No More Excuses

We live in a selfish, self-centered society.  We have a mentality that says “What About Me?”  We can come up with a number of reasons why we can’t do more for others.  A few of these reasons are:  I’m too busy, I don’t have enough time, no one ever did anything for me, or the number one excuse; It’s just too hard.  This mind-set is applauded by the world, but God’s Word says in Rom. 12:2  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Our commitment to conform must go deeper than just changing our behavior, it must be a change in our mind-set.  How do we change our mind-set?  By allowing the Holy Spirit to have free reign in our lives.  Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been given authority and power.  In Luke 10:19 Jesus said,”Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them.  Nothing will injure you.”  If we have been given this authority over scorpions, we certainly have the power to change our attitudes, behaviors, and mind-sets.

NO MORE EXCUSES.  Jesus gave us the guideline for the Church to accomplish His Will.  We find this guideline in Matt. 25:35-40  For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  I was in prison, and you visited me.’  Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘LORD, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality?  Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?  ”And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me?’

This is something we can all do, and it doesn’t depend on our money, abilities or even intelligence.  It is not “Too Hard”  We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we don’t have the luxury of handing this responsibility over to the government.  We must have a personal involvement in caring for the needs of others.  As the family of God, we CANNOT shirk this responsibility.

If you are not part of the family of God, you can become a member.  Confess your sins to Jesus, ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and life.  When you do, He will fill you with His Holy Spirit and empower you to live a life that is victorious, and productive. He will enable you to go out and bring glory to the name of God by doing His Will.  Don’t waste another day of your life.  Make the choice now.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Loneliness

Loneliness is more than the absence of people.  What comes to your mind when I say the word lonely?  What’s your image of loneliness?  A derelict on a park bench?  A friendless person away from home in a strange city?  Someone separated from loved ones over the holidays?  A person with very few  or no significant, satisfying relationships?  A social misfit unable to relate creatively to others?

Careful.  Loneliness is a much more universal emotional condition than that.  We all feel it at times.  Some people we’d least expect to feel lonely are seldom free from the gnawing pain.  It lurks under many a jolly mask, and pulses in the hearts of the most gregarious and outgoing.  It’s there beneath the busy adequacy or pretended assurance of the popular, the famous, and the attractive people we admire.

None of us are immune to it.  At one time or another, even while in a crowd, we can feel the pangs of loneliness.  But, there is hope, and it is found in God’s Word, the Bible.  One such word of encouragement is found in Matt. 28:20 And be sure of this:” I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  When we make Jesus King of our life and worship Him as our Savior and LORD we can say good-bye to loneliness.

If you have never made Jesus the LORD of your life, you can do so right now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you.  Then ask Him into your heart and life.  Don’t wait another moment.  Do it now!!  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Unforgiveness

On of the most destructive devises Satan uses to keep believers from drawing closer to God is unforgiveness.    He knows what a deadly trap this is.  If he can keep us focused on how badly someone has hurt us, he knows that we will not move forward in doing the will of God.  But, the Bible teaches us in Matthew 6:15 ”If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive yours sins.   Jesus give us a warning about forgiveness.  When we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us.  Why?  Because when we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God’s forgiveness.  It is easy to ask God for forgiveness but difficult to grant it to others.  Not forgiving others is like so many other good teachers have said, “it’s like you taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”   We should be willing to disregard the faults of others because we ourselves have faults.  For any relationship to grow and mature , we need to be quick to forgive.  Proverbs 17:9 states: “love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.  To forgive the way that God forgives is to forget the offense as well. Ps. 103:12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.  If we have not forgotten the offense, we have not truly forgiven.  And if we have not truly forgiven, then we are locked in and will never obtain the joy that Jesus died to give us.

It is difficult for us as humans to forgive completely when someone has hurt us, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us to do just that.  Greater is He that lives in us, than he that is in the world.  God wants us to live our lives victoriously.  But to do that we must follow His example.  Look to Jesus on the cross.  After all they did to Him, His prayer was:  “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34 

Maybe you have yet to meet this wonderful Jesus.  You can do so right now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and life.  He’s just waiting for the invitation.  Don’t waste another moment of your life, because without Him you have no life.  Ask Him now.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Who Am I?

Do not be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.  Fear only God who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  29 What is the price of two sparrows–one copper coin?  But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  31 So don’t be afraid; you are more VALUABLE to God than a whole flock of  sparrows.  Matt. 10: 28-31  

People will sometimes say cruel things to us.  For some reason it makes them feel superior.  But we need not fear or even put any importance on what they say.  You see, in God’s eyes each and every one of us is valuable. You don’t have to be thin, beautiful, rich, highly intelligent,  wealthy, or perfect for God to love you.  We are all human, and we all make mistakes.  It doesn’t change who we are in Christ.  Because Jesus knew the choices and mistakes we were going to make, before we even did them.  And the amazing thing is He loves us anyway.  His love is unconditional.

Don’t let the world dictate to you who you should be.  Read God’s Word and find out what He says about you.  He gives us encouraging words like “You are Royal Priest, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.”  1Pet. 2:9  AND For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 1Pet.2:19  

For God loved the world so much that He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone that believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16  

That’s how VALUABLE you are to God.  So don’t worry about what others say about or to you, remember;  God says you are important to Him.  If you Don’t know Him or His Son, you can right now.  Confess your sins to Him, ask Him to forgive you, and ask Him to come into your heart and life.  He loves you so much, He’s just waiting for you to ask.  Don’t waste another moment of your life, do it now.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Can God Still Use You?

None of us have walked through life without making any mistakes. We are all human, and thus we are more apt to sin than not.  Some people get hung up on the degree in which they’ve sinned.  We as a society look at the more grievous sins such as, murder, stealing, adultery, lying, and cheating, fraud, as something that cannot be overlooked or forgiven.  But than that is our perception of what really bad sins look like.  God looks at things quite a bit differently.  He says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)  So you see, everything that we do or say that doesn’t bring honor or glory to God, and goes against His Will, is sin.  And, one can appreciate why we all need God’s mercy and grace.

But that bring us to our question:  Can God Still Use You?  The answer is a resounding YES!!  We are all God’s workmanship, He’s not finished with us yet.  We are a work in progress, and He has a job for each and everyone of us.  Paul wrote in Phil. 1: 1-6 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with  joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. So you see, yes he can still use you. He knows we’ve sinned, but when we asked Him to forgive us, he does.  As far as the East is to the West has He removed our sins and transgressions, and He remembers them no more.  Ps. 103:12

If you have never said YES to Jesus, you can right now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and come into your heart and life.  He’s just waiting for you to ask.  Don’t wait another moment.  Do it now.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll make.  God Bless.

Now is the Time to Worship

With everything that is going on in the world today, such as the 14.5 trillion dollars debt that our nation is facing right now, the loss of employment, the cost of medical care, the foreclosures on homes all across the country, it isn’t any wonder that so many people are in a panic.  That is because they are looking to the government for their provision.  John Haggee once said:  ”What the government can give you, the government can take away, but what God gives you, no man can take away.”

It’s time to start looking to the LORD for our peace of mind, and joy to fill our hearts.  Ps. 91: 1-2 states: 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  2 I will say of the LORD,  ”He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

When we place our trust in God, we don’t have to be afraid.  He will be there to shelter us in the midst of the storms of life.  He will never do anything to harm us.  On the contrary, He wants only the best for us.  Listen to what He says to us in Jer. 29:11 ” For I know the plans  I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..”  He knows the future and He will provide everything that we need.  So instead of focusing on the problem, start focusing on the One who holds the future.

If you have not known the One who knows all things, you can right now.  God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus, to take your sins and mine to the cross.  If you have not made Jesus the LORD and Savior of your life, you can do so right now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and life.  Then, start giving Him all your praise and Worship.  Do it now.  You really don’t want to wait any longer.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

God Hears Us!

Then Johah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish.  2He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and He answered me.  I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!”  Jonah 2: 1-2  Jonah was told to go to Nineveh to warn the people there that if they didn’t change, they would be destroyed.  The people in Nineveh were very wicked.  The reason Jonah went the other way is because he knew that God is merciful and if the people in the city of Nineveh repented, God was show them mercy.  But, Jonah felt that they should be destroyed because of their wickedness.

We must be careful that we don’t develop the mindset of Jonah, believing that some people don’t deserve God’s mercy.  Because, the truth of the matter is, none of us deserve His mercy.  We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 4:23)

As a result of Jonah’s disobedience, he was thrown into the belly of a large fish.  Can you imagine spending three days in the belly of a large fish for three days.  I can’t even imagine the stench!!!   But, after three days Jonah cried out to the LORD, and admitted that he had sinned and God heard his cry for help.  It doesn’t matter what kind of situation you have gotten yourself into.  If you confess your sin to God, He will hear you and pull you out and set your feet on solid ground.

If you have not made Jesus the LORD and Savior of your life yet, you can do it now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and life.  He’s waiting to hear from you because He loves you so much.  Do it now, it’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Do You Really Want Wrinkles?

Were you aware that it takes more muscles to frown, than it does to smile?  Maybe that is one of the reasons Jesus told us not to worry.  When we worry, we are saying in essence; LORD, I don’t totally trust that you can handle my situation.

Matt. 6:25-27 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds.  They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?  27 can all your worries add a single moment to you life? Worry causes havoc on our bodies, it keeps us locked up with dread, and it steals our joy.  When we focus on our problems, we are not able to function the way that God wants us to.   You can be concerned about situations, but don’t dwell on them.  Do what God tells you to do, and than leave it alone.  Trust God in any and all given situations.

God has promised to fulfill all of our needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  When we realize that God is able to do all that He said He will do, we will begin to enjoy the abundant life and perfect peace that Jesus died to give us.

Do you want to look and feel younger?  Stop Worrying!!!!  God will see you through all the trials and troubles this world will throw at you.  So make a decision today to stop fretting and worrying about things you have no control over.  Instead trust Him who has  ALL the answers.

Perhaps you don’t have peace in your life because you have never made Jesus the LORD of your life.  Don’t Worry; you can do it now.  Confess you sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart and life.  He will, he’s just waiting for the invitation.  He loves you.  Do it now.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.

Healing; Is It For Everyone?

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  he was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.  Is. 53:5 Many people say that if this is true, than how come my relative or friend was not healed?  We don’t know the answer to this question.  When faced with these kinds of questions, we must go to God’s Word.  Let’s look at Is.55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.  ”And my ways are for beyond anything you could imagine.  9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

This is reinforced in Is. 57: 1-2  Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time.  But no one seems to care or wonder why.  No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.  2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.  What would be worse; dying early or turning away from God, and spending eternity in hell?

We don’t know what God is thinking and planning.  We don’t have the understanding or knowledge of all things.  Only God does.  I believe that whether or not we are healed here on earth, or received by God in heaven.  God’s Word is true, “by His stripes we were healed.”  In heaven there is no sickness or disease.

We can trust God’s Word, he has a plan for everyone, so just lean in to Him and trust that He will always do what He has said in His Word.  He is not a man, that He should lie.  Heb. 6:18

Maybe you don’t know God’s Word, because you don’t know Him.  I have good news for you, you can know Him now.  Confess your sins to Him and ask Jesus to forgive you and come into your heart and life.  Then begin to read the Bible, God’s Word.  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.

Presence of Joy

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.  Ps. 16:11

This is the time of year where many make resolutions.  While this is a good thing to do, we must remember that we have an enemy who is seeking whom he may steal from, destroy and kill.  (John 10:10) And he wants us to fail.  That is why, when we make resolutions, we must include the LORD in them.  Ask Him if this is what He wants us to do, and to show us if we are doing them with the right motives.  Not just to make ourselves look good to others, but to really allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, so that we can bring honor and glory to God.  God will show us the “path of life”.  When we seek His will, we will succeed.

We must also remember to Seek Him, because of who He is, not just for what He can and will do for us, this is what assures us of the “fullness of joy.”  When we commune with God, we will not be concerned with what will not give our lives values.  The “fullness of joy” comes when we start putting Him and His will first.  Focusing on His goodness, mercy, and love.  John F. Kennedy stated in his inaugural address:  ”ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  We can apply that to our relationship to God.  Ask not what God can do for you;  Ask what you can do for God.  In seeking His face, rather than His hand you can experience “fullness of joy.”

Maybe you don’t know God.  That can change right now.  Confess that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ.  Ask Him to help you get to know Him.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life.  He waiting at the door of your heart to invite Him in.  Do it now!  It’s the Best Decision you’ll ever make.  God Bless.