SEEKING GOD EARLY

TEXT: "... early will I seek thee..." (Psalm 63:1)

Some things are more important than others.  Too often, we are often guilty of emphasizing the minor issues to the neglect of the most important matters.

David's passion for God is vividly demonstrated in his writing of the 63rd psalm.  In our text, David address God with this statement, "... early will I seek Thee."  Do you seek God?  I have to admit that I am often guilty of seeking things from God rather than seeking God Himself.  Many times I have sought the blessing rather than the Blesser.

The gifts we receive from God should show us the love and glory of our Lord.  Gifts are not the end, but merely means to an end. Blessings reflect the bountiful generosity of a wonderful God. While we enjoy the blessings, these blessings should cause us to have a deeper love for the One who gave them.

Notice that David sought God, "... early."  I have to admit that I am not an early riser. When I awake in the mornings, it is like a resurrection. Yet one of the blessings of rising early is the time I can spend with God & His Word.  I've found that the morning hours are the best time for me to meet with God.

Corrie Ten Boom once wrote, "Don't pray when you feel like it; make an appointment with the King and keep it."  Be honest about it.  If you had a doctor's appointment early in the morning, you'd do your best to keep it, wouldn't you?  Isn't a meeting with God more important than meeting with a doctor?

I have found that my days go better if I start the day with the Lord.  I do not hold myself up as a "poster child" for daily devotions, but I try to read from the Word of God and pray each morning.  What about you?

Seeking God early in the day demonstrates His importance in our lives.  We need His fellowship.  We need His wisdom.  We need His guidance.  We need Him.

The pace of our society is hectic.  There doesn't seem to be enough time in each day to get things done.  Yet time with the Lord is too important to neglect.  Start the day with God and you can enjoy Him all day long.

Seek the Lord daily. Start the day with Him. Make an appointment to meet with God every day --- and keep that appointment! You'll find He'll keep His appointment with you.

MY GOD

"O God, thou art my God..." (Psalm 63:1)

Psalm 63 is one my favorite psalms. It is a psalm that captures David's passion for God. I am challenged and encouraged when I read this psalm.

David begins the psalm with a declaration: "O God, thou art my God..." I am afraid that many people would declare the same thing David did --- except their words would be empty. You see, many claim that God is Lord of their lives, but their profession is far from reality. Can we honestly say that God is our God?  Let's look again at David's statement and notice a few things in our text.

1. HIS PROFESSION. First of all, note David's profession. "O God..." He is addressing the only true God. "... thou art my God." He professed his faith in God alone. Notice that David did not say, "O God, thou art one of my gods..." No. David was not an idolater (though many are today). His faith was in one God ---- the only God.

2. HIS POSSESSION. Secondly, notice that David stated, "... thou are MY God" (emphasis added). David had a personal relationship with God. David was known as "a man after God's own heart." God belonged to him and he belonged to God. I'm reminded of the old Dad Speer song, "I Am His & He Is Mine." If a man possesses Christ and has nothing else, he is rich beyond words. If a man possesses everything, but lacks Christ, he is a miserable pauper.

3. HIS PRIORITIES. Finally, we see David's priorities. No one but God occupied the throne of his heart. God, alone, was Lord and Master of his life. To be rather blunt, most Americans can't say that. Instead, money, work, family and pleasure typically occupy the throne. Some will permit God to occupy the throne for a few minutes on Sunday (and many won't even do that). For David, God was more than just a Sunday attraction. God was the One he focused on daily.

There's no doubt that God deserves to sit on the throne of our hearts, but do we permit Him? He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let us join David in saying, "O God, thou art my God."

LIES THAT MANY BELIEVE, Part 7:  "EVOLUTION IS A SCIENTIFIC FACT"

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

I'm amazed that "intelligent" people still consider evolution to be a "scientific fact."  Evolution has always been a theory and remains a theory to this day.  Evolution is man's invention, his way to remove God from consideration.  Those who refuse to use rational thought and common sense usually embrace evolution.  Those who accept evolution as truth try to use science as a crutch to support their belief.  It requires more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe in Biblical creation. 

Let me clarify something up front.  I am not saying that science is always wrong, but there have been times scientific theories have been wrong.  Here's the main problem:  no human was a witness to the "big bang" or evolution process.  However, Christians realize that there was a witness to the creation of the world --- God Himself.  We have His testimony of that event --- and the creation of mankind.  Scientists are guessing about the beginning of the universe, but Christians know how the universe began and they are personally acquainted with the One who created everything.

An honest scientist will admit that science is still exploring unknown areas and concepts, thus they cannot teach evolution with 100% certainty since many aspects of the universe's beginning are still unknown and unexplored by scientific means.  However, the Bible gives a clear description of creation:  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."  The concept of God is so appalling to many that they reject creationism simply out of spite. 

Let me share some things for you to consider:

1.  A CREATION REQUIRES A CREATOR.  A clock does not make itself.  A book does not write itself.  A house does not build itself.  A clock has a clockmaker, a book has an author and a house has a builder.  In similar manner, our complicated solar system has a creator.  The Psalmist wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)

2.  A DESIGN REQUIRES A DESIGNER.  Our solar system is uniquely made to continually orbit in a specific fashion.  Plant Earth is exactly at the right distance from the sun with exactly the right elements to permit life to exist.  Consider the human body.  The human body is distinctively designed to function a specific way.  There are still many things scientists are learning about the human body.  Take the human eye.  The human eye is so uniquely made that we should all be amazed with its design and function.  It is obvious that such design requires a designer.

3.  ORDER REQUIRES A PLANNER.  Our world has specific natural laws (like the law of gravity) that indicate that a superior intellect mapped out the required forces required to permit the human race to continue.  Human reproduction, for instance, is a mystery that scientists have studied for years.  Yet it is obvious that this natural phenomenon didn't just happen by chance.  The natural order was planned by Someone --- and we know Him to be God.

While I am criticizing the theory of evolution, I want it to be known that science EVENTUALLY comes into full agreement with the Bible.  Just because scientists cling to a theory doesn't make the theory a fact.

What bothers me most is the indoctrination of our society.  Evolution has been taught as a fact in classrooms for several years --- slowly changing from a theory to a "scientific fact."  The Biblical account of creation has been forcibly removed from public education because of "the separation of church and state."  The real reason is because of the separation of man and logic.   As a result of the diabolical indoctrination of our youth, Biblical creation is treated as a childhood fairy tale while evolution is exalted as an infallible truth.  Whenever evolution is challenged, there is an overt attempt to shame and embarrass the Christian for "believing in foolishness."

Evolutionists will be surprised to learn that I do believe in evolution --- but not the way they believe it.  I do believe that man has evolved.  Man was created perfect, but because of his rebellion against God, he sinned and, over time, has evolved into even darker & wicked degrees of sin.  Man is sinfully depraved.   Just when I thought our society had reached the bottom of the depravity barrel, mankind began to dig even deeper into sin.  That is why mankind needs a savior.

The theory of evolution may give atheists and agonistics a soothing place of comfort, but evolution still does not eliminate the truth that God created all things. 

Mankind has removed God from his thoughts and deeds.  Furthermore, mankind has tried to remove God from the schools, the government and even the public square.  Yet mankind will never remove God from His throne.  Rejecting the existence of God will not keep you from judgment.  Denying the existence of hell will not prevent you from roasting there. 

It is time to open your Bible, your eyes and your heart.  You need to know the truth.  While mankind marches proudly to hell, you need to question where you are going.  Stop believing the lies of the devil.  Repent and believe the Gospel.  The One who created the universe can make you a new creation today.

LIES THAT MANY BELIEVE, Part 6:  "ALL LIFESTYLES MUST BE SUPPORTED"

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." - Romans 1:18

The big buzzword of our day is "tolerance."  The problem is that our society has redefined tolerance to mean that we should accept all lifestyles as being equally correct.  Any person who condemns a specific lifestyle is labeled as "intolerant," and is publicly shamed for their narrow-mindedness.  In other words, those who promote "tolerance," are tolerant of everything and everyone except those who disagree with them.  Do you see the flaw in their position?

There is an overt attempt to manipulate people into believing that all lifestyles are equally correct.  To say that all lifestyles must be affirmed is to state that we agree with every lifestyle.  A born-again, Bible-believing Christian cannot do this.  The Bible clearly condemns sin.  How can we please God and support what He rejects?

I believe that we should be kind towards others.  I do not believe that Christians have the right to be arrogant or conceited.  I do not believe that the Bible gives us permission to practice hate toward those we disagree with.  I have no desire to hurt or destroy those who have opposing views to my own.  That is what tolerance is really like.  Society's attempts to sway my convictions in the name of "tolerance" are really an attempt to undermine Biblical authority.  It is an act of sinful rebellion against a holy God.

So when it comes to issues like gay-marriage, co-habitation (without marriage), evolution and such matters, the Christian's convictions should not be based upon political rhetoric or social pressure, instead our convictions are based upon the unchanging Word of God. 

I realize that unbelievers accuse Christians as being "narrow-minded."  That is a fact that we do not dispute.  The Bible is very strict about sin. 

At the beginning of this message, I shared a verse from Romans chapter 1.  In the first chapter of Romans, Paul described the depravity of man's sin.  It is a thorough examination of the sinful condition of mankind.  Please read Romans chapter 1 yourself.  You'll find that Paul wrote about sinful rebellion (verses 21-22), idolatry (verse 23), sexual sin (verses 24-25), homosexuality (verses 26-28) and a host of other specific sins (verses 29-31). 

What is the ultimate conclusion of this long list of sins?  Paul wrote, "...they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (verse 32).  I use the King James Version in my ministry, but the wording of this verse needs clarification.  Paul not only condemned those who commit such sins, he also condemned those who "... have pleasure in them that do them."  The NASB translates this as those who, "... give hearty approval to those who practice them."  In other words, a person may be a heterosexual, but if he or she gives approval to homosexual relationships, they stand just as guilty and worthy of spiritual death as those who are homosexuals.  The same truth applies to every sin listed in Romans chapter 1.

Do you see why Christians must stand for the truth and righteousness?  We may be considered intolerant by a sinful, God-hating world, but to compromise would be an act of high treason against our Lord. 

Ultimately, we are not going to be judged by the ACLU, the U. S. Supreme Court, or our co-workers.  Instead, we will stand before God.  His laws have not changed.  His standards remain high.  His truth is eternal and absolute.  It is not our job to redefine His Word.  Instead, it is our responsibility to believe His Word, live by His Word and proclaim His Word.

God is intolerant of sin and wickedness.  Social pressure, "political correctness," and changing attitudes will never cause Him to change His position.  Instead of changing God's Word, we need God's Word to change us.  God is not the problem with our nation ---- He is the solution.  Receive Him and you will live.  Reject Him and you will perish.   

LIES THAT MANY BELIEVE, Part 5:  "ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD"

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6

These days it is not uncommon to hear someone say, "All roads lead to God."  This view is popular among talk show hosts, politicians and entertainers.  According to this view, every person is going to heaven, regardless of his or her religious affiliation.  Those who believe this, consider all views and beliefs as being equal and true. 

Obviously, the belief that "all roads lead to God," is false.  It is another lie of the devil, meant to deceive and destroy countless souls.  It is surprising how many people are duped into believing this lie.  It bothers me to know how many people will be eternally doomed because they embraced this lie.

Jesus said, "... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Notice that Jesus said that NO man comes to the Father apart from Him.  Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to approach the Father.  Jesus said that no one comes to the Father, "but by me."  Jesus is not just a good way to the Father.  He's not just the best way to the Father.  He is the ONLY way to the Father.

The exclusivity of Biblical Christianity has caused many to say that Christians are narrow, bigoted and arrogant.  Furthermore, when a Christian states that Jesus is the only way to heaven, he or she is portrayed as being intolerant or ignorant. 

The real issue is Jesus' statement.  He claimed that He was the only way to the Father.  The bottom line is that either we believe His statement or not.  You cannot claim that Jesus is a way to the Father without claiming He is the only way to the Father.  If Jesus is wrong in claiming He is the only way to the Father, then we shouldn't believe that He is a way at all.

All roads do not lead to God.  For instance, the atheist does not even believe in God.  Can you honestly say that the atheist road actually leads to God?  What about those who commit terrorists acts in the name of their religion --- can you honestly say that their heinous crimes lead them to God?

It may be unpopular to believe that there is just one road to heaven.  However, consider this.  There are many towns in America that have only once access road to them.  You may not like the fact that these towns have only one access road, but it doesn't change the fact there is just one access road. 

When I was in school, math was a required subject.  If I were asked to solve a math problem, there was only one right answer.  When it comes to access to the Father, there is only one right way. 

Again, we come back to Jesus' statement that He is the only way to the Father.  Ultimately, we must come to a conclusion about Jesus Christ.  Did He tell the truth or not?  There are three options to consider:

1.  JESUS WAS A LIAR.  If Jesus' statement is false, then He told a lie.  If He lied, He is not who He claimed to be.  Those who believe that all roads lead to God believe that Jesus was a good teacher.  Yet, He cannot be a "good teacher," if He is a liar.  Furthermore, if He is a liar, then none of His words should be considered believable.  Obviously, the early disciples saw His miracles, heard His teaching & ultimately gave their lives for Him.  They didn't think He was a liar.

2.  JESUS WAS A LUNATIC.  Perhaps Jesus was mentally unstable or even "crazy."  There are many examples of lunatics who believed they were deity.  If Jesus was a lunatic, He may have been sincere --- but sincerely wrong.  If Jesus was a lunatic, He could not be referred to as "a good teacher."  Those who walked close to Jesus during His ministry didn't consider Him to be a lunatic.  When people heard that Jesus was in a neighborhood, they brought the sick to Him, so they would be healed.  Obviously, these people didn't consider Jesus to be a lunatic.

3.  JESUS IS LORD.  If Jesus was not a liar or a lunatic, that leaves just one option:  He is who He claimed to be.  He is Lord.  If Jesus is Lord, then He knows how a person can access the Father.  Jesus' death upon the cross gave us access to the Father.  Through repentance and faith, men & women can go to heaven.  Jesus cast out demons.  He healed.  He delivered.  He changed lives.  In fact, Jesus still changes lives today --- because He is Lord.  Jesus claims to be the only way to heaven and you can count on the fact He told the truth --- because He is Lord. 

To summarize, all roads (apart from Christ) actually lead to hell.  Jesus is the only way to the Father.  Believe in Him and you will live.  Refuse to believe and you'll be damned eternally. 

There is just one way to heaven ... and Jesus is His Name.