"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
It been said that the true friends one has in a lifetime can be counted on one hand. Truly friends that will stick with us and stand up for us through thick and thin are rare.
That is what makes them so precious! I have friends who have been closer to me than family. What about you? In order for us to have friends we must do as the Bible says. We must be friendly. We can't be stand-offish and expect people to warm up to us. I have a tendency to be that way myself at times. My wife can make friends easily, it is a little harder for me, for I am shy by nature. It really takes an effort on my part, but when I put forth the effort I receive a blessing for doing so. To be a good friend to someone will take time and energy. A good friend cares enough to listen, and dares to point out the mistakes we make in a loving non-judgemental way. The best friend I have ever had was a carpenter by trade. He didn't have a lot of money nor did he live in a fine house. My friend didn't hold a college degree and was known to associate with people who lived on the fringes of society. This friend gave His life for me so I could live. Have you such a friend? Well you can. My best friend's name is Jesus!
Mark & Tracey Garner
Sunday, July 10, 2011
"What are we hiding?"
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15:3)
Our God is an all knowing God. He is omnipotent. Nothing escapes His notice. Truly there isn't anything we say or do or think that gets past Him. We as Christians must live our lives in a manner that will be pleasing to "The Lord" and reflect His standard of righteousness and holiness. Afterall He is our righteousness!!! All our feeble attempts at righteousness is but filthy rags. Jesus always sought to honor His Heavenly Father. We should do no different than our Savior. Jesus said in John 8:29, "I do always those things that please Him." We can not please God with a fleshly attitude. He can't use our arrogance and pride for His glory. Romans 8:8 says: "they that are in the flesh can not please God." Hebrews 11:6 tells us: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him." You see without "The Lord" we can't live the Christian life. Many try this approach, but it is futile. Philippians 2:13 tells us, "For it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure." Are our lives pleasing to "The Lord?"
Our God is an all knowing God. He is omnipotent. Nothing escapes His notice. Truly there isn't anything we say or do or think that gets past Him. We as Christians must live our lives in a manner that will be pleasing to "The Lord" and reflect His standard of righteousness and holiness. Afterall He is our righteousness!!! All our feeble attempts at righteousness is but filthy rags. Jesus always sought to honor His Heavenly Father. We should do no different than our Savior. Jesus said in John 8:29, "I do always those things that please Him." We can not please God with a fleshly attitude. He can't use our arrogance and pride for His glory. Romans 8:8 says: "they that are in the flesh can not please God." Hebrews 11:6 tells us: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him." You see without "The Lord" we can't live the Christian life. Many try this approach, but it is futile. Philippians 2:13 tells us, "For it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure." Are our lives pleasing to "The Lord?"
"Grieving The Holy Spirit?"
"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
Have you ever been in the midst of a conversation with someone and had them turn their back on you? They then proceeded to act like you didn't exist. Hopefully, that has not happened to us that many times. That would be a hurtful experience. The Holy Spirit often pricks our hearts through the preaching, teaching, and reading of God's Word. I've seen Him move mightily in a song service as well. When He shows up lives are changed and souls are saved. When His Spirit convicts us, what is our reaction? Do we turn our backs on Him? Do we reject His prodding? Remember The Holy Spirit is a person and can be offended just as we are offended when someone rejects or disrespects us. Not one of us is promised another tomorrow, so it is imperative that we "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will not force himself on anyone. When He visits us, lets be receptive to His leading and obedient to His Will for us. We are not promised that He will deal with us again. Seize the moment while He is near. You'll never regret it.
Have you ever been in the midst of a conversation with someone and had them turn their back on you? They then proceeded to act like you didn't exist. Hopefully, that has not happened to us that many times. That would be a hurtful experience. The Holy Spirit often pricks our hearts through the preaching, teaching, and reading of God's Word. I've seen Him move mightily in a song service as well. When He shows up lives are changed and souls are saved. When His Spirit convicts us, what is our reaction? Do we turn our backs on Him? Do we reject His prodding? Remember The Holy Spirit is a person and can be offended just as we are offended when someone rejects or disrespects us. Not one of us is promised another tomorrow, so it is imperative that we "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will not force himself on anyone. When He visits us, lets be receptive to His leading and obedient to His Will for us. We are not promised that He will deal with us again. Seize the moment while He is near. You'll never regret it.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
"Our Shield"
"Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." (Proverbs 30:5)
The shield is an important part of "The Whole Armor of God" described in Ephesians 6:16 which reads, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." In Bible times, the Roman Army would apply a cotton-like material to the tip of their arrows. They would then soak these tips in pitch. Prior to shooting the arrow, they would light it. The arrow would burn slowly, but was very hot. When the flaming arrows would hit their intended targets, the pitch would splatter and start little fires on the enemies clothing. So the shield was a great help against such an attack. Our shield of faith is able to extinguish all the fiery darts Satan and his helpers send our way. As Christians we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Our faith will be tested from time to time. Satan's desire is to destroy us at every turn. At these times we must use our shield of faith to protect ourselves from his fiery darts. We must always remember that the battle is 'The Lord's." The victory is ours through Jesus Christ. Corrie Ten Boom, often said that, "if you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest." Child of God, don't despair, use your "Shield." We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. Live your life as a victor not as a victim.
The shield is an important part of "The Whole Armor of God" described in Ephesians 6:16 which reads, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." In Bible times, the Roman Army would apply a cotton-like material to the tip of their arrows. They would then soak these tips in pitch. Prior to shooting the arrow, they would light it. The arrow would burn slowly, but was very hot. When the flaming arrows would hit their intended targets, the pitch would splatter and start little fires on the enemies clothing. So the shield was a great help against such an attack. Our shield of faith is able to extinguish all the fiery darts Satan and his helpers send our way. As Christians we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Our faith will be tested from time to time. Satan's desire is to destroy us at every turn. At these times we must use our shield of faith to protect ourselves from his fiery darts. We must always remember that the battle is 'The Lord's." The victory is ours through Jesus Christ. Corrie Ten Boom, often said that, "if you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest." Child of God, don't despair, use your "Shield." We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. Live your life as a victor not as a victim.
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