Viruses

Most of all of know that we take a risk being online of being the victim of malicious content aimed at stealing or destroying our information. Because of this risk we install software that will keep us from being "infected." Have you ever thought for a moment about this from a spiritual prospective?

What are we doing so that we will not be infected by the "viruses" that are all around us? Can I suggest that we use God's Word as our virus protection. There is power in God's Word as we read it,meditate upon it and ultimately allow it to be a part of our lives.

Make sure that you read and do God's Word (James 1:22), there is a lot of nasty stuff out there.

When the Dog Eats You

A true story was told to me about a man who was challenged to eat dog meat in the Philippines. The hosts said "beware when you eat the dog, the dog will eat you." The man telling the story doubted this would happen until the next day, when he has a pack of dogs chasing him down the street. There is one dog that singles him out and bites through his jeans and breaks the skin in four places. He is treated for rabies, but here is the lesson for today.

What foolish thing have you done that you don't think will come back and "bite you?" The Bible says that a man sows what he reaps. Look out those dogs are vicious!

Ernie Davis

The other day I watched a movie that was an inspirational movie. It was a movie about Ernie Davis who played for Syracuse from 1959-1961. If you would like more information about Ernie Davis here is a link to wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Davis. . It seems as though we would like to forget the horrendous treatment of African Americans during this time period. I for one after watching this movie was ashamed at those people who called themselves Christians and how they behaved.

Things aren't all that different from the way things were in the New Testament. You remember the story of Cornelius and the men in his house, Peter came to them and shared the gospel. They received the gospel gladly and were new believers. However; there were some Jewish people who were not too happy about this.

I wish I could tell you that these problems are behind us, but that is not the truth. It is time for us to share the love of Christ without partiality. I'm ready how about you?

Just Say No

I am not sure if you remember the ad campaign about drugs, the "just say no" campaign? Well I think there is some validity to that statement. Let me explain.

In the little book of Titus chapter 2:11-12 it says ¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (NIV). The creators of the campaign were right, we do have to make the choice to say no, but we can't and shouldn't do it on our own. We have a choice to say no to the things that tempt us and to say yes to being godly in this present world.

So what is your choice today? Will it be life or death? (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Where did the last ten days go?

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. It is mid term for school and I have also done a lot of hospital visitations, attended a funeral, preached a funeral and ran my kids from place to place. I think I slept in there somewhere! LOL! Today I will share with you some things that I have read from the Bible and share with you some experiences since we last "talked". So stay tuned.

Don't Burn Your Bridges

Tonight I am the speaker at Hermiston Assembly of God. They are having their annual Valentine's Banquet. I have been asked to speak by Pastor Terry Haight who happens to be my good friend. Most of you know that I worked for Pastor Terry as his Associate Pastor for 5 years. It is quite an honor to come back and be the guest speaker. There is one reason I was asked to do this.

I didn't burn my bridges. I mean that when I left Hermiston I honored the Pastor and Staff and I believed that God blessed that on my part. As a matter of fact whenever we are at Hermiston A/G the Pastor has asked me to pray in the service. You know I don't take this lightly as I understand the kind of trust that he has placed in me. I have an open invitation to wherever I have been, why? Because I left with God's blessing on my life.

Maybe you have not had this experience, it's never too late to make things right. I encourage you to make things right, and you too will experience the blessing of God on your life.

Love Shown

This weekend I have two speaking assignments that are similar and yet very different. The first is to be the Valentine's Banquet speaker at the church in Hermiston, and the other is a Memorial Service. How are they the same?

The first assignment is to show others what God has to say about love, and the other assignment is to honor a man who was an example of love. He loved his God, his wife and family and those closest to Him.

It is one thing to talk about love, but to show love alas that is the real challenge.

So as you are celebrating Valentine's Day remember to show the love of Christ in all that you do. That would be the best gift you could give to your spouse and close family and friends.

Follow Me

The mark of the Last Days is selfishness and self love. How this is propagated in our society! We live in the Last Days, but it is not the last chance. It is time for us to show God's love and share what we have. Who knows maybe others will follow our example.

Not A Wasted Trip

In Acts 8 we once again see the moving of the Spirit as He uses men and women of God to proclaim His message. Philip was in Samaria as God was performing many signs and wonders. Then the Spirit of the Lord told him to go along the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he did, then the Spirit of the Lord told him to catch up with the chariot and driver. Then he saw a man from the court of Candice in Ethiopia as he was reading the scroll of Isaiah 53. Then Philip answered his questions and shared with him the good news. The man immediately saw water on the side of the road and asked to be baptized, and he was baptized and came out of the water just as the Spirit of the Lord whisked Philip away. It is important to understand where the man from Ethiopia had just come from. He came from Jerusalem as Dr. George O. Wood believes he was frustrated because he could not get into the temple to worship the Lord. He probably felt as though the 500 miles he came to Jerusalem was a wasted trip, but it was not. God met him right where he was at.

Maybe today you don't understand the hindrances and roadblocks in your way. Maybe you think it is a wasted trip, let me encourage you God knows where you are at presently. He will meet with you if you only ask. So enjoy the journey, and welcome those unexpected interruptions.

How Far Will You Go?

The Book of Acts is incredible. When you read about the men and women who had been with Jesus, they seem so ordinary. But when God's Spirit empowers them they are anything but ordinary. Here is the portion of scripture I am referring to:

(Acts 5:38) So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail.

(Acts 5:39) But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God. The council members agreed with what he said,

(Acts 5:40) and they called the apostles back in. They had them beaten with a whip and warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

(Acts 5:41) The apostles left the council and were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus.

(Acts 5:42) Every day they spent time in the temple and in one home after another. They never stopped teaching and telling the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Did you get that? They were told not to preach Jesus and then they were beaten with a whip and then they were happy. They were happy that they were able to suffer for the name of Jesus. But, did they stop preaching? No, they were not disobedient to the heavenly call.
I have to say that I am not sure I would go that far. I would not want to deny Christ of course, but to get beaten that is asking a lot. I guess all that we can do is bear witness of Jesus in our lives, and follow Him no matter it leads.

The Price of Greed

The other day I read the account of Elisha and Naaman. I sure you remember the story. Naaman is healed of leprosy and offers to "pay" for his healing. Elisha refuses, but Gehazi sees a chance to get something. The only thing that Gehazi ended up with was the result of greed: a curse. Read the account below.

(2Ki 5:25) Gehazi went in and stood in front of Elisha, who asked, "Gehazi, where have you been?" "Nowhere, sir," Gehazi answered.

(2Ki 5:26) Elisha asked, "Don't you know that my spirit was there when Naaman got out of his chariot to talk with you? Gehazi, you have no right to accept money or clothes, olive orchards or vineyards, sheep or cattle, or servants.

(2Ki 5:27) Because of what you've done, Naaman's leprosy will now be on you and your descendants forever!" Suddenly, Gehazi's skin became white with leprosy, and he left.

Let me share with you a few cautions:

1. God is always watching.

2. We have no right to take credit for something God has done.

3. We must not take what God has not given to us.

Are you tempted to "take advantage" of a good situation? Is it worth the price you will pay? Do the right thing especially if it is the hard thing.