I am by no means perfect but I know the pathway to perfection and have seen a glimpse of it. But keeping my eyes on Jesus all the time is hard in a world that keeps enticing me away.
I am not tempted by all things, yet the adversary knows what temptations will work. Continue reading
What do you get out of church, Sunday school, and Bible study?
Some get very much and others very little. There are those that don’t get fed in a church service and others that take lots of notes.
What you get out of it is entirely up to you.
Case in point,
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:66-69
Peter was one of twelve men that traveled with Jesus. Along with the others he witnessed miracles, heard teaching, and watched His lifestyle.
However it was Peter alone that proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ. That’s not to say the others did not think it also.
But among the twelve is one that is of a different nature.
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70
Knowing what Judas will do begs the question as to why he didn’t get anything from the teaching of Jesus.
How is it the others went on to preach, teach, and evangelize and Judas did not?
Let’s investigate this tragedy this week.
Everyone has broken the Commandments and it is obvious that we’re all stoned, that is, deserving of God’s judgment and death sentence. Continue reading
Have you ever been told you’re casting the first stone?
Or said it to someone else?
It happens when someone makes a judgment statement, like if someone is unfaithful in their marriage and you call that person an adulterer. Continue reading
The father invited everyone to the wedding of his son. The time arrived for everyone to come and enjoy the celebration
But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. Matt 22:5
This is exactly what happens to Father – people make light of Him, His ways, His people, and His church.
They don’t view living a Christian life of sanctification as important. Church is not a serious matter; prayer, fasting, tithing, fellowship, and witnessing are all optional to many.
Some of the biggest excuses I hear when it comes to anti-Christian living is “God is love”, “Jesus loves everyone”, and “God will forgive me for my sin.”
All true but not an excuse to sin or live contrary to scripture.
The Roman church thought much the same thing and it prompted Paul to say,
Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Rom 6:1-2
Christianity cannot be taken lightly or easily excused. If you are a Christian, then it is important that you live as Christ would live.
Don’t use Christ as an excuse to do evil but live for Christ and overcome evil.
Abba, I have no excuse for my sin and yet You have excused it by the blood of Jesus. I don’t take that lightly. YES&AMEN
His preparations were complete and the invitations were delivered. But each friend began to make and excuse not to attend this elaborate supper.
The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ Luke 14:18
Who would buy a piece of land without seeing it first? That’s just crazy. For all he knows he could have bought 20 acres of prime, Grade-A swampland!
Land is an investment. Other investments include homes, businesses, stocks, bonds, gold, silver, 401K’s, and mutual funds.
Some invest in racecars, racehorses, or sports teams. For the most part people invest in something that will make money or increase the value of something else.
However to take an investment of land or otherwise to the extreme of missing out on God’s blessing is going way overboard. And that is exactly what so many are doing.
Investments in this life are temporary.
Jesus said,
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt 16:26
Your best investment in not in things of this world,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21
Don’t let your possessions become an excuse to not serve God, not go to church, and not help others.
Abba, all I have belongs to You. I am just a steward. I want to be invested in You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Excuses are a part of everyday life. You may make one to someone else and they may make one to you.
Every teacher has heard excuses for why assignments were not done and homework not turned in. And just so you will know, the dog doesn’t really like to eat homework.
God hears excuses all the time as in the case of a parable that Jesus told.
It seems a man invited his friends to a great supper. He went to the time an expense to prepare and cook for them. It was probably a very impressive spread.
When everything was ready the man called his friends to come and eat. I don’t know about you but if someone invites me to supper – I’m there! But that’s not what happened in this story.
But they all with one accord began to make excuses. Luke 14:18
Though each man had his own excuse, they all made them together. I’m already suspicious about the truthfulness of each reason for not going to the supper. I have discovered that many excuses are just lies.
Don’t get me wrong. I know there can be legitimate excuses. I recently was asked to do a funeral but I turned it down.
It seems the daughter of the man that died thought we were really close friends. I explained I haven’t seen him in at least 40 years and that I didn’t remember him in high school at all. That most of my memories of him were from elementary school – around 50 years ago.
It was the truth and she understood.
But how can someone make an excuse to the Almighty?
Find out through the next series of Morning Thoughts.
Abba, I made many excuses to not be saved but I am glad I quit and accepted your gift of love, grace, and forgiveness. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Linda and I went to the funeral home last night to pay our final respect to Mr. Jeanes.
The parking lot was full when we arrived as this man touched a lot of lives. He was well known in the community, in church, at the local school, and in the county. Continue reading
Christian apologetics did not come easy for Paul. After his salvation and conversion he was now going to need to build up what he previously had been tearing down.
You will have to do the same. Continue reading
Christian apologetics is just another way of saying “defending the faith”. For me, that’s not debating or arguing – it’s an explanation of the scripture, including the Gospel. Continue reading
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 