Monday, December 26, 2016

ALWAYS be a friend to Israel!



A friend of mine posted these words today intended for the President Obama administration as they turned their back on a recent vote about Israel’s land.

12 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

As followers of Jesus we must know this basic teaching of the bible. Israel, the Jewish nation, is God’s chosen people! As you see in verse 3 above that God used this nation to bless all people by sending Jesus, a Jew, to save the world! God gave them the promise land and know one has the right to change that! We must be an ally to Israel!!!!

As followers of Jesus stand with Israel and condemn any administration that does not! 

Tom

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

God is all!

Why do so many celebrate Christmas?



Have you ever wondered why so many celebrate Christmas when a good many of them don’t believe Christ is Savior of the world? I sure have. God gives us an explanation here:

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I think it awesome how God uses the celebration of Jesus birth or bring attention to the Savior of the world even to those who don’t believe. Think about it, the message is spread even among the unbelievers!!! I pray that us that are followers take every opportunity we get to speak of the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus and what that meant for the world! 

This is Christmas: 

John 3:16-17 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. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Our biggest mission day of the year! Let us not miss the opportunity God has given us and the lost! The greatest gift of all!!! Even to those who have not yet believed!

Tom

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Don't be shaken.

Are you growing?



As followers of Jesus we must ask ourselves often....am I growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus my Lord? It is a lifelong process and a must for all followers!

2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Three points to grasp here:

1. Growing in grace: As defined in the bible dictionary grace is undeserved acceptance and love received from another. So we have received this from Jesus and as we grow in grace we are to give it to others unconditionally! Are you growing in grace?

2. Growing in knowledge: The number #1 way to grow in knowledge of Jesus is to be in the word for He is the Word!

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Just like in any relationship, our relationship with Jesus takes work, so work at learning all you can about your Lord!!!!

3. Why do we show grace and why do we learn all we can??? To bring Jesus glory! For He alone is worthy of all glory and honor from us in worship! It is our purpose in life!

So chew on this today and evaluate if you are growing!

Tom

Monday, December 19, 2016

What are thinking about today?

Do we really have faith?



If we read Hebrews 11, it is a chapter full of stories of true faith. Read the chapter and it says “by faith” the different followers of God stood strong even when nobody else was! It really makes one wonder about their own faith....are we willing to stand no matter what? The better question may not be are we willing but ARE WE???

A few examples....Noah building the arc. Would you continue enduring all the mockery and ridicule? He did...faith!

Moses going toe to toe with a Pharaoh. Laying it all on the line to obey God and lead God’s people out of slavery. Faith!

Saul/Paul who opposed Jesus in a mighty way but seen the light on the Damascus road and then lived for Jesus like no other! Faith!

So how is your faith this day? May we have a faith that can never be moved!!!

Tom

Friday, December 16, 2016

Be a star!

What did Mary know?



One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary did you Know?” It is an interesting song to think about. We know God revealed some things to Mary but how much did she know and how much did she have to learn? That may be an interesting Bible study for you this Christmas! One thing we do know is she knew this:

Luke 1:31-33And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary would give birth to the Son of God and He would be a King but did she know He would be Savior of the World??? The answer is YES! 

Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Now the question is how much of this did she really grasp??? I will leave that up to your study. Chew on this for a while and watch this video “Mary did you know?”



Tom

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Love others!



Just a reminder during this Christmas season and for all year...Be the eyes, hands, and feet of Jesus!!!! 



Tom

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Remember where you were!

Prince of Peace



As we are nearing the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus, let us this day remember what He brings to the heart of the follower of himself.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This world has gone crazy. Our lives are very busy. Bills come pouring in. Sickness is every where. Guess what? When one is right with God, through Jesus, you can have peace even in the midst of all these things going on.

How is that possible? Because the Prince of Peace, Jesus, gives it to the believer. Place everything in His hands and worship Him. This is the true peace He provides and it can be found in no other!

I have experienced this peace myself! Why it took me so long to figure it out is beyond me because Jesus is always before us calling out to us. All we have to do is give ourselves to Him!

Have you found peace yet? You can right now! Call out to Jesus! If I can help in any way just ask! 

Thank you Prince of Peace for giving yourself for me!

Tom

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Desires of your heart.

Make sure focus is right.



Living on this ole crazy earth we tend to get our focus wrong, so I want to remind you this morning of where our focus as followers of Christ must be!!!

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We are on this earth for just a short time compared to eternity and that is why God’s word tells us to keep our focus on the eternal things not the temporal things of this earth! It is so easy to get wrapped up on the things of this world, that is what the devil wants to do! Don’t be tricked and stay focused on the things of God and that will matter for eternity!

Is your focus right? 

Tom

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Slow down

Know it up front!



Since the life of Christ on earth persecution and being made fun of has happened to the follower of Jesus. If one never faces these things one must check and see if He is doing the work Christ has called us to do in spreading the gospel. I know of no one who was bust about the Father’s business that has not faced opposition! 

So we must remember our Savior’s words:

Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Our reward is not here on earth but in our home in heaven! Rejoice! Let us remain faithful to our calling until Jesus comes to take us home for it is great joy to please the Father!

Tom

Monday, December 5, 2016

Fullness of the time.

Jesus must be first love!



Jesus made it very clear, that a true follower of His will love Him above all else and there is a heavy cost in following Him. Read here:

Luke 14:25-27 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Do you love Jesus so much more than anyone else that your love for them is like hate? Thats what Jesus is calling us too here. Are you willing to pay the cost of following Him no matter what it is? Death, prison, lack of popularity, lack of material things, going where ever He says, ect.? 

So again we must ask ourselves...Is Jesus our first love?

Tom

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Keep anger in check.

You got a solid root?



For one who claims to be a Christian, checking to see your foundation is key! You must have a solid root in Christ! Otherwise your tree will come tumbling down. In other words, you never really had a foundation in Christ!

Matthew 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

How many folks I have seen come through the church, have some sort of spiritual or emotional experience, and are faithful in church for a short time but all of a sudden they disappear never to be in church again. This is a sign of not having a true root! For once one has built upon the cornerrstone which is Christ Jesus, nothing can crumble that foundation! Not even the gates of hell!

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Acts 4:11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

1 Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

Proverbs 12:3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.

Luke 8:13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

So is your root in Christ? Is your foundation sure? Will is pass through any tribulation or trail? Only you and God know for sure!

Tom

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Cast you cares upon Him!

You can follow but not believe!



Jesus gave a clear warning here and the church must head this warning!

John 6:63-66

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

There is a cost in following Jesus. We must fully believe in Him, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. Thus when we truly believe and surrender our lives to Him it will be evident to all!

Notice verse 66....many of His disciples followed Him no more! What? They did not believe and di not think it was worth the cost to follow Him....so they left! I give credit to them that they left for today in the church we have many that really don’t believe but hang around thinking they may get some kind of reward! Don’t be deceived my friends!!! Repent of your unbelief and be saved today for their is no other way but Jesus!

So do you believe are you following no matter the cost?

Tom

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Give a Thanks everyday!

Faithful followers will be....



Persecuted like our Lord and Savior Jesus! 

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Jesus told us it would be so:

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

If we are doing the Father’s business as commanded in the Great Commission we will face persecution of some sort especially now in the United States where Christianity is under fire from all directions.

So are you being made fun of or shunned or harassed for being faithful to the call of Jesus? If you can say yes count it a blessing as it means you being obedient to your calling. If you answer no you may need to check and see if you are serving Jesus in the manner He has called you!

Tom

Monday, November 21, 2016

Give thanks!

Be diligent in following Jesus.



I want to share with you these words from JC Ryle this morning on not living a life of ease but diligently following Jesus:

“Christianity will cost a man his love of ease. He must take pains and trouble, if he means to run a successful race toward Heaven. He must daily watch and stand on his guard, like a soldier on enemy’s ground. He must take heed to his behavior every hour of the day, in every company and in every place, in public as well as private, among strangers as well as at home. He must be careful over his time, his tongue, his temper, his thoughts, his imagination, his motives, his conduct, in every relation of life. He must be diligent about his prayers, his bible reading, and his use of Sundays, with all means of grace. In attending to these things, he may come far short of perfection; but there is none of them who he can safely neglect.”

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

So am I and are you being diligent in following Jesus?

Tom

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Have you considered the cost?



God tells us plainly there is a cost to following Jesus:

Read very carefully!

Luke 14:25-33

Leaving All to Follow Christ

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

God does not try to hide anything from us...to be a follower of Jesus is costly, tough, difficult, and a hard road to keep! If one thinks it is easy to be a follower of Christ it is very likely they are not truly a follower of Christ! 

Is it worth the cost? Absolutely!

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Giving our lives to Jesus and following Him with all we got will never be regretted, that is a guarantee!

Tom

Hillary Scott & The Scott Family - Thy Will

May we all remember God is in control and may HIS WILL be done in our lives!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

God shows us the way!

Have you overcome?



Great words for the follower of Jesus this morning:

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

How do we overcome and gain these great promises? Faith and trust in Jesus. That is it! Become a follower of Jesus for He is the ONE who overcome sin and death on our behalf.

I want to inherit the things of God, I want to be a child of God, and I am proud to be His son! How about you? You can! I hope you already have!

So again I ask, have you overcome by the shed blood of Jesus?

Tom

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

God's Word will do as He desires!

Who are you trying to please?



As a follower of Christ we are in a spiritual battle everyday against the devil and against the ways of the world. So we must ask our selves are you trying to please the one who enlisted you as a soldier in this war? (Jesus) Or are you pleasing the devil by living in the ways of the world? Look at this verse:

2 Timothy 2:4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Don’t fall back soldier! Fight on for the great reward and eternity in Heaven with the Captain of the Army of the Lord!

Tom

Friday, November 11, 2016

God is in control.

Remember your future!



As a follower of Christ we must remember through all the battles we face everyday and all the blessings poured down upon us what is in our future:

1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Come Jesus Come! What a future is promised for us!

Tom

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

God gives mercy and forgiveness.

Great Words of Christ for the follower.



These words should be of great encouragement for the follower of Jesus this day and everyday. 

John 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Who are those given to Jesus? Any who call upon His name as Lord and Savior. So if you have done this you have the promise He will never lose you!!! Praise the Lord! Can I get an amen???

With that promise nothing can steal my joy!

Tom

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Honor God.

Learned something new!



God’s Word never ceases to amaze me. I have heard this verse several times over the years but just now put it together:

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I always was think just in pure strength of the cord but it has a deeper meaning! The triune God! The triune God can not be overcome!

God the Father guards the believer by His awesome power.

God the Son intercedes on behalf of the believer at all times.

God the Holy Spirit teaches, leads, and directs the believer on a daily basis!

God sure is good! I am thankful He can not be broken!

Tom

Monday, November 7, 2016

For God's pleasure!

As you vote tomorrow remember this...



[ Pray for All Men ] Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Have you earnestly prayed for our candidates and for whom God would have you chose? Which candidate will lead to godliness, reverence, peace and quiet? Which one will uphold what the bible teaches? Pray! Pray! Pray! May God have mercy on us all!

Tom

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Take time to rejoice!

A prayer for all followers of Jesus.



This is a prayer we all need to lift up often to our Lord Jesus:

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

At times our faith is great and strong but at others times our faith is frail and weak, so let us follow our brothers and sisters in the faith and pray for God to increase our faith at all times! I can say for myself there is always room for more! 

Lord Jesus may we have the faith of that mustard seed you speak of and increase from there so there is no doubt whom we follow!

Matthew 17:20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Tom

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Diligently Seeking?



Chew on this today:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

We must have faith, we must believe, and we must seek. I want us to think about the seeking point today. How much are we seeking God? Seriously, how much?

How mush time in worship, how much time in prayer, how much time in bible reading? So many get stuck of only seeking God when they need something....do you think that pleases God? Neither do I! It is to be a lifestyle of seeking in the good, in the bad, and in the ugly!

So chew on that today, after all God is worthy of us seeking in a continual manner!

Tom

Do good!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Live for Christ!

Can you feel it?



God’s Word is clear that when you become a follower of Christ and are then filled with the Holy Spirit there is a war going on inside of you....do you recognize that?

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

This is why we must be ready for battle at all times! The Word helps us recognize what sin the flesh is pushing on us and the Spirit gives us the power to overcome! 

Stand strong brothers and sisters!

Tom

Save For Retirement?

Monday, October 31, 2016

Zach Williams - Chain Breaker (Official Music Video)

Somebody needs this today! Come to Jesus, He is the chain breaker !!!



Commit to Him!

Friday, October 28, 2016

Is your heart rejoicing?

Let this not be us!



Some are so in tune with the world that they don’t even know they are chained up to the devil!

2 Timothy 2:26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

I pray this is not you or I! If it is we must wake up and break his chains and run to Jesus! If we have broken those chains then we have a great responsibility to help all we can to break his chains and see the truths of Jesus!

Chew on this verse today...and do what needs to be done!

Tom

Thursday, October 27, 2016

What do they say?

Whose your friend?



A simple reminder from God’s Word this morning.

James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Examine your life, are you more like the world or more like Christ? God speaks to us very plainly in the verse above...we are either a friend with God or a friend with the world. I don’t see wiggle room for both. Better think where your are in life!

Here is a great friend verse:

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Glad I got Jesus as my friend! How about you?

Tom