The Soloist Voice

Today's Choices = Tomorrow's Consequences

2011-08-08T21:24:00.002-04:00

Our church supports a faith-based, addictions program called, Reformer’s Unanimous. There are Ten Principles that are taught, learned, and memorized by all those who participate in the program. These principles are not just for the drug addict, cigarette smokers and sex offenders. They can and should be applied to the every day life of any Christian who truly wants to be right with God and man. Regardless of who you are (or who you ‘think’ you are) we all sin and are in need of a Savior. Gossip, back-biting (or stabbing,) anger, adultery, stealing, haughtiness, selfishness, etc., these are all just as much an addiction as any form of substance abuse. We try to make one worse than the other but it is not so in the eyes of God. Anything that goes against His Word is sin.

The principle that I’d like to talk about today is #7. “Our sinful habits DO hurt those who follow us.” I had taken it upon myself to teach the RU Principles in my Sunday School class, and while going over this one I asked the teen girls a question. “Can you name one person in the Bible, who went against God, or disobeyed their authority, and God blessed them for it?” Most said no, but two girls had an answer. One said, “Moses.” She talked of when Moses struck the rock and water flowed. She said, “Even though he struck the rock, God allowed the water to come forth.” She went on the to say that she knew Moses didn’t get to go into the Promised Land, but still God allowed the water. The other teen girl said, “Joseph’s brothers.” She said, “Even though they sold Joseph into slavery, God still allowed them to come to Egypt later, and used Joseph to take care of their families.” She acknowledged the fact that they went through famine and all the trials that they went through when they first came before their brother, but still God took care of them and their families. I thought both girls gave good answers. However, they seemed to focus only on the blessing that came AFTER much consequences had been suffered. Consequences suffered, not only by the men who disobeyed, but by their families as well. The girls were not flippant in their answers or disrespectful. They answered well. However, it is the attitude of today that the consequences are worth the fleeting moment of enjoyment, or gratification. “It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” That is the motto of this generation. I got what I wanted, I’ve said ‘I’m sorry’, now you have to forgive me and move on. No true repentance. No true remorse. More like a satisfaction in knowing they actually COULD have their cake and eat it too. But, they learned it from someone, somewhere, didn’t they? I think if we had the advantage of asking a few folks today what they “would have done”, if they had considered the consequences, we’d be surprised by their answers.

Adam & Eve = Cain & Abel

Abraham & Sarah = Isaac & Ishmael

Jacob & Leah = Dinah & her brothers

Moses = The Promised Land

David & Bathsheba = newborn child, Absalom, Tamar & Amnon

These are just a few folks whose decisions are well in the past, and STILL affecting us today. Their choices did NOT just affect them. Oh, but wait… ALL is and was forgiven, that’s true, but the consequences have remained unto this day. So tell me, WHO or WHAT are you willing to sacrifice to have what you want? Your marriage? Your children? Your grand-children Your great-grand-children? Our sinful habits and choices DO affect those who follow and watch us. Who is watching YOU? And WHERE are you leading them? In the paths of righteousness, I hope. Or, down a road of destruction, unhappiness, bitterness, family or church discord, deceitfulness, etc. You’re right, it is YOUR choice, but at WHOSE expense?

Immediate Change

2011-07-15T15:14:00.000-04:00

Mark 1:41, "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."

In the previous verse, a leper had besought (to ask or pray with great urgency) the Lord, that He might make him clean. Jesus grants his request, and the following verse says, "And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." What a wonderful God that can cleanse us immediately. When Jesus came across those who were deaf, dumb, lame, blind, etc, He was always moved with compassion because He knew they could not heal themselves. These folks SOUGHT Him in order to be made whole. They followed Him because they wanted what He had, not because He was just like them. He was different. Though in the flesh He was still a perfect, holy God. He still is! A compassionate, uncompromising, loving Saviour. When the unclean sought Jesus,

BLIND men received their sight, not just "a vision."

LAME legs were restored, not just "repaired."

DEAF ears were touched, not just "tickled."

You see, when Jesus makes you clean, you are made WHOLE, there is a LIFE CHANGE. There is a FOREVER CHANGE. What a great Saviour, who can cleanse you IMMEDIATELY!

The Island of Buried Hopes

2011-05-13T17:05:00.000-04:00

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev.1:9)

Can we not imagine how eagerly John would lay himself out for a life in the incessant service for His Divine Master and Lord? No task would seem too great, no toil too arduous, if only His Lord might be glorified; and we can well imagine how all his plans, ambitions, desires would center round the extension of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Then, suddenly - - Patmos! What now became of all his hopes and longings, his plans and projects? Surely he buried them all as he set foot on Patmos. They died when he first heard his sentence; they were interred with no prospect of a resurrection. Patmos was, for the beloved disciple

The Island of Buried Hopes!

But John soon discovered that Patmos had its compensations. True, he could no longer entertain the hope of carrying out all his plans, yet he learned in Patmos that the truer and nobler service would yet be his than any he had ever contemplated. To him came the assurance that not only has the Lord loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, but He hath set us apart as both kings and priests, and nothing can ever terminate that royal priesthood. John had caught sight of a far greater honor and holier service awaiting him the land that lies beyond.

It might have been thought that John in his dreary exile was terribly isolated. Someone has said not isolated, but insulated, and there is a world of difference between the two. True, the island was small and his confines narrow, but that was only the outer circumstance of his life, his daily environment.

Nothing to see! Alone! Ah, but John found it not so! The overwhelming glory of the sight of his risen Lord robbed him of his strength until he felt the gracious gentle pressure of the pierced Hand resting upon him. Again and again he tells us that he heard a Voice speaking to him. Whilst these things were so he could never feel that there was nothing to see! He could never feel alone! And the Spirit so insulated John that God’s messages might pass through him to the entire world!

Most of us are well acquainted with this experience. We may not have had to suffer at the hands of any earthly potentate, but there must be comparatively few who have not, at some time had to bury their fondest hopes, their most eager desires. Oh, weary troubled heart, if God has led you to the Island of Buried Hopes, it is that He may show you yet more wonderful things. He has not failed you, not forgotten you, but has led you into the darkened room because, in His own time and way, He would reveal to you the unsuspected glory of His grace and power.

Is our life lonely? Monotonous? We need opened eyes. Standing near us all the time is the same wonderful Lord who stood by John in Patmos. Oh, the joy, even of Patmos, when it is filled with the presence of Jesus!

Patmos HAS its compensations!

But if we would share in them, and Patmos is to be a blessing to us, we must fulfill certain conditions. Here is the secret that transforms all disappointments, suffering, monotony, loneliness -- love to Christ, that impels us to learn of Him day by day, to lean upon Him in constant communion, to look upon Him as the all-sufficient Saviour.

To those who fulfill these conditions there is no Patmos that is not irradiated by a glory that is not of earth.

Our Father makes no mistakes!

(-- copied, Mrs. C.E. Cowman)

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Note From Author:

Typically, I do not like to copy other people’s work without giving them the credit. To my knowledge I have noted the original author. I hope this post in an encouragement to others who have been forced to “The Island of Buried Hopes.” You CAN survive with the Saviour. Let me encourage you to focus on Him. Fill your heart with His Word, your life with His work, and your days with His service. Guard your heart, and don’t forget that God loves you, and He cares. He will NEVER leave you alone with your broken dreams, and buried hopes. He ALWAYS has something better for you.

To Be Like Jesus

2011-03-19T11:33:00.000-04:00

I remember a chorus we used to sing at church, when I was growing up, called "To Be Like Jesus." It went like this, "To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask is to be like Him. All through life's journey, from earth to glory, all I ask, is to be like Him." Until recently, I only had one idea of what being "like Him" really meant. As Christians, we should strive to be like Jesus. I have heard many a message on this subject. We need to love like God love's. We need to have compassion like God has compassion. We need to live a righteous life, because we serve a righteous God. We need to be a shining example of our Lord, who loved us and gave Himself for us. We need to go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in. We need to lead and win souls to Christ. ALL of these things are true, and we should do them! I could go on and on. I have heard many messages in my life time, but there is not that much space here, and sadly, my memory is not what it used to be, so I will not try to quote a line from each one. :-)

I grew up in a Christian home, with godly parents, who were a shining example of true servants of Christ. It was not until I became an adult, with children of my own to raise for Christ, that I realized how much "like Jesus" they were (and still are) and how little I was "like Him." Oh, I am not saying I have not lived for Him, because I have tried my best to, and I am still trying. I am not saying I have not spent my life in service to Him, because I have(and failed,) and I am still serving as best I can. I love the Lord. I have been so blessed by Him that living a life without Him would be foreign to me. I am not bragging on me, I am bragging on HIM. I gave my heart to Jesus at age thirteen, and thank God, He has been my best friend and never left me. I am so underserving of His constant companionship, and undying love. I will never understand why God would give His most precious, for this faltering, failing servant, (I could spend the rest of this page just bragging on HIM! He is so good!) Yet, all these years I have strove to serve Him, to witness about Him, to worship Him, and yet I never fully grasped what it mean to be "like Him."

Serving Jesus is not just about singing praises, teaching sunday school, being in His house every time the doors are open, going door knocking week after week, living a righteous life, having Godly standards and principles, encouraging others to know Him or be faithful to Him, cleaning the church, working on the bus, teaching children's church, showing up at EVERYthing that the church schedules, carting bratty children and unthankful teenagers to camp, picnics, and amusements parks, giving to missions, playing the piano or organ, taking care of crying babies in the nursery, praying daily, and having devotions every day. All those things are wonderful places of service for Christ, and you are commended for having participated or taken part in any or all of the above, but...... where are your scars?

When I look at my blessed parents, my gracious father & mother-in-law, my precious grandparents, and some very faithful servants of God that I have been privileged to know and learn from, I see scars. I see wounds. I see tears. I see broken hearts. I see lives that have done all those things I listed above, while fighting battles within the church or personal battles with their children or grandchildren. They continue on while being falsely accused of horrible things, by people who have yet to walk a mile for Jesus in their own life. They trudge forward while the darts are being thrown, and they hold their shield of faith high over the heads of some of the most unthankful, ungrateful people. All the while hoping that their faith will help others to see Jesus. They don't look for trophies, gratitude, men's applause or praise, they just look up, because that is what Jesus did. When in the midst of persecution, slander, suffering, heartache, and pain, Jesus looked to His Father. And even though He could have come down off that cross and proven to them that things they were saying were untrue, and the punishment they were giving him was unjust, and undeserved, He didn't. "..and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Is. 53:7) He bears in His body the marks, the wounds, and the scars. Where are your scars?

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal.6:14)

"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Gal.6:17)

Continue Thou

2011-03-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

II Timothy 3:14-15 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

I have a friend, whom the Lord has blessed with a great many talents. One of those is the gift of song writing. Two of the songs she has written, have become very close to my heart, as I grow older and learn more about the grace and mercy of God. The songs are titled, "Keeping Grace" and "Goodly Heritage." Both tell a story of being born into a home with parents that are already born again, and being raised to know the Lord, thus becoming a child of God at an early age. I am doing them very little justice really, they are tremendous songs that have touched my heart, over and over.

I, like the author of these songs, was blessed to be born in to a Christian home, raised by Godly parents, and taught by example to serve the Lord. Thus, coming to know the Lord at an early age. I was able to hear some of the greatest preacher's while growing up. I was able to glean from many a Godly woman in my life, especially my mother. Though I am grown now, I am still able to hear good, sound Gospel preaching at my own church, Faith Baptist. My pastor also has in other great preacher's and evangelists on occasion, so the Word of God (KJV 1611) is preached openly and without reservation, and I am blessed to hear it, and glean from it. By God's grace, I plan to continue to serve Him, and hear what He has for me, and try to be what He wants me to be, until He calls me home.

So what's my point in all this? By God's grace, I want to grow better, more and more, every day. It is not enough to just learn what is right, you have to continue in it. You have to persevere to the end. Just as Paul is telling Timothy here to stick to the truth of the word, and it would protect him from the snares of the devil. It will keep you from being lured away. Also to remember who had taught him - - "knowing of whom thou hast learned them" - - not evil, wicked men, but men who had experienced the power of God and knew the truths they had taught him. He also reminds him - - "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures." In order to know the things of God, you must know His Word. What a joy! What a blessing, to know the Scriptures from your childhood!!! That is when true learning begins.

"It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed."

(Matthew Henry)

So if you have been blessed, as I, by growing up in a good, Godly home - - Be thankful. Praise the Lord for it, and CONTINUE in the things that you were taught. It is a blessing. It was by God's grace you weren't born to a drunkard, or drug addict, or even worse! Praise God that He has saved many from those places, but you and I, through NO GOODNESS OF OUR OWN were graciously spared. Like the song says, "No righteousness nor good have I, that I could glory in. Amazing grace, has kept me from, what I might have been." (words from "Keeping Grace" written by Leah Sandlin)

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY!

2010-12-28T13:06:00.000-05:00

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Phil. 4:4)

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Sing a little song of trust,

O my heart!

Sing it just because you must,

As leaves start;

As flowers push their way through dust;

Sing, my heart, because you must.

Wait not for an eager throng - -

Bird on bird;

‘Tis the solitary song

That is heard.

Every voice at dawn will start,

Be a nightingale, my heart!

Sing across the winter snow,

Pierce the cloud;

Sing when mists are dropping low - -

Clear and loud;

But sing sweetest in the dark;

He who slumbers not will hark.

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“An’ when He hears yo’ sing, He bends down wid a smile on His kin’ face an’ listens mighty keerful, an’ He says, ‘Sing on, chile, I hears, an’ I’s comin’ down to deliber yo’: I’ll tote dat load fer yo’; jest lean hawd on Me and de road will get smoother bime by.’”

(-- copied)

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(Note from CJ: Hang in there Christian! The battle is only going to get harder, as the night weares on, and the enemy rages. HOWEVER, were on the winnin’ side! Praise the Lord! And when you think the battle is getting to hard, the road to rough, and you can feel the breath of the enemy on your neck…… SING! Sing a song for the One who saved you, and IS COMING for you. Praise the Lord! He is near, and He is able to deliver you. Praise His Name! There isn’t anything the enemy hates more than when he attacks, hoping to wound his prey, and when he comes close to hear the cries of the wounded, hears only the sweet song of the saints…. “He is able to deliver thee. He is able to deliver thee. Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest, our God is able to deliver thee.”)

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen.18:14)

2010-11-07T08:22:00.000-05:00

Here is God's loving challenge to you and to me today. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but now cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life.

That thing, if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will (as a son to Abraham and Sarah was), God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of anyone's supposing it could ever now come to pass. That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let HIm.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Not when we believe in Him enough to go forward and do His will, and let HIm do the impossible for us. Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God's plan if they had continued to disbelieve.

The only thing too hard for Jehovah is deliberate, continued disbelief in His love and power, and our final rejection of His plan for us. Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for them that trust Him.

(copied - For The Morning Watch)

Focus, Focus, Focus

2010-08-28T17:15:00.005-04:00

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to focus on first.

Over the coarse of three months, many changes have come to our home. The biggest changes came when my oldest son, Jon Groves 2, graduated from high school, turned eighteen, and decided to leave home to travel with his father. The next change came when my second born, Kaycee, turned sixteen and spent her first summer away from home, working at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky. This had been her dream since she was a little girl, and she had a great summer! That left me at home with my two youngest children, Laurisa (who just turned fifteen) and James (who is thirteen “and a half.”) This all began in

May, and now it is August. Looking back, it seems like it all happened so fast! It is just a blur. And now, school has started, again. Having four teenagers that need to be fed and clothed, physically and spiritually, can be a little overwhelming at times. Sometimes it is hard to know what to focus on first.

While reading, I Kings 17:8-24, I came to realize that I can COMPLETELY RELATE to this mom, better known as, the widow of Zarephath. For a moment, she lost her focus. When you’re a wife, your focus is (and should be) on your husband. When you become a mother, your focus should still be first on your husband, but you add another human being to your life, and they are helpless without you. Your heart becomes entangled with this little person, and you fall “head over heels” in love. As the parent, you become their soul provider and protector. Eventually, you may find yourself trying to remember what or whom to focus on first.

This mother, however, is widowed. Whatever your status is, whether single, married, divorced, widowed, or perhaps deserted, there is still one main factor….. There are children and they MUST be cared for. (To whom it may concern: I am aware that God should be first in our lives, and I am NOT discounting that, I am just trying to stay “focused” on the story at hand.) With new life, comes new responsibility. Your child and/or children have physical, financial, spiritual, and emotional needs, that can only be supplied by you, the parent.

The Scripture tells us (I Kings 17:9) that God had already “commanded a widow woman” to sustain the needs of Elijah. This is God’s man, and he has been dwelling at the brook Cherith for some time now. The brook has since dried up and God has told him to get to Zarephath, with the promise that he will be “sustained.” When Elijah calls to her, asking for a drink of water, she immediately turns to go fetch it for him. I might even say she was happy to do it. BUT, “as she was going to fetch it,” he asked her for a morsel of bread. While picturing this in my head, I can almost see her stop dead, in her tracks. She cringes. She slowly turns to face him. Immediately she begins to explain why she cannot possibly offer him food. I mean, after all, there’s been a famine in the land, and all she has is just enough for herself, and her son, and then they’re gonna die because it’s all she has!!! (As women we tend to have a flair for the dramatic.) Then, the preacher asks her not to fear (v.13), and to sustain him FIRST. Now, I would neither “add nor subtract” from the Word of God, but I CAN “think” like a mom. ☺ Here’s what most moms would’ve thought: “WHAT?!?!?! Give to the preacher BEFORE I give to my CHILD? I mean, my baby is helpless and starving. Doesn’t the preacher know we have fallen on hard times? There’s been a famine for heaven’s sake! Seriously? He wants me to feed him before I feed my own flesh and blood? Really? He’s an adult! He can live without a meal but my baby might die!”

Most people do not mind sharing of their abundance, to meet the needs of others. However, when the hard times come, we tend to forget faith and live with an “every man for himself” kind of attitude. We can’t decide what to focus on first. And as far as the preacher goes, well he can just go get ANOTHER job to fend for his own. I grew up in a preacher’s home, married into a preacher’s family, and still serve the Lord faithfully with my pastor & his wife. The ministry, like any job, can be hard sometimes. A few years ago, I was home visiting my parents, who are in the ministry too. I heard a man say to my daddy, “you just need more faith preacher. Where’s your faith?” While I realize we are to “be angry and sin not,” this got my ire up. I had seen my parents live on faith my entire life. I saw them sacrifice ALL they had for the cause of Christ. My parents would give their last dime to a person in need, knowing that they had three kids that needed fed and clothed. I watched God supply our needs. I know He is still capable of that, but this individual was way out of line. I stepped up and said, “You talk to me about faith when whether or not your kids eat or your bills are paid, depends solely upon whether or not I tithe! THEN, you talk to me about faith!” My Daddy, God love him, stepped in though, and told this man he would pray harder for him and the church. My dad did that, and God blessed like He always does. That is why individuals STILL call on him today to pray for them because they know he can pray the heaven’s down. (ok, I might love him some.) ☺

What am I trying to say here?

Even though times are hard, and we become fearful and faithless we still need to focus on God. Had this widow woman not done what the Lord had commanded her to do, she would have missed out on a huge blessing. She was commanded to care for God’s man FIRST. When she sacrificed all she had for the cause of Christ, for the taking care of God’s man, the Lord made sure that her EVERY need was supplied.

1. She gave him water to squelch his thirst. (John 4:14)

2. She gave him bread to satisfy his hunger. (John 6:35)

3. God supplied all her needs (and her son’s needs too.) (Phil. 4:19)

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to focus on FIRST. We need to be careful that the daily pressures of this life do not blur our focus. The physical, emotional, and especially financial needs of this world can weigh heavy on our hearts and minds each day. We get so focused on those that we forget about the spiritual needs of life. But ultimately, if keep our focus on Christ, and follow His commands first, He will supply all our needs. Let’s keep our eyes focused on the prize, … JESUS.

"Wit's End Corner"

2010-05-23T15:13:00.002-04:00

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"

Christian, with troubled brow?

Are you thinking of what is before you,

And all you are bearing now?

Does all the world seem against you,

And you in the battle alone?

Remember - - at "Wit's End Corner"

Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"

Blinded with wearying pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it,

You cannot bear the strain,

Bruised through the constant suffering,

Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?

Remember - - at "Wit's End Corner"

Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?

Your work before you spread,

All lying begun, unfinished,

And pressing on heart and head,

Longing for strength to do it,

Stretching out trembling hands?

Remember - - at "Wit's End Corner"

The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at Wit's End Corner"?

Then you're just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources

Of Him who faileth not;

No doubt to a brighter pathway

Your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at "Wit's End Corner"

Is the "God who is able" proved.

(Antoinette Wilson)

A Flower Called "Heartsease"

2010-01-08T17:12:00.003-05:00

Normally, I would not use someone else's material on my blog. Typically, I pride myself in being "original." However, when I read this story in a devotional book, it encouraged my heart in such a way that I could not help but share it with others. I wish I knew the original author, but I do not.

"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil.4:11)

Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine a fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heartsease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heartsease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heartsease, I am determined to be the best little heartsease that I can."

Others may do a greater work,

But you have your part to do;

And no one in all God's heritage

Can do it so well as you.

They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored a hundredfold.

(Note from author of The Soloist Voice: I looked up pictures of "heartsease", as I had never seen nor heard of the flower before. It is a form of the violet, small and quite beautiful. I just want to be a brave, little flower for the King.)

TEENAGE THINKING

2009-09-30T14:06:00.004-04:00

I am the mother of three teenagers, with a fourth one closing in. I have also been working with, and teaching teens for over eighteen years now. It never ceases to amaze me how all things change, except “teenage thinking.” (Though technically, the term is an “oxy-moron.”) All kids enter their teenage years with the same thought… “My childhood is behind me, adulthood is within my reach, I know it all and NOTHING can stop me now!” Evidence of this “teenage thinking” is in the Word of God. 2 Samuel 13 is a very sad story of how people “think” they can handle anything. They always underestimate the powers of this world. Amnon is a perfect example of this.

I. The power of the flesh. (II Sam. 13:1-2)

Amnon thought he was invincible, and old enough to handle whatever came his way. (Heads up parents, there are full grown adults, over 30 who cannot handle some of the situations that life throws at them.) Like any young person, he battled with self-control. He may very well have longed to be Spirit-controlled, but on this day he was not. The Bible says he “fell sick for his sister.” We know he battled because it also says he “thought it hard for him to do anything to her.” One would hope that if your son or daughter found themselves in such a state that they would seek “wise” counsel. Such was NOT the case with Amnon (nor most teens.)

II. The persuasion of the friend. (vv. 3-5)

Jonadab was subtle. He said wise things like, “God wants all his children to be happy.” Or “you deserve to be happy.” Or even better, “it’s just this once.” The next thing we know, Amnon has raped his sister. Over these past 18 years, I can’t even tell you how many teens have been led away by a “friend.” Sometimes, it is the teen’s fault but a lot of times the situations could have been avoided had they been properly monitored by their parents. Parents fail to find out where their teen is, and WHOM they are with. Knowing your children’s friends is not enough. You need to know that teenager's parents too. If they are not “like-believing” then your teenager’s time with them should either be limited or monitored, and maybe even discontinued should their influence be more worldly, than godly. If the parents do not believe the same, then your child may very well learn things that you never intended them to learn. Teenage years are FULL of life-changing choices, and vulnerability. Even though teenagers claim they know everything,… they don’t! And when they need advice, they may not ask you, they might ask their friend, or their friend’s parents.

III. The penalty that follows.

Amnon had NO WAY of knowing where this choice would take him or how it would affect others in his life. He has marred his sister and now his brother is angry. This one CHOICE caused Amnon to lose his own life. Young people have a tendency to be very near-sighted. Everything around them looks fun, and exciting. If you are a parent who sets boundaries, then everything looks even more inviting to your child. You have probably heard, or will hear, “everyone else is going, or doing it, or wearing it, Etc…” Teens seldom consider the effect that a last minute decision will have on their future. (Well, did you?) That is why they need good, Godly leadership. They need godly parents who will keep them faithful in a KJV 1611 Bible, preaching church, with a hell-fire and damnation pastor, and God-honoring teachers. (Hint: you want your kids to have the kind of teachers that would protect your child, like you would, when you are not around. The kind that is not afraid to say, “no”, no matter who you are.) Godly music matters too. Please do not try to tell me that music was never a part of your teen years. PLEASE! If you start them out with the right kind, it is a little easier, I’ll admit, but if you didn’t, then start now. Music does affect your child’s soul and attitude. Most parents (including Christian ones) think “not my kid” and say things like, “My kid would never…..” Listen, there is not a teenager alive that cannot do wrong. Nor is there one that will not make a wrong choice once in a while. And they ALL lie! (eyes rolling here) Parents who believe their kid will not lie make working with teens even harder (especially the Christian ones.)

IV. The pain that affects the family.

When we reach the end of 2 Samuel 13, there is soooo much turmoil. We see a soiled daughter, which causes separated brothers, that leads to a son’s death, and ends with the sadness of parents.

If I could get just ONE thing through to teenagers it would be this. “NOTHING YOU DO AFFECTS JUST YOU!” In all fairness to teenagers, there are soooooo many adults that think they can just do and say whatever they want. They trample the grace of God and test his mercy right in front of their own kids. So it is not a wonder to me when a teenager thinks they can do the exact same thing. The polluted mind thinks, “Hey! I am saved, so I am safe.” WRONG! While we do serve an awesome God, who died for our sins, and loves us beyond measure, and keeps us saved,…. He is still a jealous God. He does NOT like it when we put anything else before him. If you want your kids to do right, then as the parent, YOU have to do right, FIRST, and in front of them. Don’t you just know that David was wishing he could take back all that happened in 2 Samuel 11 & 12? Any good father would have. Don't you believe that had David known how his choices were going to affect ALL his children, that he would have reconsidered them? I would hope so.

Now, I am preaching to myself here too. I am not done raising children. I still have seven years before my “baby” will be twenty. But that time will fly! I am sure that I will make mistakes, as a parent. I am sure they will make some mistakes as teens. How could they not? They are 50% their dad and 50% their mom, neither of which are perfect, they are BOUND to mess up! I have told them that I will give them every opportunity, that I can, to do right. But I promise you this…. If they decide to purposely do wrong, they will have to trample over the Word of God, knock down their praying mother, push aside their godly grandparents and walk over a pretty tough great-grandmother to do it. Not to mention the numerous, godly men and women that they have been privileged to meet along our life’s journey. These are people who I KNOW pray for them every day, and not just that, but LIVE IT in front of my children. The fight is on Christian parent. The devil wants your teen so that he can sift them like wheat. To quote a great song, “Gird your armor on, and polish up that sword! If there ever was a time to fight, it’s now!”

Lent or Loaned?

2009-07-09T14:50:00.002-04:00

I Samuel 1:27-28 “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.”

Most parents know little of what it is they do, when they stand before a church congregation and dedicate their children to the Lord. If they were to go back to Hannah’s day and live in accordance with what she meant when she uttered these words, they might actually think twice before doing it. Today’s dedication of children is more “ceremonial” like that of a Catholic baby baptism than it is an actual “dedication.” They want to stand in front of the church and show off their precious newborn infant, and have their picture taken as the pastor prays over their family, but most (I will not say all, …but most) have absolutely no idea what true dedication is. Dedication defined is, “The act of consecrating for a sacred use; giving wholly to; to set apart.” Let me define “consecrate” for you while I am here. Consecrate means, “To set apart, or devote to the service and worship of God.”

Giving back to God this precious life that he has allowed you to bring into the world, is a serious matter. (See Ecc. 5:4-5) And doing it before “these many witnesses” is important too. It is as serious as the marriage vow you take! (Maybe that is the reason they don’t get it. Most people today have no idea what a “vow” is either…. But I digress.) When Hannah made this vow (I Sam. 1:11) to God, she knew exactly what it meant. So much that she packed her precious baby boy up and sent him to live with the preacher! She knew that making a vow to the Lord was a serious matter! God had given her the child for which she had prayed and she had to keep her end of the bargain, and give him back! She says, “…as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.” So let me define “lent” for you. Lent means “to permit to use for another’s benefit.” Today’s parents want to “loan” but not “lend.” The difference is about who gets the interest, and the glory from it all. When you “loan” something, it is because you want something in return. Some sort of compensation, or condition is attached to the agreement or else you want what is yours back! That, my friend, is NOT “dedication or consecration.”

I am not the perfect parent, and my children are not fully grown, so I have many miles to go in this life, when it comes to raising children. They are not the perfect children either. How could they be? They have the same sinful nature that their parents were born with. I am sure that there are parents that could share their heartaches, and war-stories, that have been at this far longer than I, and I appreciate that fact. However, the point here, is that when you give your child to God, you have to LET God have him! Yes, it is going to be hard. Yes, the road is long. Yes, they do not always take the path that is right. Yes, you will have to punish them and even see God punish them. All that is true, but if you vowed before God Almighty, and a congregation of witnesses to give that child wholly to the Lord, for HIS honor and glory, then you better LET GO and LET GOD (to use a common phrase.) This does not mean that you walk along in silence and let your child say or do what they want. This does not mean that you have to let them “taste of the world” because of whatever stupid choices YOU made when you were their age! It means you follow God, while your child follows you. And you GUARD their steps (as well as your own) and REMOVE the obstacles, or stumbling blocks, whenever it is within your power to do it.

This past Sunday, my oldest son, Jon Groves, preached the Sunday morning message at our church. As he entered the pulpit, it dawned on me that this very day EXACTLY seventeen years ago, I brought him to church for the VERY FIRST time (he was 5 days old.) The thought overwhelmed me to tears. When I dedicated Jon to the Lord, I had no idea where I would be seventeen years later. Little did I know that day the many joys this child would bring me. Little did I know the heartaches, and disappointments that he would have to suffer on his own. Little did I know he would have three siblings soon to follow. Little did I know what God had in store for us. To God be the glory!

Though I like to reminisce of first words, first smiles, first steps, it is Jon’s spiritual growth that amazes me the most. God has allowed me to be present at almost every one. I was there when he quoted his first verse (Eph.6:1) and actually KNEW what it meant! I was there when he accepted Christ as his Saviour (age 4 1/2), and when he was baptized. I was there when he sang his first solo, played his first offertory, and played for the congregational singing too! I was there (at McDonald’s play-land, age 7) when he led his first soul to Christ. I was there when he surrendered to preach, and when he preached his first message. There are even some evangelists out there that have taken Jon's outlines from his blog and preached them at churches in other states! (A little bragging there:)) I have watched over the years as the Lord has allowed him to master several instruments, most of which he taught to himself. I am not bragging on me, I am just glad I got to be there. To God be the glory!

That afternoon, July 5, 2009, after he preached, I had to return Jon to Kentucky so he could finish his summer, working at Camp Victory. As I was thinking about all the many blessings over these seventeen years, I turned and smiled at him. He asked, “What?” I just said, “It seems appropriate that on this day, it’s just me and you.” To God be the glory!

Watch Your Step!

2009-07-02T14:29:00.001-04:00

I John 2:10 “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”

Last week I attended Jr. Camp at Camp Victory, in Somerset, Kentucky. I was privileged to hear several men of God preach. One evening, I listened to the man of God preach to the young people that they needed true repentance in their life if they were to ever have any type of walk with the Lord. He the gave them “Seven Proofs of the Repentant Life.” As I listened to him, and watched him, he paced back and forth across the platform, and I began to notice something. A small rug, that been placed beneath the pulpit for extra cushion kept rolling up in front of him, each time he passed it. He would turn and kick at it a little, so as to flatten it. This was so that he would not trip over it next time he passed that way. However, it seemed each time he passed it, he managed to catch the rug somehow and it would roll or wrinkle up again. Finally, he wearied of it, bent down and fixed the rug completely so that it would lie flat. Furthermore, I noticed, from that time on he kind of “side-stepped” that area or took a taller step so as not to let it happen again.

This was truly an example of this man’s life, for those of us who know him. Though I don’t even know that he ever gave the rug a second thought. This man of God speaks with regret when he talks of his life before he was 21 years of age. However, he was saved back then and has served the Lord faithfully now for 50 plus years. He would be the first to tell you that his life has not been a perfect one, and that he has even stumbled, and fallen a time or two. But today, his testimony is a shining light to those who choose to follow in his footsteps.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and he delighteth in his way.”

Though the illustration may seem silly to you, it spoke to me. I have four children whom I love dearly. My heart’s desire is for them to grow up and serve the Lord with their whole heart. I am also a Sunday School teacher, and I love my students very much too. I want to see them serve the Lord, as well. Do I pay close enough attention to the steps I take each day? Do I kick at that wrinkle in life just enough to keep myself from falling down? Or am I the type of person who takes the time to stop and fix the wrinkle completely, remembering even to side-step that “problem area” the next time I have to walk that way so that those who are following me (or watching me) will not trip? How about you? How many people have stumbled over the wrinkles you have left in the rug? According to Evangelist Preston Griffis’ life example, all you have to do is bend down, fix the problem, and walk on. And while we’re there, we might want to help the others who have tripped over the mess we left behind. It’s just a thought.

Isaiah 57:14-15 “…”Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

HERE! Taste This!

2009-03-30T12:46:00.002-04:00

People are funny. We tend to do some very strange things. For example, when you taste something nasty, do you spit it out and throw it away? No. Most times we will hand it to someone else and say, “This is AWFUL! Here! Taste it.” And when something smells bad, do you leave? Not usually. Most times we’ll say, “OH THAT smells GROSE! Can you smell THAT???” And inevitably the person next to us will begin sniffing and trying to smell it too. WHY do we do that? If it tastes bad, or smells awful, why do want someone else to taste it and smell it to? We are just funny that way. I have even said before, when trying to describe a particular taste, “this tastes like the smell of something.” We call that a “stink-taste.” ☺

By God’s grace, I was born into a Christian home. My parents were saved as teenagers. They did share a few things about their young adult lives with us. Choices they wish they had not made, things they wish they could do over, in other words, they had a few regrets. Not many, praise the Lord, but a few. Thankfully, because of their teaching and training, there are many things that I have never tasted or even smelled! Subsequently, there are actual odors that I do not recognize. See, my parents did not feel that experience was always the best teacher. They never handed us something they knew would be bad for us and said, “Here, taste this or here, smell this!” In fact, they made sure that we knew that there would be severe consequences if we ever did! I can’t tell you what those consequences are because I took them at their word. I am not bragging on myself, I am bragging on my parents. They didn’t lead hard, riotous lives, but what little sin they had dabbled in, taught them enough to know to stay away from it. AND to keep their children from it too! They knew that worldly tastes and smells would leave bitterness in my mouth, or a stench in my nostrils, so they trained me to STAY AWAY from them. Instead they showed me “the way” that I should go. (Pro.22:6) They took me to church where I learned, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Ps.34:8) And at thirteen years old, I came to know Christ as Saviour. They read me His Word, and I found out, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps.119:103) They showed me by example, “Be ye followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” (Eph.5:2)

When I left my parents home, as an adult, I had a choice. I could continue in “the way” that they had showed me, or do it “my way.” Proverbs 19:26 says, “He that wasteth his father and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.” Why would I want to waste my teacher or chase away my trainer? The very thought of it turns my stomach, as if I had eaten something that just didn’t sit right.

How about you? What are you teaching your children, or those who follow you? Do you offer them those “sweets to the soul?” Or are have they just gotten used to having a certain "stink-taste?"

WHAT IS YOUR ISSUE?

2009-02-04T16:18:00.003-05:00

Mark 5:25-34 “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

This woman had an “issue of blood” for twelve years. TWELVE years! I can’t even imagine that. Twelve years of going from doctor to doctor, with a problem of bleeding out, and NO ONE being able to help. The Bible says that she had “suffered many things of many physicians.” She was so desperate for relief that she was willing to try ANYTHING! She had spent all she had and was none the better for it. In fact, she grew worse everyday. Then, she heard about a man who had healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and possessed with devils. How he freed a maniac of the unclean spirit that controlled him. There was even a leper that ran about telling of how this man, Jesus, had healed him of his leprosy! She figured, “I have nothing to lose. Why not see what this man can do for me?” No, quite the contrary was her attitude. This woman was weary of her sickness, and desired greatly to be healed. She was desperate for relief. She was tired of searching for answers, only to walk away the same as when she came. There wasn’t ANYTHING she wanted more than to be rid of her “issue.” She sought Jesus out with a heart that said, “This HAS to work! I’ve heard the stories. He has healed others, please let him heal me!” Determined to find the One who could save her, she made her way through the crowd. At last! There he was! With a beggars heart she reached out to him but was able only to touch the hem of his garment. Relief was IMMEDIATE! As if a burdensome weight had been lifted from off her shoulders, her tired and weary body was…. healed. Not just healed, but whole. She had gone to her only hope for life, --- Jesus, and he had given her his strength, his very virtue! As his eyes met hers, she fell at his feet. With fear and in reverence of his miraculous power, she gave him her heart. No longer just another face in the crowd but “Daughter,” Jesus had called her, “thy faith hath made the whole; go in peace, and be whole of the plague.”

How often have we had an “issue” in our life that seemed never ending? Perhaps you’ve been wounded without cause and yet you cannot seem to release the resentment. Maybe you were injured without provocation and yet you cannot find relief. You’re hurt and heartbroken and the pain is just relentless. Or maybe you have an illness for which there seems to be no remedy. Your life is plagued with turmoil, and sorrow as you search for answers. You’ve tried everything, yet your condition remains the same. Search no further, my friend. Take your “issue” to Jesus. Reach out in faith and let him make you whole. Fall at his feet and find sweet relief. You don’t have to be just another face in the crowd. He will make you His own.

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Let There Be Light!

2009-01-01T20:43:00.010-05:00

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Genesis 1:1-3)

We have officially begun a new year, 2009. It's here! Many people have spent the last few days making "new year's resolutions." It is a common thing that people do. In fact it is a common question that people ask you when the new year begins to draw close, "So what is your new year's resolution?" There is nothing wrong with making them. I have made a few of them myself over the years. Some folks vow to exercise more, and to eat less. Some vow to quit things like drinking, smoking, or abusing drugs. Others vow to watch less television and read more books. Some vow to mend broken relationships, and some vow do more for others. A child of God might vow to win more souls to Christ, or read through their Bible in a year. The problem is not in the making of the resolution, it's in the keeping of it. The most common phrase I hear toward the end of a year is, "I'm gonna turn over a new leaf." The problem with that is, a leaf turns over and over with every little breeze that passes by. The thing that keeps most of us from doing what we vow to do, is trying to do it in our own strength.

My Daddy, Pastor Charles Savage, always says that he loves the beginning of a new year. He says that the new calendar is like a new slate, or one that has been wiped clean so that you can start over. The "new" year does not have to be like the one before it, unless you so choose. If you are a drunkard, you can stop drinking. If you are a smoker, you can stop smoking. If you are a drug addict, you can stop taking drugs. If you have a problem with bitterness or holding a grudge, you CAN get over it. All you have to do with any problem, as well as any resolution, is turn it over to God.

Perhaps you feel like your life is like the verse written above. Is your life without form and void? Have you tried everything, and everyone, but found nothing that can fill this void? Maybe you feel as though you are stumbling in the darkness, all alone, and no help can be found. Give yourself a REAL, new beginning this year. Let God shine His Light upon your heart. It is yours for the asking. John 8:12 says, " Then spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Jesus doesn't want your life to be without form and void. Why not come to the Saviour today, and confess your sins, and receive his Light into your life? Make the best decision you'll ever make in your life, on the first day of 2009. Let there be light!

PEACE

2008-12-17T11:53:00.002-05:00

“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

2008-11-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-25T13:29:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-29T10:29:00.003-04:00

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?

2008-07-31T11:08:00.002-04:00

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

2008-07-09T13:07:00.003-04:00

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!

2008-07-05T22:22:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-21T20:38:00.006-04:00

"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

2008-06-04T11:04:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-05-07T12:39:00.006-04:00

"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

2008-04-11T13:54:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-04-02T11:20:00.002-04:00

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)

Widow Of Zarephath

2008-03-26T14:02:00.002-04:00

God gave women an in-born desire to help others. Thus the term "help meet." Yet, there are times when we will deplete ourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally while doing it. When you live for the Lord and do His will, He shows you His plan for your life. God gives us opportunities to "give of ourselves" for others, and He uses it for His glory.

I Kings 17: 8-12, "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die."

We get a little glimpse of her heart when she immediately stops what she is doing to go fetch Elijah some water. The next thing I noticed when reading this was the words "thy God," in verse twelve. Why does she say that? Does she not know God like Elijah knows God? It reminds me of people who say "your church" instead of "our church." It kind of gives you the impression that they are not close enough (or maybe involved enough) to call it their own. That’s just my opinion though. I also noticed that earlier in this passage, the Lord said that he had already commanded a widow woman to sustain Elijah. But when he arrived she was already out gathering sticks. Hhhmmm.... had she already decided she was not going to take care of Elijah? Was she intending on cooking their last meal before he got there? I ask because when Elijah asks her for the cake, that is when she uses the term "thy God." What kind of reaction would you have had? Would you have agreed to feed the preacher your last morsel, or would you have hurried to eat before he got there so you could say there was none left? Did she think that God was going to have her feed his man and then forget about her and her son? I wonder. Anyway, as we read further we see that the widow does have the courage to do what is asked of her.

I Kings 17:13-16, "And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah."

Sometimes we don’t understand what is asked of us. As a mother, my children and their needs are of the utmost importance in my life. I want to see to it that they are fed the right things spiritually and physically. And I am going to see to their needs before I see to anyone else’s, even my own. Can you imagine the reaction in our world today, if this story was taking place in this present time? Most people would find it incredulous that this preacher told her to feed him before her own child! But she did. She sacrificed so that "others" could eat. When she does this, God blesses her for it. All she had to do was trust God, and have faith that he would supply their need. What other option did she have? Think about it. Before Elijah came by she was gathering sticks to cook their last meal (or so she thought.) If she had ignored him, she and her son might very well have eaten their last meal that day. But thankfully, she didn’t ignore him. And the Bible says that the widow AND her son, AND her house, "did eat MANY days." I wonder how many times we have missed out on a blessing because we were to scared to take that step of faith? Sometimes, real faith requires us stepping out a little farther than we think are capable of. We tend to get scared of what "might happen" but God already knows the outcome. The widow woman was able to sing,... "There’s oil in the cruse, meal in the barrel, since I fed Elijah. Baked him a cake when I didn’t have any, since I did, now I’ve got plenty. I’m glad I baked Elijah’s cake before I baked my own."

My Job For The King

2008-03-13T14:15:00.003-04:00

WANTED: Young, beautiful, virgin woman. Must be tender, affectionate, and able to live without reward, recognition, and recompense. (Oh, and no sex.) Job Description: Keeping an old man warm until he dies. Benefits: Room & Board. Salary: None. No experience necessary.

Ever heard of Abishag? Don’t worry. Most people do not know who she is. When doing a survey most guessed her to be,"some man in the Bible?" or said, "I know she’s in the Bible but I don’t know what she did." Abishag happened to be a very special and unique woman. Let’s read what the Bible says about her:

I Kings 1:1-4 " Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. (2) Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. (3) So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. (4) And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not."

Can you imagine yourself in this postion? Can you imagine your "job" being a "human blanket?" Well, that is what Abishag was and did. I wish the Bible told us more about her. I wonder why Bathsheba couldn’t do this job? Why not any of David’s other "wives?" The Bible tells us of nothing that was given to Abishag in return for this service. Although, she apparently lived in the palace,... obviously. How else could she keep David warm? And I am sure they fed her, and probably they clothed her. Don’t you just wonder where her parents are, or siblings? What about her friends? I mean, the Bible says they searched throughout "all the coasts of Israel" for this girl. Can you imagine being chosen above all the women, in all the coasts of Israel? And then described as a "damsel" who was "very fair?" A damsel actually has a different definition than a girl or lady has. A damsel is someone who is "well bred, graceful, polite, and free from anything low or vulgar." And to be described as "very fair" meant that she was "beautiful and pleasing to the eye."

I tried to imagine what any young woman in today’s day and age would do. I mean, truly (and sadly) it would be hard to find one that met ALL the qualifications. Think about it, how many well bred, graceful, and polite young women do you know today? Most girls I know would think this job was gross! Especially, since David was old and unable at this time in his life to show her any kind of affection in return. It’s not like she’s going to get to be the queen one day, or have a child that is heir to the throne! Because the Bible says that "the king knew her not." Nevertheless, Abishag "cherished" the king.

Abishag had to have had a special kind of heart. A heart that was willing to do whatever job her king needed done. I mean when you think about the many heroes and heroines of the faith, what significance is a young damsel who’s job was to just keep King David warm? Well, I will tell you my opinion. I think that God must have thought her willingness to give of herself, for her king, to be something extra special. Special enough to be mentioned in his most precious, and Holy Book.

How about you? What kind of heart to do you have for your King? Are you willing to be used for him even if there is No Earthly Reward, Recognition, or Recompense? Let me tell you what Abishag DID get. She lived out the remainder her days in the king’s palace. I don’t know what kind of house or belongings she ever had before she came to the palace, but I know she stayed in the palace even after David’s death because she is mentioned again in chapter two. I think, just maybe, that God decided that she would get to live the life of a queen because she never had any aspirations of being one. Remember, no job that is done for the King, is to small or insignificant.

DISCERNMENT

2008-02-29T13:44:00.003-05:00

A wise way to approach or to navigate our way through life is through the power of discernment. There are many different types of people in this world, and all have their own personalities and distinguishing characteristics. It is an important lesson for one to learn how to deal with the people that they interact with, and the power of discernment is a wonderful tool to have. Let’s read the definition found in Webster’s 1828:

DISCERN,

1. To separate by the eye, or by the understanding. Hence,

2. To distinguish; to see the difference between two or more things; to discriminate;

3. To make the difference.

4. To discover; to see; to distinguish by the eye.

5. To discover by the intellect; to distinguish; hence, to have knowledge of; to judge.

One of the wonderful things about the book of Proverbs, is that it teaches us to use discernment. It separates people according to their character traits. For instance,

I. The SIMPLE MAN. (Proverbs 1:22-33)

This is not a man who is born with physical disabilities, but rather a man who has CHOSEN NOT TO develop his mental potential. He is as Proverbs 7:7 says, "void of understanding."He is easily led and gullible. How do you deal with him? Well, he has to be taught boundaries in order to protect himself. He also has to decide to change his outlook on life. Unfortunately that might not happen until something unforseen happens and he realizes the direction he is headed. Pro.19:25, "Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge."

II. The SLOTHFUL MAN. (Proverbs 13:4 ; 24:30-34)

This guy is just lazy. He is not someone who has earned a rest due to putting in a hard days work. He is someone who is made being lazy (or late) a habit. This is a CHOSEN character flaw. How do you deal with him? Well, he needs some discipline in defining what his priorities are. He needs to learn how to plan ahead, and then determine in his heart that he is going to do whatever it takes to meet the goal! He’ll need someone, at first, to guide him when he faces tough decisions.

III. The SCORNFUL MAN. (Proverbs 19:28-29)

This is a man that just does not care about anything important in life. He is a deliberate troublemaker. Pro. 22:10 says, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." He is a bad influence. How do you deal with him? You have to confront this guy with his attitude toward God and others. He will probably not listen at first, but instruction MUST be offered. Sympathy does not work here. Empathy and action are the key.

IV. The SINFUL MAN. (Proverbs 1:10-18)

We’re not talking about imperfection here because that would include ALL of us. We are talking about a deliberate character choice. This is someone who entices others to sin. They watch and wait for innocent people in order to cause them to stumble. How do you deal with him? You must be careful of your own conduct. DO NOT COMPROMISE. However, you have to be compassionate and loving. The sinful man needs to hear the Gospel, so he can be saved. And then, taught how to fear the Lord.

We may not be able to change a lot of things in life (i.e. eye color, hair color, etc.) but there is one thing we CAN change and that is our character. Your character is your own, personal choice. Proverbs 13:13-15 "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."

REAL LOVE

2008-02-14T11:29:00.002-05:00

I John 4:7-9 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."

(Sigh!) It’s Valentine’s Day. (Sigh again) The day of "Love." A day filled with the exchange of lovey-dovey cards, flowers, gifts, chocolates (my personal favorite) and even marriage proposals. (Aw,...sigh again,... maybe even shed a tear and sniffle) What a sweet day for lovers every where!

Below is a story about REAL LOVE. I am posting it for a generation of people (both young & old) who have NO IDEA what TRUE LOVE is. *************************************************************************** It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation.

asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."True love is neither physical, nor romantic.True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. (story is copied)

I John 4:10-11 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE?

2008-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Acts 12:1-5, " Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." I. Purposeful Persecution. Herod is one of the meanest kings we read about in the Bible. When I read about him and see how jealous he was of the Christians and how he enjoyed seeing their suffering (and watching the Jews enjoy it too) he reminds a little bit of Hitler. Here in Acts 12, he kills James, the brother of Jon, and then imprisons Peter, just for the fun of watching the reaction of the people. Even though he is mean, he apparently believes, somewhat, that the God the Christians speak of is powerful because he places "four quaternions of soldiers" around Peter. (V.4) Amazingly enough, Peter slept. Peter had a peace that allowed him to sleep while chained between two soldiers. II. Purposeful Prayer. (12:5-9) The Bible tells us that "prayer was made without ceasing" by the church, for Peter. (V.5) These folks wanted Peter out of jail so bad that they prayed without ceasing! The bad thing is, that while they were praying for Peter’s release, they didn’t really believe it was going to happen. As we read on in chapter 12, the Lord comes to Peter and removes his chains, and tells him to get up quickly! Then he tells Peter to gird himself, clothe himself, and follow him. Peter did exactly what he was told, although he thought he was dreaming. There is a lesson there you know. God can release you from whatever is keeping you captive, but you have to trust him, properly gird yourself, and follow him. But I’ll save that for another time.:-) III. Purposeful Persistence.(12:10-16) Peter comes to the door where the church folk are praying and knocks. There is a servant girl, named Rhoda, who is so excited at hearing the sound of Peter’s voice that she forgets to let him in! That is kind of cute when you think about it. Here she is in the midst of all these people who are praying for Peter’s release and then she hears his voice at the door and is so happy she forgets to open it! Sadly though the very people who were praying didn’t believe her. They thought she was nuts! But she persisted until they finally went to the door to see. And there he was! That is so like we Christians today. We tell people that prayer is the most powerful tool we have in life, and yet we ourselves don’t believe it. IV. Purposeful Preaching.(12:17-18) Peter shares all that the Lord has done for him and then tells them to go out and spread the word. And while they did, there was quite a stir going on down at the jailhouse. That would have been a fun thing to watch to, I think. Can you imagine what they thought? I mean two of those soldiers fell asleep with Peter chained to them and when they awoke, he was gone! All the while the church folk are out spreading the word of God and telling of Peter's miraculous release. V. Purposeful Proclamation.(12:19-24) Herod thought more of himself than he ought to have. He killed the soldiers that he thought had lost Peter. Soon after he arrays himself in royal apparel and sets himself up on a throne and gives a great speech. It was so good the people called him "a god." And immediately the Lord smote him. The Bible says that it was because he didn’t give God the glory. And after Herod’s death "the word of God grew and multiplied." Sometimes a little persecution can be good for us. If we remember to keep ourselves in the word of God and pray without ceasing, maybe we would see our shackles released, our prison doors opened, and the preaching of the word multiplied.

Do You Have Courage?

2008-01-31T14:15:00.000-05:00

Joshua 1:7-9 "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

I love to read about Joshua and Caleb. They were very great men and tremendous example of faith. I was reading Numbers 13 the other day, and I was just astounded again by this story. It is about a year or so after the children of Israel have crossed the Red Sea and they come to a spot where God commands Moses to select twelve men (one from each tribe) to spy out the land and its inhabitants, and bring back a report. Joshua was chosen from the tribe of Ephraim and Caleb from the tribe of Judah. While there, they saw a cluster of grapes so big that it had to be carried on a staff between two men!!! (Num. 13:23) They even brought back some of the fruit to show the people. All the spies agreed that the land was a good land that flowed with milk and honey, just as the Lord had said. However, there were ten men that agreed that the people of the city were many and to strong for them. They also said that the cities were "walled and very great." However, Caleb stepped up and said, "Let us go up now at once, and possess it; for we are able to overcome it." But the other ten began to say discouraging and doubtful things about the land. When you read on, into chapter 14, the congregation of Israel begins to cry and lift up their voices to God, and murmur against Moses. You can just hear it, "I wish I was dead! I wish I had died in Egypt or the wilderness! Why would God bring us this far only to let us die? We should just go back where we came from!" Like a bratty child throwing a tantrum. That’s what they sound like. But Joshua & Caleb step up again and tell of how good the land is and how the Lord will bring them into it to possess it. They tell the people not to fear the inhabitants of the land because the Lord is on THEIR SIDE, and these people have no defense. (Num.14:8)) The others began to call for Joshua and Caleb to be stoned at this point. Now, Joshua and Caleb are around forty or so here. Here they stand, alone, in the midst of a group of people who have SEEN and TESTIFIED of God’s greatness! I can just hear the older saints now, "Why those rebellious, young whippersnappers! How dare they say we CAN when we say we CAN’T! We are older and wiser than they are." These are the same people that have seen the Red Sea parted. They have seen manna rain from the sky. They have witnessed ALL ten of the plagues God brought on Egypt, and how he protected them. Why do they not believe that God can take care of this too? I am not trying to say that those who are older than us should not be shown respect and honor. But in this particular case they let their fear of man get in the way of their belief in God.

You know, sometimes we can get in the way of young people doing God’s will. Instead of teaching them GOD CAN, we teach them that HE CAN’T. And we do it by our own words and actions. Put your faith where your mouth is! You do not know who might be in your Sunday School class, riding your bus, working in the Nursery, or listening to the choir, that is going to one day take your place. You might be training the one who will replace you one day, right now!

Well, Joshua and Caleb submitted to their elders. Unfortunately, sin in the camp affects everyone, and they ALL (including Joshua & Caleb) had to wander in the wilderness for forty years! God decreed that no one age twenty and up, who had murmured against him would go into the promised land. These ten guys didn’t even learn from that decree. In the later part of chapter 14 they try to force their way in anyway! (Num.14:40-45) You know, sometimes you can lose out on blessings when you follow the majority. But if we will but wait on the Lord, and have some courage, knowing He is in control then we can reap the reward. For Joshua and Caleb that reward was the promised land. Yes, they had to wander in the wilderness, but they were the only ones of the twelve spies that got to go into the promised land. All because they never doubted God’s power or His promises. What are we saying to a lost world when we are ready to quit, or even die, every time we have to face a tough battle or enemy? Where is our faith? Where is our trust? Where is our courage? God will be with us, just like he was with Joshua and Caleb. I know because He promised.

A real soldier STANDS in spite of:

the conditions
the casualties
the cowards
the confrontations

FAITHFUL & VIRTUOUS

2008-01-15T12:26:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 20: 6 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"
Proverbs 12:4 "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones."
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

As I begin any New Year, I reflect back on the previous one. I try to take into account every blessing that the Lord has given me that year. I also remember mistakes I made, or lessons I learned and try to purpose in my heart that I will do beter. I am sure that this is not my custom alone. I know many who reflect on the previous years and use them as a guide to what they might like to do, or not to do.

Recently, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Sandy Groves, celebrated her birthday. I listened in our church services as many of our members thanked the Lord for her, and her faithfulness to the Lord's work, her husband, the position of pastor's wife, the playing of the organ, even my son stood and thanked the Lord for his grandmother and the part she played in his learning the piano (he is now our church pianist). As I sat there listening to this, I realized that there are a few blessings in my life that have been constant, and continual that I (as well as others) tend to take for granted. Though there are many, I am only going to name four...My Daddy & Mother, Rev. Charles & Mrs. Carol Savage, and my in-laws, Dr. Larry & Mrs. Sandra Groves. Few people are as blessed as I am to have been born into such a wonderful, Christian family, and likewise to have married into one as well. As I was growing up my Daddy made it a point to point certain men and women of the church out to me. He would tell me that I could learn something from them. Sometimes, in was how "to be" and sometimes it was how "not to be". Now that I am grown, I am thankful for the MANY faithful men and women who served as constant and consistent examples to me throughout my life. THANK YOU to all of you. But I am forever thankful and forever indebted to my parents and my parents-in-law for their faithfulness to Christ, and to each other.

My parents will celebrate their 40th Anniversary this fall, and my in-laws will celebrate their 38th. In today's world this kind of faithfulness is hard to find. Also, My Daddy will celebrate 38 years in the ministry and my father-in-law 41 years. Both with their wives right by their side through it all. I have seen and heard and know many pastor's wives, missionaries wives, and evangelist's wives, and though I have MANY of them as friends and mentors, there are none that compare to my two mom's. I have watched these two women follow their husbands all over the United States. I have listened as people have tried to put them down and discourage them. And I have watched them do as the Bible describes, "being gracious and retaining honor". (Proverbs 11:16) I thank God that I have such a goodly, Godly heritage. I am also thankful that my sons and daughters have these four, faithful soldiers of Christ to look up to. Not only that, but they can depend on them to be there for them in any situation that may arise, KNOWING that all four of them will be on their knees praying for them and asking God for His leadership, guidance, and His will in their lives. I am sure that there are others out there who feel they are as blessed as I am, but today I just want to say THANK YOU to my Daddy & Mother and THANK YOU to Dad2 & Mom2 for being the servants of God that you are.

I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

STAND!

2007-12-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

One of the many wonderful things about our God is that He always finishes what HE starts. We know that this is something we should do, and some may try, but it is not something that we always do. But the Bible says that "he will." Not he might, not he’ll try, not when he gets around to it, but HE WILL. I love that! You cannot always depend upon the promises of people but you can always be sure that whatever God promises HE WILL DO! And, as his children, he has wants us to finish what we start too. In this first chapter of Philippians, Paul is encouraging the saints at Philippi to faithfully continue on in their work for Christ. As part of his encouragement he shares how joy has triumphed over suffering in his own life. Also, he tells them that he wants to come and see them personally, to tell them these things, but encourages them to faithfully carry on, even if he does not.

Philippians 1:27-28 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."

STAND FAITHFUL Keep serving. Be a constant & consistent example to others.
STAND FAST Keep strong in Christ. Stay close with your church brethren/family (fellow soldiers).
STAND FIRM Keep steady in your testimony. Do not waver!
STAND FEARLESS Keep soul-winning. Fight for the cause of Christ & win souls to him!
STAND FIXED Keep settled and stable in the Word of God.

These are not traits that you are born with. These are traits that you have to set your mind upon and determine that you will not waver. And, you must trust the Lord to see you through no matter what. The trouble with most of us is that when the first breezes of a storm start to blow, we run. Some never stop running. Let me encourage you if I can. I am not a young girl, nor am I an elderly woman, but I have been through some storms in my lifetime. Some caught me off guard, while others I steered myself right into. There were times when I wondered where God was, but he was there. There were times when I thought I was all alone, but he was there. There were times when I thought I couldn’t take another step, and he was there. As I look back at these storms and see the damage that some of them did, I am ever so grateful to my Saviour for having been my constant stay. I cannot fathom where I would be today, were it not for the Lord. The wonderful news for you is, He wants to do that for all his children! God paid the ultimate price for us. How hard can it be to just stand? This brings to my mind the words of a song that has been a great encouragement to me..... "Stand, when you can’t go any farther, you just stand. For he knows your joy and sorrow and he’s the one who holds tomorrow, and he has you safely in his wondrous plan.......When all your strength is gone and you feel you can’t go on, he says, ‘you don’t have to walk, just stand’."

JAEL: Does the enemy of God feel safe in your tent?

2007-12-22T15:35:00.000-05:00

JAEL - Judges 4 & 5 While attending a Ladies Retreat one year, there was an evangelist’s wife that had set up a book table. I scanned the books as I often do, and found a set of ladies devotional books that I have come to love. In one of the devotional books it discusses women who were only mentioned once in the Bible. After reading the book, I decided that my Sunday School lessons for the summer would have this theme, "If you could be known for one event, what one event would you be known for?"

My Daddy taught me that you can learn something from everyone. It might a lesson on how to be, or a lesson on how not to be, but everyone can teach you something. Think about this. What if God decided to use you as an example to teach others, and He decided to record that example in his most precious Book? I wonder what kind of an example you would be? Would you be the one used for how TO be, or how NOT to be? For example, I will use King David. A tremendous man he was. The apple of God’s eye. In his youth he was known and a "lion slayer" & "giant killer" but in his adulthood he was known as "an adulterer." Sadly, though the death of Goliath was a great victory, it was all forgotten when he stole another man’s wife. The great thing about King David though was that he was not only a good repenter, he was a quick repenter. That is why he was able to continue to be the apple of God’s eye. Many people consider King David to be a great man, and perhaps he is their "hero of the faith" and there is nothing wrong with that. His quick and true repentance makes him a great example to us.

I have a new "hero of the faith" and her name is JAEL. I absolutely love this woman’s story. I think it is because I can identify with it a little bit. You can read the story of Jael in Judges chapter four. Joshua has died by this time and the Israelites are continuing in their backslidden state and serving Baalim. (Judges 1:7) God sold them into the hands of their enemies to teach them a lesson. However, God continued to have mercy on them by providing them with judges that he would use to help deliver them. But each time a judge died they would return to their sinful ways and God would have to judge them again. (Like little children that cannot be trusted and must be continually supervised.) At this time, God has given them Deborah, a judge, and Barak. After reading this again and again, the thing I could not understand about the story was what was in this for Jael? Why did she kill Sisera? He was not after her. And why did Sisera pick THAT tent?

I. Her Hospitality (Judges 4:18-20) " And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him."

There was a "code of hospitality": 1.The guest was always invited in. 2. The guest was provided with food & drink. 3. The guest was protected by the host. 4. The guest never left empt handed. It would have been an outrage for her not to do all that she did for him. Hospitality means to receive or entertain strangers or guests without reward; to be kind and generous. In, Ro. 12:13 Paul instructs the believers to be "given to hospitality" and "distributing to the necessity of the saints." Hospitality can be a ministry all by itself. Jael made her guest feel welcome, secure and safe.

II. Her Hostility (Judges 4:21) "Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died."

It took me a while, and asking my pastor a lot of questions, to understand WHY she did this. What did Sisera ever do to her? The answer is in v. 11. "Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh." Now, understand that hostility is not a bad thing, as long as you hate what God hates and stay under HIS control. This was some "super-human" strength right here! I mean, it had to be one feld swoop with that hammer. I’m guessing it wasn’t a little tap,tap,tap right? The Kenites were related to the Israelites through Moses. So Jael’s husband, Heber, had turned his back on their family and made leagues with the enemy. Maybe Jael felt ashamed of her husband for doing that. Maybe he embarrassed her in front of her family. Jael couldn’t fix this because she was the wife. Where Heber went, Jael went. How often do we align ourselves with the enemy and drag innocent people along with us? Think about this. Heber is off fighting a war and has left his wife unprotected. She is not with her family or his. She is out here in a tent that is pitched so that the ENEMY will know where to find the Israelites! That means SHE is in a tent that is a signal for the ENEMY to know how to find her FAMILY!!!! I can’t speak for other Mom’s but one of the most dangerous places for ANYONE to be is in between me and my children, or any of my other family members for that matter. Then I asked, but why THIS tent? Sisera went to this tent because Heber lived there. Heber was his friend now, which meant Heber had lost his testimony. Sometimes, your enemies become your "friends" because you are no longer a conviction to them. Heber had severed himself from God’s people. (Judges 4:11) "God often brings ruin on His enemies when they are most elevated."

III. Her Heroism. (Judges 4:9 & 5:24-27) " Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent."

God already told Deborah that victory would come through a woman (4:9). So it was God that moved Jael to put that nail through Sisera’s temple. Now she could see her family again, and she was a hero! Wait! How do we know that she was free to see her family? Well, Judges 4:16 tells us that "there was not a man left." Heber died that day with the enemy that he has aligned himself with. How sad that Jael had to lose her husband due to his own sin. It is sad to think that we could lose our testimony and put innocent lives in danger. Jael was alone with the enemy because of her husband’s sin. I wonder how many lives we affect on a daily basis due to our sin? If you read on into chapter five you will find Sisera’s mother crying. Another person affected by Heber’s sin. Innocent people DO suffer due to our bad choices. Think about it. Does the enemy of God feel safe in YOUR tent?

Jael had some good CHARACTER TRAITS that we can learn from: 1. Courage - to do what needs to be done. Take a stand! 2. Resourceful - use what you have to do the job. 3. Decisive - decide to right no matter what! (God will handle the rest.) 4. Hospitable - kind.....even to the enemy. 5. Hostile - hated what God hated.

TRAIN THEM FOR HIM

2007-12-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Mark 10:13-16 " And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." As the mother of four, precious children I am so thankful that the Lord loves kids. I am thankful that he does not put an age limit on salvation or service. I am thankful that regardless of who we are or where we come from, that he will allow anyone, young or old, to be saved. I know that a child has to come to an age of understanding before they can be saved (we call it the "age of accountability") but that age is different for everyone. I have friends who were saved as young as the age of three. There are some who think that is impossible, and that no three year old could possibly trust Christ as Saviour and truly know what they are doing. Ah, but they can. I am thankful that God knows the heart and mind of us all, and he will save anyone who believes and trusts in him. As parents, we know our children. But NO ONE knows us, inside & out, like GOD knows us. God knows who understands and who doesn’t. God knows who believes and who doesn’t. I started praying for my children before they were ever born. I asked the Lord to help me to be the kind of mother who kept them in His house, and trained them right. I also asked him to touch their hearts and that they would be saved at a young age. I prayed this fervently because I wanted them to know Christ as Saviour before they got old enough to be hardened by this old sinful world. I am thankful that they have all made a profession of faith. Even now, I still pray that if they ever have a doubt that they would be brave enough to come to me or someone they trust and ask questions, to settle things in their hearts, so that they would not live a life of doubt and fear. After they were born again, I started asking the Lord to touch their hearts about their service for him. I have never asked the Lord to call my sons to be preachers, or my daughters to be preachers wives, but I have asked him to keep their hearts soft so that they will yield to whatever it is that GOD wants them to do. I hope and pray that they will want to be in the Lord's ministry someday. I hope to see them serving faithfully in their local, New Testament, King James Bible preaching, independent, fundamental, Baptist church someday. I do not know if that will happen but I hope and I pray for it everyday. I ask the Lord to give them a "servant’s heart." That is not where it ends though. I can’t just ask the Lord for that and then send my children out into the world with a "here’s hopin’!" attitude. No. I have to keep them in God’s house CONSTANTLY and CONSISTENTLY, as well as, LIVE AT HOME WHAT WE LIVE AT CHURCH. I also try to show them different ways that they can serve the Lord, now, while they are young. To many times we have the attitude that children cannot serve because they are to young. That is wrong. I know of about five thousand people that would have not had lunch one day had the Lord thought that a child was not allowed to help. (See John9:9-13) Now, I am not talking about being in an authoritative position, I am talking about helping (which is serving). Kids can do all kinds of things to help in God’s house. They can pick up trash, and take it out. They can vacuum, dust, help the older saints in and out of their cars, hold doors, pass out bulletins, the list goes on and on. They can also worship as good (and sometimes better) than most older people. I’ve heard nine-year-old bus kids pray the Holy Ghost right down in the middle of the congregation. I’ve heard junior church kids sing until you just knew the angels of heaven were standing there with them. I’ve even heard some teenage boys preach with such power that the altars were filled when they were done.

Now, I don’t know how big your church is. Mine is,... I guess,... medium. We are not huge and we are not itty-bitty either. We do not have hundreds but when we gather, we gather to worship. We do not have tons of children, but we do have some. Some are bus kids, and some are the children of our members. But there are only a select few that are there faithfully. When I say faithfully, I mean, EVERY time the doors are open. EVERY TIME. No matter the weather, no matter the day of the week, no matter the time of the year, no matter the holiday, no matter the family reunion, no matter what...THEY ARE THERE. We certainly do not have so many that we can "spare a few". My children are part of that select few. So, when they are there, I give them jobs to do. The other faithful children have things that they do as well. We have a family that works together in the bus ministry. By family I mean, FAMILY...Dad, Mom, children, and they all work the route, and ride the route...TOGETHER. This is how it should be, families worshiping together, and working together. The Bible says, " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. There is no age limit here. God says to "train up". That means we are to start them out that way and never stop. If we do not train them, who will? The world would certainly love an opportunity to train them. The world would love to have your child serving them. Why not teach them to serve God instead, while they are young? If you are a parent that is trying to train your child to follow Christ, and to do right, keep it up. Do not let anyone discourage you from it. Do not let anyone discourage your child from it either! There will be people tell you that your child can't do this job or that job, but yet they do not want to do it. You hang in there! There will be people tell you that your children will hate you when they grow up for making them go. You hang in there! No matter what anyone tells you, working in the church, or around the church, or for the church, WILL NOT hurt your child. You keep them as close to it and in it as much as is humanly possible. The world will take every chance it gets to draw them away, so you take every chance you get to keep them in. DO NOT LET ANYONE DISCOURAGE YOUR SERVICE FOR CHRIST, OR YOUR CHILD’S. When the disciples rebuked people for bringing their children to Jesus, it displeased the Lord. (Mark 10:14). It may get hard sometimes. You may feel like you are not doing any good but let me quote an old saying, "only one life t'will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last." Train them for HIM. Matthew 18:1-7 " At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

God Will Take You Up

2007-11-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Psalm 27:10, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up."

While driving my children to school yesterday, I was listening to the local news and traffic report. As the news was given I was appalled to hear the commentator report about a three year old girl that had been murdered by her own mother. I will admit that all the facts are not in yet, and that this whole matter is still under investigation but here is what I know so far. The little girl has been in and out of foster care since the day she was born for different things. The mother and her boyfriend had recently finished classes that had been court ordered so that they could regain custody of the child. It appeared that they had done everything necessary to get her back. Slowly the system eased her back into her mother’s care. First with supervised visits, then a weekend, and so on. On Thanksgiving, whomever was in charge of the child’s case allowed her to return home to live with her mother (and her mother’s boyfriend.) By Tuesday, the 27th , the child was found dead in her home. She was hanging by her t-shirt from a coat hook. Her under arms severely marked from the shirt that had tried to support her weight. After some investigation it was decided that she had been beaten (while hanging there) with a leather belt, suffered several blows to the chest with a fist, and finally, kicked in the head by a foot or boot. When asked why this was done to the child the response was, "she wet her pants." The mother and the boyfriend, who both participated in the beating, began to point fingers and blame each other. The Prosecutor is seeking life in prison without parole. Now, I am going to sound carnal...ready?...As a citizen, I do believe that life in prison is a good thing for these two. I believe that justice should be done. As a mother, I think they should be hung by their t-shirt in the town square and beaten with a leather belt, then punched in the chest, and finally, a blow to the head with someone’s boot! I know, I know, that is so mean and unforgiving and you can’t believe that anyone would say such a thing. I ask myself over and over how ANYONE could do such things to a defenseless child? When you hear this and read this your mind automatically tries to picture it. When I do that I get even more upset. Can you see it in your mind yet? Do you have children? Can you fathom this happening to them? Even worse, can you imagine YOU being the one to do it to them? I can’t. I sat there last night as I read the story again in the newspaper and wondered how anyone, whether related or not, could do these things to a little child. But worse than that, someone whom you trust. Someone who has said, "I love you." Someone who is supposed to love you and protect you from harm, not be the one to inflict it! Trust me, I know that this goes on every day, all over the world. Abuse, murder, lying, the destruction of lives, I know that sin is rampant. But still, I cannot fathom this! And I know, without a doubt, that the Lord took this child up. She is with him this day and will never suffer abuse ever again.

Ps. 27:11 "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."

I also remember a time in my life when I was going through a horrible trial. It was an emotional trial more so than physical. I was the innocent one this time. I was being emotionally beaten and bruised for no reason and when I tried to understand why this was happening to me, I couldn’t. Why would someone purposely inflict pain (whether physical or emotional) on another person for no reason at all? Why would they hurt my children too? Why would someone who is supposed to love you not care how their actions affect you? Why me? Why me? That is how we all are when we go through a trial. Then, a dear preacher friend of our family said this to me, "You do not want to comprehend this. If you could comprehend it, it would mean that you were capable of it." That was years ago and that statement still comes to my mind. When you think about it that way, then you are so thankful that you don’t understand. I found myself begging God to never let me understand, but just to trust him. I can’t tell you the countless times that I have prayed Ps. 27:11 back to God. I beg him to make things plain so that I will understand and do exactly what He wants me to. I fail him but still he leads me and delivers me. Ps. 27:12-14, "Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Without God, I would have most definitely "fainted." Without God I still could. Thank God, he took me up.

As I sat there remembering this personal trial and also thinking about this poor little girl, I thought about my Saviour. I realized that I to am guilty of inflicting pain for no reason upon someone who loves me. Just as this mother and her boyfriend abused and tortured this innocent child, my dear Saviour endured all manor of pain and suffering for me. He too was innocent. He took physical and emotional abuse for me though he did not deserve it. He did it because he loves me. Though I find what this mother did to her child appalling, I am guilty of inflicting pain on my precious, holy Saviour. And though I think she deserves whatever punishment that she gets, my punishment has already been borne by my Lord.

Isaiah 53:3-6 " He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

It is we who are guilty. It is we who deserve to die. Yet He died for us, knowing we would hurt him, deny him, refuse him, betray him, even murder him. Why? Why me? Why us? Because He loves me. Because He loves YOU. Think about this. Have you hurt your Saviour today? Have you caused him pain or shame today? God, who loved you and gave himself for you, have you tortured him today with your sin? Or maybe you don’t even know Him. Maybe you aren’t related to Him yet. Let Him adopt you today. Maybe you don’t think anyone loves you or cares about you. My Jesus does. Who else do you know that loves you so much that they would lay down their life for you and not care what you ever did, or were, or where you’d been? God loves you. Receive him as your Saviour, and let him take you up.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

WISE, WILLING, & WOUND UP!

2007-11-24T16:11:00.000-05:00

Exodus 35:1-2 "And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death."

How many times have you entered the church house, whether it be Sunday AM or PM, Wednesday night, or a revival meeting, with a "ho-hum" attitude? Maybe it was because you were weary from your day, your week, your month, your year, or just life in general. Or perhaps it has become part of your schedule, a habit, or a ritual that you perform on a weekly basis. Or maybe you only go because you know if you don’t there will undoubtedly be someone who calls you to find out where you were. Whatever the reason, we have all had those times where we have allowed our service to the Lord to become "cold-natured." It is a time when we lack the willingness to do anything, regardless of the simplicity or even urgency of the task. I have even heard people say, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak," as an excuse for not doing something. Those words, found in Matt.26:41, are words of the Lord used to caution his disciples to "watch and pray" lest they enter into temptation, but we use them as a reason for not getting something done. Lets face it, we all have times where we let the daily grind cause us to lose siight of what the main goal in a Christians life is. What is that? TO GLORIFY GOD AND WIN LOST SOULS TO CHRIST.

Exodus 35:4-5 " And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD;"

The words "willing heart" struck me. The Lord commanded us to give to Him, and to serve Him but He wants it to be from a willing heart. IICor. 9;7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The children of Israel were great at serving the Lord while things were going well, and then grumbling about him when things looked a little bleak or hard. (Not that we have any room to talk) But in this passage their example to us is amazing!

Exodus 35:21-22 "And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,"

You know, if your heart is right with the Lord, then your spirit is going be right too. A heart for God will easily give you a mind to work. And when everyone is willing to work, and their heart & spirit are in sync, then the possibilities are endless! And look at what happened to them. They got "stirred up!" Ever been in a church service or a revival, and the fire of God’s Word start to touch that cold heart? All of a sudden you find yourself "stirred up!" And that kind of fire is "catchy." And the next thing you know there are others around you who are getting stirred up too! Souls are being saved, hearts are being changed, lives are renewed and rededicated to Christ. A wise heart + a willing spirit = WOUND UP (stirred up) WORSHIP!

When you read on into the next chapter (Exodus 36) the children of Israel are so "wound up" that they give so much that the sanctuary cannot contain it! WOW! That sounds so exciting! Can you picture it? They were giving EVERYTHING they had for the service of the Lord. Ex. 36:5-7, "And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much."

I’ll bet most pastors cannot even imagine that. Can you imagine yourself, and the rest of your church family getting so excited about serving the Lord and doing his work that your pastor would have to ask you to stop because their was no more room??? What about this? I wonder how the next generation will serve the Lord if their actions are based solely upon what they see from us? Deut. 30:5-6, "And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." Oh, that is what my heart longs for more than anything. To see my children love the Lord and serve the Lord with all their heart and soul. Guess we better put all our heart into it then, don’t you think?

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?

2007-11-17T14:51:00.000-05:00

"You are right now, or soon will be, what your friends are." This is a quote from a preacher I heard at a youth rally, years ago. It has been embedded in my mind ever since. I was not a teenager at that rally, I was a grown woman, working with teenagers. However, it struck me that even as adults we need to be careful who our friends are. After all, our closest friends do seem to have the greatest impact on us, regardless of our age. The quote came back to my mind recently when I was having devotions. In my devotions, I read a Psalm every day. This particular day it was Psalm 26, "A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." I have read this chapter many times before, but when I got to the end of verse 7, I just stopped. This phrase, "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Made me go back and re-read the verses before it.

Whomever you are friends with, or associated with, or hang out with, or however you say it, make a difference in your life. Some of those choices you make while with those friends may even affect you for the rest of your life. I caution my children all the time that they think things through carefully. Sometimes, we make life altering decisions on a mere whim. Why do we do that? And when we make these decisions they are most often irreversible, and the results are most times heartbreaking. But once they are made, you can't go back. You have to live with the consequences. And friends, especially close ones, are often part of those choices. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." Bad company can corrupt the morals of a righteous person. And II Corinthians 6 :14-18 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Though we are in this world, to be a witness for Christ, we are not to be "of" this world. What business does a Christian have "hanging-out" with lost folks? What if you or I were the only testimony for Christ that our friends will ever see? Would they be won by our choices? Or have they already affected us and our worship?

Those with whom you fellowship will have an affect on your worship of Christ, now AND in the future. These people are described in Psalm 26 as vain persons, evil doers, dissemblers, and the wicked. We are not supposed to associate with these folks because it will eventually affect how we voice our thanksgiving and publish the Lord's wondrous works. Look at Proverbs 13:20..."He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." How do you know if someone is a fool or a wise man? Well, Proverbs describes what a wise man or son is, over and over. It says he will hear his father's instruction and will not forsake the law of his mother. It says that a wise woman buildeth her house. It says a wise person is discreet and chaste. The list goes on and on. But how do you know who a fool is? Well, the easy answer would be someone who is the opposite of all those things. Remember this, a fool is not someone born with difficulty comprehending or reasoning. A fool is someone who is what he is by his own choice.

Now back to Ps. 26:7. It speaks of a thankful heart, a voice of thanksgiving, or one who can boast of all the Lord's wondrous works. This comes so much easier to those who have made right choices. It is so much easier to be thankful for what you haven't done. It is a better testimony too. I say that because you can share your testimony without having to be ashamed of all the wicked choices you've made. Of course anyone can share their testimony but we also know that in order for it have a great spiritual impact, it is better if it is a pure one. Philippians 2:15 is a verse that was instilled in me from the age of seven and it has never left me. You might even say, it haunts me sometimes. :-) It says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" So no matter how old you are you must remember that our goal is to be a light in this world. Do your friends see your light? Do they even know you have one? Do they have your character, or have you adopted theirs? The Bible says, "Iron sharpeneth iron" so we need to be careful to choose the right friends so that they can "sharpen" us, and we in turn can "sharpen" them.

IMITATORS & COPY-CATS

2007-11-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery."

This is an old saying I used to here when I was a child. However, if you have ever been the victim of the "copy-cat" game, you might not agree with the above statement. Did you ever play the "copy-cat" game when you were younger? This is the game where a person just randomly walks up and starts to repeat everything you say, word for word, or copy your actions, or both. Usually, younger siblings like to play this with their older siblings. I say, usually, because I know that older siblings know how to torment too. (Ask my older brother) However, in this game the younger ones find it funny and the older ones find it annoying. It can be a never ending game if the younger one refuses to tire of it. The game typically will go something like this... "Mom, he’s copy-catting me," says the older sibling. "Mom, he’s copy-catting me," says the younger one. "You better leave me alone," says the older sibling. "You better leave me alone," says the younger one. "MOM! Would you please tell him to stop!" says the older sibling. "MOM! Would you please tell him to stop!" repeats the younger one. "I’m telling you, you better leave me ALONE!" says the older sibling. (Younger one now grinning) "I’m telling you, you better leave me ALONE!"repeats the younger one. "MOM! WILL YOU PLEASE MAKE HIM QUIT IT!" cries the older sibling. (There is usually a little giggling about this time by the younger one) "MOM! WILL YOU PLEASE MAKE HIM QUIT IT!" repeats the younger. (Are you weary of this game too?) At some point the older one either pounces on the younger one, or you will hear a calm reply from Mom who says, "Alright. That’s enough, stop tormenting your brother or sister." Now that I am grown and have children of my own, I try to find unique ways to end this game. For instance, I might say to the older one, "You know, you should be complimented that he or she loves you so much that they want to be just like you." This will sometimes detour the one doing the copy-catting because they immediately get defensive. "No way! I don’t want to be like them, I was just having a little fun." Which (if you know the rules of "copy-catting") ends the game. But there have been times when I have said, "Then you best be careful what you do while they’re "copy-catting" you, so that you do not teach them some bad habit." In life, we are all "copy-cats" or imitators. Unless you are the original designer of something, then the only way you can wear it, cook it, look like it, or whatever it may be, is to copy what someone else has already thought up. I know women who hate to tell you their recipe for something because they don’t want anyone to be able to copy it. Or they will tell you all but one ingredient so that it is similar but not exactly the same. Why? Well, because that is their "specialty" and they like that they are known for it. I also know people who do not like to tell you wear they bought that new outfit because they don’t want anyone to have the same clothes as they do, or perhaps buy it and look better in it. The fact is that when we see something that we think looks good, we tend to want to have it too. I even know people who get on this blog and like what they see or read so much that they try to imitate it in their own blogs. I love that! I think it is cool that someone would get on my blog and take my ideas and use them on theirs. But, there may be folks out their who do not like to be "copy-catted." Do you know what the definition of Christian is? CHRIST LIKE. You will never BE Christ, but as Christians we are to strive to be "like" Him. Basically, you "copy-cat" Him. I guess I better say here that it is supposed to be from the heart, not just for appearance. Titus 2 is FULL of God’s instructions on how the aged men are to teach the younger ones, and the same instruction is given to the aged women for teaching the younger women. I Peter 4:4 says, "Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:" You will come across some who will think you strange for being "Christ-like". They may mock you for your stand or your standards. They may scorn you for your beliefs. It is possible that you will suffer some for trying to be "Christ-like." I Peter 4:16 says, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."

On the other hand, there will be some who will see that you are different and they want what you have. They want to know peace, like you have. They want to know happiness, like you have. They want to know joy, like you have. All of these things that can only be found in Christ. And they will watch you and perhaps "copy-cat" you a little because they don’t know any other thing to do. Remember this, "Your walk talks, and your talk talks, but your walk talks, more than your talk talks." Be careful that you are not just a talker.

Maybe you feel like someone is "copy-catting" you today. It may be your walk, your talk, your dress, or your actions. Whatever the case may be, you better take heed. When someone "copy-cats" you, it is because they see something in you that is absent from their own life. It is, in fact, a compliment.

IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER?

2007-11-02T13:36:00.000-04:00

I have heard the story of Abraham and Lot many times in my life. I heard it in Sunday School when I was a child and I still hear it preached about in church today. One of the things I love about reading God's Word is that no matter how many times you've read it, or heard something taught, you can learn something or see something new every time. I was reading in Genesis 13 this week and I got to the part where Abram and Lot's herdsman are arguing (v.7-9). You may know the story of how they decide that it is best to part company and Abram gives Lot his choice of which direction to go. Basically, Abram tells Lot that whatever direction he chooses, then Abram will go the other way. When you get to verse ten it says, "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar." When I read this verse an old phrase popped in to my head... "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." As humans, we tend to look at others and think that they have it way better than we do. Or we might look at what others have and think that if we follow in their footsteps then we will have that too. The phrase that stuck out to me this time though was, "like the land of Egypt." In the Bible, Egypt is always a picture of the world. I wonder what Lot saw in Egypt that affected his thinking? Back in Genesis 12, you'll remember, the family sojourns in Egypt for a while to escape a famine and Lot was with them. He must have liked whatever he saw because this land that he was looking at in Genesis 13:10 reminds him of it. So, he chooses it. He goes a step farther in pitching his tent toward Sodom. A decision we all know has affected his family for generation after generation. The Bible says that "the men of Sodom were wicked AND sinners before the LORD exceedingly." When you get to chapter 19, the LORD has had enough of Sodom & Gomorrah and sends angels to tell Lot to get out of there because he is ready to destroy it. I don't know the span of time between chapter 10 and chapter 19 but however long or short, Lot was a full-fledged resident of Sodom by that time. He's no longer living in a tent that is pitched toward Sodom, he is in the gate. Sadly, Lot had forgotten all the blessings that he was given while growing up. He had forgotten all the faith that he was taught by his Uncle Abram. In chapter 19, these angels have to rescue Lot several times.

They pulled him in. (v.10)
They persisted in telling him to get out. (v.12)
They pushed. (v.15)
They picked him up and put him out. (v.16)

It would seem that Lot had gotten a bit to attached to the lifestyle of Sodom. So much that even his own family would not listen to him (v.14) They got so weary of trying to tell him that he needed to get out of there that they finally picked him up and carried him out of the place. Sadly, he did not leave with as many as he came in with. In fact, even though they came out of Sodom, they still had Sodom "in" them. By the end of chapter 19 he has lost all his children, his wife, and has two daughter left that are pregnant BY HIM!

We best be careful the place we take our children to, or the things we allow them to get involved in, or see or hear, or taste, or touch, or smell. It may be that Egypt stayed in Lot's heart, and then Sodom was instilled in his children. You never come out of sin smelling or looking like you did when you went in. As my father-in-law, Dr. Larry Groves, always says..."It's a lot easier to take your family into Sodom, than it is to get them out." Was the grass really greener for Lot by the time it was all said and done?

A FENCE OR AN AMBULANCE

2007-10-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant; But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke and full many a peasant. So the people said something would have to be done, But their projects did not at all tally; Some said, "Put a fence around the edge of the cliff," Some, "An ambulance down in the valley." But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city; A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became brimful of pity For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff; And the dwellers in highway and alley Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley. "For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful," they said, "And, if folks even slip and are dropping, It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much, As the shock down below when they’re stopping." So day after day, as these mishaps occurred, Quick forth would those rescuers sally To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff With their ambulance down in the valley. Then an old sage remarked: "It’s a marvel to me That people give far more attention To repairing results than to stopping the cause, When they’d much better aim at prevention. Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he, "Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally; If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense With the ambulance down in the valley." ... Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old, For the voice of true wisdom is calling, "To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best To prevent other people from falling." Better close up the source of temptation and crime Than deliver from dungeon or galley; Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff Than an ambulance down in the valley. By; Joseph Malins

Proverbs 4: 10-15
(10) Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
(11) I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
(12) When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
(13) Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
(14) Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
(15) Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
(16) For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
(17) For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
(18) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
(19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
(20) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
(21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
(22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
(24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
(25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
(26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
(27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Press Toward The Mark

2007-10-16T12:44:00.000-04:00

(Phil 3:13-14) "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

As a mom, I know that every child is different. Even though your children may have physical similarities, every child has their own unique personality. I have four children, and they have four distinct personalities. What may come easy to one child, does not come easy to another. For instance, I have one child that school just comes easy to. To them, school is just a place they are made to go until summer comes. Tests are of little concern to them because they always make A's regardless of how much they study. They listen in class, they remember what they hear, they take the test,......so what's the big deal? On the other hand, I have one that hates school. They work hard, study twice as long, and barely get a B. And then, just every so often an A comes along. It seems that they try harder but the grade is never what they hoped for.

Recently, my youngest was getting ready for a test. His Grammy knew he had been working hard. For added incentive, she told him that if he brought an A home on ANY test, she would bring his lunch to school from the fast-food restaurant of his choice. The next day we were driving to school when my oldest daughter asked if she might be able to get the same deal from me. I said, "No." She asked me why, and I explained that she was older and quite capable of making good grades if she applied herself. Plus, she was not the one in need of this particular kind of encouragement right now. I thought I was waxing philosophical when I said, "The grade is its own reward.You should study hard and listen in class. When you pass, you should have a sense of pride that you earned the grade through your hard work." My daughter responded, "Well, doesn't that just mean I'm not a prideful person? And isn't that a good thing?" I laughed so hard I couldn't answer her.

As Christians, our goal is to strive to be like Christ. We have to "press toward the mark". To some, it may come easy. While others may struggle daily to get there. Sometimes we watch other people and wonder why it all comes so easy for them and why we have to work so hard at it. Christians are not supposed to meander through life doing as little as possible to get by. We are supposed to work hard!

Also, there are times when the Lord blesses someone, and we may find ourselves asking why He can't do the same thing for us. It is not that the Lord can't do the same for all of us, it is not that He can't give us what we want, it's just that His will for you is not the same as His will for me. There are lessons I have to learn one way, and you have to learn them another. He equips each of His children with the tools and/or skills necessary to complete their test. Our job is to use them, to the best of our ability in order to "press toward the mark." I want an A+!!! I probably won't get it because I am a dirty, rotten sinner who makes mistakes all the time, BUT I am going to do my best to achieve it anyway. In the end, I get to go to heaven, and that is the ultimate reward! Here on earth, it may not look like I have much to some, but the Lord has been ever so good to this little sinner girl and I thank Him for it. I owe it to Him to run the race to best of my ability. If we trust Him, he will take care of our needs. I love that I can take my empty cup to Him every day and He will fill it until it overflows with more than I deserve to have. Now, my cup may look like a "tea cup" to you, while someone else may have one of those "bubba chug" things but when God fills the cup, it doesn't matter what size it is, it is still FULL.

(Lamentations 3:22-24) "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM

2007-10-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

I love to study the meanings of words. I like to know exactly what I am saying and what is being said to me. Unfortunately, most words are not used today as they were originally used because we have allowed their meanings to change. That's why I like the Websters 1828 Dictionary because it shows the original meanings of words. It's actually kind of sad that even the dictionaries of today have changed the meanings to match how we use the words rather than the other way around.

It is man's way though. Since the beginning of time we have taken words and twisted them to mean what we want them to mean, rather than how they were originally intended. We even do it to God's Word, don't we? Just like the dictionary was intended to teach us so we'd know the meaning of our own language, and impart knowledge, God's Word is to teach us the way HE wants us to live. Both were meant to teach, train and instruct us in life. Both are used for knowledge, wisdom, and instruction. After we kids had passed first grade, just about any time we asked Mom how to spell a word she'd say, "Look it up." She wanted us to sound it out and get a dictionary and look for it, and then also read what it meant. That way we learned how to spell it AND how to use it in every day speech.

INSTRUCT: To teach; to inform the mind; to educate; to impart knowledge to one who was destitute of it. To direct; to persuade or admonish. To form; to prepare.

The word instruction is used 26 times in book of Proverbs alone. It is always used when talking of discipline with love, but also shows a sternness with that love. It is used with words like "chastisement" and "reproof." Of course the source of ALL wisdom and instruction is God. Proverbs 2:6 "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." The Lord has, thankfully, given us many resources for instruction:

God - We cannot acquire the simplest skill without Him allowing it.
His Word - He reveals his wisdom and shows us how to live.
His Son - He came to show us grace and mercy.
Parents - Most parents are a child's main source of wisdom.
Teachers/ Counselors - People who use the experiences that God had brought them through to help us discern things or make wise choices.

If a person is truly wise they will listen and willingly accept instruction, whether it be verbal or physical. Then they will apply it to their lives. Only a fool would refuse Godly counsel and choose to follow his own way. Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." God's child should be appreciative of Godly counsel and instruction. Our responses should be:

To accept instruction.
To apply instruction

A person accepts instruction from God, parents, or wise teachers will reap the benefits of a righteous life. Someone who desires to do right, who desires to receive instruction is definitely going to obtain favour with the Lord and thereby with man. God protects those who willingly submit to His authority and to the authorities placed in their lives. This also brings a person honor. Honor is not something that is just handed out, it is something that is earned. It is a respect that is given to someone as a result of living according to God's Word. So the results are:

Spiritual rewards
Blessings
Honor

On the other hand, a fool refuses to heed instruction and is followed by destruction and shame. He truly hates himself. Proverbs 15:32 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." The person that refuses to listen to wise counsel will reap the results of their own foolish choices. (Proverbs 1:24-28) A life lived that way will only lead to spiritual destruction and maybe even physical death. If we will just read God's Word and apply it to our lives we have success in a godly way and live life to the fullest potential that God intended.

HOW DID I GET HERE?

2007-10-11T12:29:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been awakened from a deep sleep and been disoriented?
Have you ever left a place, and driven somewhere and been so lost in thought that when you arrived at your destination you don't remember driving there or passing familiar landmarks on the way?
Have you ever been forced to go somewhere that you really didn't want to go?
Have you ever been out driving and someone pull out in front of you and then slam on their breaks?
Have you ever been following someone (because you have never been to where you're going) and they leave you behind and you are just lost?
Have you ever ridden in car with someone who "thinks" they know the way and then after your lost they refuse to stop and ask for directions because they are just sure if they keep going they will find it?

Ps. 17:5 "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not."

Ps. 37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."

Ps. 37:30-32 "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him."

In life there are many twists and turns. There are mountain top times, and there are deep valley moments. All of which are things that the Lord can use to mold us and make us into what HE wants us to be. Everyone LOVES those times when you are on the mountain top because the sun is shining bright, you can feel the sun on your face, and you can see the sky for miles, and the view is breath-taking. But we all go through valleys too. Most people don't enjoy those times. The warmth of sun is shaded by the depth of the valley, and it can be cold and dark, and lonesome. Ever go through a valley and wonder "How'd I get here?" There are different ways to end up in a valley.

SLIP means to err, to fall into error. Unintentional error or fault.
SLIDE means to pass in silent unobserved progression or an easy, smooth, interrupted course.
STEP means to walk or advance into a place; progression; act of advancing.
STUMBLE means to trip; to err. To obstruct in progress; to puzzle; to perplex.

There are times when we are innocently walking along and we slip and fall. Maybe we didn't see something in our path, maybe we weren't watching where we were going, whatever the case, we slipped, unintentionally. And there we are lost in a valley that we didn't see coming.

There are times when we slide by in life, doing as little as possible so that no one ever expects to much from us. When we slide, we do it slowly and quietly so that no one really notices that we're not around, and then the sin we get into seems to be normal. And we find ourselves to have slid so far from God that we can't hear Him trying to call us back to Him.

There are times when we see the danger up ahead. We know there is a dropping off point. There are warning signs that would detour us from the danger zone, but we press on. We step right into the path that we knew we should not have taken. And we are in a place that only God can get us out of. And we find ourselves begging for the help of God, whom we never consulted before stepping in this path.

There are also times when we are walking the right path, and we are looking ahead, trying to avoid the danger zones. We are careful when we walk so that we do not slip. We are cautious when we see a slippery place so that we do not slide. We take purposeful steps so as to follow those who have gone before us and left us a good path to follow. Then,... suddenly,... without warning, the person in front of you, the one whom you were watching so carefully, the one whose footsteps you were trying to follow in.....stumbles and falls. You try to catch yourself, you try to hang on to whatever you can but it is to late, and there you are, on your face in a valley you didn't even know was coming.

No matter which type of valley you find yourself in, God is your only way out. You may have sinned unintentionally. You may have allowed yourself to slowly drift away from Him. You may have willfully chosen it. Or someone may have stumbled in front of you and put you there. No matter. Only God can get you out. Sometimes He has to lead us out through the darkness, and sometimes He just reaches down and takes you right out of there. Either way, He is your only way out. Doesn't matter how you got there. Doesn't matter who's fault it is. All that matters is that you look to the One who can get you out.

Ps. 73:22-28 "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."

"JUST LIKE MY HEAVENLY FATHER"

2007-10-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

Matthew 18:1-7 "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! My father is Pastor Charles W. Savage, II. He was born and raised in Ohio. He is number nine of twelve children. He received Christ as his Saviour when he was sixteen years old. He spent four years in the army and eight in the army reserves. He drifted from the Lord while he was in the army but, thankfully, when he was twenty-six years old someone from the local, independent Baptist church was out going door-to-door, and they found him. He gave his life back over to the Lord before I was ever born and our family has never known a time when we were not serving the Lord faithfully in a local church. He surrendered to preach, went to Bible college, and worked himself almost to death trying to take care of his family. He worked in a church for ten years as....Associate pastor, song leader, bus driver, choir director, Sunday-school teacher, head of men's soul-winning group, janitor and lawn mower. The church also had a christian school so he worked there too as...principal, teacher of grades 7 - 12, basketball coach (whenever we didn't have one), P.E. teacher, and janitor. On any day or night he had free, he was building a house for the pastor on the property the church had purchased for him. Then he moved us to a place where he started his own church. And he still does whatever needs to be done for the Lord's ministry. MY DAD IS "SUPER-DAD!" (Now, he doesn't brag on himself. He would never try to take any glory for the way the Lord used him. But, I need to use him for an example in this, K?) I can write his whole life story here if I wanted to. Know why? Because there is nothing in it for me to be ashamed of. Don't get me wrong now,...Mother was there too. She worked hard, right a long beside him, every step of the way. She seldom got (or gets) the credit she deserved. I believe that God will hand her a special crown with Daddy's name etched in it, and he'll wink at mom so she knows that HE knows all the stuff she did. She is AWESOME! But back to my father...... The Lord took this little child and set him in the midst of them, and said, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." My Daddy was just like that. If you didn't receive one of his kids, you didn't receive him. Basically, "you mess with me, you mess with the whole family." He taught us to be proud of who we were in his words, as much as in his actions. He taught me to ride a bike and swim. He ran off pesky boys, and "well-meaning" church people. He protected me and my siblings from every harm or hurt he could. And with little more than you could feed two people on, he always made sure there was food on the table, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our back. In short...He loved (and still loves) us. I haven't always been the best daughter but God gave me the BEST Dad! I am not ashamed for anyone to know that Charles Savage is my father. I am proud to be his daughter. Even better than that, HE tells people that he is proud to be my dad! He identifies himself as my father, and I identify myself as his daughter. He has never done anything to make me ashamed to be called his child. He has never (like in the verses above) brought "offences" to me. JUST LIKE my Heavenly Father, my Daddy loves me. JUST LIKE my Heavenly Father, my Daddy chastised me. JUST LIKE my Heavenly Father, my Daddy hated when we sinned. JUST LIKE my Heavenly Father, my Daddy never left me nor forsook me. Our Heavenly Father wants to be identified with us too. Isn't that amazing? Why would He want to be identified as our Father? He who has never known any sin wants to be known as our Father! We are so blessed to have a Heavenly Father that wants to be identified with us. I am more than glad to claim Him as my Heavenly Father and so very thankful that he claims me as his child. (And if you mess wit me, my father beat you up!):-)

BLOW YOUR TRUMPET!

2007-10-06T15:56:00.000-04:00

EZEKIEL 33 This is an awesome passage of scripture! In verse one God is letting them know that he is going to bring the sword upon the land ...."When I bring the sword upon the land..." and he is even gracious (as He always is) to give them a way out. Aren't you thankful that God always provides us with the way to do right, and all we have to do is follow? He tells them to pick a man and set him as a watchman. Now this guys job is pretty self-explanatory, if you read the passage. Basically, if he sees any danger he is to blow the trumpet. Verses 4 - 6 go on to tell us that if the people hear the trumpet and heed not the warning, then their blood is on their own head. BUT, if the watchman sees the danger and doesn't sound the warning, then the people's blood is upon his head. Sounds pretty fair doesn't it? I mean if he doesn't sound the warning and I die, then it's not my fault. YEAH! It's his fault. ........WAIT! If he doesn't sound the warning, it's his fault, sure, but..........I'M DEAD! ...WAIT! I don't want to die if he doesn't do his job!!!!! Exactly. Today we live in a world where no one wants to be the "bad guy." Nobody wants to tell anybody when they have done something wrong because they don't want to offend anyone. We hear things like, "What about their self-esteem?" or "What if they get mad at me?" If we stick to that thinking then everyone does "that which is right in their own eyes." That is not Christian thinking. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." What if the car that is heading toward your child, who is playing in the street, NEVER blows his horn? What if your child was in the cross walk and following all the traffic safety rules but still got hit? And what if the driver who has just struck your child with their car says, "Well, I didn't want to upset them, or hurt their ears with the sound of my horn." Are you telling me you'd not be upset? How much more then ought we as Christians to sound the warning for the world. God is LOVE! Yes. God DIED for you! Yes. But what about what happens if they don't listen? Are we not to tell them that God will cast them in the lake of fire because it might considered "negative"? Are we not to warn our children that there are things that God HATES (Pro.6:16-19) so that they will stay away from that thing? We also live in an age where no one takes responsibility for their own actions. It is NEVER our fault, it is always someone else's fault. We are NEVER wrong, the other person ALWAYS is. In this passage it states that the children of Israel tried to say that God's way was "not equal" (v.17). Wow, how bold? Yet we do the same thing every day. We either do not sound the warning so we can be every body's friend, or we ignore it because we enjoy what we're doing. Or, we will twist the Scripture to mean what we want it to mean, so we can do what we want to do. God expects more of "His own" than that. That's why he says, "The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it." (Ez.33:12-13) God expects his children to be like Him. That is why our punishment is greater than the punishment of those who are not his. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (Jms.4:17) I mean, aren't we as parents the same way with our kids? We expect more from them than someone else's kids, because they are ours.They belong to us. We taught them, and they should know better. We have a choice though. We can stand on our sword (v.26) or we can pick it up and fight! We can silence our horn, or we can blow it with all our might! I don't know about other Mom's but I sure want that car to honk it's horn REAL LOUD so my child has a chance to escape an injury that could affect the rest of their life. I also want to do my best to teach them to stay out of harm's way so that they see danger before they are in the middle of it. I also expect their pastor, their grand-parents, their Sunday school teachers, and any other Godly influence in their lives to "blow the horn" and "sound the warning" when danger is approaching. Sound it loud! Sound it often! Even if my children refuse to listen, keep sounding it until they do. To my children: I love you with all the love a person can possess. I promise to do my best to give you EVERY opportunity to do the right thing. If you choose to go against the Word of God, and make sinful wicked choices, you will do it WITHOUT my help, without my support, and without my encouragement. You can listen and live or you can choose "to not to."

I FORGOT BUT GOD FORGAVE

2007-10-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

"I forgot." I cannot tell you how many times I hear that phrase in a day. It is perhaps one of the most common phrases used as an excuse for something you should have done and didn't. There is no telling how many times I said it to my own parents. And now, I hear it from my children. "Why didn't you clean your room?"..."I forgot!" or "Why didn't you take out the trash?" ... "I forgot!" Even as an adult, I use the phrase often. "Mom, did you get me the notebook paper I need for school?" "No, I forgot." I could go on and on, but I won't. In a spiritual sense we say the same thing to God just about as often. I mean, don't you think He asks too? "Why weren't you in church when my Word specifically says that you are not to forsake the assembling.....?" "Oops, sorry Lord, I forgot." or "Why did you say that when you know my Word specifically says not to let corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth?" "Sorry again Lord, I forgot." Again, I could go on and on, but I won't. We have a tendency to think that God is forgetful, like we are. We take verses in His own Word and twist them out of context, in order to do what we want to. For instance, we will do something we know we are not supposed to (sometimes even when we know we shouldn't) and we will do them anyway. Then, we will say, "Well, I asked God to forgive me and he doesn't hold it against me anymore." You know what? I wish that were true. I mean, the thing that IS true, is that before I knew Him as my Father, I was a dirty sinner on my way to hell, and when I accepted Him as my Saviour, he took me, knowing what I was (and would be) and forgave me of those sins. He buried them "in the deepest part of the sea" (Ps.103:12), or "as far as the east is from the west." (Micah 7:19) At least those are the parts we like to remember anyway. But He still loves me, and He still claims me as His own, even now that I am a saved, rotten sinner! BUT, His Word says something we tend to over look. II Cor. 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Now if I understand this correctly, we will stand before Christ and be judged for the things we've done "in the body". Well, I don't know about you, but I certainly am still in my body. So, even though Christ forgave and continues to forgive me of all my sin, He is STILL going to hold me accountable for what I have done since I became HIS. And thankfully, He is still going to let me live in His Heaven, even though I don't deserve it. I may not have as many rewards as I had before I did those things "in the body" that I knew I shouldn't do and did anyway, but I still get to go to heaven because I am HIS child. PRAISE THE LORD and THANK YOU JESUS!!! So, next time you start to tell someone that they should forget all your sins, like God does, you need to remember two things: 1. We will never be like God or as good as God, until we get to heaven. We can "...press toward the mark...." but we will never attain the perfection of God. 2. God does forgive but we are still held accountable for what we've done. Our God is not mindless. He doesn't lose his mind just because we do. We have to stop putting Him on our level. HE IS NOT ON OUR LEVEL. He is WAY HIGHER than we could ever hope to be. II Corinthians 5:14-15 says"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." Praise the Lord for His forgiveness and move on with your life. But, don't expect that you can "live unto yourself" and not be held accountable. Before I close, let me give you one example. If the church treasurer steals all the churches money, and spends it, BUT he comes back and asks for forgiveness, do you forgive him? The answer is YES! Do you let him go back to being the treasurer? NOPE! Are you then holding his sin over his head? I don't think so. I mean, I trust the Lord to keep my children safe but I don't let them play on 465 in rush hour traffic either. God gave us (well, most anyway) common sense. Let's use it!

PROVERBS

2007-10-01T19:37:00.000-04:00

PROVERB: A short sentence often repeated, expressing a well known truth or common fact, ascertained by experience or observation; a maxim of wisdom. One of the things my children enjoy the most about eating chinese food is the fortune cookie that we get at the end of the meal. They each take one and open it quickly to see what the little piece of paper inside will say. Then they try to decide if what they got really fits them. They say things like, "Oh, that sounds just like so-n-so" or "Man! I wish I'd gotten the one she got." (That usually happens when the paper says that fame & fortune are on their way). It is always fun to see what each person gets. However, there really are people in this world that live their life by these "sayings", which are referred to as chinese proverbs. There are even some who live by, what we call, old wives tales. You know,..."a stitch in time saves nine" and "A watch pot never boils" ... things like that. Though some of these have great meanings, and may even provide a little wisdom, it is still earthly. It is man-made. For the past few summers now, I have made it a rule with my children that no one gets to eat, play, swim, watch TV, or whatever else there is until they read the Proverb for the day and quote the memory verse that I have chosen from the chapter. Of course, the Proverb I'm referring to is a book of the Bible, located between Psalms & Song of Solomon. You might wonder why I'd do that. Well, let me explain... Real wisdom, Godly wisdom comes from the Word of God (KJV). I want my children to be wise. Wisodm will give them "the skill needed to deal with certain situations and the ability to discern between what matters and what doesn't." This is what Solomon was asking for when he asked God for wisdom. God rewarded his request by giving him a knowledge that far exceeded anyone else around. Because of this wisdom, people would travel for miles to seek his counsel. I am so thankful that God inspired him to pass some of his wisdom on to us through his Holy Word. The beginning of all wisdom is..."the fear of the LORD" (Prov. 1:7). This is not a fear that causes us to live in terror, but a fear that is reverent. A fear that causes us to live a life that is holy and righteous because that is what our GOD is. In order to be wise, we have to begin with a right relationship with the Lord. Lost people can have skill, and smarts, and be clever, but this wisdom that is in Proverbs can only be achieved by those who belong to God and have the right kind of relationship with him. When we reject wisdom and instruction, and refuse to fear the Lord, we are foolish. Someone who would ignore wisdom is just stupid. The Bible calls them a "fool". When you lead a life that is absent of God's wisdom and instruction you will never have any peace. When you purposely refuse to heed God's Word you have no one to blame but yourself when the consequences come. (Gal.6:7) There is a day of reckoning coming. When you stand before God and remember wisdom's call to righteousness (Prov.1:24) you will wish you had heeded God's Word. Prov. 1:24-33 "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them."

ADULTERY - The Great Destroyer

2007-09-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

I read the following article in a Christian Magazine. It is so true of the world we live in, that I wanted to share it with others. The author’s name was not published, so should they happen upon this, I want to say "thank you" for the warning. I am preserving this article for my children. In writing a column on the home for a Christian paper that is read largely by born-again, conservative Christians, it should seem strange to need to direct our attention to the sin of adultery. However, the sad but true fact is that this sin is running rampant in theologically fundamental circles of our day. Preachers, Sunday school teachers, deacons, and church members in general are ever increasingly falling into this pitfall of destruction for marriage and the home. Therefore, it is important, as a matter of warning and marital preventative maintenance, to sound again the command of God: "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). It is fitting that the command against adultery immediately follows the command against murder. The act of murder destroys ones life, whereas the act of adultery destroys at least two lives. We should note that the root meaning of the word adultery is "to mar" or "make impure" something that is beautiful. That pure thing God does not want marred is the sanctity of the marriage relationship. God’s command against adultery was intended to be a positive protection so that we might settle for nothing but the best use of sex as a bond between husband and wife. Hebrews 13:4 states both the negative and the positive side together when God declares, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Sex outside marriage loses its meaning and becomes a gyp. More than that, it brings the judgement of God instead of the blessing of God. Every single person and every married person ought to read and take warning from the words of Proverbs 6:26-27 and 32-33: "For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?...........But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away." Adultery brings the special judgement of God, not only because it violates the plan of God for the marriage union and the beautiful way that physical union pictures the believer’s spiritual union with Christ (Ephesians 5), but because it is a many-sided sin. Adultery is a sin against one’s own self. First Corinthians 6:18 declares, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." Adultery does unparalleled damage to the individual physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You cannot laugh at God’s laws and escape the consequences. One counselor said that the aftermath of adultery is, first, disappointment; second, bewilderment and confusion; third, frustration; fourth, remorse; and finally, guilt that sometimes self-destructs, if not physically, at least emotionally. Adultery is a sin against the home as well as self. Premarital sex often results in marriage role reversals if a couple gets married. The husband feels guilty because of his sin before marriage; thus he becomes passive to indirectly seek his wife’s forgiveness. On the other hand, the wife feels anger and resentment for being defrauded before marriage by her husband, and thus becomes dominant and resists her husband. Adultery is likewise a great sin against the church. Just as the enemies of God blasphemed when David sinned, so it is today when church members fall into this sin and dishonor Christ. Greatest of all, adultery is (as David acknowledged in his prayer of repentance following his sin) a sin against God. David said in Psalm 51:4, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:........." The recognition of this fact can be a great resource to protect any true believer from this sin. Long ago, a handsome young man named Joseph, while a servant to Potiphar, conquered this temptation by this same realization. Genesis 39:8 declares that Joseph "refused" the propositioning of Potiphar’s beautiful wife. However, Genesis 39:9 reveals the real source behind this refusal was that Joseph saw it as a ".......great wickedness, and sin against God." This is the attitude that is needed today to protect our lives and marriages. May we encourage some who have, earlier in life, fallen into this sin that God can and will forgive this and all other sin if you will but receive the Saviour and ask forgiveness. First John 1:7 says, ".......and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." However, we should also remind you that, though Christ forgave the woman taken in adultery , as recorded in John 8, He also said, "Go and sin no more." Some need to flee tempting situations, associations, and people. The Bible always says to "flee" sensual sin. Let us all remember we cannot reason with lust.

I AM INVISIBLE

2007-09-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

"A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalms 127:1-5 It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the TVLand Channel?" I'm a car or ride to order, "Right around 5:30,please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going . . . she's going . . . she's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees." In the days ahead I would read - no, devoured - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: (1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. (2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. (3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. (4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become." At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there." As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. God Bless You as you build your Cathedrals! (this story was copied)

"Daddy, Is It Red?"

2007-09-23T15:31:00.000-04:00

"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them."But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."Mark 10:13 -15 (KJV) I remember when my children were very small, and we had just started the early stages of full-time evangelism. We had a black, full-size van to travel in. It was such a nice van. We had never had anything new before and I fell in love with it. However, just a year or so after we got it it had become necessary that we begin to look for a 5th wheel trailor to live in. Of course, this meant we had to begin the search for a truck that had the power to pull such a thing. The children (who at that time were ages 6, 4, 3, & 18 months) began to pray for a truck. When my four year old daughter, Kaycee, would pray she'd always ask God for a red truck. We had no idea why, as her favorite color was purple, but nonetheless she prayed for a red truck. As the Lord would have it, we got our 5th wheel trailor first. We moved into our trailor but we still did not have a truck to pull it with. We continued to travel in evangelism, in our van, hoping and praying that the Lord would provide us with a means to pull it......soon. We had preacher friends and families all over the United States praying that the Lord would give us a truck, so that we could get going, full-time. Sure enough, about two months after we moved into our trailor we received a call from a car lot in a city about an hours drive from us. They told us that they had just received TWO trucks. Both trucks were capable of meeting our needs. So, we drove to see them. When we saw the first truck, we were pleased with it. It seemed to be what we had prayed for, though it had a few more miles on it than we would have liked, it was within our price range. Before we could say anything the car dealer says, "I've got another one out back. It has less miles on it and it will cost just a little more but with your van as a trade in, I think it will be alright." So, we went out back to see it. As we rounded the corner, there it was. With the sun shining down on it, as if it was the "Shekinah Glory", a Big, Dully Truck, with a Deisel Engine, and it was RED. Tears almost immediately ran down our faces, as we realized what the Lord had done. We couldn't wait to get home and tell the children. When we arrived we began to describe the truck to our parents, who were watching the children for us. The children were excited as they listened to us talk about it. Then, Kaycee came up and tugged on her Daddy's pant leg. He looked down to see what she wanted. In her tiny voice, with her mousey grin, she asked, "Daddy, is it red?" He grabbed her up and hugged her tight and told her "Yes! yes it's red!" From that day on, everywhere we went, Kaycee told people that our truck was red because that's what she asked God for. It seemed quite simple to her. I wonder how many times we have missed out on a blessing from God simply because we lack that "child-like" faith? When Kaycee prayed for a red truck, we thought it was "cute". But she was serious!