THE ALARM CLOCK JUST BUZZED

Sleeping peacefully, snuggled under a cozy quilt, I was suddenly awaken by the shrill sound of an alarm clock. I am known in the family as an “early bird.” My eyes pop open at first light and I hit the floor running. I am the one who walks in the office with a cheery good morning but can barely whisper good night as I drag myself up the stairs at bedtime. Lately, however, the nights are cooler and the sun hasn’t quite made an appearance to signal that a new day has begun. This “morning person” is hearing the alarm on a more frequent basis.

As I reached to turn off the alarm, I was reminded of Luke 21:34, And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. This may seem like a strange verse with which to greet the new day, but the more I meditated on it, the stronger I felt that God had impressed this verse on my heart.

We are living in a time of great turmoil in the United States. During the 50 years that I have been alive, I cannot remember such a time of unrest, uncertainty, fear, confusion, and unanswered questions. Our minds and energies can become so caught up with Wall Street, Washington, our jobs, our possessions and paying for them, our families, and our recreational activities that we fail to see the day in which we are living. As Luke states, our focus is centered on overindulgence, satisfying our desires, or just getting by every day, ignoring the warning signs that are flashing before our very eyes. The alarm clock is sounding but we hit the snooze button and snuggle down to a few more moments of blissful sleep.

As a child, I remember fiery messages regarding the soon return of the Lord. People would run to the altar, afraid to leave the church without getting everything “right” with God. Today, if we can get them to the church, the yawns and furtive glances at the clock encourage the preacher to shorten his sermon and say a quick closing prayer. Actually, I find very few churches who even mention the rapture and even fewer churchgoers who are looking for it to happen any day.

Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Jesus will appear unto those that look for Him, II Timothy 4:8 speaks of the crown of righteousness that we who love His appearing shall receive and Titus 2:13 reminds us to look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. I am struck by the fact that we are to be looking, longing and waiting with eager expectation for the return of the Lord. The early church would greet each other with “Maranatha” or “Oh, Lord Come.” Today our greetings in church have changed to the golf game we have scheduled at noon, the new restaurant that we can’t wait to try, or the latest movie we viewed last night.

A prophecy came forth in a sermon I was listening to last Sunday evening that said, “The things that are happening in the world have been given to shake us out of our slumber. The trumpet has already been lifted to the lips to be blown but God is giving us a little more time to reach one more lost soul.” God is trying to shake us from our slumber but we are simply turning over and snuggling under the covers. I fear the church world has entered a season of comfort where the room is darker because we have lost truth and the fire is missing from the sermons leaving the nights a little cooler. Let us awake from our slumber and arise before we hear the alarm; there is still much work to be accomplished.

THE CORE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

I read this quote from J. Lee Grady, Charisma Magazine, this morning. I hope it blesses you as it did me.

“I believe the book of Psalms is in the middle of the Bible because praise must be at the core of the Christian life."

David was not reserved when He shut himself away with God. He prayed, sang, shouted, clapped his hands and danced. And he talked to himself. He said with confidence: “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I will be confident” (27:3).

We normally think it strange when someone talks to himself. But the Bible actually encourages us to do so when we are praising the Lord. If you are fighting discouragement, one of the best things you can do is hide yourself in a room and begin to tell God how awesome He is. If you can’t sing well, put on some lively praise music and follow along. The important thing is that you open your mouth and speak—because by doing so you are canceling the enemy’s lies.
Many Christians only praise God in church once a week. No wonder so many of us are spiritually frail. We’ve also lost the art of true biblical confession. When our souls have been overwhelmed by bad news, we must counteract by declaring our faith out loud.

There is an old song that comes to mind, “It’s Amazing What Praising Can Do.” One line says, Now I don’t worry when things go wrong, Jesus fills my heart with a song. If you’ve tried everything; praise! If you are at the end of your rope; praise! If your prayers hit the ceiling and bounce back; praise! When you need a way made out of no way; praise! Sing, shout, dance and praise!!!

BE A LIFTER

Are you a doer or an advisor? We always seem full of words but lacking in the action category although most circumstances require action rather than words. The following is an excerpt from the devotional book, Encouragement Changes Everything by John Maxwell.

Years ago, I came across a piece about someone who fell into a pit and couldn’t get out—and how others treated that person.

A subjective person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”

An objective person came along and said, “Well, it’s logical that someone would fall down there.”

A Pharisee said, “Only bad people fall into pits.”

A mathematician calculated how the individual fell into the pit.

A news reporter wanted an exclusive story on the person in the pit.

A fundamentalist said, “You deserve your pit.”

A Calvinist said, “If you’d been saved you would have never fallen in that pit.”

An Armenian said, “You were saved and still fell in that pit.”

A charismatic said, “Just confess that you’re not in that pit.”

A realist came along and said, “Now that’s a pit.”

A geologist told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit.

An IRS worker asked if he was paying taxes on this pit.

The county inspector asked if he had a permit to dig the pit.

A self-pitying person said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.”

An optimist said, “Things could be worse.”

A pessimist said, “Things will get worse.”

Jesus, seeing the man, reached down and took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

Which person do you most identify with? Oh, to be like Jesus!!! Lift someone out of the pit today, whether by word or deed.

INVESTMENTS DOWN? LOOK UP!!!

It has been quite a week!!! Anyone who read a newspaper, watched a newscast or listened to radio news or talk shows will agree that the world is in turmoil. Last Saturday, a hurricane cut a path of destruction from Texas, through Missouri and it even reached Michigan. In Los Angeles, there was a horrific train crash because an engineer was distracted, political candidates continue to snipe and throw mud at each other, scandalous stories of famous people were published, O.J. is on trial again, Russia is threatening, our embassy in Yemen was attacked, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue.

Of course, the news that took center stage this week was the financial news. There was a government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; Investment Giants were allowed to “go under” while others were shored up by mega billion dollar government loans. AIG, the big 3 auto companies, individuals who greedily had to have a bigger and better house were all given temporary hope based on billions of dollars to be confiscated from hard-working, responsible Americans.

One news network advertised a televised special this way, “Market madness, banks going bust, financial crisis grips Wall Street, Which candidate can clean up this mess?” It is not surprising that doctors are prescribing increasing amounts of nerve pills, ulcer pills, sleeping pills, anti-depressants, therapy sessions or anything that will help alleviate the fear and anxiety that threatens to overwhelm us on a daily basis. Americans are searching for answers.

I have a hope, I have an answer; it is Jesus Christ. Believers should not be caught unaware; the Bible is full of warnings regarding the headlines we read every day. In Luke 1:26, Jesus tells his disciples there would be Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. God never gives us a warning without giving us a promise of His faithfulness. The following are some of the precious promises we have been given.

Hebrews 12:27
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.

Lamentations 3:21
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Psalms 37:18
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed

Psalms 37:39
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Economic experts will try to unravel our tangled financial state, the Presidential candidates will continue to offer a band aid to cover a gaping wound, and mankind will chase after every ungodly pursuit imaginable to quell the fear that grips them, but we can have hope. If you have placed your confidence in Jesus Christ and understand that all you possess is a blessing from God, you can stand strong in a chaotic world. You can have a smile on your face and a song in your heart knowing that, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

CERTAIN DEATH

The nation has been consumed with Hurricane Ike for the last two days. For a few hours even politics and Sarah Palin reports were pre-empted. I was fascinated by the updates and progress reports. The forces of nature have a way of showing how helpless and vulnerable we are even with the latest technological advances. Especially entertaining are the brave, or is it foolish, reporters who stand outside in gale force winds so that we can experience the deadly storm in the safety of our family rooms. I watched as Geraldo was swept off his feet when a debris-filled wave hit him in the shins. Another reporter expressed shock that over 10,000 citizens had decided to stay on Galveston Island although the National Weather Service had issued the dire warning of “Certain Death” for anyone not leaving. “We heard the warning of Certain Death,” he added, “As we were driving in.” Am I the only one who saw the irony in this situation?

The scenario that sticks in my mind was captured on a cell phone and transmitted live to Fox News. The caller was a bartender at a local bar on the island. She said there had been 10 people lined up waiting to get in when she had opened earlier. By 3:00 p.m., Texas time, over 20 people had gathered to party, drink and wait out the storm. They were laughing, dancing, drinking from glasses and turning up bottles to keep the rowdy atmosphere rocking. The news anchor asked the caller if she had heard the warning of “Certain Death.” The bartender said, “I hope that doesn’t happen. We’ll pray and ask God to keep us safe.” The reporter then urged the bartender to warn the patrons and at least tell them that if they stayed in the bar, they would die. “Please tell them, they are going to die,” he said. The bartender said she would tell them and hung up. I heard on a later report that the customers had second thoughts and later dispersed. If only we could get the same response as we sound the alarm to a dying world.

Matthew 24: 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Every day we encounter people seemingly unaware of the approaching storm. The warnings of “certain death” are being broadcast through world political events, natural disasters and God’s modern day prophets, yet sin continues. Let us take one more opportunity, as the reporter did, to plead again with a lost world. Can we sound the alarm a little louder, a little more forceful to let them know, “Please, you are going to die!” Would you be bold for 10 souls, for 5, for just 1? This week think of one person in your life that you need to warn of impending destruction and pray that God would open the door of opportunity to let them know one more time that they are traveling a road to “Certain Death.”

TODAY I BROUGHT MY SONS TO THE TEMPLE

Almost 31 years ago, God blessed me with a beautiful baby boy. Sixteen months later a second little boy arrived to complete our family. Both of my boys attended their first church service almost from birth; Steven at 4 days old and Philip at only 2 ½ days old. When they were only a few months old, we dedicated them to the Lord. I was determined that my children would love the Lord with all their heart and grow to be strong men of God. They learned all the worship songs, went to Sunday School and memorized Bible verses. I believed the Word of God when it instructed me to teach them in the morning and before they went to bed. I prayed with them before tests and when there were conflicts. It was my greatest joy when at a young age; they were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. As the years passed, they grew into the fine young men I had envisioned, married beautiful young ladies and started their own families. It sounds like the perfect story except I forgot an important step, I never brought them back to the temple.

I Samuel 1:24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

Just as Hannah had promised to give Samuel to the Lord, I had vowed to teach them truth and prepare them for service. I nurtured them, provided them with all the necessary tools to live successful Christian lives, instructed them and encouraged them. Even after they were grown and raising their own families, I couldn’t let go of the responsibility of guiding them in the way they should go. When they would depart from the things I had taught them, I would grieve and plead their case before the Lord. This morning as tears flowed down my cheeks for my sons, God spoke to my heart and said, “You have to bring them back to the temple.”

Although Samuel was a promise from God and Hannah loved him with her whole being, she realized that Samuel could not fulfill God’s plan for his life if she did not bring him back to the temple. My deepest desire is that my sons will follow the leading of the Lord, that they would grown in their relationship with Him and be used mightily in the service of God. As long as I hold on to what I have envisioned for them, I will never appreciate what God is accomplishing in and through their lives. So today, I presented them both at the temple.

God may lead them down a different path and use them in a way that I can’t even imagine, but I will rejoice as they step into the will of God. Their methods and viewpoints will probably not mirror mine, but I am thankful that God allowed me to lay a strong foundation on which they can stand. I’m a little sad, it is a bittersweet separation, but today I brought my sons to the temple.

THREE STRIKES-YOU'RE OUT; SIX STRIKES - TOTAL VICTORY

Have you ever tried and failed; heard that “three times is a charm,” and it wasn’t; been told, “Three strikes you’re out” and believed it? If any of these statements apply to a situation in your life, it is a situation with which you are still struggling, but probably have given up on ever experiencing victory. A Bible study group was asked, “What keeps you from praying?” One honest lady replied, “Because I never get anything I ask for anyway.” Although our Heavenly Father knows what we have need of, we are to ask and knock and pray fervently. If you have presented your request three times, try a fourth; five times, go back one more time, six times may give you total victory.

In II Kings 13, Joash was distraught because Elisha had fallen ill and was dying. He was concerned that Israel would be defeated if the Prophet was no longer there to hear from God. Elisha told Joash to shoot an arrow toward the east. Then he was told to take the arrow which represented the Lord’s deliverance, and smite the ground. The king smote the ground three times and stopped. The prophet told him sadly, that he would only experience 3 victories over Syria and then they would be “out.” He was told further that if only he had struck the ground five or six times he would have experienced total victory.

It is easy to read the story of Joash and self-righteously declare that we would have struck the ground not five or six times but nine or ten. Of course, unlike Joash, we know the end of the story and what the strikes represented. Do we act differently in unknown situations? If we don’t get our answer within 15 minutes, do we assume God isn’t concerned and try to work it out on our own? After praying and fasting one or two days, do we allow fear and doubt to overshadow the faith that God will finish what He has started?

Do an assessment of your relationship with God. Is there something you want desperately enough to strike five or six times? Save your breath and energy if you are willing to only strike three times. Don’t settle for “three strikes you’re out.” Go for the gold; SIX STRIKES FOR TOTAL VICTORY.

WILL YOU GO TO HELL IF YOU VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT?

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions are over and the stage for the next two months has been set. As you know if you read my blog from last January, I am a staunch Republican-American. I watched both conventions with equal interest and was struck by the stark contrast. They helped to confirm exactly why I vote for the Republican Candidate and fear for the future of America if the Democratic Candidate is elected.

I have been accused of believing that you will go to hell for not voting Republican. While I do not believe you will go to hell, I believe you will not live as rich a life with a Democrat in office and we will all cry “Come quickly Lord Jesus.” On a more serious note here are my observations after watching hours of convention coverage and listening to several speakers give voice to their Party’s platform.

1. The Democratic Party needs a constituency of powerless victims to authenticate their very existence. The Republican Party requires a constituency of victors with a visionary entrepreneurial spirit with whom no achievement is impossible when liberated from governmental interference. The Democratic Convention was based on a bad economy, citizens sitting around the kitchen table bemoaning the cost of gasoline, the lack of health care, unpaid mortgages and environmental issues which threaten to destroy the planet. We were told how the government will cause a utopia to arise out of all this chaos. They will provide you with health care, provide affordable, alternative fuels for you (of course you won’t be able to afford corn to eat), guarantee that if you get over your head in debt, you won’t have to take responsibility and provide free preschool (day care) for children 3 years and up, so that you not only don’t have to be concerned with the child you didn’t bother to abort, but you also don’t have to worry about filling their heads with your values and morals. Oh no, the government will take care of all of that for you.

The Republican Party on the other hand inspired hope and a better future for our children based on the greatness of America, The Land of Opportunity. We were encouraged to stand and fight for a cause greater than ourselves. We were urged to be successful, reach for the stars without fear of the government appropriating 50% of our success.

2. The Democrat’s answer to every problem is to take money from successful people and redistribute it to the unsuccessful. It is to tax corporations until they go out of business, thus depriving people of lucrative jobs and add to their base of constituents. Is it ignorance or deception that allows them to believe that business taxes are absorbed by the company and not passed onto the consumer in the form of higher prices?

The Republican Party believes that promoting a business-friendly atmosphere will attract new ventures and create more opportunity for everyone. They do not believe that wealthy Americans should be punished for their success but be encouraged to become more successful as they grow and generate more jobs. As it has been said, “No one ever got a job from a poor person.” The Conservative Republican position states that corporations should be encouraged to invest their profits in research and innovation to increase the American standard of living and there should be no penalty for an outstanding, productive year.

3. The Democratic Party was very concerned about “Women’s Reproductive Rights.” It is the height of selfishness to expect that there should be no consequences to our choice of behavior. Barak Obama stated that he could not define the beginning of life because it was above his “pay grade.” If the beginning of life cannot be defined, we cannot allow abortion lest we risk killing a life that may have begun.

The Republican Party was strong in their promotion of a culture of life. At the same forum, John McCain, with no hesitation, stated that “Life begins at conception.” It has become apparent in the last few days that McCain’s philosophy is more than just words but has been played out over the course of his life. Cindy McCain has made it her life’s mission to bring love and aid to “the least of these.” They even demonstrated their reverence for life by adopting a special needs infant from Bangladesh. His choice of Sarah Palin for Vice President, a mother of 5, including a baby with Down’s syndrome and a teenage daughter that made the choice to keep her baby gives further voice to McCain’s view that all life is precious.

4. The Democratic Party is about equal rights and freedom of speech for everyone unless of course you disagree with their viewpoint. Every fringe relationship should be afforded all rights and privileges formerly reserved for married couples. You can march, burn the flag, parade naked down the street, and yell obscenities but praying at public functions or wearing a cross to signify your faith can be interpreted as “hate speech.”

The Republican Party believes strongly in the sanctity of marriage and further defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman only. They believe that freedom of speech must include prayer and religious symbols as well as the profane. The see no conflict between church and state and believe that the Constitution guarantees Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion.

As originally stated I do not believe you will go to hell for voting for Obama/Biden. I do believe as a Christian, if you search your heart, get your priorities in order according to the Word of God, and prayerfully consider the moral issues, there is only one choice, McCain/Palin.