Mid-Week Message - Being Sure of the Truth

"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!"  Psalm 46:10 (AMPC)

When I was in the ninth grade in Junior High, the English teachers combined classes and presented a program that was meant as an avenue for enlightenment.  They showed videos of the Vietnam War and talked about all the reasons being tossed about as to why the United States was involved.  They also played a myriad of popular songs that were rumored to actually be written about drugs.  One of those songs was "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary.  What I had always believed to be a wonderful children's song, they said was actually about marijuana.  It bothered me because I had never seen it that way so I did a bit of research.  The writer of the poem, a man named Leonard Lipton, says that he penned the song in 1959 after reading an Ogden Nash poem entitled "Custard the Dragon."  Peter Yarrow of the music group, found the poem and wrote the music for it and published it as a song.  Leonard Lipton said he did not write the poem with any drug ideas in mind and was appalled that people would believe a song would ever be presented to children that touted drug usage. To this day, I wonder how many of my fellow former students still believe what they were taught that day.  If they never took the time to check it out for themselves, then I would suppose they do.  

Each day we are bombarded by multiple types of media and told what to think, and sadly many people take everything in as truth.  Programming that used to be vehicles for the delivery of actual news, has now become a series of commentaries and individual interpretations of the news.  While we are hearing about events that actually happen, we are receiving the information through a haze of someone else's thoughts rather than simply hearing the facts and making up our own minds about what they mean.  Rarely do I talk to others who do their own research to determine whether what they take in that is being presented as fact is actually true.  Because something is written in the a newspaper or aired on television it is blindly accepted.  

I wish I could say that this never happens in other places.  However, schools have also been found to either be selective in what is taught, thereby only presenting one side, or actually teaching what is only conjecture as fact.  Our students aren't being taught the art of investigation wherein they learn to weigh all of the data and form their own beliefs and opinions.  Even more sadly, this also happens in churches.  

A very wise man told me years ago to use wisdom even when listening to preachers and teachers.  I wish I could say that everything said from a pulpit is exactly what the Lord would wish to have said.  My friend's advice was to know the Word of God personally and to check out what is taught to make sure what I heard was solid and true.  His words were, "Eat the fish and spit out the bones."   Over the years, these words have stuck in my soul so that I listen carefully to know whether what is being taught is in line with scripture.  I read the text for myself.  Just as with the song I mentioned above, it is always good to go directly to the author for clarification.  

We serve a very big God.  Somehow, some way, He is able to have a personal relationship with each one of us as if we were His only child.  His desire is that we get as close to Him as possible and the best way to do that is through His Word.  Through the Bible He has revealed Himself and will draw us near.  We all need to be in a good, Bible teaching church.  We need the fellowship and teaching that we can trust to be from the Holy Spirit.  The only way we will know if that is occurring though is by seeking God on our own, through prayer, through the reading of His Word.  We have to get to know Him personally so that we can hear His voice and walk in His truth rather than what the world would have us think.  With great love, God bless you. 

Mid-Week Message - Truthful About Sin

"Although they know God's righteous decree and His judgement, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them."  Romans 1:32  (AMP) 

The message that I have today is hard to write but it has been on my heart for many weeks.  I have no desire to offend anyone but, as the Lord addresses the sin in my own life, I am coming to a greater understanding of the danger of leaving it unacknowledged.   

Today's world affords many ways to keep from being accountable for the sins we commit.  In fact, many things that God names as wrong are now celebrated.  In many cases, they have been legislated and counted as lawful.  Rather than being called out by believers, those who walk in darkness are ignored or approved of due to the fear that the believer will be labeled as a hater, or worse.  We are told to love others the way they are and to just accept that the choices they have made may be different from our own but that doesn't make them wrong.  

However, Scripture disagrees with that.  If we believe in the Bible as God's inerrant Word, then we must be willing to take what He says as truth.  We do not get to pick and choose the parts of it that make us feel good.  No matter how difficult it is for us, we must come to the point of understanding that what God calls sin is sin indeed.  We help no one, including ourselves, by approving or being tolerant of what He says is worthy of death.  

The greatest act of love that has ever taken place was the Father's gift of His Son.  Jesus left Heaven to live as one of us on earth.  He felt pain.  He knew what it was like to suffer.  He was rejected and felt sadness.  His ultimate action was taking our sins, all of them, upon Himself on the cross.  He took the punishment for me and for you.  He who never did one thing wrong received the wrath of God for every wrong that would ever be committed.  

Because of His death and resurrection, we have the promise of a future that lacks pain, sorrow and sickness.  No more tears.  No more fear.  All that is asked of us is that we believe in Him and repent of our sins.  Repenting means acknowledging and turning away from those things that He calls out as wrong and following and obeying Him.  When we place our approval on what we know is not acceptable to our Lord, whether in our own lives or the lives of others, then we are negating Christ's sacrifice and turning toward separation from Him.  

If we truly love those around us, then we must be willing to be truthful.  True love comes from God.  If we want to sincerely love someone then we must find it within ourselves, with His help and guidance, to speak hard words.  Though some won't want to hear them, and though they may turn away from us, "how will they hear unless someone tells them?"

Our days are numbered and growing ever fewer.  None of us knows when we will draw our last breath.  We must take each opportunity we have to make sure that those around us know that we love them.  Time is not to be wasted.  This moment may be the only one we have to make a difference in another's life.  I urge each of us to ask our Lord to lead us in each and every action we take and each and every word we speak.  They matter and they may make a difference in someone's eternity.

Mid-Week Message - Stand Up For the Truth

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17  (NLT) 

One of the very first things I remember learning about the Bible was that the Word of God is to be treasured.  I must have been about seven or eight years old.  The place was South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas.  It was an evening class right before the evening service.  I had laid my Bible on the window ledge and put something else on top of it.  My sweet teacher instructed me that the Word of God is precious and to be treated with respect.  She told me never to place other things on top of it.  

Now, I don't necessarily think the Bible must always be on top of a physical stack.  But I do believe it is to be esteemed above any other book or item we have.  It contains our "love letter" from God.  His words, delivered over the ages, preserved through time so that we can hear directly from Him.  He uses them to teach us, to guide us, to comfort us and to assure us that He is intimately involved in our lives.  

Sometime ago as I sat and watched the news, I saw a report about a Bible being burned in the street.  After my shock and anger came incredible sadness and I wept.  In my mind, I saw Jesus on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  I wondered if, at any time in their lives, these persons involved had ever personally cradled a Bible in their hands, opened it and been exposed to the powerful truths contained therein.  

We are witnessing large groups of individuals who are turning their backs on morality and attempting to rewrite the rules of society.  They want nothing to do with obedience to the law, with patriotism or any other system that directs behavior.  Instead they want to do what feels good to them even if that means destroying the life of another.  God's Word stands as a beacon of truth which directs us to forego our own will and desires and to follow Him.  It stands to reason that they would lash out at it as well.  

It is vitally important that those of us who believe in Almighty God and the Bible as His inerrant Word, be willing to stand up for what we know to be right.  It is time for churches to return to preaching God's Word rather than tickling ears with "feel good" messages.  Some of what God has to say is hard to hear.  We don't want to be confronted about the sin in our lives.  We want to follow the world's excuses and blame our shortcomings on anyone or anything besides ourselves.  But until we encounter Jesus and admit the truth about what we have done we will not find forgiveness. 

We must be willing to speak God's truth.  We are seeing more and more vitriol being directed at Christianity.  It will only continue to worsen.  This is not the time to hide our heads but to boldly stand in the name of Jesus.  Our children need to be raised in true Bible believing and teaching churches and what they learn there needs to be modeled by parents and reinforced at home.  We need to be fully aware of what they are hearing as "truth" at school so that we can make sure they are not deceived and led away.  

I know how difficult it is.  It is frightening to speak out.  We could encounter disapproval, criticism, mocking or even worse.  But in this day of kneeling to lies, we must be careful to kneel only before our Lord.  He left Heaven, came to earth and died a torturous death for us.  What are we willing to do for Him?   

Mid-Week Message - Trusting He Will Be Sufficient

 "He must become greater; I must become less."  John 3:30  (NIV) 

Those who have children may have one or two who are strong-willed.  They want to do things their way and do it by themselves.  Resisting discipline, they are determined to explore that world on their own terms and parents may wonder how to reign them in without breaking their spirit. 

Often, these are also the high-achievers.  They are willing to step "outside of the box" to investigate life.  They try things that others may not think to try and think through problems in unique ways.  As a result, they may be able to solve long-standing issues, become inventors, write the great American novel, or paint masterpieces.  

However we fall in the family hierarchy, whatever our personalities or talents might be, we have one trait in common and that is that we tend to make life about ourselves.  We concentrate on what WE want, what WE like, what makes US happy.  Especially today, we live in a ME society.  We are seeing that especially right now as the nation is going through the throes of individuals being easily offended and wanting everyday words and actions to be changed to suit them.  

As I grow older, the more and more I realize that life isn't about me, or any of us.  It is about our Lord and Savior.  Our purpose is to bring Him glory.  In order to do that, we have to learn to put Him above all.  That doesn't mean we neglect other people or our duties and responsibilities in life.  It means that we live and relate in such a way that is pleasing to Him.  

There is a song, sung by the Christian artist Steve Green, entitled "Whatever It Takes."  It is one that always leads me to prayer, but also challenges how I live my life.  Here are some of the lyrics:

                Whatever it takes to keep me tender toward you

                Whatever it takes, Lord, I beg you to do

                Whatever you must lead me through

                Whatever it takes, Lord, do   

When I first heard this song, I wondered if I would ever be able to pray those words.  Would I ever be able to turn loose of what is important to me and give it all over to Him?  The first few times I attempted to say this as a prayer, I found myself wanting to put stipulations on what I was asking such as, "Please don't touch my family."  Then I understood that "whatever" was all-encompassing and that the only way I could mean it was to be willing to surrender all I held dear on earth.

As time goes by and as I spend more and more time with the Lord, I am beginning to see that what I have to ask myself is this:  Is He sufficient?   If suddenly everything and everyone was gone from my life, would His presence, His love, His sacrifice, His resurrection, be sufficient for me?  

These are difficult things to think about but it is my desire.  I want to bring Him glory.  I want my life to point to Jesus.  If He uses me in the life of only one person who chooses to repent and believe in Him then my life will have fulfilled a much greater purpose than it would have if I had spent it any other way.  

So, I ask you the question I ask myself.  Is He sufficient?  Could you lay everything down if He asked you to?  Can honoring Him become your greatest desire?  

Lots to think about this week.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Standing for Truth

 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17  (NLT) 

One of the very first things I remember learning about the Bible was that the Word of God is to be treasured.  I must have been about seven or eight years old.  The place was South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas.  It was an evening class right before the evening service.  I had laid my Bible on the window ledge and put something else on top of it.  My sweet teacher instructed me that the Word of God is precious and to be treated with respect.  She told me never to place other things on top of it.  

Now, I don't necessarily think the Bible must always be on top of a physical stack.  But I do believe it is to be esteemed above any other book or item we have.  It contains our "love letter" from God.  His words, delivered over the ages, preserved through time so that we can hear directly from Him.  He uses them to teach us, to guide us, to comfort us and to assure us that He is intimately involved in our lives.  

A week or so ago as I sat and watched the news, I saw a report about a Bible being burned in the street.  After my shock and anger came incredible sadness and I wept.  In my mind, I saw Jesus on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  I wondered if, at any time in their lives, these persons involved had ever personally cradled a Bible in their hands, opened it and been exposed to the powerful truths contained therein.  

We are witnessing large groups of individuals who are turning their backs on morality and attempting to rewrite the rules of society.  They want nothing to do with obedience to the law, with patriotism or any other system that directs behavior.  Instead they want to do what feels good to them even if that means destroying the life of another.  God's Word stands as a beacon of truth which directs us to forego our own will and desires and to follow Him.  It stands to reason that they would lash out at it as well.  

It is vitally important that those of us who believe in Almighty God and the Bible as His inerrant Word, be willing to stand up for what we know to be right.  It is time for churches to return to preaching God's Word rather than tickling ears with "feel good" messages.  Some of what God has to say is hard to hear.  We don't want to be confronted about the sin in our lives.  We want to follow the world's excuses and blame our shortcomings on anyone or anything besides ourselves.  But until we encounter Jesus and admit the truth about what we have done we will not find forgiveness. 

We must be willing to speak God's truth.  We are seeing more and more vitriol being directed at Christianity.  It will only continue to worsen.  This is not the time to hide our heads but to boldly stand in the name of Jesus.  Our children need to be raised in true Bible believing and teaching churches and what they learn there needs to be modeled by parents and reinforced at home.  We need to be fully aware of what they are hearing as "truth" at school so that we can make sure they are not confused and led away.  

I know how difficult it is.  It is frightening to speak out.  We could encounter disapproval, criticism, mocking or even worse.  But in this day of kneeling to lies, we must be careful to kneel only before our Lord.  He left Heaven, came to earth and died a torturous death for us.  What are we willing to do for Him?

Mid-Week Message - Telling the Truth About Sin

 "Although they know God's righteous decree and His judgement, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them."  Romans 1:32  (AMP) 

The message that I have today is hard to write but it has been on my heart for many weeks.  I have no desire to offend anyone but, as I struggle with sin in my own life, I am coming to a greater understanding of the danger of leaving it unacknowledged.   

Today's world affords many ways to keep from being accountable for the sins we commit.  In fact, many things that God names as wrong are now celebrated.  In many cases, they have been legislated and counted as lawful.  Rather than being called out by believers, those who walk in darkness are ignored or approved of due to the fear that the believer will be labeled as a hater, or worse.  We are told to love others the way they are and to just accept that the choices they have made may be different from our own but that doesn't make them wrong.  

However, Scripture disagrees with that.  If we believe in the Bible as God's inerrant Word, then we must be willing to take what He says as truth.  We do not get to pick and choose the parts of it that make us feel good.  No matter how difficult it is for us, we must come to the point of understanding that what God calls sin is sin indeed.  We help no one, including ourselves, by approving or being tolerant of what He says is worthy of death.  

The greatest act of love that has ever taken place was the Father's gift of His Son.  Jesus left Heaven to live as one of us on earth.  He felt pain.  He knew what it was like to suffer.  He was rejected and felt sadness.  His ultimate action was taking our sins, all of them, upon Himself on the cross.  He took the punishment for me and for you.  He who never did one thing wrong received the wrath of God for every wrong ever committed.  

Because of His death and resurrection, we have the promise of a future that lacks pain, sorrow and sickness.  No more tears.  No more fear.  All that is asked of us is that we believe in Him and repent of our sins.  Repenting means that we turn away from those things that He calls out as wrong and that we follow and obey Him.  When we place our approval on what we know is not acceptable by our Lord, whether in our own lives or the lives of others, then we are negating Christ's sacrifice and turning toward separation from Him.  

If we truly love those around us, then we must be willing to be truthful.  True love comes from God.  If we want to sincerely love someone then we must find it within ourselves, with His help and guidance, to speak hard words.  Though some won't want to hear them, and though they may turn away from us, "how will they hear unless someone tells them?"

Our days are numbered and growing ever fewer.  None of us knows when we will draw our last breath.  We must take each opportunity we have to make sure that those around us know that we love them.  Time is not to be wasted.  This moment may be the only one we have to make a difference in another's life.  I urge each of us to ask our Lord to lead us in each and every action we take and each and every word we speak.  They matter.  They may make a difference in someone's eternity.  

   

 

Mid-Week Message - Return to the Truth

 "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.'"  John 14:6  (NLT) 

When my daughter was still in high school, one of her classmates invited her to an outreach that his church was having.  Directed toward young people, the hope was that those who were unchurched would be attracted enough to begin attending regularly.  After the event, I picked them up and as I was taking the classmate home, I began asking how everything went.  As it turns out, the night was comprised of performances by "Christian" rock bands, most of which were playing heavy metal music.  Apparently, the music, coupled with the mosh pit, afforded an evening full of fun. 

I would have been interested to know how many of those who attended this event actually came back for a church service.  I still fail to understand how people can be drawn to Christ by being enticed through imitations of what the world offers.  I have no problem with different genres of Christian music, but I do believe it is necessary to at least hear and understand the words that are being sung.   And a mosh pit and body surfing?  How is Jesus presented through that? 

Across this nation, churches are being abandoned and boarded up.  Many of those that remain open claim that attendance has been dropping.  Fewer Americans believe that this country is a "Christian" nation.  Jesus has become the punchline of jokes and those who choose to worship Him are touted as believing in fairy tales.  By giving in to the demands for coffee bars and tickling the ears of attendees with "feel good" messages, we have lost our focus on our mission.  

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives this charge to His disciples, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are to share Him with others.  The Lord has gifted each of us with abilities and talents that will assist us in doing so.  If you sing, worship Him in song.  If you are an artist, then honor Him with your art.  If you have the gift of hospitality, then open your home and share the Gospel with your visitors.  If you can do public speaking, then openly declare Him.  Maybe you have a deep love for children.  Children are ready learners.  Their hearts are open to the stories of the Bible.  

We need to return to solid Bible teaching.  I love listening to men of God speak the truth.  It is rare these days to hear the honest rebuking of sin from the pulpit.  Too many church leaders are afraid that people will be offended and leave the congregation.  But if the true need for Jesus is exchanged for warm and fuzzy messages, then we fail to offer the need for forgiveness.  

We are watching frightening changes in this country and around the world.  The enemy must sit back and laugh as evil increases and fear grips the followers of Jesus.  This must not continue.  Christians need to be in earnest prayer and we need to stand up for what is right and true.  The Gospel is desperately needed and we are the ones that hold it.  But we need to be ready to speak it in truth which means that the world will likely not appreciate what we have to say.  No more compromising.  We have Jesus to show the way.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Going Forward

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16  (NIV) 

I am about to say something that is becoming more and more unpopular.  I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the one and only God, that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cruel cross for the atonement of our sins and was resurrected on the third day.  He is alive and interceding for us before the Father in Heaven and one day, hopefully not too far in the future, He will return again and take those who belong to Him back with Him and they will have eternal life.  

I also believe that the Christian Bible is God's Word, His love letter to us.  Because it is His Word, I believe it is true and that He is incapable of lying.  I don't question things like how much time it actually took to create the earth because whether it took six days or six million years, He still created it.  It is enough for me to know that He could have created it in six actual days because He certainly has the power to do so.  

I am alarmed by what I am hearing from many of those in leadership in this nation and the world.  Christians in the United States are beginning to see that persecution is coming.  Already we are belittled by those who claim that we are believing in a fairy tale.  When the COVID crisis came, one of the first things that were shut down were the churches, while liquor stores, tattoo parlors and marijuana stores were allowed to remain open.  Although it is improving in some areas, in many states churches that have tried to reopen have received reprisals from their city governments.  The claim has been that churches are not "essential businesses."  

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time for us to boldly proclaim the Truth.  Sooner or later, whether it be next week or the next decade, our freedom of speech will be taken from us.  While we are still able to openly preach the Gospel, we must do so.  All of us must do so.  We can no longer sit back and yield the responsibility to our preachers and teachers only.  Each of us has been called to carry God's Word to others.  

I know it isn't easy.  We will face rejection.  There may be those who get in our faces and ridicule or yell at us.  That's okay.  They did the same to the Savior.  Find an avenue for sharing that works for you.  Utilize social media as long as you are allowed to.  Hand out Bible tracts.  Strike up conversations in the line in the grocery store.  Write a blog, make videos.  Any way that you can share with others is good.  Jesus loved us so much that He allowed Himself to be crucified.  How important is He to us?  

May I also suggest one more thing?  Christian owned businesses are already facing persecution.  We need to support them with our business when we can and encourage them.  Even writing letters to thank them for adhering to their beliefs would be appreciated.  Also, we need to contact those who profess to be Christians who are serving in any leadership capacity and encourage them to stand up for their beliefs and what they know is right even if they are the only ones who do.  

I am so grateful that we do not have to fear the future because we know that the Lord remains in control.  He will guide us as we begin to share His love with those we encounter.  We just need to trust Him and to love Him enough to take the first steps.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Defining Truth

 "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."   Psalm 25:4-5  (NIV) 

We are living in a time when men are defining truth by their own standards or agendas.  They are attempting to rewrite history to force it to align with what they have decided the truth needs to be.  Gone are the agreed upon happenings that have shaped lives and nations for centuries.  The elite have their own ideas about what the past should be, so they are creating narratives and repeating them over and over until they become ingrained in the minds of others, particularly the young.  By changing what is taught about what was they are attempting to create the future that best suits their own ideas.  

Ugly words are being bandied about to shame people into giving up their own individual beliefs and accepting what they are told.  "The truth," they say, "is what we tell you it is."  It seems that the only acceptable viewpoint is the one of those in charge.  It is incredibly sad that some are accepting this strategy and adopting these falsehoods into their own lives.  

When my daughter was little, she rarely received correction that was more than being talked to, or maybe spending some time in her room.  There was one thing that she would receive harsher discipline for though, and that was lying.  We wanted to teach her how important it was to tell the truth, even if she was afraid or thought she would get in trouble for doing so.  We were teaching her about Jesus and that by being truthful, He was honored because it was the right thing to do.  

As I witness all that is taking place today, I see our enemy having a huge laugh at how gullible and easy to fool humans are.  His one agenda is to rob Heaven of as many souls as he can.  He loves it when we are deceived, and especially when we know God's truth yet still choose to follow earthly ways.  

My friends, as Christians we are to have discernment.  We need to turn to our Father, tell Him what we are seeing and hearing and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.  It is vital that we be studying our Bibles so that the Truth is fresh in our hearts which will allow us to weigh what we are encountering against what God says.  If it does not agree with His Word, then we are to reject it.  

I will tell you that I am an "If God said it, I believe it and that settles it" kind of girl.  There is no greater authority than the Almighty.  My prayer of late is that He will reveal the evil, the deception and the lies in America and throughout the world so that everyone will know what the real truth is.  As He does that, I pray that all who claim to be followers of Christ will stand up, speak up and declare Jesus to a world that has lost its way.  God bless.