The following was written by a Godly man in our church. After reading his post on Facebook I asked him if I could share it on my blog site.

Death Notice  

Sister Old Time Prayer Meeting died recently at the First Neglected Church on Wordly Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of great revivals, she was a strong healthy child, fed largely on testimony and scriptural holiness, soon growing into world-wide prominence, and was one of the most influential members of the famous Church family. She was a great influence for good, gathering the multitude of mankind to her bosom to hear the story of HIM who wore the seamless garment; a story of never failing interest to all.

For the past several years Sister Prayer Meeting has been failing in health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffness of knees, coldness of heart, inactivity, and weakness of purpose and will power. At the last she was but a shadow of her former self. Her last whispered words were inquiries concerning the strange absence of her loved ones, now absent from her presence, busy in the marts of trade and places of worldly amusements. Her older brother, Mr. Sunday School, has been in very bad health for years,and cousin Mr. Soul Winning is very seldom seen in public anymore. 

Experts, including Dr. Works, Dr. Re-Form, and Dr. Ecumenical , disagreed as to the cause of her illness, administering large doses or organization, socials, contests, drives and religious education, praise and worship and a little bit of “purpose driven” thrown in but to no avail. Dr H. Calvinist was also contacted and rendered his opinion and said it was predestined that she die this way. A post mortem showed a deficiency of spiritual food coupled with lack of fasting, faith and change of heart. Shameless desertion and non-support were contributing causes. Only a few were present at her death, sobbing over memories of her past beauty and power. Carefully selected pallbearers were urged to tenderly bear her remains away but failed appear.

There were no flowers. Her favorite hymns, “Amazing Grace”, and “Rock of Ages” were not sung. Miss Ima Modern rendered “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”, but none had any idea where this fancied isle might be and nobody could tell any one how to get there. The body rests in the beautiful cemetery of Bygone Glories, awaiting the summons from above which shall bring her, with her blood-washed garments, into the presence of the GOD of Glory, spotless, blameless and full of glory. In honor of her going, the church doors will be closed on Wednesday evenings, save on the third Wednesday of each month, when the Ladies Pink Lemonade Society serves refresments to the members of the Men’s Wii team.

The above story would be hilarious were it not so true. The American landscape is dotted with closed and rotting churches. They once thrived and were places where the Gospel was preached, but that all changed for some reason. Maybe we have become too blessed and with all our “things” we really don’t need God anymore. After all who wants to go and gather with people at the church house when there is so much “stuff” to enjoy.

The average Christian cannot give a legitimate excuse for why they are not in church when its doors are open. Sure people get sick and people have to work but what it really comes down to is the heart. Today’s Christian does not love the Lord he loves self! He loves his own pleasure and feeds his own flesh. The crucified life is nice but not for us. death to self and love for the brethren are not what we want to hear. After all isn’t it about us!! Are we not suppose to be the center of attention, and what is it that makes me happy. Getting dressed and going to church to mid week prayer meeting!?? where is that in the Bible?? I guess you can find it right there where the Church was praying for Peter to get out of jail in Acts 12:5.

America is sick and the blame rests not on the politicians, nope not them. A politician is a weak and cowardly thing (for the most part) they will do what the people want. Christians have long since forsaken Biblical principals and so the country is going the way of other great nations. America is a (use to be nation) We once had great churches and great morals and now we have become a land where we are biblically illiterate. The fact the Mormon is close to getting in the White House is proof of that. We put our faith in men and what they can do for us. We want hope and change and many a Born again Christian voted for the current President. How can anyone who knows the Bible and what God says vote for such a man! The answer… we are led my emotions and feelings and not the Word of God. Simply because we do not know the Word of God. Because we are never in church to hear the Word of God.

Church is too boring! We sing those old songs! The preacher is not teaching what I want to hear! I dont want to drag the kids out into the cold! I dont have a ride! I will lose my parking spot! I dont have money for gas! Prayer request time is annoying! This is just a small sample of some of the great excuses that the preacher will hear. Funny thing is though none of them will hold water when (and if) you see Jesus face to face.

I have driven across a good section of our once great country and through the years I see closed churches, church houses converted to everything from schools to dress shops and restaurants. (When was the last time you saw a closed Mosque) It always breaks my heart to see a boarded up church. One time we saw a closed church and my son said “why doesnt somebody go in there and just start preaching!” He was 5 years old when he uttered that. I quickly yelled amen….. with a lump in my throat. Why doesnt somebody go in there? The answer… not enough death to self. Whats my starting pay? What are my benefits? I may have to go without some things. Yes there are problems in the pews but we also have to look at the pulpit. Death to self preacher, death to self.

If the building is not closed or converted to some other entity it just as bad to one that has headed south. By that I mean one that has quit preaching and has become a mere entertainment center for the itchy ear believer. It would be better it it were selling lattes than leading men to hell with a social gospel. I know of one church bragged about its art display. WHO CARES!! People need to hear of Christ and his salvation! Not admiring the water colors and the contrast in the shading. Heaven help us.

If people dont go to church to hear the Gospel message when it is done right the preacher needs not change. The command was “In season out of season” and out of season seems to be the time we are in.

Now one reading this my think that this preacher is discouraged. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a joy to serve the King of kings. I love my calling and am thankful to my Saviour who has called me into his fields to labor, but it is the coldness and deadness of the saints of God that disturbs me.

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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14 

The Following story is not mine but borrowed. The author is unknown, and I trust it will help encourage your heart as it has done mine.

I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold, our salary had not been regularly paid, and it did not most our needs when it was.

My husband was away much or the time, traveling from one district to another. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing, and at last none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re-patched, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor.

The people in the parish were kind and generous too; but the settlement was new, and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most my faith began to waiver. Early in life I was taught to take God at His word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had leaned upon the promises in dark times, until I knew as David did, “who was my fortress and my deliverer.” Now a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I could offer. My husband’s coat was hardly thick enough for October, and he was often obliged to ride miles to attend some meeting or funeral. Many times our breakfast was Indian cake (corn bread) and a cup of tea without sugar.

Christmas was coming: the children always expected their presents. I remember the ice was thick and smooth and the boys were craning a pair of skates. Ruth, in some unaccountable way, had taken a fancy that the dolls I had made were no longer suitable; she wanted a nice large one, and insisted on praying for it.

I new it seemed impossible, but oh I wanted to give each child its present. It seemed as if God had deserted us, but I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily. I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting room cheerful with an open fire, and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could. The morning before Christmas James was called to see a sick man.

I put a piece of bread for his lunch – it was the best I could do. I wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck and then tried to whisper a promise as I often had, but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it.

That was a dark, hopeless day. I coaxed the children to bed early for I could not bear their talk when Ruth went to bed, I listened to her prayer. She asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll and for skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lively when she whispered to me, “you know I think they’ll be here early in the morning, mamma.” I sat down alone, and gave way to the bitterest tears.

Before long James returned, chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots. The thin stockings slipped off with them, and his feet were red with cold. I wouldn’t treat a dog that way let alone a faithful servant,” I said. Then as I glanced up and saw the hard lines in his face, and the look of despair, it flashed across to me – James had let go too. I brought him a cup of tea, feeling sick and dizzy at the very thought. He took my hand and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and to meet God, and tell Him his promises were not true; my soul was so full of rebellious despair.

There came a sound of bells, a quick stop, and a loud knock at the door. James sprang up to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came by express just before dark, I brought around as soon as I could get away. Reckon it might be for Christmas. At any rate I said they shall have it tonight. Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along, and these other things I believe belong to you.”

There was a basket of potatoes, and a bag of flour. Talking all the time he hurried in the box and then with a hearty good night he rode away. Still without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a red blanket, and then we saw that beneath it the box was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down and covered his face with his hands, “I can’t touch them.” He exclaimed, “I haven’t been true, just when God was trying me to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering?” I had no word of comfort to offer. I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God.”

“James”, I said clinging to him, “don’t take it to heart like this. I am to blame. I ought to have helped you. We will ask him together to forgive us.”

“Wait a moment dear I can’t talk now,” He said. Then he went into another room. I knelt down, and my heart broke. In an instant all the darkness, all the stubbornness rolled away. Jesus came again and stood before me, with the loving word, “daughter!”, sweat promises of tenderness and joy of soul. I was so lost in praise and gratitude that I forgot anything else. I don’t know how long it was before James came back, but he too had found peace. “Now my dear wife,” he said, “let us thank God together,” and he then poured out words of praise, Bible words: for nothing else could express our thanksgiving.

It was 11 o’clock, the fire was low and there was the great box, and nothing touched but the warm blanket we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles, and began to examine our treasure. We drew out an overcoat. I made James put it on; just the right size, and I danced around him. Then there was a cloak, and he insisted in seeing me in it. My spirits always affected him, and we both laughed like foolish children.

There was a warm suit of clothes also and three pairs of woolen hose. There was a dress for me, yards of flannel, a pair of arctic overshoes for each of us. In mine was a slip of paper. I have it now and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob’s blessing to Asher, “thy shoes shall be iron and brass and as the days so shall thy strength be.” In the gloves, evidently for James, the same dear hand had written, ” I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not I will help thee.”

It was a wonderful box, and packed with thoughtful care. There was a suit of clothes for each of the boys, and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarves and hoods. Down in the center of the box was another box. We opened it and there was a great wax doll. I burst into tears again.

James wept with for joy. It was too much. We then both exclaimed again. Close behind it came two pair of skates. There were books for us to read, some of them I had wished to see, stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, buttons, thread and actually a muff, and an envelope containing a ten-dollar gold piece. At last we cried over everything we took up.

It was past midnight, and we were faint and exhausted even with happiness. I made a cup of tea and cut a fresh loaf of bread and James boiled some eggs. We drew up the table before the fire, how we enjoyed our supper! And then we sat talking over our life and how sure a help God always proved.

You should have seen the children the next morning, the boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates. Ruth caught up her doll and hugged it tightly without a word then she went to her room and knelt by her bed. When she came back, she whispered to me, “I knew they would be there, Mamma, but I wanted to thank God just the same. We went to the window and there were the boys out of the house already and skating on the ice with all their might.

My husband and I tried to return thanks to the church in the east that sent us the box and have tried to give thanks to God everyday since. Hard times have come again and again, but we have trusted Him, dreading nothing so much as a doubt of His protecting care. Over and over again we have proved that “they that seek the Lord shall not want anything.”

* Just as the Lord supplied the Savior so many years ago He supplies today.

* We have been fooled into thinking that we have to have more and more to be happy. When we have so much that we have trouble being happy with our bounty.

* Maybe this story will help all of us to be a little more content with the things we often take for granted

By John Stormer

For too many years, pastors and teachers have said, “Of course we don’t know when Christ was actually born – but the time of year is not really important.” Jehovah’s Witnesses and others have taught that Christmas was “invented” in the fourth or fifth centuries. The supposed goal was giving a “Christian” facade or influence to the wild pagan or Satanic holiday observances during the winter solstice (the shortest days of the year).

What’s the real story? Is there any real evidence that Jesus Christ  was born at Christmas? A careful examination of a number of seemingly unrelated Bible passages gives clear indication that the Lord Jesus was indeed born at Christmas time. Such study will give new emphasis to what Christ came to do. It will also provide a much deeper appreciation of all  that is hidden in the Word of God which can be discovered by those who prayerfully search the scriptures.

Every word in the Bible is there because God put it there. He has a purpose for every one of His words. Therefore, seemingly casual listing of periods of time, genealogical references, etc. have significance which can be discovered through prayerful study.

In Luke Chapter 1, the Bible records seemingly unimportant details about what a priest named Zacharias was doing when an angel announced to him that he and his wife were to have a child. The child was to be John the Baptist who would prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Bible further records that the Lord Jesus was conceived in the sixth month after John the Baptist was conceived. Therefore, if the time of the conception of John the Baptist could be determined, the birth date of the Lord Jesus could be calculated.

The scriptures say : “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course… ” Luke 1:5,8.

At this point Zacharias demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to his duties as a priest. Even though he had been given the wonderful news by the angel that he and Elisabeth would have a son, Zacharias stayed in the temple until the days of his course were completed.

“And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months…” Luke 1:23-24.

The passage then describes how an angel came to Mary to announce that she was to be the virgin mother of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The scripture says: “And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary…” Luke 1:26-27.

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.” Luke 1:39-40

Contained within these quoted passages are scriptures which point to the exact time when Jesus was born. (Remember that God puts every word and every detail into the Bible exactly as He wants it and for a purpose.)

In Luke 1:5 and Luke 1:8, we are told that Zacharias was a priest of the course of Abia and that he fulfilled his priestly duties in the order of his course. To understand the importance of the course of Abia and its bearing on the date of John the Baptist’s conception, it is necessary to turn to 1Chronicles 24:1-10. This passage describes how a thousand years before Christ, King David established the courses for priestly service in the coming temple. Twenty-four courses were established and numbered by drawing lots – twelve courses for sanctuary service and twelve for the government of the house of God.

Members of each course would serve during a month starting with the Hebrew month of Nisan. (Because of the way the Hebrew calendar fluctuates, the month Nisan can start anytime between early March and early April.) The sons of Abijah (the Old Testament spelling for Abia) were in the eighth course. Priests of Abia like Zacharias would, therefore, have each ministered for some days during the eighth month which in some years because of the fluctuation in the Hebrew calendar started as early as the fifth day of our month of October. Zacharias would have returned home when his days of service were accomplished and John the Baptist could have been conceived sometime between October 15 and the end of the month.

After conception the scripture says that Elisabeth hid herself for five months. Then in the sixth month of her pregnancy (which, based on the above calculation, would have started about March 15 and continued until April 15) the angel announced to the Virgin Mary that the Lord Jesus would be conceived in her womb by the Holy Ghost. If this took place on or about April 1 a “normal” gestation period of 270 days would have then had the Lord Jesus due on or about December 25. How about that!

There are other scriptural and natural indicators that confirm that the Lord was born at Christmas time. In the account of His birth in Luke 2:8, we read: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
My son-in-law, who has a degree in agriculture, after hearing the above presentation, told me, “Certainly, the Lord Jesus was born at Christmas. The only time shepherds spend the night in the fields with their sheep is during the time when the lambs are born. The ewes become ‘attractive’ to the rams in the month after June 21, the longest day of the year. The normal gestation period is five months so the ewes start lambing about mid-December.” He added: Isn’t it natural that the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world would be born when all the other lambs are born?

This “coincidence” was too amazing for me to accept until I checked it out. A former teacher from the school where I am the administrator is married to a Montana sheep rancher. She confirmed what I had been told. She said, “Oh, yes! None of the men who have flocks are in church for weeks at Christmas. They have to be in the fields day and night to clean up and care for the lambs as soon as they are born or many would perish in the cold.”

Isn’t that neat? God’s Lamb, who was to die for the sins of the world, was born when all the other little lambs are born. Because He came and died the centuries old practice of sacrificing lambs for sin could end.

There is another neat confirmation that God had His Son born at Christmas. The days at the end of December are the shortest (and therefore the darkest days) of the year. Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world.” So at the time of the year when the darkness is greatest, God the Father sent God the Son to be the Light of the world.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life and was therefore qualified to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind (which is death). He paid it all – but all do not benefit from the wondrous gift God bestowed on mankind at Christmas.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:11-12

(John Stormer, pastor emeritus, Heritage Baptist Church, Florissant, Mo., from the Pensacola Christian College magazine, The ABeka, Winter 1996.) HT

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

I received sad news last night that a dear friend had passed away. Robert Dobosh the owner of Bob’s Again Deli in Kearny has gone home to be with the Lord. I remember the first day I walked into Bobs store and ordered myself a Taylor ham and egg sandwich on a hard roll. He was friendly and kind, and we immediately became friends. Throughout that time we both worked to help each other. I ran errands and fixed broken pipes while he donated all kinds of goodies to the church.

Bob suffered from MS and it had taken its toll on him in many ways, it is true though that Bob did not take care of himself as he should have, and this only worked to end his life sooner. I had taken him to the hospital on many occasions and to numerous doctors visits. I remember one visit in Clara Maas Hospital when I was able to take the bible and explain to Bob Gods simple plan of salvation. There in that bed he trusted Jesus Christ as his Saviour… Amen! It’s from that reality of our salvation that I can say “I’ll see you in the morning Robert” Someday on Resurrection morn I will see my friend.

Bob was a friend to me and there are some who did not like him, there were many that stole from him. From kids stealing candy bars, workers taking things that did not belong to them, and even from tenants who skipped out without paying the rent. All sad indeed. I guess we can look at the other side and see Bob leaves behind a pile of debt as well.

But Bob was not a freeloader! he worked from early dawn to late at night to make the money to keep the proverbial wolves away form the door.But in the end it wasn’t enough. No man worked harder and suffered more. I have seen healthy able bodied individuals not willing to pick up a stick and yet be looking for their free handout. He was a credit to the male race if just for his work ethic alone.

Bob like the rest of us was not perfect, and if he had regrets they were the estranged relationships with his children. He spoke of them often and he often wished there was more he would have done to be a better father. But I think I will drop this point right where it is and move on.

Bob never complained about his lot in life he was always upbeat and cheery. He would often joke about his debt dilemma and would nickname the store the Titanic. I would be discouraged and walk into the store only to be encouraged by his smile and gratitude

I will miss seeing him and his sense of humor the early Sunday morning paper, buttered roll and ice Tea. Arizona makes an Ice tea called the Arnold Palmer Bob nicknamed it the Tiger Woods Tea. Oh the stupid things we laugh at. It will forever in my mind be called by that name LOL.

Robert has finished his course and he is home with his Saviour now. I know I shall see him again one day and on that day he will walk normal and he will not be making any sandwiches. Heaven is a wonderful place and the older I get the more people I know are on the golden shore.

Do you know where you will spend eternity? If not would you please contact me or please read the page above on Heaven or Hell. There you can read about the salvation so freely given by a gracious and loving Saviour.

God Bless

Pastor Matt

In a previous blog we saw the sin of ingratitude and it is clear from scripture that ingratitude is the result of ungodliness. When a person loves the Lord and walks in his light he will express a grateful heart. But what is the evidence of a grateful heart or what will be the outward expression of it. We see the outward expression of ingratitude; it is complaining, rebellion, murder laziness. These truths are presented to us in II Timothy 3;1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Did you notice that being unthankful is right next to unholy? They go hand in hand.

I was thinking of what is some outward evidence a individual may show when they are truly grateful. As I prayed and pondered the Lord impressed upon my heart King David. We know about his great sins the murder he committed , the adultery. These are sad episodes in a great mans life. This is David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the man after Gods own heart. Its hard to imagine that this is the giant killer David, but it is!

But when David was confronted with his sin by the prophet Nathan he quickly humbled himself and sought the Lord.

Psalm 51

King David confesses his sin to God here, and it is a great prayer and we see his heart. The words; Thankfulness or grateful do not appear but it is ever evident just the language he uses.

J Vernon McGee outlines Psalm 51  nicely into three divisions:

1) Cry of Conscience and Conviction of Sin Psa_51:1-3;

(2) Cry of Confession of Sin and Clemency (Compassion) of God—Psa_51:4-8;

(3) Cry for Cleansing and Communion— Psa_51:9-19.

So then what are the outward evidences of a thankful heart, The Lord gave me three points here and I trust you will forgive the author of any typos or punctuation errors and simply ask God to speak to your heart and it is my prayer that God will deal with your heart as he did with mine

I)                   Soulwinning 12-13

A. Restoration 12a

“Free spirit”: It is a phrase that refers to the freedom from sin that only God can provide. He has been under such a weight from the burden of sin and he needed deliverance. It carries with it the thought they we were in the slave market of sin and we have been freely purchased by our Saviour. he did not purchase us to make us slaves but set us free.

C. Rescue 13

Now that David has restored his fellowship he can now effectively win the Lost. When a man appreciates what God has done for him he WILL want to tell others this good news. He cannot help but want to to tell others. When you understand the magnitude of mercy you have received you will want to tell others. You will want to be a witness for Christ and hand out Gospel tracts and see people trusting Christ as Saviour. You will rejoice int he salvation of friends and family.

I don’t think a man is truly appreciative of what God has done for him if he is not caring for the soul of his fellow man. David confesses he wants to see sinners saved, and shouldn’t that be our desire?

II)                Singing 14 -15

I listed below and excellent little outline from Spurgeons notes on the this Psalm

A. When God does not open our lips we had better keep them closed.

B. When he does open them we ought not to close them.

C. When he opens them it is not to speak in our own praise, and seldom in praise of others, but always in his own praise

D. We should use this prayer whenever we are about to speak in his name. “O Lord, open,” etc.

A christian may not be a great singer but he will want to sing when he is in love with his God. He will want to sing good music not junk. When an individual says the hate the hymns that are in the old song books I wonder how much they really do love the Lord. The Holy Spirit that indwells me loves those songs and rejoices in them.

But even beyond singing itself a man will want to talk of God and love his Saviour

III)             Sacrifice 16-19

 A.  Willing to give if required

While it is true God did tell the children of Israel to offer sacrifices but they were to offer them with a willing heart. He did not want a sacrifice if it was given with the wrong attitude. David is making the point that that he could have just simply offered a sacrifice and walked away and just did a religious little deed. But God does not want religious deeds. He is seeking hearts that love him

B. Willing to be broken 17

Conclusion

Here are just three outward evidences of a grateful heart. Let these evidences be true of all of us

God Bless

Pastor Matt S.

How I do love the months of November and December they are filled with so much of the things that I love. Thanksgiving day, Christmas day, birthdays, eating,  hunting, decorations, eating, giving of gifts, Christmas play, eating, family activities such as the Christmas tree and did I mention eating? When I think of that my Saviour has done for me I am overwhelmed by his goodness to me. I remember growing up and as a kid you loved the holiday season and my Mom did her best to make them a joyful occasion. My father on the other hand…..well…..for some strange reason known only to him hated all the holidays and was extra grumpy on those days. But through all that we went through Mom made it work and  I was always thankful for what we had. I was born in the sixties and was a child in the seventies and there is much I remember. Watergate, gas shortages, tough economic times. I can remember mom saying to me around Christmas time “There may not be much for you in the way of presents this year because money is tight” But honestly I cant remember a bad Christmas. I had friends with smaller families and they often would get more items and more expensive gifts  but that was OK I was happy for them.

As an adult My wife and I have instilled in to our children the need to be grateful but so many kids today will pitch a fit if they do not get what it is they want. It is the job of Mom and Dad to teach our children this quality of gratefulness. The best tool for this is the Bible

Today America is a blessed land far beyond any other, and what we see is a people who are more ungrateful than ever. The crowd at wall street is a clear demonstration of what I am talking about. But is we are not careful we can let the attitude of others affect us. I think its important that we have some scriptural attitudes on being grateful.

1. All that we have has come from the Lord. it is He who has given it to us

2. What we have is far more than any of us deserve. Dont ever let the thought stay in your mind that you are something special and deserve more than the next person

3. others may have more than you but I have noticed that nobody has everything. the man with wealth and fame is usually lacking in something

4. When God does give a blessing, enjoy it!

I Timothy 6:7 says

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

5. Dont be swayed by people who will talk you into believing that you are being cheated out of something and that God wants you to rich.

Proverbs 30:8-9 says

Pro 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Pro 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

6. True happiness is in the following scripture

1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Our society is one that lives for the pleasures of this world and none of us are exempt from this snare. We need to stay focused on the the Lord and his Word

As I was reading my  Bible I again was impressed with the greatness of my God. Imagine being a slave in Egypt there is no possible way of escape, and there is no one who is coming to your  rescue. No country on the planet is able to deliver you! What a fearful thought and such utter hopelessness. I am sure that in the back of their minds some of them knew and where certain the Lord would deliver them. But HOW! and WHEN!. The God raises up Moses and he begins his great plan and finally the end where he will kill the first born. The story is one that thrill each time it is read. Oh to be there and to watch Pharaoh say “get out…leave” is it possible! can it be true that this day has finally come! Well it did come and they saw the greatness of God.

Today the average Christian lives in a type of Egypt. He faces some impossible situation. A situation that maybe they placed themselves there or maybe God put them there or it could be that maybe a situation has arose in your life and you find yourself there with no good explanation on how it happened.

There is hope. God is able to get you out of Egypt. Egypt can be a multitude of things. Debt, health issues, a broken heart, the list is endless but i think you get the idea.

What is the Egypt you face today? Does it seem bleak? Look up Christian,, there is a God who is still on the throne and he is able to help you when no one else can!

here are just a few things to remember.

1. Serve God while you are in Egypt

2. Serve God when he delivers you from your Egypt

3. Serve God even if he does not deliver you from Egypt. Remember many good and faithful servant died in Egypt waiting for God to deliver them

4. Remember where you came from and what the Lord brought you out of.

5. Dont develop a spirit of ingratitude after God leads you out. (Israel was guilty of this)

Lets live with a heart that knows God is able and we are waiting for his divine help and deliverence!