The Connie Giordano Show: Recent Episodes
Connie Giordano
No matter how hopeless your condition may be in the sight of men, there is no room for despair. All things are possible to God. You have a promise of restoration. JESUS is as good as He is powerful. Hope therefore in Him.
"All true believers live with Him - live with Him in a larger sense than would have been before or otherwise possible. Life is enlarged and glorified by the risen life of the once crucified Savior. Christ dieth no more: then we have an ever-living intercessor. Christ dieth no more: then we have an abiding helper. Christ dieth no more: then we need no other sacrifice and no other priest. Christ dieth no more: then we need not fear, for the Good Shepherd will ever watch over His sheep. and lead them in pastures of delight." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"Reader, in what state art thou? Hast thou gone back from Christ, or art thou going back? Wilt thou go? Thou, whom He has redeemed by HIs blood - thou, whom He has upheld by His power, and fed by His providence - thou, into whose wounded soul He has poured the balm of pardoning mercy - thou, whom He has adopted into the heavenly family - thou, whom He has comforted in so many tribulations and adversities - thou, whose multiplied offenses He has freely and fully pardoned; wilt thou go away?" (Adam Clarke)
"Likewise, the Church is filled with people who ought to be spiritual adults by now, but they are still spiritual infants because they have not been exercised by the Word of God. For this reason, there are large numbers of believers who, like infants, have put a lot of spiritual poison into their spiritual mouths that is not safe for consumption. Not only will the mixing of truth with false doctrine weaken their foundation and minimize their ability to produce fruit that is eternal, but it could also eventually pull them so far off course that it leads them to a 'shipwreck' in various areas of their lives." (Rick Renner - "How To Keep Your Head On Straight In A World Gone Crazy")
"The early Hebrew Christians found it very difficult openly to confess Christ; for their unbelieving countrymen treated all who did so as renegrades from Israel, and apostates from Israel's God. But fidelity to the truth was necessary then, and it is equally necessary now. Every believer is bound publicly to confess Christ. He must do so for Christ's sake, for his own sake, and for the sake of his fellow men." (The Pulpit Commentary)
:"The Holy Spirit speaks to us concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. If we ignore His voice, our hearts will increasingly grow hard and unyielding until they are no longer sensitive to God's Word or the desires of the Spirit. Commitment to truth and to righteous living will no longer be a priority, but we will more and more seek pleasure in the ways of the world rather than God's ways. The Holy Spirit warns us that God will not go on pleading with us indefinitely if we harden our hearts in rebellion. There is a point of no return." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible)
"The danger is ever present: 'lest at any time.' It is an exhortation to the Church today, lest the seed of the Word should fall on stony ground. It would bear no fruit, for the fowls of the air come and devour the seed. By careless living, the same fate that threatened the Early Church could befall us. For most Christians, the danger is not one of plunging back into sin, but of drifting without noticing it, back into the world. Very few would deliberately turn their backs upon God and go into sin; rather, it is a day-by-day experience of slipping father and farther away from the Lord Jesus. To heed is to live, but to drift is to die." (Hebrews - Everitt M. Fjordbak)
"God is our maker, our preserver, and the giver of all our mercies. On Him we ever have been and must be dependent for all good, and to Him we should be habitually devoted." (Family Bible Notes)
"It is easy to lose our vision. It is so easy to permit time to crowd us, to become so busy in the affairs and the cares of this life, even in the work of the Lord, that we lose our vision of Who JESUS really is. How careful we must be that we do not lose that first touch, that first love, that first sweet, precious communication with our Lord. That is what happened to the Hebrew Christians." (Hebrews Commentary by Everitt Fyordbak)
"No matter how great or many the dangers may be, yet God always has ways to deliver His." (Geneva Bible Footnotes)
"It is the duty and interest of the people of God not to be afraid of evil tidings, not to be afraid of hearing bad news; and, when they do, not to be put into confusion by it and into an amazing expectation of worse and worse, but whatever happens, whatever threatens, to be able to say, with blessed Paul, None of these things move me, neither will I fear, though the earth be removed." (Matthew Henry)
"If you desire to be for the Lord and stand for Him, see to it that you are not sidetracked by the way of compromise. While you go through the world, men will say to you, 'Weknow as much about it as you. We are as true Christians as you.' Yet they are going on with the world, endorsing the world, speaking the things the world loves, introducing those false things which are sweeping professing Christianity. By the grace of God, let 'no compromise' be our watchword. Be obedient to the instructions that God has given us in His word." (Writings of F.B. Hole)
"What we need is help, - help powerful, efficient, constant: we need a very present help in trouble. What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in Jehovah, for our help comes from Him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for He Who sends it to us was never known to be too late. Jehovah Who created all things is equal to every emergency; heaven and earth are at the disposal of Him Who made them, therefore let us be very joyful in our infinite helper." (The Treasury Of David)
"There are the 'ways" of men, and the 'ways" of God; the 'paths' of sin, and the 'paths' of righteousness: there are Thy ways, and there are my ways; Thine the ways of truth, mine the ways of error; Thine which are good in Thine eyes, and mine which are good in mine eyes; Thine which lead to heaven, mine which lead to Hell. Wherefore, shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths, lest I mistake mine own ways for Thine; yea, lead me in Thy truth, and teach me, lest I turn out of Thy ways into mine own..." (The Treasury Of David)
"A Christian is always in danger, and therefore should ever be on the watch; but the danger is greater at some times and under some circumstances...If a Christian would be secure, he must be on his guard; and the more his danger, the greater vigilance is needful for his security." (Matthew Henry)
"In the great spiritual transformation experienced by every believer, there is a twofold and coincident operation - the putting off of the old and the putting on of the new; there is an act of renunciation and unclothing and an act of reception and investment. This change is complete; it pervades the whole man, ruling every power, fashioning the character, and inspiring the entire life. This change is divine in its origin and outworking." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"There is something very agreeable and desirable in ease. Yet, strange as the declaration may appear, this tranquility is too common; and to disturb it should be our design. For your peace may be a false peace. Before an earthquake, the air is uncommonly serene." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"To cleave to anything is to grasp it firmly, to hold it tenaciously, and to prefer to be torn In pieces rather than to be torn from it...So let young converts, and even aged saints, cleave unto or continue 'to abide with the Lord'; then they will avoid every by-path." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"Every Christian is a living temple of the living God. God dwelt in the Jewish temple, took possession of it, and resided in it, by that glorious cloud that was the token of His presence with that people. So Christ by His Spirit dwells in all true believers. The temple was devoted and consecrated to God, and set apart from every common to a holy use, to the immediate service of God. So all Christians are separated from common uses, and set apart for God and His service." (Matthew Henry)
"As obedient children. An invariable characteristic of all Christians. The divisions between God's children and the children of this world turns on obedience to God." (The People's New Testament Commentary)
"Let others lift up their souls to vanity, I will dare to be singular, I will lift up my soul to Thee." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"Those who have God for their Savior, Protector, and Guide, have no reason to fear, but may walk through life and through the valley of the shadow of death unmoved by the enemies and dangers that may surround them." (Family Bible Notes)
"They seek Him with their whole heart. They do not seek themselves and their own things, butGod only; this is that which they aim at...He is, and will be, the rewarder, the reward, of all those who thus seek Him diligently, seek Him with the heart, for that is it that God looks at and requires; and with the whole heart, for if the heart be divided between Him and the world, it is faulty." (Matthew Henry)
"Men spend years of study in seeking the solution to a mathematical problem, in perfecting a mechanical instrument, or in verifying a scientific discovery. A whole lifetime cannot be better spent than in seeking after God. Such seekers make the grandest discoveries, and confer the greatest blessings on the world." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"To be transformed into the image of Christ means to increasingly reflect His loving, compassionate character in our behavior. Therefore, if we are not becoming more loving toward others - especially the most helpless of our society - we have taken a wrong turn somewhere. We have either neglected our relationship with Him or have disobeyed His commands." (Charles Stanley's Life Principles Study Notes)
"A man's words are a true index or evidence of his character; and they also react upon that character, and tend to confirm it for good or evil. Should, therefore, a person who has been for many years a member of a Christian Church indulge always, without restraint, in evil speaking; should he be in the habit of soiling his tongue with impure , or malicious, or false, or foolish words; what other conclusion can be drawn about his character than just that he is not a true Christian?" (The Pulpit Commentary)
"Many of you do not give the motives and principles of the gospel, which you say you believe, a chance of influencing you, because so interruptedly and spasmodically, and at such long intervals, and for so few moments, do you gaze upon them. Steadfast and continued attention is needful if we are to be 'doers of the work.' " (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"Religious knowledge is not the final result of religious instruction. Religious feeling is not the final result of religious instruction. Religious talk is not the final result of religious instrucion. Religious doing is the final result of religious instruction...
The true hearer is 'the doer that worketh'; and the true preacher or teacher is he who can inspire men unto doing..." (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"The Word of God, either preached or written, cannot effectively take hold of a person's life if he or she is not separated from moral filth and evil. God commands us as believers to set aside all the ungodly filth that permeates a corrupt society and seeks to influence us and our families. This filth will defile our souls and blight our lives." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible)
"Be calm, whatever may be the wickedness of the world. The supreme direction belongs to God, and He will dispose of it in the best way." (Barnes' Notes)
"Our natural tendency in respect to God's Word is to be slow to hear and quick to speak. Not fully understanding because of faulty listening, we are quick to jump to wrong conclusions, quick to judge, quick to say the worst, quick to offer advice. We so naturally pronounce opinions and verdicts on every situation and person. But we must keep in mind that 'slow to speak' is an ongoing command from the Holy Spirit Himself." (Preaching The Word)
"A true Christian is a creature begotten anew. He becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of divine grace as if he were formed over again, and born afresh." (Matthew Henry)
"We may be sure that whatever changes there may be in human affairs; whatever reverses we may undergo; whatever oceans we may cross, or whatever mountains we may climb, or in whatever worlds we may hereafter take up our abode, God is the same." (Barnes' Notes)
"Have you ever blamed your parents or other people for what you have become? Have you ever blamed circumstances for what you have done? Of course people and circumstances do affect us. However, one of the most significant ways we resist the work of God for our growth toward becoming 'mature and complete' is that we blame factors outside of ourselves for our sin."
"Just as holy trials are designed to bring out the best in us, so unholy temptations are designed to bring out the worst in us. One thing must be clearly understood. When we are tempted to sin, the temptation does not come from God. God does test or try men, as far as their faith is concerned, but He never tempts a man to commit any form of evil. He Himself has no dealings with evil and He does not entice to sin." (The Believer's Bible Commentary)
"The difficulties we face in life can trip us up and tempt us into doubt and despair...but blessed is the man who endures these trials and tribulations...because when he has passed the test, he will receive the magnificent crown of life, which the Lord our God has promised to all who love Him." (Knowing Jesus)
"Trials, if properly understood through the gift of God's wisdom, will grant a new perspective, in which riches are seen for what they are. Riches have the capacity to dull our sight until we fail to see the image of God in those around us. They have the potential to woo us into an uncritical acceptance of the standards of the world as the rightful standards of the church." (NIV Application Commentary)
"God does not answer the prayers of presumptuous people who do not even believe their own prayers. He is not under obligation to answer anyone, especially those who seriously doubt His ability to answer prayer." (The Bible Exposition Commentary)
" 'Nothing doubting' should be the Christian's motto in prayer. The petitioner must not shift backwards and forwards between faith and doubt like a tumbling billow of the sea. He must not swing like a pendulum between cheerful confidence and dark suspicion. It must be his fixed persuasion that God is, and that He is the Hearer of prayer." (The Pulpit Commentary)
"We don't have to face the problems of life in our own wisdom. If, in the time of trial, we lack spiritual insight, we should go to God and tell Him all about our perplexity and ignorance. All who are thus exercised to find God's purposes in the trials will be liberally rewarded." (The Believer's Bible Commentary)
"God used the trials Joseph endured to bring about something good: 'the saving of many lives,' including those of his brothers who had hated him so much. We can learn a lot from the patient endurance of Joseph during the hardships he experienced in Egypt and trust that God is using all situations for His and for our good." (Got Questions)
"God tells us to expect trials. It is not 'if you fall into trials,' but 'when you fall into trials.' The believer who expects the Christian life to be easy is in for a shock. We cannot always expect everything to go our way. Some trials come simply because we are human - sickness, accidents, disappointments, even seeming tragedies. Other trials come because we are Christians. Satan fights us and the world opposes us, resulting in a life of battle." (NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible)
Who are you?
How do you identify yourself as a Christian in today's world?
Many in the church today are facing unnecessary problems and difficulties in life because they don't know who they are or whose they are.
They are experiencing an identity crisis.
The answer is to get your identity straightened out first.
Settle it in your heart that you are first and foremost a servant of God and of the Lord JESUS Christ.
"It is a disease which has never ceased to prevail all over Christendom. It is a soul-ruining plague, which is continually sweeping away crowds of Gospel hearers down the broad way to destruction. Open sin, and avowed unbelief, no doubt slay their thousands. But profession without practice slays its tens of thousands." (J.C. Ryle)
"Many, like the Jews, do not say, Never, but not yet. Conscience will not let them say, We will never be religious and work for God; but they procrastinate - put off till to-morrow what should be done to day, and thus leave the great work of life undone. The time is always come to him who wishes to do right. In HIs providence and by His prophets, God calls now. The present is the opportunity to respond, undertake, and finish the work which God has given us to do." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"Only the man who is born of God really overcomes the world, because by faith he is able to rise above the perishing things of this world and to see things in their true, eternal perspective."
"Every good we possess comes from God, and we should neither use our eyes, nor our ears, nor any thing we possess, but in strict subserviency to His will." (Adam Clarke) God is speaking! Do you have an "hearing ear"? Is it an "obedient" ear? Is it an "open" ear - open to ALL of God's Truth?
"So all true and genuine repentance is that which regards sin as deriving its main evil from the fact that it is committed against God." (Barnes' Notes)
"Self-sufficiency and self-confidence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall. Man's sin has been to live independently and without God in the world. True religion consists of full acknowledgement of God in all human affairs." (Dake's Annotated Reference Bible)
"Without an upright life, all professions of godliness, and all claims to true religion and salvation are vain." (Family Bible Notes) The question is - "Are you truly saved?" PROVE it with an upright life!
"The best time to ponder any path is not at the end, not even in the middle, but at the beginning of it." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
We have a predicament in our nation. The Government is paying people large sums of money not to work. People are not going to work if they can stay home and enjoy themselves and still get a check. Businesses are struggling to find new workers. Many blame the monthly federal unemployment benefits.
As a result of all that is happening. there is a spirit in this nation - a spirit of slothfulness. And I am afraid that this spirit is creeping into the Church as well.
"A true Christian living in the world is like a ship sailing on the ocean. It is not the ship being in the water which will sink it, but the water getting into the ship. So, in like manner, the Christian is not ruined by living in the world...but by the world living in him. Our daily avocations, yea, our most lawful employments, have need to be narrowly watched, lest they insensibly steal upon our affections, and draw away our hearts from God." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"They have acted according to the dictates of their own lusts, have set up their own will, the wills of the flesh, and the carnal mind, in competition with, and contradiction to the will of God. They have walked after the imagination of their own hearts; they would do as they pleased, whatever God and conscience said to the contrary." (Matthew Henry)
"When the darkness of evil prevails in the intellectual world, or the moral world, or the social world, then there will surely be abounding error, moral mischiefs, spiritual depression, and vital disease." (The Pulpit Commentary)
"The word of command has always been, Follow Me. We must eye Him (JESUS) as our leader and captain, and tread in His steps, and walk as He walked - follow the prescriptions of His Word, the intimations of His providence, and the directions of His Spirit - follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. In vain do we hear His voice if we do not follow Him." (Matthew Henry)
"The Christian race is easy when the runners are strong and the course is smooth. But oh, it is very difficult when the hearts are heavy, and the hands nerveless, and the limbs are weak, and the way is rough and steep!" (The Pulpit Commentary)
"If the apostle's time demanded wakeful spirits, much more do these times. Alas, how many so-called Christians are fast asleep! The enemy is upon them, and they do not heed the approach...They are not awake to the calls of duty...We must shake off the torpor of indifference. Sleepy men are an easy prey to evil!" (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if he would obtain the prize. It is not enough that we run in this race, by a profession of Christianity, but we must run well, by living up to that profession." (Matthew Henry)
"The Lord's especial presence was revealed upon the mercy seat between the cherubim, and in all our pleadings, we should come to the Lord by this way: only upon the mercy seat will God reveal His grace, and only there can we hope to commune with Him. Let us ever plead the name of Jesus, Who is our true mercy seat, to whom we may come boldly, and through whom we may look for a display of the glory of the Lord on our behalf." (Treasury Of David)
"Jesus Christ is the best of shepherds, the best in the world to take the over-sight of souls, none so skillful, so faithful, so tender, as He, no such feeder and leader, no such protector and healer of souls as He." (Matthew Henry)
"No net of trouble can so hold us that the Lord cannot free us. Our afflictions may be numerous and complicated, but prayer can set us free from them all, for the Lord will show Himself strong on our behalf." (The Treasury Of David)
"The greatest concern in our prayers and in our lives should be the hallowing of the name of God. It is of utmost importance that God Himself be reverenced, honored, glorified, and exalted. In our prayer and daily walk, we must be intensely concerned with the reputation of God, His Church, His Gospel, and His kingdom. To do something that brings scandal upon the name and character of the Lord is a hideous sin that puts Him to open shame." (The Full Life Study Bible)
"God is the Judge of all the earth; He gives charge to all, takes cognizance of all, and will pass sentence upon all." (Matthew Henry) God's eyes are open. He is regarding, recording, and reserving to bring to judgment when the books are opened. What do your ways and works look like? Make them good for you will be judged accordingly.
Martin Luther said - "Christ is alive, otherwise I would not wish to live an hour." Fredrich Miconius said - "Christ liveth, and reigneth, otherwise I should be utterly out of hope." "The Living God" was the most glorious and distinctive of all the names of God. God was known to the Israelites as "The Living God" from the time of Moses. As a Christian, you serve the same God! He is "the living God!" Your testimony is - "The LORD liveth!" And "because He lives, you shall live also."
"There are many things which we know, but are not the better for, because we do not consider them, we do not apply them to ourselves, nor draw proper inferences from them." (Matthew Henry) It is so important that we "consider" what a God He is with Whom we have to do. One of Satan's chief devices is to keep men from "consideration" - especially when it pertains to the Character of God. That is why, in this message, we will think deliberately about the Sovereignty of God.
"Now, if we start in the journey of life without a guide, we shall be sure to go astray and wander from the right path. We shall find many guides offering their services, but who will only lead us on to ruin. We are better without them. The only safe guide, on whom we may always rely with confidence, is JESUS our Savior." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"The fact that God knows the heart, or that He understands all the secret thoughts, purposes, and motives of people, is one that is everywhere affirmed in the Scriptures." (Barnes' Notes)
"Amid the darkness which everywhere presses upon us, God is the lamp of His people, the source of their comfort and gladness." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) The Apostle John gave us the sum of what they heard from Jesus' preaching - the sum of all that He said. That "message" was - "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." Jesus is the "Light of the world." He also is the God Who "shows His people light in their darkness."
Both Jonah and David faced great danger and death. Both found deliverance in Yeshuwah - "Salvation." Both came to the conclusion - "Salvation is of the LORD." "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD." Are you facing danger today? Are you surrounded by the threat of death? Settle it in your heart today that "Salvation is of the LORD and "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD."
"In the Christian Church, there is a mixture of nominal and real Christians...The false are the careless or indifferent; the self-righteous or sentimental; the hollow-hearted or hypocritical. The true are penitents, believers, new creatures...The Head of the Church knows the true character of all its members...The Head of the Church will separate the precious from the vile..." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"No man needs a window in his breast for God to look in at; every man before God is all window." (John Trapp's Commentary) There is a message that the Lord JESUS wanted all the churches to know in the Apostle John's day. It is the same message for the churches of today. It is JESUS' name or title as being - "I am He Which searcheth the reins and hearts." He "searcheth all hearts." Therefore, you cannot deceive Him with a profession of religion or an insincere obedience.
"In the time of temporal trouble or of spiritual conflict; how apt we are to look elsewhere than to God! But we look in vain!" (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) In this broadcast, we will look at these five (5) points depicting God as an incomparable God. Our purpose in doing so is to build your faith so that when troubles arise, when heartache and distress comes your way, you will have no doubt Who to run to immediately for help.
"Though the wickedness of the wicked may prosper for a while, yet God is a holy God, and does not approve of that wickedness." (Matthew Henry) How important is God's Holiness to you? When was the last time you heard a message on this subject? Can you find comfort in God's Holiness? Has the Church lost her true sense of God's Holiness?
"In every age, the Church of God has to drive out her spiritual Amorites - Unbelief, Ungodliness, Heresy, Idolatry, the setting up of man's inventions and forms in the place of the pure truth of God; and unless she is diligent and bold, these enemies will beleaguer her and infest her, and will at length drive her out of her inheritance." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) Tolerance of evil from one generation led the next generation to become ensnared. The Holy Spirit is asking you today - What evil are you tolerating? What evil are you refusing to stand against or fight against? What evil are you excusing? How is your disobedience going to affect the next generation?
"Common sense teaches that rebellion against Omnipotence is both insanity and blasphemy." (The Biblical Illustrator) Submit yourself to God! When you do, it can be said that the "government" of your life is truly upon "His shoulder."
"...When God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them know that He is the Lord; when He provided for the Israelites, it was to make them know that He was their God." (John Wesley's Notes On The Bible)
"There is only one way of proving to ourselves that we know God, and that is by loving obedience to His will." "There is no real knowledge of God, no fellowship with Him, without practical conformity to His will." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) We are living in a time when True Christianity is being distorted to fit the lusts of the people. So many are claiming to be Christians, when in all actuality, they are not. Many are claiming to know God when, according to God's Word - which cannot lie - they do not know Him at all! Do you truly know God? Do you have eternal life? Is the truth within you? It is crucial that you know, for your eternal soul is at stake here.
"Knowledge of God is of little value if it does not lead to obedience." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) Do you truly know the Lord? Or are you like Israel in that you have "cast off the thing that is good" - you have "cast off" His influence in your life? In the day of trouble, be sure that you are not found to be the 1) Heartless Professor, 2) Distracted Professor, 3) False Professor, or 4) Hollow Professor! Because there is only one who gets the ear of God, and that is, the True Professor!
"What is the great aim and destiny of my being? Why was I ever born? Why am I preserved to this day? Why am I redeemed? Why am I furnished with all my powers and capabilities? Is it for time, or for eternity? Whether it be for time or for eternity, what is the focus of my being? - its sources, its essence, its design, its resting-place! My Creator, my God. To know Him as my Beloved...that is man's destiny." (Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary)
"None but the Creator can give a man a new heart, the change is too radical for any other hand. It would be hard to give a new eye, or a new arm, but a new heart is still more out of the question. The Lord Himself must do it." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"A man may be ignorant of mathematics, astronomy, and geology, without suffering much; but to be ignorant of God, the chief and highest good, is to rob ourselves of happiness and expose ourselves to death." (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"'The knowledge of God in the land' is essential to the well-being of a nation. Where God is unknown, where men live without God in the world, where His knowledge is suffered to lapse, and the rising generation are trained with no fear of God before their eyes - there vice and crime will be rampant and unchecked, and there will be no guarantee for social order and peace." (The Pulpit Commentary)
"The command is one sorely needed in the present state of our average Christianity. Our churches are full of monsters, specimens of arrested growth, dwarfs, who have scarcely grown since they were babes, infants all their lives. I come to you with a very plain question: Have you any more of Christ's beauty in your characters, any more of His grace in your hearts, any more of His truth in your minds than you had a year ago, ten years ago, or at that far-off period when some of you grey-headed men first professed to be Christians? Have you experienced so many things in vain? Have the years taught you nothing?" (Alexander MacLaren)
Is this your hope and purpose in life - to abide in God and to abide in the fullness of His Spirit - so that His power and goodness might be clearly manifested in your life - so that the next generation will be inspired to seek earnestly God's kingdom and His righteousness? Do you realize that - however old or young you are - as a disciple of Christ - you owe a debt to the succeeding generations? David served his generation. You are to do so as well. Like David, resolve to share what you have been taught through life's experiences. Show God's strength and power to every one that is to come.
"There is nothing in this world greater than the Most High. He deserves our deepest loyalty and most fervent praise." (The Names Of God) Are you facing a battle right now? Are you in a warfare with the enemy of your soul? Then do as David did and resolve to "cry unto God." Appeal to His character. Address Him as "God Most High" - El Elyon - and as the "God Who performeth all things for you." This is your key to winning the battle!
"The more our troubles are multiplied, the more earnest and importunate should we be in our prayers. God loves to have us bring before His throne all our sorrows, perplexities, and dangers." (Family Bible Notes) It is important you understand that trouble is a common experience. It may be expected by all. That is not something to despair of. God has an answer for it. It is in your trouble that He wants to show His power.
"If there were no creature, no instruction in the world to help, yet would you not be at a loss in time of need, for He that is on the throne could do it alone. He can do all that ever you need, without any means or instruments. His bare word is sufficient, all sufficient for it, whatever it be, how great, how difficult, how impossible soever it seems." (The Treasury Of David) Perhaps at this point in your life, you are without your "bow," and you find yourself in a time of need. You are not at a loss! JESUS is on the Throne! He can do all that you need, without any means or instruments!
"Let us not trust to the broken walls of our own strength or think to lurk under the tottering hedge of our own wealth, or wind-shaken reeds of our unconstant friends; but fly to God, that He may stretch His wings over us, as the cherubim did over the mercy-seat." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) Mercy is calling you to fly to God that He may stretch His wings over you! Do you hear the call?
"How small is the number of those who keep their affections fixed on God alone!...The saints look more at God than at all that is God's. They say...we desire not Thine, but Thee, or nothing of Thine like Thee." (Treasury Of David) Is this true of the present-day saints? Is this true of you? Are you looking more at God than at all that is God's? Are you truly saying, "I desire not what You have but You"? What does "loving God" look like? What are some of the hindrances to "loving Him"? This teaching will answer those questions for you.
"How much it is more worth than ten thousand mines of gold, to be able to say, God is mine!" (The Treasury Of David) Are you facing insurmountable odds? Is your enemy too strong for you? Have situations become totally out of control? Go before God and plead the covenant. Go to God in prayer, addressing Him as - "My God"! You will get His attention! He will hear your cry and give you the answer you need!
What are you facing today? What kind of experience are you encountering? In the midst of it all, look for God! Let faith arise! Let your confidence in God arise! You have the same spirit of faith as David and Paul. You believe, therefore speak! In the midst of your pain, sorrow, heartache, tragedy, misfortune, etc., declare for all to hear - "I will say of the LORD..."
In the day of trouble, mankind needs to see the Greatness of God. In our generation, it is imperative that mankind sees God's Greatness for, in doing so, they will come to realize their need to commit their all to Him.
As a Christian, are you free? Are you walking in freedom? In John 8:36, Jesus said - "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Sad but true, there are many Christians who are not walking in the freedom Jesus died to give! They cannot say that they are "free indeed"! What about you?
"Everyone today is either leading or being led. We are either advancing onward or sliding backward, contributing to the broken condition of the world or bringing about its healing." (Living Among Lions) You are making progress! Whether you are aware of it or not! Whether you like it or not! You are either moving toward that which is good, or moving toward that which is evil! Which is it?
The best men of Old and New Testament times were men of meditation as well as of action. Now, we live in a time when action is felt to be everything...there is a multitude of distractions...every hour may easily be occupied with some kind of activity...and a positive effort must be made to secure a quiet hour. As a result, Christian character is suffering. The present-day Church is not where she should be - spiritually speaking! And, it is all due to a lack of meditation on God's Word!
Is your life a life of listening to God? Or, are you more concerned about what man, self, or the world has to say? Are you guilty of giving a willing ear to all others but a closed ear to God?
No matter how hopeless your condition may be in the sight of men, there is no room for despair. All things are possible to God. You have a promise of restoration. JESUS is as good as He is powerful. Hope therefore in Him.
"To walk in the land of the living is the wicked man's desire, yea, were it possible he would walk here for ever; but for what end? Only to enjoy his lusts, have his fill of pleasure, and increase his wealth; whereas the godly man's aim in desiring to live is that he may 'walk before God,' advance His glory, and perform His service." (Charles Spurgeon) What does it mean to "walk before God"? What does it entail? Do you realize that it is your duty to "walk before the Lord" - to do all that you do as in His Presence and under His eye? Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did it! David, Solomon, and Hezekiah did it! So can you! You can "walk before the LORD in the land of the living" because the LORD your God, before Whom you walk, is Almighty, keeps covenant, and has done so much for you in the past. He will not stop now from "keeping your feet from falling."
"Many are inclined to preach, but the Psalmist was inclined to practice; many are inclined to perform ceremonies, but he was inclined to perform statutes; many are inclined to obey occasionally, but David would obey alway, and, alas, many are inclined for temporary religion, but this godly man was bound for eternity, he would perform the statutes of his Lord and King even unto the end. Lord, send us such a heavenly inclination of heart as this: then shall we show that Thou hast quickened and taught us." (Treasury Of David) Are you having problems obeying the Lord in a certain area? Is God requiring something that you are finding to be very difficult at this time? You have not because you ask not! Ask for an inclination! God wants to help you to where your obedience is easy and a delight!
"Luther counsels every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying, 'Christianus sum,' I am a Christian; and I would counsel every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying,'The Lord is my portion.' O Christian, when Satan or the world shall tempt thee with honors, answer, 'The Lord is my portion'; when they shall tempt thee with riches, answer, 'The Lord is my portion'; when they shall tempt thee with preferments, answer, 'The Lord is my portion'...yea, and when this persecuting world shall threaten thee with the loss of thy estate...with the loss of thy liberty...with the loss of friends...and...with the loss of life, answer, 'The Lord is my portion...' " (The Treasury Of David)
"We are too often in haste to sin; O that we may be in a greater hurry to obey...To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them. There is much evil in a lagging pace when God's command is to be followed...Many are zealots to obey custom and society, and yet they are slack in serving God. It is a crying shame that men should be served post haste, and that God's work should have the go by, or be performed with dreamy negligence." (The Treasury Of David) Are you slow in keeping God's commandments? Are you slack in serving God? Do you find that you serve men post haste, yet perform God's work with dreamy negligence?
"Whatever others do, this I will do; though I be singular, though all about me be evil-doers, and desert me; Whatever I have done hitherto, I will for the future walk closely with God. They are the commandments of God, of my God, and therefore I will keep them. He is God and may command me, my God, and will command me nothing but what is for my good." (Matthew Henry) It's time for separation. It's time to separate from everyone and everything that is hindering your obedience to God. It's time to be resolved - to make up your mind that you will obey God. For you do not want to hear the words of the Master when separating from you and saying - "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity, I never knew you."
"It is the mark of a growing Christian that in his view Christ increases; the mark of a great Christian that to him Christ is very great. Augustine, Bernard, Leighton, Rutherford, Owen, Martyn - were these great Christians? And what had they in common? Large and admiring thoughts of Christ...A great Christian is one to whom the Lord has given 'largeness of heart.' " (The Pulpit Commentary) Secretariat - the American thoroughbred racehorse - was able to break all records and run at phenomenal speed because he had an enlarged heart. That's the way God wants you to run for Him - to obey Him. The secret of your speed, power, and progress will be the enlargement of your heart. When God enlarges your heart, you will have no problem running for Him at breakneck speed - like Secretariat - breaking all records.
"The peril of the godly life is drifting into ease and indifference; the doing of religious duties as mere routine; the meeting of religious obligations listlessly and without heart...We must not rest without energy and activity in the religious life. A formal obedience should be as distressing to us as it is to God." (The Pulpit Commentary) Where are you today in your Christian walk? Have you drifted into ease and indifference? Are you doing your Christian duties as mere routine? Are you meeting your Christian obligations listlessly and without heart? Are you giving God a formal obedience? Are you crawling when you should be running? "Progress and improvement are every man's duty. It is not right to remain as we were, or as we are. We ought to be all the time gaining and growing in experience and attainment and grace. It may be to our shame that we are just where God put us, and that we have just what God gave to us." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"The great end of religion is active obedience to the will of God. True understanding of our ways brings the grand conclusion - that man's 'way ought to be God's way.' We are forgiven in order to this." (The Pulpit Commentary) Are you aware of the fact that the great end - the bottom line, the conclusion, the target, the resolution - of Christianity is active obedience to the will of God? Not passive obedience! But active obedience! Not to self will or the will of man! But active obedience to the will of God! Do you have a true understanding of your way? Do you understand that your way ought to be God's way? You can get to the "great end of active obedience." I offer you two (2) directives as found in God's Word. Listen to this challenging message to find out what they are!
"We must first get a thing before we can keep it. In order to keep it well, we must first get a firm grip of it: we cannot keep in the heart that which we have not heartily embraced by the affections." "Highly prize the Scriptures, or you will not obey them." (Charles Spurgeon) Are you "keeping" or obeying God's Word? Do you have a firm grip of the Holy Scriptures? Are you "keeping" them in your heart? Are you "highly prizing" them? You can have the "blessing of the LORD" on your life - the "blessing of the LORD that makes rich and adds no sorrow." Listen to this Bible Message to find out how!
"Some give to God a careless service, a sort of hit or miss obedience. but the Lord has not commanded such service, nor will He accept it. His law demands the love of all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and a careless religion has none of these." (Charles Spurgeon) "God has never given a commandment, the observance of which He knew to be impossible...and to whatsoever He has commanded, He requires obedience; and His grace is sufficient for us. We must not trifle with God." (Adam Clarke) Are you giving God a "careless service"? Are you giving Him a "sort of hit or miss obedience"? Are you aware of the fact that God requires obedience? How do you perceive obedience? Do you see it as a negative thing or as an avenue into your blessing?
"If, in the worst of times, God's people can lift up their heads with joy, knowing that all shall work for good to them, they will own it is God, that is the lifter up of their head, that gives them both cause to rejoice and hearts to rejoice." (Matthew Henry) "And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me..." (Psalm 27:6) Receive this word from the Lord today. But, before you do, be sure that you "drink of the brook in the way" (Psalm 110:7) - that you receive refreshment, invigoration, and life from the Holy Spirit. Also, be sure that you surrender to the Father's will - drink of the "cup" that He has for you. If you do, you will have cause to rejoice and a heart to rejoice. The "worst of times" will become the "best of times."
"The God of Jacob then is the God Who met Jacob while he had nothing, and deserved nothing but wrath, and Who gave him everything. Happy indeed are they who have such a God for their God!" (Grace Gems) What the God of Jacob did for Jacob, He will do for us! Who He was to Jacob - Judge...Protector, Supporter, Deliverer, Enabler...Miracle Worker...Mighty God...Refuge...Prayer hearing God...King...and Help at hand - He will be for us!
"If God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and we are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is) or in the hands of men or in the hands of the devil. But take courage beloved for...the Most High God, El Elyon, is in total control. He always has been in total control. He will always be in total control." (Precept Austin) El Elyon is God Most High. A question to keep in mind as you listen to this podcast is - "What is His perspective on the problems that I am presently facing in my life?" God is sovereign. "If you know that God is sovereign, then you can know that He will win the battle with Satan...From our perspective, the battle rages all around us, and all too often evil seems to be winning. God's sovereignty guarantees the ultimate victory of good over evil..." (Precept Austin) God wants you to know that He is the Most High!
"Mr. Moody says: 'There is much more said in the Bible about praise than abour prayer. The Psalms are nothing but praise, and as David got nearer the end of the journey, he seems to have thought of little else. So it is with Christians - the nearer they get to heaven, the more they praise God." (The Biblical Illustrator) David was resolved to "sing praise" to God. Whenever he did, God filled his eye with His Greatness and his heart with His Faithfulness. David said that "singing praise" was a "good thing." Barnes' Notes said - "A gloomy mind makes all things around more gloomy: an unthankful mind is an unhappy mind; a murmuring, complaining, dissatisfied mind makes its possessor wretched, and all around miserable." But "singing praise to the LORD" is the most cheering and enlivening occupation. It is not to be an occasional exercise. It is to be the regular business of our lives.
"He who has any proper sense of the greatness, the majesty, and the glory of God, 'intends' to praise Him forever. He sees that there is enough in the character of God to demand eternal praise, and he does not anticipate that a period can ever occur in all the future when he will feel that the causes for praise have come to an end, or when his heart will be indisposed to celebrate that praise." (Barnes' Notes) Do you have a proper sense of the greatness, the majesty, and the glory of God? Does your church have this proper sense? Then you should be offering God great praise! No mean praises can be meet (fit) for so great a majesty. Remember, nothing in His worship should be little. God's greatness is such that He needs to be greatly praised! Are you giving Him the honor due His name?
"David would praise God because he had many times, and all along, found Him his refuge in the day of trouble. He that is all this to us, is certainly worthy of our best affections, praises, and services. The trials of His people will end in joy and praise. When the night of affliction is over, they will sing of the Lord's power and mercy in the morning." (Matthew Henry) In the presence of his enemies, David was resolved to "sing" - to "sing aloud" unto God. He chose as the theme of His praise - God's "power" and "mercy." You are to do the same. When you are facing great trials or enemies, "sing of God's power" and His "mercy." It is HIs "power" by which He is able to help you. It is His "mercy" by which He is inclined to help you. Through both, God wants to turn your "day of trouble" into the "morning." This will all happen as you "wait" upon Him as your "Strength." Your "waiting" or watching will pass into singing. It's guaranteed to happen!
"The LORD deals bountifully with men when He gives Himself unto them as their portion and inheritance; His Son, and all things along with Him, His Spirit, and the graces of it; and every daily needful supply of grace." (John Gill's Commentary) God is saying to you today through this message that the end will be different from the beginning. How will that be brought about? Because there is a God in heaven Who "deals bountifully with you." What your enemies are saying will never happen, He will make it happen!
"The fixed heart is resolved to 'sing and give praise' in spite of everything that might make sobs and tears choke the song." (Alexander MacLaren) Let me ask you today - do you have a "fixed" heart? Is your heart steadfast -steadfast with a fearless confidence in God? If it is, then, like David, in every situation in life, you will be ready and resolved to sing and give praise. How do you get a "fixed" heart? There are two ways - God has His part, and you have yours.
"Let it be blessed for ever, it shall be blessed for ever, it deserves to be blessed for ever, and we hope to be forever blessing it." (Matthew Henry) David seemingly had a revelation of Psalm 45:17 - the promise given to Messiah that His name would be remembered in all generations. He served his own generation by carrying on the fame of Messiah through the praise of His name. What about you? Will you serve your own generation by causing Jesus' name to be remembered through your praise of His name?
"Let us not forget that we have much to praise God for." (The Biblical Illustrator) In this Bible Message, we looked at the Grandest Resolution - "while I live will I praise the LORD." We saw that it is sparked by our being in covenant with God...that there is a certain manner in which it is done... there is a particular subject matter behind it...and that it is to follow us throughout this life into eternity. In this Bible Message, prayerfully you will view God and His due praises in a richer and fuller way.
"No one grows who does not mean to grow." (The Biblical Illustrator) "The longer we live, the more expert we should grow in praising God and the more we should abound in it." (Matthew Henry) Let me ask you today - are you growing in praising God? Are you abounding in it? Like David, you can resolve to hope continually...to hope in all conditions...to never give up to despair...however painful your circumstances and condition...no matter the number, power, malice, and confidence of your enemies. David was resolved to praise God more and more. You must be resolved to do the same. It begins with preparing yourself. Stir up yourself and all that is within you to praise God. Dull and sleepy devotions are simply not acceptable!
"One thing - God is fixed, and it is a simple truth that man is never fixed until he is fixed upon God. Surely a house, as to its fixedness, depends upon the foundation...Oh! the heart can only be fixed according to the fixedness of that on which it rests." (The Biblical Illustrator) The heart is the main thing. Nothing is done to purpose in Christianity further than it is done with the heart. The heart must be fixed - set in order - before rendering praise. When the heart is fixed, there is salvation! God causes you to witness His saving power to the uttermost as you praise Him with a prepared heart!
"If we praise God as we ought, we shall be kept from praising ourselves. Surely that is good. I have heard that most self-made men are very apt to praise their maker; indeed we are all liable to sing the praises of self. The sure way of escaping this danger is to fill your heart and mouth with praise to God." (The Biblical Illustrator) In our teaching today, we saw from the word of God that the #1 reason why we praise God is because He is good! We also learned that we praise Him because it is good for us to do so! To not praise Him is to defraud Him of that which He has a just claim to.
"Daily praise should ascend from each of us to God, as the perfume of the daily sacrifice ascended in olden times; there must not be fewer sacrifices under the new dispensation than there were under the old; we are priests to offer unto God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving." (Pulpit Commentary) David resolved to freely sacrifice unto God. In Psalm 54:6, he said - "I will freely sacrifice unto Thee..." He was resolved to offer a voluntary offering - a freewill offering. It would be the freewill offering of his mouth - a praise offering - "the calves of his lips" (Hosea 14:2) - "the fruit of his lips" (Hebrews 13:15) - the sacrifice of praise to God. Let me ask you - do you understand your role as a Christian priest? If so, are you daily covering God's altar with your sacrifice of praise?
"There is no reason to stagger at, or hesitate about any of the promises of God, since they are made by Him that cannot lie. His faithfulness is engaged to perform them; with Him all things are possible." (John Gill's Commentary) Is God seemingly delaying the manifestation of His favor to you - leaving you with nothing more than a promise from His Word? Like David, the Holy Spirit is saying for you to resolve to glory or boast in the promise of God with undiminished confidence. And then stand back and watch Him come through for you!
"He Who is Zion's God is Zion's King, head over all things to the church; and this is her joy and comfort in every age, that her God and her King reigns, and will reign forevermore..." (John Gill) Zion's God is Zion's King. Regardless of feelings, David was resolved to extol his God. He knew Him to be the great God and a great King. The greatness of his God and King compelled David to elevate Him high in his praises, thoughts, speech, and conversation. Do you have a revelation of God's greatness?
Job 22:29 says - "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person." "When men are cast down" in times of trial and calamity...when they are depressed or "cast down" into a very low estate and distressed condition...when they are in low circumstances or in great straits and difficulties...when they are cast down in affairs...when their spirits are sinking, desponding, or ready to despair, then the Lord says to say to them that a restoration or a change for the better is coming their way. God is sending me today with a "word" for you. He is saying to you who are "cast down" - "There is lifting up." Restoration and a change for the better is coming your way! It is God's will and desire for His people to be "lifted up." The Scriptures confirm that truth!
How would you describe your walk with Jesus? Are you walking securely on an even, smooth, level, plain ground or are you like one walking on slippery places - likened to ice or polished marble? Or are you like the lame man walking haltingly because there is an unevennness or malformity in your Christian gait - an incongruity between your words and actions? Both David and Solomon shared the principle that says - "...for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely..." (Psalm 26:1; Proverbs 10:9) In other words, "walking in integrity" promises security and confidence.
"Most men take the world for their chief good, and place their felicity in the enjoyments of it; but this I say, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup, the portion I make choice of, and will gladly take up with, how poor soever my condition in this world. Let me have the love and favor of God, and be accepted of Him; let me have the comfort of communion with God...let me have an interest in His promises, and a title by promise to everlasting life and happiness in the future state; and I have enough, I need no more, I desire no more, to complete my felicity." (Matthew Henry)
"There is great power in praising. It leads one away from self-consciousness. Praise is a very strengthening thing. Our Lord strengthened Himself for the last conflict by praise. The spirit of praise is the very essence of heaven, and the man who lives in praise, will live in 'heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' " (Sermon Bible Commentary) Do you need "great power" to face or to bring down your enemies? Do you need strength to endure the trials or afflictions that you are presently facing? Praise will elevate you to "heavenly places in Christ JESUS" where you will find all that you need.
"Whether you will or no, I will; I will praise Him, if I am alone in doing so; I will praise Him with my whole heart - with all the fervor, spirituality, and sincerity with which I am endowed; I will praise the Lord with all my heart..." (The Biblical Illustrator) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will cover the new subject of "Praising The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #19 as found in Psalm 86:11-12 which says - "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart..."
"Man is a creature of strong affections. His feelings cling round the objects of his choice like ivy round a tree. Through sin, these affections are misplaced. He loves the things which he should hate, and hates the things which he should love; forsakes the true God, and pursues lovers of his own. He must love, he will worship something; 'that I may win' is the desire of every soul. Wealth, honor, position, and learning are eagerly sought, loved for their own sake, and for the sake of what they are thought to give. Thus men are seeking happiness where it cannot be found..." (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) In this particular broadcast (and final episode on "Seeking The Lord"), we will do something different. We will look at examples in the Bible of those who "sought not the LORD." Then we will look at some of the things people did seek after when the LORD was not in the picture.
"But the heart must not be divided with many objects if the Lord is to be sought by us." (Charles Spurgeon) "God in everything requires the heart, the undivided heart." (Biblical Illustrator) Many people are seeking the Lord, but how are they doing it? In everything, God requires the heart. Proverbs 23:26 says - "My son, give Me your heart..." God knows that when He has your heart, He has everything. However, He wants your "whole heart." He doesn't want a "divided heart" with many objects. In everything, He requires the undivided heart. Are you giving Him what He requires?
"Many people are gripped and even managed by their fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of losing control. Fear is a gripping force for many. Yet when we seek the LORD, He delivers us from fear." (Pastor Dave Whitehead) Fear is one of the enemy's most powerful weapons that he uses against us. It looks for a channel into your heart. Oftentimes that channel is other people's words. Be aware of this! Recognize the enemy's tactics here!
"You have many enemies, cunning and strong; many trials, too great for your natural strength; many temptations, which no human power is able successfully to resist; many duties to perform, which cannot be accomplished by the strength of man; therefore you need Divine Strength; you must have might; and you must be strengthened every where, and every way fortified by that might; mightily and most effectually strengthened." (Adam Clarke) "Our enemies are numerous, violent, and obstinate, and our infirmities are many. We therefore need strength of every kind. As it is necessary to overcome all our enemies, so it is necessary to be endued with all might - might to endure the most furious assault, might to resist the most bewitching solicitation of evil." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)
"No really good thing shall be denied to those whose first and main end in life is to seek the Lord." (Charles Spurgeon) Are you looking for good things in life to come your way? Do you feel as though there is much that you are yet lacking? Are you feeling totally frustrated because your efforts seem to be in vain? Let me ask you - what is your first and main end in life? Is it to seek the Lord? Because if it is, "no really good thing shall be denied" you! You can count on that! That's Bible!
"God's all-seeing, all-piercing eyes scrutinize the whole human race. Is there one who shows discernment in thought and act, one to whom fellowship with God is the highest good, and consequently that after which he strives? - this is God's question, and He delights in such persons, and certainly none such would escape His longing search." (Keil & Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will once again cover the subject of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #13 as found in Psalm 14:2 which says - "The LORD looked down from heaven, upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God."
"Pride is at the root of all the atheism, theoretical or practical, on the earth; at the root of all the reluctance which there is to seek the favor of God; at the root, therefore, of the misery and wretchedness of the world." (Barnes' Notes) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will once again cover the subject of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #12 as found in Psalm 10:4 which says - "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
"A desire to seek God as the first object in life - in youth - in each returning day - at the beginning of each year, season, month, week - in all our plans and enterprises - is one of the most certain evidences of true piety; and religion flourishes most in the soul, and flourishes only in the soul, when we make God the first object of our affections and desires." (Barnes' Notes) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will once again cover the subject of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #11 as found in Psalm 63:1 which says - "O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."
"He is the LORD, Who changeth not. It is still true today and ever will be true. He will be found by those who seek Him with their whole desire." (Gaebelein's Annotated Bible) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will once again cover the subject of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #10. Although all our past resolutions stemmed from the Book of Psalms, and dealt with the character of David, in this broadcast, we will examine King Asa - as found in 2 Chronicles 15 - and see how he - like David - responded to God's command to "Seek the Lord." Prayerfully, through this study, you will have a greater understanding of what it means to do just that - "Seek the Lord."
"If you yourselves were about to express, at this moment, the one desire of your hearts - I mean that which was really and sincerely so - what would it be? Many of you would point, I have no doubt, to various things in which happiness is generally regarded as consisting - such a situation, such an income, such family comforts, such temporal enjoyments, and so on. You would, you think, be well content with these. Some few, however, would say that the 'one thing' they would desire is to be Christ's." (The Biblical Illustrator) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will be continuing the theme of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #9 as found in Psalm 27:4 which says - "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple."
"The seeking of God's face. God is ever calling us to this. Let our days be more filled up with this blessed work." (The Biblical Illustrator) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will begin the new theme of "Seeking The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #8 as found in Psalm 27:8 which says - "When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, O LORD, will I seek." "What a contrast is this clear resolve to the indecisions and hesitations so common amongst us." (The Biblical Illustrator) The only way to overcome these two hurdles of "indecisions" and "hesitations" is to have a clear resolve. You have a choice! You can respond to God's call today to "Seek ye My face" with "I will," or you can ignore it or pretend you never heard it and in a sense be saying - "I won't." What will it be?
"The enemies of the righteous may be numerous, malignant, and powerful, but the Lord will take care of His people, and in due time deliver them from all their troubles." (Family Bible Notes) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #7 as found in Psalm 3:6 and 3:1 which says - "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about." "LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me."
"Truth, and faithfulness to His promises, are attributes which dwell in, or belong to God." (Coke's Commentary) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #6 as found in Psalm 56:4 and 10 which says - "In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me...In God will I praise His word: in the LORD will I praise His word."
"It is impossble for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, 'God is for me.' " (Charles Spurgeon) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #5 as found in Psalm 118:6 which says - "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"
"It is a good maxim with which to go into a world of danger; a good maxim to go to sea with; a good maxim in a storm; a good maxim when in danger on the land; a good maxim when we are sick; a good maxim when we think of death and the judgment - 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.' " (Barnes' Notes) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #4 as found in Psalm 56:3 which says - "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #3 as found in Psalm 27:3 which says - "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Like David, you can say - "No matter what, I will be confident." How is it done? By resting your confidence on the character of God as seen in Psalm 27:1 which says - "The LORD is my light and my salvation...the LORD is the strength of my life..."
In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will deal with Resolution #2 as found in Psalm 27:2 which says - "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." No matter what is coming against you today, your heart need not fear as long as you see God in His greatness and power and you are leaning on the past experiences of His goodness toward you. "The LORD is...everything you need Him to be!"
In the last broadcast, we started our series on Resolutions as found in the Book of Psalms. We began with Psalm 23:4 and studied at length the valley of the shadow of death. We saw that in the face of Evil, David was able to say "I will fear no evil." In this broadcast, we want to look at the source of this bold resolve. God has a message for you in this podcast. He is saying that you have nothing to fear. You can face tomorrow. With a bold resolve, you, too, can say "I will fear no evil: for Jesus is with me."
Here is my New Series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." We are dealing with the theme of "Resolutions" as found in the book of Psalms. (If there was ever a day and an hour when the Church needed to have a made-up mind, it is NOW!) This initial resolution deals with David's resolve - "I will" - as found in Psalm 23:6.
"The first affections of men towards Christ, and holiness, and heaven, are usually lively and warm. God remembered the love of Israel's espousals, when she would follow Him whithersoever He went. These lively affections will abate and cool if great care be not taken, and diligently used, to preserve them in constant exercise. Christ is grieved and displeased with His people when He sees them grow remiss and cold towards Him, and He will one way or other make them sensible that He does not take it well from them." (Matthew Henry)
"Hypocrites are such who seem to and would be thought to be, what they are not; they are outwardly righteous before men, but inwardly very wicked; have a form of godliness, but are destitute of the power of it; pretend to much religion, and to be worshippers of God, when it is only in outward appearances; and not in reality, and sincerity: and such as these have been in the congregations of the righteous, in all ages." (John Gill)
"When God says, 'I will,' His resolution is supported by omnipotence...When God says, 'I will,' it is sealed with immutability. We are always changing...But God never changes. When God says, 'I will,' it will be carried out in faithfulness." (Charles Spurgeon)
"As the temple of God in the midst of a corrupt society, God's people in Corinth were not to participate in the evils prevalent in that society, but were to reject all forms of immorality. God's temple must be holy because God is holy." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible) You are the "temple of God." God dwells in you. And where God dwells, there is His temple. How will this revelation change the way you conduct yourself - the way you live? How will it change the way you worship?
"Man does not stand isolated in this world. If he is not influenced by the Holy Spirit, he is influenced by the spirits of delusion, who are the emissaries of Satan. If we are not possessed by the truth, error will make an easy conquest of us." (The Pulpit Commentary) Are you aware of this? Do you realize this?
"Christ's disciples are often to be blamed for the shallowness of their understandings, and the slipperiness of their memories...We are therefore perplexed with present cares and distrusts, because we do not duly remember our former experiences of divine power and goodness." (Matthew Henry)
"Jonah was a faithful prophet as long as God wanted what Jonah wanted. But when God's marching orders went contrary to Jonah, he would not do what he was told." (The Preacher's Commentary) "Christian, do not play the Jonah, unless you wish to have all the waves and the billows rolling over your head. You will find in the long run that it is far harder to shun the work and will of God than to at once yield yourself to it." (Charles Spurgeon)
"Our conversation is of far more consequence than some men imagine." (Charles Spurgeon) "Whatever I speak to you is for the benefit of mankind - keep nothing from them, declare explicitly the whole counsel of God." (Adam Clarke)
"Everyone is following something or someone. Some people follow in the footsteps of their family. Some follow a philosophy of life, like the Golden Rule: 'Treat others the way you want to be treated.' While others follow their own intuition, drawing from the salad bar of philosophy, religion, friends, and family. They do whatever they feel is right in their gut." (Chip Ingrim)
"The Great purpose of the truly pious is not to please themselves, or to please their fellowmen, but to please God. The great object is to secure acceptance with Him; to have such thoughts, and to utter such words, that He can look upon them with approbation." "It matters little what men think of us, if God approves what we do. To please Him should be our highest aim." (both quotes are from Barnes' Notes)
"If we would know God as He is, we should neither take our own idea nor adopt the world's estimates, but see Him as He has revealed Himself in His Word, especially in the Gospel which began to be spoken by HIs Son, the only Teacher competent to instruct us here." (The Biblical Illustrator) There is a spirit (attitude) that is prevalent in our age. It is the same spirit (attitude) that was found in Pharaoh, the ungodly in Job's day, and in the Christians of Agur's day. And it is the same spirit (attitude) that was found in the Laodiceans which this age so resembles.
"If we have to do with God, we must quit claim to ourselves and look on God as our owner...Wicked men might as well say the same thing of their whole selves; our bodies, strength, time, parts, etc. are our own, and who is Lord over us?" (Charles Spurgeon) There is a sharp contrast between the wicked and the Christian. This podcast will - plainly and distinctly - bring it out for you. The question is - Are you wholly leaning on the Christian side or is there a bent toward the side of the wicked? This message will help you answer that question!
"The mischief of the Christian Church at large is a want of holy confidence in God." (The Biblical Illustrator) Moses, David, and John the Baptist "endured" to the end. How did they do it? They were absorbed by the idea of God. They had a realization of Him as their "Rock." God desires for His Church to do likewise.
"The Golden Age of a country may be a dark age in the estimate of the saint. The true glory of a country is moral, and where the moral element is wanting, all other glories are dim. Philosophers, poets, commanders, artists, oraters, statesmen, millionaires, do not make a "Golden Age,' but the presence of many virtuous and godly men." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"When we listen to the voices which are from above, we must expect plain speaking. We must not start back with offense if we find ourselves condemned in strong terms. 'Thou art the man!' follows the narrative which transfixes the cruel and heartless robber of his neighbor's all. 'Ye fools and blind!' said the Wisdom of God, as He rebuked the hypocrisy of His day. We are not to be repelled from, but attracted to, the man who, speaking for the only wise God, puts sacred truth into the strongest and even the sternest language." (The Pulpit Commentary)
"There is not a want of our nature - of our bodies or our souls; a want pertaining to this life or the life to come - to ourselves, to our families, to our friends, to the church, or to our country - which God is not able to meet; and there is not a real necessity in any of these respects which He is not willing to meet. Why, then, should His people ever turn for happiness to the 'weak and beggarly elements of the world,' as if God could not satisfy them? Why should they seek for happiness in vain amusements, or in sensual pleasures, as if God could not, or would not, supply the real needs of their souls?" (Barnes' Notes)
"If a man should write upon his sign-board the words, 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee,' he would have plenty of callers. No man dare try the experiment; but God has had those words written above His door for thousands of years, and none have ever called upon Him in vain." (The Biblical Illustrator) Do you know that there is no one who can fully understand the soul in adversities but God - no one who can entirely meet the needs of the soul in such seasons? In your time of trouble, who are you running to first for help - God or man?
"In comparison with the kings of the earth. We read of Alexander the Great, of Constantine the Great, and Frederick the Great, but, verily, in comparison with the God of heaven, their greatness dwindles into insignificance - dwindles into nothing! Have they thrones? Their thrones are upon the earth; God's throne is in the heavens, 'high above all height.' Have they robes? God's robes are light and majesty. Have they pavilions? He stretcheth forth the heavens as His pavilion, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. Have they chariots? He maketh the clouds His chariot - He walked upon the wings of the wind. Have they kingdoms? The whole universe is God's kingdom, and literally He ruleth over all." (The Biblical Illustrator)
Have you ever had the props knocked out from beneath your feet? Have you ever had your confidences destroyed? The things or people you have depended on for so long are no longer there. Your trust must always be in God. Sometimes He allows your props to be knocked out from beneath your feet because He knows you cannot function effectively unless you are fully dependent on Him. He wants you to rest your weight fully on Him.
"The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted. The people will actually rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked." (Matthew Henry) God does not separate "religion" (Christianity) and politics. Neither should we!
God fights for His people as they walk in faith and in obedience to His Word. He fights for them when their focus is solely on Him...when the odds are totally against them...and when they are carrying out His will. But, what happens when He enters the fight? Great and mighty acts break forth - so much so that the heathen take notice of it. The weak instantly become strong. At this time, no man can stand before the people of God. Fear overtakes their enemies.
"Sin culminates in universal falsehood. The intellectual aspect of sin is untruth. Every sin is a lie. The triumph of sin is the overthrow of all truth and trust." (The Pulpit Commentary) Do you know when sin is reaching its highest point or final stages in a society? Do you know how to tell when sin is triumphing in a nation? Here is a clue - see how the people are responding to truth. What are they doing with truth?
"Any theology that minimizes God's holiness and tolerates people's deliberate sinfulness is a false theology." (Warren Wiersbe) "How many professing Christians are there who regard little else than worldly things! How many who live only to acquire wealth, to gain honor, or to enjoy the pleasures of the world! How many are there who have no interest in a prayer meeting, in a Sunday School, in religious conversation, and in the advancement of true religion on the earth! These are the real enemies of the Cross." (Barnes' Notes)
The nation was charged with having committed two evils which were figuratively described. First of all, they had forsaken Jehovah, "the fountain of living waters." Secondly, they had "hewed them out cisterns" which turned out to be "broken cisterns." Matthew Henry offered this comment - "But it may well be urged, to the reproach of Israel, that they, who were the only people that had no cause to change their God, were yet the only people that had changed Him." Have you forsaken JESUS - "the fountain of living waters"?
What about you? What does your relationship with Jesus look like today? Are you a linen girdle or a rotten, unwashed one? Have you - like so many - been deceived into thinking that God will still "wear" you - even though you are a rotten girdle? What does the Bible say? "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
So many are searching for true happiness and fulfillment. Others are trying to gain more and more of the wealth of this world. And yet others are looking for answers to the many predicaments of life. The questions you must ask yourself as a Christian are - "What am I searching for today? What occupies the greatest amount of my time? What is my main pursuit in life?"
"The Lord alone is the Judge as to whether a man's ways are as clean as the man himself adjudges them. He alone, as the 'God of the spirits of all flesh,' can judge the attitudes and intentions. Thus, many of men's ways, which appear right to them, are not so in His holy eyes." (Unger's Commentary On The Old Testament) "There is no more sobering reflection for us than the thought that our own lives are weighed in the scales of God's righteousness. Every thought and word and act of life are put in the balance. And God's judgment is to be made manifest." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"Let us further illustrate by our lives these other words, 'Thine is the power,' let us endeavor to live practically in the faith that all power belongs to God. We are in a world of much confusion and difficulty, and we feel that we ourselves are weak and feeble; but surely our God is a God of power, powerful to preserve from evil, powerful to keep us from sin, powerful enough to give us peace in our death and a happy resurrection." (Sermon Bible Commentary) God speaks a certain message for a certain people at a particular time. That same message must be repeated over and over again before it gets a hold of the hearts of the people. The problem is - the heart is not prepared soil for the seed of the Word.
"It is an important thing to understand the times in which we live, and to know what those times require. Next to our Bibles and our own hearts our Lord would have us study our own times." (The Biblical Illustrator) The children of Issachar understood the natural times...the political times... public affairs...the temper of the nation...and the tendencies of present events. God would have you to be like Issachar. But many of God's people are "blind" to what is actually going on. What could be causing that "blindness"? This message will give two reasons for that "blindness." Don't miss it!
"The one idea that leaps up from this narrative is that which you often find through Scripture, that in the clay of defeat and disaster all God wants is one whole-hearted man. If the Lord can only get a beginning made, if He can, amidst all the disgraceful stampede and rout, get but one man to stop running, one to stop flying, one soul to cease from unbelief and panic and fear, and begin to trust in Him, there and then the tide of battle shall be turned." "This is all God asks: Stand, stand in the midst, and then see! If the Church of Christ would only get possessed of Shammah's spirit, and in all the howling wreck that is at home and abroad, if she would stand and fight, there would be such a central victory as would tell to the furthermost circumference." (both quotes are from The Biblical Illustrator)
"Who is he that says always, There is a lion in the way? Sluggard, thou must slay the lion, then; the way has to be traveled." (Thomas Carlyle) As a believer, what kind of "faith" do you have? Do you have a "sluggard faith" or an "active faith"? That will be determined by how you view the "difficulties" that stand in your way. Did you know that a "healthy church" "kills error, and tears in pieces evil"? Are you a member of a "healthy church"? Are you a "healthy" believer?
"The Church sees her case bad, her enemies many and mighty, her friends few and feeble; and therefore she depends purely upon the strength of God's arm for her relief." (Matthew Henry) "In our spiritual warfare, our own hands are not sufficient for us, nor can we bring anything to pass unless God not only strengthen our arms, but be Himself our arm. If God leave us to ourselves any morning, we are undone; we must, therefore, every morning commit ourselves to Him, and go forth in His strength to do the work of the day in its day." (The Biblical Illustrator)
"An increase in crimes of violence always follows when a nation does not acknowledge God and His Word as its ultimate authority." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible) "Where Divine revelation, and the faithful preaching of the sacred testimonies, are neither reverenced nor attended, the ruin of that land is at no great distance." (Adam Clarke) "What good can be expected when there is no knowledge of God?" (Matthew Henry)
"Of course, it is always easy to move with the current, to drift with the tide, to shout with the multitude. But ease is not the condition either of righteousness or of true progress. In the home, in society, in business, in the national life, and sometimes in the church, the multitude may be wrong. Then the soul must refuse to follow, must stand alone. To do so will bring strain and stress; but it will always discover strength, for it will find God." "The history of all right movements has been in the first place the history of lonely souls who, having heard the authentic voice of God, have stood alone or in small minorities." (G. Campbell Morgan)
"All things in heaven and earth are full of voices bearing witness for the living God. The whole universe, human history, governments, philosophy, science, art, and institutions are witnessing for God." (The Biblical Illustrator) God demands that you bear witness to Him. But only those who are in sympathy with Him and are living in accordance with His holy will are qualified. There are those who are witnesses for God and those who are witnesses against God. Which are you?
"The most important question concerning a man is as to the state of his heart - his thoughts, affections, intentions. In the heart we find the true man. The outer life is but the clothing and may be the mask of the man. From the heart spring all the actions of life. The character of the fountain determines that of the stream." (The Pulpit Commentary) "How about your heart, is it right with God? That's the thing that counts today. Is it black with sin, is it pure within, Have you asked Christ in to stay?"
"Many have lost the favourable presence of God and are not aware of it; they have provoked God to withdraw from them, but are not sensible of their loss, nor ever complain of it. Their souls languish and grow weak, their gifts wither, every thing goes cross with them; and yet they impute not this to the right cause: they are not aware that God has departed from them, nor are they in any care to reconcile themselves to Him or recover His favor. When God has departed, we cannot do as at other times." (Matthew Henry) "The degredation of character may go on quite unconsciously, and it is only when some crisis arises in a man's life that he becomes aware that his moral strength has departed from him." (Great Texts of the Bible)
In this world, you will encounter the "snare of the fowler"..."noisome pestilence"..."terror by night"... "arrow that flieth by day"..."destruction that wasteth at noonday"...and "valley of the shadow of death," yet you need never fear. How is that possible? In every experience of life, God offers you His keeping power. You have the guarantee of His power. He is making it available to you and operative in your life until the end of your earthly pilgrimage. But you must lay hold of it by faith.
In the olden days, a czar in Russia, was crazy enough to build a great palace upon the ice-blocks of the Neva River. When the spring came, and the foundations melted, the palace sank beneath the river. You may roll your eyes at this story, but you need to ask yourself - "Am I, like the Russian czar, building parts of my Christian life upon 'ice-blocks' not realizing that drastic 'changes' are coming upon the world? The "scornful men in Jerusalem" made "lies their refuge." But, what about you - when you "build your refuges on vain hopes, creatural affections, earthly possessions, or other false things"? (Alexander MacClaren) God promises that, if you will allow Him to "lay His foundation" in every area of your life, you will have no cause for alarm when the storms come...not be moved when troubles come...nor be filled with nervous apprehensions about the future of Christianity. Are you at that place yet? What have you not surrendered to Jesus?
"The text requires that having taken the field, we keep it. We may not retire to the ranks of those who refuse to fight; we must stand...We may be weak; but must stand. We may be weary; but must stand. We may be fearful; but must stand. We may be defeated in some single fight; but must stand. We may see others fall about us; but must stand. Many may desert our cause; but we must stand... Consternation may spread through the army of the Lord of hosts; but we must stand. It may seem as though all things were against us; but we must stand. The day of final triumph may seem long delayed...but we must stand..." (The Biblical Illustrator)
This is a true and timely "word" from God for the Body of Christ. I was going an entirely different direction in preparing for this broadcast when the Lord "dropped" this "word" into my spirit. He then gave me the title for it. It is a strong but necessary message for all believers. I ask you to prepare your heart, humble yourself under God's mighty hand, and allow the Holy Spirit to shine His "spotlight" into the dark recesses of your being. If you will do so, you will be ready to receive the same revelation of God that David did - "Behold Thou desirest truth in the inward parts..."
"It is a good maxim with which to go into a world of danger; a good maxim to go to sea with; a good maxim in a storm; a good maxim when in danger on the land; a good maxim when we are sick; a good maxim when we think of death and the judgment - What time I am afraid - I will trust in Thee." (Albert Barnes) There is a cry going forth in the world today. It is a "cry" coming from the hearts of mankind saying - "I am afraid." Fears are something that are common to all men. But it is how they react to their fears that makes the difference. Dr. Don Gommeson said it well - "Fear cannot hurt us if we treat it as an opportunity to trust in our God."
Are we living in "a day of trouble" as the Bible calls it? Look around at the world today. Look at what is happening in America. We see major corruption going on in the elections as the Globalists are working behind the scenes to bring us closer to the New World Order. President Obama continues to stealthily slip in thousands (1,000s) of Syrian refugees (Many of them could possibly be Muslim terrorists or jihadists). More and more mosques are cropping up everywhere - some even replacing Christian churches in our neighborhoods. The homosexuals - the LGBT - are attempting to force their agenda down our throats with their transgender bathroom issue. So, I ask you - are we living in "a day of trouble" as the Bible calls it? And, if so, what are you as a Christian going to do about it? How will you handle what is going on around you?
"We shall find, when we reach the end of life, that all which God has done, however dark and mysterious it may have appeared at the time, was so connected with our good as to make it a proper subject of praise and thanksgiving." (Barnes' Notes) How important is it that you "forget not His benefits"? Romans 1:21 offers the answer - "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." "Forgetting" is something we are all guilty of doing. Prayerfully, this message will stir you to "keep yourself from forgetfulness."
"So with all. In our backslidings, our afflictions, and our troubles, our only hope is that God will bring us back to Himself; our proper place is at the throne of mercy; our pleadings should be urgent, earnest, and constant, that He will interpose and have mercy on us; our solemn purpose - our expressed and recorded pledge - should be that if we are restored to God, we will wander no more." (Barnes' Notes) God must turn us, or we will not be turned - as an individual, church, or nation. He is giving you a "window" or "door" of opportunity. What will you do with it? How will you respond?
"...when we see the wicked indulging themselves in their lusts, and when, in consequence, doubts steal into our minds as to whether God takes any care of us, we should learn to satisfy ourselves with the consideration that God, Who hates and abhors all iniquity, will not permit them to pass unpunished, and although He bear with them for a time, He will at length ascend into the judgment seat, and show Himself an avenger, as He is the protector and defender of His people." (John Calvin) "Nothing is more constantly affirmed in the Scriptures than that God hates all forms of evil." (Barnes' Notes)
"'Drifting' is the thing to be afraid of. Just as some boat, not made fast to the bank, certainly glides down stream so quietly and with so little friction that her passengers do not know that they are moving until they come up on deck, and see new fields around them, so the 'things which we have heard,' and to which we ought to be moored or anchored, we shall drift, drift, drift, drift away from, and, in nine cases out of ten, shall not feel that we are moving, till we are roused by hearing the noise of the whirlpools and the falls close ahead of us; and look round and see a strange country." (Alexander MacLaren) Are you drifting today? Are you leaving Christ without knowing it?
Is it possible to get to a place in your walk with the Lord where you are not disturbed by fear...you are not moved by your circumstances...and you live quietly above the storms? Jesus said in John 14:27 - "...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." But how many are experiencing this? Is it even possible - with all that is going on in the world today? In this broadcast, I want to show you that - not only is it possible - but I am going to share with you the "key" to how you can experience this in your life 24/7. If you will do what the Lord is directing in this message, you will be able to say to the devil and all of your enemies...to the world and the flesh - "You can't move me!"
"Shall we not be concerned about our own growth? Shall we not be grieved if we do not grow in our views and feelings in reference to sin? The older we are as the children of God, the longer we have had fellowship with the Pure and Holy One, the more we should hate everything which is sinful. Shall we not be grieved if, as the months go by, we do not find ourselves more decided and resolute and settled in our religious convictions and habits? Shall we not be concerned if we are not gaining greater power over the sin which easily besets us? Shall we not be concerned if, we are not more humble, more heavenly-minded, more gentle and forgiving, more Christlike than we were?" (Biblical Illustrator)
"Our days on this earth, at best 70 to 80 years, are few when compared to eternity. We should pray for a sober understanding of the brevity of our lives so as to present to God a heart of wisdom in how we use each day He gives us. This life should be a preparation for the next life, and we should determine what God wants to accomplish for Himself, our families, and others through our faithful service. When our time here is over and we reach heaven, how we lived or did not live in dedication to God will be evaluated. In that light, we must pray for a heart of wisdom, a righteous fear of God, and God's favor in our lives and in our work for Him." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible) Time is a precious trust that we have from God. Every moment must be looked upon as a precious grain of gold. "God works in Moments." (Great Texts Of The Bible) Are you "numbering your days" aright? Do you have a "heart of wisdom"?
"There are times in our Christian lives when the Lord would have us do something that defies reason...Our task and our duty in life is to take God at His Word. If we stopped putting in our 'ifs' and 'buts,' then perhaps great blessings may attend our labour." (Apples Of Gold) "At Thy Word" has always been the watchword of the saints down through the ages. It has been "the password of all good men" from the beginning until now. God has not changed. Do you want SUCCESS in your endeavors? It begins and ends with - "At Thy Word"!
Have you ever had the Lord give you an assignment or a direction in which to move forward? You started out on your journey only to meet with "darkness," "the feeling that God is nowhere to be found," and every "contrary wind" blowing at your vessel - determined to not only keep you from your destination but seemingly throw you so far out of God's will? Then you probably know what it feels like to be "in the middle of nowhere." Believe it or not! This is a great place to be! For it is in this place where Jesus manifests His Presence and Miracles abound!
"If you will not humbly acknowledge your poverty and ignorance, and thankfully accept His grace, it is a righteous thing that He should leave you to become blinder than before. His glorious Gospel cannot leave you as it found you. It must be the savor of life unto life, or the savor of death unto death." (Pulpit Commentary) JESUS did not come into the world to judge but to save. However, "judgment" is the inevitable result for all who fail to receive Him. When the Truth (JESUS) is coming your way, you are either falling into one of two groups - the "seeing" or the "blind" - depending on how you receive that Truth!
What are you "exalting" in your life? Are you "exalting" sickness, poverty, afflictions, problems, heartaches, hurts, offences, fears, trials, storms, mountains, giants, impossibilities, etc.? What do you talk about? What do you magnify? What seems so big right now? Whatever you "exalt" is that for which you are "preparing an habitation" - giving it a place in your life...making room for it...inviting it to come and do its work. Just imagine what happens when you "exalt" JESUS and "prepare an habitation for Him"?
"' Where is He?' Such was the cry of the old world before Christ came. Men had lost sight of God; even the Jews, the chosen people, had corrupted themselves with idols, till the God of their fathers had become to them as a dream. Many a one, besides the men of Athens, had erected an altar to the unknown God. From the wise men seeking after the truth, from the captive groaning in his dungeon, from the sad watcher by the dying bed, the cry went up, 'Where is He? Where is God, that we might believe on Him?' " (Sermon Bible Commentary) Man is looking to God for answers to his questions. But God says, "I, too, have questions to be answered by man." Hear what the three questions are that He is asking both sinner and saint alike today!
"Christianity is aggressive. It is the duty of Christians, not merely to promote purity, and charity, and truth, etc. but to expose and attack the vices and wrongs of the world." (The Pulpit Commentary) Meroz came under a "curse" from the Lord simply because they did nothing. Multitudes of people are in the condition of Meroz. Are you?
"What can we do, any of us, when real calamities come? Will wealth or anything else keep away the tears? What will prevent the sorrows, deal with the sins, or enable us to be of good cheer in the face of death and disease, and to say, 'You cannot touch me!' Ah! there is but one thing that will do that for us. 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower.' " (Alexander MacLaren) Do you believe that today? Is this an operative belief in your life? Where do you run when trouble comes?
"The king is revealed in the time of the flood. Smaller personalities appear kingly when the waters are smooth; they disappear at the flood...I will yield the crown of my obedience to the One Who proves to be king at the flood." (Biblical Illustrator) Why do we need a King? What is the cry of mankind in this hour? Has God provided a King in answer to man's cry? Has the world received God's King? Has the Church received God's King? What about you?
"Our business...is to watch our heart-fires. When the temperature of our love lowers, there is cause for terror. It is instructive to mark the many and insidious influences by which the gush and swell of affection are modified." (Biblical Illustrator) There are two things that will cause a decline of love in your heart for JESUS. They are Absorptions and Influences - allowing many things to absorb your time and wrong things to influence you. Never forget - declension begins in the heart. Therefore, keep it "white-hot" for JESUS!
It is a poetical thought that God is dormant or "asleep" when He doesn't respond readily to the needs of His people - when He seemingly appears to be unconcerned with their troubles. It is then that they have to awaken Him to activity with their cries. Both Asaph and Isaiah prayed the most powerful prayers to "awaken" God's power on the behalf of His people. But, in relation to the Church of today, is it God Who is "asleep" here? What do you suppose is His response to these prayers concerning the Church of today? Isaiah 52:1 gives His response. It is not God Who sleeps. The one to "awake" is "Zion" - His church!
"Notice the forms under which the Lord represents Himself as round about His people: all indicative of two things, destruction to the adversary, safety to the friend. The LORD is round His people as a hedge; and as mountains; and as a guard of fire, such as men use to protect from wild beasts." (Biblical Illustrator) The Lord is offering protection for you and your family through the "hedge"...the "mountains"...the "wall" called "Salvation"...and through the "wall of fire." But just like healing and other blessings, you must appropriate this protection by faith through prayer. It's time like never before to - PRAY! This message will show you how important it is that you do!
God has a message for His Church today. That message is found in Joshua 1:9 which says - "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong, and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." While preparing this message, God confirmed to me - three different times from three different sources - that this particular verse of Scripture was to be the main text in this podcast. By doing so, wouldn't you agree that He is indeed wanting to get a message across to His people at this time? Listen to hear what that very important message is. Joshua, Gideon, Peter, and John needed it. So do you!
"As God has sat as King in the past, whether at the great Deluge or at any other flood or floods, so will He ever 'sit as King' in the future." (Pulpit Commentary) At such a time when rulers of nations are becoming more evil, wicked, and tyrranical, the Holy Spirit is directing the Church to focus on JESUS as "King." When you get a fresh revelation of this, it will affect your prayer life...the way you look at life and the events happening around you...and the way you praise and worship God. It is a much-needed revelation for our time!
"The Gospel then is no licentious doctrine; it is according to godliness, and teaches and promotes it; it is an holy faith, yea, a most holy faith; wherefore it is a vile slander to charge it with leading to looseness of life and conversation." (John Gill) There is much teaching on the Grace of God today. Most understand Grace as that which brings salvation to the undeserving. However, after salvation, Grace now takes on a new "face" (position) in reference to the saint of God. Now, it becomes a "No-Nonsense Disciplinarian." Are you aware of that?
"In today's postmodern world, the truth of God's wrath has become ridiculed as an outdated caricature of deity, or worse, denied altogether as a medieval myth. Even many Christians today seem to apologize for divine vengeance as if it is a blemish in God's character, or some irrelevant doctrine of Christianity. But the truth is, the Bible clearly presents the wrath of God as a necessary attribute of His holiness. Any true knowledge of God must be grounded in a clear understanding of His sin-hating wrath. To withhold teaching on God's fury toward sin, is, in reality, idolatry - it is worshipping a god of one's own making. The holiness of God requires that He be full of righteous anger and fiery vengeance against sin." (Holman Old Testament Commentary) "Divine wrath has become taboo in modern society, and Christians, by and large have accepted the taboo and conditioned themselves never to raise the matter." (J.I. Packer) Have you accepted the taboo?
"Am I as a follower of Christ willing to allow the Lord to direct my life, shape my ethics, and control my conduct, even if it puts me at odds with the culture in which I live? The Christian who lives a godly life is going to face the fear of rejection and intimidation in a culture that embraces a philosophy that says - 'There are no moral absolutes and all truth is subjective!' In such a culture, God's Word charges us - 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.'"(Larry Thompson) The Apostle Peter gives you the biblical solution to fear. Instead of being afraid, he admonishes you to "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." It is imperative that you know what that means!
"The LORD is my shepherd." The Holy Spirit wants to "revive" this message to His Church - especially in this day and hour. So many are "walking through the valley of the shadow of death" - a place of weeping, solitude, pain, darkness, disillusionment, danger, terror, etc. However, God has a message of great encouragement for you. He is working on your behalf right now. He has great things in store for you, your family, your church, and your nation.
God asked the Prophet Amos what he saw. He answered with these words - "A Plumbline." In this message, God wants to give you a fresh vision of His "plumbline." Prayerfully, at the end of this podcast, you will understand the importance of it in this day and time. The Bible Tools made that very clear when they said - "The plumbline is nothing to sneeze at. God is serious when He holds the plumbline next to His people. He is deadly serious, 'eternal life and death' serious - especially to those who are converted. We had better measure up."
So many have made false inferences concerning their circumstances. Satan is behind this devious activity. He wants you to believe a lie. He wants to keep you in captivity for as long as he can. However, our prayer is that God will use this Bible Message to "set the captive free." Jacob, Naomi, and Job all made a false inference concerning their circumstances. But, they also came to the truth in the end. You can, too.
"Good people have no reason to envy the worldly prosperity of wicked people, nor to grieve or be uneasy about it. Because the prosperity of the wicked will soon be at an end." (Matthew Henry) "It is foolish to fret and rage and storm against the ungodly whom we see prospering, since they will certainly be cut off sooner or later - sooner rather than later." (Pulpit Commentary) In Psalm 37:1-3, 7&9, David issues a warning that every saint of God needs to heed in this hour. He also offers four (4) directives that will cause every believer to be victorious in such troublesome times.
What difficulties or fears are you facing today? Begin to envision yourself as you really are - surrounded by the Presence of Immanuel - God with us! Did you know that the "simple but profound solution to all of your problems is believing"? (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary) Believing in God is the best antidote against a troubled heart or mind. In the midst of the fear of approaching evil, Jesus is giving you one of the greatest of His promises to claim; that is, - "I am with you!" And having Him with you, well, you have nothing to fear!
"Whatever there was in his heart, or in his thoughts, or in his manner and his conduct, displeasing to God, and which prevented his walking in the way of everlasting life - that the Psalmist was prepared to give up, holding nothing back." (Sermon Bible Commentary) If there ever was a time for the Church to "see God" in His power and glory, it is - NOW! However, the Holy Scriptures tell us that it is the "pure in heart" who shall see Him! With all that is going on in the world today, are you ready and willing to see the worst of yourself - to have "any wicked way" eradicated from your life? God will search you in "a way of mercy" or in "a way of wrath." Choose mercy and let Him have His way!
"Sin is a subject that is continually avoided in our world today but the fact of the matter is that sin is real! Many Christians don't talk about it and many preachers don't preach about it...Sin - it is one of those things that people don't want to talk about..." (Pamela Rose Williams) "Man's way of dealing with sin is denial or defense. God's way is declaration." (Larry R. Moyer) "If there is anything worse than our sins, it is our infinite capacity to rationalize it away." (Charles Colson)
"Thus we Christians distinguish ourselves from the heathen, that, while they worship gods which they have made, we are worshipping the God that made us and all the world. And it is very proper to begin our prayers, as well as our creed, with the acknowledgment of this, that God is the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible." (Matthew Henry) In times of great trouble and distress, there were those in the Bible who cried out to God - addressing Him as the Maker of heaven and earth. Oftentimes, they did this to encourage and strengthen their faith. God, the Holy Spirit, is saying to the present-day Church (especially in America) - "Do likewise."
"We cannot be safe if we be secure. It concerns us at all times, but especially at some times, to be very cautious." (Matthew Henry) As one of His disciples, Jesus is warning you to watch against the prevailing love of ease and the selfishness of the age (that would be prevalent in the days before His return) lest you tread in the world's footsteps. He is warning you against two (2) dangerous sins - voluptuousness and earthly-mindedness - which would most certainly prevent you from being prepared for His coming. Watch over yourself very carefully! Can you hear His warning?
"Who can injure or destroy us? Sinners may be against us, and so may the great enemy of our souls, but their power to destroy us is taken away. God is more mighty than all our foes; and He can defend and save us." (Barnes' Notes) "Arise, shine, for thy light is come." (Isaiah 60:1) God is calling His Church to "Wake Up!" He is calling His Church to "Stand up & Speak out!" - to say what is right and what is wrong - in an hour when the wicked are seeking to erase the distinction between the two. It's time to be "bold under God!"
"The great hatreds of sin among prophets, reformers, and martyrs have always been characterized by this pure flame and passion of love for man. All thought of self was consumed in their intense sense of justice. Because they loved the people, because they loved their city, because they loved their country, they faced the evil, they defied the wrong, they gave their lives in grand protest of their death against the sin of the world." (Biblical Illustrator) The Lord Jesus was a Reformer. A holy zeal to see His Father glorified moved Him to aggressively attack evil. As one of His followers, are you moved with the same kind of zeal? Do you sense the "urgency" of the times?
"The church that Jesus is building can never be destroyed nor successfully be resisted by Satan." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible) There is a Church that JESUS is building. It is one where He is the Rock - the one and only foundation on which it stands. He is the "chief corner stone" - whereby everything said and done lines up with Him - and His Holy Word. He is One Who "walks in the midst" of His Church - examining, overseeing, revealing, uncovering, correcting, reproving, rebuking, and judging what is right and what is amiss. Do you attend a church fitting this description? If so, the "gates of hell" "shall not prevail" against it.
"Where no knowledge of God is, what good can be expected?" (Matthew Henry) "And where men have not the true knowledge of God, what but evil can be expected from them?...men's ignorance of God is the cause of all their bad conduct one toward another." (Benson Commentary) Do you truly know God? Are you "valiant for the truth"? If you are, you can never sit content and see the truth being run down by those around you. You must appear in defense of it. "Are you willing to lose so the truth can win?" (Marilena Fackerall)
"Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus Christ claimed to be the true and living God. Buddha simply said, 'I am a teacher in search of the truth.' Jesus said, 'I am the truth." Confucius said, 'I never claimed to be holy.' Jesus said, 'Who convicts Me of sin?' Mohammed said, 'Unless God throw his cloak of mercy over me, I have no hope.' Jesus said, 'Unless you believe in Me, you will die in your sins.' " (Unknown) "Whom say ye that I am?" It is so important that you have a true estimate of Jesus. Without it, you will not be able to stand for Truth in this adulterous and sinful generation.
"Many people think they are all right because they are not committing outbreaking sins, while the counsels to which they are listening, and the associations to which they are lending themselves, are really undermining all their spiritual strength." (Biblical Illustrator) Who or what is influencing your thinking and attitudes? Where do you get your counsel? What is shaping your thinking? If the answer to these questions is not the Word of God, then it is - most likely - counsel actuated by demonic spirits and coming through the ungodly that is molding and shaping you today! Are you aware of this?
"We see this in the church today, leaders refusing to call a spade a spade, and allowing the people to get involved in all kinds of evils. God rebuked His leaders back then and He is doing the same today." (Joe Guglielmo) All ministers have been given a "charge" - of which they will answer to the Lord Jesus as Judge - "at His appearing and His kingdom." That "charge" is to "Preach the Word" - not their own notions and fancies - not "corrupting" the message in order to please the people - in order to counterattack any and all "seducing spirits." They are also given the "charge" to "teach God's people" and "cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" so as to easily identify any and all "doctrines of devils." Where are the True Ministers of today? Are you one of them?
"It is to be lamented that He (God) is so little enquired after by the children of men. All are asking - Where is mirth? Where is wealth? Where is a good bargain? But none ask, Where is God my Maker?" (Matthew Henry) There is one word to describe our world today. That word is - "Oppressed"! "Many in the world are sorely oppressed." (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Yet, "none" are inquiring after God Who alone can give them relief in their darkest season. "Songs in the night come only from God..." (Charles Spurgeon)
"For if we will not follow, do not follow, the Queen of Sheba, her example will follow us, even to the pursuing of us to the great judgment! She will condemn us, whose expectation, and effort, and interest, and liberal generosity were all inflamed by the fame of Solomon, while all the fame of Christ failed to waken our zeal." (Pulpit Commentary) What will the Queen of Sheba say about you - Will she commend you for your great zeal, passion, and sacrifice in pursuing after Jesus? Or will she condemn your cold, Laodicean, lukewarm indifference?
The present-day enemies of the Church can be described in this way - they "breath out cruelty" ..."seek to slay the righteous"...and are "plotting against the just." This podcast is an ALARM to let you know that there is DANGER planned. It's time for the Church in America to pray like never before. If we will cry out to the Lord, He will hear us and not "give us as a prey to the teeth" of our enemies.
"Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God." (Oswald Chambers) "The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender." (Henrietta Mears) Let me ask you today - Have you truly surrendered all to JESUS? How much does He control you? So many want God to bless them, yet they are living lives where He is not in 1st place. They don't realize that - "the condition of God's blessing is absolute total surrender - total surrender of everything into His hands..." (Bo Dunford)
Did you know that there is a way to keep from being deceived by the "many deceivers" that "are entered into the world"? The Apostle John gave us the answer in 2 John 8 when he said - "Look to yourselves." But did you know that if you "look to yourselves" in the wrong way - selfishly - you actually open the door - so to speak - to becoming a candidate for deception? Are you a candidate for deception today?
God will never, ever give you what appears to be of use but turns out to be injurious or harmful to you. He will not mock you! Many have placed their trust in another to "deliver" "bread," a "fish," or an "egg" - only to receive that which was so harmful, hurtful, and painful in the end - a "stone," "serpent," or "scorpion." As a result, they have had a hard time in trusting the Lord for the "good things" that He has for them. God is calling you to "ask" Him for great and mighty things. "Ask" big! He is your Heavenly Father - Who far surpasses even the best of earthly fathers. He will "withhold no good thing" from you!
Why is there so little wonder in the world today? In the church today? Consider these reasons - people are focused on their problems...we live in a mechanical and commercial world...everyone is so busy...and so many are settling for substitutes. Lately, have you pondered the "Wonder of Christmas"? Allow me to open up the Scriptures and show you the "wonder of Christ" in Christmas. Then allow Him to touch you and make your life wonderful because His Name is Wonderful!
More than ever - there are those who want to quench the Christmas message of - "God becoming a man." They say that they are offended by the Nativity scenes. They are offended when we say - "Merry Christmas." They are offended by the Christmas celebrations, plays, festivals, and carols. But, as New Testament saints, we cannot be silent! We cannot fail the Old Testament saints who waited and longed for the coming of Messiah! We cannot let God down Who gave us so great a salvation in His Son - JESUS! As the carol says - "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere, that JESUS Christ is born!"
"The government shall be upon His shoulder" Did you know that most problems in life stem from not placing the "government" of your life on JESUS' shoulder? Many Christians are exhausted today from trying to repair all the broken people or messed-up situations all around them. Many are worn-out from trying to solve every one else's problems as well as their own. Then there are those who are fighting God's "government" - they are either refusing to surrender an area in their lives or their entire lives to the Lord. Consequently, they find themselves oppressed of the oppressor. You have a choice! Either surrender your all and place it on JESUS' shoulder or bear the yoke, staff, and rod of the oppressor on your own shoulder.
"God is light." That is the message. That is the substance of all that JESUS said. That is the Grand Message of the Gospel. That is the principle on which the happiness of man depends. Do you understand that "message"? Do you understand that God can never do anything but what is right? How about when you are facing seeming inequalities or when life seems so hard for you - while others seem to have it so easy? This Bible Message is sent with the intention of revealing... measuring...and energizing you.
"Assemblies that worship God in spirit and in truth are the Israel of God; assemblies that either worship false gods, or the true God in a false manner, are the synagogue of Satan: though they may profess to be the only people of God, their profession is a lie." (Matthew Henry) There is a "church of the living God" and there is a "synagogue of Satan." One is the "pillar and ground of truth" while the other is the "pillar and ground of lies" - pretense, masquerading, and counterfeit. The church has been entrusted with a business - a duty or a privilege - if you will. She is to maintain truth...defend it from assaults of error...and transmit it safe and uncorruptible from generation to generation.
Words have power! They have the power to set you on your course for life. But they also have the power to throw you off course! So many of God's people find themselves "off course" - either because of their own words or someone else's. Many have been ruined by an ungoverned tongue. Have you?
"David had learned two things concerning joy. First, there is only one source of joy. It is God Himself. Second, there is only one place where we can draw from that source. It is the altar. The altar is the place of sacrifice, the place of commitment and consecration, the place where our lives are laid down. Through the sacrifice we make at the altar, the joy that comes from God alone is released within us." (Derek Prince) Because they are facing difficult times, so many of God's people are crying out for an encounter with Him. But, He is saying in response that before they go to the "holy hill," they must first stop at the "altar" and settle the great controversy - "Whose will shall be followed here?" Have you been to the "altar" yet?
"To live with fear and not be afraid is the final test of maturity." (Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations) Believe it or not! A person's sleep can tell us where his confidence lies and how strong that confidence is. David learned how to place his confidence in the Lord. Consequently, he was able to sleep the "sleep of holy confidence" - even in the midst of distressing circumstances, great danger, and terrifying foes. God wants the same for you. Find out how you can walk in the same confidence that David did and be free from all fear - even in the midst of terrifying times!
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." (1 Peter 4:7) "People naturally pray when they suppose that the end of all things is coming." (Barnes' Notes) Do you sense that the "end of all things" is near? Peter said that these times call for a commitment to prayer. Paul seemed to add that such times call for a super-intensity of prayer. Such intensity is needed in order to avert the evil coming against the Church today. God has promised to "pour out the spirit of grace and supplication" upon His people in order to enable them to reach that end. As a believer in Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit!
"...Then the proposition...is self-evident: it is God that giveth power to get wealth, and to God the wealthy man must account for the manner in which he has expended the riches which God has given him." (Adam Clarke) Abraham, Isaac, and Job experienced firsthand the - "blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it." They never allowed their wealth to cause them to forget God... become exalted in themselves...be lifted up in pride regarding their fellow man...become enamored with it...trust in it...or be deceived by it. On the contrary, they allowed their wealth to draw them into a closer walk with God. And that is His will for you as well!
"How strange it is that people professing Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favor of God, or ever get to the kingdom of heaven! When the world gets into the Church, the Church becomes a painted sepulchre; its spiritual vitality being extinct." (Adam Clarke) You are either a "Friend of God" or a "friend of the world." You cannot be both. In being a "friend of the world," you are actually a "friend of Satan" - since he is the one who holds the evil world system in his grip. This message is a WAKE-UP CALL to determine whose friend you really are!
There are activities in our lives in which we all are involved that we do with our whole heart. The question is - Do they involve the Lord Jesus Christ or are they in pursuit of the world and its goods? Let's be real here! Just how many Christians are following hard after God with all of their hearts? Are you one of them? The Scriptures repeatedly mention the words - "with my whole heart" - in the context of going after God. In your Christian walk, is this the manner in which you approach Him on a daily basis?
"Divine light always breaks in, when all seems darkness..." (Barnes' Notes) God is promising you a wonderful change in your life, condition, or circumstances. He is promising you a complete turnaround. That which was meant to destroy you is actually advancing you in His cause and working for His glory. When all seems ready to sink into the thickest "night," that's when He brings forth His "light." Your change is coming! Receive it by faith!
"Whoever or whatever controls a person's mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and outcomes of that person's life. Thus, if a person allows his mind to be doused with panic or fear, he is putting fear in charge of his life." (Rick Renner) You have a choice! You can allow fear to grip your mind for what lies ahead. Or you can saturate your mind with God's Word. It is against the "mind of Christ" that you have a troubled heart - even in troublesome times.
"This is the age of the Enchanted Ground. He that can go through this age and not sleep, must have something more than mortal about him. God must be with him, keeping him awake. You cannot be long in the sporific air of this particular period of time, without feeling that in spiritual things you grow lax, for it is a lax age - lax in doctrine, lax in principle, lax in morals, lax in everything - and only God can come in and help the Pilgrim to keep awake in this Enchanted Ground." (Biblical Illustrator) "The end of all things is at hand." "The coming of the Lord draws nigh." "It is high time to awake out of sleep." Wake up! And though the world grows dark - very dark - "Christ shall give you light."
"Perhaps a fear of neighboring peoples encouraged the Jews to focus on the priority of re-establishing their relationship with God. Restoring worship of God might ward off danger, because God's presence would protect the people." (The Preacher's Commentary) God responds actively to altar activity. He is drawn to the altar. He is attracted to the altar. He is moved by the altar. It is a "magnet" for His presence and glory. Hence, He is saying to His people - "Build Me an altar."
Throughout the Scriptures, the "name of the LORD" represents His person, authority, and character. Hence, it should always be pronounced with a joyful reverence - and never "taken in vain." If you learn to make God and His name your praise, then you will have no problem making God and His Name your trust - especially when facing dire situations or intense warfare with your enemy - Satan. The Holy Spirit is calling the Church to a higher level in their "walk" - "walking in the name of the LORD" - which means "walking" in the supernatural, miraculous, and power of the Holy Spirit. Are you resolved to obey?
Who shall? Can anything? Can anyone put a difference between Christ's love and the saint of God? Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers would know the power in the Love of Christ - how it gives them access into being filled with the fullness of God. Jude admonished the believers to "keep themselves" in the "love of God" - especially in the Last Days. There is POWER in the "love of Christ." Satan and the world throw things at you in order to conquer you. But the "love of Christ" turns it around and makes you "more than a conqueror." Paul was a persuaded man. What about you?
So many today lack the courage, zeal, passion, and boldness to undertake for God. Where are those who are 'Bold Under God"? Ministers nowadays cannot survive without the 'hand of the Lord' being upon them. The assignment at hand is so great - at times seemingly impossible for human hands. In our day and time, so many are dropping out of the race. They are giving up or quitting. They lack the 'hand of the Lord." Like never before, we need God's hand upon us!
Many times, when we are faced with trials, God is after something in us. He desires change. First and foremost, He goes after our "tendency to control" - that tendency to want to be in control...figure things out...and deliver ourselves. In order to break that off of us, He directs us into circumstances that are totally out of control. When we find ourselves living on the "end of the earth" street and our "hearts are overwhelmed, " it is then that He would have us plead with Him to "take the reins" and "lead us to the Rock that is higher than I." In the times that we are presently facing, we can no longer live life as usual. God is calling us to a "higher place" in Him. In fact, being in this "higher place" is the only way that we will "survive" in this unstable world.
"To be wise in trying times is a special gift of God, and to Him we must seek for it." (Matthew Henry) There is a desperate need for wisdom today. In a sense, there is a cry coming forth from the hearts of the people saying - "I don't know how to cope...I don't know how I am going to make it through another day..." The church needs wisdom in order to answer the world's "hard questions." The world needs to light their candle at the church's lamp.
"How desirable in a world of anxiety and care, to possess this peace!" (Barnes' Notes) The world has a semblance of peace to offer you. But it is false, external, transient, unstable, short-lived, and cannot support you under your troubles. JESUS' peace, on the other hand, is true, solid, substantial, internal, lasting, durable, and can carry you through all your difficulties. And best of all, His peace drives away all fears - something the world could never do!
There are two words that we, as a fast paced society, know nothing about. We are generally too busy to rest and have too many things to accomplish throughout the day in order to wait. No one seems to have the time to slow down and rest. Certainly, no one wants to wait. This is the way it is in our society. However, this is not the way it is in the Kingdom of God.
Are you following that which is evil? Is there a bell-wether raised up by Satan - seeking to pull you away from God and everything that pertains to His kingdom and righteousness? Is there someone whom you are mimicking, copying, or emulating who is actually teaching you rebellion and causing you to believe lies instead of the Truth? Is your destination the slaughterhouse? You can stop that today! Get out of the line!
"God never undertakes to do something He can't carry out. When He makes a promise, He will always carry it through. He has never made a promise to us that He will ever have to explain away afterwards. He will never say 'I meant to do that, but circumstances would not permit.'...God never fails to keep His promises. He is able to perform every one, and Christ is the Amen to every promise of God." (Ironside Commentary) Just like Abram, you can see the fulfillment of the promise of God to you. Start by giving glory to God - taking Him to be what He really is - Almighty and Faithful. You will find that you will not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief, but be 'strong in faith' - 'fully persuaded that what He had promised, He is able also to perform.' "
God is the Hearer and Answerer of prayer. Oftentimes, before the answer comes, something that is displeasing to Him must be taken away. Oftentimes, it is in relation to how we treat our fellow man. Prayer definitely has hindrances. Both sin and indolence will cause your prayers to not be heard. Just as the watchman keeps watch diligently, God is requiring you to be unceasing in the discharge of your duty to pray. His word to the Church is the same as Isaiah's word to Israel - "Give Him no rest." Intercede unceasingly for the establishment of His kingdom and Jesus' righteous rule on the earth.
There is a cry going forth in today's society. Can you hear it? It is the cry of the fatherless. They are crying out - "Who am I? What is my name? Why was I born? Who will love me...who will accept me...who will believe in me...who will convince me that I am special...that my life is valuable?" As a child of God, you don't need to cry the cry of the fatherless - as so many are in today's society. You have not received the spirit of bondage to fear. You have a new cry. It is the cry stirred up by the Spirit of adoption - the Holy Spirit - causing you to now cry out to your Heavenly Father - "Abba, Father."
"Pentecost is the time to dream." (David Lose) God's Spirit enables you to dream. He helps you see the possibilities that you have not seen before. Hence, Pentecost is a good time to dream. It is a good time to see beyond the oppressive conditions which surround you that say - "This is the way it is; this is the way it will always be." Some are afraid to dream - lest they be disappointed. But God has more for you than fear. He is saying to you today - "It's time to dream again! It's Pentecost!"
In our day and time, the Gospel is being perverted in so many different ways. The Message of Holiness is being opposed - insomuch that the straight ways of the Lord are being twisted into the crooked ways of sin. Self-seeking and Arrogant "Wolves" are twisting the Scriptures in order to gain a following. People are receiving a Gospel that does not mention or require repentance or a change in lifestyle. And lastly, in the Prophetic Realm, there are some Prophets who are inventing new messages that cater to the people's wants and desires - while ignoring the word of rebuke that is desperately needed.
Where...oh, where is the preaching that discerns - that cuts to the heart - that makes a distinction between that which is holy and unholy...clean and unclean ...and that certainly and without a doubt exposes who is righteous and who is wicked - who is serving God and who is not? The Holy Spirit is saying - "No more blending! No more blending!" Make up your mind! What is it going to be? Are you going to be holy or are you going to be unholy? Are you going to preach holiness or are you going to preach the allowance for sin? Is it going to be JESUS or is it going to be the world?
"Who with icy breath blights the fair blossom of youth? Who breaks the hearts of parents? Who brings old men's gray hairs with sorrows to the grave? - SIN
Who...changes gentle children into vipers, tender mothers into monsters, and their fathers into worse than Herods, the murderers of their own innocents? - SIN
Who turns the soft and gentlest heart to stone? Who hurls reason from her lofty throne and impels sinners mad as Gadarenes' swine, down the precipice, into a lake of fire? - SIN (Dr. Thomas Guthrie)
Sin is madness! It is derangement! It is insanity! It is not something to be taken lightly or to be "swept under the rug" - so to speak. Sin must be hated as God hates it! What makes it utterly abominable in His sight is when it seeks to veil its vileness by the cloak of religion.
"Either all things work together for our good, or nothing makes sense. So let's be bold about it. Let's either be tranformed Christians or bitter skeptics because we cannot just sort of believe. We either believe it or we doubt it. There is no middle ground." (Raymond Ortlund) God is in control! He is at work! He is working together "all things" in your life for your good. He hasn't forgotten you! He isn't against you! He is for you and loves you! Be confident that He will never disappoint you.
"The same God Who begins must Himself complete the work." (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown) Has God given you "an open and effectual door"? Have you quit the "work of faith" due to the "many adversaries"? God is saying to you today - "Get up! Start again! My power began the work, and My power will carry on and perfect it. The 'door" is still open. Finish the task! Work until I - Alpha and Omega - the First and the Last - shut the 'door.' "
Just as the Lord sent the Prophet Isaiah with a "word" to comfort His people against their fears, the Lord has sent me with a "prophetic word" to you today to comfort you against all of your fears. That word is - "All is well and will end well." You can be assured of this because of God's Presence in your life and His Promise to you. Throughout history, "Immanuel" has always been the enduring watchword for the people of God. The plans of the enemy will not come to pass over your life because God is with you!
"God only is good, and there is none essentially, originally, and unchangeably good, but God only. His goodness is of and from Himself, and all the goodness in the creature is from Him; He is the fountain of goodness, and whatever the streams are, all the springs are in Him. He is the great Pattern and Sample of goodness; by Him all goodness is to be measured; that is good which is like Him, and agreeable to His mind. We, in our language, call Him God, because He is good." (Matthew Henry)
"This sense of a final, universal judgment is strangely lacking among people today. Most of our pulpits are silent on the matter. Yet, every great revival in the history of the church has brought with it a renewed sense of the final Day of Judgment. As revivalists like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and Charles Finney warned their hearers to flee from the wrath to come, the Word of God fell like a hammer and untold thousands turned to the Savior while there was yet time. If revival is to come to the church again today, we too must recapture the truth that all will stand before our divine Judge." (The Preacher's Commentary) Jesus, Paul, and John all spoke of the awesome Day of Judgment. John mentioned specifically the Lamb's Book of Life in relation to the Final Judgment. Is your name written in this book?
A rebellious people want you to flatter them in their sins. They want you to tell them that all will be well - that no harm or evil will come to them even though they are living in sin. They want to hear of peace, prosperity, and success when destruction is at hand. They want to believe a lie and avoid the truth... dodge the consequences...avoid God as the Holy One of Israel...or make up a god of their own imagination. Are we living in the midst of a "rebellious" people? Are you one of them?
"Boldness is something that is lacking among the average Christian today. Most do not act like lions. They seem almost scared sometimes to let people know they are Christians." (Peter Wade) Those who are "of God" are "bold as a lion." When several were asked - "How can the righteous be bold as a lion?" - one person responded - "By not being afraid to be different than everyone around them. In today's world, it's often looked down upon, or at least considered uncool or weird to try to live a pure life, and so it does take courage from God to stand up for what you believe in and not do what everyone around you is doing." Are you "of God"? Are you "bold as a lion"? Are you a bold threat to the kingdom of darkness?
"The great difficulty on earth everywhere is a 'want of confidence in God' - and this has produced all the ills that man has ever suffered." (Barnes' Notes) Did you know that your focus affects your faith? The two blind men, the centurion, and the woman of Canaan all had their focus on Jesus. Consequently, they all heard Him say in a sense - "According to your faith be it unto you." Abraham kept his focus on the character of God - knowing that He was willing and able to fulfill His promise. The people of Nazareth, on the other hand, had a wrong focus of Jesus which resulted in the power of God being hindered in their midst. Where is your focus today?
"What God looks for mainly in His people is confidence; faithfulness; trust; fidelity." (Barnes' Notes) "A faithful minister of Jesus Christ is one that sincerely designs his Master's honor, not his own; delivers the whole counsel of God, not his own fancies and conceits; follows Christ's institutions, and adheres to them; regards the meanest, reproves the greatest, and doth not respect persons." (Matthew Henry) The quality most needed and important to those in whom a trust is committed is Faithfulness. As a Christian or as a Minister of the Gospel, has God entrusted much into your hands? Then to whom much is given, much is required. God sees you today as being FAITHFUL or UNFAITHFUL! Which is it?
"Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, 'Why will ye die?' This inquiry implies that man should have some reason for persisting in the way that leads to death. It also implies that he has not a satisfactory reason. It is, perhaps, designed to bring man to pause and lead him to consider his ways, and to ask himself why he pursues the way of death. There is no satisfactory reason why men will die. Peristence in sin is utter and suicidal folly." (Pulpit Commentary) God is crying out today to all those who are away from Him, while inquiring - "Why will you die?" Some have chosen the way of death due to their love of sin... rejection of the Truth...persistence in disobedience ...utter selfishness...and desire for the "good life" at whatever cost. You will be judged "according to your ways." What are they saying about you today?
"The Scriptures tell us that we are God's husbandry. Just as the farmer uses many tools in order to bring about a substantial harvest, even so does God have many spiritual tools that He uses to bring about an eternal work in us. Matthew Henry said - 'Afflictions are God's threshing-instrument, designed to loosen us from the world, to separate between us and our chaff, and to prepare us for use. And, as to these, God will make use of them as there is occasion...herein we must acknowledge Him wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.'"
"A woman said to Evangelist D.L. Moody - 'I have found a promise that helps me when I am afraid. It is Psalm 56:3 which says - What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.'
'Mr. Moody replied - I have a better promise than that! It is Isaiah 12:2 which says - I will trust and not be afraid.'"
The woman in this story chose to trust God as the occasion arose. However, D.L. Moody chose to remain - at all times - in an attitude of trust. Who are you more like - the woman or the evangelist?
"Is it not falsehood which corrupts the world? Truth is the essential base for all social happiness. The world is dying of lies, false promises, corrupted motives, pretence, posing - the thousand forms which falsehood takes in men and organizations of men. Nations die for want of Truth." (E.M. Blaiklock - Commentary On Psalms)
The Christian life is a warfare, a struggle, a fight of faith. Every Christian is called to be a soldier. Hence, he is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence, or security. The hosts of Satan are committed to hindering and obstructing the work of Christ and to knock the soldier out of combat. The more effective a believer is for the Lord, the more he will experience the savage attacks of the enemy. His success depends entirely on believing.
If we are too much like the world, we are useless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Jesus tells us, as He told His disciples, that we must be different if we want to make a difference. We dare not allow the world to dilute our effectiveness. If we do, we are of no value to Him." (Life Application Bible Commentary) Jesus did not call the Church to be conciliatory to society. In other words, He did not call them to be "sugar" to the world. He called them to be "salt" and "light." It behooves every Christian to be attentive to the high and holy calling to which they are called.
Though men are false, God is faithful. Though men are not to be trusted, God is. When are the times bad - very bad? Some would say when there are no jobs.. when there is scarcity of money...a decay of trade...or the desolation of wars. However, the Scriptures say otherwise - it is when iniquity abounds. In Psalm 12, David specifically offers us five (5) indications of when the times are bad - very bad. Listen to this podcast to see how these relate to the days in which we are presently living.
Are you suffering today? Does there seem to be no intermission to your troubles? Does it seem as though God has forgotten you, turned His face from you, and your enemies are winning the battle? This message will give you the key to see your sorrows turned into joy and your sighs turned into songs of praise.
Charles Spurgeon said, "When a man has no devil, he has no God." Are you under attack of "your adversary"? Lately, have you heard his roars meant to intimidate, terrify, and affright you? This message will tell you how you can overcome your adversary and put him to flight.
Like the Colossians, we live in a world of enticing but empty spiritual alternatives to the true knowledge of God as found in His Word. Nowadays, people - generally-speaking - are tired of doctrine - the preaching and teaching of the Word. On the one hand, we have those who are looking for a quick-fix. They don't want to be bothered with knowledge. They want some simple steps on how to live, discern the future, or get their needs met. On the other hand, we have the modern-day "gnostics" who are offering to an elite few - "superior knowledge" - outside of the Word of God - some kind of sensational manifestation, experience, or revelation. Let's get it straight - There is no higher knowledge than God's Word!
How important is it that you believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus? The liberal critics say that it is insignificant, irrelevant, unnecessary, and not meaningful. Some liberal critics go as far as to say that American Christians who believe in the Virgin Birth are "less intellectual" or "intellectually backwards." However, the Scriptures teach that the Virgin Birth brings forth the important truth that JESUS is God. His total distinction from the rest of humanity is brought out in His conception - being both human and divine. Also, implied in the Virgin Birth is the greatest message in the whole world for the people of God - that is, "God with us!" As you reflect on this WONDERFUL MIRACLE of the Virgin Birth, believe for your MIRACLE this Christmas! Where God is, there is the MIRACULOUS! And God is with you through His Son - JESUS!
What is the message of Christmas? Before answering this question, ask yourself the following questions - "What is the most sought after and most elusive treasure in the world? What is the great cry of the world? What constitutes the diligent and devoted effort of world leaders and diplomats at this time?" The answer to all of the above questions is - PEACE! And the message of Christmas is - PEACE!
The darkness creates illusions. The only power the darkness has is to convince you that there is no light. The darkness takes hope away. It makes things look like nothing is going to work out for you...your future promises no change... your hopes are dashed...your dreams are dead...and all you are left with are hard questions. "Do you see what I see?" This question will be a dividing line in these Last Days - bringing a separation among the people. What or Who are you seeing in the midst of your "storms" or "battles"? God's Good News has come into a Bad News world. But you have to LOOK for the Good News. You have to believe that God can bring the BEST OF TIMES in the midst of the WORST OF TIMES in your circumstances.
There are two reasons why people backslide today. One reason is because sin is no longer loathed or rejected as something abominable, detestable, loathsome, or repulsive. The second reason is because these same people take on the worldly mindset that says - "It's all about ME!" In order to avoid backsliding, don't follow JESUS based on a temporal advantage... don't set up camp in this world...and don't allow anyone or anything to steal your love away from Him!
How many people are really walking with God? What does it entail? Are you one of them? You can confess that you are "walking with God" all day long. You can lie and even convince those around you that you are doing so. BUT GOD KNOWS! He knows those who are truly "walking" with Him - as Enoch and Noah. No one - absolutely no one - is "walking with God" who is walking in sin or after the ways of the world and the flesh. It's time - like never before - to GET REAL!
Matthew Henry, the BIble Commentator, considers "giving thanks" to the Lord as paying rent to Him for all of His manifold blessings. To withhold thanksgiving would be very unjust. Have you paid your rent to Jesus for the blessings of this day...this week...this month...or this year? All He asks is that you pay by continually "giving thanks" for all of His benefits.
"Let us never fear as to the future. Jesus is now reigning - though all His enemies are not subdued. He is in the place of power. His dominion is in no jeopardy. He sits because all is safe, and He sits at Jehovah's right hand because omnipotence waits to accomplish His will, Therefore, there is no cause for alarm whatever may happen in the lower world; the sight of Jesus enthroned in divine glory is the sure guarantee that all things are moving onward towards ultimate victory." (Charles Spurgeon) Nothing is so comforting and so animating as to see JESUS at the right hand of God! Do you see Him there today?
Everyone hates to hear "bad news." It is every person's worst nightmare. Only you can imagine what that "bad news" would be for you. It doesn't matter what place or position you have in life - you are not and will never be exempt from receiving "bad news." For example, whether you are rich or poor, male or female, young or old, black or white, married or single, Christian or non-Christian, your life throughout will consist of hearing "good news" as well as the "bad." From this study, we see how it is possible for the believer to enjoy freedom from all fear in the upcoming, "perilous times." It all begins with "trusting in the Lord."
God promises security and protection from all evil for those who remain in close fellowship with Him. Yet, as we look around today in our society, or even in the church world, we see people who really don't have time for God or who are not much interested in pursuing or maintaining a closer walk with Him. Why is that? This study will pinpoint the cause for such unreasonable behavior.
The Cloud is speaking. It has a message for you today. Do you know what it is saying? It is speaking of the Father's love and concern for you as you travel through this worldly "wilderness." It is speaking of revival in answer to repentance from all idolatry. It is speaking of having an encounter with God...the glory coming into the Church in answer to man's obedience ...and moving with God at His command. It is also speaking of how sin brings loss of spiritual vision, influence, and answers to prayer. How imperative it is that the Church receives and heeds these messages from the Meaningful Cloud.
"We would like to think that the best always win, that the deserving are always rewarded. But our experience shows that expectations are not always realized." (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary) "Hardly anything in this upside-down world comes out the way it should. Life isn't always fair! The Good Man isn't always remembered. Wise words are often ignored while foolishness is given the blue ribbon." (David Jeremiah) It's always better to act wisely, But as oftentimes is the case, wisdom does not ostensibly pay off - due to the wickedness of foolish people. However, we should still act wisely and not be discouraged - for there is a God in Heaven Who is overseeing the world and acknowledging the good that we do.
Do you have GIANTS in your life who are opposing you on every front? Do they mock you every time you venture forth in the purpose or plan that God has ordained for you? Did you know that the key to bringing down your GIANTS is found in your PRAISE? Seeing the Invisible God and knowing Him to be the GREAT GOD that He is - GOD ALONE and above all gods - will enable you to take down your GIANTS once and for all. You are called to be a GIANT KILLER.
The Father is seeking "true worshipers" who will worship Him "in spirit" and "in truth." He uses affliction to cause His people to worship Him "in spirit" - with their whole heart engaged and their will in total submission to His will. He uses the word of "reproof" - personally or through His ministers - to cause them to worship Him "in truth" - without any hypocrisy. He has ordained that all of His ministers be "reprovers in the gate." They are called to be "watchman" - seeing that nothing hinders the people from being "true worshipers" of the Father.
"True religion is a determined purpose to do right, and not to do wrong, whatever may be the consequences, in either case. It matters not what follows - wealth or poverty; honor or dishonor; good report or evil report; life or death; the mind is firmly fixed on doing right, and not on doing wrong...whatever may be the result in regard to us, our determination is settled." (Barnes' Notes) "Come what may, this is who I am, and this is my commitment. If an enemy ship wants to try to blow me out of the water, that is up to him. My colors are nailed to the mast." (Preacher's Commentary) O Saint of God, are your "colors nailed to the mast"? Are you defiantly displaying your beliefs and determined to hold onto them until the end?
What sort of God? Are you feeling insecure...worrying about the future... worrying about what's going to happen? What sort of God? Is He world-changing, life-changing, city-changing, or nation-changing? Is He powerful enough to save ...to change your society? If you don't believe that anything can be changed, and you feel like giving up - perhaps it is time to start wondering what God you have! What sort of God? Awakenings and revivals begin when people ask - What sort of God? Behold your God! This is your God! Here is your God! It's time to remove the limits off of Him!
"When God's people compromise with the world and turn away from obeying God's righteous ways, He calls them to repent, confess their spiritual poverty and seek His face. Christ wants all churches to examine their spiritual state in the light of the New Testament and its standards. Like Isaiah, today's prophets should call for repentance, humility, tears, prayer, and fasting, rather than frivolity." (Life in the Spirit Study Bible) IT'S NOT TIME TO PARTY!
"...God's glory, majesty, and holiness demand that those who serve Him also must be holy. Churches today likewise need a vision of God as holy in their midst, the King and Judge, the Lord Almighty." (Life in the Spirit Study Bible) Several people - mentioned in the Bible - got a glimpse of God's terrible majesty and had a notable reaction. Isaiah was one of them. Seeing God's terrible majesty caused him to ultimately cry out for cleansing. Oh! How we - as the Church - need that same vision today!
Men reach extraordinary elevations in Christ who want to. You must intend to be godly. You are what you design to be. You possess as much of Jesus as you want. You possess the character which you intend to possess. You gain only what you mean to gain. The life of a Christian is a growth. A little child becomes a young man who then becomes a father in Christ. Matthew Henry said - "Christians are utterly to blame who do not endeavor to grow in grace and knowledge." IT'S TIME TO GROW UP!
Are we living in Noah's world? Do you see a similarity between our society and Noah's? Is our society wicked, violent, ungodly, and refusing to listen to the righteous word of God? Is our society denying the Lord Jesus a place - doing whatever it wants without any thought to what He wants? Is our society preached to over and over again about the need to repent and turn to God - only to ignore and ridicule the warnings? Has not our society grieved God with its rebellion and sin? Then, yes, we have to agree with Jesus that we are indeed that Last Days' generation living in Noah's world!
One thing the Church needs is the power of God resting upon it in order to serve Christ effectively. The Church Needs Divine Power! The world is filled with spiritual deadness and spiritual carelessness. People's hearts are closed to the truth. The world has no desire after God. It is not eagerly waiting to hear of a Savior. We must come back to the understanding that the Power of the Church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man. Nowadays God's work is going backwards instead of forwards. Churches and Christian schools are shrivelling up and shutting down or compromising. There is one alternative - ENDUEMENT!
How does the needy church pray when - in the midst of wicked and evil days - she faces an acceleration of a departure from God within her society? David offered this prayer in Psalm 119:126, which says - "It is time for Thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void Thy law." It is so important to understand that when the Bible is discarded, a flood of wickedness always follows. Consequently, it is time for the people of God to sigh and cry out to the Lord - for evil men, seducers, men of corrupt minds, scoffers, mockers, and babblers are presently seeking to "make void" God's Word.
What gives you the power, strength, and courage to - withstand the king's wrath ...stand against the tide of unbelief and doubt...do your God-given duty no matter the consequences...live for God in a hostile pagan world...and keep the faith in spite of severe testing, discouragement, and much trouble? Ask Noah, Moses, Caleb, Job, the three Hebrew children, Daniel, and Paul. They each will attest that Faith in God is MIGHTY indeed!
We need an Open Heaven! Minister of God, Pastor, Believer, Churches of the Living God, you need an Open Heaven! For when there is an Open Heaven, there is a clear vision of God, an accurate word from the Lord, a powerful anointing to minister the Word, an outpouring of God's Spirit, fresh discoveries of God's "greater things," a knowledge of future events, and a true revelation of Jesus. God has "increase" for you and your children. In order to get to it, you must "knock." When you do, Heaven will be opened to you! That's God's Promise!
Are you feeling cast down or depressed over your present circumstances? In this message, the Holy Spirit has 3 "stops" to encourage, strengthen, and build up your faith. They are found in Psalm 3 and say - "You have an Adversary"..."You have an Advocate"...and "You have the Assurance." "Selah!" Mark this! These are great truths!
Are you feeling cast down or depressed over your present circumstances? In this message, the Holy Spirit has 3 "stops" to encourage, strengthen, and build up your faith. They are found in Psalm 3 and say - "You have an Adversary"..."You have an Advocate"...and "You have the Assurance." "Selah!" Mark this! These are great truths!
What makes the times bad? The Scriptures seem to imply that the times are very bad when iniquity is abounding - when there is a general decay of piety, honesty, and virtue. In Psalm 12, David surveyed the moral landscape of the society in his times. It had so many similarities to our present-day society. Though the 'wicked' may boast of their plans and purposes, God will have the Last Word! Unlike their word, His Word can be relied on. It is pure, very pure, exceeding pure - free from all falsehood, deception, and flattery.
God wants to take you to a higher level in your praise to Him. He deserves that nothing in His worship be little. You must not be afraid of saying too much in your praise of Him. You are to praise Him for "His mighty acts" (what He does) and according to "His excellent greatness" (what He is). That requires that He be "greatly praised." While you do so, He is going to show you His "greatness" and make known His "acts" to you. The God of the Bible is a God Who acts!
Whether things go well or everything falls apart, God will be God. He will be eternally faithful to you. You can find hope in a hopeless situation when you believe in His faithfulness. As you face storms, trials, valleys, battles, or burdens, you can be sure that He will ever prove Himself to be faithful. When discouraged, remember His faithfulness. He will always do what He has promised to do! 'He is faithful that promised.'
Where is the direction of your trust? Is it in man, yourself, the things of this world or in God? Placing your trust in God will shut out all evil from your life. Placing your trust in man or the 'arm of flesh' will shut out all good from your life. Matthew Henry said - 'Those that trust to any arm of flesh will find it no better than a broken reed; but God is the Rock of ages." Israel found that out the hard way. Learn from their lesson and place all your trust and confidence in the LORD JEHOVAH. You will be blessed when you do!
Did you know that - as a child of God - you have a 'treasure' in your earthen vessel? You have the 'gift of God' - the Holy Spirit - the Power of the Godhead to make you an overcomer over all that you face in this life. But you must keep alive this 'gift.' The devil will try to stop you with a 'spirit of bondage again to fear.' However, God has given you a 'spirit of power,' 'a spirit of love,' and a 'spirit of a sound mind' to quench all Fear!
We are living in a day and an hour when many are claiming to walk with Jesus, yet their lifestyle shows otherwise. It shows that they are not living in agreement with His Word. The Prophet Amos inquired - 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?' John Gill, the Bible Commentator, said - '...to a spiritual walk with God and communion with Him, agreement is requisite.' This message will lead you to 'ponder the path of your feet" and see if you are really walking with Jesus as you suppose.
We need God's Presence, Glory, and Favor in order to be saved from our enemies. But He will not manifest Himself in the midst of sin or a people who are looking to the world for answers. What is needed is that God by His converting grace would turn His church back to Himself through the preaching of His uncompromising Word. Then He promises to pour out His Spirit in a genuine revival.
Do you find yourself in a crisis today? Are you needing a fresh touch from the Lord? Do you desperately need to know what to do - how to deal with your crisis? Are you in need of direction? David offers your remedy in Psalm 25:1 which says - 'Unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul...' If you will do this and not lift up your soul unto 'vanity' or the things of this world, then God promises to give you guidance and revival as your benefits.
Are you saying that you have 'fellowship with God,' yet you are 'walking in the darkness' of foolishness, disobedience, being deceived, being enslaved to many sinful lusts and selfish pleasures, 'living in malice and envy,' 'hateful, and hating one another'? If so, yours is a false profession. I am blowing the whistle on your "Christianity." God is once again calling you out of the "darkness" into His "marvelous light." By His grace, you can be a true "follower" of Jesus today!
Are you facing fears, troubles, or afflictions? God promises you deliverance from all three of these conditions. You can be set free from them by focusing on the Lord of hosts being with you...the God of Jacob as your refuge...and the God of strength as your power. Your 'morning' is coming. This is your day of deliverance. 'All is well and will end well.'
Can you say with Asaph - "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee?" Can you say - "Besides You, Jesus, I desire nothing on earth?" If you can't, examine your heart to see if you have a Cold Love, a Decay of Love, or a Rival Love. Do you really love Jesus? Have you chosen Him above all others?
JESUS is coming! He is coming as a thief in the night for all those who are in sin and in darkness, The Sardis Church let down their "watch." Like so many today, they stopped looking, loving, and longing for the Coming of Jesus as Judge. They lost the concept of a judgment to come. They sank into carnal security and sinful indulgence - causing deadness and declension. It's time to get out of Sardis!
A Prophetic Call is going forth. Can you hear it? God is calling His people to "draw nigh" unto Him. However, they must come with the intention of putting away sin from their lives. The "hands" and the "heart" must be cleansed. The cause for NO REVIVAL is too many dirty hands, defiled hearts, and double minds.
In a time of distress - a time of pressure, loss, misery, suffering, woe, heartache, trouble, and great misery - David, Moses, Aaron, Samuel, and Jonah all used it as an opportunity to pray! This is a challenge for you to do the same! "A time of distress is a time of prayer..." - John Gill
You are in a battle. The Anointed of War has a word for you today. That word is - "Do not fear." The Lord your God is witth you - the God Who has brought you out of the bondage of Egypt and sin. He is here to fight your battles and to save and deliver you.