Slippery Road

Given October 29, 2007
While walking back to my truck from my Monday night class last night, I was talking to God about the times I mess up. You all mess up too, don't you? Well, I do sometimes and I was asking God why I slip and fall occasionally. His answer was simple and one, that if someone else would have said it to me, I would have said, "Well, duh!".

God's answer was, "You slip and fall because you choose to walk on a slippery road.". I had to say, "Yeah, that's right.". The times when I slip and fall are the times when I venture into areas that I know are slippery. The slippery surface doesn't just suddenly appear in front of me, unavoidable. I usually make a choice to go there or not, to think something or not, say something or not, or to do something or not. My choice!

God has told me from His Word, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, Isaiah 30:21". God constantly tells me which way to go but it's MY choice whether to follow His path or go off on my own. " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6". When I wander off the path, I'm onto slippery ground and will probably slip and fall.

But, because He loves me so much which I don't really understand why, God is always there on the right path waiting to take me back and continue the journey. But again, it's MY choice whether to repent and get back on track or not. With God's help, I will not set foot on those slippery surfaces today. Amen?

The Filth Of Sin

Given August 21, 2007
What if, when you sinned, it showed? When you told a lie, gossiped, lost your temper, looked at something you shouldn't, what if you were instantly covered with filth for all to see? That would be bad, wouldn't it? It's there you know. God sees it. "For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, yet your iniquity and guilt are still [upon you; you are] spotted, dirty, and stained before Me, says the Lord. Jeremiah 2:22 AMP".

Do we think God's going to send us on a mission for Him looking like that? Of course not! He's looking for those who are spotless to send into the world as His ambassadors. "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. Proverbs 22:11". And, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. We must stand out, look different in the crowd of the world to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. We can't do that covered with the filth of sin.

I mentioned earlier that God sees our sin. Well, He only sees sin we haven't repented of and asked forgiveness for. When we mess up, we must admit it instantly and ask Him for forgiveness. Then we will no longer wear the filth of sin. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12. And, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us". Psalms 113:12. Man, it feels good to be clean.

All Your Ways

Given August 2, 2007
In Proverbs 3:6 it says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight". In all your ways...what does that mean? What are your ways? I think my ways are everything I think, say, and do during the day. That's a lot of things!

I acknowledge God during my morning prayer and devotion time and in church, sure, but what about when I go to the grocery store. What about when I'm in a meeting and the boss disagrees, or eating in a restaurant? How about when I'm doing some work around the house and what if I hit my finger with the hammer.....do I honor God then? Uh Oh!

God is looking for a few who will acknowledge Him in everything and, I believe, He's got a wonderful promotion waiting for those who prove to be faithful.

I was mowing the church grass, BY MYSELF, one week, no one showed up to help, and after about three hours, I was getting pretty fed up. I'd see church people pass in their cars, wave, and go on about their business. I was griping to myself, "Yeah, watch them wave. Why don't they get over here and help me!" Whaaa, whaaa, whaaa. At that instant, God spoke in my spirit and said, "Bill, are you mowing this grass for yourself or for Me?" Oh man, the ton of bricks fell! I was instantly reminded of Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Lesson learned! I repented, asked forgiveness, and spent the next hour and a half mowing in joy and peace. Whatever you do, acknowledge God, do it for Him, and He'll direct you.

If My People

Given April 5, 2007
Our world is in bad shape. We see chaos and every evil thing all around us. I heard recently some teachers in the United Kingdom are not teaching about the holocaust for fear of offending muslims. A mock hostage drill at a New Jersey high school portrayed conservative Christians as terrorists. Do these type of stories scare you? Do we just sit back and shake our heads helplessly? Is there anything we can do?

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14". Yes, it's up to US, God's people!

If Christians would get out of the pew, set aside their denominational differences, join in repentance and prayer, and seek God, we cold turn this thing around. And don't you think politicians would take notice. For example, if ALL Christians would unify and demand that scripture verses be placed on cereal boxes, eager to please politicians would give in and do it! The way it is now, a small, but very pushy, portion of the population is dictating what goes on.

God told Solomon if he would, "do all I have said and follow My commands" he and his kingdom would be blessed. That's what we need to do before we lose even more of our freedoms.

Get involved in the political process. Study the candidates to see what they stand for. Don't listen to what they say because they'll say anything to get elected. Study the way they've voted in the past and support the men and women who more closley believe and act as you do. The future of our country depends on us, God's people.