"Take it or leave it" was a saying I heard when I was growing up. In yesterday's message we discovered that the believers as well as Paul, Silas, and Tim did things just a little differently. They received the Word in an attitude of "take it and live it". In last night's message we were reminded that this is the reason a life house doesn't fall down in the storms of life. Both builders had the materials for a solid foundation (they both heard the Word) but the successful builder was the one who "did" it, as we said had the life action motto "take it and live it". So as you got up this morning was it "take it or leave it" or "take it and live it"?
Don't comment (you can if you want), just let me know if you read this. You vote counts.

The very best sequel to the Word of God is to do what the Word has said and the Holy Spirit has taught us. The devil wants to take it from our hearts before we act on it or stir up the things of our life so we soon forget it. Let's make an effort this week to show to those around us a work of faith, a labor of love, and an endurance of hope. If we do these three things our neighbors will be talking about us and the opportunity to share the Word will be easier. As I often say about the Word - "Try it, you'll like it".
By the way, if you do, share in the comment section what you did and let a brother or sister try it your way.

Last night we were blessed to have a living example of a "Berean" believer. That is, as we saw in the morning message, a person above the average. More noble are the words God uses and were able to witness such a person. As Mike Spencer shared his testimony it was evident - the determination to do God's will, the dedication to accept challenges and changes. The delight of seeing God at work in the lives of the African people, and the desire to continue to serve God to the end was a cut above the norm. What a joy to see such a one!
Yet I've known Mike most of his life and realize that he isn't of himself this way. He is just an average guy who chose to let God have first place in all that matters and so he is making choices and doing things that the average Christian doesn't. It does make him a little unusual but a refreshing blessing to all who come in contact with him.
Couldn't this be true of all of us? With a little more of a desire for God and His people we could have God raise us above the "norm". Just think, how soon it would be before the average would be raised? Are you willing?

Yesterday's message was from Acts 17 and the beating that the believers in Thessalonica had to take for believing in Jesus. We're blessed, I think, in America since we don't suffer persecution because we believe. I said, I think, because maybe persecution could deepen our faith and trust in the Lord. Like everyone, I don't wish to suffer for my faith but realize that if I did it might reveal just how important Jesus is to me. Think, maybe, that's true?

In yesterday's message we were reminded that our first and foremost citizenship is in Heaven. That reminder was good because sometimes it's easy to forget where our allegiance ought to be. The Bible in 2 Corinthians states that we are ambassadors of heaven in this foreign country and Hebrews tells us that we're strangers here while we pass through. Yet with all that the Scriptures say about this world, my love, and being a good solider in it I do forget and live like this is my first and final country.
Yet while I'm here I do my part as a good citizen of where I'm living. I obey the laws because I don't want to disgrace my true country by my arrest. In addition it reflects how I submit to the laws, rules, and chain of command of the country of which I am a citizen.
I speak well of the authorities of the country in which I live even though they are not as good as the leadership of my country. I my not agree with the policies of the country in which I live and I will try to explain why the way my country does that thing is better but I don't disrespect or dishonor my country by running down the leaders of the country were I'm residing.
But most of all I never forget that someday I'll come home. Somehow, no matter how much I settle in where I'm at I never get over the longing of home. My place in heaven is not something that will take place in the future after I run out of all the enjoyments of earth but a living desire right now in my life. So as a good citizen of heaven I do my part as a good citizen on earth.

Wasn't it good yesterday to be reminded that the first and foundational work of a husband and father is to be the prophet of and for the home? It was a point well made and important to be headed. It is vital to have someone represent the family before God to make sure God's Word is brought into the home and received by the family. This is the position of leadership God has given, the chain of command He has established.
It is so good because it transfers the greatest of all love into the home, it gives direction (Will of God), provides disciplines (children are raised in Ways of God), gives a proper view of God (He's talked about by dad), and provides a living example of the Christian faith. The father as a prophet is important to the wellness of the family.
So dads are we up to the challenge? Are we going to take the steps necessary and see that God indeed is our choice as a family, that "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

Yesterday I was reminded of a basic truth when it comes to the preaching and teaching of the Word. If the Bible is going to produce fruit in a life it must be heard. In Matthew 7 the wise man was able to obey the Scriptures because he heard the Word. The people at Pentecost were saved because they heard the Bible (Acts 2). Even Jesus told his disciples "if any man has ears let him hear."
I had taken a pain pill before the service so I was a little dull to begin with and made it a little hard to focus on the message. Then I sat in the overflow and as I looked up toward the preacher I was distracted by the crowd (It's amazing how many funny things people do while listening to a message). During one point in the message my thoughts drifted off to another Scripture that related to the point he was making. Then being a little deaf I had to really focus to hear all the words. To top it off I couldn't get off my mind what was coming next, all I could picture was dinner!
I thought later, it wasn't the preacher's fault I didn't receive much from the message, he was well prepared and presented it well. It was my lack of disciplined hearing, I wasn't paying attention. I learned a good lesson about my hearing and prayed for listening ears. Will you do the same the next time you sit under the teaching of the Word?
By the way I did leave the service desiring to have the determination and faith of Gideon.