Satisfied with Life?

So are you satisfied with where your life is right now? Paul tells us the key to being satisfied right here:

Philippians 4:11-13

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Folks this is easy to understand! Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever situation he was in.  I don't think I have to tell you that Paul was in many situations we will never be in and don't want to be in! Ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten many times, left for dead, snake bit, and the list goes on and on! But yet he could say "whatever state I am, to be content.

Can we say we are content or satisfied? Well Paul also knew the key to this satisfaction. Jesus Christ. No matter where you are at in life, true contentment and satisfaction can be found no where else except in Christ. This is why Jesus says:

John 14:6
 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

True, sustaining, life comes through Jesus. You can try everything else but nothing will satisfy like Jesus!

Tom

Everything Perfect!

In our bible study group last night we were talking about the perfect life Adam and Eve had before "the fall" (when they sinned). Can we even understand in our minds a perfect life? No sin. Perfect relationship with God. Perfect relationship with each other. Wandering around naked with all of life taken care of by God! Plenty of food, no stress, peace, just plain perfection! You can read about that in Genesis 1-2.



Then sin entered the picture and all this perfection was destroyed! No more perfection except God. It was all gone in a moment of pride, spiritual adultery, and thinking we could be like God. Because we are so used to sin and unperfection in life I am don't think we can fully grasp the life Adam and Eve lived for a short time. Just stop for a moment and try to grasp living in a perfect place. Can you?



I have good news though this morning. We can see this perfect life in the future! God sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that one day we can live in perfection as God originally designed for us! All you have to do is repent of your sins and follow Jesus....so simple but yet so hard! If you do this look at these promises from God:



2 Peter 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.



Revelation 3:11-13

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.



Revelation 21:1-3

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.



Colossians 1:28

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.



Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.



Oh I can't wait to be in perfection (heaven) with Christ! When I will be perfect and never disappoint my Savior again! All stress in this life will be gone! Praise God! Are you ready?



Tom

Are you faithful in what God has given you?

Much to think about in these verses:



Luke 16:10-11

10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?



What is Jesus saying to us in these verses? When you get right down to the matter it is fairly simple. When you are faithful in the little things God has blessed you with, you will be faithful in the bigger things He may bless you with. On the other hand if you are unfaithful with the little things like mammon (money) then why in the world would He trust with true riches (God's Kingdom things)!



So we need to ask ourselves ac couple of questions:



1. God has blessed us with talents, time, gifts. Am I faithfully using these to the glory of God?



2. God has blessed us with money. Statistics show if you make over $30,000 a year you are in the top 6% of the worlds richest people. So are you faithful with God's money in giving to the church, causes that are consistent with scripture, and helping the needy?



Honestly answer these questions and then ask yourself, can God trust me with true riches? His Kingdom work?



After all his Kingdom work is a matter of Heaven and Hell for the lost which is important to God because He desires that none should perish!



Tom

Escape!

This is an awesome promise from God, check it out:



1 Corinthians 10:13



13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.



A few things I want you to see here:



1. No matter the temptation the devil is throwing your way, others have faced it and overcome it with God's help!



2. God is faithful. God is always there giving us what we need to get through the temptation. Is their any other who we would want to help us through?



3. God will not allow Satan to tempt us beyond what we are able to stand. I think this is where we can make a wrong thought. When we talk about standing against temptation ourselves and temptation with the power of God on our side, this is two different things. You see we are weak without God and will fall very easily. When we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us we can face temptations and are much much more powerful because God will protect us! Think about that for a moment.



4. God provides a way of escape. That once again just shows us how much God loves us. There is a way out, the choice is ours....do we want the temporary pleasure of sin or the eternal rewards of being a faithful servant of God?



5. You can bear sin! Put your spiritual armor on and deflect those sin filled darts of the devil! Get in the Word and be ready for battle, the devil knows his time is short and wants to bring you down along with himself!



Thank you Jesus for providing a way of escape from the wicked one! I love you and want to be a faithful servant toady. May I stand strong in the power of the Holy Spirit!



Tom

Think before you ask!

This will give you something to think about. A little back ground information on this verse first. God appears to the newly crowned King Soloman in a dream. God basically asks him "what shall I give you?" Soloman first tells God how merciful and gracious God has been to David and his family then asks this:



1 Kings 3:9

9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”



Think about this for a moment. Of all the things Soloman could have asked for, He asks for "that I may discern between good and evil". In other words wisdom to be able to tell between right and wrong! When is the last time you asked God for that? This may be a big clue to our prayer lives right here! If you go on to read the rest of the story God blesses him with much more because of his humble request!



So this morning in your prayers we might want to think an a different level of our requests from God!



Tom

Who has first place in your life?

I want you to sit back for a moment and honestly answer this question, Who has first place in your life?



Can you say with confidence it is Jesus? Or would we have to say it is our children, our spouse, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a best friend, or maybe even a boss? This is a very important question because God"s Word had made it very clear Jesus wants to be first! Look at these verses for example:



Colossians 1:18

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.



*Preeminence means first place



Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.



In our relationships, to put Jesus first we must deny our selfish desires, and put Him first!



Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.



God wants us to seek Him and His Kingdom first!



Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.



We die to ourselves when we receive Christ, He is now first!



Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.



Set our minds on the things of God not this earth! Jesus first!



Matthew 22:37

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.



If we do as this commandment says....God will be first in everything!



So as you can see plainly God wants first place in our life, the question is "Is He"? Only you can answer this and only you can do what it takes to make this so in your life.



Tom

OUR ONLY HOPE

With the trials of this life we must remember the only sure hope that we have is our Lord. Read this Psalm:



Psalm 131





1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.



3 O Israel, hope in the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore.



A couple of things to see here:



1. Verse 1 tells us to keep our proper place before God and be humble. God is clear in scripture that he hates pride, so let us keep ourselves in humility putting God first and others second.



2. The second half of verse 1 also tells us not to waste time on things that are not for us to know. So what are we to do? The things God has taught us in the bible such as share the love of Jesus. Love others. Serve others. Keep God first in every area of our life.



3. Verse 2 gives the idea of keeping ourselves under control. How to we do that? By casting all our cares upon Jesus.



1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.



When we do this we have nothing to work ourselves up over because we know everything is in the Lord's hand!



4. Verse 3 sums everything up.....all our hope is in the Lord.....forever!



If you put your hope in anything besides Jesus you will be let down, but Jesus never fails!



Tom

Celebrating my Redemption!

The last several months have been stressing for me. I bet many of you are in the same boat with me. For me I have had to deal with several deaths. First my step sister Pam died a few months back from cancer. She was only 53 years old. Then last month my Uncle Dale passed also from cancer. He was 73 years old. Then this past week my dear friend Lila passed away. She was 78. So as you can see this is a quite a bit to deal with. Even as I am sorrowful at the losses all I can do is praise God. He is in control. All three of these said they knew Jesus. Now for the rest of you it may not be death you are dealing with it could be a failing marriage, or your children making bad decisions, or you job, or a number of other things. Just remember there is an answer and that answer is Jesus Christ. If you have been redeemed by the King then just remember everything is gonna be alright. Sit back and turn the speakers up and rejoice in your salvation this morning!



Psalm 71:23

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.

Isaiah 43:1

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song, saying:“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

Thank you Jesus for redeeming this unworthy soul!

Tom

Valentines Day = Love

I hope all of you remember the ones in your life today that you love! We need to tell them everyday not just on this day as we never know what tomorrow will bring. Today I want to remind you of the ONE who loves you the most. God! No matter what your love one may do for you today....dinner, a gift, flowers, ect. it will not compare to what God has done for you. Remember this gift:



John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.



Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Can there be a greater gift that this? NO! God have given us eternal life through the death of His Son for our sins! WOW! So today take time to spend with the ONE who loves you the Most and who has done what nobody else will ever do for you!



Thank you dear Jesus for taking my sin upon your shoulders and dying for me. I am not worthy but I am forever thankful for your love for me.



Tom

Near Perfection.

Yesterday I lost a dear friend. Lila Roberts. I had the pleasure of going to church with her and also working with her as she served the Lord as one of the secretaries at church. Over my 42 soon to be 43 years of life I have had the pleasure of meeting many godly people. Lila and Dan Roberts have to be the most Christ-like people I have ever met. Trust me I do not give that title of most Christ-like out easily. Matter of fact I have never said that before! I want you to think in your own life at this moment and ask yourself...who is the godliest example in your life? For me it is Lila and Dan Roberts. Humble, wow does this ever describe them. They always put others first. Just like Jesus. Serving, they serve without question. You did not have to ask them to do something, they took the bull by the horns and served. Just like Jesus. Praying, they prayed for folks and believed God would answer. Just like Jesus. Loving, the loved people unconditionally. Just like Jesus. Encouragement, Lila and Dan always encouraged me and bragged on me. Their words were always uplifting. Just like Jesus. God fearing, Lila and Dan loved Jesus and feared the Lord. They gave God the respect, awe, and admiration that is due the King of Kings. As you can see these folks are special people. Loved by so many. I never heard Lila or Dan say anything that the Lord would disapprove of. I never seen Dan or Lila do anything that the Lord would frown upon. Now I know Lila and Dan are not perfect as their is only One who has lived a perfect life and that is Jesus but if all of us could pattern our lives after Dan and Lila I can promise you this world would be a better place and Jesus would be much happier with the way we are living our lives!

So this morning I want to leave you with this, live for Jesus. Lila did. She lived a great life and today is with Jesus. Paul said "imitate me" here:


1 Corinthians 11:1

11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Although knowing Lila she would not agree with me saying this, but I can say with confidence this morning if we imitate Lila and Dan's walk with Christ we would do well to imitate them as they imitate Christ.

God bless you my sweet friend Lila, I will see you soon on the other side.

Tom

Time Alone!

Well folks I am back. God blessed my wife and I with time away together on a cruise to the Bahamas. This was a first for the both of us. It was a great time. Relaxing and refreshing. I was thinking about this past week and how refreshed I feel now as I am back at work. We all need to have time away. When was the last time you were able to set everything aside and just get away? We can make so many excuses of why we can't do it but when we get right down to it the world can continue without you for a time! If you are single or married you need time away. Married couples need time away with each other to keep their marriage alive and well. Singles need time away from their jobs just to relax and get their batteries charged up.

One of the most important parts of getting away is spending time with God. Even if you are getting away with your spouse, one needs to take some time for God. Alone time with God is so refreshing! Of course I hope you do this everyday! But time alone with God when you don't have the day to day grind can be very special! I think of this verse when alone with God:

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Just sit back and praise God. Thank Him for all His goodness. Praise Him for being God. Talk with Him as He loves fellowship with you. Stillness is hard to come by in our day to day lives. Matter of fact it can be hard to do because we often don't know how to be still with God! If you are away with your spouse it may be good to be still together after your own time with God. Just thank God for you marriage, your kids, and all the blessings He has bestowed upon you. Praise God for bringing you together. Praise God for He is God!

So let me ask you, when was the last time you got away? Make plans now to do so. It will do you good in so many ways. Make sure you plan time with God....He deserves it and so do you. You won't regret it!

Tom