PEACE

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7

Last week my youngest son asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I replied, “world peace.” It is an answer I commonly give when asked what I “want” because I know that it is as unattainable. He smiled and said, “I gave you that last year and it didn’t work out to well.” We laughed. Then I will usually say, “What I want only God can give me.” My kids hate that. (Well, it’s not like I am hard to buy for….Hello?....CHOCOLATE! ......Anyway, back to “peace.”)

Peace is something that many people seek, and some long for, but few find it. Oh, they think they can attain it by works, but they can’t. They print the word on Christmas ornaments, and wrapping paper, but it is just a word that is associated with Christmas. Few people truly know what it is. Most would pay top dollar for it, if they thought they could buy it. Rest assured that if there was a way a store could market it, they would. Can you imagine a store advertisement that reads, “If you want peace you can buy it here? Only $9.99 for a limited time.” I am being silly, of course, but in today’s world people think they can buy and sell anything! Most think that true happiness and joy can be bought for a price, so why not peace? 

Real peace only comes from God. If you are reading this and you have never accepted Christ as your Saviour, you will never know real peace or joy until you do. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for your sin, dear soul, and He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to share real peace and joy with you but you must repent of your sin and ask His forgiveness before you will ever know this peace which I am about to speak of. Real peace and joy come only after salvation.

The world thinks peace means the absence of conflict, but they are wrong. If anyone wants to have peace with God or that comes from God, they must first do what God commands. In the beginning of Philippians chapter four, Paul is telling the church at Philippi to stand fast in the Lord, to help their fellow laborers in the Gospel, and to rejoice in the Lord always. Then he tells them to let their requests be made known unto God. Christians like to take verses like this and turn them into a “spiritual buffet” where we pick and choose what we want and leave the rest for others. For example, one might like the part about standing fast in the truth but he doesn’t want to be of the same mind in Christ. You will not find true peace in this kind of an attitude. God’s Word is for ALL of us and there is nothing in it that is not needed. He expects ALL his children to listen to ALL he says, and do ALL he commands. We should all stand fast. We should all help others. We should all be moderate. We should all be of the same mind in the Lord. We do these things because they are right. But when we do, peace and joy come to our heart whether we were looking for them or not. 

God’s peace is not temporal like that which you would get from the world. The things of this world will work for a little while, but they will not actually make anything better. God changes things. God changes people. God makes all things NEW! He doesn’t save us and just expect us to take on the world by ourselves. He gives us the spiritual tools to fight the fleshly lusts that would cause us to go astray. These are the tools that will help “keep your hearts and minds.” Sin is everywhere, but so is God’s grace. It’s all in the attitude of our heart. We have to control what we think. (Phil.4:8) Everyday we see adultery, fornication, theft, and murder on television and in movies. No matter what the “hero” does he always comes out okay in the end. Real life is not like that. There are consequences for our sin, and it is never a happy ending. These consequences rob us of our peace and joy.  Everyone that is a Christian can have peace, but it depends on US, and how we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you are lost, you NEED Christ as your Saviour in order to have peace. If you are a child of God, you NEED the Word of God as your constant guide. Peace and joy are REAL virtues that can only be found in Jesus Christ. 

ADJUSTING YOUR CONTENTMENT LEVEL

1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

My Daddy, Rev. Charles W. Savage, II, was called to preach in the early 1970’s. I cannot remember the year, but I was very little. In 1974 he moved our family from Ohio to Missouri, so that he could attend Bible College. We left behind most all of our relatives, i.e., aunts, uncles, grandparents. In Daddy’s family, he was number nine out of twelve children, and one of maybe two, who moved farther than a one hundred mile radius from his parents. After he graduated, he felt the Lord wanted him to go work with a pastor in Texas. This move took us even farther from our family. Though my mother, bless her heart, followed my Dad everywhere he took us, she was not extremely thrilled with the idea of Texas. Being born in Pennsylvania, she was (and is) very proper in her actions, her dress, her demeanor, and found the people here to be somewhat gruff, and VERY un-accepting of “Yankees.” She jokingly would say that her life verse was, Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever “state” I am, therewith to be content.” Still, no matter where the Lord’s work took us Daddy always made sure our needs were met, and Mother always made a comfortable home there for our family. And, regardless of the income we never lacked in anything. Our “anything” may not have been “everything”, and it may not have always been the “newest” thing, but we always had what we needed. We had the Lord, we had a home, and we had food, clothing, and each other. We were content.

In today’s world, the very idea that home, food, clothing, and family would be enough to keep a person satisfied has become quite foreign to us. We are so bombarded with materialism that contentment is very hard to find. We find ourselves looking at what others have and coveting after it. Our eyes bug out at material wealth and our tongues hang, like a dog, as we wish and want for what belongs to someone else. Some will even forsake God, their family and home to have BIGGER and BETTER “things.” The only thing that Christians ought to “pant after” is a closer relationship with the Lord. 

Coveting will cause you to have the wrong priorities. It will also keep you from trusting God. I’m reminded of the rich man (Luke 12:15-21) that had so much that he had to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He trusted in his “stuff” instead of in the Saviour. 

Coveting will cause you to harbor hatred and bitterness towards those who have more material wealth than you do. This jealousy can start to fester in a person and cause them to do things they never thought themselves capable of, like stealing, adultery, and murder. 

It is so easy to get caught up in the acquiring of material wealth that you forget to trust in the Lord to meet your needs. I am not saying that in order to be God’s child you have to live in poverty here on earth. But we do tend to leave the path of righteousness to pursue our own fame and fortune. After acquiring either, we thirst for more. It seems the more you get, the more you want. Then, after a while, you wish you never had it. You may not visibly see the benefit of living an honest, loving, righteous life but God promises to reward those who live for HIS honor and glory. Remember our text verse, “But godliness WITH contentment is great gain.” We have to learn to be content. We have to learn to value spiritual things more than physical things. As Christians we should not be seeking happiness in material wealth, worldly fame or financial gain. Being content comes from believing that God is sufficient to supply our needs. With God there is inner peace, true joy, and full assurance of salvation. These are things that can NEVER be taken away from you. These riches can only be found in HIM, and they are the only things that will truly satisfy your soul.

RULES = JOY

I John 2:3-6 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.”

God wants his children to have joy. Even though your circumstances in this world may seem miserable, God still wants you to have joy. Everyone has some amount of trouble and trial in their life but no matter the circumstances you can still have joy. This goes against our human reasoning because we think that joy only comes when there are no problems to solve, no trials to face, in other words, no worries. (This is where you say “HAKUNA – MATATA!”) Everyone wants a “trouble-free” or “problem-free” life. However, joy is a virtue that has to be sought out. Real joy is a matter of perspective. 

Our flesh also wants to live a “rule-free” life. We don’t mind if everyone else has rules imposed upon them so long as we are the exception to the rule. We don’t mind telling others how they ought to behave, as long as we can behave however we want in any circumstance. The problem with that is God is not a respecter of persons. In a world where everyone wants “equal rights”, if you are free to be the exception to the rule, then I am equally free to make myself exempt from them as well. In such a case, there are NO RULES. God has a better plan. He wants us to follow the rules and guidelines that Jesus gave us. There are the Ten Commandments. They were given as a way to teach us and bring us to Jesus. The Bible calls them “our schoolmaster.” Once we have come to know Christ as Saviour, we are under grace. NOT that there are no longer standards or rules for the Christian. Lots of people like to say, “I’m not under law, I’m under grace” as an excuse to live their life any way they want to. Grace requires greater sacrifice than the law did. First Thessalonians chapter five gives a list of OVER twenty exhortations, or commandments if you will, to the Christian.

Every society is regulated with rules. These rules are not meant to be a burden they are there for our safety and protection. Just as parents set rules for their children, God has set rules for the Christian. Parents NEED to do this for their kids, as much as the kids NEED the rules. Jesus is our example. We want to do OUR will. But Jesus wanted to do his FATHER’S will. When we follow the rules there is true happiness, and holiness. Third John, verse four says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” How can you walk in truth, if there are no rules?

There are always going to be “copy-cats & imitators” in the world. It is easy to pretend to be something you are not. But the Bible calls us a “liar” when we do that. If we are going to imitate anybody, it should be Jesus! There is always help, there is always hope, there is always happiness for the person who is willing to tell the truth. For example, if a lame man, in the presence of Jesus, pretends that he can walk, who is he fooling? Or perhaps a blind man pretends he can see, what does that profit him when The One who can heal him is right there? They had to admit they needed help. The same goes for the lost person, or the backslidden Christian. The only way to be healed or restored is to admit your condition. When we lie about who and what we really are we separate ourselves from the help that can bring us REAL JOY. Only the truth makes free. (John 8:32) Jesus is that Truth. 

GOOD WORSHIP vs. GODLY WORSHIP

Proverbs 28:4-5 “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.”

Good intentions do not eliminate the consequences when we choose to disobey God’s commands. One example would be that of Cain. In Genesis 4:3-7, Cain brings an offering to the Lord. It seems as though his hearts desire is to honor God with the best of his garden, in which he has labored much. However, Cain knew what an offering to the Lord was supposed to be. He had to have seen his parents sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord during his growing up years. Yet, he brings an offering of his own choosing. God gives him another opportunity to do the right thing, but Cain is rebellious toward God and refuses. The result, Abel is murdered, and Cain is cursed. He is alienated from all who knew him, becoming a fugitive and a vagabond for the rest of his days.

Another example is found in II Samuel 6. David wants to see the ark of the Lord sitting in the city of Zion. I believe that David’s heart was in the right place. However, back in Numbers 4:15, you will find that God had given specific instruction on how to handle the ark of the Lord. He even defines “how and by whom” it should be moved. (Deut. 10:8) No matter how good David’s intentions were, he still was not doing it God’s way. Even though his hearts desire was to honor and worship the Lord, it still had to be done according to the Lord’s command. Thus, Uzzah dies. (v.6-7) David is displeased with what the Lord has done. However, unlike Cain, he learns his lesson and when he returns to move the ark, he does it God’s way. (I Chronicles 15:1-15)

The next example we find is in Acts 5. The church is doing well. They are enjoying each other in fellowship and revival. Often when this is happening, there is a “but” that takes folks attention off of their service. Such is the case in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira have just seen (in Acts 4) Barnabas and others, sell their property and possessions and give them to the church. I don’t know if they envied the honor that was bestowed upon those who did this, or if they were just trying to follow their lead. Either way, they messed up. It is good to follow the example of those who live righteous lives and serve the Lord faithfully but honor without sacrifice is not God’s way. The basic moral sin here is that they lied! They knew what was right but somehow they rationalized in their own minds that what they were doing was okay. (Pro. 16:25) “There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” There are no secrets from God. We can fool everyone around us, but we cannot fool Him. Satan always takes the lead when we allow our will to take precedence over God’s will. Thus, the punishment is sudden and severe. Both die and are carried out and buried within a few hours of each other. 

You may think that God was far too harsh in his dealing with these men. Some might say, “The punishment didn’t fit the crime.” There are many areas of service in which we can honor, and worship our Lord. However, both must be based on His Word, and done in the manner that God has commanded it to be done, or it is for naught. No matter how good our intentions may be, we still have to follow God’s commands. It does not matter if we can justify our actions to ourselves, or others. It only matters that our actions glorify God. He has given us specific instructions on “how and by whom” the service is to be done. He even instructs on the “where and when” of our worship. Just because we “mean well” does not mean that God has to accept it. Good intentions do not secure the blessings of God. God is looking for people to worship Him, but He commands that it be done in spirit and in truth. No one can be a good servant of God unless they are willing to follow the rules given in His Word. 

Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Redefining God’s Word began long before the many “revised-perversions” of today were ever published. In fact, it seems to quite popular in the lives of most Christians. We tend to search for “loop holes” in the word of God so that we can justify our way of life. When we cannot find them, we just “redefine” the words. That way we can say it doesn’t apply to us, or “we’re not convicted that way.” Incomplete obedience is still disobedience. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. This is something that I see as a constant reoccurrence in the life of King Saul. 

When you read First Samuel chapter nine, the Bible tells us that there is no one “goodlier” than Saul. It calls him an honorable man. Later, in chapter eleven, the Spirit of God came upon him. With all this, it would seem that Saul was set, ready to be the king. Yet, his beginning does not match his end.

I. Saul’s Disobedience (I Sam. 13)

Saul had reigned for only one year when he openly disobeys the law of God by performing a task that was only to be done by the priest. Thus God judges Saul by taking his kingdom from him. The throne would not be handed down to any of Saul’s sons.

II. Saul’s Defiance (I Samuel 15)

Saul is given specific instructions by God to destroy all the Amalekites and he openly defies him. Even when approached by Samuel, Saul blames the people instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, or lack thereof. (v.21) For his complete defiance he is rejected from continuing to be king. (v. 23-26) God had to use Samuel to do the job that he instructed Saul to do. This rebellion evens caused his relationship with the man of God to come to an end. (v. 31-35) It grieved Samuel that Saul had disobeyed God. Saul never sees Samuel again until his death.

III. Saul’s Deceitfulness (I Sam. 18, 19, 20)

Saul realizes his days as king are numbered. He begins to do everything in his power to retain his throne. He begins to be envious of David and openly tries to kill him several times. (18:9-15, 28) He tries to use his daughter, Michal, to snare David. (18:18-30) He even uses the friendship of his son, Jonathan, with David to try to destroy him. (19:6) Saul is sinking low, very fast. He begins to pursue David in order to kill him.

IV. Saul’s Distress (I Sam. 28)

Saul finally wearies of chasing David. And now he has come to point where he needs help in a battle he is about to face. He enquired of the Lord, but the Lord does not answer. The Lord had departed from Saul long ago. Proverbs 28:9 says, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” 

Yet Saul is so delusional that he seeks the help of a witch so that he can talk to Samuel. Saul’s mental process was so affected by his sin that he actually thinks he get Samuel to change God’s mind. (v.15-16) But it is to late. Hearing the judgment that is to come sickens him to his stomach and he refuses to eat.

V. Saul’s Desperation (I Sam. 31)

Saul had defied God and disobeyed his commandments for far to long. Now in a time when he needed him most, the Lord would not hear him. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” He has just heard that he and his sons are going to die, and there is nothing he can do to save them. Saul has to watch as his sons die in battle, and it is his fault. Can you imagine being a parent, knowing your child is about to die, and there is NOTHING that will save them? Personally, I do not believe that Saul asked the armourbearer to kill him because he feared what the Philistines would do to him. (v. 4) I believe the guilt of his own son’s deaths was so great that he WANTED to die. His son’s were gone and it was HIS fault.

When I was growing up, and I would tell my Daddy I loved him, he’d say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Isn’t that the way our relationship with God is too? God loves us, and we know it. But how does God know that we love him? I John 3:22 says, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” How in the world can we as parents expect our children to love and respect us, if they see us openly defying God and disobeying his word? And how could we as parents take our children’s health and well-being (whether physical or spiritual) so lightly that we would not want to be as close to God as we can possibly get? Who do our children have to be an example of a Godly walk with Christ if they do not have their mother and father? I am not a perfect mother, but the thought of my child’s life being at stake, and the only thing that can save them is me being able to get a hold of God’s ear, makes me want to try.

Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Only Believe

In Numbers 13, we read about that time when Moses was commanded by God to send twelve men to search and spy out the land of Canaan. Their job was to bring back a report about the people of the land, whether strong or weak, and about the land itself being fat or lean. And they also were to bring back some of the fruit of the land. Forty days later, they returned. They spoke of how the land flowed with milk and honey. They held up the grapes for all to see. The clusters were so big that it took two men, carrying it on a staff between them, to bring it back. I can imagine their faces all wide-eyed, as they spoke of this and the people “oohed & awed” over the fruit. Then they used a word that turned the peoples excitement into fear…”nevertheless.” The men began to speak of great walls, and strong people, such as the children of Anak, who were apparently like giants! Also, the Amalekites, the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites, Oh my!!! They said that these people were too strong for them, and they were “in their own sight” as grasshoppers to these people! Now the people were scared. And they began to murmur and complain, and even cry. Can you hear them? “Oh, woe is us, why didn’t God let us die in Egypt? Why not let us die in the wilderness? God brought us out here just so he could watch us die by the sword! Maybe, if we hurry, we can make it back to Egypt before supper.” That last part is a little exaggerated but you get the point. 

The children of Israel had seen countless miracles:

1. Plagues that fell across Egypt, yet they were kept safe.

2. The Red Sea swallowed up Pharoah’s army, while they walked across on DRY land.

3. Quail rained from the sky when they were hungry.

4. Water came from a rock when they were thirsty.

5. God led them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night.

6. Not to mention the numerous battles they had already won thus far.

How does someone who has seen all this, go into Kadesh-barnea, and see the fruit, even hold it in their hand, NOT believe that the same God can give them the land of Canaan??? Well, when you read Numbers 14, you will find that their disbelief in God’s power, as well as his promise, caused them to lose a lot!

1. LOST THEIR LAND (14:23)

2. LOST THEIR LEADERS (14:24-30)

3. LOST THEIR LITTLE ONES (14: 31-33)

Though they ALL had to wander in the wilderness for forty years, still it was only those who believed, and those who were innocent, that were able to leave the wilderness and enter the promised land. 

Hebrews 6:4-6, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame.”

I remember a day when I realized that I myself was not headed to “the promised land.” Of course, I am referring to Heaven. I was thirteen years old. Our pastor was out of town and my Daddy preached both services that Sunday. Sunday morning he preached on Hell. I was scared to death when I realized I was not born again. Yet, I hesitated to go forward because I was the Associate Pastor’s daughter. I had always professed to have been saved and yet here I was, realizing that I was lost and on my way to hell! Being raised in a Christian home, I had seen the miracles of God, and had even shared in his blessings through my parents. How I made it through the afternoon, I will never know. God’s grace is all. Not even telling my parents (because I felt so ashamed) I sat through another service. This time Daddy preached on the Second Coming of Christ. I thought the invitation would never come. As soon as he said, “Let’s stand.” I beat it down the aisle as fast as I could. I remember begging God to save me from my sin and from hell. I remember the relief when I stood before the church that night and made my salvation public. I was just like those Israelites who had seen the mighty hand of God work wondrous miracles yet refused to believe he could conquer this land for them. I wish I could say that I have never doubted the Lord’s power, nor his ability to conquer all enemies, whether physically seen or not, but I cannot. Over the years, I have allowed valleys, trials, struggles, even people, to cause me to wonder or fear whether God really could do what He said. I thank God that He is a better Father to me, than I am a child to Him.

To Whom ever may read this page: 

Don’t be guilty of standing at the threshold of the “Promised Land” and refusing to take God at His Word. God has the power to save you, cleanse you from your sin, and KEEP YOU that way. Only believe and you will see.

Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Happy "Groves Day" To Me!

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to  pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

Today I celebrate the 17th anniversary of taking the following vow:

"Do you, Cheurie, take this man to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward? Wilt thou love & cherish him, honor & obey him, in sickness & health, for richer or for poorer, and forsaking all others cleave only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? If so, answer, I will."

To these words I very quietly, yet assuredly, answered "I will." Later on in the ceremony, I was asked to give a ring "as a token of my undying love and affection, 'til death do us part." That exchange ended with another vow where I said these words, "as God is my witness, I give you my promise." As the ceremony came to an end and the bride (that's me :-)) had been kissed, the preacher (my Daddy) said, "What God hath joined together let not man put assunder." Those words, of course, were taken from the Bible (KJB), found in Matthew 19:6. From that day on, I became a Groves. 

These vows that I have quoted are considered archaic now, and the word obey is left out 99.9% of the time, because it infringes on a woman's rights, or so I'm told. However, I did not take these vows lightly, as the Lord saw fit to bless that union with four children whom also bear that same name. 

When I was a child I was taught to be proud of who I was, and of my family name. That wasn't hard considering that my parents never gave me a reason not to. My in-laws worked equally as hard to do the same for their children. Thus, it is what I have tried to pass down to my own children. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." It is not by coincidence that the same chapter bears the verse that tells us "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Though I am by no means the perfect mother, I have tried (I'm still trying) to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Of all the many things that we try to teach our children today, character skills are very much lacking. Children today know little of honor, honesty or integrity. Sadly, for some, it is because they see very little of it in their own parents. 

My grandparents talked of a day when a man's hand-shake was as good as any written agreement or contract. The children of today know nothing of this kind of honesty.  My mother used to drive out to a farm every week to buy our milk. She would leave a check or cash in the refrigerator that was in the man's barn, and take the amount of milk we needed. There were many times when I'd see her lay her money on top of the several other peoples monies, that had been there before us. Can you even imagine such an arrangement in today's day and age? I cannot. We need to get back to the "old paths" where "a man's word is his bond." 

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

"Remember who you are." Four words that my Daddy used to say to me over and over again. I would be headed out the door with my friends and I would hear, "Remember who you are." As a teenager I thought, "How could I forget who I am, Dad???" Another phrase I heard often was, "...because of who you are."  I would come home and ask permission to go somewhere or do something and if the request was denied the reason would be "because of who you are."  That used to irritate me to death! Why would his allowing me to go somewhere or do something with my friends have any bearing who *I* was??? Though I didn't always understand, Daddy was trying to remind me to think before I did anything stupid. He wanted me to remember that anything I did, while out of his sight, or any rash decision I made was not going to affect just me. Wherever I went, I took the family name with me. What you do, whether good or bad, right or wrong, shows people who you are, and it tells something about whose you are too. Daddy wanted me to remember that my actions reflected on him and my mother, as well as my Saviour.

I. WE ARE FORGETFUL.

Israel used to forget who and whose they were ALL the time! In First Samuel 12, Samuel is older and nearing death. He is very frustrated with Israel. He is trying to remind them  of all that God has done for them. Now, back in chapter 10:19, he tried to tell them they were rejecting God by asking for a king, but they refused to listen to him. When Samuel talked to God about it all, God calmed him and said, "they have not rejected you, they have rejected me." So here Samuel is, reminding them one last time of all that God has done for them. He says, "turn not from following the Lord." He tells them, "the Lord will not forsake his people for HIS great name's sake." (v. 12) In other words, you may have forgotten God but he has not forgotten you. I wondered,..."How did they get to the place where they had forgotten God? I mean these people had witnessed A LOT of miracles!" FINALLY, they realize what they've done, though not before the loss of many blessings. (Ps.81:10-16) How does one become so forgetful?

II. WE HAVE NO FEAR.

Who likes to be called a "scaredy-cat"? Did you know that are things that we "should be" afraid of? Like, poisonous snakes. (yuck!) And icky spiders. (Grose!) Sometimes we're scared of things we can't see. Like the thought of some stranger swiping our children, or creaky noises outside, at night.  Some people are scared of heights. Not me, I'm scared of falling from them. BUT, in all seriousness, we should be fearful of disobeying God. We should be fearful of what He will think of us. Do you know, if we feared what God thought about us, there'd be no way we could forget Him? Because if we feared Him then all of our decisions would be based on what He thought. Proverbs 8:13 says, "the fear if the Lord is to hate evil."  For example, we should ask ourselves "Would God care if I go there? Would God care if I say that? Would God care if I smoke this? Drink this? Watch this? Wear this? Do that? Have that?" If we actually feared what HE thought about us, we could never forget Him. Did you know that fearing God will bring you riches, honour, and life? (Pro.22:4) Did you know that fearing God helps you to be satisfied with what you have? (Pro.19:23) It also gives you confidence. (Pro.14:26-27) It even brings you God's favour. (Pro. 14:35) You'd think a person would want God's favour, wouldn't you??? Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Knowledge is something you gain from studying. It makes you smart. So if fearing God makes you smart, then not fearing Him makes you what??? Hhmmm. Fear + Knowledge = God's favour. Seems simple enough. But did you know that you have to CHOOSE to fear God? (Pro.1:25-33) Okay, so what we know so far is, when we don't fear God we lose God's favour, and soon after we forget Him. But I am still wondering, how does a Christian forget God???

III. WE FORGET HOW FRAIL WE ARE.  (Psalm 39)

This passage says "an handbreadth." What is that? It doesn't specify WHOSE, it just says, "an handbreath." Whose to say how big the hand is that God is measuring your life by? Maybe your hand? Maybe mine? What if the hand is the hand of a three year old? What if it is the hand of a giant? Look at your hand right now. What if your life is only as long as the span of YOUR hand? The thing is this, no matter what, we only get one shot at this life.  And none of us knows how long that is going to be. We tend to measure our lives by others, and by other peoples standards instead of God's. We have got to learn to go to the ONE who knows how to make the best use of what we have to offer. Only God can make something beautiful out of dirt! We tend to forget that we only have a handbreadth's amount of time and we throw all caution to the wind and live however we want! We never ask God, or the wise counselors he's placed in our lives,  like our pastor, born-again parents,  godly lay-people in the church or maybe folks who are older and more experienced than we are. We think, "What? 'ask' what I should do?...What if they tell me something I don't want to hear?" If we want the King's favour, we have to choose to fear - and we have know we are frail - and then we will never forget who we are, or whose we are. So, next time you think you are "all that" and say to yourself,  ".. No one can tell me, .. I can do what I want!" Just throw your hand up in front of you and think about how much time you have. And remember whose name you carry.

You know, after I read the first book of Samuel, and I was halfway through the second, I realized something. (Those of you who read your Bibles know that the books of Samuel are mostly about David)

David is known for TWO things:

1. Killing Goliath.

2. Stealing another man's wife.

Before he stole another man's wife, he was known as a "great man, a giant slayer, a great warrior" and he asks God before EVERY battle, "Lord should I go?" or "Lord will you deliver them into my hand?" and God did it EVERY time! But David never asked God before he took Bathsheba. And after her, he is known as an "adulterer." Nothing all that great happened in his life ever again. He forgot WHO he was and WHOSE he was. He forgot to fear. He forgot he was frail. Just remember, you get one shot. One shot at being a kid. One shot at being a teenager. One shot at being an adult. One shot at being a husband, or a wife. One shot at being a dad, or a mom. You're going to make mistakes, but you will make less of them if you seek God FIRST, and pattern your life the way HE wants it. Remember who you are. You are HIS.

For My Son

The Lord has blessed each of my four children with different talents, and thankfully each of them possesses musical abilities. Whether it be vocal or instrumental, I sometimes sit in awe as I listen to them. Last Sunday, as I listened to my oldest son, Jon Groves, sing a solo called "It's Real", I sat there in tears. It was not just his vocal talent that made me a "proud mom", but the fact that he truly believes the words he was singing. I was given the privilege of leading him to the Lord eleven years ago, this month, and to my knowledge he has never doubted his salvation. With that in mind, I wanted to write something this week, just to him. 

Though Jon is a godly young man, with a desire to follow the Lord's leadership in his life, he is still young yet, and certainly just as susceptible to Satan's snares as anyone.  Having said that, I want to say how thankful I am for the Godly men, such as Jon's grandfathers, Rev. Charles W. Savage,II and Dr. Larry M. Groves (just to name a few) that the Lord has placed in my son's life to be an encouragement to him, as well as give him Godly counsel along the way. If you go to Jon's blog "Master Pianist" (you will find the link below) you can see Jon pictured with many of these faithful men.  As his mother, watching him grow physically and spiritually, I know that he is a threat to Satan. I know that Satan will do his best to detour Jon so that he cannot have the kind of testimony that he needs to have for the Lord.  So this weeks blog is dedicated to being a warning against the many snares that Satan will use to try to derail him.

The book of Judges contains the story of Samson. A man who God used to judge Israel. Samson was a man of great physical strength but morally he was very weak. His life was filled with conflict, as he made one poor decision after another. First, in Judges 14, we see him unequally yoked with a Philistine woman, though his parents warned him against it. "My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye." (Proverbs 7:1-2) This is beginning of several chapters in Proverbs that are dedicated to warning about the "strange woman." Next, we see him react with anger when he is done wrong (Judges 14:16 - 15:2) instead of giving God the vengeance that belonged to Him (Romans 12:19).  And as we come to Judges 16, we see Samson's final defeat.....Delilah. I really hate to even give her that much credibility. Delilah was just an instrument, a pawn, that was used by the devil. It was truly his own lack of self-control that defeated Samson.  As you read Judges 16 you will see this free man of God become a slave to a harlot.

SIN BINDS. (v.5-12)

It seems he didn't know himself as good as his enemies did.  For even the Philistines knew Samson's weakness.  You see son, the world will watch you . Your enemy never sleeps when you sleep. They will look for inconsistencies in your life, and they will push you every chance they get. Before you know it you are bound up in sin, and your testimony is destroyed. Why didn't Samson learn the first time? Because when you are backslidden on God you have very little spiritual discernment. Never forget, "A testimony kept is easier than a testimony regained." Many people have fallen into sin and been able to recover, but it is an uphill battle. I am not putting down the testimony of those who have fallen and are now able to use their experiences to help keep others from that same path. However, there is certainly nothing wrong with having a testimony of "I never have, I never did,  or I never tasted, etc." 

SIN BLINDS. (v. 21)

Samson lived by sight instead of faith. He was never truly happy with the things the Lord had blessed him with. His appetite could never be fully satisfied. He always thought there was something better out there than what he already had. Son, you cannot flirt with temptation, nor can you play with it without being burned.  (Proverbs 6:27) When you cast all caution to the wind, you are sure to reap conflict in the whirlwind. The source of Samson's temptation was taken from him,... his sight. How sad when you read verse 20, "And he wist not the LORD was departed from him." He was so far away from God,..... he didn't even miss Him.

SIN BERATES or BELITTLES. (v. 25)

Samson became a mockery to the Philistines. Because of his testimony, God became a mockery to them as well (v.23). The Philistines thought their god was greater than Samson's. This world can only see God through us, son. We are supposed to be lights in this world. (Philippians 2:15) Lust (and all other sins of the flesh) is powerful! It takes away our common sense and decency and makes us its slave.

SIN BURIES. (v. 30)

Just because we have past victories in our life, does not guarantee future ones. We have to FLEE temptation. (James 4:7 & II Timothy 2:22) Samson's sin did NOT just affect him. When we, as Christians, decide to wallow in the muck and mire of this world, we not only tarnish our name, we tarnish God's name. Lost people died and went to hell the very same hour that Samson died.  

Son, take heed to God's Word. God ALWAYS makes a way out! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! (I Corinthians 10:12-13) Never let someone tell you they couldn't help it. You can help it. The best way to keep from sin, is NOT TO BE THERE!  Proverbs 4:15 says, "Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." In other words, DON'T GO THERE! 

Parents need to warn their sons and daughters to beware of strange women.

March On!

"O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them, and with their children for ever!" (Deut.5:29)

Have you ever reached a point in your Christian life where you just wanted to "chuck it all" and live like other people live? You're sick and tired of being the one who lives responsibly and seeks to bring honor and glory to God! You are weary of explaining yourself and certain verses of the Bible, to the exact same people, over & over again, and it seems like they NEVER get it! At that moment in your life, living a godly testimony seems futile. You ask yourself, "Is it really worth it?"

People today live life as if there is no tomorrow. They throw all caution to the wind, without hesitation, and give absolutely no thought to the future consequences their choices might bring. Nor do they consider the effect it may have on those around them. The words "no fear" have left being a way to encourage someone to be adventurous and have become a way of life. Sadly, this frame of mind has crept into the spiritual realm as well, as we see God's people no longer clinging to truth and righteousness. The new motto is: NO REGARD, NO REMORSE, and NO REPENTANCE.

How else could you explain a world where teenagers (GIRLS, mind you) beat each other to a pulp and record it for later viewing pleasure? Or a world where grown men rob a bank (because they are to lazy to work) and shoot a pregnant teller, killing her unborn children. And what do we do to stop this? Do we get mad? Do we take a stand? No, we get nationally known "psychologists" to post their bail in hopes of "helping" the wrong-doer change their ways (or get good TV ratings, whichever) and we debate whether or not the murdered babies were actually "human or just a fetus" at time of death. It sickens me.

While the above mentioned acts are horrendous, they are no worse than those who claim to be "God's people" while they live just like the world. Parents letting their children run with unsaved and ungodly friends. Homes torn apart by husbands and/or wives desserting their families for selfish, and sexual sins. Drinking, smoking, drugs, even illicit affairs are no longer considered "worldly" and in some cases are even condoned and kept secret by God's people! Whoremongers, adulterers, thieves, liars, and unthankful people are EVERYWHERE, even in the church. Does this sound familiar? There's a whole list in II Timothy 3. And, sad as all this is, ... it's a sign. YES! That is exactly what I said, it's a sign! Of what you ask? THE LAST DAYS. Yipee! Hooray! Praise God! The LORD, ... MY Lord is coimg back!

So, let me encourage you who are weary of fighting the fight. Take heart, you who feel you cannot possibly take another step. Be of good cheer, you who want to "chuck it all." The Bible says,

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (I Peter 5:8-11)

As we live out the last days in Christ's army, there is no room for cowardess, no room for quitters! We must continue to reach those who will listen, and those who have never heard (and some who have heard it over & over) while there is still time. March on dear soldier! Let your motto be: NO RESERVES, NO REGRETS, and NO RETREATS!

(1 Thess. 4:15-18) "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Beauty & The Beast

II Samuel 25:1-3 ".....And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb." Quick Synopsis: David is still running from Saul with a band of 600 men. He has found refuge near Maon, in a place called Carmel. While in Carmel, David met Nabal’s shepherd’s and had given them protection. It is sheep-shearing time, and David hears that Nabal is near by. Hoping to find favor with Nabal, he sends ten of his men to ask for provision, for himself and his 600 men. He instructs his men that when they greet Nabal to be sure and tell him how they protected his shepherd’s while they were in Carmel. Nabal gives a very rude response to David’s men. He says the word "my" so many times in verse 11, we have to assume that he was not just rude but selfish as well. "And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?" (II Sam. 25:10-11) This response makes David angry, so he gathers 400 of his men and they take off to destroy all that is, or belongs to Nabal. Nabal might be of the house of Caleb, but he certainly did not inherit Caleb’s characteristic’s. Enter Abigail: The Bible tells us that Abigail "was a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance." How she found herself married to a "churlish" man, I will never know. However, she did not let her circumstances keep her from being a godly woman, who was quick on her feet! She had outward beauty and inward strength! This shows in her haste to fix this situation before they’re all killed. You know, sometimes a situation calls for quick thinking and immediate attention. While it is true that women are the weaker vessel, that does not mean that we are unable to think for ourselves. We need to be ready to "make haste" when necessary. There isn’t always time to stop and consult a friend. When Abigail’s servant told her of what was about to happen, she took action immediately! "Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them." (II Sam. 25:18-20) I think Abigail had probably been in this type of situation before. She knew her husband, and how unreasonable he could be. Maybe he was lost. Perhaps Abigail was unequally yoked. Still, she knew when to speak and when not to speak. And now was not the time to sit still and be quiet! In doing what she did, she protected her entire household. She showed wisdom and faith in her actions. She showed discernment in keeping it (for now) from her husband. Today, women toss the word "submission" around so carelessly. They use it to manipulate their husbands or families, or even their circumstances, rather than to glorify God. I’ve even seen women use it to get out of service in God’s house. But for Abigail, there was a higher cause than her own selfish desires. II Sam. 25:23-25, "And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send." What a difference it makes when you approach a situation the right way. Begging for forgiveness, Abigail carefully appeals to David by praising him and his reputation first. (II Sam. 25:26-32) She tells David in verse 25, that her husband is what his name means (which is "a fool".) She used great tact to diffuse and disarm what would have been a disastrous situation. In verse 32, David realized that she had been sent by God to keep him from making a great mistake. Back at Nabal’s house: When Abigail returned to her home, she had every intention of telling her husband of her actions but she could not. Why? Nabal was drunk! Apparently, Abigail knew (probably from experience) that you cannot talk sense to a drunkard.. So, she held her peace until the morning. When Nabal is sober, Abigail tells him what she has done. The Bible says that "his heart died within him and became as a stone." Ten days later, the LORD smote him and he died! Most women today would have told Abigail not to tell her husband. But God blessed Abigail for being a godly wife. He made her free. In verse 39, it says that David praised the Lord for keeping him from making a hasty decision, and then he asked Abigail to marry him. Abigail graciously accepts. Women today would think Abigail was nuts for accepting David’s proposal!!! This guy didn’t even have a house or any income to speak of!!! But Abigail’s faith was in God. You know, even though she was married to a "fool", Abigail still stuck by him because he was her husband. For all Abigail knew, she was going to be with Nabal for the rest of her life. Did she whine, or complain? Did she call her friends and tell them what a thoughtless and selfish husband he was? No, she stayed faithful to him, and to God. God knows what we’re going through and he gives us the strength to handle each trial, each day, in His way. He doesn’t always do things the way WE think He should, or even as quick as WE want Him to. But God knows what is best for us. Whatever the trial, whatever the circumstance, no matter what we’re going through, there are people around us watching. They need to see us be faithful through it all. God will take care of us if we’ll just trust him. Only He can make you FREE! (Thanks to Mrs. Starr)

Are You A Blessing Or A Blot?

II Samuel 11:1-2, " And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Both were honorable men, whose names are included in the list of David’s mighty men, found in II Samuel 23:34-39. As far as we know, all was going well in Uriah’s house until he was called off to war. Back at the palace, King David is taking a "personal day." Instead of being out on the battlefield, where he belonged, he "tarried still at Jerusalem." David is about to show us, that not being in your place, nor keeping your focus where it belongs can cause disaster! Likewise, Bathsheba seems to have nothing to occupy her time, so she decides to take a bath. This would seem to be a small thing except she chose to do it on her roof top. The following events would not have taken place if both had been where they belonged. David belonged on the battlefield, and Bathsheba should have bathed under the covering of her own roof. However, both were to blame for the events that followed. II Samuel 11:4-5, "And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child." Once David knew that Bathsheba was someone’s wife, that should have been the end right there. Sadly, it was not. David could conquer nations, but he could not conquer his lust. He saw this woman, he lusted after her, and he took her. There is no record of Bathsheba resisting. She DID NOT have to lay with David. She DID NOT have to be disloyal and unfaithful to her husband. She CHOSE to play the part of a whore. Bathsheba proves that we need to stay busy working for the Lord. When you are busy doing the Lord’s work, you seldom have time for a leisurely bath. Also, we women need to be careful of our appearance. It is true that a man should turn his eyes, and not lust after a woman. However, women have no business putting it out there for ALL to see either! Bathsheba had an honorable father, and an honorable husband. Why didn’t she use this influence to prevent David from committing such an horrible act? Instead she fulfilled the role of a harlot, and forever became known as an adulteress. The Bible does not record her repentance for this act either. It reminds me of Proverbs 30:20, " Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness." At this point the best they can do is confess their sin to God and to Bathsheba’s husband and try to make things right. Sadly, that is not what they decide to do. II Sam. 11:6-13, "And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house." David tries to reunite Uriah with Bathsheba in hopes that they will be together and then they can pass the child off as Uriah’s. However, Uriah refused to go home. Not because he didn’t want to see his wife, but because he knew his place was on the battlefield with the other honorable men. David then tried to get him drunk and send him home! But Uriah was more honorable drunk than David was sober. David’s sin was getting deeper and deeper. II Samuel 11:14-17, "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also." Sin always takes you farther than you want to go. Ecclesiastes 10:8 says, "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." God puts a hedge of protection around the homes of those who choose to follow him and serve him. And there are actually people out there who would try to break through and destroy that hedge just to satisfy their own lust. Sadly, many homes are destroyed today by the sin of adultery. Thankfully, both David and Bahsheba repented of their sin (after they were found out, II Sam. 12:1-12) and God was merciful. Though their sin was not without consequence. Their private sin became a public scandal. (II Sam.16:21-22) God had given David everything a man could hope for, and yet David chose to put it all on the line for one moment of adulterous sex. Matthew Henry said, "Lust blinds the eyes, hardens the heart, sears the conscience, and deprives men of all sense of honor and justice." Bathsheba became the only blot on David’s life. She could have prevented this by being faithful to her own husband, but she chose to go along with David in sin. She is certainly not the example of a godly wife. Just out of curiosity, how many women or young girls do you know that are named Bathsheba? How about Abigail? There’s a reason for that. There is a big difference between a blot and a blessing. Which would you rather be? Don’t be a blot on someone’s life. Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (My thanks to Mrs. Starr for her help)