Do something!!!!

This song by Matthew West is right on the money!!! Listen closely to the words:






Wow! So true! He created you to be the one to do something in this world of ours! Quit looking around waiting for someone else to do what you can do! Remember this word from the Lord:



James 1:22



But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.



Romans 2:13

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.



Don't worry about how big or small the task is that God has laid out before you, just do it. Everyday God places tasks before us, be looking for them. Kind word, a visit to a nursing home, a dollar burger to a homeless person, or a million other things. Another reminder from God's Word:



Matthew 25:31-40

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’



Hmmmm puts a little more on this thought of "do something" huh? As we have said in other devotions, our work does not save us but it does prove what we believe! Ar you a sheep or a goat? The righteous through Jesus Christ serve others! When we serve others we are serving Jesus himself! Think on that!



Folks don't wait on others, God wants you to do it!



Tom

Remember you are an Overcomer!!!

One thing we always need to remember this morning, followers of Jesus are overcomers no matter what Satan throws our way! Listen to this great song by Mandisa:






John 16:33



I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”



What comforting words from our Savior! When we are in Him, meaning having a true relationship with Him, we have peace! I don't know but just knowing Jesus has overcome the world by defeating death and sin is a comfort in itself! That is why the believer lives! Shout it from the roof tops, we have victory in Jesus.



So many look at death as a downer but for the follower of Jesus it is just the opposite! Absent from the body present with Jesus, it doesn't get any better that that! No pain, no sorrow, nothing but joy and a glorious time with God and our brothers and sisters in heaven. The older I get the more I look forward to that! Amen? This old body isn't what it used to be. The results of sin in this world break us down, but glory be to God a new body awaits when Jesus returns! Praise the Lord!



So remember if you are in Christ, you are an overcomer, that is straight from Jesus!



Tom

Your faith before God!

We looked at this verse in Sunday School Sunday, evaluate yourself before God this morning:



James 1:27

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.



So when is the last time your helped out an orphan? Plenty of Foster kids out there needing a visit or some affection. When is the last time you stopped by to visit a widow or widower? We all know someone who is alone without husband or wife. Do we care? Then the last question, are you being stained by the world or staying true to the Word of God?



Tough questions with fairly easy answers if we are being true to our God. All three of the questions come down to a pretty simple conclusion....self or serve and obey God. Take my time to satisfy my own fleshly desires and use my time for self or use the time to help some body else and thus obey my Lord.



Folks proving our faith is really not that difficult, it's just we make it difficult because we are selfish with our time!!!!



You and I can change that...the question is do we love our Lord and others enough to do so?



Tom

Greater is He!!!!

Turn up those speakers again and give Jesus some praise this morning! This is "Greater" by Mercy Me:






Oh yeah! No doubt about it my God is greater than the ole devil in this world! Here is the scripture that gos along with that song:



1 John 4:1-6

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.



This is pretty simple. The devil and his cohorts are busy in this world of ours using people for their purposes which is to steal, kill, and destroy. They are easy to spot because they are living by worldly standards not God's Word. Keep your eyes and ears tuned into the Holy Spirit of God and he will reveal the truth to the followers of Jesus.



I like the start of verse 6...We are from God! Our God is all powerful and greater than he(devil) that is in this world! Remember that...we have the power to overcome anything from the devil! God, the Holy Spirit, lives in us!!!!



Give God some praise this morning for there is nothing He has not already taken care of for us!



Tom

My Lighthouse!

Sit back turn up the speakers and listen and worship the King to this catchy little tune by Rend Collective:







What do you look to in the fog of life? Do you turn to the light or head out to the darkness of the lost sea? God uses the image of light many times in His Word to remind of us of Who is our light and guide through the storms of life and on those bright sunny days!!! Let's look at a few scriptures about the LIGHT!



Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.



Matthew 24:27

For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.



John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.



2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.



Ephesians 5:14

for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”



Revelation 21:23

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.



Oh what great light we have that overcomes all darkness. I am so thankful for this light that guides my every step! When we have THE LIGHT then God tells us what that light is suppose to do through us here:



Matthew 5:16



In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.



If you follow the Light, then let that light shine through you so they may in turn learn to follow the LIGHT Jesus themselves!



So you got the LIGHTHOUSE is sight? Isn't nothing like knowing THE WAY in all situations!



Tom

My Hope is in You, LORD!

Where is our hope today? In our government? In the cries of Fergeson, MO.? In our military? In a relationship with another person? In the Pope? NO, NO, NO, NO, and NO!!! For the follower of Jesus our hope can be found only in HIM! Listen to this song and worship our King Jesus:






Now the hope I am talking about is not the hope that is wishing something would happen. No, the hope I am talking about is knowing He has happened, and will return soon. This Hope is not a wishful thinking but a guarantee straight from the mouth of God. Look at the hope we have in these verses:



Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.





Psalm 33:18-22



18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

19 To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.



20 Our soul waits for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.



Psalm 39:7

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.



Psalm 71:14

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.



Psalm 119:116

Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.



Proverbs 23:18

For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.



Jeremiah 17:13

O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters.”



Lamentations 3:24



“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”



Acts 24:15



I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.



Acts 28:20

For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”



Romans 5:1-2

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.



Romans 5:5

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.



Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.



Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.





1 Corinthians 15:18-20

18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.



Galatians 5:5

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.



Colossians 1:5

because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,



1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,



There is many more but for times sake I will stop here. HOPE is Jesus! If you don't have a relationship with Him you have none. Let us get our eyes off of worldly hopes for they fail every time and get those eyes on the HOPE that never fails Jesus Christ, Savior of the world!



Go back and take your time and re-read the scriptures above, and let the HOPE of God soak through your body, it refreshes your soul if you are a follower of Jesus. Makes me want to shout! Hallelujah!!!!!



Tom

Looking at your problems correctly!

I came across these verse a few days ago in a devotion I was reading. Needless to say it has stuck with me. So many times when we are having some sort of problems in life we ask God "why me "? Read these verses and hopefully you will see what God wants us all to learn:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Did you see anything? Allow me if I may to break it down for you.

1. Praise God who shows mercy in our tribulations. The bible teaches we live in a sin stained world which brings troubles. We all are going to have them, know that and give God praise for the comfort and mercy He provides through those troubles! We could go through it alone but for the follower of Christ you don't! He is with you!

2. God of all comfort. Don't miss that. The devil could care less about you, and loves it when you are hurting and struggling with life. Not our God though. He loves to bring comfort to His children. Think about when your own kids are hurting, you do everything you can to help them feel better. God does this only much more that we can. I have felt God's comfort numerous times through life...He has never failed me!

3. You probably knew the first two but this may be a point you need to learn. We goes through problems so that we can help others who go through that same problem! Ever thought of that? When you get to the other side you know have the know how to help someone else! Divorce, death of a loved one, cancer, spiritual battles, depression, loss of a job, and the list goes on and on. Once you have been through one of these troubles you know have the knowledge to help somebody else going through that same battle! So go use your pains to comfort someone else!

We have been comforted by God over and over because He loves us. As followers of Jesus, one of the greatest witnesses we can offer to this struggling world we live is the comfort of Jesus Christ our Lord. There is nothing more sweet in life than the peace and comfort He offers which surpasses all understanding. All we have to do is receive it! Then share it.

So take those pains and hurts and use them for the glory of God by helping others who are going through what you have conquered through Jesus!

Tom

Make it a good morning!

We have a choice today. Give it to God and make it a good morning! Listen to this song by Mandisa.






You may be having a great day...you may be having a terrible morning but you can make it good by giving it all to God!



Philippians 4:6



Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;



God tells us here don't be all up tight in any situation. Turn it all over to Him in prayer. Be thankful and let Him know how you feel and ask for His help. That is the ingredients for a good morning and all day long. After all worrying doesn't do a bit of good anyway, look here:





Matthew 6:25-34

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? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.



God will take care of everything as He sees fit! No need to worry! Here is the key to a good morning:





Psalm 150

150 Praise the Lord!



Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!



2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!



3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!



If we focus on praising God and serving him as He desires we don't have near the time not to have a good morning, day, evening or night! So what about it....Have a good morning!



Tom

No matter what Praise God!

This is a song called Broken Hallelujah by a band named The Afters. Really listen to the words:






The definition of hallelujah is: Praise ye the Lord! So in this song we are encouraged to praise God no matter what we are going through. Why would we do that? Because we have an awesome God who is always there no matter what. Remember this promise:



Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”



or this one:



Matthew 28:20

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.



When life is throwing us that difficult curve ball one verse that always comes to mind is this one:



Psalm 30:5



For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.



Most difficult times come and go, thank God. Some just seem to hang on and on, even in these remember Paul in the bible had a difficulty and prayed for it to be removed but God would not remove it. Look here:





2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.



You see difficulties keep us humble before God, makes us realize we are nothing without Him. God told Paul just trust in my grace, maybe He is telling us the same thing. Paul took the teaching, learned, and then used his difficulty to glorify God. For when we can keep going in our weaknesses, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can then only give honor to one person and that is God! We always grow more in our relationship to God in hard times than in good because we fully turn to God where as when things are going great we want a little credit which we don't deserve! Praise God in the hard times as well as the good!



This is where our broken hallelujahs come into play. Our praises to God may come in broken conditions, but as a follower of Jesus I will not let the devil steal my joy or my service to my King, I will praise ye the Lord for He is my salvation!



So do you have any broken hallelujahs this morning? If you don't you will soon as such is life. Keep praising the Lord brothers and sisters for heaven is right around the corner....I can't wait!!!



Tom

What are your eyes on?

One of my favorite bands is King and Country. There songs are so in line with the bible with a little kick to them! Listen to this song....Fix my eyes. Really listen to the words.







So what are your eyes on? What are you focused on doing in your life? Really it comes down to two choices....the world or God. Let's look at what God says:





Matthew 6:22-23

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!



Deuteronomy 12:8

“You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes—



Deuteronomy 13:18

because you have listened to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep all His commandments which I command you today, to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord your God.



Psalm 19:8

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;



Psalm 101:3

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.



Psalm 119:37

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.



Psalm 146:8

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous.



Proverbs 3:7

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.



Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.



Proverbs 23:26

My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.



Matthew 18:9

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.



Acts 28:27

For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”’



Romans 3:18

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”



1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.



As you can see, God has much to say about where our eyes are and what we are focused on. Once again not much I can add. Reread these and let God speak to you and then evaluate yourself and see where you are looking. To the world or to God. The devil is good at fooling folks....don't be one of them! Your fruits determine where your eyes are focused so check them out.



On dear God helps us keep our eyes fixed on you and nothing else!



Tom

God is love.

Some days we just need to be reminded of this fact. No matter what the day brings...bad day at work, verbal abuse, physical abuse, no job, physical problems, mental problems, emotional issues, relationship issues, stress, or just plain don't know what to do in a situation. Remember this:



John 3:16

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 5:5

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.



Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.



Galatians 2:20

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



Ephesians 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,



Ephesians 3:19

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.



2 Thessalonians 3:5

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.



1 John 4:9

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.



1 John 4:10

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.



1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.



Jude 1:21

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.



Take time to re-read these and just soak the Word of God in and realize how much God loves you. Let Him speak deep into your heart. I ray you are having an awesome day. Rejoice in the blessings of God! If not just remember how much He loves you. This is what always gets me through!



Tom

My God is Alive!

Check out this song from Newsboys...God's not dead.






If you have not seen the movie God's Not Dead I highly recommend it.



For the follower of Jesus, knowing our God is alive is one of the main principals our faith hinges on. All other religions follow a dead god, we follow a God that is alive and well, Whom defeated sin and death, and now sitting at the right hand of God, awaits the Father to tell Him to come and get His children!



Matthew 16:21

[ Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection ] From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.



Mark 16:19

[ Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand ] So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.



Matthew 26:64

Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”



Oh yeah I know that's right! Jesus is alive and well!!! One day soon He is coming back for me!!!! Are you ready?



Here are couple of other verses that talk about Jesus dying but now is alive!



1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,



Revelation 1:18

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.



Not only is my God alive but He is in control! You see who has the keys don't you??????



One day soon brothers and sisters:



Mark 13:26-27

26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.





Mark 13:32-36

32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.



Does that sound like a dead God to you? My God is alive and well. Come get me Jesus! I am ready! How about you?



Let others know about your God and give Him glory in everything!



Tom

Let them see Jesus in me.

Listen to this song and let it speak into you:
 


Do others see Jesus in you. In everything you say and do, do others see the reflection of Jesus flowing our of you? After all if you are a Christian, the word Christian means "little Christs". Do We represent that title well? What do scriptures say about this?



This is what Paul said we are to do:



1 Corinthians 11:1

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.



So what did Jesus do? Since He is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, Jesus fulfilled the fruits of the Spirit which are listed here:



Galatians 5:22-23



But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.



So if you are doing these traits in your life, it is safe to say you are imitating Jesus. Which also means others will see Jesus in you! That is what as followers of Jesus we are called to do! Look at the list and evaluate yourself by asking these questions:



Do I love others? Yes even your enemies as this is what Jesus did and has told us to do!



Is there joy in my life? True joy can only be found in your relationship with Jesus and then is expanded into other areas of your life. But it must start with Jesus.



Is there a sense of peace in my life even in turmoil? When you have Jesus in the center of your heart, you have a unexplainable peace even in the midst of the storm. Again if you don't have Jesus you won't have this peace.



Are you patient? That is another word for longsuffering. Jesus was patient with all...read the scriptures! When you show patience you show love...do others notice your patience and see Jesus?



Are you kind to others? What about that guy that cut you off this morning on the way to work? Kindness is a sure sign of Jesus in your life.



Is goodness a part of your life? Honesty and integrity are indwelt in you. Would others describe you as a good person?



Are you faithful? First of all to God? Striving to be obedient in every area of your life. Second to your wife or husband? Faithfulness is a sign of where your heart is....in God or in the desires of the world.



Gentleness...hmmmm. Do you fly off the handle easily? Do you yell often or raise your voice. Is anger overtaking you and you are harsh with others? Jesus wasn't. He showed grace and mercy and expects us to do the same.



Then finally self-control. If you have self-control much of these other traits will fall into line. Slow down and think, what would Jesus do in this situation, and then do as He would do.



How did you do in your evaluation? Do others see Jesus in you? Are you an imitator of Christ? Brothers and sisters we can change the would if we let others see our Jesus through us and then share why we live like we do....because Jesus gave his life for me and for you.



It is time for followers to let others see Jesus through us! It is not optional! Fruit grows because it is attached to the vine, our fruits of the spirit should be evident if we are attached to our vine....Jesus! (Read John 15)



Chew on this!



Tom

Watch your mouth! Even during elections!!!!!

Well folks our elections have come and gone. I probably should have wrote this long ago before the elections! God has warned us about our mouths and what they can do to others....are we going to listen to Him or do what we want?

Psalm 34:13

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

Psalm 39:1

   I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”

Proverbs 11:12

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:4

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 17:28

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 21:23

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

James 1:26

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 3:5-6

5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:9

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Here is what God desires from His followers:


Romans 14:19

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

* edify means build each other up in a positive manner

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.


John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,


Brothers and sisters may we take the Word of God to heart! What flows from your mouth comes from your heart which is a sign of where you stand with God!

Evaluate yourself!

Tom

Is God hearing my prayers?

Interesting question huh? As we studied the bible last night we read an interesting passage I want to share with you, here it is:



12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”



So let's try to break down this verse. First it says God's eyes are on the righteous. There is only one way to be righteous in God's eyes and that is to put faith and trust in His Son Jesus and to follow Him the rest of your life. So keep this in mind as we go through the rest of the verse.



Second we see it says God's ears are open to their prayer. Why would God put that in here? Doesn't he hear the prayers of everyone? From what I see here the answer is no. The only prayer that God listens to from an unsaved person is if they humble themselves and call upon Jesus to be Lord and Savior of their life.....and then He will listen to their prayers. Hmmmm something to think about there!



Here are some other verses that back up the verse we are studying:



2 Chronicles 7:14-15



14 if my people who are called by my name 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. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.



Psalm 34:15





15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

and his ears toward their cry.



Proverbs 15:29





29 The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.



John 14:6



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



Hebrews 11:6



6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.



We can pick up a common theme here....you don't come to God until you get right through Jesus!!! For the 1 Peter verse says "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" which would be unforgiven sinners!



I see so many folks whose lives are living in blatant sin (which is a sign you don't have Jesus) trying to offer up prayers to God but according to what I see from the Word...He is not listening until you call upon His Son Jesus and are cleansed in His shed blood!



On the flip side, if you are a child of God...keep those prayers going...He loves to hear from His children! FREQUENTLY!!!!



Think on this today!



Tom

Fear-what are you afraid of? #19

Well we have talked about all kinds of fear that we need not fear! So as we end this topic today let us look at the only healthy fear there is...the fear of God.



The fear of God is a tricky subject. There is the fear of awe and reverence that we are to have of God but there is also a fear that we need to have that He is God, and He will judge those who have rejected His Son Jesus and allow them to go to hell. You see the tricky part of understanding God? For some this is hard to understand.



The best picture I can give of this is to look at our earthly dads. They love us so much. We should have a great respect for them but we also have a fear of them when the disciplined us and that fear was a trainer for us to obey what they told us to do! Of course with God these are greatly magnified!



So let's look at what God's Word says about fearing Him:



1 Samuel 12:20-25

20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”



Psalm 89:7





7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,

and awesome above all who are around him



Proverbs 2:1-5



2 My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.



Proverbs 3:5-8



5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.



2 Corinthians 7:1

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.



Matthew 10:28

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.



These verse pretty well sum up what God wants us to know about fearing Him...Trust Him, serve Him, be in His Word (which is how you learn of His great love and how to obey Him), turn away from evil.



God is a loving God, have a healthy fear of Him. He has done everything possible to bring us to Himself, the rest is up to us! To follow Jesus or not.



Fear nothing but our loving God! He is in control!



Tom

Fear-what are you afraid of? #18

When we are living a faithful life following God the devil don't like it. He will go to great lengths to get us to turn away from God. We must be ready for this to happen as God has warned us that it will:



Revelation 2:10

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days* you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.



*most commentaries believe the 10 days is representing a short time period not a literal 10 days



Matthew 10:16-17

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,



Luke 21:10-19

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.



You see we have been warned we will suffer for being obedient followers of Jesus, so do not be afraid! Trust God and be a witness no matter what the situation is you end up in! Their are faithful follower all over this world right now being beaten, verbally abused, outcast, starved, and even murdered for their faith in Jesus. Pray for them and the Holy Spirit to give them power to endure. Pray for them not to fear but stand in the power of God. For us more than likely it will be verbal abuse, we have no excuse not to stand strong for our Savior. At the rate we are going though here in the states, our children may face harsher abuse for following Jesus. Let us teach them what God says...Do not fear! Endure for Jesus is worthy!



This is a hard teaching, but it is true! May we follow Jesus now and stand for Him! Our nation turning back to God starts with you and I!



Tom

Fear-what are you afraid of? #17

A good way to start of a Monday. Remembering why we have nothing at all to fear.....The King came!!!!!



John 12:15



15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey's colt!”



Our King Jesus came! He was born of a virgin, walked this earth proving He was the Savior, was crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended back to the Father, and now sits at the right hand of God waiting for the Father to gibe Him the word to come and get His followers! The first time the King came in peace on a donkey the next time He will come in judgement on the white horse! Are you ready????



Folks we have nothing to fear if you are a follower of Jesus! Jesus came and did everything needed to secure our future! I am ready Jesus...come quickly!



Tom