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
Jesus
Let’s get stoned (part 2)
God threw the stone of Commandments and you broke them. We all did. Because of that another stone should be rightfully thrown at all of us – the stone of condemnation.
This stone is meant to punish and kill. Continue reading
Let’s get stoned! (part 1)
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
Excuse me – Part 5
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
Excuse me – Part 4
Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ Luke 14:20
What a lame excuse this is. I always thought a spouse would be a good reason to go to church but I guess some could use love as an excuse. Continue reading
Excuse me – part 2
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
Excuse me – part 1
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
Touching others.
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
Don’t be Mara!
There are so many people up one moment and down the next. It’s like a rollercoaster of emotion.
Everything is going so well, and then nothing ever goes well. Sounds like life to me!
There was a woman in the Bible that felt that way. She was married with two grown sons and daughters-in-law. But the men-folk died and she found herself a childless widow with no one to take care of her.
Living in a foreign land, she decided to move back home. When Naomi arrived everyone was pleased to see her.
But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Ruth 1:20-21
God never promised you easy times but He promised to see you through all times.
Like Naomi, many have bitterness over how things have turned out. They jumped to the conclusion to quickly that nothing is going to change.
But it did for Naomi and it will for you.
The Lord has a purpose for you. Sometimes you just have to wait for the fruition of it. As it is written,
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Ps 27:14
Abba, You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. And I believe Your promise. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Apologetics – Part 5
Paul’s entire set of epistles seem to be nothing but Christian apologetics – he defends the faith.
Each letter is written to a group, region, or church that seems to be going through problems, questions, or false teachings.
For instance to the Corinthians Paul defended the resurrection, spiritual gifts, Communion, marriage and divorce, hair length, and law suits just to name a few.
To the Galatians, Paul had to defend against Judaizers that came with a different gospel of following the Law.
In Ephesians he defended the family.
And I could go on but you can read each for yourself and experience what Paul was saying.
Probably one of the best lines from Paul on apologetics is given in Colossians –
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col 4:5-6
Apologetics demands wisdom and patience. It demands grace in what you say and how you say it so that the answers you give will be received.
Abba, I want grace and salt in my speech today. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 