Fresh Mercy

Scripture

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

~Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT

Quote

Old ways seldom open new doors.

~Image Quotes

As I was praying yesterday about Tom’s COLS, my mind flashed back to May 22, a Marathon Sunday at DBC. For the last 21 years, I have had the privilege of speaking at our WEE Care graduation. This year, the house was packed and not one of them came to hear me. Tammy wants me to fill in the time between their program and the graduation which is hard to do. So you are speaking to an audience that doesn’t want to hear you and you are watching to see when the kids are ready so you can hush. I am not that good of a speaker so this year, I told her what I was going to do. 

To be honest with you, I came up with the idea on the way to the service. My plan was to tell a Max Lucado story out of his book “Gentle Thunder.” I had Catfish to wire me up [I’ve done this gig solo for years and it was good to have help] and I walk out on stage talking to the children as they exit. Somehow, my conversation with the children relaxed me and I begin to forget myself. I begin the story and something wonderful happens, the metaphors and adjectives are rolling off my tongue and I feel the Spirit of God, the mighty Ruach coursing through my veins. I knew what was happening but I understood that the audience did not. Did the audience get quiet? Were they really listening? I don’t know, I because so engrossed in the story that I was oblivious to what was going on around me. 

Now, back to my prayer and preparation for Tom’s COLS, “I thought LORD, do for me today what you did on May 22nd,” but before I could enter that thought in my prayer journal, I had another thought, “I don’t need to asked for this do I LORD because you have something fresh and new for me today, right?” Whatever grace you are celebrating about yesterday, it is a good chance that you will never see that exact grace or mercy again. Don’t get upset, God is not running out of mercies or grace: He has something new and fresh for you each day. His mercies are new every morning.

• Praise the LORD for a good day. Tom’s service went well. I knew I would leave some things out if I did go by my notes but the notes get in my way. Sure enough I thought of three things I should have said on the way to the car. Tom was a great man, not because he did great things but because he did little things well. God loves to use small things: He gets more glory. To bring down the blaspheming Goliath, God used a little boy, a little sling and a little stone.
• Its hard to believe that today is Wednesday; it will be like Monday to me. It is also hard to believe that it could get so dry so fast: we need rain. Pray for rain. Drought oppresses me and depresses me.

Thanks For The Memories

Everything Is A Gift

Scripture

What do you have that you did not receive?

~1 Corinthians 4:7, NIV

Quote

Grace is getting what we do no deserve, namely heaven; Mercy is not getting what we do deserve, namely hell. Gratitude is our way of making His grace and mercy visible.

~Ya’akov [adapted]

I stumbled across the verse above several years ago and it literally changed my life. I had a pagan friend who boasted about his accomplishments and I could not wait to try this question on him. I asked him, “What do you have that you did not receive? He got quiet and didn’t say anything for several seconds and then he shocked me, “I guess the answer to that question preacher, is nothing.” I didn’t know what to say next: the heathen got it right.

I heard a man say once, “No one has given me anything. I worked for everything I have.” I told him, “You mother gave you birth, is that not a gift? God has put air in your lungs; is that not a gift?” Everything you have is a gift. God gives us intellect, talents, the ability to work and to make wealth–everything is a gift which means I nor anyone else wants to hear your narcissistic diatribe. 

I don’t worship doctors. I need them from time to time but their are not my God. My God gave them great intellect and skill so I give HIM the glory.

• Tom Bennich is better and I am not for sure that Ruth came home.
• Sunday is slightly different: we will have Deacon’s meeting at 8:15 and LCBS at 9:15. We will be observing communion in the morning service and Sunday evening is Baccalaureate.
• Sunday is also SENIOR DAY for high school and college graduates. We will do recognition’s in the morning service.
• MISSION OFFERINGS will be going to HOUSES IN GUATEMALA for the next few weeks.

America, Bless God!

Scripture

Israel, you have forgotten the God who rescued you and protects you like a mighty rock.

~Isaiah 17:10, GNT

Quote

Some things are not worth remembering while other things must not be forgotten.

~Ya’akov

Isaiah said in chapter one, “Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes his master’s care–but Israel doesn’t know its master and they don’t recognize the one who gives them care.” God has been especially good to the sons of Israel. He redeemed them from bondage in Egypt, He lead them for 40 years in the wilderness: if ever a country was blessed by God, it was Israel. Unfortunately, the Israelites were dumber than an ox; even a Jackass had more sense than the ungrateful Israelites.

I’m a student of the American revolution. Our founding fathers were viewed as traitors by the Crown. The English would not recognize the continental army as a viable force and mocked George Washington our commander-in-chief. They were simply referred to as ‘rebels.’ No one thought the colonies had a chance, not even a slim chance of gaining their independence. The English probably underestimated the resolve of the Patriots but the greatest factor in the war was divine providence. Even Washington knew that we were not supposed to win.

Like Israel, we are a nation born out of divine providence and like Israel, we have forgotten the God who rescued us from the tyranny of king George and has protected us these 240 years by His grace and mercy. My generation has witness a moral decline that is mind boggling. First, there was Roe V. Wade and the conspiracy of the Supreme Court to rob the unborn of their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A decade later, the gays came out of the closet and began marching down main street with the approval of media and politicians. Then came the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion. Now we have the trans-gender movement, gay marriage and the mass immigration of Muslims. I never dreamed that we would be discussing these things in my life time.

We are still singing God Bless America but we have no intention of Blessing the God who made this country great. One day, we will repent with bitter tears but by then, America, the Great Republic and bastion of freedom, will be a memory.

• GOLDEN GIRLS this morning at 9:00 am.
• LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY and Mother’s Day Special tomorrow. LCBS begins at 9:15, donuts and biscuits at 9:00 am. 
• Busy day ahead: Golden Girls, a COLS and some visits to make.

Kenny Evans our special guest tomorrow.

 

Our Time of Need

Scripture

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

~Hebrews 4:16, NIV

Quote

No trial is too great, no temptation is too strong, but that Jesus Christ can give us the mercy and grace we need, when we need it.

~Warren W. Wiersbe

Moses did not lead the Israelites into the Promise Land [rest], matter of fact, Moses did not enter himself. Joshua lead Israel into their physical rest [Promise Land] but not into the ultimate spiritual rest. Aaron, the first high priest and all his descendants were unable to lead Israel into this “Spiritual Rest.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the ‘Rest’ referred to in Deuteronomy 12:9,10, Joshua 1:13 and Psalms 95:11. The Promise Land was only a shadow of the reality that would come in Jesus.

Aaron and his sons offered thousands of sacrifices but the blood of bulls and goats could not take away our sins. These sacrifices reminded us of our sin but they did not remove our guilt–they simply foreshadowed better things to come. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given Me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin.”

Then Jesus said:

“Look, I have come to do Your will, O God—as is written about Me in the Scriptures.”

In light of what Christ has done in our behalf– Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. {Hebrews 4:16, NLT}

Four things we need:

1. Confidence: {parrēsia} freedom to speak openly, frankly, without fear or concealment.
2. Mercy: {eleos} kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
3. Grace: {charis} that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness. God’s undeserved loving kindness and favor.
4. Help: {boētheia} under-girding. Used twice in NT. Here an Acts 27:17. Refers to the cables or ropes that sailors used to bind or under-gird the hull of the ship to keep it from breaking up.

Jesus, as our Faithful and Sympathetic High Priest can give us all four things.

• Day two of Phase-One went well and God has answered a prayer concerning Phase-Two. With Hope in mind, use the four points above to pray specifically for her.
• We got some bad news from Athens yesterday: my sister Joy’s former son-in-law was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. He was around the age of 45 and had two sons which, of course, are my sister’s grand sons.
• I have a wedding Saturday and for the first time in my life, I am excited in a positive way about a wedding. They called yesterday telling me  it was an Alabama wedding and to wear jeans and an Alabama shirt. Instead of pronouncing them man and wife, I am to say ROLL TIDE. Just kidding on that last part.
• Sunday Schedule: Deacon’s meeting @ 8:15, LCBS @ 9:15, Worship @ 10:15, Business Meeting @ 11:00, AWANA @ 5:30, Visitation @ 5:30 and worship @ 6:15.
• Franklin Graham Prayer Rally this coming Thursday, April 14. I think Joe David said we could leave the church at 9:30 am.

NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Franklin Graham, with Bible in hand, addresses the crowd before his father Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham’s sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist’s final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Hope Verses Presumption

SCRIPTURE

Finally, they cried out to the Lord for help, saying, “We have sinned against you because we have abandoned you as our God and have served the images of Baal.”

~Judges 10:10, NLT

QUOTE

In our petitions to God, let us look upon Him as a just, as well as a merciful God; and neither despair or presume upon his mercy.

~Abraham Wright

If you have studied the period of the Judges, you know that Israel was inconsistent in their faith. They would drift toward idolatry, selfish and wicked living; then come under bondage to some prevailing power. In their bondage they cried out to the LORD and again and again, He had mercy upon them. In chapter 10 there is such a prayer but God gave a quick reply: “You’ve been worshiping Baal, so why don’t you pray to Baal.”

Then the Israelites got desperate, and pleaded with the Lord, “We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.” Still no answer from God so the Israelites decided to repent, get rid of their idols and serve Yahweh. Then God saw their misery and had mercy.

I refuse to throw in the towel and I disagree with those who say that leadership doesn’t matter. God delivered Israel by sending them a good leader. I am convinced that a good leader would help us; that leader could be Ben Carson, I don’t know. He says he will defund Planned Parenthood [Abortion Provider]. God is capable of raising up a good leader and He could bring America to her knees, in seconds, without working up a sweat. On the other hand, God could give us what we deserve.

The bottom line is: we dare not be proud or presumptuous but neither do we give in to hopeless despair.

• Another long day but God’s grace is amazingly sufficient. We got home last night about 7:00 and we have to be back at church in the morning at 7:00. The Danville area Teachers are having their in service meeting in the sanctuary this morning beginning at 8:00.
• Things continue to fall into place concerning the BLOCK PARTY. I called Ronald Asherbranner yesterday morning and he told me he was ready: fireworks are already in hand and paid for: you can’t beat that with a stick. I also talked to Bryan Drake who will be with us for BP and August 16th am worship. He is going to work the park and then come on stage at 8:00. You can bring clothes Thursday night after 5:00, all day on Friday and Saturday am…August 13-14-15.
• On my way to Huntsville to see John on Monday, I stopped at McDonalds to get an ice cream cone. I was making some calls and I went in, ordered and paid for the ice cream and then I continued my conversation and went to the car. When I started to pull out; I thought, something is not right and then it hit me: I didn’t wait for my ice cream. When I went back in, a young girl was standing behind the counter with my ice cream cone in hand. She never said a word but gave me a strange look. It was not a look of pity or sympathy: it was more like contempt.
• Josie and Mylee went with Holly and myself to the service yesterday; on the way back Holly ask me how old I would be this Saturday and I said “Sixty-Six.” Mylee said, “Granddaddy you look thirty.” I thanked her for the compliment. Then Josie said, “Holly, you look forty-five.” Then I said, “This is going to make the blog.”

Presumption, The Mother of All Sins

SCRIPTURE

Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh, nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

~Genesis 6:3, NASB

QUOTE

There is an invisible line that no human can see. We call it a deadline, it is that point when the door of God’s mercy is closed.

~Ya’akov

How many chances should a man get? How many years should God give us to repent? He gave the Antediluvians 120 years and yet not a single one repented. The consequences of presuming upon God’s grace are tragic. The Antediluvians did not intend to drown in a flood but they kept rejecting Noah’s message and refused to enter the ARK. Of course, it would have taken an act of repentance for them to do so. They would have to change their minds about Noah, God, sin and they would have to believe Noah’s message of judgment.

The word strive means to contend. How many things in our lives are contending for first place. God is a jealous God, He will not keep contending. Do you keep contending with people who are unresponsive. I remember asking two girls for a date that turned me down; I never asked them a second time. I don’t handle rejection well. I am not suggesting that God is as insecure and quick to give up as myself but He did say, “My Spirit shall not strive {contend} with man forever.” There is a deadline for individuals, congregations and nations. My prayer and hope is that America has not sinned away it’s day of grace.

• I know Hartselle got a good rain and we got three or four dust settlers but no rain. I put 750 gallon of water on our corn patch but we could use a rain.
• Gary Garner is coming home for the weekend: still no diagnosis.
• Milford fields is progressing each day. He was sitting up reading the paper yesterday morning. We had a good visit. Preston was having a bad day. I did not make it to DGH.
• Full schedule today: Deacon’s meeting at 8:15, LCBS at 9:15 {I’ll be teaching Jason’s class again LORD willing}, Worship at 10:15 and 6:00. Joe David will be preaching out of 1 John this morning and I will be in Luke 5, Jesus healing the leper.

Thank God For His Mercy And Grace

SCRIPTURE

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

~Psalms 86:15, NASB

QUOTE

“It seems to me it’s always the evil we refuse to see that does us the greatest harm.”  

~Robert Baer

I wish I had a glowing upbeat report to share with you about the Marriage Rally but that would be wishful thinking. Not only did I not see one soul from Morgan County [other than those with me], I saw no one from the Alabama Baptist State Convention. We may have had 250 people. Some were saying 500 but they were being optimistic. There are supposedly one million evangelical Christians in Alabama: where were they yesterday?

We have lost our States Rights: Mr. Lincoln took care of the sovereignty of the States. We are no longer the Unites States of America, we are the socially cloned States of America. We have lost our right to privacy and ownership of property: we have Mr. Roosevelt to thank. The IRS has no right to know your income and no right to seize your property yet they can do both. Please show me where the Federal Government has this right in the constitution. They have control of higher education, the curriculum for all public education and they control the courts. If that were not enough, they have the full support of the media. They demonize folks like Roy Moore and glorify freaks like Bruce Jenner.

The truth is: the cultural war is directed towards Christians, not religion. We have a lot of Baptist that have religion but they have no relationship with Christ. They are admiring fans but not adoring followers. These religious Baptist are not personally offended by gay marriage or the liberal agenda as a whole. There is no moral outrage: it doesn’t exist. The truth is: most folks will not read pass the third line of this blog: “It’s not your war, right?” You are correct: this evil only attacks and antagonizes the true followers of Christ.

On the bright side: my sources tell me the weddings went great. We had horrific traffic going down and Jerry said, “What if all these people are going to the rally?” They were going to the beach or some where South of Montgomery but my group had a ball. Felton doesn’t meet a stranger. Thanks to Felton, Jerry and Keith the trip was delightful in spite of the traffic. Plus our guys got a kick out of doing an act of kindness at lunch. It was a good moment: perhaps I can share it someday but the LORD says, “Not today.” Thank You Jesus for your mercy and grace.

Have a great day!

Give Me Mercy

SCRIPTURE

“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

~2 Samuel 24:14, NLT

QUOTE

I wish that we had much more of the Spirit of Christ and a great deal less self, and less of human opinions. If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing.

~E. G.  White

King David made a critical mistake in the latter years of his reign. His heart was lifted up in pride and he took a census without the LORD’s approval. But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.” The next morning the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, who was David’s seer. This was the message: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’” So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose [1] three years of famine throughout your land, [2] three months of fleeing from your enemies, or [3] three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.

David knew he was in a pickle because none of the choices were good, especially for the people but David choose number three. He said to Gad, “Do not let me fall into human hands.” David knew what I know: God is more merciful than human beings. The Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court of Israel. Over 70 successful and distinguished men served on this ruling body. They were considered the elite of Israel but they showed Jesus NO mercy. They even stooped so low as to take part in the abuse and cheer at His execution. How ignoble of these supposed noble men. Man by nature is not a merciful creature. I like Ellen White’s philosophy, “If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing.”

• TODAY we Pray for the WORLD. Pray for the Jewish folks to come to Jesus in mass. We need REVIVAL and we need their help in evangelizing the world. We need REVIVAL more than you think. Stop and pray for REVIVAL.
• Keep raising Kane up in Prayer. We have not planned our next trip to Memphis. We are trying to figure out what this weather is going to do. I know one thing: it is colder than kraut. Don’t even look at the Thursday forecast. Not even Jerry Segars will like it. I overheard Gregg say it was too cold.
• The GATHERING TONIGHT [We hope] 6:30 PM. What would happen if we all GATHERED FOR WORSHIP? REVIVAL, that’s what would happen. Why don’t we GATHER then? Because we are driven by our self-interest.
• MISSION OFFERING this Sunday goes to the Kenny Holladay Memorial House Fund. We are building houses in Guatemala where it never gets this cold. If the Guatemalan had one night like we are going to have tomorrow, they would lose millions. Their housing is not adequate for extreme weather. They will be thrilled to get the $400 home that the GRACE TEAMS build. They are more thankful for a $400 home than we are for a $400,000 home.

Thank HIM For Who He Is

SCRIPTURE

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

~Psalms 86:15, NRSV

QUOTE

To be thankful for our blessings leaves us falling short: we need to give thanks to our Benefactor but even that is insufficient, we need to thank Him not just for what He does but for who He is.

~Yaakov

Thanksgiving and praise go together and David was good at both because he focused on God’s attributes. In Psalms 86 he strings together a list of divine attributes: we see at least six in verse 15 alone. David begins with “But You, O Lord God are”…God here is not ‘elohiym [object of our worship] but El, the Strong One, the Almighty. And the Almighty is merciful, gracious, slow to anger [patient], steadfast in love and faithful [True]. When we are sorrowful, the LORD is full of compassion. When we are battling temptation, the LORD is slow to anger. When we sin, He is merciful and kind. Even if we are unfaithful to HIM, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself. Nothing we do or say has any influence over His attributes. I cannot influence God to be more loving or less loving. He is who He is: it is all in His name Yahweh [I AM WHO I AM]. All these attributes make Him worthy of praise and since all the attributes are good, we should be thankful.

• We had a very good THANKSGIVING SERVICE. We were missing a lot of regulars for one reason or another but we had two, make that three new families to join us. It was a good service.
• We had our Thanksgiving at Hannah’s with 23 present. We had another testimony time there which is always a blessing.
• We did get some sad news [for us] while we were there: our dear friend Mrs. Martha Newby was promoted yesterday morning [Thanksgiving]. She was an outstanding Christian lady so it was a promotion for her but I was going up today to carry her a flower. I thought I had more time. Her Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday evening at 2:30 or 3:00. They were not definite about the time yesterday.
• Don’t forget we are showing the Billy Graham MY HOPE video Sunday morning and it is on heaven. It is good: invite your friends to come see it. Deacons meeting at 8:50, LCBS at 9:00, Worship at 10:15 and 6:00.
• June and I had planned to go see SAVING CHRISTMAS but it is doing so poorly that they are not showing it at night at all. I really hated to hear this but I have had no success in promoting the movie. The world will be declared the winner here and that bothers me. Christians should have supported the movie. You know why we have Obama? Only 50% of evangelicals are registered to vote and of that number only half actually vote. You’d be shocked at why they don’t vote. I will tell you sometime.

Perfect Justice

SCRIPTURE

Nobody gets by with anything, no one plays fast and loose with Him.

~Psalms 76:12, MSG

QUOTE

Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful.

~C.S. Lewis

Asaph said in Psalm 73, “No doubt about it! God is good!” God is good and thus He is just. No sin escapes His judgment. Jesus died to save us from the penalty of sin which is hell but as followers of Christ, we are to give up the practice of sin. It is a paradox that I cannot resolve: Jesus blood atones for all my sins: past, present and future and yet I am accountable for my sins. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 quotes Proverbs 3, “My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.” For the child of God, we are disciplined for our sins and this will take place in this life time. For the unbeliever, there is punishment for sin because they rejected Jesus who is our atonement.

Naturally hurting people, those who have suffered an injustice due to the selfishness of another, have a desire to see justice. I am sure you have heard of the Nuremberg trials which began in November of 1945. It was an international court appointed to the task of prosecuting Nazi war crimes. It is hard to get an exact figure but some 1,800 Nazis were prosecuted. The law of retribution is woven into the very fabric of the universe and no human or group of humans can destroy this code of justice. When a human feels the deep pain of rejection and betrayal that often accompanies divorce; it is a natural tendency for them to want to see justice. I always quote the verse above to the hurting, “Nobody gets by with anything: no one can play fast and lose with God.” It is impossible to deceive Him.

• Give into lust and you will pay.
• Mistreat your wife and you will pay.
• Neglect your children and you will pay.
• Love money more than people and you will pay.
• Reject Jesus and you will pay.

I can make the list longer but the point is: sin pays in real wages for anyone, believer or non-believer. NOBODY gets by with ANYTHING! Be thankful that God is just, good and merciful.

Happy Thanksgiving!