Friday, August 30, 2013

God is in control.




Just a little reminder this morning that if you have placed your faith in Christ Jesus, everything is under control!



Matthew 6:25



Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?



When we have placed our lives in God's hands we only have one thing to take care of...living for Him. God let's us know in this verse we have nothing to worry about, after all what can we do anyway when God is in control? Serve, worship, and obey God and He will take care of everything else as He sees fit! When you truly trust God with your life everything else becomes much easier to handle because God is in control!



Have a great weekend!



Tom

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Treasures in heaven...got any?




As we hustle around everyday to make all the money we can to buy all the toys we can it is very important to take time to think about these Words from Jesus:

Matthew 6:19-21



19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.



Jesus does not say things that are not of utmost importance. Think long and hard on these verses. I want to point out several things to chew on in these verses.



1. Do not lay up or store treasures on earth. The point here is excess is to be shared with others not to buy up toys that will rot or be stolen. When is the last time you have helped someone in need?



2. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. How do we do that? Serving, giving, and loving others. After you take care of your own needs (notice I said needs not wants) our next priority should be sharing the love of Christ with others by serving, giving, and loving others. By doing this blessings await you in heaven, a promise from Jesus!



3. Where you treasure is is where your heart is. Is your heart in the world trying to gain worldly things or is your heart in God trying to serve him and others? Many folks smarter than I have said if you look at someones check book you can see where their heart is....what does yours say?



Jesus is giving us a key to a blessed, joyful, godly life here don't miss it!



So do you have any treasures in heaven?



Tom

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Drinkers...something to think about.

Drinkers...something to think about.


I used to drink with the best of them. I don't ever recall having a beer or a mixed drink just for the great taste. It was to get a buzz, you know relax me as we would say. Most of my friends did the same thing. The problem is when we get that buzz it becomes sin. When I finally gave my life to Christ I learned that buzz is becoming drunk. This is where many arguments will come, what stage is considered drunk? All I know is when the buzz starts it is the onset of being drunk and I will leave it at that. Now with that said I have many brothers and sisters in the faith who declare drinking is ok (remember the drunk part) so let us see what scripture says for it is the ultimate authority:



Deuteronomy 21:19-21

19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, 20 and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.



Hmmmm God takes drunkenness pretty serious, remove the evil and stone him to death! Wow!

Proverbs 23:19-21

19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.20 Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.



Interesting that gluttony is listed with drunkards, why don't we teach about that too!



Proverbs 26:10

Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.



Ecclesiastes 10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!



Song of Solomon 5:1 [ He ] I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk. [ Others ] Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!



Drunk with love not drink!



Habakkuk 2:15 “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!A woe to those who lead neighbors or friends to drink!



Hmmmm!



Luke 21:34 [ Watch Yourselves ] “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.



Protect yourself!



Romans 13:12-14

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.



Put on light(Jesus) not darkness(devil) and walk properly! Don't gratify the flesh!



1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.



This will hurt but you need to ditch some friends if they are drunkards!



1 Corinthians 6:9-11

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.



Do you see the seriousness of drinking? If your drunkenness is unrepented of you will not inherit God's Kingdom! WOW! Think about it!



1 Corinthians 15:34

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.



Wake up!!!



Galatians 5:19-23

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.



A work of the flesh...drunkenness. Another warning will not inherit God's kingdom! Use fruit of Spirit...self control.



Ephesians 5:17-19

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,



What is debauchery? Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance. God says don't be foolish! Be filled with the spirit not wine!



1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.



Be the light! Be sober! Keep awake!



1 Peter 4:2-4

2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;



Do not join the drinking parties and drunkenness, do God's will!





Proverbs 23:29-35



29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining?Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it.When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”



So the God's Word shows us the seriousness of the drink! Now you have to decide what to do. God's will or your own will. This is God's Word and He is the authority. I will say for myself, since I have laid aside the beer and mixed drinks, I don't miss it a bit. I used it as a crutch thinking it was the only way to have fun in life. My oh my was I wrong. True joy comes in doing God's will and serving Him with my life as that is what He created me for!



If I can help you, hollar at me! God bless!



Tom

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Sexual immorality




I recently have been doing some studying on this subject sexual immorality and want to share a few things I have learned. To post all the scripture associated with this subject will make this a fairly lengthy post. Please take the time to read all the scripture as it is the most important part because it is the Word of God but it also shows us the seriousness of sexual immorality to God.



Sexual immorality defined in its simple form is this: violating God's standards for sex. Now it is easy to see the world is violating these standards at an alarming rate. One of the things I have learned in recent weeks is that sex was designed for one thing, to be shared in marriage between man and women. That is it! Anything else is outside of the will of God.



So what about masterbation? This is a big issue. Again I repeat, anything outside of marriage between man and women is sin. Pastor David Platt stated that masterbation is a homosexual act. When I heard that I was thinking "what are you talking about?". He went on to explain that masterbation is a male pleasing a male or female pleasing a female, which is a homosexual act. Wow! Never thought of that and it makes perfect sense! So let me share with you now God's Word on Sexual immorality.



Leviticus 20:10

[ Punishments for Sexual Immorality ] “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.I share this one just for us to see in the law the seriousness of this offense: death!Matthew 15:18-20

18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”



Out of the heart comes evil thoughts!



Mark 7:20-23

20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.



Acts 15:29

29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”



Romans 13:12-14

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.



No provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires!



1 Corinthians 5:1-2

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.



Again we see the seriousness of sexual immorality.



1 Corinthians 5:9

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—



1 Corinthians 5:11

11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.



Be careful who influences your life....friends!

1 Corinthians 6:8-10

8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.



Will not inherit kingdom if not repented of!



1 Corinthians 6:12-14

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.



Body is not meant for sexual immorality!



1 Corinthians 6:18

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.



Sexual sin is against your own body!



1 Corinthians 7:1-3

7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.

Only one way to flee sexual immorality is marriage!



1 Corinthians 10:7-10

7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.



2 Corinthians 12:21



21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.



Galatians 5:18-21

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.



Ephesians 5:3

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.



Sexual immorality should not be seen in a believers life!



Ephesians 5:5

5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.



Very stern warning!



Colossians 3:5

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.



1 Thessalonians 4:3

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;



God's will defined..growing in godliness and abstaining from sexual immorality!



1 Timothy 1:9-11

9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.



Hebrews 13:4

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.



Jude 1:7

7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.



Revelation 2:14

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.



Remember God is talking to the churches in above verse and the next verse!



Revelation 2:20-21

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.



Revelation 9:21

21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.



Revelation 22:15

15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.





Where are unrepented sexually immoral folks? Outside the heavenly Kingdom!



Matthew 5:27-30

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.



Important to remember in God's eyes lust is same as adultery, our eyes looking at porn or undressing the opposite sex is lust!





Wow! I think we can say God has much to say about sexually immorality. He makes it plain and clear of it being sin and the need to be repented of! So here is a couple of verses of good news:



1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



Repent and be clean!



John 8:1-11

8 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]



Receive forgiveness and Go and sin no more! God wants all to come to repentance but we must admit we have sinned! Examine the scriptures and see where you stand with God. Please feel free to print this off and share it with others!



The evidence is overwhelming, sexual immorality is sin!



Tom

Monday, August 26, 2013

Is your light on?




As we kick off another week, are you walking in the LIGHT or in darkness?



John 8:12



12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”



As a whole we live in a dark, dark time. Sin abounds all around us. It is accepted as right when God's Word declares it wrong. Each of us has a decision to make everyday...light or dark? Am I going to follow Jesus today and have my path lighted or am I going to follow the prince of this world and walk in the dark? It is a choice! Just stop for a moment and think of how many decisions we will have to make today. What we allow in our minds, what we allow to come out of our mouths, and the places we allow our eyes to wonder. All will be our choice and we can control with the help of the Holy Spirit every decision. It is not east folks, the devil is busy trying to draw us away from God. God knows this. It is no surprise to Him. That is why He sent us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, so we will have the power to overcome! Thank you Jesus!



It is important to know you can not walk in the light without a relationship with Jesus for this is how you receive the Holy Spirit and without the Spirit you can not defeat the darkness!



So this day, what will you choose light or darkness?



Tom

Friday, August 23, 2013

Humble self, pray, seek.




This is a scripture that speaks for itself. Yes it was being said to Israel but it is relevant for the United States too.



2 Chronicles 7:14



14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.



5 keys to grasp here:



1. Called by my name--for us this means hearing the call of Jesus and giving our lives to Him.



2. Humble self--pretty simple put God and others before yourself and it will humble you.



3. Pray--God wants to hear from His children in good times and in bad. Have you talked to him recently?



4. Seek God's face--Truly seek God will all that you have. Do you really know God?



5. Turn from your wicked ways--repent of sin and do not do it again.



I still believe God would bless the Untied States but He is clear in His Word if we continue in our wicked ways He will not! It all starts with me and you getting right with God!



Tom

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Why do men not come to Jesus?




I read this quote by A.W.Tozer "The man who continues in his rejection of Christ has a pet sin somewhere-he's in love with iniquity." Hmmmm just think about that for a bit. Let's look at some scripture:



John 3:18-20

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who

does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.



This verse pretty much confirms what Tozer says, "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." Sin that we love will keep us from coming to Jesus! When we come to Jesus our sin is exposed and man does not want that!



To come to Jesus takes humility, for we must admit we are sinners, and repent of that sin. None of us like to admit we are wrong, or we are sinners. But to agree with God we must admit we are sinners:



Romans 3:23

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,



1 John 1:7-10

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.



James 4:6

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”



So my friends this morning, is there any sin keeping you from Jesus? Through the Holy Spirit humble yourselves and give that sin or sins to Jesus today. Ask God for forgiveness and then "Go, and sin no more." Don't jet that sin keep its hold on you, live for Jesus and live life to the fullest! The way God designed you to live.



Tom

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Lies,lies, lies!!!




These were the words posted on an old high school friend of mine facebook page:



"LIES LIES LIES THATS THE WORD TODAY BOYS AND GIRLS NOT A LIE PLURAL LIES"

Sadly he is correct! Our world is full of lies. Should this surprise us? Absolutely not! Look at this verse:



John 8:44



You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.



God makes it very clear that lies are of the devil. It is common place in our society to lie. Not many years ago a hand shake was all that was required to seal a deal. Now look at the paperwork required for a deal. Piles of it, why? Lies, man does not keep his word. God even warned us of this:



Matthew 5:36-38



36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.



So what is the answer to the lies? God answers that too!



John 8:31-32



31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”



John 14:6



Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."



Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the answer. Jesus is truth. As followers we also need be people of truth. If we continue on in lies then it reveals we are not in Jesus! God makes it clear that the devil is the father of lies, and his followers are also, don't go there! Jesus loves you and died for you! Come to the Truth, and then live daily for the Truth!



Tom

Phil preaching truth once again, this time on abortion.

 Praise God for a man who stands on the Word of God!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

True Love!




Most Christians would say "I love Jesus!" Do you? We can know if we do or not according to the scriptures. Read theses:



John 14:15

“If you love Me, keep My commandments."



John 14:21



"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”



John 14:23



Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."



John 14:24



He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.Pretty simple to figure out if we truly love Jesus or not, we obey HIS WORD.



Jesus told us the two greatest commandments, and if we can keep these two we basically cover all the commandments. Here they are:



Matthew 22:36-39



36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.



So do you love Jesus? Do you love God with all you got, and do you love others? Do you obey the Word of God? Answer these questions and you can answer if you love Jesus or not!



Tom

Monday, August 19, 2013

Key to turning back.




I think it is fairly obvious that the United States needs a turning back to God. We need a revival to take place. A friend of mine posted a verse today that is key for us as a nation to get back to God. Read this verse:



Joshua 1:8



8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.



If you go back and research history, all revivals have started with a rekindled fire of getting into God's Word. It is vital for individuals and as a nation that we read, know, and study God's guide book for our lives. It is essential for our survival! Look what Jesus said:



Matthew 4:4



But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”



That pretty well settles it for me on the importance of God's Word in our lives. Oh and by the way Pslam 119 is the biggest chapter in the bible and the whole thing has to do with the importance of God's Word in our lives.



So are you using your key to life? For our nation to turn back to God it all starts with you and me!



Tom

Friday, August 16, 2013

Wide gate to destruction!




For sometime now the Lord keeps bringing these verses back to my mind, so I must share them with you. I believe Jesus did not waste words. He tells us about the gates for a reason, as a warning to take very seriously. Read these verses:



Matthew 7:13-14



13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.





Luke 13:23-25



23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”

And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’



Don't miss this point:



Narrow gate--few who find it

Wide gate--many who go in by it.



Do you think Jesus just threw that out there for no reason? I don't. It is a stern warning. Many claim to have Jesus in their hearts but continue to live like the world. These are the folks Jesus was referring to when He says in Luke 13:25 "I do not know you". In my opinion our churches are full of folks in this situation. Many folks who study these types of things say over 50% of folks in our churches are not going in the narrow gate! OUCH!



The narrow gate is a difficult life. A changed life. A new life. A life characterized by being different than the world. Ask yourself this morning, can others see Jesus in me or do I look like the world. That is a big indicator of where we are in Christ!



Let me close with this, did you see the question in Luke 13:23? “Lord, are there few who are saved?” I wish Jesus would have just come out and said "Yes! Most will be saved!" But He did not. FEW FIND IT!



Think on this today. Evaluate yourself. If you are right with God...AWESOME! If not get right! The help others get right!



God bless, Tom

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Foul Language

 
Sometimes a person writes a article that we must share. This is one of those. Over 20 years ago when I gave my life to Jesus, never did I think foul language would be acceptable. It still isn't but some who claim Christ seem to think it is. I had a foul mouth before Christ, but it was removed instantly upon giving my life to Jesus. Nothing I had done, it was the power of God. So check this article out:

Why I Don’t Use the F-Word
I honestly never thought I’d see the day when Christians would justify swearing.
I lived a sheltered life growing up. My Christian parents allowed me to watch a re-release of Gone With the Wind at the local theater when I was 12, and my virgin ears were scandalized when Rhett Butler told Scarlett, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a dang.” I had never heard such language—and I knew that if I ever talked like Rhett Butler in my house, I would be sent to the backyard to choose my own switch.
Fast-forward to today, when profanity has so saturated our culture that dirty words are unavoidable. Dropping the F-bomb is a daily habit for millions of Americans. Jesse Sheidlower, the editor-at-large of the Oxford English Dictionary, says the F-word has lost its shock value. He says, “For most people, it’s hardly noticeable anymore.”
Today students wear “WTF?” T-shirts to school. I’ve seen the F-word indelibly tattooed on people’s arms in dark blue ink. And I’ve heard guys and girls alike use the F-word more than 15 times in a sentence to simply describe their day. There’s even a mock children’s book titled Go the F*** to Sleep that was one of the fastest-selling titles on Amazon in 2011. What’s going on here?
Music has certainly played a role in forcing the F-word on us. (Listen if you dare to any popular hip-hop artist for proof of this nastiness.) One song by the rock band Limp Bizkit a few years ago featured the F-word 50 times. American rapper CeeLo Green released a song in 2010 called F*** You, and it was nominated for a Grammy Award. Meanwhile, the Motion Picture Association of America recently relaxed its ratings code to allow more uses of the F-word in PG-13 movies. (The old rule only allowed one F-bomb per film.)
I’m not going on a crusade to wash out our nation’s potty mouth. We live in a free country. And besides, I don’t expect non-Christians to talk like Sunday school teachers. But at the risk of sounding like a prude, I think true believers need to be reminded that it’s not okay to talk trash. This certainly goes for preachers—no matter how young and trendy they are.
I honestly never thought I’d see the day when Christians would justify swearing. But it was only inevitable, since many popular preachers have emphasized greasy grace while overlooking our serious lack of discipleship. The underlying message these days is: “Don’t be religious or legalistic. We have to be relevant to the culture.” The implied meaning is: “Go ahead and talk dirty. God doesn’t care. Maybe when non-Christians hear you swearing, they won’t label you a religious nut.” I’m not buying that line for three reasons:
1. Filthy talk defiles you and those around you. Jesus said it is not what goes into the mouth of a person that defiles him, but what comes out of his mouth (Matt. 15:11). Then the apostle Paul wrote, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths” (Eph. 4:29, ESV). The word corrupting here refers to rotten fruit or rancid fish. Filthy talk stinks! Dirty words have the power to soil you—and the rancid odor will linger in your soul.
2. Obscene or crude language is a reflection of your inner character. British preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “Beware of everyone who swears: he who would blaspheme his Maker would make no bones of lying or stealing.” Ephesians 5:4 says filthy talk or crude joking are not “befitting” a Christian (ASV). The NIV translates it this way: “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place.” If a Christian defiantly insists on talking trash, he has revealed deeper flaws and can’t be trusted.
3. Rough language is a sign of an unsurrendered will. The psalmist wrote, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Ps. 141:3, ESV). Mature Christians invite the Holy Spirit to inspect every area of their lives: attitudes, thoughts, grudges and addictions—as well as coarse language. If you insist on holding on to carnal habits, you are quenching the Spirit’s fire. Your spiritual growth will be forever stunted.
The prophet Isaiah recognized that he was “a man of unclean lips” who lived among “a people of unclean lips” (Is. 6:5). After his repentance, an angel touched his lips with the hot coal of God’s holiness. We need this miracle today if we want to speak for God.
God wants to use our mouths as channels of His life and blessing, but we will never be His prophets if we talk like the world. Let God clean up your conversation.

Truthful words to live by here!

Tom

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #25




Today we will wrap up how God sees us. I pray you have learned some valuable information about the way God sees you and expects you to see yourself and then live according to that view!

This morning we see in this verse that God created us and our purpose is to live in Christ Jesus and do good works. Look at this verse:



Ephesians 2:10



10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.



No matter what we do in life we are the workmanship of God. He made us but in His love for us He has given us free will and choice. That is awesome if we make good choices but it also can be terrible for those who do not make godly choices! We were created to have a relationship with God through His Son Jesus. But as I said before for those who chose not to have this relationship the consequences are eternity in hell. For those who chose to be a follower of Jesus we have the security of heaven but it don't stop with that promise. Don't miss these words "for good works". We were created to be a follower and a doer of good things in Christ Jesus. That should be the priority of our life. #1, numero uno, first!!!!!! The verse goes on to say God has prepared this to be THE WAY! We SHOULD walk in them. So all of us must ask ourselves, as followers of Jesus am I doing good works? Here are an example of some good works from the bible:



1. Loving others (including our enemies)

2. Sharing Jesus with others (gospel)

3. Church attendance

4. Sharing your money and good with needy (really not your stuff anyway, it's God's)

5. Tithing

6. Raising your children and grandchildren in the Lord.

7. Loving your wife as Christ loved the church

8.Loving your husband as commanded by God



These are just a small sample. How did you do as you looked at the list?



So this morning we see that God sees us as His workmanship! And He sees us doing good works! I hope we are fulfilling his vision in us! God bless!



Tom

Monday, August 12, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #24




As many of us head to work this morning, we see from God's Word that He sees us as co-workers in the ministry! Check this out:

2 Corinthians 6:1

6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.



Did you catch this "as workers together with Him" ? When you are a follower of Jesus it is understood that you are now a co-worker of God! You have a responsibility to minister to others! It is not your preacher's job! Well he has his responsibility to God too but what I mean is you have a job to do for the Lord! Here is your job description:



1. Love God

2. Love others

3. Share the gospel



Now as the 2 Corinthians verse goes on to say don;t take the grace of God in vain. Don't turn back on God! God in His mercy and grace has provided salvation to us as a gift through the death of His Son Jesus. Once we have received this gift do not think you can do whatever you want in life. You are now a servant of the most high God and have responsibilities to fulfill! Look at this verse:



1 Corinthians 6:20

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.Now let me be clear here, you don't work for salvation, but you do prove salvation by serving Jesus joyfully! Do not take the grace and mercy of God lightly!



So this morning we see we are co-workers with God, we are to be faithful workers of God!

Tom

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #23




This morning I want you to see two more ways that God sees you, a minister of reconciliation and an ambassador, read these verses:



2 Corinthians 5:17-21



17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.



Again as a reminder, God only sees you in these ways if you are a follower of Jesus! First today we see God has given us the ministry of reconciliation as told in verse 18. As Christ has reconciled us to a right relationship with God we are to reconcile people to Jesus so they can be right with God. What does the word reconcile mean? To make (two apparently conflicting things) compatible or consistent with each other. When we are in sin we are in conflict with God, receiving Christ makes us compatible with God!



The second way we God sees us this morning in these verses is as an ambassador for Jesus! What does an ambassador do? The dictionary says: an authorized messenger or representative. When we are followers of Christ we are authorized messengers of God. What is our message? Jesus saves and is the only way to heaven!



So this morning God sees you as a minister of reconciliation and an ambassador!!! Pretty cool, huh? The next question is are you fulfilling your duties?



Tom

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #22




This mornings view of how God sees us should make us think very seriously about our relationship with God and what honors He bestows upon us. Check this verse out:



1 Corinthians 3:16



16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?



Don't miss this! When you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life yo become a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Whew! Think about that for a moment. The Holy Spirit is God, and God is dwelling inside you. How are you using that temple? How are you taking care of that temple? Is that temple doing anything that is unworthy of God! Are you allowing anything into that temple that God does not want in there by way of eyes, ears, and mind that is under your control? Much to think about here isn't it?



Some more verses on this temple:



1 Corinthians 3:17



If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.



1 Corinthians 6:19



Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?



2 Corinthians 6:16



And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”



This temple that we are is something we better take very seriously!



In the 1 Corinthians 6:19 verse we must remember that once we are followers of Christ we belong to Jesus not ourselves! Are you living like you belong to Jesus? Something each of us needs to ask ourselves!So this morning we see God sees us as His temple! Live like His temple!



Tom

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #21




How about some awesome news on this Tuesday morning? God sees us as an heir if we have received His grace through Jesus Christ His Son! Check this verse out!



Titus 3:7

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life



Whew! Thank you Jesus! We are heirs to the Heavenly Kingdom!Here are some more verses that talk about being heirs to the Kingdom of God:



Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.A note on this, are you willing to be a servant and suffer if called to do so?



Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.



Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,



James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.



So this morning if you are a born again believer of Jesus Christ, you are an heir of Heaven! Give some praise to Jesus!!!!! I am!



Tom

Monday, August 5, 2013

The Cross and Christian Sexuality - Part 2

 A must watch for all!

RADICAL

Who are you from God's perspective? #20




Another way God sees us this morning is a way many of us do not take advantage of! Check this verse out!



Acts 1:8

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”



God sees you as a Holy Spirit filled (which you receive as soon as you accept Christ as Savior) witness. Which means you have great power to live and witness for Jesus! Are you taking advantage of that God-given power? If you look at the wording of the bible it isn't really an option. "You shall be witnesses" is a command not an option. Where am I to be a witness? Jerusalem is your hometown. Judea would be your state. Samaria would be your country and the end of the earth is just what is says all around this world! There is another place in scripture that says basically the same thing:



Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.



There is also a key word here which is "Go" which when translated means as you are going. So our witness is to be an on going process!



So this morning God sees you as a Spirit powered, witness. Are you fulfilling your duty? From what scripture says it really isn't an option! Jesus wants us to reach the world with the gospel!



Tom