"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7.
It's nice to be known. When you walk into a room full of strangers, you immediately look for a familiar face. Why? We don't like to be alone. If we see two faces that we know and they are on opposite ends of the room, we have a choice to make. Invariably we move to the end housing the person with whom we are most comfortable. We just like to have company in a strange or uncomfortable situation.
How important it is then that we know the Lord. Even more important that He knows US! There have been times that I walked up to that familiar face only to discover that the person didn't know (or remember) me! Now that's embarrassing. What do you say when you greet a person with a hearty "Hello, Bob. How are you." Only to be greeted with a puzzled look and a "Do I know you?" It makes you want to melt through the cracks in the floor!
It certainly is comforting that we are known by the Lord when we take refuge in Him. Not only are we known by Him, but He welcomes us with open arms. He asks how we are doing. He inquires about our spouse, our kids, the job . . . . He is interested in all our doings. He makes us feel welcome -- at home -- at ease. When we are in His refuge, His shelter, His fortress, we have nothing to fear. If you are outside the stronghold looking in, open your door and enter. Yes, you read me right. The only door that keeps you out of God's presence is the door that you keep closed to Him -- your door -- your heart -- your privacy. In all reality, God has no doors on His kingdom for He is willing to accept all comers. It is only our refusal to accept Him as our Savior, our Lord, our King, that separates us from the joy and peace we all seek.
So, open your door and walk into the presence of Jesus. Though you may have done it before, you can do it again -- every day. Don't allow yourself to be kept apart from Him. He certainly wants you in His presence. He will never turn you away if you are seeking His face. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Acts 20:23-24
"Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" Acts 20:23-24.
The Apostle Paul is speaking in these verses. He is telling of his final trip to Jerusalem before his arrest and detention and ultimate trip to Rome. Paul says that at each stop along the way, the prophets and prophetesses would indicate that he would be bound in Jerusalem. Of course they wanted him to go elsewhere -- anywhere -- to remain a free man. But Paul would not be swayed from the direction the Lord was leading him. The Lord said "Jerusalem" so Jerusalem it would be. If he was to be put in bonds, so be it. If it meant certain death, he did not hold life so dear that he was not willing to sacrifice it for his Lord and Savior. Paul was focused -- (like a kind of tunnel vision) focused on Jesus. Nothing else mattered to him but doing the will of his King.
In this Paul was adamant -- and we should be as well. Nothing -- no person, no possession, no government, no power or authority, nothing -- should keep us from doing the will of our Father. But, alas, we live in a land far to influenced by "Stuff." Who among you can walk through a department store and exit the store without making a purchase? When the kids and grandkids come over to play, do we hide our most valued possessions so they will not get broken? What is more valuable, grandma's whatnot or a grandchild? If our TV or DVD player breaks, do we rush out to replace it with something even better? I'll admit, I long for a flat screen TV, but I
still don't have it.
Stuff or things do separate us from our appointed purpose and plan. How often have we not gone to church so we could watch the "soccer game" live? (I've tried recording the FA Cup Finals -- it's just not the same! But I go to church anyway.) When Carmel and I get away to Xavier House (A Christian Retreat in the Cheung Chau with no phones in the rooms and no TV, radio, etc.) we find ourselves much closer to God. And I found I could do without TV or radio or a refrigerator or even a lot of food. But how quickly I fell into the old patterns when I returned to "civilization". How sad that I have to resort to solitude in the retreat housein order to "hear Gods voice louder." The affairs of this world are indeed a distraction to me. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes my focus is blurred. Will you be the second? Amen and Amen.
The Apostle Paul is speaking in these verses. He is telling of his final trip to Jerusalem before his arrest and detention and ultimate trip to Rome. Paul says that at each stop along the way, the prophets and prophetesses would indicate that he would be bound in Jerusalem. Of course they wanted him to go elsewhere -- anywhere -- to remain a free man. But Paul would not be swayed from the direction the Lord was leading him. The Lord said "Jerusalem" so Jerusalem it would be. If he was to be put in bonds, so be it. If it meant certain death, he did not hold life so dear that he was not willing to sacrifice it for his Lord and Savior. Paul was focused -- (like a kind of tunnel vision) focused on Jesus. Nothing else mattered to him but doing the will of his King.
In this Paul was adamant -- and we should be as well. Nothing -- no person, no possession, no government, no power or authority, nothing -- should keep us from doing the will of our Father. But, alas, we live in a land far to influenced by "Stuff." Who among you can walk through a department store and exit the store without making a purchase? When the kids and grandkids come over to play, do we hide our most valued possessions so they will not get broken? What is more valuable, grandma's whatnot or a grandchild? If our TV or DVD player breaks, do we rush out to replace it with something even better? I'll admit, I long for a flat screen TV, but I
still don't have it.
Stuff or things do separate us from our appointed purpose and plan. How often have we not gone to church so we could watch the "soccer game" live? (I've tried recording the FA Cup Finals -- it's just not the same! But I go to church anyway.) When Carmel and I get away to Xavier House (A Christian Retreat in the Cheung Chau with no phones in the rooms and no TV, radio, etc.) we find ourselves much closer to God. And I found I could do without TV or radio or a refrigerator or even a lot of food. But how quickly I fell into the old patterns when I returned to "civilization". How sad that I have to resort to solitude in the retreat housein order to "hear Gods voice louder." The affairs of this world are indeed a distraction to me. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes my focus is blurred. Will you be the second? Amen and Amen.
Luke 11:42
"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone" Luke 11:42.
"Pastor Edwin, I don't have any mint or rue or other herbs, so what's your beef today? Besides I tithe on all of my income. So lay off will you?" I hear you loud and clear. Today, I won't preach about tithing. I won't even tell you that you need to tithe on the small things in addition to your regular income. (Oh, by the way, have you ever thought about tithing on your birthday
presents?) And that wasn't Jesus' point either.
Jesus was talking about the letter and the spirit of the law. The law was to tithe 10% of the "increase." The Pharisees didn't have a problem with that. They were so strict that they counted even the smallest details. I mean, get real, you tithe off the increase of your herb garden?
No, the point was not tithing. It was the spirit of the law. They tithed, but they did things against God's law that no self-respecting church going man would ever do. For example, the Law stated that a man could not walk over a certain distance from his home on the Sabbath. That was rather restrictive since Sabbath dinner at Mom's house was beyond the limit. So some rabbi somewhere down the line said a man's house was where his hat was. Alas! Friday afternoon would find a man walking so far and leaving a hat in a tree. He would travel that distance and leave another hat. He would do that until he could reach Mom's house -- only a Sabbath's day walk away from his hat -- err, I mean "home" (or should I say "homes"!) Pretty slick.
Another ploy used by good Pharisees was this. The Law says that a man should take care of his family. Mom and Dad were in need, but Jr. didn't want to help. So what did he do? He dedicated all he had to the Lord -- and appointed himself as God's representative. He certainly couldn't take care of Mom and Dad with the Lord's money. It wasn't his to distribute. Mom and Dad went hungry. Jr. extracted his "maintenance fee" from the "Lord's property" and lived quite well, "thank you very much."
"OK, Pastor Edwin. What's the point?" Glad you asked. We often justify ourselves with "spiritual excuses." Carmel might ask me to do something for her. I often forget. I might come up with an answer like this: "I'm sorry, Honey. I was praying and time just got away from me." See the "spiritual" excuse? It sounds good, but it's a lie just the same. Or I might have indeed been praying -- no lie -- but the truth of the matter is I was just too lazy to do it! I'm sure if you think about it you can come up with something that you really did along this line.
Jesus was saying that we should live our lives in service -- not just paying our tithe -- or doing our good deeds -- or praying -- or reading the Word (though these are vitally important and not to be ignored). There is a difference. Hell will be quite well populated with men and women who "paid their tithes" but live like hellions during the week. Hell will be the eternal home for many who "went to Church every Sunday" but hit the bars every Friday. And that's not to mention the men who "love their wives" but have affairs with the women they work with. Good deeds, paying the tithe, praying, even preaching, do not guarantee your salvation. Only the application of the Blood of Jesus can do that. And that only if we don't wash it off the first time we get a chance! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
"Pastor Edwin, I don't have any mint or rue or other herbs, so what's your beef today? Besides I tithe on all of my income. So lay off will you?" I hear you loud and clear. Today, I won't preach about tithing. I won't even tell you that you need to tithe on the small things in addition to your regular income. (Oh, by the way, have you ever thought about tithing on your birthday
presents?) And that wasn't Jesus' point either.
Jesus was talking about the letter and the spirit of the law. The law was to tithe 10% of the "increase." The Pharisees didn't have a problem with that. They were so strict that they counted even the smallest details. I mean, get real, you tithe off the increase of your herb garden?
No, the point was not tithing. It was the spirit of the law. They tithed, but they did things against God's law that no self-respecting church going man would ever do. For example, the Law stated that a man could not walk over a certain distance from his home on the Sabbath. That was rather restrictive since Sabbath dinner at Mom's house was beyond the limit. So some rabbi somewhere down the line said a man's house was where his hat was. Alas! Friday afternoon would find a man walking so far and leaving a hat in a tree. He would travel that distance and leave another hat. He would do that until he could reach Mom's house -- only a Sabbath's day walk away from his hat -- err, I mean "home" (or should I say "homes"!) Pretty slick.
Another ploy used by good Pharisees was this. The Law says that a man should take care of his family. Mom and Dad were in need, but Jr. didn't want to help. So what did he do? He dedicated all he had to the Lord -- and appointed himself as God's representative. He certainly couldn't take care of Mom and Dad with the Lord's money. It wasn't his to distribute. Mom and Dad went hungry. Jr. extracted his "maintenance fee" from the "Lord's property" and lived quite well, "thank you very much."
"OK, Pastor Edwin. What's the point?" Glad you asked. We often justify ourselves with "spiritual excuses." Carmel might ask me to do something for her. I often forget. I might come up with an answer like this: "I'm sorry, Honey. I was praying and time just got away from me." See the "spiritual" excuse? It sounds good, but it's a lie just the same. Or I might have indeed been praying -- no lie -- but the truth of the matter is I was just too lazy to do it! I'm sure if you think about it you can come up with something that you really did along this line.
Jesus was saying that we should live our lives in service -- not just paying our tithe -- or doing our good deeds -- or praying -- or reading the Word (though these are vitally important and not to be ignored). There is a difference. Hell will be quite well populated with men and women who "paid their tithes" but live like hellions during the week. Hell will be the eternal home for many who "went to Church every Sunday" but hit the bars every Friday. And that's not to mention the men who "love their wives" but have affairs with the women they work with. Good deeds, paying the tithe, praying, even preaching, do not guarantee your salvation. Only the application of the Blood of Jesus can do that. And that only if we don't wash it off the first time we get a chance! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Psalm 137:1
"By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion" Psalm 137:1.
It was a sad time for Israel. The unbelievable had happened. The once great kingdom of David and Solomon laid in ruins -- her people, those who were left alive, had been transported to nations far away. The best and brightest and healthiest and strongest were now in Babylon. They were inconsolably saddened by the turn of events that lead to their demise. Sure, they had been warned by the prophets, but they were thought of as nothing but a bunch of religious fanatics and kooks. But they had been true spokesmen for God. Now they were paying for their frivolities.
Their captives -- ever desiring something "new" -- demanded they play the songs from the Israeli homeland, the happy songs, the joyous songs, not the dirges the Jews wanted to play. But their hearts were not in it. How could they do the "happy" songs when their hearts were heavy with defeat and disbelief. Besides, they were homesick for a land they would most likely never see again! The next verse says the hung their harps in the willow trees. They refused to play.
To be honest, I long for the old days myself. I long for the days when Moms were home when the kids got home from school. I remember a time when drugs were bought from the druggist not the corner "pusher." I weep for a time, long lost, when the moral standard was high and the teen pregnancy rate was just barely above zero. Yes, I long for the days of the '50s, '60s and early '70s. Those were days when you didn't have to lock the doors to your house and car. Those were the times when you could walk the streets at midnight and not worry about being mugged. Those were indeed the "good old days". And, yes, they were better times.
What happened? Where did we go wrong? More importantly, how can we return? Yes, we were warned by the modern prophets. They shouted that we should not allow abortions to enter the main streets of our communities. Certainly, they informed, cajoled, pleaded, bargained, and warned us that if we continued to turn our backs on God that He would eventually turn His back on us. If it could happen to Israel, God's chosen nation filled with His chosen people, it could happen to each and every nation and race.
It was a sad time for Israel. The unbelievable had happened. The once great kingdom of David and Solomon laid in ruins -- her people, those who were left alive, had been transported to nations far away. The best and brightest and healthiest and strongest were now in Babylon. They were inconsolably saddened by the turn of events that lead to their demise. Sure, they had been warned by the prophets, but they were thought of as nothing but a bunch of religious fanatics and kooks. But they had been true spokesmen for God. Now they were paying for their frivolities.
Their captives -- ever desiring something "new" -- demanded they play the songs from the Israeli homeland, the happy songs, the joyous songs, not the dirges the Jews wanted to play. But their hearts were not in it. How could they do the "happy" songs when their hearts were heavy with defeat and disbelief. Besides, they were homesick for a land they would most likely never see again! The next verse says the hung their harps in the willow trees. They refused to play.
To be honest, I long for the old days myself. I long for the days when Moms were home when the kids got home from school. I remember a time when drugs were bought from the druggist not the corner "pusher." I weep for a time, long lost, when the moral standard was high and the teen pregnancy rate was just barely above zero. Yes, I long for the days of the '50s, '60s and early '70s. Those were days when you didn't have to lock the doors to your house and car. Those were the times when you could walk the streets at midnight and not worry about being mugged. Those were indeed the "good old days". And, yes, they were better times.
What happened? Where did we go wrong? More importantly, how can we return? Yes, we were warned by the modern prophets. They shouted that we should not allow abortions to enter the main streets of our communities. Certainly, they informed, cajoled, pleaded, bargained, and warned us that if we continued to turn our backs on God that He would eventually turn His back on us. If it could happen to Israel, God's chosen nation filled with His chosen people, it could happen to each and every nation and race.
Indeed, there is an answer. And that answer is unpopular! We, as the people of God, must return to the roots our forefathers planted. We must return to the Judeo-Christian foundation. We must return to a saving faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! That is our only hope to prevent the same thing that happened to Israel from happening to us!
Do you weep with me? Do you long for something that we had and lost and long to have again? Then pray that God will save all the nations -- no, pray that God will save all human beings again! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Jeremiah 17:9-10.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings" Jeremiah 17:9-10.
"It's hopeless. I can't be changed. I'm evil from my mother's womb and there is nothing I can do about it." Ever thought that or something like it? I have. When I get caught in the snare of one of my pet sins -- again -- and again, that's when I think it. I also wonder "what's the use of trying? I never change." And all this is true.
"Wait a minute, Pastor Edwin. You are supposed to lift my spirits. Now you are telling me that I am bad and there is nothing I can do about it. What's gotten into you. Are you like, sick or something?"
I hear you, but it is true. There is nothing you and I can do about the evil lurking in our hearts. Jeremiah was correct. Think about it. Where does our sin come from? The desires of the heart. We want something so we set about getting it. Whether it be a new toy, or a new car, or a new wife, or a house or whatever it is our hearts desire, we usually find a way to get it. We may use legal means -- like working overtime to get the required the funds, or being on our best behavior when we are around our "dream" date. Or we may turn to illegal means -- like stealing or lying or cheating or even killing. The difference is only in degrees.
Allow me to explain. A legal means must cause sacrifice somewhere. It may be stealing time from our families. It may be padding our time to get the overtime thus stealing from our employers. These are no better than robbing a bank or killing. They are all sin -- and there is no degrees in sin. Romans says "all have sinned and fallen short. . ." It doesn't say "only those who have committed great and grievous sins have sinned and fallen short . . ." A sin is a sin and a sin will keep you from God -- yes, even one sin.
"So where is the hope, Pastor Edwin?" It's here: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10 ) While it's true that we can do nothing about our deceitful hearts, God can. He can take our hard, cold, lifeless hearts and replace them with soft hearts full of love and mercy and grace. He can do what you and I find hopeless. The only problem is that He will not do it unless and until we are ready. God will never force himself upon us. He only gently prods us in the right direction. Even then we have the right of refusal. Yes, God cares, but He created us with the freedom to choose and He will never take that away -- not even to meet His own needs.
Caught in the depths of despair? Turn to Jesus. He has the ladder. Locked in a prison of defeat? Turn to Jesus. He holds the keys to your lock. Lost in a maze of confusion? Turn to Jesus. He has the map to freedom. Yes, it's true. Jesus is the answer for the world today. Without Him there is no other. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the LIGHT. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
"It's hopeless. I can't be changed. I'm evil from my mother's womb and there is nothing I can do about it." Ever thought that or something like it? I have. When I get caught in the snare of one of my pet sins -- again -- and again, that's when I think it. I also wonder "what's the use of trying? I never change." And all this is true.
"Wait a minute, Pastor Edwin. You are supposed to lift my spirits. Now you are telling me that I am bad and there is nothing I can do about it. What's gotten into you. Are you like, sick or something?"
I hear you, but it is true. There is nothing you and I can do about the evil lurking in our hearts. Jeremiah was correct. Think about it. Where does our sin come from? The desires of the heart. We want something so we set about getting it. Whether it be a new toy, or a new car, or a new wife, or a house or whatever it is our hearts desire, we usually find a way to get it. We may use legal means -- like working overtime to get the required the funds, or being on our best behavior when we are around our "dream" date. Or we may turn to illegal means -- like stealing or lying or cheating or even killing. The difference is only in degrees.
Allow me to explain. A legal means must cause sacrifice somewhere. It may be stealing time from our families. It may be padding our time to get the overtime thus stealing from our employers. These are no better than robbing a bank or killing. They are all sin -- and there is no degrees in sin. Romans says "all have sinned and fallen short. . ." It doesn't say "only those who have committed great and grievous sins have sinned and fallen short . . ." A sin is a sin and a sin will keep you from God -- yes, even one sin.
"So where is the hope, Pastor Edwin?" It's here: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10 ) While it's true that we can do nothing about our deceitful hearts, God can. He can take our hard, cold, lifeless hearts and replace them with soft hearts full of love and mercy and grace. He can do what you and I find hopeless. The only problem is that He will not do it unless and until we are ready. God will never force himself upon us. He only gently prods us in the right direction. Even then we have the right of refusal. Yes, God cares, but He created us with the freedom to choose and He will never take that away -- not even to meet His own needs.
Caught in the depths of despair? Turn to Jesus. He has the ladder. Locked in a prison of defeat? Turn to Jesus. He holds the keys to your lock. Lost in a maze of confusion? Turn to Jesus. He has the map to freedom. Yes, it's true. Jesus is the answer for the world today. Without Him there is no other. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the LIGHT. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
2 Kings 16:8
"And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king's house, and sent it as a present to the king of Assyria" 2 Kings 16:8.
Ahaz was not a good man. Never was. Never will be. It just wasn't in his nature. He was selfish, proud, arrogant, selfish -- oh, I already said that. There was nothing Ahaz wouldn't do to please himself. So, when the kingdom was on the line, Ahaz did the only thing he could do to save his position -- he emptied his personal coffers -- wrong! No, he emptied the coffers of his national bank account -- wrong again! He went to the Temple and robbed the wealth that was held in the storage rooms there! Can you imagine the nerve of this man. Robbing God! I suspect that he thought God wouldn't mind. After all, God never did have much to say to Ahaz. Only those prophets came around and gave nothing but harsh warnings. I suspect Ahaz though, "I'll show Him who's boss. I'll just use His wealth to keep my enemies happy!"
Speaking of robbing God, none of us would think of breaking into our local Church and stealing the sound equipment and selling it so we could buy a new car. None of us would ever take money OUT of the offering plate as it was passed! Of course not. We are an honest people and we honor our God by being honest.
Or are we so pure in our relationship with God? We may pay our tithes, but do we do any work for the Lord on Monday? Do we ever call on a new visitor? Do we ever visit the sick in the hospital? Do we ever volunteer to teach a Sunday School class? Do we offer to cook a meal for some bereaved family -- even though we don't know them personally? Do we help the janitor clean the building after the morning service so he can get home at a reasonable time? Do we even pick up our own trash after the service? No? Then you are robbing God.
Do you watch movies you shouldn't watch? Do you drive over the speed limit? Do you look hungrily at that luscious looking co-worker with the gorgeous body? Do we shout at our kids and show them no love? Do we buy them things to make up for our lack of personal time with them? Yes? Then you are robbing God.
You see, theft comes in many forms. God has required more of us than our tithe -- though if you are giving less than 10% of your income to the work of the Kingdom, you are robbing God, too. He requires our time. He requires our love. He requires that our love be expressed to our family and our neighbors -- and our enemies! He requires our lives -- and not just part of them, but all of them. If we are only giving 10% of ourselves, we are robbing God. If we are giving 95% of ourselves, we are robbing God -- and we are just as guilty as Ahaz!
You may have missed it yesterday, or in the last hour, but you can start over right now. Go ahead, give Him your all. You will find that He gives much more in return! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Ahaz was not a good man. Never was. Never will be. It just wasn't in his nature. He was selfish, proud, arrogant, selfish -- oh, I already said that. There was nothing Ahaz wouldn't do to please himself. So, when the kingdom was on the line, Ahaz did the only thing he could do to save his position -- he emptied his personal coffers -- wrong! No, he emptied the coffers of his national bank account -- wrong again! He went to the Temple and robbed the wealth that was held in the storage rooms there! Can you imagine the nerve of this man. Robbing God! I suspect that he thought God wouldn't mind. After all, God never did have much to say to Ahaz. Only those prophets came around and gave nothing but harsh warnings. I suspect Ahaz though, "I'll show Him who's boss. I'll just use His wealth to keep my enemies happy!"
Speaking of robbing God, none of us would think of breaking into our local Church and stealing the sound equipment and selling it so we could buy a new car. None of us would ever take money OUT of the offering plate as it was passed! Of course not. We are an honest people and we honor our God by being honest.
Or are we so pure in our relationship with God? We may pay our tithes, but do we do any work for the Lord on Monday? Do we ever call on a new visitor? Do we ever visit the sick in the hospital? Do we ever volunteer to teach a Sunday School class? Do we offer to cook a meal for some bereaved family -- even though we don't know them personally? Do we help the janitor clean the building after the morning service so he can get home at a reasonable time? Do we even pick up our own trash after the service? No? Then you are robbing God.
Do you watch movies you shouldn't watch? Do you drive over the speed limit? Do you look hungrily at that luscious looking co-worker with the gorgeous body? Do we shout at our kids and show them no love? Do we buy them things to make up for our lack of personal time with them? Yes? Then you are robbing God.
You see, theft comes in many forms. God has required more of us than our tithe -- though if you are giving less than 10% of your income to the work of the Kingdom, you are robbing God, too. He requires our time. He requires our love. He requires that our love be expressed to our family and our neighbors -- and our enemies! He requires our lives -- and not just part of them, but all of them. If we are only giving 10% of ourselves, we are robbing God. If we are giving 95% of ourselves, we are robbing God -- and we are just as guilty as Ahaz!
You may have missed it yesterday, or in the last hour, but you can start over right now. Go ahead, give Him your all. You will find that He gives much more in return! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
John 5:4-5
"For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years." John 5:4-5.
Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made whole, and he answered, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up." He was so caught up with thinking he needed someone to help him, he could not see that his miracle was standing right in front of him! When you have no man to help you--nowhere to turn but God--you are a prime target for a miracle! No man can do for you what Jesus can do for you.
When you quit depending on your job, the preacher, your family, or the next healing line, you are positioned for your breakthrough. Family may let you down, the preacher may disappoint you and your friends may forsake you, but Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Rely on Him and Him alone, and He will meet you at the very point of your deepest need. What are the deep needs He is meeting in your life today? Praise Him, Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made whole, and he answered, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up." He was so caught up with thinking he needed someone to help him, he could not see that his miracle was standing right in front of him! When you have no man to help you--nowhere to turn but God--you are a prime target for a miracle! No man can do for you what Jesus can do for you.
When you quit depending on your job, the preacher, your family, or the next healing line, you are positioned for your breakthrough. Family may let you down, the preacher may disappoint you and your friends may forsake you, but Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Rely on Him and Him alone, and He will meet you at the very point of your deepest need. What are the deep needs He is meeting in your life today? Praise Him, Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Psalm 108:3
"I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations" Psalm 108:3.
I know, it's not Thanksgiving Day, but it is still good to give thanks to the Lord. As a matter of fact, there is no Biblical Thanksgiving Day because every day should be a day of thanksgiving!
Three questions come to my mind:
First, of what should we be thankful? Now there is a loaded question, but I want you to make a list of things you are thankful for. Be specific. Be generous in you thoughts. I think you will find your list a lot longer than you think -- if you will just get quiet and ponder the possibilities for a few moments.
~~~~
Question 2: To whom should we be thankful?
Obviously God is tops on most of our lists, but how long has it been, guys, since you thanked your wife for a well prepared meal -- or the way she runs your household -- or the way she is raising your children (and she does, you know. She has much more influence on your children than you do.) Have you ever thanked your server at your favorite restaurant? No, I mean with more than a tip. Have you stopped and thanked her/him personally and told them how good a job they did? Have you thanked your employer for hiring you and providing a job for you? Come to think of it, how often do you express thanks to those around you?
Question 3: When it comes to thanking the Lord, where do you do it?
In the privacy of your prayer closet? That's good. In the presence of your family? Wonderful! In the assembly of the saints? Perhaps. In the market place? " Get real, Pastor Edwin. I'm too private a person for that!" Oh, really? The Psalmist suggests that we should not be so shy! He recommends that we thank the Lord among the people -- that's the world, people. They should know from whom our blessings come. We shouldn't make them guess -- they are most likely to believe we quietly won the lottery, or a rich uncle died, or some other such thing. No, they should have no doubts that our blessings come from the Lord. How do we do that? I have a friend who, when asked how he is, always responds "Blessed!" It opens opportunity for him to share how the Lord has blessed him. It really gets some strange reactions in the checkout lane of his favorite grocery store!
Try it, you may like it! Of course for the really bold among us, the Psalmist suggests that we sing God's praise among the nations! Now we have really stretched out into the heathen world -- and we don't really have to burn a CD to do it. We can just hum a happy song of the Lord as we shop, work, play, visit, etc. Trust me, even if you are a lousy singer, people will wonder why you are so happy! And THAT will open doors for you! My life is a daily Ministry and yours can be one too. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
I know, it's not Thanksgiving Day, but it is still good to give thanks to the Lord. As a matter of fact, there is no Biblical Thanksgiving Day because every day should be a day of thanksgiving!
Three questions come to my mind:
First, of what should we be thankful? Now there is a loaded question, but I want you to make a list of things you are thankful for. Be specific. Be generous in you thoughts. I think you will find your list a lot longer than you think -- if you will just get quiet and ponder the possibilities for a few moments.
~~~~
Question 2: To whom should we be thankful?
Obviously God is tops on most of our lists, but how long has it been, guys, since you thanked your wife for a well prepared meal -- or the way she runs your household -- or the way she is raising your children (and she does, you know. She has much more influence on your children than you do.) Have you ever thanked your server at your favorite restaurant? No, I mean with more than a tip. Have you stopped and thanked her/him personally and told them how good a job they did? Have you thanked your employer for hiring you and providing a job for you? Come to think of it, how often do you express thanks to those around you?
Question 3: When it comes to thanking the Lord, where do you do it?
In the privacy of your prayer closet? That's good. In the presence of your family? Wonderful! In the assembly of the saints? Perhaps. In the market place? " Get real, Pastor Edwin. I'm too private a person for that!" Oh, really? The Psalmist suggests that we should not be so shy! He recommends that we thank the Lord among the people -- that's the world, people. They should know from whom our blessings come. We shouldn't make them guess -- they are most likely to believe we quietly won the lottery, or a rich uncle died, or some other such thing. No, they should have no doubts that our blessings come from the Lord. How do we do that? I have a friend who, when asked how he is, always responds "Blessed!" It opens opportunity for him to share how the Lord has blessed him. It really gets some strange reactions in the checkout lane of his favorite grocery store!
Try it, you may like it! Of course for the really bold among us, the Psalmist suggests that we sing God's praise among the nations! Now we have really stretched out into the heathen world -- and we don't really have to burn a CD to do it. We can just hum a happy song of the Lord as we shop, work, play, visit, etc. Trust me, even if you are a lousy singer, people will wonder why you are so happy! And THAT will open doors for you! My life is a daily Ministry and yours can be one too. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
Gen 2:18
"And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" Gen 2:18.
Did you notice the wording here? "It is not good for man to be alone"? Why not? Have you ever seen the apartment of a single man? How about his car? Need I say more?
I knew a youth Pastor years ago who was a single man. His car looked like it was part of the set for the junk yard! I don't believe he ever threw anything that entered the door of his vehicle away. Worse yet, I don't thing there was a thing in there worth saving! And, sorry to say, this is not an isolated case! It seems to run in the "youth Pastor" blood line!
Most men think they can "go it alone," but let the little woman go shopping and leave a couple of kids with daddy and see what happens. Oh, it may look good on the outside, but look closely and you will begin to see some strange things -- like food splatters where there should be no food, like spaghetti sauce in the cracks in the ceiling tiles! And diapers put on in reverse with duct tape, because the tape wouldn't work! Or, feeding steak and rice to an infant. Yes, I did ALL these things myself. My wife almost had a heart attack!
When God created man, he created a creature with an ego. When He saw that man was nothing but trouble constantly, He chose to create woman to help Him out, because Man did not know where he had come IN! Eve had just the talents that Adam was missing. (And I'm not talking about looks here guys!) I really believe it was woman who discovered fire. Man would still be eating his meat raw! I believe most women have the skill to organize a man's life. Without a woman, most men couldn't get out the door on time -- except Sunday when the shoe is on the other foot! (To be honest, if most men would help their wives with the kids, they would not be late at all.)
I've noticed over the past many years that what a man lacks, his God given wife has. If he is no organizer, she is. If he lacks financial wizardry, she has it in abundance. It is good for a husband and wife to sit down together and discuss their strengths and weaknesses -- and we guys really have them -- and the biggest weakness we have is our inability to admit to anyone that we REALLY DO have them!
Then, after our strengths and weaknesses are honestly discussed, we should divide the responsibilities, giving each care over our strong areas, sharing what is left over. If that means Me, being the Man give up the check book, so be it. The marriage will be stronger for it. If that means Me, again, The Man wash dishes, I will do it with all that is within me -- don't get the wrong idea, Carmel. This is just an example!
Having problems in your marriage? Look to see if each is doing what he or she is good at. You might be surprised at what you find. Praise God, Amen and Amen.
Did you notice the wording here? "It is not good for man to be alone"? Why not? Have you ever seen the apartment of a single man? How about his car? Need I say more?
I knew a youth Pastor years ago who was a single man. His car looked like it was part of the set for the junk yard! I don't believe he ever threw anything that entered the door of his vehicle away. Worse yet, I don't thing there was a thing in there worth saving! And, sorry to say, this is not an isolated case! It seems to run in the "youth Pastor" blood line!
Most men think they can "go it alone," but let the little woman go shopping and leave a couple of kids with daddy and see what happens. Oh, it may look good on the outside, but look closely and you will begin to see some strange things -- like food splatters where there should be no food, like spaghetti sauce in the cracks in the ceiling tiles! And diapers put on in reverse with duct tape, because the tape wouldn't work! Or, feeding steak and rice to an infant. Yes, I did ALL these things myself. My wife almost had a heart attack!
When God created man, he created a creature with an ego. When He saw that man was nothing but trouble constantly, He chose to create woman to help Him out, because Man did not know where he had come IN! Eve had just the talents that Adam was missing. (And I'm not talking about looks here guys!) I really believe it was woman who discovered fire. Man would still be eating his meat raw! I believe most women have the skill to organize a man's life. Without a woman, most men couldn't get out the door on time -- except Sunday when the shoe is on the other foot! (To be honest, if most men would help their wives with the kids, they would not be late at all.)
I've noticed over the past many years that what a man lacks, his God given wife has. If he is no organizer, she is. If he lacks financial wizardry, she has it in abundance. It is good for a husband and wife to sit down together and discuss their strengths and weaknesses -- and we guys really have them -- and the biggest weakness we have is our inability to admit to anyone that we REALLY DO have them!
Then, after our strengths and weaknesses are honestly discussed, we should divide the responsibilities, giving each care over our strong areas, sharing what is left over. If that means Me, being the Man give up the check book, so be it. The marriage will be stronger for it. If that means Me, again, The Man wash dishes, I will do it with all that is within me -- don't get the wrong idea, Carmel. This is just an example!
Having problems in your marriage? Look to see if each is doing what he or she is good at. You might be surprised at what you find. Praise God, Amen and Amen.
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