Author: Dennis

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Avoiding the Truth

Avoiding the Truth

So what … are you wanting to remain ignorant and believe all the liars out there !?! ‘Cause that’s what you’re doin when you avoid the “truth” and just fall for whatever else folks are teachin. If someone is lovin you enough to tell you “truth”, you need not make fun of em, but be thankin God that somebody cared enough about you to tell you. A liar is a deceiver … someone who tries to lead you away from the truth and the path least taken ( Matthew 7:13-14 ). They want you to remain ignorant so they can manipulate you to think what they want you to… to “buy into” the theology and useless reasoning that’s sending people to hell every day. STOP JOINING THEM and START FIGHTING the GOOD FIGHT ( 1 Timothy 6:12 ) ! We’ve let people talk us into so many dead-end corners that have caused us so much damage, that it ain’t even funny ! Just because “everybody else is doing it” is a philosophy invented by Satan himself, and it’s as popular today as it was a thousand years ago. And…it’s still creating addictions, causing divorce and keeping “good” people outta heaven…just as it always has and will ! We need to WAKE UP and smell the coffee ! Sure… if we’re gonna live a godly life, we’re gonna be persecuted…but I’d rather be persecuted for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ than for some nonsense created by man. Maybe you didn’t grow up with a parent or grandparent that constantly introduced you to Christ, but you’re reading this, so now you don’t have an excuse. And by the way, the “imposter” and “deceiver” wants you to believe that as long as you avoid the truth and remain ignorant to the truth, you can still be good enough to go to heaven ( or the proverbial “better place” ) when you die. That’s just another farce ! Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life … nobody gets to The Father ( or heaven ) apart from Him ( John 14:6 ). And…we can’t get to Jesus unless The Father draws/calls us ( John 6:44 ) … here’s yer call ! By faith ( which is also supplied by God; Ephesians2:8-9 ), we accept, believe and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord ( Romans 10:9-10 ). That’s the “truth” in a nutshell, right t’ere ! If we will hear the truth of God and apply the truth of God to our lives, we will see the work of God transform us into the image of God. But…it ain’t gon’ happen if we don’t think enough of it to pick it up and study it ! God “breathed” every word of it ( 2 Timothy 3:16 )… this fact alone should cause us to crave it ( 1 Peter 2:2 ) ! God dont want our excuses or our good deeds … He wants us to come to know Him and acknowledge Him in every area of our lives ( Hosea 6:6 ). That way, we can tell someone else the truth of His Word ! Don’t live in ignorance and believe a liar ( John 8:44 ) … receive the truth of the gospel and live in freedom for whatever time you have left here on earth ( John 8:36 ). “Abundant life” doesn’t end here ! ( John 10:10 )

 

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Confidence

Confidence

“Confidence” refers to the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, characterized by firm trust. In life, there are few things in which we can place complete confidence. Moreover, every day, more individuals provide reasons for us to distrust others. Therefore, where can we derive this confidence and firm trust? What or who can we rely on? The concept of a “track record” comes to mind, suggesting that if someone or something has a good track record, we should not hesitate to place our confidence in them. I have been hunting with one of my favorite rifles for many years, and it has consistently performed well. My family members have also used it successfully. However, recently, I took a short shot at a healthy doe and failed to hit it, which shocked me and undermined my confidence in my shooting abilities. I later discovered that the issue was with the rifle, which was shooting high. After adjusting it, I successfully killed a buck, restoring my confidence. This experience illustrates how confidence and trust in someone or something can be compromised or misplaced. In contrast, God is always faithful and never disappoints. He is truthful and loving, even when we are not. God blesses us despite our failures, and we can trust Him completely. If we place our confidence in God, we will notice a consistent pattern of faithfulness. Even when our prayers are not answered immediately or as desired, we can still trust Him. Just as I trusted my rifle, we can trust God, knowing that He hears us and will never abandon us. As stated in John 3:16, God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son, and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and we will receive what we asked for. So, what about it ? Do you trust Him completely ?

 

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Humble Thyself

Humble Thyself

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” ( Matthew 23:12 ). “exalt”: definition ; to lift up, praise and honor someone or something. When Jesus made this statement and it was recorded for posterity sake, He was chastising the religious leaders/ teachers of the law, for their neglecting the more important matters and instead, seeking the praises of the people and their peers. They liked for folks to recognize “them”, to honor “them”, to praise and lift “them” up. It was “pride” rearing its ugly head and seeking the applause and approval of “man”, over the approval of GOD…and GOD will not let this go without dealing with it in His way and in His time. Back when we were kids, you didn’t interrupt adults when they were talking. You spoke when you were spoken to…and you responded with “yes ma’am, no sir, please and thank you.” It was known as “good manners”…but it was really, being taught to be “humble “. Too many kids nowadays get away with talkin back to their parents, responding with “yeah”s, “what”’s and blatant interruptions while their parents are right in the middle of a conversation. It’s as if the parent doesn’t see that their “kid” is controlling “them”, instead of the other way around. What they also ain’t recognizing is, that kid will be an adult one day…and their “pride”-filled ways are going to be the cause of much destruction and heartache ( Proverbs 16:18 ). Mom, Dad, if you don’t recognize it now, while you’re still responsible for them, and turn em from their wicked ways, you will be held accountable by God for not training them in the admonition of the Lord and His ways. Just sayin. If your example ain’t teachin and showin them Christ-likeness and respect for the God who created them, Satan will gladly train them to act like his children and honor “him”. Teaching Christlike humility is one of the greatest gifts we could ever pass down … no matter who we’re passing it down to. Don’t wonder if they are learning from their Sunday school teachers or their school teachers…it’s “YO JOB !” Jesus ain’t just talkin to these “teachers of the law” back when … He’s talkin to you and me, today ! And He’s tellin us, “ Woe to yall who won’t clean up your own house but look down on others” ( Matthew 23:25-26 ). It’s a clear reprimand from God and ignoring it will be fatal. Jesus…God with flesh on, didn’t go around sayin,” Look at me !” or “Look what I did !” He humbly accepted the task at hand and while He was here, He loved people enough to tell them the truth. He exalted His Father and gave Him the credit for everything He did. He pointed them to the Only One that could change them and bring them out of the pit they were constantly clawing to get out of ! It starts with our recognizing the futility of our own efforts and the power that’s available through Christ ( John 14:6; John 10:10 ). Having a relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus the SON, has too many benefits to list ! If we wanna exalt somebody, He’s the One who’s earned it ! Anything we do here on earth that deserves recognition, needs to be credited to the ONE who gives us the strength, mental capacity, talents and gifts to do “whatever” it was. Humble surrender leads to humble submission.

 

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Love the Lord

Love the Lord

“For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commands, statutes and ordinances, so that you may live and multiply, and be blessed by the LORD. But if your heart turns away and you don’t listen, and you’re led astray to bow in worship to other gods and serve them, you will perish.” ( Deuteronomy 30:15-18 ) I believe with all my heart that most people don’t believe there’s eternal consequences to their sin. They’ve been “led astray”, not only “to” sin, but also in their thinking…their beliefs. The thought is there, the opportunity arises, the choice is made, and the stone is cast. Nothing left then, but for the “ripple -effect” to do its damage. Nothing left but the payment for the sin, which is gonna take us farther than we wanna go, keep us longer than we wanna stay and cost us more than we wanna pay. Then comes the heartache, the broken relationships, the shame and regret, the tears and separation and the darkness. All because of one decision ! And God’s Word backs it up…the warning given so far in advance that we cannot deny that it was there ! I think about the ones that REALLY loved me enough to tell me the truth … the ones that really had “my” best interest in mind … and yet i’d choose what the enemy had to offer … what his minions offered, that, if taken, would lead to my downfall… and i wonder sometimes why it took me so long to see !! Poor choices are like that box of chocolates Forrest Gump kept referencing … you never know what you’re gonna get. If this is you, take it from me…or better yet, take it straight from the Creator’s mouth … “ Love the LORD, walk in His ways and keep His commands”, enjoy the prosperity ( more than monetary ) of His blessings and favor and be the example of a man/woman that your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, your coworkers and employees and your employer can look up to ! If God is Lord , follow Him … if He’s not, suit yourself… just don’t take those that love you and need you the most, with you. The time to humbly submit is RIGHT NOW ! Recognize the error of your ways and repent … agreeing with God that “your” ways are only proving His point ! Satan has HAD his way with you long enough … give yourself to the LORD now … and watch what HE can do ! You need HIM, and “they” need you ! See what it’s like to prosper under the Lordship of Jesus Christ !! Just because you “said a prayer” and “got submerged” doesn’t mean you’re “saved” and going to heaven one day. Hear Jesus’ statement …” My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they obey me”. ( John 10:27 ) Although the people saw the many miracles that Jesus did, they neither believed in Him or followed Him ( John 6:2 ). Some, though, believed and followed, and their faith was evident in the days that followed ( Acts 4:4; Hebrews 11:1 ).

 

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Good and Perfect

Good and Perfect

“Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” ( James 1:17 ). Hold that thought for a minute … Got it ? Good. Now … “ whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, pure, lovely and admirable…things that are excellent and praiseworthy…think about such things ” ( Philippians 4:8 ). Like yall, all my memories aren’t “good”… even though I’d like em to be. I believe, this is another trick / trap of the deceiver ( Satan ). I believe, he loves it when we hold onto bad memories, hard feelings, and hurt. Sure, we can suppress these memories, bottle em up and even store em for awhile … but a bad memory isn’t going to do us any more good six months later than it will six minutes after “it” happens ! That’s why God tells us to think on the “good things” that He’s provided us … things that are “excellent” and “praiseworthy”. And hasn’t He supplied us plenty of em !?! I’ve got fond memories of my many years with my wife, Pennye Jacobs Lewis … I’ve got alotta great memories of my kids and grandkids … of my years in the propane business… of deer hunts, turkey hunts, mission trips with brothers and sisters in Christ, of my mamaws and Pennye’s mamaws, of good Thanksgivings and Christmas gatherings with family and friends … i couldn’t begin to list all the excellent and praiseworthy memories I’ve stored up ! And you know who’s given me all these opportunities to experience these minutes, moments and memories ? God did ! He’s the Giver of all good things…and good memories are my favorites. Next time a negative memory comes creeping in, don’t just suppress it; tell him, “Not today, Satan !” … and replace it with an “excellent” and “praiseworthy”memory ! You won’t haveta think too hard if your relationship with God is secured through, and in, Christ Jesus !

 

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Mercy

Mercy

“Mercy”…defined simply as ,” not getting what we deserve.” It’s “compassion” mixed with “forgiveness”, sprinkled liberally on someone that doesn’t deserve it. Who among us needs it ? Who amongst “you” needs it ? Now the hard part … who will you administer it to ? As a young teenager, i managed to get into a “pickle” with a store detective because i put something in my pocket without paying for it. I was so scared, i tried giving a fake name and address…which i blundered badly. The detective was having none of my foolishness and undoubtedly had “heard it before”, therefore, he heard my confession through my tears, called my mama and daddy to come get me, and ended my short history of shoplifting…all in one night. The ride home was lonely…the disappointment thick…and i knew what awaited once we got home. My dad wasn’t Hugh Beaumont and my mama wasn’t Barbara Billingsly ( Ward and June Cleaver; “Leave it to Beaver” ), so being sent to my room and receiving a short lecture accompanied by a slice of pie with a glass of milk wasn’t their order of business. I waited on my daddy and that “tool belt”, knowing i deserved the beating i was about to receive. He came in his room with it, where i waited, sitting on the edge of their bed…and as he sat beside me, he quietly said, “ Phil…I’m not going to whip you. I feel like you’ve already been through enough tonight.” I cried anyway…we hugged and exchanged “I love you’s” , and i learned that night what “mercy” felt like. I’ve never forgotten it … it’s one of the few times i didn’t get a whoopin for something I’d done. I wonder…do we “do wrong” because we WANT to be punished ? Does our “don’t care” override our good common sense ? What happened to conscience ? Do we feel like we’re somehow “entitled” to a whole deck of “get-outta-jail-free” cards ? Or maybe it’s the “grace” card we play each time we decide to go outside God’s boundaries. My copy of God’s Word reads the same as yours … so let’s read it together. What shall we say , then ? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase ? By no means ! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer ? We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” ( Romans 6:1-4 ). People…if God is willing to overlook our sin so mercifully, all because of Jesus’ sacrifice, shouldn’t we cry a little over that fact and tell Him that we love Him ? And shouldn’t that “reprieve” cause us to repent of even the slightest thought of doing something that would shame His name !? Psalm 51: says, “ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion ,blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of YOUR salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” ( Psalm 51:1-2, 10, 12 ) To me, this sounds like a man that WANTS to do better….wants to honor God with his life and grow into the man God wants him to be. It doesn’t sound like a man that doesn’t care what God says or thinks. If our resolve mimicked the psalmist’s, i bet God would grant us the mercy we so dearly need; don’t you ? “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” ( Matthew 5:7 ).

 

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Like Mama – Like Daddy

Like Mama – Like Daddy

“She got alotta her mama in her” … “ He inherited that habit from his daddy” … “ The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with that one” … these utterances have stigmatized many a boy, man, girl or woman over time. The young child that constantly heard, “ They so bad”, figured it was something to live up to…so they worked hard to prove everybody right. It may start off being “cute”, but marking someone as flawed or stuck with bad traits or genes, ain’t nothin but ignorance. Anybody can change. Anybody can break away from poor upbringing and create a new generation. Chains can be broken and new links can be installed. Just because our grandparents or moms and dads weren’t there for us, doesn’t mean we follow suit and dessert our own families. So what if the ones we depended mostly on gave more attention to everybody else…that doesn’t mean we do the same. I grew up with two parents … one that lived for self, the other lived for family. One was a part-time parent, the other worked overtime at everything she did. One was the spiritual leader of our home, the other, i never heard pray or got to sit with at church. I’d hear some dads singing praises to God, I’d hear mine talkin about his trips to the dog races, the golf course or the casinos. I can’t tell you the times I’d watch the interactions of couples at church…how the husband would hold the door for his wife, as well as others…how they’d share a smile and hold hands, sharing a hymnal … and I’d long for my own daddy to BE THERE, hearing what i was hearing, maybe catch a tear rolling down his cheek while sittin beside my mama. I tried tellin him how much i needed to know that he was “right” with God. I explained God’s word on salvation in Christ and Christ alone … but he’d never talk about it with me. I needed a daddy that loved God as much as my mama … but i never did receive one. His years drawing to a close, his quality of health deteriorating, he FINALLY called me from his hospital room and told me he’d given his heart to Jesus. He even said, “Phil, I know you’ve always worried about me” … and i really hope his salvation was secured in Christ. Waiting so late in life and not really being physically able to “catch up”, i didn’t get to experience anything but his tears that came more regularly and the look in his eyes as he stared at me with what seemed like an apologetic look. He’d started tellin me, “ Phil, no matter what, don’t forget that I love you.” I guess he was trying to make amends for all the times he WASN’T there…all the things he’d said that he wished he hadn’t, and all the things he didn’t teach me about loving God and living to please Him. I vowed early on to break that rusty chain and start with new links. I invited Christ to be Lord and Savior of my life and to mold me into the man HE wanted me to be. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ( Galatians 2:20 ) If I’m wanting to be the best i can be, i must rely on Christ in me. If I’m to be a Godly daddy, Pep or husband, I’ve got to rely on Christ in me. If my work as an employee is ever to amount to anything, i must rely on Christ in me. Don’t compare me to anybody other than Jesus. I’m not my daddy and this apple comes from the “tree of life”. My circle of life has God in its center. And no, I’m not perfect…I’m still a work in progress…but God is still shaping me and refining me, molding me into the image and character of Jesus Christ ! If the same is your desire, don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t ever change. You can either stay your “mama’s daughter” or your “daddy’s son”, or, you can surrender to Jesus Christ and place your faith completely in HIM to change you. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) “_______, unless you are born again, you will never enter the kingdom of God” ( John 3:3 ).

 

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Everything You Need

Everything You Need

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” … it’s one o’ them ol sayins that’s been around awhile. I’m not real sure it works, but the concept has some validity. If you’re goin t’ bed early, you ought not be late for work ( or church ) the next day … and you oughta be full of energy and ready to give a hundred percent. If you’re working, you’re earning an income to support yourself and your family … “wealth” is more than havin a fat wallet or bank account. A person can be broke as can be and still be wealthy. If we have good health and our eyesight, we’re rich. If we’ve got the means to get back and forth to wherever we need to go, we’re blessed. Having a good wife that loves the Lord makes a man wealthy beyond measure. If we have a job that keeps us busy and pays us for it…that’s also a bonus. Groceries in the cabinets and a frig that keeps our tea cool…that’s wealth. A roof over our heads, runnin water and electricity, and propane in the tank…that’s proof of our wealth. But the greatest sign of a man’s wealth is his relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus Christ. Without that, a person will always be hopeless, naked, blind and destitute. In fact, the third part of that sayin won’t be possible, either…the “wise” part. True “wisdom” comes FROM GOD. Any other kind is a “knock-off”, “slum”, “fake”. Who is wise and understanding among you ? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual and of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. ( James 3:13-18 ) I’m fairly healthy…wealthy by God’s standards and i enjoy the wisdom God provides me. I have everything I’ll ever need…thanks to Jesus ! I hope you can say the same.

 

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What’s it take to stop you ?

What’s it take to stop you ?

What’s it take to stop you ? I bet at least 99% of yall got all rigid and bowed up at this question…ready t’ fight or put up some show of defiance … “full of yourself” … but my question had nothing to do with your “physical strength”… and everything to do with your “spiritual strength.” Case in point … say you’re an average church-goer. You attend most Sundays and tithe occasionally ( which ain’t considered “tithing”, since EVERY dollar that God allows you to earn or is given you, He expects a tenth returned to His storehouse…Malachi 3:10 ), and you actually sing praises to Him when the words are on the screen. One day, you get shunned by a couple o’ ol gossips and now your feelins are hurt. You retreat into your “safe place” and discontinue to gather at “your” church. Here’s us another common scenario : God’s gifted you with a particular gift or talent … you feel like He’s leading you to use it where you gather for corporate worship, so you voluntarily mention it to someone “in charge”. They smile and say all the polite things…” By all means, we will definitely find you a spot” … “Oh, OK, we could use another _______” … and that’s the last you hear from em. Your feelins are hurt and you’re also a little ticked off. Who do they think they are ?! So, you leave and try “home-worshipping”, like a lotta others are into now … Covid and everything; you know. 🙄 People find so many reasons to quit on God, and it doesn’t take much to make it happen. Ergo my initial question…What’s it take to stop you ? If we don’t stand firm, we’re gonna fall. If we let a handful of ignorant people hold us back from doing what God has told / led / called us to do, shame on them and us ! People are prone to disappointing us … always have, always will . We just haveta expect it and roll with the punches. Satan still uses “Christians” to do his bidding, sometimes. It sho ain’t God that’s causing them to act like that ! Don’t think it doesn’t happen and don’t think it can’t happen to you ! If we choose to ignore God’s warnings or avoid a God-honoring principle, we’ve left the door open for the devil. If we leave part of our armor behind ( Ephesians 6:10-18 ) because it was too cumbersome or “too much trouble”, we’re leaving Satan a foothold. When we isolate ourselves and try doing life alone, we’re setting a place at our table for Satan…and he won’t refuse an invitation to dinner. “ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” ( Matthew 26:41 ). “ Unless you abide in Me and I in you, you can do nothing” ( John 15:4-11 ). “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall !” ( 1 Corinthians 10:12 ) … ( 2 Peter 3:17; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ) The “church” is made up of imperfect people. Some are committed completely…some ain’t. It’s easier to fall into the “aints”…just expect to get bit. What’s it take to stop you ? Chew on that one for a little while … and ask God to give you the strength to overcome all the obstacles that hinder you from serving Him completely.

 

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Rumble Strips

Rumble Strips

You’re drivin down the highway or byway, just minding your own business, and you see a gasline, powerline or some other “cut-out” coming up, so you take your eyes off the road for a split second to check it for deer or turkeys … next thing you hear, “ RRRHHHGGGHHH !!” … and you bring your ride back between the painted lines. What you just felt and heard ? “Rumble Strips”. The highway commission or county road crew installed these “washboard” ridges to let a brother/sister know they were going off the beaten path … a “warning” device, of sorts, developed by a dude named, Neil E. Wood, from Pennsylvania, back in 1989. There were similar versions back in the early 50’s used to alert motorists of upcoming toll booths and lane departures, but ol Neil gets the credit for the ones we enjoy today. As is the case many times, God uses inanimate objects to convey His messages to those of us that need a “picture” to learn 😄…and rumble strips can be a great teacher. What if, every time we “got outta line”, ignored His commands or did things “our way”, we’d hear, “RRRRGGHHHH” … would that “warning” wake us up to reality and prevent us from making a huge mistake ? Would a rumble strip, and that unmistakable noise, capture our attention to the fact that we’re going “outside” God’s boundaries, causing and convincing us to “pull back on the throttle”, to keep from crashing ? It’s the distractions of this world that causes us to leave the path of righteousness and do damage to what’s most precious. If the Spirit of God doesn’t reside in us, we don’t HAVE a rumble strip. Even then, He’ll still allow us to choose our course. By staying focused on His Word, loyal to His mission and “lettin Him drive”, we can be a part of something way bigger than we could ever imagine ! Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” ( 2 Peter 3:17 ). As my Pennye Jacobs Lewis says, “ You’re not asleep; are you ?”

 

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What Are You ?

What Are You ?

Yesterday, an object lesson transformed into a short conversation that resulted in a life-lesson that we can all benefit from…if we will hear with our hearts and make the conscious effort to apply it. Here’s how it went : I was about to fill a couple of propane cylinders for a guy when my brother in Christ came out to handle it. As i was already in the process of examining the cylinder, i commented that one of em still had gas in it…that it was “half full” … which he replied, “ Is it half full or half empty ?” I gave him a blank look, as if he’d presented a “trick question” or was just tryin t’ be witty or aggravating or something in-between. He proceeded to ask again and say, “ You know the difference; right ? One presents an optimistic view, the other, a pessimistic view. Ok…Ok…yeah, we’ve heard that one before…” the optimist says the glass is half full, the pessimist says it’s half empty”. He took it a step further … he said, “ I’m neither , I’m a psalmist”… Again, i gave him a blank stare and waited on the punchline. He’s grinnin like a coyote eatin yellow jackets and says…” The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” . This is why i like workin with this crazyman…he uses his God-given words to touch the hearts of any and all that are willing to receive God’s little “crumbs”, “morsels” or “snacks”. A “psalmist” … i’ll haveta remember that one. And if you’re wondering where he got it, just revisit Psalm 23. It may’ve been a “psalm of David” long ago, but it’s still claimed by many today. “The Lord is my shepherd, i’ll be satisfied with that and find my contentment in Him. He provides me peace in his creation and constantly restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. And even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i won’t fear it or the evil it’s made up of, for He is my God and my Guard ! He prepares a place at His table for me…enemies or not. He treats me as an anointed child of the King and provides me everything good…even to the point of overflowing . Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…and i will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Being a “psalmist” ain’t just reciting Scripture…it’s living out a relationship with Jesus Christ and progressively maturing in holiness…because He’s “real” to you and anything good coming from you will come because of Him. A “psalmist” knows what that “other side” feels like … because they’ve BEEN THERE ! A life in Christ causes CHANGE … and that change benefits not only the psalmist, but also those within that psalmist’s influence. What about you ? Are you a pessimist, an optimist, or a psalmist?

 

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On Your Heart

On Your Heart

Whatever’s on your heart, you’ll impress on your children, your spouse, your grandchildren, your coworkers, strangers, etc; etc.. ( Deuteronomy 6:5-9 ) As i sat listening to the preacher yesterday, taking notes on the provided fill-in-the-blanks insert in the bulletin, this age-old Scripture caused me to consider…”what do you, Phil, “impress” on those you claim to love most ?” Sure…God supplies me these “devotionals”…but that doesn’t mean they read them. So when I’m around em , like family get-togethers, the rare visits when they come to the house, at their kid’s games, etc; with the short time i have with em, what did i say or do to leave an impression on them, that MEANT something to em ? Was it something comical that made em laugh ? Did i do or say something that embarrassed em or made em mad ? Is my love for deer huntin all they’ll think of ? Maybe you’re better at it than me… but i believe we leave far more, unsaid , than we do, said. Sure, we love Jesus and we love our families and friends, but do they receive more than the occasional hug or peck when they see us ? Do they hear us even mention the name of Jesus ? Do they get asked about their own faith-walk and how it’s going ? Do we share what the Lord’s done for us, personally, in the last few days ? When we say the prayer at that fine meal prepared by loving hands, do they hear our gratefulness and admiration for the “meal”, more than the admiration and gratitude for the One who provided not only the meal, but also the one’s’ who cooked the meal ? Because without Him, they wouldn’t be here. If we really love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, shouldn’t we be impressing “HIM” into their lives more ?!? Go back and read Deuteronomy 6:5-9 when you get a few seconds. Let God impress on you what you need to be impressing on those He puts around you.

 

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Holy

Holy

“HOLY”… definition: “Set apart from what is common or sinful, and dedicated to GOD.” For the Scriptures say, “ You must be holy because I am holy” ( 1 Peter 1:16 ). Well…there it is in black and white. So are you living a holy lifestyle ? Is the choices you make based upon the Word of God and covered under the blood of Jesus ? When you wake up each morning, is your primary focus on living a holy lifestyle that glorifies God and holds to His code of conduct ? If you aint…why not ? Do you willfully sin because you live under the grace of God that was applied at your confession ? Do you claim Jesus’ righteousness when it’s convenient, but “turn His picture over” when you don’t want Him to see you sinning ? Does 2 Corinthians 5:17 mean anything to you ? “Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation.” Are you ? New ? Or, are you the same old person you’ve always been ? If there’s no change, there’s no Jesus…and if there’s no Jesus, there’s no salvation. I can’t know your heart like God knows it ( 1 Samuel 16:7 ), but i DO know what Scripture says…and GOD cannot lie ! Lost people CANNOT live holy lifestyles. Holiness comes from salvation found “in Christ” ( Acts 4:12 ). Holiness is activated as a person abides in Christ ( John 15:4-5 ). Holiness, is the working of the Holy Spirit placed in the person that lives to glorify God ( John 14:26-28 ). Do we know it all ? No. Do we gain knowledge supernaturally ? Only if we want it. Unless we’re diving off into the Word of God daily…asking God to increase our understanding of Him and what He’s wanting us to know, we’ll walk around as with a bucket over our heads. God ain’t a mythical imaginary figure ! He’s GOD of all creation ! If He’s not important enough to us…guess what ? He ain’t gon’ force himself on us. Until we recognize the futility of “our efforts” at gaining happiness, freedom and a good life…and instead, look to the Way, the Truth and the Life that Jesus Christ offers, ( John 14:6 ), we’re just gonna keep circling this toilet bowl of life until it’s too late to stop it. Have you been made holy ? Are you now living an “uncommon” lifestyle ? Is your “everything” dedicated to God ? If not, today is the day of salvation ( 2 Corinthians 6:2 ) !! Holiness is only a “plea” away ! If you declare with your mouth,” Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead , you will be saved. For it’s with your heart that you believe and are justified , and it’s with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ( Romans 10:9-10 ) What’ll it be ?

 

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God Says No

God Says No

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take away this thorn in my flesh, this messenger of Satan that torments me; but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ). Maybe you can relate to Paul’s dilemma. Maybe God didn’t save your marriage, heal your mama or some other loved one, get you out of that abusive relationship, bring salvation to someone you’d been praying for, taken that destructive desire from the one you love, etc; etc; etc.. We’re not told what this “thorn-in-the-flesh” was, but we know he prayed at least three times for God to remove it … and God didn’t. Instead, God reminded Paul , and us, that HIS grace is sufficient to see us through the problem, the issue or the circumstances. So why does God say “no” sometimes !?? If you’re a parent or have ever been given the responsibility of herding a buncha younguns, you know as well as i that you don’t give em everything they ask for or let em do anything they want to … sometimes, you haveta tell em “No”. I don’t know what the statistics are, but as many “no’s” as God has given, i can testify personally that He’s had as many “yes’s” and “ok’s”. God ain’t a stingy God … His desire is to grow and mature us in our faith … to hone us into a sharp weapon … to forge us in the fire, so-t-speak, and to make us stronger and better abled to serve Him. Instead o’ meeting His “no’s” with bitterness, anger and a vengeful attitude, why don’t we determine in our hearts that God knows best and must have a good reason. Maybe there’s sin in our lives that He’s waiting for us to repent of and seek His forgiveness. Maybe He needs to put us through something so we’ll know how to handle a task coming up that He’s orchestrating. Maybe He’s just seeing just how much we trust Him … since it ain’t too hard to trust someone if the heat ain’t too high. Our “no’s” for our kids are often met with sullen attitudes and discontentment … they’re “kids” for peets sake ! So, when our Father in heaven gives you / me a “no”, next time, let’s examine our spiritual maturity level by our response. It might not be much different. When we are weak, He is able to provide the strength and prove yet again that He’s God, and we ain’t.