Clothed in Righteousness!

In Romans 10: 1- 4 the Apostle Paul was saying, "Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." They wanted to do it their way and not God's way. Many people who say that they have Christ as their Savior are still going about with much zeal, but not according to knowledge, to establish themselves as righteous. All they have to do is receive the promise of God in verse 13 of the same chapter which says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." We can't work for our salvation or our righteousness. We must receive the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then we will do as Ephesians 4 tells us, to put off the old man and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. We are to be clothed in His righteousness not our own.

A Benediction

A benediction is the invocation of a blessing especially at the close of a public worship service. My favorite benediction is found in the book of Jude 24 - 25 and goes like this, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory and exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." I personally think that this same verse is a great initial opening for a public worship service. Come to think of it, it could be a great middle statement in a public worship service. Praise the Lord that this is God's word and appropriate for all occasions. God can and will keep us from falling and He alone can present us faultless before himself the only wise God our Savior to whom is ascribed all glory, majesty, dominion and power both now and ever. AMEN!

Careful Now!

I've worked with brothers and sisters who have ended up in self deception. How did this happen you ask? It happened because they quit doing the word of God. They read the word, memorized the word, listened to the word being preached, debated the word, spoke the word, but did not do the word. The deceived man or woman thinks that they are better than all others. They compare themselves one with another, and oh yes, in their own eyes they are the final judge in all things. Therefore they end up in their own eyes as better than all others. We best watch carefully lest we fall because of our pride. Remember God did say that pride proceeds a fall. Careful now!

100 Times Awesome!

His first year in school had presented him with some situations that he didn't like or didn't understand. Well whichever, it had caused him to be in trouble at times and he had been in meetings with different people at school. Each day as Mom picked him up after school she would ask him how was school. Keep in mind she had been working with him and the school and praying a lot about this situation. So upon picking him up she asked him how school was and he replied 100 times awesome. When inquiring just why it was 100 times awesome, he said that he had not gotten in trouble in any class or in any way so it was 100 times awesome. I can't speak for you, but for myself I can say that I relate to that wonderful feeling that accompanies not being in trouble with school or the Lord or anyone. When all is covered under His precious blood and peace reigns it is 100 times awesome!

Sick Of Heart!

Have you ever been sick of heart? You know what I mean. Like the time you wanted something so bad but it just wasn't happening. I'm talking about the hope that is deep down in our hearts that we hold onto, silently hoping and praying that it will come to pass. When it doesn't happen just when and how we want it to, we have heartache . This kind of pain can't be helped by tums or pepto or any antacid. Proverbs 3:12 says, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." We must continue with our hoping and waiting until the Lord of hope and desire says, "now is the time" and when those words are spoken it happens and when it happens it explodes with life. At that time our hearts are full of gratefulness and rejoicing which cause the sick heart to disappear. We are waiting Lord!

What is our excuse?

Romans 1:20 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse:" God created all things to testify of himself so that man would be without excuse when it comes to the existence of God. Man is truly well equipped through his sinfulness to make excuses. Being a Pastor these many years I probably have heard most excuses. I also taught high school for a few years where perhaps I heard the rest of man's excuses, but if that doesn't cover them all I could look at the excuses that I have used in my life as well as your life and just maybe we would have them all. No, I really doubt it. Man isn't done with the making of excuses for his behavior or lack of behavior. May the Lord help us all to remember that there will be a judgment one of these days, and on that occasion, all excuses will be set aside by the truth.

I Love Jesus!

He was sitting on the floor playing with his cars and train seemingly unaware of the rest of us. Someone mentioned Jesus and he immediately said, "I love Jesus" as he kept on playing. I was surprised by his comment but delighted as well. As I thought on this occasion later I remembered the scripture in Luke 18:15-17 which says, "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." I love Jesus! How about you?