Come On In The Water's Fine


I was saddened to learn today that an enduring legend(it inspired my title today) has been found to be false! It seems that modern scholarship has proven that a frog, if put into a pan of water that is being gradually made hotter, WILL attempt to escape!! Thus, no more moralizing statements about creeping evil can be attributed to the " boiling frog" hypothesis. Oh well, I am keeping the title anyway. I saw a statement today that said we as people were" walking a knife edge between hope and fear." I read a verse this week that stuck in my mind. It seemed to me to speak to the prevailing attitudes in our country these days.


10 Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.
Isaiah 30:10-11 (NASB)


You look around today and some strange things are a' brewin'. Billions, not millions but BILLIONS of bullets are being purchased by our government. Enough to fight the Iraq war for 25 that's twenty five YEARS! I heard that 2700 new armored personnel carriers had been ordered in a time supposedly of winding down our military commitments and cutting military spending. I read a report yesterday that hackers can now invade your cell phone through the camera and steal your personal pictures and videos.The premise of the article was that cell phones were nothing more than tracking devices that can now spy on you in your living room. Hold on.. I'm not done. Have you noticed lately the debt counter on some of the news networks? Ha Ha Ha! It's CRRRAAAZZZYY! Hundreds of thousands of dollars being racked up in the space of SECONDS! Not years or months or even days but SECONDS. I mean C'MON MAN!! All the while our leaders are posturing based on membership in a political party or outwardly supporting a political philosophy. I hear the words Republican,Democrat, Liberal, Conservative far more than justice, equity or even COMMON SENSE. All the while that scripture rings in my head.


"Speak to us pleasant words,Prophesy illusions."


It makes me wanna holler, way they do my life
It can get overwhelming and be a real test of your faith can't it? Jesus knew it would come to this.


8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
Luke 18:7-8 (NASB)


You know it was much the same way back in King Hezekiah's day. A little background please maestro.
Hezekiah lived in Isaiah's day. Isaiah had prophesied about the coming Assyrian invasion for some time(years); and now that invasion had taken place. Hezekiah had had a lapse of faith and had joined with the Egyptians against the Assyrians, disobeying Isaiah's prophecies. The Assyrians had conquered 46 cities in Judea already and now were assaulting Jerusalem itself. They had a tremendous army and literally called out Hezekiah telling him that he had no hope. There was some truth to that statement because Sennacherib(the king) knew that God was using him to carry out the prophecy against Israel.(Chap.36:10)

So here it is. A disobedient king up against an overwhelming force that is calling him out under God's command. Somehow, someway Hezekiah found his faith and took a letter from the Assyrians and laid it out before the Lord.


14 Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying,
Isaiah 37:14-15 (NASB)


You can read the prayer he prayed that isn't germaine to the point BUT GOD'S RESPONSE IS! Look what the Lord said.


21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word that the Lord has spoken against him:
Isaiah 37:21-22 (NASB)


"..'Because you have prayed to ME.."(Caps mine)


Faced with insurmountable odds that were mocking him, Hezekiah prayed to the Lord. Because he had enough faith in his God, he humbled himself even in disobedience and prayed. THAT brothers and sisters was the game changer. Go get your Bible and see what God did. Because of one simple act. "YOU PRAYED TO ME"!! That one simple prayer saved Hezekiah from being enslaved, it saved Jerusalem from being conquered and effectively destroyed Assyrian control in Israel. One prayer.
Brothers and sisters what is it that is mocking and trying your faith these days? Is it an illness? An impossible financial situation? A wayward child? Maybe it's a godless world system that is standing in your face trying to overwhelm you and mocking your faith in God. You fill in the blank. Give it to God.Take it to the Lord in prayer.He wants to show Himself strong on YOUR behalf. He laughs at the kings of the earth and their plans. Let them say "Because YOU prayed!"


7 A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
Psalms 91:7-9 (NASB)


God Bless

What'd I Say


Allow me to paint a picture for you O.K.? You're rolling along and all of a sudden from nowhere God decides to bless you mightily. No small blessing mind you, but one of import. You tell your friends and loved ones and your heart is full of gratitude towards God; you walk around for a couple of days Praising The Lord. Not sheepishly(for those of you who know me) but BOLDLY! Then, just as that last PTL fills the air you go to work or get a phone call and ZAP the enemy has thrown a monkey wrench in the game. Does that sound or look familiar to you? Yeah, I feel ya. As you ponder the news, the enemy plants himself on your shoulder and poses the age old question...


1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
Gen 3:1 (NASB)


"INDEED HAS GOD SAID....?"


And so it goes. The wheels start turning..."..wait a minute, did God really say that He was going to bless me?" "Maybe that's just me talking to myself"
On and on and on ad nauseam. As I told someone this week THAT is the battle. That was Eve's battle in Eden and it is our battle today. No,that is NOT a statement of fear and doubt it is REALITY. As they say these days, let's keep it real.


10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:9-10 (NASB)


Steal your gratitude. You know these days that is a rarity. An attitude of thankfulness. I personally believe that God values that very highly. Just a simple, sincere, quietly spoken "Thank You."

At any rate I said all that to say this. That's kinda like what happened to moi this week, and the Lord reminded me of a verse in Jeremiah.


7 " Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. 8 "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.
Jer 17:7-8 (NASB)


Look at those last two lines. That's what the Lord spoke to my heart. Ronnie,listen to me. Don't let the devil trick you into questioning what I said. Lend ME your ear. You see brothers and sisters that is where the REAL blessings of this life lay.That word anxious means"a care that draws us in a different direction". Careful or full of care. Amen?

Understand that we(you and me) are walking along thanking and praising God for blessing us and the enemy tries to DRAW us in a DIFFERENT DIRECTION! And here is my point. Vs.
7. Blessed...BLESSED is the man that what?.....

Blessed is the man that trusts the Lord.

 Why? Vs. 8


And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.
Jer 17:8 (NASB)


You see what God is telling us here is this.


Ronnie, trust Me to perform my word in your life and you can be free of anxiety. Even in a year of drought. That's the real key isn't it? Yes, I know that is easier said than done. Yes, it IS a fierce battle that engages us. BUT, that doesn't negate the fact that He WANTS that for us. Amen? Walking through this life SECURE(secure literally means "free from care" Vines Expository Dictionary) that's a good way to live amen? But wait, there's more. Look at those last five words. "NOR CEASE TO YIELD FRUIT!" IN A YEAR OF DROUGHT!! Listen brothers and sisters I don't know what kind of fruit that's talking about. Maybe it's financial fruit, maybe it's spiritual fruit. Maybe it's a fruit of peace and contentment in our own lives. All I know is the Word Of God says that we can bear fruit.That is a promise to all who trust in the God of Heaven. Lord God help us to learn to lean on you. Help our unbelief! Amen! Most assuredly GOD HATH SAID. AMEN AND AMEN!


3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalms 1:3 (NASB)


God Bless

The Good Part


Alright, already. So now we're back to the Mediterranean Diet. Yep. Limit my red meat consumption, more grains, nuts etc., less fat especially the bad kind. Hmm... Not four months ago I was told by a Doctor, a real M.D.Doctor that I could eat lean meat red or any other color as many times as I wished. Also, fat consumption wasn't a real problem, just be reasonable.But, the enemy, the real enemy lurking in the shadows was carbohydrates. You know the good stuff. Pasta, bread, rice, potatoes etc., etc were TABOO! So, I cut my starches. Now, literally as I write this I am looking at the new report on my phone that tells me for a heart healthy diet I can now have pasta, rice blah, blah, just stay away from the enemy RED MEAT AND FAT!!. Bahahaha! I'm done. You hear me? I am done with the diet gurus. I guess I will go to the Mediterranean Diet because it was the diet that Jesus ate.(lol huge grin) I'm going to choose the good part. PTL HeHe.


"....for Mary has chosen the good part..."

41 But the Lord answered and said to her, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42 (NASB)

The above phrase came up in a conversation I had this week and when I heard it the Lord quickened my spirit and I felt that I would be writing about it this week; and, so I am. You know the story. Here is poor ol' Martha killing herself in the kitchen,making dinner, getting everyone something to drink, last minute cleaning the bathrooms, straightening up the living room; and then there's Mary....what's she doing? Look at vs.39


39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.
Luke 10:38-39 (NASB)


Think about it. Here is the MAN. This isn't Peter or John or even John the Baptist that is walking up the sidewalk. No,No,No. This is the Big Cheese, Numero Uno, this is JESUS and He just came through the door. I can imagine how Martha must have felt. I can't blame her, I probably would have done the same thing. Amen? You know it's not the fact that what Martha was doing was wrong, it wasn't. It was the fact they she allowed herself to become DISTRACTED.


40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."
Luke 10:39-40 (NASB)


The house probably WAS dirty. People more than likely WERE ready to eat. It was the responsible thing to do and Martha got more than a little upset with her sister.But, this was God in the flesh, sitting in her living room and Martha was going to miss everything that He had to say. Listen, I wonder if Mary knew that there were "things" that needed doing? I'll bet she did. She lived there too. But, look at Jesus' response to Martha's plight.


for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:42 (NASB)


The good part. Mary chose the good part. She said hang it all, I'm sitting at my Savior's feet and I am going to LISTEN TO HIS WORD. She made it up close and personal. Isn't that much the same as it is today in your life..in my life? You bet your bippy it is. We live in a world chock full of distractions. A sociological system that tolerates every kind of behavior imaginable( except of course Biblical alternatives). A political environment that is rapidly destroying any semblance of freedom in this country and the world in general, under the facade of security and protection. Oh yes, and don't forget an economic monster that is supporting said environment by crushing individuals through manipulation and greed. BUT GOD.

Brothers and Sisters it isn't in spending cuts. It isn't in tax increases. It's not at the ballot box. It isn't about guns. It's not even about serving. It's about the good part. It's about getting alone with YOUR God and listening to His word. Pray, read His Word, listen to Him. Make it up close and personal.

He's not concerned with politics, He is going to establish HisKingdom on this earth. He isn't worried about economies of lack. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, HE OWNS THE WHOLE EARTH AND ALL THAT IS IN IT! And it HIS GOOD PLEASURE to give His kingdom to His children.
He's the Holy One of Israel. He's the God of all the earth and every single creature trodding on it.It's HIM. HE'S THE GOOD PART!


1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken, And summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Psalms 50:1 (NASB)

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
Psalms 50:15 (NASB)


God Bless

Cultivation


I was watching a well known prophecy teacher on television this past week and was surprised to see how far down the prophetic timeline that we seem to be. It seems that world events are chugging right along, just as the Bible says they will, to their God ordained conclusion. You know Jesus said that we as believers should work while it was still day because the night was coming when no one would be able to work. With that in mind, I was doing the treadmill thing last night at work, thinking about what I might write on today. As I labored on that confounded machine a word crossed my mind. Cultivate. I don't believe the word is mentioned in the KJV; at least I couldn't find it. At any I looked it up in the dictionary and here's what it said.

Cultivate- To improve by labor and attention. To promote or improve the growth of a plant or a crop by labor and attention.(Dictionary.com)


You know the day may well be approaching that the only spiritual strength available to you and me will be our PERSONAL relationship with the Lord Jesus. If the truth were known that is much the way it is today isn't it? We've taken God out of the schools, we've taken Him out of government and through various types of legislation we are trying to remove Him from the pulpit and the home. Amen?
I remember my good buddy remarking many times
"Mama and daddy can't find God for you. You can't serve THEIR God, you have to find God for YOU and He's got to become YOUR God." We have to CULTIVATE our own relationship with The Lord Jesus. Somebody else's just won't do.


3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
Matt 13:3-9 (NASB)


Verse 7 is where the danger lies. Look down at verse 22 of the same chapter.


22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Matt 13:22 (NASB)


You know how it goes don't you? Get up, go to work, come home, run any one of the hundreds of
undone errands, fix dinner or buy it out because you're too exhausted to cook, clean the house, and finally some time late into the day or night have a little time to yourself, go to bed. Repeat. Does this strike a familiar note? Yeah, I understand. Add to that the "things" we all so desperately desire to have and Voila! We are (as they call it in the restaurant business) IN THE WEEDS! If you look back on that typically ordinary day, only one thing is missing. GOD!


We've ALL been on that treadmill. Thr pressures of just making a living these days are enormous. I have friends that work two jobs and still struggle to make ends meet. No one is immune. It's tough out there! But, if we can just find a little time for God. If we can find some time to cultivate our relationship with Him, it will pay great dividends. Some years back, while enduring the cruel mockings of my two best friends(you know who you are) I planted a garden. It wasn't a vegetable garden but a Japanese garden.

I took some uncultivated ground and dug and hoed and weeded etc., etc., until I had created a nice little garden. Despite the snickering of my above mentioned friends(you know who you are) I enjoyed the fruits of my labor. But, eventually I started neglecting the garden and almost immediately it was overrun with weeds. I use this example only to shame those who exposed me to their taunting.(Big Smile) I'm rambling now so I'll close. Brothers and sisters, in this world gone mad it's easy to neglect our time with God. Not on purpose, no,no,no. But, just from the demands made upon our time and our lives; and, before we know it, we're in a crisis and can't find God. Ya feel me? Spend some time with Him. Cultivate that relationship. It will produce some good fruit.


1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
Psalms 4:1 (NASB)

God Bless

Bought With A Price


20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Cor 6:20 (NASB)


Paul must have wanted to drive this point home because he mentioned again in the next chapter.


23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
1 Cor 7:23 (NASB)


Bought with a price. This isn't one of those feel good verses is it? It makes me squirm a little bit. It speaks of ownership. As a matter of fact in a previous verse (6:19) Paul says that we are not our own. Paul, on numerous occasions, goes as far to say that we are bondslaves of the Lord Jesus Christ. That doesn't echo of political correctness does it? In essence it is saying that when we sign on to God's program, He owns us lock, stock and barrel; to be used by Him for His sovereign purpose any way He sees fit. That would seem to answer a lot of the "why" questions(not all, but a lot) we have about life.


21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Romans 9:21 (NASB)


That being said let me get down to it. I labored for many years under a delusion of what success really was. Truth be known it was so ingrained within me that I still from time to time wrestle with my sense of "success" in this life. In reality, my battles have not been with my crowning successes, on the contrary, it is a sense of failure that has haunted me. Ever feel that way? Can't see the great things God has done in your life?No, no, it's the shortcomings and failures that glare back at you. Yeah, I feel ya. You know in our world success is usually measured in material wealth or in accomplishment. It seems that in ministry it's all about numbers. Better programs, bigger buildings, more people, you know what I mean? In the world, success and with it self worth is graded by you know...cha ching...who's got the most bling! Amen? He who dies with the most toys wins!! I believe God does the grading on a different scale. It's not about success, it's about FAITHFULNESS. Yeah, I know..it's taken DECADES for that to get down into my soul and I still deal with it. Remember our verse? Bought with a price. God uses us,you and me, for His purposes, whether the world puts a successful tag on it or not. Let me tell you something(and me too!smile) Our circumstances, our ministries, our lives may not measure up in the world's eyes. Heck, they may not measure up in OUR OWN EYES! But, if we are faithful to God's call, no matter what it is; if we are following His path as best we can, then we are measuring up in HIS eyes!


3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
1 Cor 4:3-4 (NASB)


Let me give you an example from Scripture of an "unsuccessful" ministry. Turn with me to Isaiah please.

Isaiah's Commission

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.' 10 " Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed." 11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered, "Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate

Isaiah 6:8-13 (NASB)


You know Isaiah boldly answers God's call. "Here am I. Send me!" That's the way it is with us sometimes isn't it. We're going to jump right in and save the world. Then reality sets in. Look at verse 9. Isaiah basically was told that his ministry, his God called, God ordained ministry was going to be a.....FAILURE! Isaiah you're going to minister to people that will not understand, they will not perceive. They will be insensitive, dull and dim. Hmmm. I can hear Isaiah now. " Jeez Louise, this isn't going to be much to write home about. No entourages flying about. No great audiences filling up auditoriums every where I go.Hmmm...I don't know about this??" Once he gets the big picture, he asks God a question, "Lord, how long?" God's answer in so many words,"..for the rest of your life"


God has a purpose and His purpose is sovereign. It can't be thwarted. You remember that soul that you gave an encouraging word to last week? That was just as important(maybe more so) in God's eyes as that mighty preacher who ministered to thousands. That child or parent or neighbor that you helped will receive the same reward as Billy Graham or T.D.Jakes some day. Your circumstances may not be what you desire. People may look at you like you are a nobody. You may even feel like a nobody, but, just take a page from Isaiah. I'm sure he felt like a failure when the people rejected him. But, he was able to trust that God had His back and would keep and protect him through it all. Well, look where his messages and sermons ended up! Amen!! Keep on keeping on. Be encouraged. You and I are where we are for a reason and a purpose. We are bought with a price.


4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 (NASB)


God Bless

Why Am I Like This?


Well, the Super Bowl is over and my team lost. So, I will be on football withdrawal until next August when the only team worth watching, The Big Orange kick it off again! That being said, have you ever asked yourself the above question? You know how it goes, you will do something dumb or you will slip up and do something you shouldn't and before long you'll be kicking yourself and asking yourself the above over and over. Right?


I had conversations with two different people this week and they both posed that same, identical question. Exact same words.. everything alike. WHY AM I LIKE THIS? Both were beating themselves up over the fact that they had fallen short this week. How could I be so stupid? I can't believe I did that! Sound familiar? It certainly does to me. All I could say was "Welcome to the club." I have said this before and I will say it again. The truest words ever spoken to me outside of Holy Scripture were these,"There are two kinds of people in this world, the caught and the uncaught, everybody's guilty." You know it's at these times, when we've failed, that the devil will perch himself on our shoulder and start whispering in our ear. Many a time I have sat and not only beat myself up but have listened to the enemy agree with me by telling me how sorry I was and how could I call myself a Christian and do something like that. Amen? As I sat and listened to these folks this week, my mind went to the seventh chapter of Romans:


14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:14-25 (NASB)


This passage of scripture is my message today. That answers the question why we are like we are. Allow me a couple of observations before I go. The devil will tell you that God doesn't love you, and you're not really saved etc., etc., blah, blah blah. But, the Bible says that if you believe in the Lord Jesus you are saved. The problem of yours and everybody else's sin, past,present and future was dealt with at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for every sin that you and I have ever committed or will ever commit.Amen? IT IS FINISHED. PAID IN FULL.


30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, " It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:29-30 (NASB)


Your eternal life is just that.. ETERNAL. Never ending. God doesn't take it away ever time you or I fall short. Keep that truth in your heart. Read the last two verses of Romans 8. Sin is not even mentioned. It has been dealt a death blow through the Cross. BUT, there is a battle raging within your body. Read Romans again. Your flesh is waging a war against your spirit and your mind. That's how the enemy slips his two cents worth in. he will tempt your flesh and do nothing but accuse you. But, listen to me God is not waiting on you to screw up so He can zap you. On the contrary, He wants us to lean on Him and yield to Him in our times of weakness and He has said He will deliver us from ourselves. It may take a while but if we will continue to trust Him we will get there. But, and let this sink in. He loves you and is not condemning you when you fail.


1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 (NASB)


No ifs ands or buts. Its that simple. NO CONDEMNATION!


1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Psalms 103:1-4 (NASB)


God Bless

The Book


105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalms 119:105 (NASB)


We had a quiz in my class yesterday and above the groans of all in the room, I heard Josh(a young classmate of mine) boom out "I don't have a prayer!" Well, after the quiz we were allowed to grade each other's paper and just as Josh said, he didn't have a prayer!(smile) So, as the class progressed, the professor, stressing over his students' poor performance I imagine, asked a question. Rather straightforwardly he asked us what was giving us problems. Josh immediately spoke up and answered, "I'm just not very good in language." Our professor, trying to encourage him replied "that's not true" and so the banter went back and forth for a couple minutes before Josh was asked point blank "What's giving you trouble? Show me in the book." At this point Josh sheepishly replied "I can't, I don't have a book." The professor replied very calmly and cooly "Josh, how do you expect to learn French if you don't have a French book?" That interchange reminded me of something I had heard over the last few days. A big time, respected man of God recently said on his show that the overwhelming majority of American christians were biblically illiterate. Now, I don't know whether that is true or not and I don't have the right to scold anyone for their Bible reading habits.Amen? But, allow me to share some of my thoughts with you today. O.K.?


You know there are a lot of voices in the world today. Political voices, economic voices, cultural voices but no where and I mean NOWHERE are there more voices than in the religious arena.Those voices come in all sizes, shapes and persuasions. You feel me? You know I used to put a lot of stock in revelation, prophecy,words of knowledge and such. Not so much anymore, BUT,understand that's just me. God can speak anyway He wants to. For example, He spoke to a man through a donkey one time(Numbers 22:28). Another time He spoke by a supernatural handwriting on a wall(Daniel 5:5) God can choose to speak in any way and at anytime He so desires. That being said, with all the voices flying about these days it pays us to "test the spirits."


1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1 (NASB)


How does one go about testing the spirits? The best and in my opinion, the ONLY way is to see if they line up with what God's Word says. You have to read the Book. Amen? You have to study God's Word.


15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15 (NASB)


I like the KJV better here.


15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:14-15 (KJV)


You see in the old days God spoke through the mouths of prophets, holy Men of God; but, today He has given us a more sure word of prophecy:

19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19 (NASB)


What the Apostle Peter is saying here is that these written words, these scriptures are based on eyewitness accounts.(vs.16) They make the prophetic word more sure. But, look at the middle of that verse, " to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,"


You see the only way to discern these voices is to "pay attention" to the Book. If the words of any voice, my voice included, do not line up with God's Word..reject it. It's that simple. The only way to find guidance for your life is to read the Book. But, you know something? There's another, even better benefit to spending some time in The Book. It get's us alone with God Almighty. It helps us to tune in to what He is saying in our personal lives. He can speak to us generally through His written word but He can also quicken our spirits when we come across a verse meant specifically for us, at that very point in time of our lives. You know what I mean don't you? You know how you will read a verse and you get a stirring in your inward parts. You 'know that you know' that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you through His word. No one has to tell you, YOU KNOW IT! Amen? That's what I'm talking about and that is what gets us talking and listening to Him.God sent and still sends preachers to speak and teach and preach His word. O.K.? BUT, He also wants to speak and teach and preach to us PERSONALLY. He wants some one on one. His will is revealed in His Word. You gotta have the Book
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Brothers and sisters these are troubling times... Dark, perilous, sinister times. Deceivers, counterfeits and abusers ABOUND. It's a mark of the days in which we live. There's only ONE safe harbor for your soul...it's the Lord Jesus Christ. But, in order to hear and learn about Him. In order to be comforted and encouraged by Him. In order to know Him.. you gotta have the Book.


3 For what does the Scripture say?

Romans 4:2-3 (NASB)


39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
John 5:39 (NASB)



God Bless