God's Library

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

 - 2 Timothy 3:16

I have to admit that when I was in grade school, I under-performed academically. I was lazy and didn't want to study. It wasn't easy for me to sit still and learn. Fortunately, things began to change as I changed schools. I began to read books and soon I was making better grades.

Now I love to read. For years, I bought books on a fairly regular schedule --- until I ran out of places to store the books. I'd love to have a library, but available space is an issue. Then Amazon introduced the Kindle Fire, which allowed me to own hundreds of books without taking up more space. I have my own library in the palm of my hand.

In spite of all the books I've read, I still haven't encountered a book like the Bible. The Bible itself is a library of books. The Bible has historical books, poetic books, prophetic books, biographical books and instructional books. The Bible is a more than just a book, it is God's Word to us.

For many Americans, the Bible is merely a Book they take to church with them. For others, a large family Bible occupies a place of prominence in the living room, but has little importance in their lives. The Bible is more than a book. It is alive and powerful. It transforms lives.

How often do you read the Bible? Once per month? Just on Sundays? Shouldn't the Bible be part of our daily activities? Just as you set aside time to feed your body, you should also plan to feed your soul.

There are countries that have made it illegal for its citizens to own a Bible. Underground churches exist in such areas. When a person receives a Bible in these places, it is a major event. There is such excitement and joy when a Bible is received.

Truly, the Bible is a gift to us. Here in America we take this gift for granted. We have lost the thrill and awe of the Word and its Author.

While I have read many books, I've never read a book like the Bible. When I read the Bible, I have the Author here with me. I can read His Book and talk to Him at the same time.

The Bible is my spiritual food. It is a well of knowledge that I drink from daily. It is a fount of wisdom that never runs dry. The Bible instructs and inspires. The Word of God melts the hard heart and heals the broken heart. The Bible is a mirror that allows me to see myself as I really am. The Bible shows me the beauty of Christ, the wonder of the cross, the value of redemption and the plan of salvation. The Word is relevant, rich and rewarding. It humbles the proud and lifts the humble. The Bible comforts, counsels and corrects. The Scriptures give us promises to rely on.

Make it a point each day to intentionally set aside time to read from the Bible. Receive the Word. Believe the Word. Obey the Word.

Appreciate the gift of God's Word. The Bible is a vast library that is rich in content and unmistakable with its message. It doesn't need to rewritten. It needs to be read daily.

Open your Bible and enter God's library. Those who study in this library are never the same.

The Last Day Of Your Life

 

“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” - James 4:14

If the Lord revealed to you that this is your last day on earth, how would you live today? Would you spend the day calling people and expressing your love to them? Would you be writing letters, expressing your feelings to those afar off? Would you be meeting someone that you need to forgive, or ask for forgiveness?

We can learn much from those who've been given a grim notice from the Lord. For instance, King Hezekiah was informed that he was going to die. He wept and prayed before the Lord and received an extra 15 years of life!

The people of Nineveh were given a 40-day notice by Jonah. Through that hard-headed preacher, God informed that vast city that in just 40 days, they would be destroyed. In response, they got serious about repentance. They fasted and prayed. God had mercy on them. There are many people who need to follow the example of Nineveh and get serious about their spiritual condition. God still calls sinners to repent.

The Apostle Paul realized that he was, at most, just days away from death when he penned his second letter to Timothy. At the conclusion, Paul wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Paul faced his imminent death with faith and peace. He would not be spared from martyrdom. Instead, he would die for his faith in Jesus Christ.

When it comes to the last day on earth, there is no one better to learn from than Jesus. Jesus knew when His final day arrived. His final day was primarily spent in silence as He stood trial. Eventually, He died in agony on the cross for us. Let's back up to the day prior and consider His day in the Upper Room. Knowing that He would soon be arrested, put on trial and executed, consider what Jesus did:

1. HE INVESTED IN RELATIONSHIPS

Jesus spent precious time with His disciples. The upper room would constitute a time of fellowship and teaching. The Gospel of John records much of this intimate time. Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on the work after His departure. He prepared future leaders for the vital work ahead.

2. HE SERVED OTHERS

In the Upper Room, He washed His disciples feet. This act of service was usually performed by a servant. The washing of feet was a practical activity at the time since people typically walked everywhere, resulting in dirty feet. When Jesus washed His disciples His feet, He showed His disciples (and us) that He was willing to get His hands dirty to minister to sinful mankind. He demonstrated what Christian service should be about. No Christian should consider themselves “too good,” or “too important,” to do the thankless jobs, obscure tasks or dirty work. Jesus came to serve and the foot-washing episode in the Upper Room aptly demonstrated that. His final hours weren't spent pampering Himself. They were spent ministering to others.

3. HE PRAYED

Finally, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed. He had spent a time of intimate fellowship with His disciples in the Upper Room, but in the Garden He had a time of intimate prayer to the Father. There in the Garden, Jesus prayed about His upcoming death. He agonized in prayer that evening.

Most of us will not be aware of our final day. Perhaps the final day will be spent in a comatose state or in a nursing home with severe dementia. Then again, death may come unexpectedly in the form of a massive coronary or automobile accident.

Death is inevitable for all of us. Whether death comes upon us slowly through a long-term illness or suddenly, without warning, it is vital that we be ready to meet the Lord. Death is certain … and so is judgment.

It would wise for us to heed the practical words of Ray Comfort, “Live every day like it is your last day, for one day you'll be right.” Great words to live by, starting today!

It may be today is your last day.

Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead?

“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” - Luke 24:5

This Sunday, Christians across the world will be celebrating Resurrection Day. We will be remembering the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On that day, we recall the greatest event in human history.

The sad fact is that most Christians live as if the resurrection never happened. We act and live as if Jesus never really rose from the grave. How tragic!

Let me be personal for a moment. Do YOU live like Jesus has risen? Does your convictions, attitude and lifestyle reflect this belief? When it comes to uncertainty, pain and death, do we really demonstrate a strong faith in a living Lord?

Adrian Rogers once said, “We ought to be living as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back this afternoon.” We need that kind of excitement in our Christian walk! Too many of us are like the women who sought the body of Jesus. The angels asked those ladies, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Far too many of us live like Jesus is still in the tomb. He isn't! He's alive!

It is time to be renewed in your faith. The reason so many Christians live defeated lives is because they act is the Savior was defeated. We need to be renewed in our minds. The fact of the resurrection led the disciples to go forward in their faith. The coming of the Holy Spirit empowered them to be outspoken in their faith. The disciples actually looked for Jesus to return at any time. Do we?

I don't think it is wrong to use your sanctified imagination a little. Consider what it must have been like to be Peter or John coming to an empty tomb. Think what it would have been like to walk the Emmaus Road and talk with the risen Redeemer during the stroll. Picture the disciples as they looked upon their risen Lord.

We serve a risen Redeemer. People from other religions may pray to a dead god, but Christians pray to the only true God, who is alive and well. When we pray, we address the Father, in the Name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not wasting our time when we pray. God hears and answers our prayers.

It is true, Jesus did die. But that is not the end of the story. A tomb was borrowed for his burial. It was merely borrowed because He would only need it three days.

It is time for people to truly recognize that He is alive. We worship One who died for us and rose again. The reality of His resurrection should shape our worldview, our thoughts, our words and our actions. We should no longer seek the living among the dead.

Jesus is alive forevermore!

Singing School

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10

Music is a vital part of our heritage and faith. As I wrote last week, it seems as though participatory singing has been replaced with performance singing. Rather than having congregational singing in our churches, we have “performances” by choirs, groups and soloists. In this scenario, the average church member is just a spectator, enjoying the effort of others. As a result, the entire church service has gone from being a worship service to a show. The church member simply takes a seat in the audience (very much like a movie theater), program in hand and enjoys the performance, up to, and including, the message.

Somehow we have deviated from the original goal. Each Sunday morning, Christians should gather at church for public worship. Every Christian should actively participate. Instead, the focus has shifted from the Savior to the saint. Today, most believers gauge a Sunday morning service by what they get out of it rather than what they contribute.

Along the way, music at the local church has suffered greatly. When the music suffers, often the worship suffers, too.

I'd love to see a paradigm shift in our approach to Sunday mornings. I want to challenge believers to invest heavily in the music program of their church. If you have young people that are interested in music or have musical talent, send them to a singing school this summer.

Across the south, there are many singing schools that will be conducted this summer. The intent of each school is to teach music theory and equip individuals to sing. I am acquainted with the shape-note singing schools. In addition to teaching musical theory, some of these schools actually offer specific training in areas like piano, voice and songwriting.

We need this generation of young people to get passionate about the Lord, His Church and worship. Singing school is a great first step in this direction.

Here are four benefits that come from attending a singing school:

1. DETECT NEW TALENTS

At a singing school, talent rises to the top. A person may have had unrecognized talent prior to a singing school, but the school will help the person recognize the importance of the talent and encourage its use. Small churches are a great place for spotting and utilizing such talent since there are few people available to sing. Even so, singing schools are designed to recognize and encourage new talent.

2. DEVELOP KNOWN TALENTS

Singing schools help students develop known talents. Since some of the schools offer personalized, specific training, it helps the person strengthen and nurture the gift they have. Even though a singing school only lasts a week or two, attendance at a school annually for many years brings the student and his or her gift to a new level of competency. Our churches need young, gifted singers and musicians. Sending a young person to singing school is an investment in the future.

3. DEVOTION TO TRUTH

Also, shape-note singing schools never compromise the message of the Gospel. Each person is exposed to the Gospel through the music, teaching and personal example of the teachers. A good shape-note singing school can be like attending an old-fashioned revival, with the Spirit working mightily in lives. It is not uncommon to hear of young people getting saved at singing schools. Singing schools can make an eternal difference in the lives of those who attend.

4. DISCOVER NEW FRIENDS

Finally, young people share time with others their age. They tend to form friendships that last a lifetime, even though they may live hundreds of miles apart. Young people need to have good, Christian friends. Singing schools can often be a place for them to develop these kinds of friendships.

Make the best investment possible. Send your kids to a singing school this summer or financially support someone who attends.

It is an investment that will make a difference in the lives of young people, and our churches, for generations to come.

Singing

 “... come before his presence with singing.” - Psalm 100:2

I've noticed a sad trend in churches. It seems as though we are departing from congregational singing and focusing solely on choir, group and solo performances. I must confess that I love to hear a good quartet sing. There is nothing like a gifted choir when they sing a powerful song. But when we remove most, if not all, of the congregational singing, we are losing something vitally important.

Psalm 150:6 states: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Notice that this Scripture did not say, “Let every one that is musically gifted praise the Lord.” When we depart from congregational singing, we turn a worship service into a performance. While it is possible to worship by listening to music, I can't help but think that we are missing out on a special blessing when we fail to sing ourselves.

I must confess that I am not a great singer. I can't stand to hear myself singing! Yet there is something special that happens in me when I sing.

One aspect of singing that is rarely taught is the fact that our singing should not be restricted to Sunday mornings. In previous generations, it was common to hear a housewife singing hymns as she worked at home. You'd often hear a man whistling, humming or singing a Gospel tune as he plowed his field. I realize that times have changed, but this fact should not prevent us from lifting our voices to God in praise. Praise Him as you work. Sing to Him as you drive your car.

Whether it is at the church house or your house, I think we need to remember three things as we sing.

1. CONSIDER OUR AIM

First, we should consider our aim. Most of us are not talented enough to be professional musicians. That doesn't matter. Our aim is still the same. We should sing for glory of God. When I sing at church, I am not performing … I am praising God. Our aim, whether in singing or anything else, is to bring glory to God.

2. CONSIDER OUR ABSOLUTES

Secondly, we need to consider our absolutes. In other words, we should picky about the songs we sing. Sadly, some “Christian” songs are very light with the message. In fact, I've been an outspoken critic of “Christian” songs that omit the Name of the Lord. Instead, some of these songs could easily pass as romantic songs. I guess the song writer hopes for a “crossover hit.” My belief is that if we omit Jesus from our music, we've omitted too much. We need to have some convictions about the message we sing. Whether the songs are new or old, they need to have a Biblical message. While my musical preference is Southern Gospel convention music, I also love the old hymns. Many of these old songs are precious because they are basically theology put to music. We need more of that today.

3. CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE

Finally, we need to consider our audience. Whether I am singing in my car or in a congregation at church, the audience is the same. I sing for an audience of One. I don't want to fall into a performance mindset about singing or anything else. I want the Lord to be praised in all things. Unlike us, He is more impressed with the heart of the person than the voice. Yet He enjoys to hear His people praise Him in song.

I will never win a Dove Award for any song I sing. You probably won't either. That doesn't matter. Rather than seeking the applause of men, we seek to please the One we love most. If He is pleased, it doesn't matter what others think.

Let's get back to singing good Christian songs. Sing in your car. Sing as you wash dishes. Sing as you mow grass. Participate in congregational singing at church.

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Does God Have Your Attention?

“... prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” - Amos 4:12

In last week's blog message, I wrote about us getting God's attention. Today I want to us to consider this question: does God have our attention?

In Amos chapter 4, the prophet writes about God's attempts to get Israel's attention. He sent famine, yet they did not respond. Then the Lord brought a drought on the people, but again they refused to heed Him. The Lord also brought about destruction, but once more the people would not listen. Next, the Lord sent disease, and again Israel would not hearken to Him. Finally, God gave them this warning: “... prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”

I can't help but think that God has been trying to get America's attention, but our nation refuses to listen. In spite of the terrorist attacks of 9-11, political tension, racial unrest, a pandemic and an economic meltdown, most Americans are turning to the government rather than God for help.

What is it going to take for God to get your attention? How far does He need to go before you recognize His call and respond positively?

I want us to consider three areas that God often operates to get the attention of individuals.

1. CONCERNING SALVATION

First of all, He often works to get the attention of sinners and show them their need of salvation. I once listened as a lady called a Christian radio program. She was emotionally shaken because she was in a major car accident the day before and walked away uninjured. She felt that the Lord was trying to get her attention about her need for salvation. No doubt He was. It took a blinding light on the Damascus Road to get Saul's attention. God has a way of getting a person's attention. How far will He need to go before you surrender your life to Him?

2. CONCERNING SIN

For the Christian, God has a way of getting our attention concerning unconfessed sin. When we fail to properly repent of sin, it is part of a gradual spiritual decline that takes us further and further from the intimacy we once had with God. In the Old Testament, God sent Nathan to confront David about his sins. God got David's attention. He has a way of getting our attention, too. If we fail to heed, the intensity of His effort will greatly multiply. Has He been getting your attention about sin? If so, repent immediately and seek to have fellowship with Him restored.

3. CONCERNING SERVICE

Finally, there are times believers are like Jonah. They run from God's call on their lives. A shocking number of believers treat church attendance as the peak of their Christian service. While I strongly encourage believers to attend church, this should just be the starting point of our service. I believe every Christian has a work to do in God's kingdom. Jonah ran from the work he was called to do. Yet Jonah finally realized that he could not outrun God. God got Jonah's attention when a large fish swallowed Jonah. Whether it is a small act of kindness or a call into ministry, God wants us to lovingly obey Him. Our refusal to obey may leave us in a situation similar to Jonah's. The Lord knows how to get your attention about the work you are to do. Perhaps you need to get back in church. Maybe you need to return to the unique work He designed you for. Whatever it is, the Lord is working to get your attention. Why resist Him any longer?

Save yourself some pain and heed the call of God on your life.  Soon you'll have to stand before Him and give an account of your response to His call.  

Does God have your attention?

Getting God's Attention

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” - Psalm 8:4

As humans, we tend to seek attention. Even in the crib, little children cry out for attention. This desire continues well into adulthood with attempts to receive praise or awards. Even though we should be maturing as we live through adulthood, our feelings are easily crushed when we fail to receive the attention we think we deserve.

This desire does not stop with our craving for human attention. We also seek God's attention and favor. Sadly, many of us even have an entitlement attitude. We feel that God owes us His consideration.

But do we deserve His attention? We tend to have an exalted view of ourselves. There is an overt attempt these days to deify humans and humanize God. More and more, men and women wish to treat themselves as deity. In doing so, they have reduced their concept of God to the point that He is just a grandfather-type figure. While society is brainwashing millions into accepting this fatal view, there is a higher standard we should base our attitude on. Rather than embracing popular trends, we need to believe the truth.

The truth is found in the pages of God's Word. When we see ourselves as God sees us, everything changes. The Word of God is the mirror of the soul. It reveals what is really in our hearts. We are forced to view our lives through the lens of truth. It is a very sobering experience.

When we see God as the holy, omnipotent creator of the universe, we must confess than we don't measure up to His standard. If an astronaut took a picture of the earth from the international space station, you would not be personally visible. Neither would I. Yet is liberating to know that God Himself observes the smallest of activities here on earth. He sees and knows each one of us. In fact, He knows us better than we know ourselves.

The psalmist asked the question, “What is man, that thou are mindful of him?” We are corrupt, sinful creatures. In many ways, we are very much like a rodent that needs to be squashed. We have deliberately violated God's laws, used His Name in vain and treated Him with contempt. We have taken His Word and twisted it to meet our desires. We seek Him for our selfish indulgence and not for spiritual fellowship. To be rather blunt about it, humanity has misused and abused God's grace.

Yet God shows His favor to fallen man. He has displayed an amazing amount of restraint in spite of our rebellion. Yet there is a deep well of grace that few drink from. These special souls enjoy more than the favor of God, they enjoy God Himself. They have His attention and affection.

I once had a job that required me to visit schools. Due to security reasons, only select people are permitted to enter a school building. As an average citizen, I would have no access to the building. However, the company I worked for had such access. I was permitted in the building, not because of who I was, but in the name of the company I worked for.

Through salvation, I have been given access to God Himself. This access was not granted because of my worthiness, but through the Name of God's Son, Jesus Christ. When I approach God, I do so in the Name of Jesus. God the Father receives me in the Name of His Son. I will always be unworthy of God's attention, but Jesus has given me the power of attorney to use His Name to approach the throne of grace at all times. Furthermore, through Jesus Christ, I am a child of God. I have God's attention and affection because of Christ.

Without Christ, a man or a woman is seen by God, but personal, intimate access to God is unavailable. The saving grace of God is not inherited from parents. It cannot be earned. It is only available through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

As I look over my life, I am not impressed with myself. Neither is God. Yet I am impressed with Jesus and so is the Father. When the Father looks at me, He sees the redeeming blood of His precious Son.

That is worthy of His attention.