cussing folks and shallow thinkers but if you get around to it, I’d like you to seriously consider following me.” No, He simply said “Follow me!”

Our ill temper, we say, is a result of our breeding. We are a volatile mixture of Scotch and Irish…with perhaps too much Scotch. It’s not really our fault! We march into a public place and begin shooting because the boss took away our morning coffee break. It’s really not our fault. But the Prodigal son realized when he was standing knee deep in hog slop that he was there because of his own stupidity. He continued in his misery until the moment he took ownership of his actions.

Luke 15:17-19

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

There will come a time when we will stand before God without our sack full of excuses!

Rom 14:11-12

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Dear Lord, I come to Thee without excuses. Like the gospel song says: “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” AMEN