Month July 2014

Don’t worry be Happy

The Preacher Leave a comment

We like to complain, “It’s hot, It’s cold. I’m too fat, I’m too short. I’m too old”…. yackk yackk yakk! We need more cheese in this world, with all the whine that’s going around. We whine (make excuses) about everything. Weather, ourselves, each other. Get over it!

GOD MAKES GOOD THINGS
Complaining about life is an insult to God and to His creation.

Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Ge 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Ge 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

OUR ATTITUDE
God made us, we were made in His image. But it’s our attitude, not our appearance or health that separates us from God. Moses complained that he wasn’t a good speaker, God got angry. (Ex 4:10,11)

Zig Ziglar calls it “stinkin thinkin”. Look to the scriptures, there are wonderful words of comfort from our Creator; “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isa 40:28

God has a question for us when we complain about the troubles of life; “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” Job 38:4. I think that it’s morally wrong for Christians to remain unhappy. We can have sorrow and complaints, but to continue to talk about them, elevating them above our hope in Jesus, then what are we saying about Him? What are we saying to the world about our Savior?

OUR SPEECH

Jas 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

EXAMPLES of Positive attitudes

  1. Stephen, As he lay dying, he said these words about his accusers, “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Ac 7:60
  2. Paul; “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;” Php 1:21

OUR ABILITIES
God has provided for each and every one of us with something to contribute.

  • 1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
  • 1Co 12:12-31; (12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
  • Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
  • Talents; Mt 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Be Happy for Jesus

Many an ugly, sick or poor person has brought someone to Christ! If we only spoke about the love of God when we feel great, then we’re missing huge opportunities. 

  1. Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
  2. Peter told folks to appear hopeful in the midst of persecution; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1Pe 3:15

Even if there seems to be nothing in the world to make us happy, we should still act happy. The reason, one day the Lord shall return to take us to a far better place.

“Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear” ― A Grief Observed – CS Lewis.

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

To whom will we compare God?

The Preacher Leave a comment

There are gems throughout the bible that we fail to notice. One such gem is found in Isaiah 40. This chapter should be a great chapter of comfort to all of us.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. – 1-8

In the opening verses we find words of comfort to an exiled people. “her iniquity is pardoned:”. Vs 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. In 7-8, though flesh be weak and failing as the grass withers, the word of the Lord shall stand forever.

Faithfulness of God – 9-11

In this section we hear of the coming of the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, strong arm and His reward with with Him. Therefore we should declare it from a HIGH mountain. As a shepherd feeds his flock, He shall gather his lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom.

It reminds me of the words in the New Testament about Christ;

  • Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Heb 13:20

  • And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1Pe 5:4

  • I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Joh 10:11

THE SIZE OF GOD – 12-17

Continuing the comforting words, Isaiah uses the only words he can to describe the size and power of God. Vs 12 has the waters contained in the hollow of HIS hand, able to measure out the heavens with the span of HIS hand. HE is able to measure, weigh the earth, mountains and hills in a balance.

13 & 14 asks Who teaches God? Who is HIS counselor? Who showed HIM the way? The answers are in the asking, no one. God is self existent, all knowing and all powerful.

  • Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; 1Co 1:25

Demonstrating HIS might, the author argues turns to the leaders and nations of the earth. Vs 15 calls them a drop in the bucket and as dust. In vs 16, if you were to gather all the cattle together in one place, it would fail as a sacrifice.

I live in Texas, we have a bunch of cattle. If we were to off it all to HIM, it would be insufficient.

COMPARE GOD TO WHAT!? – 18-20

Still more words of comfort in an almighty GOD, we are asked to discover a comparable being as HE. In vs 18 we find folks making images of gold & wood to which they bow themselves in worship. Laughable. They take a created thing and worship a nothing. GOD alone saves.

Have you not known. – 21-26

In this section we see the description of HIM sitting on the circle of the earth. The heavens as a tent. HE brings the princes (leaders) to nothing and makes the judges of the earth as vanity (a waste of time).

In vs 26 we see that GOD not only numbers the stars of heaven, but NAMES them. Comforting words which lead us to the final section……

Who can be hidden from God? 27-31

Many folks wonder if God even notices them. Look again at vs 26, HE sees all. As we continue to read these comforting words, GOD is everlasting, the creator and HE never faints or grows weary. We faint, vs 30 says that our strongest people grow weak, but GOD, HE gives power to the weak. HE will carry us through.

Vs 31 however, describes the conditions. They that wait upon the LORD. This is more than just hanging out, looking for HIS return. No, it’s about serving HIM. Only those that are serving HIM shall receive the eagles wings, able to run without becoming weary, able to walk without fainting.

  • Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Ps 37:34

  • If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:15

 

 

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

The faith of Abraham

The Preacher Leave a comment

 

The scriptures say, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Ro 4:3

Have you ever wondered what it was about Abraham to receive such praise? I have, so I looked into the Bible to see about this wonderful man. As I studied his life, I came across the story of God’s demand of Abraham…..

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Gen 22:1 KJV

You’ve heard the story before, but perhaps you have yet to notice one little part. It’s found in vs 3, after God commands him to take his only son and offer him as a burnt offering it says, “And Abraham ROSE UP EARLY..”

HE ROSE UP EARLY….

I have no idea about you, but ME, would I get up early to go and sacrifice my only son. I have 3 sons, would I rise early to sacrifice any of them? Abraham did. I wonder how well he actually slept that night. Was he worried, was he afraid, did he have any doubts?

To find the answer, we need to continue to study our bibles. As we do a word search, we would find this scripture;

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 8 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Heb 11:17 KJV

I believe that Abraham had no worries, no doubt, no tossing and turning that night. He had non of these troubles because he knew, “…that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;” NOW THAT’S FAITH!

He believed God, and then ROSE EARLY. I have a question; Would he have gotten the label as a man of faith had he failed to take Isaac to that mountain? Consider this verse and tell me if it has any bearing on the answer…

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, WHEN he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Jas 2:17

I emphasized one of the words in that passage to point it out to you, WHEN. Abraham was justified WHEN he had offered Isaac. Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised, just as he was fully convinced in Gen 15. (Rom 4:21) Are we in any different a position? We’re told to have faith, Heb 11:6, but how do we know that we have a faith like Abraham?

WHEN we do whatever God says.

  • Lu 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
  • Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

 

spencer

Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

4 step formula for success

The Preacher Leave a comment

The other day in the panhandle of Texas, I heard of a lady that had been kicked out of her apartment by her boyfriend. She had called her former employer, this person had only used her once to clean a rental house, seeking help. She wanted to avoid any shelters so as to be able to keep her kids, though her kids were with other people. She had no money, no one to turn, no place to go zip, nada, nothing.

Without trying to sound incompassionate, this question came to mind; How does one get to a point in their life that they have nothing? How do you burn every bridge so that you have no bridge to cross? I’m speaking about people that have options and without disabilities to prevent them from having some semblance of success. (incidentally, I’ve met folks with major obstacles in their lives and have overcome)

How do you live an honest life, lacking nothing?

Would you like a life like that? Honest living, lacking nothing? There are little treasures in the scriptures that God gives us to better enjoy our lives. He said in 2Pet 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, KJV. These “things” are more than just the churchy stuff. He provided information about life.

So, turning to the scriptures we find this little gem…

1Th 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Here we see a worthy ideal, having an honest life toward folks, and a lack of nothing. This verse says “that ye”, meaning that the formula is in the previous verses where we find the 4 step formula….

1Th 4:9 ¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Let’s break this down for you…..

  1. LOVE – In vs9 He says that we are to love one another, then in vs10 to “increase more and more“. We should do more than just increase, but that He was urging us strongly to make this increase. Notice the word “beseech“.
  2. Pursue PEACE– In vs11 we see “study to be quiet“, meaning that we need to seek peace, a quiet life. Do you see how these first two steps can really change how our lives unfold?
  3. Mind your own business – Also in vs11 we see “to do your own business“. This is about being a busybody, or meddling. I think it’s referring less about what to avoid and more about what to do, take care of your stuff, look after your needs. This is not a selfish ambition, but rather making sure that the beam is removed from your own eye. Mat 7:5
  4. WORK with your own hands – now this may make sense to some of you, but to others this is a four letter word. From the very beginning, man has been assigned work to do. Work is the thing that provides all the necessities of life; food, clothing and shelter. If you don’t work, someone has to. Think of work as a blessing, not a curse. Though work is a struggle for mankind, it’s still the only thing that provides for our needs. On another note, there’s another benefit to work, Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. KJV

Love – Peace – Mind your own – Work

Had I told this to certain audiences, they would reject this formula simply for being from the Bible. If I were to share this without the scripture reference, they would hail it as just good ‘ole common sense. These things work whether you’re a believer or unbeliever……..

……if you’re an unbeliever, then what’s the point of any of this? If you don’t have a hope of heaven in Christ, then you’ve got nothing and that is one bridge you want to keep from burning. He’s told us how to cross that bridge too. Click here to see what saves you.

 

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10

unconventional evangelism

The Preacher Leave a comment

I actually want to look at evangelism in a way that seems to be missing in many Christians, but first let me tell you a story……

I was attempting to eat at a restaurant where I live in Borger, Texas. I say attempt, because the entire staff for this particular restaurant was outside smoking. Had they been in the back by the dumpster, my recommended smoking area for any restaurant, I may have never noticed. Nay nay, they were by the front door!

Since it was a buffet, I seated myself, retrieved my own food and served my own beverage. Oh, you may say that it was a buffet, what do you expect. Folks, the drink dispenser was in the kitchen, had it been self serve I would have no problem. No one cleared my plates, too many by the way (I need to work on that problem), no one offered a refill. AND no one brought me a bill. I even attempted to wait on another table as they were in the same plight as myself.

As I went up to check out and paid my bill with my card I was faced with the dilemma when filling out the “tip” line. ….

Many of these folks would identify themselves as a Christian

Here’s what got me thinking, As a Christian, how should our work ethic be perceived? Another thing I got to thinking about, looking at myself, If I demand such HIGH expectations from the purchases I make, shouldn’t I GIVE the same or better quality in the services I provide?

Is there a guiding Biblical principle for these Ideas? Yes…...the Christian work ethic……

  1. Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: KJV
  2. 1Pe 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: NKJV

All of these are sufficient to show HOW a Christian should work, but I want to show you WHY this is so important. This will also get to the point of the title of this blog…….Evangelism through our work..

  1. 1Pe 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (lifestyle) of the wives; (speaking of wives, but could easily apply to any spouse)
  2. 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (this is speaking to Christians having a positive, hopeful attitude in the midst of trouble)
  3. Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Let us remember, we are here to be a light to the world, spreading the Gospel. I will leave you with this……

“Christians should always be preaching the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.” unknown

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10