Read this verse this morning and made me do some thinking:
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.
These Words come straight from the mouth of Jesus. He warns us here about hoarding things here on earth. So many things can happen to our material things while we are on this earth. Cloth can be destroyed by moths or other things. Rust destroys our precious metals. I had to replace a grill recently because the rust had destroyed it. If our stuff is not destroyed this way then thieves are everywhere and will try to steal out things! Jesus tells us to lay our treasures up in heaven where nothing can destroy them! Everything we do for God is remembered by God and we gain rewards for this. How many rewards do you have stored up in heaven??? God's Word says where ever our heart is that is where we are storing up treasures. Think on this for a moment. Are you storing more up in your home or in heaven? It is an indication of where our hearts are!
Tom
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thank you Military Men and Women.
John 15:13
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
May god bless those who have given their lives so we may freely live and worship our King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ. Also may God bless those who are protecting our freedoms both at home and abroad! We are forever indebted to your service. God bless America!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Save what is needed!
This is a clear teaching from God!
Proverbs 21:20
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
God's Word is clear that we are suppose to store up what we need for hard times. This verse is clear about that. The verse says the wise store up food and olive oil. Of course we know why we would store up food....for hard times! But what about olive oil. This oil was used in certain offerings and for medicinal purposes. So one needed to keep a supply on hand. As far as food there is a line that has to be drawn somewhere between need and hoarding. Because God's Word also makes it clear we are to share with others in need. I am a believer this is also true with our money. For me to place a number of where that is would be wrong that is something we all must allow God to tell us! This verse goes on to tell us what we are when we don't store some for the future....a fool! That is to the point isn't it!
So save what you need but don't get greedy!
Tom
Proverbs 21:20
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
God's Word is clear that we are suppose to store up what we need for hard times. This verse is clear about that. The verse says the wise store up food and olive oil. Of course we know why we would store up food....for hard times! But what about olive oil. This oil was used in certain offerings and for medicinal purposes. So one needed to keep a supply on hand. As far as food there is a line that has to be drawn somewhere between need and hoarding. Because God's Word also makes it clear we are to share with others in need. I am a believer this is also true with our money. For me to place a number of where that is would be wrong that is something we all must allow God to tell us! This verse goes on to tell us what we are when we don't store some for the future....a fool! That is to the point isn't it!
So save what you need but don't get greedy!
Tom
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Camel through the eye of a needle????
These verses are fairly simple to understand:
Luke 18:18-30
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”
21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
This ruler was a religious man! He claimed to follow the law closely. But he had one problem. A love for his riches. Ouch! That sure does sound familiar. Look at what Jesus asked of him. Sell everything and give it to the poor. The rich man couldn't do it....he loved his "stuff" too much. We need to ask ourselves...could we do that? Don't answer to quickly...could you give up everything for Jesus? Jesus desires us to share what He has blessed us with! In verses 24-25 Jesus makes it very plain and simple for us. Riches get in the way of our relationship with Him if we are not very very careful. Jesus even tells us how difficult it is....like a camel going through the eye of a needle! Ummm folks that is impossible...but with God leading our lives all things are possible!
Let us think carefully on what Jesus is saying to us this morning!
Tom
Luke 18:18-30
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”
21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
This ruler was a religious man! He claimed to follow the law closely. But he had one problem. A love for his riches. Ouch! That sure does sound familiar. Look at what Jesus asked of him. Sell everything and give it to the poor. The rich man couldn't do it....he loved his "stuff" too much. We need to ask ourselves...could we do that? Don't answer to quickly...could you give up everything for Jesus? Jesus desires us to share what He has blessed us with! In verses 24-25 Jesus makes it very plain and simple for us. Riches get in the way of our relationship with Him if we are not very very careful. Jesus even tells us how difficult it is....like a camel going through the eye of a needle! Ummm folks that is impossible...but with God leading our lives all things are possible!
Let us think carefully on what Jesus is saying to us this morning!
Tom
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Instructions for us!
Again we are rich compared to the majority of the world so these Words are for us:
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
In verse 17 God says for the rich not to be haughty. What is haughty?Here is how it is defined in the dictionary: disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant. We have no reason to be like that. Rich or poor we have to humble ourselves before the Almighty God and man! The verse goes onto say not to trust in uncertain riches. As we have seen through the tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri everything can be gone in an instant, we must put our trust in our greatest resource...God! He blesses us in so may ways. I look at my family, my church, food on my table, roof over my head, clothes on my back, and Jesus who died for me....can I really ask for anything else? Verse 18 tells us to do good and to be rich in good works! When is the last time you have helped others? Helping others is what God desires for us to be about along with sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The verse tells us we should be ready to give and share out of the blessings God have given us. Have you? Verse 19 tells us when we give it is storing up a good foundation for us! Where at? In heaven of course! When we share out of the blessings God has given us it shows we have the love of Christ in out heart thus we can know we have a hold on eternal life! Praise God!
Listen to the instruction of the Lord this morning....it does the soul good!
Tom
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
In verse 17 God says for the rich not to be haughty. What is haughty?Here is how it is defined in the dictionary: disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant. We have no reason to be like that. Rich or poor we have to humble ourselves before the Almighty God and man! The verse goes onto say not to trust in uncertain riches. As we have seen through the tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri everything can be gone in an instant, we must put our trust in our greatest resource...God! He blesses us in so may ways. I look at my family, my church, food on my table, roof over my head, clothes on my back, and Jesus who died for me....can I really ask for anything else? Verse 18 tells us to do good and to be rich in good works! When is the last time you have helped others? Helping others is what God desires for us to be about along with sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The verse tells us we should be ready to give and share out of the blessings God have given us. Have you? Verse 19 tells us when we give it is storing up a good foundation for us! Where at? In heaven of course! When we share out of the blessings God has given us it shows we have the love of Christ in out heart thus we can know we have a hold on eternal life! Praise God!
Listen to the instruction of the Lord this morning....it does the soul good!
Tom
Monday, May 23, 2011
Instead of grumbling!
What a Word from God on this Monday morning!
Ecclesiastes 5:19
19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
How many of us got up this morning grumbling about another Monday and it is raining, blah, blah, blah! We should roll out of bed every morning and praise God for his great gifts! (No I don't always do this...lol) Think about what this verse says this morning. Has God given you riches and wealth? Yes He has. I have shared before that if you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back you are in the top 4% of richest people in the world! Has God given you the ability to use these riches? Yes He has. I am warm because I can put on clothes, I am full because I could feed myself, I am dry this morning because I could walk inside my house...thank you Jesus for your blessings this morning. We all have received a heritage from God. Even though I am a gentile, if I have received Christ I am an heir of King Jesus...wow can it get any better? Then this verse tells us to rejoice in our labor. Think on that! Are you rejoicing that you have a job to go to this morning? You should be! Many would like to be in your shoes!
These are gifts of God! Rejoice this morning in the kindness of our God! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Ecclesiastes 5:19
19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
How many of us got up this morning grumbling about another Monday and it is raining, blah, blah, blah! We should roll out of bed every morning and praise God for his great gifts! (No I don't always do this...lol) Think about what this verse says this morning. Has God given you riches and wealth? Yes He has. I have shared before that if you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back you are in the top 4% of richest people in the world! Has God given you the ability to use these riches? Yes He has. I am warm because I can put on clothes, I am full because I could feed myself, I am dry this morning because I could walk inside my house...thank you Jesus for your blessings this morning. We all have received a heritage from God. Even though I am a gentile, if I have received Christ I am an heir of King Jesus...wow can it get any better? Then this verse tells us to rejoice in our labor. Think on that! Are you rejoicing that you have a job to go to this morning? You should be! Many would like to be in your shoes!
These are gifts of God! Rejoice this morning in the kindness of our God! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Friday, May 20, 2011
Graduation day!
Well here in Waverly, today is graduation day for our High School seniors. Today is a great deal of excitement for the graduates and for me too. I am so very proud of what these kids have accomplished. But yet today is a sad day for me too. I have been with many of these kids from middle school all they way through high school and as they move on to college and jobs it feels as though a part of me is moving on too. I also have a nephew, Wes, in Michigan who will be graduating soon. What an awesome young man he has turned out to be. God has blessed me so much with the seniors of Waverly and my nephew.
As I was thinking about these seniors I asked myself what scripture would I share with them. God brought to me these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
These scriptures are the ingredients of a successful life. #1 Trust in the Lord with all your heart! Remember God says ALL not half or a quarter. God wants you to totally trust Him with all of your heart. Have you done that? #2 Lean not on your own understanding. This is so very important. As you move onto college and work, many people are going to influence you. Many times we get to a point where we think we know more than God! Don't trust your own or others opinions...trust God and His Word ONLY!!! If it doesn't agree with what the Word says...run from it!!!! #3 In everything acknowledge God. You will have great times....give God the glory. You will have bad times praise God for seeing through them! #4 If you do these things God will direct your paths. Their is nobody else you want guiding your path than God. He wants to guide you but you must put Him in the drivers seat!
Class of 2011.....you change the world. If you put God first and follow Jesus you WILL change the world. I will always be here for you and I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Tom
As I was thinking about these seniors I asked myself what scripture would I share with them. God brought to me these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
These scriptures are the ingredients of a successful life. #1 Trust in the Lord with all your heart! Remember God says ALL not half or a quarter. God wants you to totally trust Him with all of your heart. Have you done that? #2 Lean not on your own understanding. This is so very important. As you move onto college and work, many people are going to influence you. Many times we get to a point where we think we know more than God! Don't trust your own or others opinions...trust God and His Word ONLY!!! If it doesn't agree with what the Word says...run from it!!!! #3 In everything acknowledge God. You will have great times....give God the glory. You will have bad times praise God for seeing through them! #4 If you do these things God will direct your paths. Their is nobody else you want guiding your path than God. He wants to guide you but you must put Him in the drivers seat!
Class of 2011.....you change the world. If you put God first and follow Jesus you WILL change the world. I will always be here for you and I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Tom
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