Return to the Word of God Part 3

Return to Word of God Part 3

I first want to say I am sorry for missing yesterday. I had a great day in the woods turkey hunting and held revival services and never did have the net where I could use it. Well let's get to the Word of God.

A third example of where our so called Christian nation is proving that we are not following God is our abuse of drugs and alcohol. We have reached a time where the abuse of these items is basically helping destroy our country. What does God have to say about this?

Isaiah 28:7 (New King James Version)

7 But they also have erred through wine,
And through intoxicating drink are out of the way;
The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink,
They are swallowed up by wine,
They are out of the way through intoxicating drink;
They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

29 Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
32 At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35 “ They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?|”

I am amazed at how on target God's word is even though it was penned thousands of years ago. Now the argument I always get about alcohol is this. God's word doesn't just come out and say do not drink or do not take drugs. But God's word is clear that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to take care of these temples. If you start to get a buzz then you are destroying the temple and this is sin. How many folks do you know that drink one beer or glass of wine and quit??? Me too....none. There whole point of drinking is to obtain that buzz. This is wrong!

Drugs are destroying our country. The meth epidemic is out of control. The border war with Mexico is largely in part of America dependence on drugs...cocaine, pot, ect. The use of drugs for folks is there Jesus. That is where they obtain their so called peace....and guess what they will never find it there!

Jesus Christ should be where we get our high! He brings the peace that everyone is looking for. Give Him a try and find out for yourself!

Oh yeah 84% of our country claims to be Christian....what do you think?

Love ya brothers and sisters!

Tom

Return to the Word of God Part 2

Return to the Word of God Part 2

I woke up this morning and it was raining outside. Listening to the rain sure is soothing. Makes one want to go back to bed! Let's be in prayer for this out break of swine flu as it sounds like it is spreading pretty fast at this point.

Now for todays devotion.

Today I want to move to my second point on how we now that Amwerica is not 84% Christian which was stated by a news organization during the Preisdential election.2. Sexual sins are out of control. It is unbelievable how America has openly accepted and glorified sexual sins. Homosexuals over time have moved right into the spotlight and nummed folks into thinking it is a alternate lifestyle. They have even moved into the church by convincing folks somehow that it is ok and the Word of God doesn't condem them. Well this morning I have news for them. The word of God does condem this lifestyle and calls it sin.

Romans 1:24-27

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

Can God make it any more clear. What do those who call themselves Christians do with this part ofthe Bible tear it out? I believe this is another clear example of how we don't know our Bibles or maybe we think we should be the ones to pick and chose what is right and wrong not God.

Now homosexuality is not the only sexual sins we are dealing with. Adultery and sex outside marriage are just as big of a problem. Americans have come to glamourize these sins. Check out our movies, our t.v. show, the songs on the radio. Some of the most popular t.v. shows like Desperate Housewives is all about adultery...this is a good indication of where we are in America with our values and our relationships with Christ. Why in the world do we watch and pay our hard earned money to go to a movie that promotes the very thing that God commanded us not to do in the ten commandments?

I have Christian friends that are still dating and will make comments like "you try a car out before you but it don't ya?". Referring to having sex before marriage. It is plainly obvious that God intended sex for marriage and it is a beautiful thing in it's right place.

So again 84% of America is Christian....well not exactly.

Let me say this before I close. We are to love homosexuals and anyone who is in sin but we are not to love the sin and accept it as ok. These folks need healing and the church needs to be the place for that healing. We are to hate the sin not the sinner. Christ loved sinners and we are to do the same! Have a great Tuesday!

In Christian love...Tom

Return to the Word of God Part 1

I had a great weekend. I hope you did too! I am preaching a revival at Cypress Creek Baptist Church in Martin, Tn and preached on this topic yesterday. If you are in the area come and join us tonight at 7:00 p.m.

How many of us are satisfied with our nation and the direction it is going? I believe I already know the answer. None of us. As Christians it is time for us to do something. We have sit around far to long letting those who are non-believers or are not truly converted dictate how our nation is gonna be run!

When the Presidential election was taking place I heard a report on one of the news networks that 84% of our nation is Christian. I nearly fell out of my seat!!! 84%.....are you kidding me. Look at the morals of our nation and those who worship God on a regular basis and you tell me that 84% of our nation is Christian. I would hate to put a number to it but it would come no where close to 84%...matter of fact it wouldn't even make 50% in my opinion.....oh how I wish I was wrong but the nations walk pretty much proves it!

Let me give you the first of several examples this morning of how we know we are no where 84%:

1. Over a million babies killed a year.

Psalm 139:13-16


13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

God and God only is the giver and taker of life. From my study of the Bible I see it no other way. As Americans this is a hot topic but as Christians it really isn't hot or it shouldn't be. When or how have we become the judges on who lives and who dies. As we are talking about this we need to be very careful because we are headed for a time down the road that if a person is not useful such as retarded or has a disease or is unable to be productive in society we will kill them. Don't laugh. Our nation is headed that way. Why that might be the answer to our social security problem. When we get to old to be productive kill them. Take them out of the system.

But 84% of America is Christian...oh really!

God knows us before we are created and decides who lives and who dies....it is a life not a choice. What if your mom and dad had chosen for you not to live?

I know this is tough but as Christians we have to quit being silent and start standing we are running out of time!

God bless....Tom

God is Love!

What a awesome morning here in Tennessee! The sun is up and it is going to be in the 80's today. Be sure to praise God for the beautiful day!

I was on the way to work this morning and I was listening to the radio as usual. They told a story about a man in Michigan who is a millionaire and he has hired a match making service to find him a wife. I did not fully grasp the part of the story but something was said about $50,000 I believe was going to be given to the wife to be....I may be wrong on that part. This story got my mind to thinking. Are we that desperate for love and companionship? I mean the man is a millionaire and can't find a wife on his own.

This scripture came to my mind:

1 John 3:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

We all want to be loved I realize that. I think sometimes though we get so caught up in wanting to be loved by other people we often miss the most important love of all....God. Why do we get so caught up on wanting people to love us? The Creator of the universe does love us and that is something we should constantly think about and praise Him about.

Look what Paul tells us in 1 Corn. 7:8-9 "But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

The reason Paul tells us it is better not to marry is simple. We can focus on God with all we have. Once we get married and have kids obviously our focus isn't on God near as much as it could be if we were single. God knows us so well though He knew many of us "burn with passion" as Paul put it and provided marriage for us.

So back to the man from Michigan. If you have to buy love is it really love? If this man would find the love of Christ he would find all the love he needs in life. So my question for us today is have we found the real love of our life....Jesus Christ?

God bless and have a great weekend!

Tom

Ten Commandments final comments

Good Thursday morning to each of you! We have covered all 10 commandments so I just want to finish up this morning with a few thoughts and some scripture. So let's get started.

I find the verses immediately following the commandments very interesting.

Exodus 20:18-20

18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.

The people were terrified. From what I see here they thought if God spoke to them they were gonna die. But Moses calmed their fears and told them the commandments were given so they may not sin. As we have found out as we have gone through the commandments we have failed at every single one of these commandments. So God gave them to us so we would not sin but WE HAVE SINNED! This is the whole point in this series of messages. We could not keep the law or the ten commandments. When we don't keep the commandments we deserve punishment. For God is a Holy God and He wants His people to be obedient and follow Him. The punishment that we have chosen, notice I say we have chosen, is eternity in hell. Stop and just think about this for a moment.

I have some good news!!! Even though we have all failed miserably at keeping the commandments, God loves us so much He provided another way to Heaven. A very simple way. God sent His own Son to pay for our sin's on the cross. A free gift. Jesus says in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the only way!!!

Look at Roman's 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is that free gift I was talking about....the question is are you going to accept it!

The ten commandments are a great witnessing tool. It is the most effective way I know to reach those who are lost. A person must realize he is lost before he can be found and the commandments show each of us that we are sinners and need a Savior!

I hope you have enjoyed sharing God's word with you in this series. Share it with someone and please feel free to comment I enjoy hearing from you!

God bless and thank you Jesus for saving my soul.

Tom

Ten Commandments #10

What a night! I woke up at about 1:00 a.m. with my ears popping and hurting like crazy. So i went to the E.R. I haven't had ear problems since I was a little kid and I hope I never do again. Please pray for my ears that they will clear up quickly...thank you!

Now for today's devotion.

Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

It always amazes me how God's word penned thousands of years ago is still so on target for today. Sure some of the things we covet now may not be our neighbor's donkey but coveting what others have is alive and prospering in our society today!

Have you ever noticed our children? When the latest toy or gadget or cell phone comes out they just have to have it. They tell us they are gonna die if they don't have one. Guess what, my child is still living. It must be a miracle from God!! Ha ha. The sad thing is that our children get this not only from their friends but from us their parents. We have taught our children and ourselves to covet and it has cost us dearly. Debt in our families is sky high and in most cases it is due to plain old coveting.

Have you ever thought about how we want everything right now and we want to keep up with our neighbors! For example not too long ago folks would save up their money and buy a small house. Then they would continue to save and as their family would grow they would buy a bigger house. Now sometimes they may have to borrow some money but it would not be a huge amount by the time they sold their house and had saved up some money. Now think to how we do it today. We get married and are fresh out of college and go looking at houses that are way past what we can truly afford. We have school loans and have not saved up any money. We buy that huge house just because of our greed and wanting to be like so and so. Now for the next 30 years we struggle with bills and many times as we buy more things we can't afford like fancy cars and we end up in bankruptcy. All because we covet what other people have.

Folks we need to lean to be content in what we have and can afford. One last thought....how many times was there something you just had to have? I mean your thoughts were on this thing all the time. The after you got it...3-6 months later you were not even using it anymore? I know I have.

Coveting stuff can quickly turn into some major sin in our life. So audit yourself this morning and see if we need to make some adjustments in this area!

Tell someone about Jesus today!

Tom

Ten Commandments #9

Sorry folks I am late with the devotion. I joined a friend of mine in west Tenn. for a turkey hunt today. It was awesome! We spooked a bunch of birds off the roost this morning first thing. After we sat down I had two hens fly down right to me at about 15 yards. I sure did try to grow some beards on those birds but it didn't work. We moved to another location and seen a Tom and 2 hens out in a field and put the stalk on them. My buddy gave a couple of yelps on the call and they came in right to us. He shot the Tom...9 inch beard, 1 1/2 inch spurs, 26 lbs. A very nice bird. Thank the Lord for a great day of hunting.

Now on to the devotion.

Exodus 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

I find it very interesting that God wants us to protect people's reputations. In a day and time where even our brothers and sisters in Christ have a had time keeping from talking about other folks. I believe we can even take this further than false witness, but to gossiping period! Reguardless of if the gossip is true or false! Look at what Proverbs 11:13 says "A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." Basically means keeps ones mouth shut!

God also clarifies this even more in Romans 15:2 "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification." Edification means building up! So if we are bearing false witness or gossiping about our neighbor are we building them up? I think the answer to that is pretty obvious. Also just to cover the part about neighbor. Neighbor is anybody we come in contact with in my opinion. Not just the person we live next door to.

As always we need to go our example and examine his life and conduct....Jesus. He did not lie about people and he did not gossip about people. Thus he has set the example for us. So as I look to this commandment I must confess I am nine for nine! I have broken them all so far. Showing me once again the need for a Savior. Thank God He provided me one by the name of Jesus!

Hope your day was as good as mine...God bless!

Tom

Ten Commandments #8

Good Monday to all. I had a great weekend. I took the youth and my 10 year old son, Eric to see a Christian rock concert. We had a blast praising the Lord! Skillet, Disciple, and Decyfer Down did an amazing job leading us in praising God through their music. It was awesome!

Well let's get on to the devotion for today.

Exodus 20:15 "You shall not steal."

I dare say this morning that at some point and time we have stolen something. Maybe as a kid it was some gum or some baseball cards. I remember a time in my life when I was a teenager their was a center for kids that had video games and pinball machines up the road from my house. Well I had used up all my money and my mom had given me all she was going to give me. So I started to steal change from my parents. Now as I look back on it I was pretty low down. I was breaking two commandments at once stealing and I certainly was not honoring my parents. I bet all of us can think of a time when we have stolen something.

If you are having a hard time coming up with anything there are some other areas we often don't think of as stealing but it is. For example taking extended breaks at work. At times I have been guilty as charged in this area. At most of my jobs breaks have designated times and I knowingly disobeyed, that is stealing from your employer. This next one is very hard for me to even say because I think we get stolen from by our government but that still doesn't keep us from paying our taxes as we are suppose too! Jesus said to "render unto Caesar what is Caesars". What about not reporting income. We can justify it in many different ways but when we try to justify it with God it just don't fly.

So as we all can see this morning if we examine this commandment stealing goes much further than the first thoughts that come to our mind. Again this morning I see God I have broken your commandment once again. I thank you Jesus for delivering me from the penalty of my sin. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus!

I love you all in the Lord...have a great Monday!

Tom

Ten Commandments #7

Good morning to all. It is a beautiful sunny morning here, a great day to praise the Lord.

Today's lesson on his commandment has become normal practice for many in the United States. In all honesty it has become accepted as ok....this makes me and more importantly God sick.

Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."

Again God's word is plain and simple. Don't commit adultery!!! God designed sex for marriage. One thing that I see that goes along with this commandment is how our media glorifies adultery. One of the most popular t.v. shows today is Desperate Housewives. This basis for the whole show is adultery and t.v. and movies are filled with this same mentality.

Why as Christians do we watch things like this? If we are watching it we are promoting it in my opinion. I have always heard what we put in our minds will eventually come out.

God's word also takes this adultery thing a little further:

Matthew 5:27-30


27"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old, `Thou shalt not commit adultery.'


28But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.


29And if thy right eye cause thee to fall, pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.


30And if thy right hand cause thee to fall, cut it off and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

Jesus tells us that even watching and thinking I would like to have her is sin. He goes on to tell us if we have a problem with it we need to go to extreme measures to take care of it.

So if just looking causes Jesus to say these words, going through with adultery should make us stand back and think VERY seriously about this commandment!

Oh and back to the t.v. thing...when you are watching Eva Langoria walking around half naked are you lusting??? This is why we should watch what we watch!

God bless my brothers and sisters!

Tom

Ten Commandments #6

Well my friends I am back from the mission field and it was a great trip. There isn't much more of a blessing one can get than serving others. Thanks for the prayers and please pray for me today as I am not feeling the greatest...getting a cold I think!

Now for today's devotion.

This commandment sounds very easy but we may need to dig a little deeper to see we have all broken it!

Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder."

I can hear many folks right now saying "Finally one I have kept all my life" oh really? Jesus compares murder with anger against our brothers and sisters. Look at this passage:

Matthew 5:21-24


21"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old, `Thou shalt not kill,' and `Whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.'


22But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, `Raca,' shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, `Thou fool,' shall be in danger of hell fire.


23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,


24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Wow how many times in our lives has somebody irritated us to the point that in our hearts we hated them? I know I can think back through the years and come up with many. I hope and pray as we go through our walk with the Lord that we grow and learn not to hate anyone! In our society today as it has been in the past also we have folks who are still prejudice. This is a form of hate and must be dealt with in one's life.

Jesus even goes on to tell us if we have something against a brother that He doesn't want our sacrifices either, He wants us to get our relationships right first...wow!

So as you can see again we are guilty of not following another commandment of the Lord. As first glance we can say I have never murdered but from the mouth of Jesus we have! OUCH!

Thank you Jesus for forgiveness, mercy, and grace! Have a great day in the Lord and chew on this for a while!

God bless...Tom

I'll be back...

Gone on a mission trip I will be back soon!!! God bless!

Good Friday

Today I am gonna veer off the track of the Ten Commandments. For us Christians this is one of the most important weekends of our faith. For without the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus our faith is of no use. It would be dead like all other religions of the world.

Luke 23:32-47

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!

I have often wondered why they call today Good Friday?? For many years I thought there is nothing good about the killing of the sinless Son of God. But when you examine the scriptures we find it absolutely essential that Jesus die on that old rugged cross for our sins. Nothing that we have done makes this Friday good....but what Jesus did for us on this Friday over 2000 years ago makes it GOOD! I hope today you will take the time today and throughout the weekend to remember how much Jesus loves you and what He did in sacrificing His own body and blood for you and for me.

Let me pray for us today...Oh heavenly Father, we come praising the name of Jesus today. We thank you for providing your son on our behalf. We deserve hell but you love us so much that you paved the way to heaven with the blood of Christ. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We give you the glory, the honor, and the praise. May our lives reflect the love of Christ to others, for it is in the precious name of Jesus I pray...amen.

Enjoy your weekend...and praise the Lord.

Tom

Ten Commandments #5

What an awesome mission trip I just returned from! The youth did a great job getting a summer camp ready for use to bring others closer to Christ. Thank you for all the birthday wishes while I was gone, although I am getting to the age I would like to forget about birthdays...lol!

Now to today's devotion!

This is one of my favorites! It seems so simple. I dare say all of us have gone through stages in life where we purposely disregarded this commandment. Why?

Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and mother that your days may be long upon the land, which the Lord your God is giving you."

This is the only commandment with a blessing attached. "Your days may be long." I find this very interesting. Honor my mom and dad and I will live longer....hmmmm! Have ya gone to Wal-mart recently? I know hat is a dumb question but I do have a point! I can't believe what I see and hear in there! Kids outright disrespecting their parents. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to grab a kid up and wear their little tails out for the way they are talking to their parents. I still remember the FEW times I disrespected my parents with my mouth. Let me just say I was corrected and taught to respect my parents. It seems like I may have had some sore jaws or a sore butt a few times too!

Let me also say I realize many have parents who do not deserve honor as they have not been good parents. God did not put an exception clause in His commandment. Forgiveness may show your parents more than they ever showed or taught you! Honor must be given for the simple fact that without your parents you would not be here.

As I have gotten older I think back at how many times I thought my parents were so stupid. The more time passes I realize how very smart they were and how much they loved me. I find everyday my parents were much more intelligent than I ever imagined. Call your mom and dad today and tell them how much they mean to you....life is short!

Honor them and live!

Have a great Thursday!

Tom

Ten Commandments #4

Good Friday to all. Sorry I am a little late in getting this up today but I went turkey hunting this morning. We seen a few but no luck in bringing one home. So lets get to the devotion.

This commandment and peoples outright disregard for the Sabbath day has always made me ask myself why? It is very simple.

Exodus 20:8-11


8"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.


9Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work;


10but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.


11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

God has made it clear we are to have a Sabbath day! I am not here to argue what day of the week but to say we are to have one!! He wants us to worship and rest in Him on that day. We as Christians are as guilty as anyone in disobeying this commandment. Remember the old days when the family would go to church and spend the day together enjoying each others company and even sometimes fellowshiping with the body of Christ at church with eating on the grounds of the church? I even believe we are disobeying God by going out to eat which causes people to work on the Sabbath.

The eleventh verse even says God hallowed it! Which means set apart, made sacred, or holy! If God hallowed it, it makes sense for us to hold our Sabbath as a day to reguard very highly! Once we have come to Jesus we should have a longing for church. To worship the Lord God Almighty. To have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I love going to church and as the man of the house it is my responsibility to have my family there too! I am gonna close with one more verse....if you are not a regular worshiper on the Sabbath think about what God is saying and if you don't have a longing for worship on the Sabbath you might need a heart check up!!

Hebrews 10:25:

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the Day approaching

Have a great weekend!!! I will be out of town on a mission trip until Wend. so my next devotion will be Thurs. Talk to you then!

Tom

Ten Commandments #3

Good Thursday Morning everyone! Praise Jesus as it is another great day to be alive and serving the King!

Lets jump into the Word of God.

Today's commandment is something many do not even realize the seriousness of what they are doing and honestly it makes me cringe when I hear someone do it!!

Ex.20:7 says "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

God pretty much gets straight to the point on this commandment!!! If you use His name without respect and awe, or basically carelessly you will reap what you have sown. I can not explain why but even when I was young and did not know the Lord it bothered me to hear someone use God's name as a cuss word. Now if I hear it I want to say something to that person or crawl under a table thinking the wrath of God may be coming!! Now let me be clear I have never seen God strike someone down on the spot for that but God makes it very clear of His displeasure of flippantly throwing around His name.

I heard a preacher several years ago even warn of saying things that even have the same nearness of using God's name in vain such as dog gone, Gee whiz, or dad blame. We all need to let the Holy Spirit guide us in this area I am not sure what I think about these other words but anything that would be a stumbling block to someone else we need to get rid of! The other day I heard my little girl keep saying Holy cow and I asked to stop saying Holy anything as it is not appropriate. I am not sure where she picked it up at but it is very hard to explain to a five year old why she can't say that. I told you that to say their are other names we need to be sure not to use in vain too such as Jesus, Lord, and the Holy Spirit.

My challenge for you today is listen today and see how many times either you or others use God's names in vain. It may startle when you realize just how much folks take God's names in vain, and if you have a bad habit of using His name's in vain there is no better time to work on stopping than now!

May God bless you today...Tom

Ten Commandments #2

Good morning to all! I need to go back and clarify something form yesterday. What I talked about yesterday was not a commandment! It was the opening of Chp. 20 of exodus and needed to be talked about before the commandments given by God but we will discuss the first commandment today. Sorry about that mistake!

Ok the first commandment is summed up like this Trust God only!!!

Exd 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me."

Exd 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

Exd 20:5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Exd 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

This commandment is really very simple but yet so very hard. God wants and demands to be first. This morning we must examine our lives and ask ourselves "Is God first in my life?" If yes praise the Lord!!! If not what is that idol we are putting before Him? Is it our job? Is it our hobby? Is it our wife or husband? Is it our children? Is it the T.V.? Is it your money? The list can go on and on. STOP right now and examine yourself. Pray to the Lord Almighty and ask Him to show you...He will. One way to evaluate yourself is look at where you spend your time. How much time do you spend in Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship, and witnessing. Ok now how much time do you spend on other things. Americans are terrible at breaking this commandment. We are serving many idols in our lives and God is way down the list. In evaluating myself this morning I still have work to do in this area. God tells us He is jealous!!! He wants and deserves our worship!!!

Well I think enough has been said for us to think about today....again so simple but yet so hard. Only God deserves our worship...how are you doing in this area today??? Some knee mail may be in order.

I am praying for you.....Tom