Hi! It has bee too long since I have posted something, and I will try to be more faithful to my Monday ramblings. Yesterday was a good day at Wildwood. The Lord was working. Good preaching in the morning. . .Dr. B. Fish-fry and ice cream lat night, and that makes any kind of preaching acceptable.
Here is an outline. Who knows where it originally comes from. It is not original to me, but it did inspire me.
WHY GOD'S SALVATION IS SO GREAT
1. It is great because of its ABILITY
2. It is great because of its AVAILABILITY
3. It is great because of its RELIABILITY
4. It is great because of its DURABILITY
5. It is great because of its DESIRABILITY
Take it and run with it! May the Lord bless you as you present His great salvation to those who need it. May you never be guilty of neglecting it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Forgive!
Mark 11:25-26 show us that when we pray, we must not harbor an unforgiving or bitter spirit. It is imperative that we get rid of the "feuding" spirit. Too often our prayers are hindered because we fail to forgive those who have hurt us. Listen to this verse, ". . .even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." This is only the end of the verse, but it is the part that sets the pre-requisites and guidelines for our own forgiveness of others.
How has Christ forgiven us?
1. He forgives us FREELY.
2. He forgives us FULLY.
3. He forgives us FOREVER.
You can fill in the blanks of this skeleton outline. Fleshing it out will thrill your soul.
It is vitally important that we can experience this forgiveness and then pass this kind of forgiveness on to others. One columnist made the comment that what she envied most about Christians was our ability to forgive. Are you holding a grudge? Has a root of bitterness wrapped its tendrils around your heart? Would you be willing to be made willing to let it go? Quit hamstringing your prayers with an unforgiving spirit!
God's best to you!
How has Christ forgiven us?
1. He forgives us FREELY.
2. He forgives us FULLY.
3. He forgives us FOREVER.
You can fill in the blanks of this skeleton outline. Fleshing it out will thrill your soul.
It is vitally important that we can experience this forgiveness and then pass this kind of forgiveness on to others. One columnist made the comment that what she envied most about Christians was our ability to forgive. Are you holding a grudge? Has a root of bitterness wrapped its tendrils around your heart? Would you be willing to be made willing to let it go? Quit hamstringing your prayers with an unforgiving spirit!
God's best to you!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pray In Faith
The purpose of this week's message is to encourage your faith in God and His Word. Our entire Christian lives are the fruit of faith. We are saved by grace through FAITH. We walk by FAITH and not by sight. Whatever we do must be done in faith, or it is sin. Faith is vital, and faith is extremely important in our praying. When we ask for God's intervention we must come to Him in faith, and we must ask in faith. James says that we must ask in faith nothing wavering. We need strong faith especially in these times of great moral and spiritual weakness.
Paul sailed on a ship bound for Rome, but that ship encountered a storm. For days the crew fought to keep the ship afloat. After many days, all hope was lost. Everyone expected to die in the sea. At this point Paul stood up and made a clear statement, "I believe God." The Lord had stood by him in the night and showed him that all would be well. He simply took God at His Word. Let me echo this statement, "I believe God."
I believe that God will save those who call upon Him in repentance and faith.
I believe God answers prayer.
I believe God brings us through trials and troubles without abandoning us.
I believe Christ's promise to return.
Do you? Faith without works is dead. It is like rowing a boat with one oar. If you believe that Jesus saves those who call upon Him, you will call upon Him and urge others to do so as well. If you believe that God answers prayer, you will pray and keep on praying, and pray at all times. If you believe that God stands beside you in the trials of life, you will not give up hope or despair, but take heart and have peace. If you believe Jesus is coming like He said He would, then you will look up and keep your heart and life pure to be unashamed at His appearance.
God will strengthen our faith as we get into His Word and allow It to get into us. "The just shall live by faith." Will you trust God today?
Paul sailed on a ship bound for Rome, but that ship encountered a storm. For days the crew fought to keep the ship afloat. After many days, all hope was lost. Everyone expected to die in the sea. At this point Paul stood up and made a clear statement, "I believe God." The Lord had stood by him in the night and showed him that all would be well. He simply took God at His Word. Let me echo this statement, "I believe God."
I believe that God will save those who call upon Him in repentance and faith.
I believe God answers prayer.
I believe God brings us through trials and troubles without abandoning us.
I believe Christ's promise to return.
Do you? Faith without works is dead. It is like rowing a boat with one oar. If you believe that Jesus saves those who call upon Him, you will call upon Him and urge others to do so as well. If you believe that God answers prayer, you will pray and keep on praying, and pray at all times. If you believe that God stands beside you in the trials of life, you will not give up hope or despair, but take heart and have peace. If you believe Jesus is coming like He said He would, then you will look up and keep your heart and life pure to be unashamed at His appearance.
God will strengthen our faith as we get into His Word and allow It to get into us. "The just shall live by faith." Will you trust God today?
Friday, June 5, 2009
It's JUNE!!
The month of weddings and anniversaries has arrived. Our family has been on the road, and are back in MS for a breather. We will be heading out Monday for another family thing - GRADUATION!! Breanna, will be receiving her diploma down in San Antonio, and we will go and cheer her on. It will be good to visit with the TX branch of the family.
Last week were in SC at a wedding. My sister, Lori's oldest daughter was married! Congrats to Aaron and Melissa as you begin a new home and family in the Lord. May the Lord give you many happy years together.
Here is a tidbit to ponder:
JUSTICE is when we get what we deserve. MERCY is when we don't get what we deserve. GRACE is when we get what we don't deserve. God's grace is amazing!!
Have a great week in the Lord! How many of you have an anniversary this month?
Last week were in SC at a wedding. My sister, Lori's oldest daughter was married! Congrats to Aaron and Melissa as you begin a new home and family in the Lord. May the Lord give you many happy years together.
Here is a tidbit to ponder:
JUSTICE is when we get what we deserve. MERCY is when we don't get what we deserve. GRACE is when we get what we don't deserve. God's grace is amazing!!
Have a great week in the Lord! How many of you have an anniversary this month?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Memorial Day
We just celebrated Memorial Day here in the US. For some this is a time of cookouts and outdoor fun, or maybe even baseball. It is those things, but so much more. Dr. Gene Howard presented his FREEDOM and SACRIFICE message for us at the church Sunday. It was an awesome reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women for our national liberty. Thanks to all of our veterans and their families. Our nation is free today because of those who have willingly laid down their lives for our great freedoms. Let us lay down our own lives so that America might remain free and enjoy the liberties that are granted by the second most precious piece of literature in our history, the U.S. Constitution. (The Holy Bible being the #1)
Our freedom springs from a freedom of the soul. The US Constitution reflects eternal, Biblical truths that form the basis of true liberty. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He purchased true freedom for all who place their faith in Him. Thank God for America! Thank Him more for our Savior Jesus Christ! Our citizenship is heavenly as well as earthly. Let us be faithful to our Lord and stand up for the Bill of Rights so wisely provided by our founding fathers. Since we enjoy the freedom of religion, let us freely exercise this right. Let's be all that Christians should be. Without this kind of Christianity, real Bible Christianity, we will lose our rights to this free expression. I believe that God wants to bless America again, but not while we lukewarm Christians do no more than warm a pew on Sunday morning. Entertainment has never been the object of Christianity, so let's stop focusing on entertaining and return to real worship of our holy God.
More next week.
Our freedom springs from a freedom of the soul. The US Constitution reflects eternal, Biblical truths that form the basis of true liberty. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He purchased true freedom for all who place their faith in Him. Thank God for America! Thank Him more for our Savior Jesus Christ! Our citizenship is heavenly as well as earthly. Let us be faithful to our Lord and stand up for the Bill of Rights so wisely provided by our founding fathers. Since we enjoy the freedom of religion, let us freely exercise this right. Let's be all that Christians should be. Without this kind of Christianity, real Bible Christianity, we will lose our rights to this free expression. I believe that God wants to bless America again, but not while we lukewarm Christians do no more than warm a pew on Sunday morning. Entertainment has never been the object of Christianity, so let's stop focusing on entertaining and return to real worship of our holy God.
More next week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wow! It's Wednesday Already.
Sometimes there are just too many things to do. :-) We are having a very busy week this week. School will be over for the term on Thursday night. FREEDOM RALLY is coming this weekend, along with a Youth Rally. We would have hired some bees, but they said that it looked like there was too much on our plates.
For the past several weeks on Sunday nights we have looked at Prayer and having our prayers answered. Sunday night the message focused on ASKING IN JESUS' NAME. In order to pray, and get answers from the Lord, we must ask in Jesus' name. He is our access to the Father.
His name carries authority to save. Acts 4:12 makes this clear.
His name calls us to surrender. He is the Lord. Philippians 2 states that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yield to Him today.
His name provides access to the Heavenly throne room. Hebrews 4 calls us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find mercy, and grace to help in time of need. Christ has opened up the way for us to access the Father.
This is why we can have our prayers answered. John 15:16 shows that when we make requests of the Father in the name of Jesus, our petitions will be granted.
What does it mean to ask in Jesus' name? Asking is requesting a thing or favor from someone else. Often we have not because we ask not. Prayer indeed is asking. Who are we to ask? The Father. This of course is GOD. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life. His coffers are full. He has riches untold. Indeed, He is the One worthy of our petitions. Then we see the little preposition "in". This word shows location. All of our petitions must be wrapped up in a certain place, a certain location. "My" a pronoun showing ownership and therefore authority. "Name" a title that reveals the character of the person. When we ask "in Jesus' name", we are asking for His glory, asking in line with His character, and asking for His sake (in light of what He has done in dying on the cross and making the way to God open).
The name of Jesus is not a magic charm. The seven sons of Sceva found this out when trying to cast out demons using the name of Jesus. In order to pray in Jesus' name one must first have a relationship with this Jesus. Do you know Him? Are you trusting Him for cleansing from sin and the salvation of your soul?
Sometimes people do not get their prayers answered simply because they are not a child of God. Religion will not save you. Morality will not save you. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." You can come to the Father for salvation by trusting the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Then you can come to the Father with all of your requests in the name, for the glory of, in line with the character of, and to further the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray!
For the past several weeks on Sunday nights we have looked at Prayer and having our prayers answered. Sunday night the message focused on ASKING IN JESUS' NAME. In order to pray, and get answers from the Lord, we must ask in Jesus' name. He is our access to the Father.
His name carries authority to save. Acts 4:12 makes this clear.
His name calls us to surrender. He is the Lord. Philippians 2 states that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yield to Him today.
His name provides access to the Heavenly throne room. Hebrews 4 calls us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find mercy, and grace to help in time of need. Christ has opened up the way for us to access the Father.
This is why we can have our prayers answered. John 15:16 shows that when we make requests of the Father in the name of Jesus, our petitions will be granted.
What does it mean to ask in Jesus' name? Asking is requesting a thing or favor from someone else. Often we have not because we ask not. Prayer indeed is asking. Who are we to ask? The Father. This of course is GOD. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life. His coffers are full. He has riches untold. Indeed, He is the One worthy of our petitions. Then we see the little preposition "in". This word shows location. All of our petitions must be wrapped up in a certain place, a certain location. "My" a pronoun showing ownership and therefore authority. "Name" a title that reveals the character of the person. When we ask "in Jesus' name", we are asking for His glory, asking in line with His character, and asking for His sake (in light of what He has done in dying on the cross and making the way to God open).
The name of Jesus is not a magic charm. The seven sons of Sceva found this out when trying to cast out demons using the name of Jesus. In order to pray in Jesus' name one must first have a relationship with this Jesus. Do you know Him? Are you trusting Him for cleansing from sin and the salvation of your soul?
Sometimes people do not get their prayers answered simply because they are not a child of God. Religion will not save you. Morality will not save you. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." You can come to the Father for salvation by trusting the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Then you can come to the Father with all of your requests in the name, for the glory of, in line with the character of, and to further the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Principles of Prayer - Part 3
Is there a secret to getting our prayers answered? Not really a secret, but there are certain truths involving our communication with God that can make prayer more than just a misuse of energy. Too often what we call prayer just isn't real prayer. Someone once made the comment, "Jesus never mentions unanswered prayer." Certainly His prayers always received the requested desire, but what about yours and mine?
First, our prayers are often hindered by our own unconfessed sins. So we must be clean before God so that our prayers will be heard. "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18.
Next, we must pray with proper motivation. Whatever we do must be for the glory and honor of our God. Selfish praying bounces off of the ceiling! ". . .because we ask amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts," according to James 4.
God wants us to be able to communicate with Him. In fact He opened up the way into His presence through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. So, we can come to the Lord in prayer, and not only that, God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can pray correctly. This is the third principle of effective prayer: Pray in the Holy Spirit.
Jude verse 20 calls this "praying in the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Zechariah 12:10 also foretells this privilege, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:. . ."
Elijah prayed earnestly. The Spirit of God that was upon him, of which Elisha received a double portion, was the Spirit of prayer, earnest and effective prayer.
Jesus gives us a wonderful promise, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter has been given to believers so that we can pray, and pray effectively and fervently so that the work of witnessing can be done.
Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." You and I can pray effectively because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides our prayers.
Let us then be filled with the Spirit of God. Being filled with the Spirit means to be CONTROLLED by Him, to be SUBMITTED to His power and leadership, and to be YIELDED to Him. The results of this filling are seen in the context of Ephesians 5:18. Singing, worshipping the Lord in melody with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (don't miss the fact that the Holy Spirit is always holy), submission to the Lord and those who are in authority or partnered with me in the work of God (spouses), and service. The Holy Spirit has been given so that we are transformed into "Christians" in our words, deeds, attitudes, attendances, dress, home-life, and every other part of our lives. Sin grieves Him. Dirt defiles Him. Disobedience quenches Him. And when this happens? Our prayer-lives suffer.
We have a vital connection with the Lord. Let us be constantly cultivating our life in the Spirit. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly is the admonition. We are invited to "draw near" in Hebrews. Anything that would hinder us must be removed! Oh, that we would be a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing!
First, our prayers are often hindered by our own unconfessed sins. So we must be clean before God so that our prayers will be heard. "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18.
Next, we must pray with proper motivation. Whatever we do must be for the glory and honor of our God. Selfish praying bounces off of the ceiling! ". . .because we ask amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts," according to James 4.
God wants us to be able to communicate with Him. In fact He opened up the way into His presence through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. So, we can come to the Lord in prayer, and not only that, God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can pray correctly. This is the third principle of effective prayer: Pray in the Holy Spirit.
Jude verse 20 calls this "praying in the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Zechariah 12:10 also foretells this privilege, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:. . ."
Elijah prayed earnestly. The Spirit of God that was upon him, of which Elisha received a double portion, was the Spirit of prayer, earnest and effective prayer.
Jesus gives us a wonderful promise, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter has been given to believers so that we can pray, and pray effectively and fervently so that the work of witnessing can be done.
Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." You and I can pray effectively because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides our prayers.
Let us then be filled with the Spirit of God. Being filled with the Spirit means to be CONTROLLED by Him, to be SUBMITTED to His power and leadership, and to be YIELDED to Him. The results of this filling are seen in the context of Ephesians 5:18. Singing, worshipping the Lord in melody with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (don't miss the fact that the Holy Spirit is always holy), submission to the Lord and those who are in authority or partnered with me in the work of God (spouses), and service. The Holy Spirit has been given so that we are transformed into "Christians" in our words, deeds, attitudes, attendances, dress, home-life, and every other part of our lives. Sin grieves Him. Dirt defiles Him. Disobedience quenches Him. And when this happens? Our prayer-lives suffer.
We have a vital connection with the Lord. Let us be constantly cultivating our life in the Spirit. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly is the admonition. We are invited to "draw near" in Hebrews. Anything that would hinder us must be removed! Oh, that we would be a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing!
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