The greatest is always love!

As we celebrate Memorial Day this extended weekend let us all remember those who have given their lives so that we can live in a free nation. The following is from a headstone in Ireland, "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." From God's word, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus said in John 15: 12-13, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The greatest is always love, let's be about loving others as God loved us.

It's time we told them!

Leslie Flynn told the following story. A Vermont farmer was sitting on the porch with his wife. He was beginning to realize how much she meant to him. It was about time - for they had lived together 42 years, and she had been such a help, a very willing worker. One day as they sat together, he said, "Wife, you've been such a wonderful woman that there are times I can hardly keep from telling you." Are there those in our lives that we need to thank for all their help and support? If so, it's time we told them.

In everthing give thanks?

In I Thessalonians 5:18 it says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In the Amplified Version it says it this way, "Thank God in everything - no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks; for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus - the Revealer and Mediator of that will." I have personally found this verse quite the challenge throughout my many years of following the Lord as a born again believer. As difficult as it is to do, it is possible with God's help. The bottom line of all that is important seemed to emerge out of Job's story when he said in Job 13: 15a, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: ..." Could we with thankful hearts, say the same in the hour of need and desperation, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

Raptured tomorrow?

Some are saying that the rapture of the church is about to take place tomorrow and yet on this very topic Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." The Lord is coming for those who are looking for his return. We should live everyday with an eye on the sky. Come Lord Jesus is our prayer.

Peacemakers!

In the book of James in Chapter 3: 13 - 18 we see these words, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom desendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." We know that it is written in Matthew 5:9 these words, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Are we called the children of God?

Battleground or Playground?

In time of war soldiers are hardly sitting around arguing about some of the things that the Body of Christ finds to argue about in the hour that we live. We live in such wealth that luxurious living and pleasure seeking have become the norm both in the world and in the Church. Just how has the luxurious living and pleasure seeking life style infiltrated the Church? Satan is the father of lies and has sold many well intended Christians the lie that we are God's children and deserve the best. Truth be known we all deserve to die for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Yes, we are God's children and He does indeed love us, but it is our place to be about His business; not worrying about living a trouble free life of ease, comfort, and excess. We are in a war and need to awaken to the fact that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. This is no time for petty bickering and competitive spirits . We are serving the most high God and should be about dying daily to self and the serving part of our walk. We are living on a battleground not a playground.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

In Acts chapter five we find the story of a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a possession and decided to hold back some of what they got for it. Ananias took part of what they got and gave it to the apostles saying that it was all that they got for the possession that he and his wife had sold. Peter confronted him for lying to the Holy Spirit and he fell dead and was carried out and buried. His wife came to Peter and was asked how much they got for the possession they sold and she lied to Peter and fell dead as well and was carried out and buried. They didn't have to lie, they could have told the truth but they didn't. They wanted to appear as though they were as generous in their giving as some others had been. What a waste to lie to the Holy Spirit. In verse 11 of this same chapter it says, "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." If God were to judge in this same manner today we would have many more disciples sold out to the Lord in all areas of their life. Why, I even believe that we would have a great revival.