Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I, send me. -- Isaiah 6:8
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Have you ever heard the voice of God? Has He ever called your name as he did the man, Samuel, in I Samuel, chapter 3? Maybe He didn't speak your name audibly, but you sensed God speaking to you within, in your heart?
If that has happened to you, how did you react? What did you do? Did you seek to answer God in some manner? I sure hope so, because the Bible makes it clear that you can be called by God.
How has the experience affected you? Has it changed your whole life? If you did not respond positively to God, why not? Perhaps you were simply afraid or unsure about whether it was God or not.
Samuel thought at first it was his friend and teacher, the prophet, Eli, calling. When he heard the voice on each of the first two instances he ran and replied to Eli. The prophet answered that he had not called, and then recognized that something else was going on. He then instructed the youth to go back to his room, and when he heard the voice again, to ask God what he wanted.
Read the story. You'll find that God did call again and Samuel answered obediently.
The Bible makes it plain that it is not God's will that any perish. God issues an invitation of Salvation to "whosoever will" and in verse 3 that author calls it "the common salvation" because it is available to all.
In order to obtain what God offers us, we must qualify for it. You must take advantage of what He says is required to receive it.
Concerning Salvation, for instance, Jesus told Nicodemus that "no man can see the kingdom of God" (let alone enter into it) unless he is "born again" (John 3). Because of His great love for us, Christ shed enough blood to save us all. Still, unless we obey God's instructions for putting the blood atonement into effect, we remain lost. Without the "born again" experience, people die without hope because they have not obeyed the Gospel's instruction on how to break the curse of death that sin brings.
God certainly is merciful. In Genesis 6, God decided the wickedness of man was so widespread that He was sorry for ever creating mankind. He seriously considered wiping him from the face of the earth. In the very next verse, 6:8, though, He declares, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
Noah found grace because he was responsive to both God's call and instructions. The Genesis account tells us that God told him to build an ark as a means of Salvation to all who heard him. As he worked on the ark, Noah preached that God's wrath would soon rain down. Building the ark took over 100 years, but Noah obeyed God. Genesis 6:22 tells us that as a result all who heard Noah (his family) escaped and gave mankind a new start.
The Bible tells us much about God's choosing of men. Isaiah heard God's call at first and pleaded he was a "man of unclean lips" (Isa. 6:5). In response, God sent an angel with a live (hot) coal in his hand to touch his lips which had been purged. So, while we may feel unworthy, if God has called us, he will equip us to carry out his purpose.
Look at God's calling of so many great men of the Bible--Abraham, Joshua, Samson, Samuel, David, Peter, Paul, Cornelius--the list goes on and on. He's still calling today, still looking for a few good men and women to serve and carry out his purpose in the earth.
He has declared that His church (the "called out ones" who will be His bride and rule and reign with Him through Eternity, must be without spot or wrinkle. Above reproach, if you will. God teaches, cherishes and enables faithfulness.
Paul told the church at Rome that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29). Thus, if you've heard His voice, and maybe are hearing it now, pay attention. If you do, I can assure you that will find your life fulfilling the real reason you are here.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
REGARDLESS, GOD'S IN CONTROL
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. -- I Kings 19:18
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Elijah, the Tishbite, the great prophet of God, did some wonderful exploits on behalf of the Lord during his lifetime. But even Elijah had at least one moment when he was afraid and believed himself to be all alone--the only servant of God who was left.
After all, he had just received word from a messenger sent by Jezebel, that most wicked queen of Israel, that she planned to hunt him down and kill him before another 24 hours had elapsed. Well, God quickly let Elijah know the truth, that indeed God had thousands who were still faithfully serving him. (See I Kings 19:18)
When you look at Elijah's life and note the giant successes he racked up in his walk with God, it might seem that he would be the last person to ever become discouraged or afraid. But the thing to remember is that he, like all of us, was human.
In his New Testament epistle, the writer James notes that, "Elias (Elijah) was a man subject to like passions as we are." But he continues, "and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
The reason Elijah prayed that prayer, of course. was because of the great wickedness that was prevailing under the leadership of King Ahab. "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word," the prophet told the king to his face. (I Kings 17:1.)
Sure enough, God shut the heavens up for 42 months. No rainmaker was able to make it rain. In fact, do you know when it rained again ? Not until after Elijah himself prayed and petitioned God to lift the drought.
Read about it in I Kings, beginning at Chapter 17, and you'll learn of how God used him to save the life of a widow woman and her son; how he later raised the boy from the dead, and of his great victory in a contest that pitted Elijah and his God against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the grove with the whole host of Israel as witnesses.
"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. (I Kings 18:21.)
Elijah called for two bullocks, one for Baal's worshipers, and one for himself. Each bullock was cut in pieces and laid on wood, but in each case, no fire was put under it.
"And the God that answereth by fire, let him be God," Elijah declared (I Kings 18:24).
He allowed Baal's people to choose their own bullock, dress it, and then to call on the name of their gods.
"And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, O Baal hear us. But there was no voice nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
"And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakened.
"And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them." (I Kings 18:26-28) The next verse says that they "prophesied until the time of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any answer, nor any that regarded."
Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the broken down altar, took 12 stones and built an altar in the name of the Lord, and then made a trench about the altar, cut up the bullock, and laid him on the wood. Then he instructed 12 barrels of water to be poured on the sacrifice. Then he had the same amount of water poured on the sacrifice two more times. Then, he filled the trench with water.
Finally, Elijah began to pray and said, "Hear me O, Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou has turned their heart back again." (Verse 37).
The next two verses:
"Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God."
What a victory!
However, that sent Ahab crying to his wife, and led to Jezebel's rage and her vow against the man of God. With all of his successes, you would think that Elijah could not be affected by the threats of an evil woman. But he was, because he was human.
God, of course, encouraged him, and Jezebel never got him. In fact, Elijah was later to prophesy the deaths of both Ahab AND Jezebel as God poured out His judgments against them. And, the prophesy came true just as the prophet said it would.
So, my Christian friend, it's important to stay encouraged when things go wrong and it looks as it the devil's about to take over. Let's learn from Elijah's experience and never, ever forget that God is still in full control.
Read about it in I Kings, beginning at Chapter 17, and you'll learn of how God used him to save the life of a widow woman and her son; how he later raised the boy from the dead, and of his great victory in a contest that pitted Elijah and his God against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the grove with the whole host of Israel as witnesses.
"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. (I Kings 18:21.)
Elijah called for two bullocks, one for Baal's worshipers, and one for himself. Each bullock was cut in pieces and laid on wood, but in each case, no fire was put under it.
"And the God that answereth by fire, let him be God," Elijah declared (I Kings 18:24).
He allowed Baal's people to choose their own bullock, dress it, and then to call on the name of their gods.
"And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, O Baal hear us. But there was no voice nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
"And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakened.
"And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them." (I Kings 18:26-28) The next verse says that they "prophesied until the time of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any answer, nor any that regarded."
Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the broken down altar, took 12 stones and built an altar in the name of the Lord, and then made a trench about the altar, cut up the bullock, and laid him on the wood. Then he instructed 12 barrels of water to be poured on the sacrifice. Then he had the same amount of water poured on the sacrifice two more times. Then, he filled the trench with water.
Finally, Elijah began to pray and said, "Hear me O, Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou has turned their heart back again." (Verse 37).
The next two verses:
"Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God."
What a victory!
However, that sent Ahab crying to his wife, and led to Jezebel's rage and her vow against the man of God. With all of his successes, you would think that Elijah could not be affected by the threats of an evil woman. But he was, because he was human.
God, of course, encouraged him, and Jezebel never got him. In fact, Elijah was later to prophesy the deaths of both Ahab AND Jezebel as God poured out His judgments against them. And, the prophesy came true just as the prophet said it would.
So, my Christian friend, it's important to stay encouraged when things go wrong and it looks as it the devil's about to take over. Let's learn from Elijah's experience and never, ever forget that God is still in full control.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
HANDLING LIFE'S FRUSTRATIONS
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.-- Psalm 27:13
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Life certainly has its trying moments for all of us. Perhaps you've seen that whole list of sayings that go along with Murphy's Law. You know the crux of Murphy's Law is that if something can go wrong it will.
Let me clue in one thing. I've found that whether you are a Christian or not there are times in our lives that Murphy's Law seems to rule. But, as well, there's certainly also a lot of truth to that old adage, "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." That may not always be the easiest thing to do, but in many, if not all cases, if we really scrutinize the situation from every angle we can conceive of, we really can often find at least a partial or temporary solution.
After all, people like Erma Bombeck, the late columnist, have been making a good living for years just making fun of all the besetting problems of life and our attempts at handling them. There's a lot to be said for that method of looking at life's problems for all of us.
You haven't completely been defeated when you can find a little humor in what's been happening to you, and thereby retain an attitude that sooner or later--hopefully sooner--that with God's help things are going to turn around. And, all's well that ends well.
Nothing good is ever accomplished by simply sitting around griping, worrying or crying over our problems. As Jesus taught in his parable in Luke 18, "men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Luke 18:1). Prayer can and will help, if you seek God's help in sincerity, from your heart.
While some of today's religions that teach that all the answers to life's problems are inside of you, Christ teaches that the TRUE ANSWERS really are not within us. They are outside of us. Instead they are IN HIM.
Jeremiah 10:23 declares, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." David, in Psalm 37:23-24, tells us more: "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."
James 5:16 assures us that, "The effectural fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
We have to keep the faith we've invested long ago in God, and we have to continue to believe in ourselves and His love for us. He's promised never to leave us nor forsake us. He won't because He cannot lie. So, hang in there my friend, things will get better, and even if they don't, we'll understand it better by and by.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
How To Quench Your Thirst
Come, see a man, which told me all the things that I ever did: is not this the Christ?--John 4:29
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The hot sun was beating down on her as the woman carried her pot across the clearing to Jacob's well for her daily supply of water. Life in Sychar had not been good to her, especially with the women and the elders who ruled the city. After all, she was well known to her neighbors and they had branded her as a harlot--and rightfully so.That's likely why she chose to brave the noonday sun each day as she made her trip to the well.
The "good people" of Sychar made it a point to draw their water early in the morning before it got too hot. This was the best time for her, however, because there was seldom anybody else at the well at this time and she didn't have to endure ridicule from any of the townsfolk who knew her.
This day, though, there was someone else at the well, a man quietly sitting there. It was almost as if he had been waiting for her to come by. It was obvious to her that he was Jewish. Oh, boy, what kind of trouble was she in for now?
"Give me to drink," he said.
How can he ask me a question like that, she wondered. Aloud, she replied, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans?"
"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water," the stranger replied.
Her response to that statement was one of shear wonder and perhaps unbelief. "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
"Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle"
Lots of questions. But, then she was like a lot of people who are so quick to question Christ. Perhaps it's because He really is still such a stranger to them. And, for sure, they've never ever met anyone like Him before.
John 4:13 records Jesus' next response to her as:
"Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life."
As you might expect, the woman gave a quick, affirmative reply, at least verbally. "Sir, give me this water that I thirst not, neither come to draw," she said. Inwardly, she had to be wondering, just how does he think he's going to do it? Or, in other words, Oh yeah, let me see you prove you have such abilities.
Jesus told her: "Go, call thy husband and come hither."
"I have no husband," she retorted, probably thinking, I've got you now.
"Thou hast well said, I have no husband," Jesus told her. "For thou has had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that thou sayest truly."
"Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet," she acknowledged.
Take a moment and read the rest of that exchange in John 4. There's a good chance you may find Jesus waiting on the sidelines somewhere in your life sometime when you least expect it, but need Him most.
The woman, by the way, went back and told her neighbors: Come, see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? They were so moved by her experience that they not only listened to her, but went out to see Him for themselves.
Have you checked out this amazing man with the living water yet?
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The hot sun was beating down on her as the woman carried her pot across the clearing to Jacob's well for her daily supply of water. Life in Sychar had not been good to her, especially with the women and the elders who ruled the city. After all, she was well known to her neighbors and they had branded her as a harlot--and rightfully so.That's likely why she chose to brave the noonday sun each day as she made her trip to the well.
The "good people" of Sychar made it a point to draw their water early in the morning before it got too hot. This was the best time for her, however, because there was seldom anybody else at the well at this time and she didn't have to endure ridicule from any of the townsfolk who knew her.
This day, though, there was someone else at the well, a man quietly sitting there. It was almost as if he had been waiting for her to come by. It was obvious to her that he was Jewish. Oh, boy, what kind of trouble was she in for now?
"Give me to drink," he said.
How can he ask me a question like that, she wondered. Aloud, she replied, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans?"
"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water," the stranger replied.
Her response to that statement was one of shear wonder and perhaps unbelief. "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
"Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle"
Lots of questions. But, then she was like a lot of people who are so quick to question Christ. Perhaps it's because He really is still such a stranger to them. And, for sure, they've never ever met anyone like Him before.
John 4:13 records Jesus' next response to her as:
"Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life."
As you might expect, the woman gave a quick, affirmative reply, at least verbally. "Sir, give me this water that I thirst not, neither come to draw," she said. Inwardly, she had to be wondering, just how does he think he's going to do it? Or, in other words, Oh yeah, let me see you prove you have such abilities.
Jesus told her: "Go, call thy husband and come hither."
"I have no husband," she retorted, probably thinking, I've got you now.
"Thou hast well said, I have no husband," Jesus told her. "For thou has had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that thou sayest truly."
"Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet," she acknowledged.
Take a moment and read the rest of that exchange in John 4. There's a good chance you may find Jesus waiting on the sidelines somewhere in your life sometime when you least expect it, but need Him most.
The woman, by the way, went back and told her neighbors: Come, see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? They were so moved by her experience that they not only listened to her, but went out to see Him for themselves.
Have you checked out this amazing man with the living water yet?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
THE FALL OF LIFE
Life is an incredible adventure that includes highs and lows, the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly. As someone has said, it is not a sprint, but a marathon in which we are required to cope with whatever situation comes our way.
One of my favorite expressions is "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
This life is not forever, it is a fleeting thing. In the Bible James tells us that even the rich are here temporarily, "But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof faileth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways." (James 1:10-11.)
The next verse tells us to hold fast to Christ for the opportunity to live forever. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12.)
No, this life is only a temporary experience for all of us. Moses, in Psalms 90:10, advises, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be forescore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Last May I reached the age of 72, so I'm well aware that sometime ago I entered the fall of my life. While some people call this lifetime segment the golden years, I have reached a stark conclusion that there are a number of things I once did well and almost without thinking, I cannot do as well--or even at all--today.
Unlike the way it may have been in our youth, we have learned while passing through the marathon of life what chronic aches and pains are, we have experienced our share of personal heartaches, and we have endured and enjoyed a myriad of ups and downs.
While I may no longer be as young or agile as I once was, life still holds plenty of joy for me--and I hope for you as well, if you have reached a similar stage in your life.
We still treasure our family as well as the friendships we have put together over the years. We have had the joy of watching our children grow into adulthood and go out on their own., We have known the joy of seeing grandchildren and even great-grandchildren come into the world.
We still have our faith and the hope of seeing Christ for ourselves as we are invited to enter into eternal life someday. So, while life may end as we know it down here, we look forward with much anticipation to what may be over the horizon for us. We are only pilgrims in this life and are simply rehearsing for what lies ahead in a land where we'll never die. I do want to see Christ Jesus in peace one day, don't you?
One of my favorite expressions is "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
This life is not forever, it is a fleeting thing. In the Bible James tells us that even the rich are here temporarily, "But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof faileth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways." (James 1:10-11.)
The next verse tells us to hold fast to Christ for the opportunity to live forever. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12.)
No, this life is only a temporary experience for all of us. Moses, in Psalms 90:10, advises, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be forescore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Last May I reached the age of 72, so I'm well aware that sometime ago I entered the fall of my life. While some people call this lifetime segment the golden years, I have reached a stark conclusion that there are a number of things I once did well and almost without thinking, I cannot do as well--or even at all--today.
Unlike the way it may have been in our youth, we have learned while passing through the marathon of life what chronic aches and pains are, we have experienced our share of personal heartaches, and we have endured and enjoyed a myriad of ups and downs.
While I may no longer be as young or agile as I once was, life still holds plenty of joy for me--and I hope for you as well, if you have reached a similar stage in your life.
We still treasure our family as well as the friendships we have put together over the years. We have had the joy of watching our children grow into adulthood and go out on their own., We have known the joy of seeing grandchildren and even great-grandchildren come into the world.
We still have our faith and the hope of seeing Christ for ourselves as we are invited to enter into eternal life someday. So, while life may end as we know it down here, we look forward with much anticipation to what may be over the horizon for us. We are only pilgrims in this life and are simply rehearsing for what lies ahead in a land where we'll never die. I do want to see Christ Jesus in peace one day, don't you?
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
WHAT ARE YOU STANDING UPON?
Ye, also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.--I Peter 2:5.
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What is your life built upon? What is the foundation of what you really believe. What set of rules and approaches to life govern whatever you do in a given situation?
What is the tie that really binds it all together for you?
My Dad used to say that his father had taught him that, "The most important thing a man has is his word."
Not a bad foundation is it? That is, if your word is something you seriously believe in standing behind. It becomes somewhat of a signature for you.
My foundation, I firmly believe, is even stronger than that. It is the Word of God, better known as the Bible. The book itself declares itself to be the unchanging Word of God that is forever settled in Heaven. (See Psalms 119:89.)
The Bible gives us quite a solid basis for determining values, rights and wrongs of both word and deed. Both acceptable and unacceptable conduct is vividly illustrated by events in the lives of the characters in this great book. We need to seldom if ever be forced to learn from our own mistakes and sins.
The book is filled with memorable examples of other people's conduct and experiences that provide stunning and defining examples to us so we REALLY don't have to make the same mistakes that caused such an impact on their lives. Of course, some people are bound and determined to learn by their own miscues. And, experience can be a most expensive and painful teacher.
The Apostle Paul, writing in the 8th chapter of the book of Romans, tells us that, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."
Such beautiful words .... and such proof that God Himself cares so deeply about what happens to each and every one of us. If we will but do what God tells us to do, we can enjoy His mercy and blessing, even if we have come short many times in the past. The Word declares that His mercy endureth forever.
This is one of those places where the Bible conveys to us that a Spiritual walk is a great treasure to all who choose to go that way. But, the Bible just as emphatically tells us that we all do really get to make up our own personal minds.
"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace," Paul declares in verse 6. "Because the carnal mind is emnity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God," say verses 7 and 8.
But then he tells us, we who are so persuaded that all he says is true, that, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
That wonderful Spirit experience he is talking about is the infilling of the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost. In Colossians Paul called it "Even the mystery which hath been in hid from the ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory," Col. 1:27-28.
Back to Romans 8, where Paul, in verse 4 said, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Using His word as the lamp to our feet and the light to our pathway (Psalm 119:105, Psalms 19:7-8, and Proverbs 6:23) we can see clearly what the course of our lives should and must be.
Then, through His guidance, his love and mercy, and the mighty power of His Spirit operating within our lives, we are able to live lives that bring lasting joy to us. This allows us to radiate His love for the eternal for the eternal benefit of some, perhaps not all, of those our lives happen to touch. And we also get the satisfaction of knowing we are bringing glory to Christ because we are carrying out His word. Now, isn't that a solid foundation?
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What is your life built upon? What is the foundation of what you really believe. What set of rules and approaches to life govern whatever you do in a given situation?
What is the tie that really binds it all together for you?
My Dad used to say that his father had taught him that, "The most important thing a man has is his word."
Not a bad foundation is it? That is, if your word is something you seriously believe in standing behind. It becomes somewhat of a signature for you.
My foundation, I firmly believe, is even stronger than that. It is the Word of God, better known as the Bible. The book itself declares itself to be the unchanging Word of God that is forever settled in Heaven. (See Psalms 119:89.)
The Bible gives us quite a solid basis for determining values, rights and wrongs of both word and deed. Both acceptable and unacceptable conduct is vividly illustrated by events in the lives of the characters in this great book. We need to seldom if ever be forced to learn from our own mistakes and sins.
The book is filled with memorable examples of other people's conduct and experiences that provide stunning and defining examples to us so we REALLY don't have to make the same mistakes that caused such an impact on their lives. Of course, some people are bound and determined to learn by their own miscues. And, experience can be a most expensive and painful teacher.
The Apostle Paul, writing in the 8th chapter of the book of Romans, tells us that, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."
Such beautiful words .... and such proof that God Himself cares so deeply about what happens to each and every one of us. If we will but do what God tells us to do, we can enjoy His mercy and blessing, even if we have come short many times in the past. The Word declares that His mercy endureth forever.
This is one of those places where the Bible conveys to us that a Spiritual walk is a great treasure to all who choose to go that way. But, the Bible just as emphatically tells us that we all do really get to make up our own personal minds.
"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace," Paul declares in verse 6. "Because the carnal mind is emnity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God," say verses 7 and 8.
But then he tells us, we who are so persuaded that all he says is true, that, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
That wonderful Spirit experience he is talking about is the infilling of the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost. In Colossians Paul called it "Even the mystery which hath been in hid from the ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory," Col. 1:27-28.
Back to Romans 8, where Paul, in verse 4 said, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Using His word as the lamp to our feet and the light to our pathway (Psalm 119:105, Psalms 19:7-8, and Proverbs 6:23) we can see clearly what the course of our lives should and must be.
Then, through His guidance, his love and mercy, and the mighty power of His Spirit operating within our lives, we are able to live lives that bring lasting joy to us. This allows us to radiate His love for the eternal for the eternal benefit of some, perhaps not all, of those our lives happen to touch. And we also get the satisfaction of knowing we are bringing glory to Christ because we are carrying out His word. Now, isn't that a solid foundation?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A CHANGLESS SAVIOR FOR CHANGING TIMES
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.--Hebrews 13:8
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Are you one of those people who have a difficult time dealing with change? Do you have a fear of change? Resent the pressures and adjustments it often brings? Do you wish there was SOMETHING that you could count on to remain constant?
In today's fast-paced society, ever more technologically evolving, and seemingly moving always toward greater tolerance of more permissive, more radical lifestyles, we are being called upon to adjust to change or somehow accommodate it in some area of our lives virtually all the time.
The workplace is a prime example. We read everywhere of companies that once had offered people jobs which generally turned into lifetime careers, that today are undergoing "re-engineering."
Restructuring and massive changes often are necessary "in the interest of making a leaner, better company that will be more competitive, and more profitable," employees are often told today. The result, all to often, is major job losses. Let's face it, changing times are changing the way business is operating, and the change usually impacts personal lives and families.
As stressful as adjusting to the loss of a career position can be, it can sometimes be paled by the stress of having to face adjustments brought about by such tumultuous things as divorce, or the death of a spouse, child, parent or other dear family member.
In the case of the loss of a long-time companion, something I'm certain a number of my readers have had to cope with first hand, even the thought of going on alone can understandably seem unbearable.
What do you do when such changes are thrust upon you? How do you handle these things without losing your sanity? How DO you go on ?
In times like these we need a rock to cling to. We need that one solid, unchanging rock, that we can ever count upon, no matter what. We have that Rock in Christ Jesus.
As Paul said in Hebrews 13:8, "He is the same." He never changes. We can count on the comfort provided by the everlasting arms of the one who created us, loves us, came to earth and died to redeems, rose again and called us to give our lives to Him, and promised us eternal life with Him. Yes, in this life, Jesus is the One who promised to always be there, and to care, no matter what.
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," the apostle Peter advises in I Peter 5:7. If the crisis caused by some devastating change in your life has left you feeling hopeless, take Peter's advice, and let us point you to that solid rock today.
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Are you one of those people who have a difficult time dealing with change? Do you have a fear of change? Resent the pressures and adjustments it often brings? Do you wish there was SOMETHING that you could count on to remain constant?
In today's fast-paced society, ever more technologically evolving, and seemingly moving always toward greater tolerance of more permissive, more radical lifestyles, we are being called upon to adjust to change or somehow accommodate it in some area of our lives virtually all the time.
The workplace is a prime example. We read everywhere of companies that once had offered people jobs which generally turned into lifetime careers, that today are undergoing "re-engineering."
Restructuring and massive changes often are necessary "in the interest of making a leaner, better company that will be more competitive, and more profitable," employees are often told today. The result, all to often, is major job losses. Let's face it, changing times are changing the way business is operating, and the change usually impacts personal lives and families.
As stressful as adjusting to the loss of a career position can be, it can sometimes be paled by the stress of having to face adjustments brought about by such tumultuous things as divorce, or the death of a spouse, child, parent or other dear family member.
In the case of the loss of a long-time companion, something I'm certain a number of my readers have had to cope with first hand, even the thought of going on alone can understandably seem unbearable.
What do you do when such changes are thrust upon you? How do you handle these things without losing your sanity? How DO you go on ?
In times like these we need a rock to cling to. We need that one solid, unchanging rock, that we can ever count upon, no matter what. We have that Rock in Christ Jesus.
As Paul said in Hebrews 13:8, "He is the same." He never changes. We can count on the comfort provided by the everlasting arms of the one who created us, loves us, came to earth and died to redeems, rose again and called us to give our lives to Him, and promised us eternal life with Him. Yes, in this life, Jesus is the One who promised to always be there, and to care, no matter what.
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," the apostle Peter advises in I Peter 5:7. If the crisis caused by some devastating change in your life has left you feeling hopeless, take Peter's advice, and let us point you to that solid rock today.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
OPEN THE DOOR
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. --
Rev. 3:20
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By now most all of us have lived long enough to be well aware that life is filled with a great series of choices. Oftentimes, a single choice at a fork in life's road can have major implications on what happens to us the remainder of our days. And, when it is in regard to spiritual matters, perhaps even beyond this life.
We've all made our share of bad choices that produced consequences that came back to hit us in the pocketbooks or elsewhere and to otherwise haunt us later. Some have likely even turned out to be so significant as to become unexpected, but definite forks in the road for us.
At times, when we found that a choice was a mistake, we have been able to go back to that turning point and (hopefully) forge ahead from a new direction by choosing better. Other times, we found we had "made our bed, and then we had to lay in it."
By being so fortunate, as I am, to live in these United States, we do have a considerable amount of control over our destiny. Still, there are some people, particularly those in authority, who have the ability to intervene in our lives and hinder our progress.
Through it all, we still can be thankful we're Americans. Especially, when we compare the circumstances under which people live in many other lands around the world. So, it's usually difficult to point our finger at others and blame them for our own troubles. We're usually our own worst enemy.
The older we get, the more we learn that it's more often than not the choices we've made in the past that make our lives better or worse in our own futures.
While decision making may sometimes be hard for us, procrastination or refusal to make any decision at all can turn out to be just as devastating to us as a bad decision. This is true in both the natural and spiritual realms.
My concern, of course, is the spiritual. And, I hope you are concerned as well because the Bible tells us that human beings are the only creatures on earth God has endowed with souls. The Creator designed our soul to live forever.
The entrance of sin--the transgression of God's law--into the lives of mankind, has brought a pronouncement of death upon both the body and soul because as Romans 6:23 declares, "The wages of sin death." Thus sin's final payday is always DEATH!
The same verse in Romans also declares that God's gift is eternal life. The Word explains that Jesus Christ gave his life--became the sacrifice that paid sin's debt--to free us from that curse of death.
Rev. 3:20
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By now most all of us have lived long enough to be well aware that life is filled with a great series of choices. Oftentimes, a single choice at a fork in life's road can have major implications on what happens to us the remainder of our days. And, when it is in regard to spiritual matters, perhaps even beyond this life.
We've all made our share of bad choices that produced consequences that came back to hit us in the pocketbooks or elsewhere and to otherwise haunt us later. Some have likely even turned out to be so significant as to become unexpected, but definite forks in the road for us.
At times, when we found that a choice was a mistake, we have been able to go back to that turning point and (hopefully) forge ahead from a new direction by choosing better. Other times, we found we had "made our bed, and then we had to lay in it."
By being so fortunate, as I am, to live in these United States, we do have a considerable amount of control over our destiny. Still, there are some people, particularly those in authority, who have the ability to intervene in our lives and hinder our progress.
Through it all, we still can be thankful we're Americans. Especially, when we compare the circumstances under which people live in many other lands around the world. So, it's usually difficult to point our finger at others and blame them for our own troubles. We're usually our own worst enemy.
The older we get, the more we learn that it's more often than not the choices we've made in the past that make our lives better or worse in our own futures.
While decision making may sometimes be hard for us, procrastination or refusal to make any decision at all can turn out to be just as devastating to us as a bad decision. This is true in both the natural and spiritual realms.
My concern, of course, is the spiritual. And, I hope you are concerned as well because the Bible tells us that human beings are the only creatures on earth God has endowed with souls. The Creator designed our soul to live forever.
The entrance of sin--the transgression of God's law--into the lives of mankind, has brought a pronouncement of death upon both the body and soul because as Romans 6:23 declares, "The wages of sin death." Thus sin's final payday is always DEATH!
The same verse in Romans also declares that God's gift is eternal life. The Word explains that Jesus Christ gave his life--became the sacrifice that paid sin's debt--to free us from that curse of death.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
WANTED: TRUE BELIEVERS
If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. -- Job 14:12
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What are some of the things YOU BELIEVE most strongly? That's important you know. Because just who and what a person really believes has a major impact on what he or she does in life, and what happens to them as well.
There was a day when people most everywhere were convinced that the world was flat. Mariners feared that if they sailed too far in any one direction they just might fall off the earth. Christopher Columbus changed all that, of course, when he bumped into the New World while seeking a new route to India. Today you could probably poll an entire mall full of shoppers and not find one person who believes the world is flat.
What do you believe about life and death?
Biblical sufferer Job tells us in Chapter 14 of his book: Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. (Job 14:1-2)
As a follow-up to that statement, in verse 14, the writer asks, "If a man die, shall he live again."
Do you believe in a resurrection? Do you believe in eternal life? Or are you of the opinion that this life is all there is? And that once you die, you're simply dead a long time? Ever wonder where you got your belief on this matter, whatever it is?
Job did believe in life after death. "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come," he declared in answer to his own question.
In John 5:24, Jesus Christ announces: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.
Jesus goes on to say in verses 28-29: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shalt come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Thus Jesus, who also identified himself as "the way, the truth and the life" in John 14:6, advised those listening in John 5:39, to "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Now, of course, if you happen to choose not to believe that the Bible is God's Word, and that Jesus really is not the way, it seems logical that you'll also disregard many other instructions from both the book and Christ Jesus when it comes to other facets of living.
Now I've never heard of anyone dying because their ship fell off the earth, have you? So, I guess you could say that no real harm came from that false belief.
If you have chosen to believe in ways opposite of what the Bible teaches concerning such key things as life, death, sin, righteousness, good, evil and eternity, that's your option. You really should, however, make a careful study of the Bible's teachings, including its thousands of promises to believers. You just might adopt a whole new belief system.
Everything God's word has to offer is predicated on faith. You really do have to believe this book to be eligible for its promises. Check it out for yourself, it really works.
_____
What are some of the things YOU BELIEVE most strongly? That's important you know. Because just who and what a person really believes has a major impact on what he or she does in life, and what happens to them as well.
There was a day when people most everywhere were convinced that the world was flat. Mariners feared that if they sailed too far in any one direction they just might fall off the earth. Christopher Columbus changed all that, of course, when he bumped into the New World while seeking a new route to India. Today you could probably poll an entire mall full of shoppers and not find one person who believes the world is flat.
What do you believe about life and death?
Biblical sufferer Job tells us in Chapter 14 of his book: Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. (Job 14:1-2)
As a follow-up to that statement, in verse 14, the writer asks, "If a man die, shall he live again."
Do you believe in a resurrection? Do you believe in eternal life? Or are you of the opinion that this life is all there is? And that once you die, you're simply dead a long time? Ever wonder where you got your belief on this matter, whatever it is?
Job did believe in life after death. "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come," he declared in answer to his own question.
In John 5:24, Jesus Christ announces: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.
Jesus goes on to say in verses 28-29: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shalt come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Thus Jesus, who also identified himself as "the way, the truth and the life" in John 14:6, advised those listening in John 5:39, to "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Now, of course, if you happen to choose not to believe that the Bible is God's Word, and that Jesus really is not the way, it seems logical that you'll also disregard many other instructions from both the book and Christ Jesus when it comes to other facets of living.
Now I've never heard of anyone dying because their ship fell off the earth, have you? So, I guess you could say that no real harm came from that false belief.
If you have chosen to believe in ways opposite of what the Bible teaches concerning such key things as life, death, sin, righteousness, good, evil and eternity, that's your option. You really should, however, make a careful study of the Bible's teachings, including its thousands of promises to believers. You just might adopt a whole new belief system.
Everything God's word has to offer is predicated on faith. You really do have to believe this book to be eligible for its promises. Check it out for yourself, it really works.
Friday, August 31, 2012
TWO WINNERS IN LIFE'S RACE
Two marvelous women, both of them wonderful Christians and leading ladies in their respected families, finished their work on earth a few years ago.
Both women went home to meet their best friend, Jesus Christ himself, and to ultimately receive their eternal rewards.
This happened on two consecutive Sunday mornings. God picked these beautiful lilies from my flower garden. As their pastor, I couldn't complain, because they really do belong to the Lord.
I simply had the honor of serving as caretaker of these lovely flowers as they budded, bloomed and grew so productive for Him while going through this life.
So, we had two funerals. It was sad, quite sad, in one way, but a time for rejoicing in another. Their battles are over, their race has been won. Jesus said in Revelations 2:10, "be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life."
In John 11:25, 26, He also declared, "I am the resurrection , and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he life. And whosoever believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?"
That says some mighty things about what Jesus can do, doesn't it? And it also speaks volumes about what life is really all about for every man.
I firmly believe that God wants all of us to find out who He is, what He's all about, what His will and purpose is for each individual on earth, and what we personally can do to set these things in motion, and carry them out.
Therefore, I firmly believe that no man should have a more important goal in his lifetime than to win in the game (experience) of life. To do that, you must realize that the Bible is the unadulterated Word of God, and it was written for our knowledge and adminition. This gives us the knowledge we need to carry out God's will (not our own), as we travel this often rocky journey through life.
These two precious saints, both key member of our church family, were well aware of this. Both had obeyed the Gospel requirements for eternal life as laid out in the Bible. While walking by their faith in God, both had held to those principals that they so dearly believed and adopted as cornerstones of their lives.
The Apostle Paul, as he was about to lay his head on Emperor Nero's chopping block, said in II Timothy 4:6-8: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that also that love his appearing."
Hebrews 11 is the Bible's faith chapter. The writer goes through the Bible outlining a wonderful roll of the faithful. In my years in Dearborn County, I believe God has taken home a number of faithful saints that could well be added to the Hebrews list
Would you like to be one of those? You can be. If I can help you in any way, email me at ashepherdsblog@email.com, and I'll try to answer any questions you have.
Monday, August 27, 2012
LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT!
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. --Isaiah 55:3
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People who walk with God and who have given their lives to Him have a personal walk with the Lord that is incomparable with any other relationship we can have in this life.
You quickly learn that God is really alive and that He truly cares about you. As you live by your faith in Him you also soon learn that you can call on Jesus any time night or day and that He will respond to your needs, no matter how trivial or how serious they may be.
God is the creator of all things. He made us. And for the sinless, all-powerful Creator, man was His crowning achievement. He made man because He wanted something back from him. He purposed to create a companionship between God and His creation, a relationship for Eternity.
We all know the story of how the first people created were placed in a beautiful garden, and how they soon were tempted to disobey Him and how they did sin. That act brought sin into the nature and bloodstream of man. But because of His great love and mercy, that caused God to unfold His beautiful plan of redemption for man through the coming of the Sonship. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
God's idea was to create a bride for Himself, composed only of people who loved Him. He would call that bride His Church. Christ's death on Calvary made it possible for every man to be cleansed from sin and to have eternal life. Every man, however, has not chosen to advantage of His cleansing power, so every man has not been born into God's great church.
We don't have the space here to really cover all the details, but the point I want to make today concerns those who already have given themselves to Him and who have been called into a life of service to God. God wants to use all of us! Even though you may not fully understand how He wants to use your life, be sure that He does. He has a perfect will for you.
But, you ask, how do I find out what that will is?
Well, as Isaiah said in Isaiah 55:3, "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." Listen for the voice of God in your life. He will lead you and instruct you in the pathway in which you must go.
He may not speak to you audibly as He did to Moses and Samuel in the Old Testament, but if you have God's Spirit, He will certainly communicate with you and show you His will.
Remember, when we pray we are talking to God. We are communicating with Him. When we read His Word God is talking to us. The Bible conveys His will, His ways, and His plans for us. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
We soon learn that God is always the same, He never changes. The more you learn about that truth, the more comforting it becomes. That also means that we are the ones who need to change. We need to let Him change us because God does all things right and for our best, when we put our lives in His hands.
So listen to God. Listen to the Spirit, and obey. Do that, and you won't go wrong.
Monday, August 20, 2012
LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF
First of all, let me introduce myself. I recently retired as pastor of the First Apostolic Bible Church, Lawrenceburg, IN. My wife, Janet, and I founded the church when we moved from Seymour, IN to Dearborn County more than 44 years ago.
I'm a retired newspaper reporter/editor and also served for 20 years as Cincinnati correspondent for People Weekly magazine. During this period, I was also correspondent for Life magazine for a number of years.
My many years of ministry have been a wonderful experience that taught me much about life, people, and their problems. I found you can help them by introducing them to the world's greatest problem solver--God, Himself.
God's word--the Bible--provides both you and me much information as well as the answers to many problems of both the individual and society. This wonderful book declares itself to be God's word and gives us His position on most all of the situations we face in this life.
The Psalmist declared, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Today, I'm a great-grandfather who has served the Lord Jesus Christ for the better part of 60 years. He called me to serve him as a boy of 14 in a humble little country church in Southern Indiana. I've never been sorry that He chose me, and I treasure our relationship as the greatest single decision I've ever made.
This walk with God is built on a relationship and a God-given testimony that has proven to me God's faithfulness throughout all these many years. I'm writing this blog to tell you He's been a miracle-worker in my life. He also loves you as much as me, and is anxious to do exciting miracles in your life as well.
I'm a retired newspaper reporter/editor and also served for 20 years as Cincinnati correspondent for People Weekly magazine. During this period, I was also correspondent for Life magazine for a number of years.
My many years of ministry have been a wonderful experience that taught me much about life, people, and their problems. I found you can help them by introducing them to the world's greatest problem solver--God, Himself.
God's word--the Bible--provides both you and me much information as well as the answers to many problems of both the individual and society. This wonderful book declares itself to be God's word and gives us His position on most all of the situations we face in this life.
The Psalmist declared, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Today, I'm a great-grandfather who has served the Lord Jesus Christ for the better part of 60 years. He called me to serve him as a boy of 14 in a humble little country church in Southern Indiana. I've never been sorry that He chose me, and I treasure our relationship as the greatest single decision I've ever made.
This walk with God is built on a relationship and a God-given testimony that has proven to me God's faithfulness throughout all these many years. I'm writing this blog to tell you He's been a miracle-worker in my life. He also loves you as much as me, and is anxious to do exciting miracles in your life as well.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
CHANGING FOR THE BETTER
Have you ever had difficulty trying to change a habit? Human beings are creatures of habit. We tend to continue acting as we have acted in the past. Like a river flowing through a canyon, the longer a habit continues, the more deeply it becomes ingrained, and the harder it is to change. This is true of all habits, good or bad.
Ephesians 4:22-24 shows that major changes must occur when we are converted to serve God. Old practices and attitudes must be replaced by new ones. Christians must learn good habits like Bible study, prayer, love, faith, patience, attending church meetings, giving, teaching others, etc. We must also eliminate bad habits like foul language, uncontrolled temper, gambling, drugs, smoking, drinking, gossip, lying, pornography, sexual promiscuity, etc.
Knowing what changes to make is not enough. We also need to know how to make them. Change does not come easily. Since the Scriptures provide us to all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17), they give all the guidance we need. God's word is the best source of guidance for self-help and motivation for self-improvement.
Before people are willing to act, they must be motivated. A sound sleeper is more likely to get up in the middle of the night if the house is on fire than if he remembers he did not brush his teeth! Christians have some of the strongest possible motives for changing.
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. The way you act is determined by your attitudes and intentions. People and circumstances may influence you, but you do not have to give in. You do what you decide to do (cf. Matt. 15:18,19; 12:34-37).
Joshua 1:8 - To succeed in God's work, meditate on God's word. List the pertinent Bible passages about each habit you need to change. List reasons why you should change. Meditate on these verses daily, filling your mind with them. (Cf. Psalm 1:2; 119:11.)
Most other achievements in life require about 10% ability and 90% just plain determination and hard work. In spiritual matters, every accountable person has the ability to please God; so changing to please God is 100% determined by our choice. God has provided everything we need. The decision is ours.
We will never change until we make up our minds to pursue the means God provides until we succeed. The decision to do this is repentance, and no one will change to please God without it.
In what other important endeavors will we succeed without a plan? Consider the forethought needed to build a house, run a business or a household, program a computer, etc. Worthwhile activities, to be successful, need planning.
Likewise, to change your life, you need a specific, practical checklist of steps you will take to change. Analyze the circumstances or causes that lead you to fail to do right, then plan how to avoid those causes. It may help to write your plan down and modify it as needed. This plan will include some specific points we are studying plus other points that fit your specific problem. Prayer is essential in two ways. A child of God should pray for forgiveness. If you are not yet a child of God, you need to believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized to be forgiven of sins (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; 22:16). When you have done those things, you become a child of God (Gal. 3:26,27; Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Peter 1:22,23). If you sin afterward, you need to pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:8-10; Prov. 28:13; Matt. 6:12).
Then pray for God's help.
Matthew 6:13 - Ask God to "deliver us from evil" (cf. Matt. 26:41). Tell God exactly what your problem is. Pray often and regularly (1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2). Pray especially at the moment when you face temptation (Matt. 26:36-46).
God has promised that, if you ask His help, He will hear and answer.
Ephesians 4:22-24 shows that major changes must occur when we are converted to serve God. Old practices and attitudes must be replaced by new ones. Christians must learn good habits like Bible study, prayer, love, faith, patience, attending church meetings, giving, teaching others, etc. We must also eliminate bad habits like foul language, uncontrolled temper, gambling, drugs, smoking, drinking, gossip, lying, pornography, sexual promiscuity, etc.
Knowing what changes to make is not enough. We also need to know how to make them. Change does not come easily. Since the Scriptures provide us to all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17), they give all the guidance we need. God's word is the best source of guidance for self-help and motivation for self-improvement.
Before people are willing to act, they must be motivated. A sound sleeper is more likely to get up in the middle of the night if the house is on fire than if he remembers he did not brush his teeth! Christians have some of the strongest possible motives for changing.
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. The way you act is determined by your attitudes and intentions. People and circumstances may influence you, but you do not have to give in. You do what you decide to do (cf. Matt. 15:18,19; 12:34-37).
Joshua 1:8 - To succeed in God's work, meditate on God's word. List the pertinent Bible passages about each habit you need to change. List reasons why you should change. Meditate on these verses daily, filling your mind with them. (Cf. Psalm 1:2; 119:11.)
Most other achievements in life require about 10% ability and 90% just plain determination and hard work. In spiritual matters, every accountable person has the ability to please God; so changing to please God is 100% determined by our choice. God has provided everything we need. The decision is ours.
We will never change until we make up our minds to pursue the means God provides until we succeed. The decision to do this is repentance, and no one will change to please God without it.
In what other important endeavors will we succeed without a plan? Consider the forethought needed to build a house, run a business or a household, program a computer, etc. Worthwhile activities, to be successful, need planning.
Likewise, to change your life, you need a specific, practical checklist of steps you will take to change. Analyze the circumstances or causes that lead you to fail to do right, then plan how to avoid those causes. It may help to write your plan down and modify it as needed. This plan will include some specific points we are studying plus other points that fit your specific problem. Prayer is essential in two ways. A child of God should pray for forgiveness. If you are not yet a child of God, you need to believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized to be forgiven of sins (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; 22:16). When you have done those things, you become a child of God (Gal. 3:26,27; Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Peter 1:22,23). If you sin afterward, you need to pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:8-10; Prov. 28:13; Matt. 6:12).
Then pray for God's help.
Matthew 6:13 - Ask God to "deliver us from evil" (cf. Matt. 26:41). Tell God exactly what your problem is. Pray often and regularly (1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2). Pray especially at the moment when you face temptation (Matt. 26:36-46).
God has promised that, if you ask His help, He will hear and answer.
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