As I prepared this message and I thought about our satisfaction and contentment in the days of recession and evil (hard) times (v.19) I noticed the unceasing work our God does for us. He sticks close to us during the tough times and, unlike money, doesn't take wings and fly away. Take your Bible this week and read again this passage and notice the words "the Lord". Some things He does is conditional, like verses 3-8, but most are unconditional and happen just because He loves us and cares about our needs. Take a look at the words "the days" in verses 18 & 19 and the promised, proven fact in verse 23.
It is so true that if we are unsatisfied with our lot in life it's not the Lord's fault but ours because we have our eyes on the conditions and not the controller. It's so important every day to see Jesus, remind ourselves of His presence (even if we don't feel it), and present the day to Him. Romans 13:11-14 applies to this and is our privilege daily.
May the reminder that the Lord is at work for us this week bring contentment to your life, joy to your heart, and a message to your neighbor. Let Psalm 37 fill your mind, soul, heart, and body until you're bubbling with the truth of verse 19. Have a good, Godly, and glad week!

Someone said to me, "Pastor how can I grow?" I don't want to be at the same spiritual stage next year at this time. I wish there was a special little bottle of spiritual growth tonic to take every day but there isn't. Growth is a lifetime on earth experience and requires regular discipline. Remember the disciples became a disciple when they came to Jesus and grew as disciples the remainder of their lives because they stuck together at the place Jesus said He'd be.
I pointed out the role the church and it's teaching ministries have in spiritual development and want to remind you again why the ministries are important for our growth and development as disciples.
In 1 John 2:11-14 we find the 3 stages of growth and at each stage of development the teaching and fellowship is profitable. For the children it provides the required "food" for growth. New born again Christians can't get enough to fill their spiritual hunger and take it all in. For a new born again person to miss a service or not take part in a ministry destroys an appetite, invites malutritation, and slow spiritual starvation.
For the young men who have learned enough of the Word to effectively fight spiritual battles and overcome the evil one, it is a resource for more spiritual ammo and a rest from the battles. This is an age of practical growth for these believers coming with eagerness to apply the Word to daily life and decision making. For them not to take advantage of the ministries of a local church can leave them defeated by the enemy and discouraged spiritually.
For the grown-ups in the Christian life (called in the Scriptures fathers), fellowships are a time of rehearsal and remembrance. It's not that they know everything there is to know about God but they have grown into a daily intimate relationship and fellowship with God's people and Him, which at church make them glow. They love to be there because this is where Jesus is spoken about and exalted.
Church going is important to spiritual growth for disciples and that's why Jesus made it His habit. Maybe that's why we should too. A disciple does what His masters says and does. Jesus knew attendance and involvement at the ministries of a local church would grow us that's why He said what He did in Hebrews 10:25.
Yet when it's all said and done it's about the things we think are valuable. The choices for growth is ours and out of the things our heart says is important we will choose. Will church attendance be part of that choice?

Last night's service was one and a half hours long. Someone remarked that if I'd had preached that long someone might have grumbled a little. I would hope not, even though we've made it almost Biblical to have a worship service only one hour long!
But it's not the time I want to comment about, it the blessing that it was to all who came. The songs were about Calvary and our Christ and when it was all over I felt as if I had been in His presence. I was feeling joy and thankfulness and really didn't want the service to end. I noticed that others were slow to leave also, most stayed around and talked with others for another half hour, some were still there an hour later. It seems that when we feel the fellowship with the Spirit we want the fellowship with the saints.
Yet the thing that impressed me the most was the joy that radiated from the faces of those who ministered the Word through music. It wasn't just a performance of talent, but of young people and children who believed in what they were singing about. There was a desire to be there and minister, a word of personal testimony, a twinkle in the eyes, and smiles that reached from ear to ear. It was a heart to heart service and was a blessing to all.
I had a brother leave after one of the services yesterday say to me, "I came because I needed encouragement and I got it". That's what our fellowship is all about and we find what we need when we come. What a blessing is the ministry of the Word and the fellowship of the Saints.

Last night as a person was leaving the service he made the comment, "I think the signs of His coming will be much more intense than anything we see today".
It is so true. The time of the tribulation will be an unbelievable time of trouble and terror. The judgments of the book of Revelation describes them in a way that should bring fear to the readers. They are so fearsome that men cry out to God to die. We have never seen anything even close to those coming signs.
Yet even those things that happen are mild in comparison to an eternity in the lake of fire, eternally separated from God. How much more we should we be moved with compassion to reach the lost as we see just a glimpse of things to come.
As Paul said to be with Jesus is far better, but it is needful to be here. How shall they hear except someone tell them.

There was a lot of Scripture to explain yesterday in the time I had to preach so what follows was left out. For those who didn't hear the message it was from Matthew 23 and the subject was the Pharisees or for us today, legalism.
I have at times been accused of being a legalist and at other times of being a liberal. I guess it all depend on who is looking and what they see. I will admit to sticking to some of the old time standards that were legalistic and I'm thankful for them. I still don't drink alcohol and will encourage others to join me in not drinking. I prefer the Holy Spirit over wine any time. I still don't go to movies or dance or gamble and to the amazement of some I'm still happy. I expect there are a few other things that I choose not to do that cause some to think I'm still a legalist.
Which brings me to the sequel to the message. I have experienced what I call "liberityism". It's when other Christians look down their holy nose at me because I won't drink, go out dancing, to the casino, and whatever else is called liberty. Some have even wanted me to preach about liberty in that sense and have been disappointed because I haven't. It's almost a reverse legalism and is just as, if not more, dangerous. I believe Romans 14 applies in both cases.
Sometimes I look at it this way - How close or how far away do we want to be to the world, the flesh, and the devil. As for this old legalist, I want to be as far away from sin as I possibly can be. How about you?

Yesterday's message was good. The Word was presented by missionary Tim Cowell and the challenge was from Ezekiel 3. I liked his statement when he said he didn't want anyone to appear before God who had not heard the Gospel. I thought what a wonderful challenge to me, that I need to not only take the opportunity to share the Gospel but also to make opportunities. The bottom line is will I?

This week's sequel is a comment on a message I heard this Sunday at the 1st Baptist Church in Webster, Florida. It was a good and challenging message and I pray, a fruitful one in my life.
The subject was commitment, the Scripture was Acts 15, and the sermon compared Mark the quitter and Silas the committed. The Pastor merely pointed out that Mark became discouraged and left the task God had given him and Silas, although arrested, beaten, and jailed, didn't give up. He summed it all up by saying, "commitment is staying with it until it's done".
There were a lot of amens in the crowd, I was encouraged, and resolved to remain committed to what God has called me to do.
Then Mark came to mind and I remembered that by the care and love of Barnabus he returned to the work of the Lord and was reconciled to Paul. So even if for some reason you have become discouraged don't give up! If you know of a Mark become a Barnabus and encourage that one to continue on in the Lord.