1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
The word "Edify" means to "build up", "to repair or restore by building" to "uplift"
If there ever was a time in our world when people need to be lifted up and restored, I personally think it is now. When you read the newspaper or listen to the daily news it causes one to become discouraged and depressed. I was reminded of the Apostle Paul where he talked about being weary and troubled, fightings without and fears within in 2 Corinthians 7:5 "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without [were] fightings, within [were] fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"
What a great word "Nevertheless" was to Paul.. No matter what was going on, no matter what he was faced with, the greatest of problems was about to meet "nevertheless" interpreted means, "however", "in spite of that."
Paul, in spite of the problems, fighting without, the fears within, GOD that Comforts is sending someone your way... And Paul ends verse 6 by saying, "comforted us by the coming of Titus."
Everyone of us will reach a place in our life that we become discouraged, BUT GOD who comforts, has someone coming your way to encourage and edify you...
The question I have is... "Have you ask God to make you an edifier? A builder instead of one that discourages?" You have been in the place of discouragement, troubled, uneasy, so we all know what that is... But have you allowed God to use you to encourage, and edify someone else. If we don't guard ourselves we will allow our own problems to overcome us and think we are the only one with problems and trials. But everyone faces issues and times of discouragement, even like the great prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 18when he became discourage and wanted to die, after seeing such a great victory on Mount Carmel. He was now ready to give up but God sent an angel to edify him. I believe that in our time God wants to use you and I to be that edifier and encourager... Oh the blessings one will receive when they allow God to use them as an Edifier" In 2 Samuel 11, David was sending a messenger to Joab. Along with instructions of what Joab should do, David also told the messenger to encourage Joab..
We are truly in the last days, and if God were to speak to us today, I think He would have instructions for us, but He would also tell us to edify and encourage one another to not give up.
Church we have come to far to give up now, Jesus is just about to come gather His children.
Don't let discouragement, depressions, trouble, trials, or the things of this world cloud your heart and mind... There is a song we used to sing "I've come to far" and the lyrics were,
Verse 1
I’ve come too far to look back again there is nothing behind me
All the treasures I used to love have all faded from view
There’s a new day ahead for me all my heartache is over
For I left it at Calvary where my new life began
Chorus
I’ve come too far to look back
My feet have walked through the valley
I’ve climbed mountains, crossed rivers
Dessert places I’ve known
But I’m nearing the home shore the redeemed are rejoicing
Heaven’s angels are singing I’ve gone too far to look back
Verse 2
Look around, there’s no happiness there’s no reason for living
Life will give you a broken dream full of sorrow and fear
Turn around, don’t look back again face the new day before you
Place your heartache in Jesus’ hand He can mend broken dreams
Let us build up one another in these last days..
Maranatha "The Lord cometh!"
Be encouraged today!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Another Year is upon us...
There is an old saying that states, "Time Flies when you are having fun."
Fact is "time flies" whether you are having fun or not. It seems like we are living in the days when time slips away from us so quickly. Not many years ago society was worried about Y2K and what would happen after the stroke of midnight 1999 as the year slipped over into 2000. Many were worried about food supplies, and water and would all computers come to an abrupt halt? Would we be without electricity and water? Many fears swept over the world of the unknown and what our outcome would be.
Well we survived Y2K and now we have gone through the 1990's the 2000' and now have entered into 2010. Many things happened over the past few years, we have gone through a Presidential election and whether this was your candidate or not we are now one year with a new President. Many changes have taken place, people have lost their jobs, some their homes and material wealth, and the economy is not rebounding like some predicted.
In the past ten years since 2000 many of us have lost our parents and other loved ones to death. In the process of these past years, we have also been blessed with new little people in our lives.. From the year 2000 to 2010 God has blessed our home with five grand daughters and one grandson, ages starting from the oldest grand daughter of nine years of age to a 12 weeks old grandson. What a great blessing they are to my wife and I, God has been so good to us!
As we enter this new year, we realize that none of us knows what this year will be. Some are wondering will this be the year of rebound, where jobs are restored, the economy picks back up, stocks take off again as they have in the past? The truth is all these questions pertain to temporal things which will someday pass away. This seems to be the main topic on most peoples mind. Jesus warned them in the book of Matthew to guard your heart, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be..
Matthew 6:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Before you get the wrong idea, I am not saying that is wrong to have a fine home, car, or a savings account. The problem with most people is not the things they have, but the things that have them.
This is the most important thing about this new year of 2010, this could very well be the year Jesus returns. Do not allow anything, or anyone to get your attention off of His return. How sad it would be that the material and temporal things would out weigh the Glory of His return. We must guard our hearts for the treasures of this world can never be more valuable than the treasures of heaven.
As Christians there was a time when we had such a strong desire to see and be with the Lord.
We sang a song from our hearts that went like this..
I'm longing for Jesus to come back I long for Jesus Christ my King
To come and take me to My home beyond the sky
Up there where saints Will shout and sing
I'm longing for that glorious day When Jesus Christ shall come
I long to see His blessed face
When all the saints throughout the ages Shall be gathered home
The ones who've trusted in His grace
Oh what a glorious times will be When through the air I go
To meet the one who died for me
My sorrows, cares, my trials, my tears Will all be left below
For then my way will be complete
The word "Longing" means a strong desire, yearning, craving, hunger, thirst.
Where is your desires, your yearning, your hunger? This year let us turn our hearts toward home, laying aside anything that would hinder us in our race..
Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
I leave you with these encouraging words...
1 Thessalonians 4;16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Look up, this could be the year of the Lord's return
Fact is "time flies" whether you are having fun or not. It seems like we are living in the days when time slips away from us so quickly. Not many years ago society was worried about Y2K and what would happen after the stroke of midnight 1999 as the year slipped over into 2000. Many were worried about food supplies, and water and would all computers come to an abrupt halt? Would we be without electricity and water? Many fears swept over the world of the unknown and what our outcome would be.
Well we survived Y2K and now we have gone through the 1990's the 2000' and now have entered into 2010. Many things happened over the past few years, we have gone through a Presidential election and whether this was your candidate or not we are now one year with a new President. Many changes have taken place, people have lost their jobs, some their homes and material wealth, and the economy is not rebounding like some predicted.
In the past ten years since 2000 many of us have lost our parents and other loved ones to death. In the process of these past years, we have also been blessed with new little people in our lives.. From the year 2000 to 2010 God has blessed our home with five grand daughters and one grandson, ages starting from the oldest grand daughter of nine years of age to a 12 weeks old grandson. What a great blessing they are to my wife and I, God has been so good to us!
As we enter this new year, we realize that none of us knows what this year will be. Some are wondering will this be the year of rebound, where jobs are restored, the economy picks back up, stocks take off again as they have in the past? The truth is all these questions pertain to temporal things which will someday pass away. This seems to be the main topic on most peoples mind. Jesus warned them in the book of Matthew to guard your heart, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be..
Matthew 6:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Before you get the wrong idea, I am not saying that is wrong to have a fine home, car, or a savings account. The problem with most people is not the things they have, but the things that have them.
This is the most important thing about this new year of 2010, this could very well be the year Jesus returns. Do not allow anything, or anyone to get your attention off of His return. How sad it would be that the material and temporal things would out weigh the Glory of His return. We must guard our hearts for the treasures of this world can never be more valuable than the treasures of heaven.
As Christians there was a time when we had such a strong desire to see and be with the Lord.
We sang a song from our hearts that went like this..
I'm longing for Jesus to come back I long for Jesus Christ my King
To come and take me to My home beyond the sky
Up there where saints Will shout and sing
I'm longing for that glorious day When Jesus Christ shall come
I long to see His blessed face
When all the saints throughout the ages Shall be gathered home
The ones who've trusted in His grace
Oh what a glorious times will be When through the air I go
To meet the one who died for me
My sorrows, cares, my trials, my tears Will all be left below
For then my way will be complete
The word "Longing" means a strong desire, yearning, craving, hunger, thirst.
Where is your desires, your yearning, your hunger? This year let us turn our hearts toward home, laying aside anything that would hinder us in our race..
Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
I leave you with these encouraging words...
1 Thessalonians 4;16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Look up, this could be the year of the Lord's return
Friday, August 21, 2009
The King of King's business requires Haste!
Revelation 1:3 "Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand."
Do you realize that it is approximately 127 days until Christmas, and 133 days that this year will be over. We ponder on where the days and months have gone in 2009? All the plans we had made on New Years Eve 2008, if they have not been accomplished then we have very little time to do so now. We that are Christians realize that we are living in the last days, and what we do for the Lord must be done with an urgency. As the scripture in 1 Samuel 21:8 “And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.”
We should take this as our motto, “The King of King’s business requires haste.”
Years ago the church sang, “Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.” realizing the meaning and purpose of the song that we are not to give up and we cannot allow the enemy to overcome us. It seems like a majority of Christians now are simply "holding down the fort." They have become comfortable, complacent, simply going through the motions of Christianity, instead of working and laboring till Jesus comes.. We have the idea that we go to church, we worship, we go home. But the idea of Christianity was to share the Good News! To go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.. We must take on the old gospel song, "We'll work till Jesus come, and then be gathered home."
The conditions of America is failing fast, one cannot depend on the economy, the stock market and definitely cannot depend upon the Government. But one thing that is steadfast and secure, My hope is in the Lord. Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
If you are not a Christian, then the truth is you have no hope in this world. But let me tell you of one that will never fail you, Jesus. If you are longing and searching for peace that you just can't seem to find, try Jesus, He is the Prince of peace. If you are worried about your future, place your future in the hands of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Cry out to Him today and He will save you, bring you peace, and joy, and assurance.
I leave you with this old song of the church..
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' Name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
I pray that you find this Solid Rock, this Hope, and His unchanging grace.
Pastor Stuart
Do you realize that it is approximately 127 days until Christmas, and 133 days that this year will be over. We ponder on where the days and months have gone in 2009? All the plans we had made on New Years Eve 2008, if they have not been accomplished then we have very little time to do so now. We that are Christians realize that we are living in the last days, and what we do for the Lord must be done with an urgency. As the scripture in 1 Samuel 21:8 “And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.”
We should take this as our motto, “The King of King’s business requires haste.”
Years ago the church sang, “Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.” realizing the meaning and purpose of the song that we are not to give up and we cannot allow the enemy to overcome us. It seems like a majority of Christians now are simply "holding down the fort." They have become comfortable, complacent, simply going through the motions of Christianity, instead of working and laboring till Jesus comes.. We have the idea that we go to church, we worship, we go home. But the idea of Christianity was to share the Good News! To go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.. We must take on the old gospel song, "We'll work till Jesus come, and then be gathered home."
The conditions of America is failing fast, one cannot depend on the economy, the stock market and definitely cannot depend upon the Government. But one thing that is steadfast and secure, My hope is in the Lord. Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
If you are not a Christian, then the truth is you have no hope in this world. But let me tell you of one that will never fail you, Jesus. If you are longing and searching for peace that you just can't seem to find, try Jesus, He is the Prince of peace. If you are worried about your future, place your future in the hands of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Cry out to Him today and He will save you, bring you peace, and joy, and assurance.
I leave you with this old song of the church..
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' Name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
I pray that you find this Solid Rock, this Hope, and His unchanging grace.
Pastor Stuart
Monday, June 22, 2009
Father's Responsibility
First of all we would like to wish a belated Happy Father's to all the fathers.
I spoke Sunday night June 21st about Fathers and our responsibility to be faithful in all we do. In the message we showed a very gripping video of a little boy telling his father that he is watching him. Sometimes we as fathers neglect our responsibility of parenting and we place all the hardship on our wives, but this is not what God had designed in marriage and parenting. There is an old familiar scripture that is quoted often about parenting found in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The sad thing is this scripture has been mistranslated time and again, it does not mean because you train your children in the ways of the Lord they will never depart. That will be a personal decision your children and mine will make on their own. This scripture is admonishing us as parents to teach, and train them in the ways of the Lord. To plant the scriptures and teaching of Christ in their hearts. When they are old no matter which path they have taken, the word of God has been planted in their hearts and this teaching will never leave them. I remember my brother when he had departed from the Lord made mention one day of the times when he was in sin he would hear my father preaching and praying even though they may have been hundreds of miles away from each other. He said he would toss and turn at night under conviction from the teaching of his father that he had been taught years earlier.
We as fathers need to step up and be the spiritual leader of our households, to lead our family in the ways of the Lord. Most men want respect and the authority in their household, but the fact is this, respect is earned. If you lead a large number of people on your job and you fail to lead your household, what have you accomplished? If we gain the whole world and lose our own family, we have lost it all. Some men think that leading their family can only come through being hard, loud, and demanding. A lady told me recently that her father was always sturn and firm with his hand and his word was the law, but he very seldom showed a soft heart to his children and family.
We as fathers need the Lord to soften our hearts, this does not mean we become soft to sinful and wrong actions of our children. BUT how can we ask our children to follow us if we do not show love and kindness to our own family?
I am reminded of a statement that I keep on my desk from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, " you do not lead by hitting people on the head, thats assault, not leadership."
Let us as fathers of our home remember the greatest mission field we have is in our own home. May God bless you as you lead your children and family with love and compassion in the ways of the Lord.
Pastor Stuart
I spoke Sunday night June 21st about Fathers and our responsibility to be faithful in all we do. In the message we showed a very gripping video of a little boy telling his father that he is watching him. Sometimes we as fathers neglect our responsibility of parenting and we place all the hardship on our wives, but this is not what God had designed in marriage and parenting. There is an old familiar scripture that is quoted often about parenting found in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The sad thing is this scripture has been mistranslated time and again, it does not mean because you train your children in the ways of the Lord they will never depart. That will be a personal decision your children and mine will make on their own. This scripture is admonishing us as parents to teach, and train them in the ways of the Lord. To plant the scriptures and teaching of Christ in their hearts. When they are old no matter which path they have taken, the word of God has been planted in their hearts and this teaching will never leave them. I remember my brother when he had departed from the Lord made mention one day of the times when he was in sin he would hear my father preaching and praying even though they may have been hundreds of miles away from each other. He said he would toss and turn at night under conviction from the teaching of his father that he had been taught years earlier.
We as fathers need to step up and be the spiritual leader of our households, to lead our family in the ways of the Lord. Most men want respect and the authority in their household, but the fact is this, respect is earned. If you lead a large number of people on your job and you fail to lead your household, what have you accomplished? If we gain the whole world and lose our own family, we have lost it all. Some men think that leading their family can only come through being hard, loud, and demanding. A lady told me recently that her father was always sturn and firm with his hand and his word was the law, but he very seldom showed a soft heart to his children and family.
We as fathers need the Lord to soften our hearts, this does not mean we become soft to sinful and wrong actions of our children. BUT how can we ask our children to follow us if we do not show love and kindness to our own family?
I am reminded of a statement that I keep on my desk from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, " you do not lead by hitting people on the head, thats assault, not leadership."
Let us as fathers of our home remember the greatest mission field we have is in our own home. May God bless you as you lead your children and family with love and compassion in the ways of the Lord.
Pastor Stuart
Friday, June 5, 2009
Mr. Right Always
(sorry this will be a long blog)
I was reading a joke the other day about a young lady that recently had gotten married. She had met with some of her classmates and they were excited about the news of her wedding.
They asked how married life was and wanted to know about her husband. The new bride stated that she had finally found Mr. Right, but said, I just did not know his last name was "Always."
(Most of us men would have preferred that this joke stated Mrs. Right, but we will not deal with that issue in this blog.)
I was thinking about this joke and I began to realize that in everyone of us there is this drive to be right "Always." Most people want the satisfaction of being the one with the correct answers. I will admit that very few times in my life I have been incorrect in my opinion, until someone comes along and deflates my statement with the real facts and then I realize how few times I am correct. Kind of like the statement that "most statistics are made up." Anyone can make up so called facts.
I have met people that honestly have an answer to basically every situation, sometimes the answers is correct, but sadly sometimes it is not. One young man made the statement one day that "He was a vast resource of useless knowledge" and most people are not interested in useless knowledge.
As I thought about this subject there is nothing wrong with having answers, but the problem comes into play when we think all others are wrong except us. This could and can become great problems in our lives both in the physical realm and the spiritual realm.
In the physical realm there is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself with education so as to provide for our families in a greater way. But on the other hand problems arise when your great wisdom makes people feel like their opinion is not worthy of your interest because they are always wrong.
In the spiritual realm we all know that each of us needs a closer and deeper walk with the Lord. The word of God was given as an instruction book, with guidelines for us from the stage of birth til death. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
We were given instructions to know Gods word in 2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
I will be the first to admit most of us do not study the word of God like we should. The scripture in 2 Timothy 2:15 makes a it clear that our studying is not to bring attention to ones self, but that we would be approved unto God. Then that we would be a workman that should not be ashamed, because we have become dependant upon the Holy Spirit and studying that we "rightly dividing the word of Truth."
A while back I was in a conversation with a person who informed me that the Bible was correct in some things, but was incorrect in other things. They went on to explain that because it was written by men, that makes the Bible fallible. They left out the scripture that stated that these men were moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
In our discussion I was asking how they knew that part of the bible was correct and some was not correct? He said that he would pray and that God would tell him what part of the Bible was right and what was wrong. The sad thing about this entire conversation was this person was very serious. I then stated to him that I thought it to be somewhat comical, that God would looked down and say, "oops, I made a mistake in the Bible." Now here is how I will correct it, I will tell you what is right and what is wrong, and then you will have all the answers to every ones problem." Needless to say this person did not have the same sense of humor I possessed and took offense. You see the problem did not stem with the Bible being incorrect, the problem was that this person did not want to abide by the word of God. During our conversation I noticed a pattern, the things in the Bible that was not correct, and was not a sin, were the things that he desired to do, so conveniently the Bible needed correcting to justify his actions.
Romans 3:4 "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar ; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
Here is the facts, God's word is settled, it is unchangeable, it is the final authority, and whether you or I want to live by it will be our own decision. A young man made the statement to me that he had to realize that he was 100% wrong and God was 100% right before he ever received salvation, I thought that is something all of us need to remember.
People often come to us and ask for our advice, I have come to the realization that my advice is simply my opinion, unless it is backed up by the Word of God or past experiences of either victory or failure. If one is always right, and never wrong, then one must be decieved in their own heart..
One day while praying God began to speak to my heart with, "one that is always right has no need of being taught, and one that can never be taught, will never be qualified to teach."
I have decided to change my name to Mr. R.M.S
(Right Maybe Sometimes)
Let God be true...
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise."
I was reading a joke the other day about a young lady that recently had gotten married. She had met with some of her classmates and they were excited about the news of her wedding.
They asked how married life was and wanted to know about her husband. The new bride stated that she had finally found Mr. Right, but said, I just did not know his last name was "Always."
(Most of us men would have preferred that this joke stated Mrs. Right, but we will not deal with that issue in this blog.)
I was thinking about this joke and I began to realize that in everyone of us there is this drive to be right "Always." Most people want the satisfaction of being the one with the correct answers. I will admit that very few times in my life I have been incorrect in my opinion, until someone comes along and deflates my statement with the real facts and then I realize how few times I am correct. Kind of like the statement that "most statistics are made up." Anyone can make up so called facts.
I have met people that honestly have an answer to basically every situation, sometimes the answers is correct, but sadly sometimes it is not. One young man made the statement one day that "He was a vast resource of useless knowledge" and most people are not interested in useless knowledge.
As I thought about this subject there is nothing wrong with having answers, but the problem comes into play when we think all others are wrong except us. This could and can become great problems in our lives both in the physical realm and the spiritual realm.
In the physical realm there is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself with education so as to provide for our families in a greater way. But on the other hand problems arise when your great wisdom makes people feel like their opinion is not worthy of your interest because they are always wrong.
In the spiritual realm we all know that each of us needs a closer and deeper walk with the Lord. The word of God was given as an instruction book, with guidelines for us from the stage of birth til death. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
We were given instructions to know Gods word in 2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
I will be the first to admit most of us do not study the word of God like we should. The scripture in 2 Timothy 2:15 makes a it clear that our studying is not to bring attention to ones self, but that we would be approved unto God. Then that we would be a workman that should not be ashamed, because we have become dependant upon the Holy Spirit and studying that we "rightly dividing the word of Truth."
A while back I was in a conversation with a person who informed me that the Bible was correct in some things, but was incorrect in other things. They went on to explain that because it was written by men, that makes the Bible fallible. They left out the scripture that stated that these men were moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
In our discussion I was asking how they knew that part of the bible was correct and some was not correct? He said that he would pray and that God would tell him what part of the Bible was right and what was wrong. The sad thing about this entire conversation was this person was very serious. I then stated to him that I thought it to be somewhat comical, that God would looked down and say, "oops, I made a mistake in the Bible." Now here is how I will correct it, I will tell you what is right and what is wrong, and then you will have all the answers to every ones problem." Needless to say this person did not have the same sense of humor I possessed and took offense. You see the problem did not stem with the Bible being incorrect, the problem was that this person did not want to abide by the word of God. During our conversation I noticed a pattern, the things in the Bible that was not correct, and was not a sin, were the things that he desired to do, so conveniently the Bible needed correcting to justify his actions.
Romans 3:4 "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar ; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
Here is the facts, God's word is settled, it is unchangeable, it is the final authority, and whether you or I want to live by it will be our own decision. A young man made the statement to me that he had to realize that he was 100% wrong and God was 100% right before he ever received salvation, I thought that is something all of us need to remember.
People often come to us and ask for our advice, I have come to the realization that my advice is simply my opinion, unless it is backed up by the Word of God or past experiences of either victory or failure. If one is always right, and never wrong, then one must be decieved in their own heart..
One day while praying God began to speak to my heart with, "one that is always right has no need of being taught, and one that can never be taught, will never be qualified to teach."
I have decided to change my name to Mr. R.M.S
(Right Maybe Sometimes)
Let God be true...
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise."
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sis. Barbara Minger
Sis. Barbara Ann Minger went to be with the Lord Saturday May 23. Sadly she left this world with no living relatives, but left a church family in mourning. As I thought of her passing I was reminded of the scripture in James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." How quickly our lives have come and gone, from the time of our birth to the time of our death. The sad thing about all of us is that we are so busy with life that we forget the true meaning of life. Your life on earth was not given from God for us to get so busy we forget and neglect God. When a minister stands before a congregation at a funeral or memorial service, they cannot preach your funeral because your life has already preached your funeral. Sadly people will forget the date of your birth and most will forget the date of your death. But there is a poem that is simply titled "The Dash" and it refers to the dash mark on a tombstone between your date of birth and your date of death. This dash reflects your entire life and what was accomplished and how you lived your life. Many people somehow have the idea that the preacher at the funeral can make their life acceptable to the community and also to God, but a minister can only console a family during this time they cannot change your past. Then there are funerals when you can stand before a congregation and know that the person being memorialized closed their eyes in this world and awaken in the joys of heaven. The point of this is that your final destination is up to you, not the preacher of your funeral. None of us has a guarentee of how long we will be on this earth, but we have already been informed of our time after death, ETERNITY! The choice is your, heaven or hell? You will be the one making the reservation for your destination, as Moses stood before the people in Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" Please choose Jesus the giver of Life.. Pastor Stuart
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