Rolling Around in the Gutter!

I was thinking about the story of the prodigal son. He left his dad’s house with wealth. He went out into the world and frivously threw it all to the wind. Before long, he had absolutely nothing. The Scripture says it this way: “After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything” (Luke 15:14-16).

Did he leave his dad’s expecting to be broke in a short time? Did he ever consider finding himself living with and feeding the pigs as he eventually ended up doing?  No, I don’t believe the idea ever crossed his mind that he would end up rolling around in the gutter. But, he did!

The young person experimenting with drugs never intends to wind up a drug addict on the streets hurting others, stealing, whatever it takes to get the next hit. Or the man socially drinking has no intention of one day succombing to his drinking and becoming an alcoholic destroying his home, family, loosing his job. These people and so many others who fool around with the world and its ways never intending to one day discover they are rolling around in the gutter—but they do!

Consider this saying for a moment: “Satan (sin, this world, drugs, alcohol, porn, etc.) will always take you farther than you intended to go; will always keep you there longer than you intended to stay; will always cost you more than you intended to pay!” Sooner or later those who continue dabbling in this world will be overtaken by this world. Paul tells us: “come out from among them and be separate” (2 Co 6:17). Get away from the gutter before you end up rolling into it!

Wandering Around the Same Old Mountain!

I see so many discouraged, downcast Christians today. They are down on everything—continually negative about everything. Somewhere along the way they have lost the victory of the cross in their lives—they’ve lost sight of what GOD has done for them and have allowed their attention to be focused upon all their problems. Seems like we just keep going round and round this same old mountain of difficulty and problems.

Have you ever considered what creates this problem in people’s lives who should be living victorious? I went back to Joshua and discovered an interesting concept that may help to draw you back to victory, if this is you. Consider Joshua 5:6 for a moment: “For the Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years until all the nation’s men of war who came out of Egypt had died off because they did not obey the Lord.“

The mountain of Sinai represents GOD’s place of judgment on the past. It was the place where His commandments were given. It was the place where we learn to obey GOD whether our hard hearts agree with His commands and statutes or not. It is the place where humanity learns to find obedience to Almighty GOD. Problem we find here was the Israelites had a hard time obeying GOD. They did not necessarily agree with GOD which was evidenced by their continual disobedience. They always thought they had a better way, a better plan. Because of their stubbornness, they marched round and round that same old mountain for forty years.

Being discouraged, being downcast, being down and out are common human issues especially with all the problems in the world today. However, believers are called to victory through Jesus Christ. You don’t have to live that way. As you look at your life today, are you living in obedience to the Word of GOD? The Israelites wandered around for forty years because of disobedience. Perhaps you are wandering around with that same spirit?

Take a good look at your own life today. Ask GOD to reveal issues you may have in your life that are preventing you from stepping into your Promised Land of Victory. Be willing to step into a life of obedience unto the LORD. Quit wandering around that same old mountain day after day and find GOD’s deliverance and peace in your life through simple obedience!

Judgment Has Befallen Us!

John Calvin made an interesting observation that contains a great deal of validity as history has revealed. He said: “When GOD wants to judge a nation He gives them wicked rulers.” Take a look at 2 Kings 21 for a moment: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites” (vv.1-2).

Note Manasseh served 55 years as King over Judah; the longest serving king in their history. Note also that he did evil and followed after the detestable practices of the pagan people the LORD had driven out of the land. It is also important to note that he was the son to King Hezekiah and even served alongside him for a time. Hezekiah had been a strong religious reformer for the nation bringing them closer to GOD and His worship than any for a long time.

The Israelites had drifted far from GOD and even through Hezekiah’s reforms, many continued their idol worship, making it easy to drift back under Manassah. Their hearts remained distant from GOD and He sent His judgment upon them through the wickedness of Manassah.

The wickedness in America has resulted in GOD’s judgment falling upon us. The murder of 65 million unborn babies is wicked to the core. The great falling away from godly truths and principles has left our nation open to the judgment of GOD and I believe we are seeing that played out before our eyes as our government sells us out to pagan nations around the world. We are been invaded by ungodly, pagans who have transform our understanding of the true GOD.

We are also under an internal invasion by supposed preachers of the Word living fairytale lives, teaching ungodly truths, pacifying and comforting the people in the pews. The pied-piper reigns supreme in many of the mega-churches here in America and rather than speak up and out against them, we continue to allow them to spout their lies and deception drawing the masses into their clutches.

Church, judgment is here! GOD is looking for an unspotted church, sold-out to Him. If we do not rise-up against lies and ingodliness, America has no hope!

Simply Say, Here I Am!

Samuel had served the priest, Eli, faithfully. Now at twelve years of age,the LORD came to him at night and called out to him three times. Samuel had never heard the LORD’s voice so he assumed Eli was calling. The Scripture tells us: “Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. He told Samuel, Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:8-9). Once again the LORD called and Samuel received the LORD’s Word and stepped out in faith becoming a tremendous worker for the kingdom of GOD.

Today, you may be in a position where the LORD is attempting to speak His truth into you. You may feel that GOD is attempting to teach you new things, maybe even positioning you for greater works of service in His kingdom. Don’t be intimidated by your age, your lack of education, or anything else as GOD chooses those whom He wishes to serve Him.

GOD seeks out those with a willing heart. He looks for those who will simply respond as Samuel did: “Speak, LORD, I am listening!” You have felt the LORD leading you, but you have’t found the right direction. Simply step out in faith and trust the GOD for direction. Take the promise of Psalm 2:8 with you, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession“ and carve out new territory for the kingdom of GOD.

Step out in faith and watch GOD do great things in and through you as you make yourself available to Him. Samuel simply said: “Here I am!” and GOD used Him in ways he would have never imagined. GOD is looking for “Here I am” people today. Step up to the plate in response to GOD’s call and then ask Him to empower you and to grant you GOD-sized opportunities for His kingdom’s sake.

Overcome That Fear of Failure!

A human tendency is to please people! Because of this, we develop a fear of failure. This fear often prevents us from stepping out and fulfilling GOD’s ultimate plan and purpose for our lives. Doors of opportunity will swing open before us. We might step up to the threshhold and take a peek inside, but soon afterwards the idea of failure enters our mind and we turn back to the path we were stumbling along on.

Overcoming our fears associated with possible failure require faith in GOD’s promises and faithfulness. The LORD spoke these words to us through the Prophet Isaiah: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. Be sure that all who are enraged against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will become as nothing and will perish. You will look for those who contend with you, but you will not find them. Those who war against you will become absolutely nothing. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you” (Isaiah 41:10-13).

Being an overcomer involves placing your faith and trust in the GOD who is capable of carrying you through. Being an overcomer involves taking GOD’s words and applying them directly to your life situations. As you continue to move through life, GOD will open doors of opportunities along your path. When He does trust Him to be there for you throughout the adventure as He has promised in His Word. He says: “Do not fear, I will help you!”

Overcome your fear of failure by trusting GOD in all things. Quit trying to please people and begin pleasing GOD. As you do, you will find He always remain true to His promises to carry you through with His strength and protection.

The Buck Stops Here!

President Truman had a sign on his desk with the words, “The Buck Stops Here” embellished across it. The actual saying goes back to frontier days and had to do with assigning who the dealer in a game of poker. If it came a person’s turn to deal and they did not wish to, they could “pass the buck” on to the next person. President Truman used the saying to indicate his intention to take care of business when it hit his desk rather than passing it on down the line to someone else.

The church has been guilty of passing the buck for a long time. If we carefully read the verse we are all so familiar with concerning national revival, we would recognize this. Think carefully about this verse so you understand what I am saying before moving on: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Take note there is no reference to Washington or any governmental office or power. There is no reference to who is in the White House. The only reference in this verse is “my people” indicating the people of God. If my people will carry out the obligations of this verse, national forgiveness, healing and revival are promised.

For too long, the church has been passing the buck for our national problems off on the wrong people. It is time for the church to recognize only we can stop the buck. The Washington establishment will change when God’s people take responsibility for the condition of our nation. The crime rates will drop; the addiction problems will cease; domestic violence will decline—if my people change!

Church, it is time for the buck to stop and only you and I can do that. Quit passing blame and look inward. Discover what it truly means to follow Jesus in purity of heart and mind. 

Planning for Success!

The beginning of the New Year has arrived. I hear people talking about their plans, resolutions and goals to be attained this year. Certainly, planning and preparing for the future is important. Setting goals and working to achieve them can certainly be profitable.

However, most of what I hear involves self-achievement and personal gain or development. Please don’t get me wrong. Done in the right spirit, there is no harm in carrying this out. But, I would like to encourage you to consider what the LORD would have for you in 2016. What plans and achievements you can make for the sake of GOD’s kingdom.

GOD has ordained a special purpose and plan for your life. When you involve Him into your planning and engage His desires for your life, you will discover your purpose. The Proverb’s writer said: “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3). True success lies in your plans and preparations meshing with GOD’s plans for you.

Why is it we find ourselves never fully satisfied? Why is it we always seem to come up wanting for more? Why do we reach the end of a year and have to set new goals and establish new plans for ourselves? Simply because we have failed to commit our actions unto the LORD establishing them within His will for us. As you plan and prepare, seek the LORD’s will and direction. Get into His Word and discover what He has for you and the goals He desires for you to fulfill. Then you will discover satisfaction and success.

Where’s the Real Problem?

Our world has become so mixed-up—politically, economically, spiritually, and in so many other regards. Everywhere you turn radical changes are occuring. It can be so frightening to so many at times.

What bothers me most, though, is the radical spiritual changes that have taken place in the last three or four decades in churches. I find myself looking at society’s changing view of Christianity and the church and I ask myself: Where’s the real problem? What’s happened? How did we get to this place in our world? What have we done with Jesus?

Let me simply this for you. I go on Facebook and see so-called preachers and their followers posting pics of big sums of money that GOD supposedly wants you to have if you will simply say “AMEN” to the pic or “LIKE” it. The pic has scores of “AMENs” in the response section— LORD, help us! I read articles of pastors and preachers living in multi-million dollar mansions, jet-setting around in their own personal multi-million dollar jets—LORD, help us! I see churches building mega-buildings with all the finery and all the necessary comforts to make everyone as comfortable as possible in their “church-experience”—LORD, help us! I see churches taking their members on skiing trips, fishing trips, pleasure trips to distant places, wasting huge sums of money all for pleasure—LORD, help us! All of this going on while millions of lost souls are slipping into hell!

So, where’s the real problem? I would have to say it revolves around the church’s mission. The church has lost sight of its reason for being. It has become a country club, a pleasure cruise, a comfort zone for “its” people. Our Master, Jesus Christ, laid out the church’s mission when He said: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The church’s marching orders are quite succinct: we are to be seeking out the lost and leading them to Jesus. The real problem: we’ve lost sight of the mission! 

We’ve traded Jesus in on a genie-in-a-bottle who wants us prosperous, living in luxury and comfort, sipping our frappes before service, and enjoying our pleasure trips when we should be out finding lost people and pointing them to Jesus!

Do you see what the problem is? What are you willing to do about it?

The Line in the Sand!

History tells us that during the during the final days of the Battle of the Alamo, Colonel Travis called his beleagered force of men together as the probability for total defeat increased. He told his men that it appeared re-enforcements would not be coming. It was this small force against a trained army of over 5,000 Mexican soldiers. This was their opportunity to bail out and make a run for it. Crossing the line Travis drew in the sand meant a man was all-in for whatever lay ahead. All but one crossed over. Although the Alamo fell, the commitment of that small band of warriors became the driving force that led to an eventual victory for the Texicans.

Scripture tells about the Israelites crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land. As they did so, they were passing from their former life to the new life GOD had promised them. Crossing over was a commitment to GOD to live according to His plan and purpose. They faced the great city of Jericho and saw GOD bring the walls down miraculously. Next they found themselves up against a relatively small town and with their confidence strong from Jericho’s defeat, they attacked and were routed by the small force.

We find Joshua on the ground crying out to GOD over the defeat. Whinin gand carrying on that GOD had brought them this far only to allow them to be face destruction. “The Lord then said to Joshua, ‘Stand up! Why are you on the ground?’“ (Joshua 7:10). The story goes that GOD had commanded the Israelites to give all the treasures from Jericho back to Him but one family held out which resulted in the defeat. One family had failed to count the cost of commitment as they crossed the Jordan and many paid the price.

Today, you have crossed the line in the sand by your surrender to Jesus as your Lord and Savior but your life isn’t fully reflecting that commitment. You are still living with hidden sins and habits that should’ve been released from your life. Your lack of a total commitment reflects in your actions and tells others that totally surrendering to Christ is really not that important. Quit whining about your inability to overcome problems and issues and hear the LORD speaking to you today to get up and get things right.

I encourage you today to step back, look at your life and what Christ has done to set you free. Take a look at your responsibility to live sold-out to GOD and the commitment you made at the altar of repentance. Get your act together so you may discover the victory that comes through following closely to Christ.

Your Battles Belong to the Lord!

The band, “PETRA,” released a song back in the late 80’s entitled, The Battle Belongs to the Lord. The second verse reads this way:

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord.

As believers, we must recognize that evil forces and the powers of darkness are inevitable. I’m probably not telling you anything new. But, have you recognized that the battle is not yours. You don’t have to go it alone. Victory is decisive when we understand that the battle belongs to the Lord and we hand it over to Him.

I’m reminded of a an incident recorded in 2 Chronicles 18. King Jehoshaphat was engaged in a battle he could not win. Verse 31 reveals how his victory came: “When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, ‘This is the king of Israel.’ So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.” The Scripture reveals Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord and the Lord delivered him.

Today, if you are facing insurmountable odds in your life; you have been battered about and you are ready to wave the white flag of defeat, don’t do it! Don’t give up…cry out to GOD for deliverance. Trust Him! Your battle belongs to the Lord!