A Lying Tongue

The next thing on God's hate list is: A lying tongue. Pride is first and lying is next, but these two go together in many ways. Pride is the result of lying to yourself until you believe you are better than others. Then you keep the pride fed by lying to those around you. Since God Hates these things we had better keep them out of our lives.

S.O.A.P.

4-10-2015      Romans 14:13

S.       13Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

O.      Being an example to our weaker brothers.

A.      If I live after the example of Jesus I will not be a poor example of faith.

P.       Father; reveal my weakness that I may learn and grow. Amen.

4-11-2015      Romans 14:14-18

S.       14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is un-clean.15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

O.      I must consider those around me and where they are in their spiritual walk.

A.      To know and understand the weaknesses in my fellow man I must acquaint myself with the person, live with them, eat with them, fellowship with them. Then and only then can I share my faith at a high level and in a responsible manner.

P.       Father; bring me into close fellowship with those that I may serve as a shepherd should. Give me wisdom to minister as Christ would minister. Amen.

The return of Christ may be Today

Jesus is coming to remove his faithful, watching, prepared servants. It could be today........are you ready, are you wearing a wedding garment that is without spot or wrinkle? Modern Christianity seems to be failing when it comes to preparing itself to meet Jesus. When every thought or action is centered on self (catering to the flesh) no room for serving God remains. Me, me, me, I, I, I, are traps created by too much interest in the flesh and the flesh decays into sin every time. Jesus may return today.

S,O,A.P.

2-24-2015      Romans 8:16-18

S.       16 the Spirit itself Beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

O.      One becomes a joint-heir with Christ when the Spirit of God enters and sin is overcome. Suffering leads to glory.

A.      I am adopted into God’s family and made an heir by accepting (believing and repenting) the substitutionary work of Jesus on the cross, converting (abandoning all sinful practices), welcoming the Holy Spirit to abide within (filled with the Spirit) and fellowshiping and worshiping God every day on my life’s journey.

    P.     Father; reveal to me the things that hinder our fellowship and help me conquer my flesh by                the power of Grace. Amen.  

Get Ready,,,,Get Set....

Life goes by so fast. One day your a kid, the next a great grandfather. At the end of this year I am looking back at it's events, some with pleasant memories, some not so pleasant, all in all a great year. The question comes up; what would I have done differently? My answer; I would have prayed more, hugged more, laughed more, and spent more time with the ones I love. All these are simple things and don't cost much to make happen.....so.....I will start over and do a better job, glad that I serve a God of new beginnings.

S.O.A.P.

12-28-2014         Mark 15:16-26

S.       16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

O.      Jesus is crucified.

A.      The darkest day in the history of man. A perfect, pure, holy and loving man is killed. Jesus healed, fed, taught and helped others every day of his adult life and yet because he dared to expose the false, the fake and the hypocrisy of religion he was murdered. I will be a man of truth.

P.       Father; fill me full that there is no room for hypocrisy, no room for hate, no room for self and no room for sin. Amen.

Family

9-30-2014      Mark 3:31-35

S.       31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

O.      Jesus declares the source of family; doing the will of God!

A.      I will learn the will of God from his word and keep it before my face daily. I will submit my will and obey the voice of the Lord.

P.       Father; I want to be a part of your family, show me how to accomplish your will. Amen.

The Beginning of The Book Mark

Mark 1:1-6

S.       1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

O.      Mark begins his letter by introducing John the Baptist and his ministry; A ministry of repentance.

A.       Today’s message should include repentance, every message should include repentance. All other messages become useless until repentance is achieved. 

P.       Father; I repent, I seek to be found guiltless in your eyes. Thank you God for sending your son, Jesus, to pay the debt of sin that I could never pay!  Speak Lord and I will obey. Amen.