What's a nation to do?

As our Country tries to figure out what to do with guns, I have been praying and thinking about what I should do. We were given the right to bear arms to protect ourselves from a possible tyrannical twist in our government and to protect ourselves from any foreign threat.Our forefathers gave us the freedom of speech so that we could talk about protecting ourselves from government oppression not to be able to bring pornography, violent movies, or anything else that abuses another individual.  God's word has given us instruction in how we should live and our government was based on the rules set forth in His word. The Ten Commandments is what our laws were originally based on.

Now we find ourselves in a great predicament. We have as a nation allowed many who are seeking to change the meaning of the founding documents to fit an ungodly way of life. We allow those who murder to go free, we do not demand restitution from the thief, we allow perversity to enter our society unashamed-ably. I understand that you can not rule or govern morality, but how can we continue the way we are headed as a society?

 As I look around I have discovered through God's word that what I need to do more of is preach and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the heart of man that continues to cause all the pain and suffering we have and see in the world. Unregenerate man can not and will not seek the instruction from God, nor seek to do the good of others. Life on this earth is short it is imperative that we preach ever so the more. We must live the gospel to show the love and holiness of God to this lost and dying world.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

When the Lord returns will He find faith (in my life) on the earth?

As I continue seeking God's will for my life I am finding that the vision He has for me is not some great work involving great works with and for the multitudes, but how can I make a difference in the lives of people I come in contact with every day. I am blessed and I know that the Lord is blessed when I am obedient to be used in very simple ways. Sharing my lunch with someone who is hungry, a hug to someone who is hurting, a smile to those who are sad, a prayer for someone who is lost. I have found that as I do these things that a door is opened to share the gospel of God. But there is so much in and around my life that takes my focus off the Lord. I let the cares of life and my comfort become more important than others. 

In the Bible, James talks about faith and works. Jam 2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? 17 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. 

As I read God's word and compare my life to what it says, I can see that my life could be used by the Lord much more.   

Father, give me your heart for this lost and dying world. I want my faith to be seen in what I can do for you each and every moment of the days you have given me. Make my faith ALIVE. 

Psalm 29:18a Where there is no vision, the people perish.

We read quit a bit about visions in the Bible. Visions of God at work in future events and visions about God's will for people groups and individuals.  Most of the visions are very frightening. They deal with God's judgement upon man for disobedience and rejection of Him. They are about how He will destroy all that is evil and vain.

Then there are the visions that show man God's glory and all the good that He wants in there life. Visions of the new heaven and earth, where righteousness dwells. Visions of what God wants for you and me in our life. Visions of life filled with Him with us in distressful times and bountiful times.

I have been asking the Lord to show me His will in my life. Where I should go, what I should do, the words I am to speak. I believe it is summed up in one verse, Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?   

What When and Where?

"Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
How many times do you get in a predicament where you don't know which direction to go or which decision to make? As I continue reading and studying God's word I continue to find the benefits of being a Christian and knowing the hard choices. Choices like, what do I spend my money on? What do I spend my time doing? Where and when do I go?

The whole scripture gives us direction but I find in one scripture the Lord giving us some very solid and clear direction, "Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." If, I am loving God and my neighbor as myself then the choices I make in life will will be the right choices.

Where are you finding the benefits of being a Christian?

What are the benefits of being a christian?

When you think about the benefits of being a christian what comes to mind? Forgiveness of sin, going to heaven, salvation from hell. Well those are the normal benefits that most of us think about. What I would like to challenge you and myself to do is seek the scriptures and ask God to show us the true riches and benefits we have in Christ. This time of year I would like focus on the peace of God and the fact that we have peace with God. We are no longer enemies of God because of what He did on the cross to redeem us and reinstate relationship with us. Because I don't have to try to earn my way to heaven I have peace. I can rest in Him and the work He has done. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Go to church and be blessed!!

God is soo gooood. He has blessed me with Sundays off the past month, something that doesn't happen in retail, and I have been enjoying the time with my wife and girls. It is true that we need to go to church. I need to go to hear from God through His word and be in fellowship. Our worship leader wrote a song that truly lined up with the thankfulness that I have for the salvation that Jesus offers. I can't say it enough, seek God and you will find Him. His peace passes all understanding.

Thy Word

I have been reading a lot and am in awe with the marvelous exploits of God. There are so many wonderful scriptures that show how He only wants us to love and follow Him. We started reading about Gideon in Judges 6. The nation of Israel was committing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Wow, it just hit me. Where could we do evil and God not see it? Nowhere.

So it continues in Judges that God used the nations of the world to correct the thinking and direction of the people. They were tired of living in caves an having all of their foods and resources taken from them. They cried to God for deliverance.

Then God sent a prophet to them to remind them who he was. He had delivered them from slavery and given them the land that was flowing with milk and honey. They had everything they needed physically. But as we all do, they got caught up in the things of the world and neglected the God who had created them and has been faithful to provide all they needed.

What do we need? God!! He is the giver of life both physical and spiritual. It doesn't mater if you have the world and all it has to offer if you do not have The God who created it all and given it to us. The pleasures that this world offers always fades away. It shines and glitters for only a short time than tarnishes. The physical sensations become dulled and have to get more extreme until there is nothing else that can satisfy the physical urges for pleasure.

I have found that being redeemed, forgiven of my sins, knowing God, and knowing that I am going to be with Him in eternity is the only thing that has satisfied me.

Taste the Lord and see that He is good.