How to Have a Good Day!

This morning, as we were rushing out the door to make it to school and the office, stress took hold of our family.  Like a black cloud overshadows a sunny day the constraints of time, looking for socks and shoes, little brothers fighting and lack of coffee intake, brought our happy home to a point of reckoning. 
On the way to school my youngest daughter sat quietly in the back looking somberly out the window.  When I asked her what was her trouble, she simply replied, "I am going to have a bad day.  Because when I start a day bad, it always all goes bad, so today is going to be a bad day."  I assured her that was not the case and gave her some reassuring words, had prayer with her and then off she was to a day of school. 

This got me thinking about our day, a twenty four hour period of which we can never get back.  In the US the average lifespan is 78.06 years x 365 days x 24 hours = 683,806 hours in an average lifespan.  That may seem like a lot but at the age of 34 I am close to halfway done with life on this earth.  Do I really want to waste valuable, precious time on a "bad day"?  I think not! 

The Bible tells us in I Peter 3:10-11 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that the speak no guile; Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it."

I.  Life is meant to be Loved! 

God gave us this life to enjoy, not endure.  I know so many people that seem to just drudge through a day and not enjoy the time they have at hand.  Now we are all going to have difficulty and dark times in our life.  But I am speaking of daily drudging through our day with no hope or joy in our heart. 

We live in a day when happiness is equated with possessions.  In a recent survey of children 8 to 18, 66% of kids said that they would be happy to stay home and spend time with their family as apposed to spending a night out on the town.  You may think, "They sure didn't ask my kid", but when is the last time you planned a family game night, or spent time together around the dinner table, or the Word of God, or just sat down on your sons or daughters bed and asked how there day went?  Love the Life you have! 

II.  Life is filled with Language!

Day in and day out we are filled with frustrations of life.  Mundane tasks seem to at times overwhelm us.  Work schedules, ball schedules, special events for the parents, kids, pets - you name it the average American family is under the gun.  Many times what happens in these stress filled times?  Tempers flare and words are spoken out of anger and not kindness. 

"Tongue" is found 136 times in the Bible, but no verse is greater on the tongue that James 3:5 "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"
Peter also deals in our text with the control of our speech.  James states it this way in chapter one verse nineteen, " Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:".  Our speech can have an adverse effect on our surrounding circumstances.  How did the smartest man who ever lived say to deal with controversy or stressful situations?  Lash out, give them a piece of our mind, let them have it!- No to the contrary Solomon said this, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."  You see, according the the Bible, many times our own speech adds to the Laboriousness of our "bad" days, but we can see "bad" days turn into "good" days when we use a pattern of sound words throughout our day!

In conclusion, let us all determine to have a zest and love for life that truly only Christians can and should have.  We allow the cares and affairs of this sin sick world to pull us down and destroy our days.  They are destroying our homes or churches and our way of life all because we are letting them. 

III.  Life is filled with Labor! 

I am not talking about work, I am speaking of what Peter declares our real fight and labor should be "eshewing evil, doing good, seeking peace and ensuing it".  When is the last time we thought about these three things consuming our day?  Before we speak, do we consider these three things.  Before we head into a meeting with coworkers or our boss do we consider these three things?  Before we go to lunch with some of our friends from work, do we consider these things.  Before we sit down to eat with our family do we consider these things?  Life is a fight, a daily struggle with our old nature that is seeking to hurt our spiritual new nature. 

This may seem like a lot to think about, but are our families worth our labor?  If they are worth working a job for, providing for monetarily, are they not worth working for spiritually? 

I don't know yet how my little girls day will go today, only the hours will tell.  But I am going to do my part, as her dad to ensure that I am having a good day.  No matter my circumstance or problems- I am going to seek to have good days.

When you pillow your head tonight and subtract 24 hours from your allotted 683,806 - how will you have spent yours?  Good or Bad? 

I hope you have a Good Day!

By His Spirit

Many times in our Christian life we think, "How can I accomplish the will of God for my life?"    The will of God and the work of God go hand in hand.  In our church this year is a year of remembrance.  We are looking back on the thirty year history of Maranatha Baptist church and seeing the hand of Gods blessing on our ministry.  This year as we look back on our past, may we remember our need of the Spirit of God and His guidance in everything that we do.  Many times we live under the impression that God needs us, but to the contrary; He does not need us, we need Him.  Let us all remember Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Harvest Time

October always brings our memories and life's to the harvest field.  No matter what culture we live in all of us enjoy the time of harvest.  Fall is my families favorite time of year.  We enjoy the cool evening together, roasting marshmallows over an open flame.  The smell of the first fire in the fire place and our traditional trip to the pumpkin patch. 

This year as we embarked on a new Pumpkin patch due to our recent move, we found that the harvest was not as plenteous due to a poor year of rain in the region.  My kids did not care, we jumped on the trailer pulled by the old ford tractor and off we went to the back field to get ourselves a pumpkin.  When we arrived we found that the pumpkins were gone, only a few green ones in the field so we rummaged through a few boxes of imported pumpkins that the farm had to bring in to accommodate the guests, but no matter what we were not leaving without a pumpkin!

I thought of our drive and desire to take a pumpkin home that day and how we were willing to do anything to harvest that pumpkin.  My thought took me to my life as a soul winner, am I willing to stay out an extra hour, knock on a few more doors, ask them if they are 100% sure if they died today that they would go to Heaven or just hand them a tract.  You see there are those that will use the excuse, "The harvest just isn't as good as it used to be..." but the problem is not for lack of sinners, its for lack of sowers.  Lets be busy harvesting in the field of Christ this season. 
 John 4:35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

The Power of the Word of God

Paul, when speaking to the church at Thessolonica, details to them why their church stood out above other churches in the region. In I Thessalonians 2:13 we find that they reasoned the speech of Paul and Silas and determined that it was not their words but the Word of the Lord. 
The question for us in this day and age is, will we be submissive to the power of the Word of God when it is declared unto us.  In your Bible reading, will you submit to what you read or will your eyes just fall upon the words?
May we consider just a few thoughts through I Thessalonians 2 as we look at the Power of the Word of God.

1. Suffering in the Gospel. (v. 1-2a)

Paul suffered because he declared the gospel, but that was not a sign of weakness but rather brought Glory to God because of His care and provision through Pauls suffering.  In Ephesians 3:13 Paul declares to the church of Ephesus that his tribulation would lead to their glory.  If God can take care of Paul through his suffering, can God take care of us?  If we are faithful to the gospel, the Word of God, will God be faithful to us?  See how the power of the Gospel still works today even in times of suffering?

   2.  Steadfast in the Gospel. (v.2b)

Even though they had suffered they did not quit preaching the gospel of Christ.  In Philippi they were shamefully treated, in Thessolinica they were mocked and may have thought the three weeks there was a waste.  But the power of the Gospel is always steadfast.  You can not witness to the wrong person, if you give them the gospel, then that is what will work on their hearts and life.  May we just be consistent and faithful in our witness.

   3.  Stewardship of the Gospel (v.4-6)

We have been entrusted with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul declares that we are not to always tell men what they want to hear, (I Thes. 2:4) nor are we to speak over or down to men, nor are we to declare the gospel for financial gain only.  This is a far cry from the social gospel elite of the day.  I would dare to say that if Paul were in the ministry today most would think him to be out of the will of God because of all of his tribulation and trials.

  4. Sensitivity of the Gospel (v. 7-10)

We are to be comforting and caring in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and remember that we are ministering to hurting people all around us.  The gospel of Christ is our Cause in life and it is the only thing that can change the heart of people.  Someone once said to me, "You can preach hard with out being harsh".  I believe a lot of fundamental preachers need to heed that advise. 

  5. Supervision of the Gospel (v.11-12)

Not only are we to be sensitive and caring like a mother but we are to be guiding and guarding like a father.  We are to direct the flock of God as pastors and preachers.  We are to direct the people in our community and lead the leadership in our town to come to Christ centered decisions.  In verse eleven Paul admonishes the church to remember how the dealt with them, exhorting them and comforting them and charging them to walk worthy of God who is their Heavenly Father. 

   6.  Submission to the Gospel  (v. 13-18)

None of this is possible with out our heart be submitted to the Gospel of Christ.  If I do not submit my heart and will and way to the master, I have missed the "Cause" in my life as a Christian.  How submitted are we daily to God and His way?  How submitted are we to His Word?  To often we as Christians forget what we are to do, and that is simply obey the voice and leading of the Lord.  It is not what we read in the Bible and do not understand that troubles me, it is what we read in the Bible and do understand and choose to disobey, that is what trouble me.

   7.  Splendor of the Gospel (v. 19-20)

Paul declares a Church body that is serving and obeying the Cause of the Gospel of Christ is a shining example to the Glory of Christ.  A life that has been changed by the power of the Cross is a glorious thing! 

May we as Christians take up the Cause of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and choose to obey Him today!

Growing in Gods Grace

The Christian life is one of constant growth, or at least a healthy Christian life is.  For those who do not want to be stagnate and cold it is a constant battle to not only stay fresh and close to the Lord in our daily walk but to also display a Christ centered life to those around us.  As a husband, father and pastor it is a daily struggle not only to balance all of my God given rolls but to do so with grace. 

Stress is a real factor in today's society and the stress and toil of life displays itself in us all.  A Christian is not exempt from this stress and it seems sometimes it can be more intense as we are fighting the world the flesh and the devil on every corner.  Recently I was reminded that every word we speak matters, Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  This is not just from the pulpit or in the business meeting or in the Wal Mart- (Heaven knows it is difficult to hold ones tongue there!)  But also at home with our spouse and children. 

As a Pastor I desire to grow in Gods Grace and see my ministry grow as well.  But more than that I want my role as husband and father to be seasoned with salt and grace so that my family enjoys the benefits of God molding me into the image of His dear Son.  After all if I loose my home and family, what kind of ministry do I have?  May we all take a close look at our Christian growth and see how we are measuring up.  Christ is our example but he has sent us a guide in the Holy Ghost and the Lord Jesus is making intersession on our behalf daily. 

The Joy of a Godly Wife

On June 12, 2011 my wife Rebecca and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.  The greatest treasure that I posses on this earth is my relationship with my wife.  The Word of God declares in Proverbs 31:11, speaking of the virtuous woman, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her..."  In my life and ministry my wife has been my greatest asset and joy.  While she is not perfect, she seeks to walk with the Lord daily and please Him with her life.  As a pastor I could not preform my ministry tasks were it not for the hard work and dedication of my wife.  In a day and age where marriages are falling by the way side, in the world and unfortunately in the church, I am a blessed man to say that I have the joy of a Godly wife.  May we all seek to work diligently in our marriages to be what God would have us all to be for His glory. 

Life Lessons Written in Stone

We have come to a place in our society where we do not practice, put in a place of emphasize nor give priority to the ten commandments found in Exodus twenty.  The reason the ACLU and other liberal organizations fight the displaying of the Ten Commandments is because they are vehemently opposed to the God of the Bible.  The reason a majority of public school systems are opposed to teaching creationism along side evolution is because they are opposed to the God of the Bible. 

Churches in this generation have allowed the liberal media to control the minds of our children.  The reason we are seeing an attack on the Word of God and the commandments of God is because the church has been silent and we have made the word of God palatable to a lost and dying world.  In the coming weeks we at Maranatha Baptist church will be examining the Ten Commandments in a series entitled, "Life Lessons Written in Stone."  Gods commandments are ever abiding promises of His love, care and concern for man kind.  Let us all determine as followers of the Cross of Christ to lift His banner high, follow the teachings of the Word of God and seek to win a lost world to a saving knowledge of Jesus.