PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED; JESUS IS COMING

Matthew 24:6-8 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famine, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

We read Matthew 24:6-8 and we see the signs of the world we live in; wars, earthquakes, pestilences and famine…and we hear the preaching.  But seldom do we hear the preaching on Verse 10; BEING OFFENDED!

Matthew 24:10 And then many will be OFFENDED, will betray one another and will hate one another.

Have you ever witnessed a time when everything that occurs offends somebody!

Republicans are offended at Democrats because they take their money and give it away.  Democrats are offended at Republicans because they want to keep their money instead of giving it away.

Gay people are offended because some won’t accept and celebrate their lifestyle choices.  Straight people are offended because gay people flaunt their lifestyle choice and expect everyone to accept it.

Atheists are offended because Christians pray in public and say Merry Christmas.  Christians are offended because Atheists don’t believe in God and say Happy Holidays.

Minorities are offended at majorities, Senior Citizens are offended at Millennial, women are offended at men and employees are offended at employers.  This list could be turned around, read backwards and added to daily.

We need to recognize that this “Offended World” we live in is another sign that “it won’t be long and we’ll be going home.”

STOP being offended and get busy; JESUS IS COMING!

YOU DON'T OWN THAT!

1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

When we finally come to understand that God created us to be STEWARDS not OWNERS, He will become Lord over our life.

PREACHERS, that includes the call God has placed on your life; it is NOT YOUR CALL...You DON'T OWN it; you are a STEWARD.

PARENTS, that includes the children God has placed in your family; love them, provide and care for them and raise them to know the love of God, BUT...You DON'T OWN them; you are a STEWARD.

EMPLOYEE, that includes the job or career you work at every day; God has provided it as a source of blessing and...You DON'T OWN it; you are a STEWARD.

CHILD OF GOD, that includes every blessing that surrounds you; God gives them because it is HIS GOOD PLEASURE...You DON'T OWN them; you are a STEWARD.

Quit trying to take OWNERSHIP of everything that God sends your way, tend to it as a GOOD STEWARD and the MASTER will multiply it abundantly in your life.

COMPASSION; MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Jude 1:22-23 And of some have COMPASSION, making a difference: 23 And others save with FEAR, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by flesh.

Meditating on this verse today…

We all have those dear ones that we hold close to our heart, yet grieve daily because they are far from God.  We pray and don’t see any change.  We wonder; what will it take?  Can anything or anyone reach them?  Our mention of “End Time, Prophetic” news reports are met with derision; even fear doesn’t touch them.  We preach, then they no longer come around…and we weep.

Maybe it is time for COMPASSION.

Lose the “End Time” reports.  Stop the preaching and offer a hug instead.  Greet them with a smile.  Ask about their life, WITH INTEREST and WITHOUT CONDEMNATION!   Above all…Tell them you LOVE them.

I see so many that love Jude 1:23.  They are always ready to point out spotted garments and use fear and guilt to minister to the hurting.

BUT REMEMBER…

Verse 22 comes first and it contains a key word…COMPASSION!

A little FEAR may get their attention but it is COMPASSION THAT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

IF I; THEN GOD

There are many promises in the Word of God that include the conditions, IF I; THEN GOD WILL!

We leave so many blessings "on the table" because we grab hold of the last part of the phrase, "THEN GOD WILL" but ignore the very important first two words, "IF I."

As we journey along the road of life, we must understand that following the plan of God and enjoying His many blessings requires COOPERATION or an "IF I."  Here is one for you to meditate on today.

IF I WILL:

Habbakuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—18 Yet I WILL REJOICE in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

THEN GOD WILL: 

19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Praying you have a blessed day as you COOPERATE WITH GOD!

MORE THAN A FRIEND; A CONFIDANT

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the FRIEND OF GOD.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines FRIEND as “One attached to another by affection or esteem; a favored companion.” 

In today’s vernacular, the word “FRIEND” has so many different meanings.  It may signify an acquaintance, a colleague, someone favorable to a cause and of course in Facebook Land, a “FRIEND” is someone who is connected to your page.  You may have never met them, actually spoken to them or really know anything about them but they have given you a “thumbs up” on many occasions and you read their posts and status updates, so you call them “FRIEND.”

James 2:23 tells us there was one man in the Bible that had the distinct title, “FRIEND OF GOD.”  Because of his unwavering FAITH in God and his WILLING OBEDIENCE to the call of God, Abraham would be immortalized in Scripture as a “FRIEND OF GOD.”

It would be awesome to be known in your community, because of your steadfast faith, as “One attached to God or a favored companion of God.”  Your epitaph, the words etched on your tombstone; the words your descendants would walk by and read, would be “SUSAN; FRIEND OF GOD.”

Yes, a “FRIEND OF GOD” would be an awesome, yet humbling title, but I believe Abraham had an EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TITLE; Abraham was a “CONFIDANT OF GOD!”

Genesis 18:17-18 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.  

Then he adds in the first part of Verse 19 “FOR I HAVE KNOWN HIM.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines CONFIDANT – One to whom secrets are entrusted – comes from an Italian adjective “Confidente” meaning TRUSTWORTHY.

We read in Genesis, just after Abraham receives Angelic Visitors to assure him that God has not forgotten HIS PROMISE and that he and Sarah will have a son. Then Abraham walks with them away from his dwelling; he and his visitors walking in the Shekinah Glory of God.  Abraham’s faith was so steadfast, that God esteemed and honored him by taking him into His confidence.  GOD STILL HONORS FAITH!

God said, “I will still destroy Sodom BUT not without alerting MY FRIEND;” Abraham became the CONFIDANT OF GOD.  God entrusted His Secrets to him.

So what did Abraham do with his new status and knowledge?  I can assure you he DID NOT grab his Smartphone and post his new job title, “CONFIDANT OF GOD!”  He status update did not include the cryptic message, “SO BLESSED TO KNOW THE MIND OF GOD.”  He didn’t hang a “shingle” on his tent or regale his friends and family with boastful stories of his new-found favor…NO, ABRAHAM BECAME AN INTERCESSOR!

Does God know you well enough to honor you with His plans? What would you do if God entrusted you with the knowledge of His future actions?   Perhaps, He is or already has…REMEMBER that time you were wide awake at 3 a.m. with a burden to pray for that wayward loved one?  Or that time, during devotions, you were overcome with grief and could only weep for the lost?  Or perhaps it was the time that an impending sense of tragedy overwhelmed you and you asked God for protection for a friend….GOD MADE YOU HIS CONFIDANT; YOU WERE AN INTERCESSOR!

 It could be that even now God is saying, “Shall I hide from Susan, what I am doing?”   God is calling you to an honor far above that of FRIENDSHIP; He is calling you to be HIS CONFIDANT because someone needs you to BECOME AN INTERCESSOR!!!

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SHIP; IT'S ABOUT THE ANCHOR

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, both sure and steadfast and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

I recently listened to a wonderful message by my friend Pastor Wendell Maynard, entitled, ‘THE ANCHOR HOLDS.”  His messages are always anointed, encouraging and beautifully delivered, AND…set my mind spinning…so I apologize and thank my friend, in advance, for inspiration and for taking his thoughts in a different direction.

Pastor Maynard’s message related Paul’s account in Acts 27, of his experience at sea in the midst of a powerful storm.  Paul received a Word from the Lord and commanded that the anchors be let down and everyone was to STAY IN THE SHIP.  In his message, THE SHIP is THE CHURCH and if we stay IN THE SHIP we will all be saved.  A great exhortation…God’s Church  is a place of safety; a haven in the time of a storm BUT it is important that you make sure you are in GOD’S CHURCH and make sure to what THE ANCHOR IS ATTACHED!

We read a little further in Acts 27 and realize not all was perfect…the Captain of the ship LET GO of the ANCHORS, hoisted the main sail and RAN THE SHIP AGROUND, where the STERN WAS BROKEN by the violent waves…KNOW THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP!

Then we read that a Centurion, in order to save Paul, ordered the prisoners to JUMP OVERBOARD, grab hold of ship scraps and get to shore however they could manage. 

Have you ever felt like one of these prisoners?  You were riding high in ‘THE SHIP” when suddenly a storm hit and the ANCHOR DIDN’T HOLD.  You were thrown overboard, told to grab whatever you could find floating beside you and try to get to shore.  Some of us made it to shore but so many did not.

Which brings me to my thoughts…

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE SHIP; IT’S ABOUT THE ANCHOR!

The security of the ship is only as dependable as the mooring to which you attach the anchor. 

In March a storm blew up over Pensacola Bay.  We watched from the deck of our condo as a boat came loose from its anchor and was tossed out of control toward the docks.  The owners waded out in the storm, jumped in the boat and finally got it started to steer away from the docks and secure the anchor.  The anchor had been dug into the sandy bottom, which works when the sun is shining and the waters are calm but when the winds began to blow and the storm raged, a more secure mooring was required for attaching the anchor.

Are you facing a raging storm in your life?  OR perhaps you’ve been thrown overboard and you are grasping a broken plank, just trying to keep your head above water.  If your anchor was attached to a congregation or a specific pastor, you are not going to make it to shore.  BUT, if your anchor is in JESUS CHRIST, let the winds blow, let the storm rage; even if the ship breaks up or you are thrown overboard; TRUST THE ANCHOR!

The words of this old song remind us that there is no need to fear when we are ANCHORED TO THE ROCK OF AGES!

♪♪ “I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I’ll brave.

I’ve anchored in Jesus; I fear no wind nor wave.

I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He has power to save.

I’ve anchored in the Rock of Ages.” ♪♪

CROSSING OVER AND NOT COMING BACK

Joshua 1:2 “Moses, my servant is dead.  Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving them-the Children of Israel.”

The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  It had not been an easy life, since leaving Egypt, but God had led them and made provision along the journey.  They had witnessed the awesome miracles; parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna from Heaven and they even had shoes that never wore out; oh the anticipation as they began the preparations for crossing over into the Promised Land. They were all excited, that is except for the tribes of Rueben, Dan and Manasseh.

Numbers 32:5 Therefore they said, if we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession.  Do not take us over the Jordan.

Numbers 32 records the leaders of these tribes approaching Moses with a strange request.  It seems that during their journey through the wilderness, they had acquired many sheep and decided that the beautiful land of Jazar and Gilead suited them just fine.  They and their families were tired, everything they required and desired was in this land, it would become their “PROMISED LAND;” why cross over Jordan?  Moses reluctantly agreed that they could settle without crossing over but only if they would go fight with their brothers so that the other tribes could obtain the inheritance that God had promised.

Every time I read this passage, I question, WHY? 

Why would anyone faithfully make the journey and stop short of the Promised Land? 

Why would anyone fight for truth alongside his brothers then say, “it’s yours now, I am tired, I will return to all I have accumulated, rest and enjoy a few of life’s pleasures before I die?”

 Why would anyone settle for less than all of God’s blessings?

 IT HAPPENS!!!  We have fought, we have labored; then just on the banks of crossing over, we hit the wall, tiredness settles in and this side of Jordan doesn’t look so bad.

I believe God has led the Church to the banks of Jordan, the Promised Land is in view and the Priests, with the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders have already taken that first step into the water.  I can feel the excitement as I find my place.  I want to be as close to the front as I can, behind the priests because I’M CROSSING OVER!!!  My “tambourine” is ready; I have a song on my lips and a dancing in my feet. 

IT’S TIME TO CROSS OVER.

I have been walking, following the cloud.   I have been fighting, holding onto truth.  It is time to cross over into God’s Promise and once I do there will be NO GOING BACK!  Stay on this side of Jordan if you want to; settle for less than God’s best, if you must, but I WANT MY MOUNTAIN!!  The greatest day for the church has arrived, don’t stay on this side of Jordan;

IT’S TIME TO CROSS OVER!!!