Christmas!

In the Bible, there was a prophet by the name of Habakkuk. He definitely wasn't in the Christmas spirit! He was seeing everything that was wrong in his world and wondering if God even cared. He had prayed and his prayers seemed not to be heard--but we know that they were because God answered him and shared that answer with us in the book of Habakkuk.

God showed to Habakkuk the sin of the Enemy and--if we are honest--the sins we commit: Pride, vanity, covetousness, idolatry...a sad place to be! God's wrath is inevitable when sin is present.

 Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death...

Sin is the problem. Sin separates us from God. There is an answer--Jesus!

Jesus is God with us!

God took the wages of sin and put them on Jesus. As Jesus shed His blood on the Cross, the price of sin was paid--forgiven! 

Romans 6:23  ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

2Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

Romans 5:8-9  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

Much of the Christmas story happened at night--the whole world was lost in sin/darkness

The Resurrection happened in the morning--Jesus is the Light of the World!

If you recognize your sin problem, come to Jesus! Habakkuk found that it was not what he saw or the feelings that he had or even the prayers he prayed--it was faith in Jesus!

Do you recognize that you are a sinner?

Do you understand that sin has a punishment--separation from God for ever in a real place called Hell?

Do you believe that God sent Jesus to die on the Cross and shed his blood--pure, holy blood--to save you from your sins? Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead and is listening to hear you call unto Him?

Calling unto Him is like crying for help when you are drowning--you are doing nothing but depending on someone else to save you.

Will you place your faith completely in Jesus? Not your church, baptism, or good works.

Habakkuk trusted God not his own understanding. Even though nothing changed in the world around him, God had changed him on the inside! God can do this for you, too!

Habakkuk 3:17-19  

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

This is the hope and joy of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

 

The Sufficiency of Giving

 

The Sufficiency of Giving

 

Faith is working

Love is displayed

Hope is exercised

 

Seed is multiplied

Fruit is increased

God is pleased

 

Provision is made

Grace is bestowed

Thanksgiving is produced

 

God’s glory is magnified

Prayer’s power is released

Calvary’s Cross is set before us

 

Giving is conforming to the image of Christ

Can others see Jesus in you?

 

II Corinthians 9

More Than All

 

More Than All

 

“I want all I can get out of life”

This is the common thinking

But “All” does not seem very much

When its only for self seeking

 

For only one person enjoys that “All”

And it never is enough

If only they would really see

How worthless is their stuff!

 

Instead of getting let us give

To Jesus all we own

For through this gift—though very small

God’s glory can be shown

 

A little boy’s lunch, A widow’s two mites

And a shepherd’s sling and stones

A cruise of oil and a little meal

All given—and how they’ve grown!

 

Why hoard the little that you have--

Give to Jesus everything

For He can do exceeding abundantly

Above all with anything!

 

 

Eph 3:20-21

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

 

Jeremiah 33:1-3 

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 

 

Jeremiah’s All—Faith!

Jeremiah was in prison. He really didn’t have much to give—except faith in God!

1.      God’s Word was there

2.      God, himself, was there

3.      God’s Prayer Promises were there

4.      God’s Glory was there

5.      God’s friendship was there

6.      God’s power was there    Ephesians 3:20-21

a.      When? NOW

b.      What? Exceeding abundantly above all

c.       Who? Unto him that is able to do

 

See also Philippians 2:13, John 1:12, Acts 10:38

Treading the Old Path

 

Treading the Old Path

 

You had to kneel as you entered the gate…

So many turned aside because they hit their head

 

The Way was clearly marked—A single groove in the sand

And a quiet whisper: “Follow me”

 

A Rugged Tree loomed ahead--

A vision of horror, a proving of love…

 

Yet a fellowship offered

“I died for you—will you live for me?”

 

The choice must be made—a yoke must be worn

 

The path to pursue:

Holiness unto the LORD…

 

Through Christ which strengtheneth me

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Once we trust Jesus to save us from our sin, our life should be all about living for Him. Are you pursuing the proper Path? The Bible is the Light, Jesus is the Way--Follow!

The Guessing Game

 

The Guessing Game

 

Ever learning yet never coming

Truth outside your reach

Depending on your own understanding

With faith you will not seek

 

You like to run to others with

What you suppose is true

But soon will come the judgment day

Your playing you will rue

 

Listen to the Master’s call

Do you not hear your name?

Trust His mighty work of grace

Stop playing the guessing game

 

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John 20

 

1.      Mary Magdalene guessed that someone had stolen the body

2.      Mary Magdalene supposed that Jesus was the gardener

3.      She would not stop to listen to anyone else—the angels barely got a word in edgewise!

4.      She was focusing on the supposed problem instead of seeking to God for the answer

5.      Asking questions is a good way to get people to stop and listen to themselves

6.      Be still—listen to God’s Word for your problem

7.      When you know—then go!

A People Near to Him

 

A People Near to Him

 

The Heaven of heavens cannot hold all His love

So how can a human heart?

It’s broken and wounded—outcast by sin

A terrible place to start!

 

But Great Power belongs to the Lord our God

He speaks and His Word it is done

He maketh a way for each one who will come

Through the blood of His Precious Son

 

He lifts the lowly to heights above

Where majesty surrounds His Throne

He never stops working on their behalf

His enjoys His children—His own!

 

Let us be the people near unto Him

With hearts open wide to His care

Fearing the Lord—in His mercy we hope

Praise ye the Lord everywhere!

 

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The People Near to God

Psalms 147-148

 

The people God wanted near described

1.      The people near to God were outcasts

2.      The people near to God were broken

3.      The people near to God were wounded

4.      The people near to God needed to be built

5.      The people near to God needed to be lifted up

The people near to God delivered

1.      Fear the Lord—see sin and recognize your problem

2.      Hope in the mercy of God—receive Jesus’ payment for sin

The people near to God discipled

1.      God’s commands

2.      God’s comforts

The people near to God determined

1.      To enjoy God’s presence

2.      To praise God’s person

Don't Back Away from the Plow

 

Don’t Back Away from the Plow

 

You have worked in the yoke with the Saviour

You reaped in the harvest for years

But lately your steps may have faltered

Your toiling been troubled with tears

 

Remember the Strength yoked beside you

In God’s Will you’re never alone!

Impossible things are still possible

Keep reaping where others have sown

 

Cast every burden on Jesus

His strength will carry your care

Lift up your eyes—fields are golden!

Our God is still God everywhere!

 

Psalms 126:5-6, John 4:34-42, Hebrews 10:32-38

Count it all Joy

 

Count it all Joy

 

“Count it all joy

When ye fall into

Divers temptations…”

 

Dear Lord, what an impossible task this seems to be!

Remind me that joy and happiness are different—

Happiness is temporal and sometimes selfish, but joy is forever

Your very own example proves that the Cross comes before Resurrection Morn

 

Let this mind be in me that was displayed in Thee:

To accept the Father’s will when things go well or ill

Understanding that the true blessing is loving God and serving others

Hiding in You through the mountains and valleys

 

Remind me that I so often deceive myself—

It is easy to talk the talk but help me to  truly walk the walk

Bridle my tongue to the law of kindness

Strengthen my hands to rescue the lost

 

Search my heart, know my mind

Clean out all sinful ways

May my single-minded focus be

To yield myself to Thee

 

Amen

 

 

Call Her Blessed

 

Call Her Blessed

 

Call her blessed

To fold her weakness in God’s strength

Then forge ahead through day and night

Breaking through the fallow ground

Yoked to Christ her true joy found

 

Call her blessed

To hide herself in robes of grace--

A putting off self to seek God’s face

And through His eyes she comes to know

That loving others will help her grow

 

Call her blessed

To yield her tongue to the Spirit’s control

Kindness she has made her goal

In her heart God’s Word abides

With these her family edified

 

Call her blessed

To trust the Lord—live in His fear

Her Heavenly citizenship written clear

She gives her all—her very best

To seek for others Home’s true rest

 

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Proverbs 31:28 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 

 

 

Lessons from the Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31

 

1.      She actively seeks to do good

2.      She works with a good attitude

3.      She gives—meeting needs

4.      She is a self-starter—she strengtheneth herself—she chooses not to be a burden to those around her, but casts her cares on God. She walks with God.  Psalms 28:7

5.      She prepares for the future

6.      She builds her husband’s reputation—she will not tear him down in front of others, but always point out his strengths.

7.      She is willing to work/suffer today for the benefit of a future reward. She develops patience

8.      She allows God’s Word to control her tongue. She is so familiar with God’s Word that her speaking reflects it.

9.      Her home is the primary focus. She is willing to serve in a small sphere. She recognizes that God uses the family unit at home and at church. She leads by example.

10.   Her underlying desire is to please God in everything. She fears the Lord—and loves Him with all of her heart.

 

Blessed does not mean that everything is wonderful—not always flowers and music! To be blessed is to demonstrate a level and balanced life. It is one that is content and happy with the provision of God. True blessedness meets the needs of others and leads them to live a life of blessedness. This kind of a living will prosper in true spiritual riches.

Watch Your Step!

 

Watch Your Step

 

Watch your step—

Be careful where you tread

Hear the warnings clear

Please heed what God has said

 

It only takes one step

Away from God’s True Light

To find yourself flat on your back

Lacking godly might

 

If there never is the first step

There can never be one more

Why leave Your Heavenly Father

To paths of sin explore?

 

Examine your steps with the Bible

Know the chapter and verse

Follow what is good and right

Flee from that which would curse

 

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Psalms 37:23

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

 

Proverbs 4:14-15

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.