Convenience

This is a difficult article to write. I have been wanting to express this thought, but it is so hard to find the correct words. This needs to be understood. But I want to be loving and kind.

We live in a time of convenience. Products are more consumer friendly than they have ever been. Technology has advanced to the point that you don't even have to do anything anymore to get things done - you can just talk to it or touch it with the end of your finger and it an instant - whalah!

Life has become so convenient that people don't know how to be incovenienced. Two minutes in line is too long. Waiting for your computer to go to the next screen better not take more than a second or you will want to throw the whole thing out the window. Our cars have heated seats and dual temperature controls. I am not even scratching the surface here...

All of these blessings also pose a great danger. We allow our attitudes to be changed from those of charitable work and service to the need to be served. Our approach to God as a society is changing. We want the church to serve us, and we will be at worship and love God as long as He doesn't ask too much.

On Sunday, December 25th, 2011, there will be churches all over the country who will be more concerned about what is convenient than what is commanded. Some will not even have worship, because they don't want to make it a "hardship" for people on Christmas Day.

How ironic that people are so concerned about how Christmas falling on Sunday may effect their plans! It was not convenient for Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. It was not convenient for Him to be born in a manger. It was not convenient for Him to die on a cross. God has done everything for us - going so far beyond what was convenient to save our sinlful, wretched souls. This was an act of love, for love not only know how to be inconvenienced, but it endures and sacrifices without limits.

In the midst of this Sunday holiday, I wish for all of you the happiest and healthiest season together. Love God enough to show Him that you are not going to do things at your convenience. Love God enough to honor His commandments.

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.'" ~ Acts 24:25

Pure Joy

Joy is defined by Webster as "intense gladness." I like to think of it as an irremovable smile. Sometimes that smile is outward, but it is even better when it remains inward. Joy is the unmatchable feeling of happiness that comes from a spiritual understanding within our hearts that lies beyond expression.

When you think of what brings pure joy, isn't it interesting that it rarely has anything to do with yourself? Pure joy is seeing your young children laughing and singing and dancing. Pure joy is watching people who are less fortunate have the greatest Christmas of their lives. Pure joy is witnessing a husband and wife obey the gospel together and change the entire spiritual future for themselves and for their family.

What brings God joy? He rejoices over us for good, to bless us (Deut. 30:9). He rejoices in His perfect works (Psa. 104:31). He rejoices when sinners repent (Luke 15:7, 10). He rejoices when we know and do His will and thus have joy in ourselves (John 15:11). When we begin to rejoice about the right things we can acknowledge that we truly have been transformed to be more like the God who made us.

Simply put, to have the love of God is to feel the joy that is experienced in causing and witnessing the happiness and prosperity of others. There is no joy that can compare with the joy we receive from changing lives. This is what God did for us. How great is our God, who has decided to share with us this ministry, which brings into our hearts and into our lives - pure and eternal joy!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." ~ 3 John 1:4

The Reason for the Season

As I was growing up, whenever I saw the phrase, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", my first thought was that this must be a denominational person or group who has posted this message. After all, I knew that December 25 was just another day, and it was not likely that this was the birthday of Jesus. I knew the church that Jesus established never celebrated His birth. I knew that the only day the Bible teaches Christians to commemorate is the first day of every week.

If you were raised like me, this holiday season has always been about Christmas trees, presents, Santa Claus, and getting together with friends and family. It is not a religious holiday. I am confident that this is as it should be, for we have no authority to make December 25 a holy day. I urge you to do some study on the origin of the holiday before deciding for yourself and your family on this issue.

But regardless of how people choose to celebrate Christmas, I have to admit that for a preacher this is a pretty sweet time. I am trying my best to get non-beleivers to believe in God. I am constantly urging believers to think about Christ and the church. I am striving to get the wayward members to come home to God. And this is the one time of year, that nearly everyone in our country and many around the world recognize that Jesus is real. Not only do they regonize Him, but they extol Him and give glory and praise to God for the gift of His Son.

It is always interesting to get Christmas cards from members of the church. Some are religious cards and some are not. Based on the cards I can see how they celebrate or think about Christmas. It reminds me that we need to educate ourselves regarding what we should believe and practice. It also reminds me that people are generally good and kind and thoughtful, and they really want to be this way all of the time. Christmas just gives them a reason to remember how they should be.

At the end of it all, I know Jesus is the reason for every season! After all, He made the world and everything in it! And I admit unashamedly that I am glad to hear so many people unafraid to acknowledge Him every December - even if it is only for a short period of time.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." ~ Luke 2:11

The Door is Still Open

In Dewayne Bryant's last sermon here at Willow, he read an excerpt from a manuscript he is working on that is extremely thought provoking. He discussed how Noah and his family must have felt toward those people who were outside of the ark once God shut the door. It was not a feeling of vindication or celebration that Noah's preaching had proven to be correct. Rather, it was a feeling of thanksgiving mixed with sadness and concern for those who were scratching at the ark from the outside. People were desiring salvation but it was too late. In terror, one by one, they all slipped beneath the surface of the waters and were lost. The apostle Peter later noted that God was longsuffering in the days of Noah while the ark was being made ready, but finally God's just wrath for man's sin was satisfied (1 Pet. 3:20-21; 2 Pet. 3:4-10).

Whether the human race accepts it or not, God has set a time for the closing of the door. It could be today, tomorrow, or a million years away. Mock it as man will, the moment that door is closed everyone will want to be inside. In today's Christian age, it is the same as saying: 1. Everyone will want to be a Christian. 2. Everyone will want to be a member of the Lord's church. 3. Everyone will want to be found faithful.

When the door closes there will be no time to debate about whether or not baptism is essential for salvation, what is true and acceptable worship, or who is and who isn't a part of the church. All that will matter is whether or not we have obeyed the word of God and whether or not we are practicing what it teaches.

When the door closes there will be no time for getting around to asking people to worship. There will be no time for knocking doors or setting up potential Bible studies. There will be no time for someday maturing enough to where we are comfortable enough with ourselves to share our faith in Christ with others.

We should not wait for the door to close before we feel remorse for not being evangelistic. We should not wait for the door to close before we get in the boat ourselves. We should not wait for the door to close before we become salt and light in a world of death and darkness. The door is still open! And even if people aren't yet scratching to get in...they will be!

Brethren, they will be!

"So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in." ~ Genesis 7:16

What Are You Afraid Of?

In February of 2008, the associated press reported a study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, relying on interviews with more than 35,000 adults to document a diverse and dynamic U.S. religious population.

The results of this study found that many American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all. Factoring in moves from one stream or denomination of Protestantism to another, the number of people who change their religious affiliation is 44 percent.

How fascinating that nearly half of the people in our country who consider themselves "Christians" make such a big change! But really, it should be an even greater number. The percentage should be 100%. Let's face it, as we grow in our knowledge of the Bible, each of us has the responsibility to change what we believe when it is in conflict with the holy Scriptures.

Every day I talk to people who have either stopped worshiping anywhere, or who have done nothing more than just stay in the denomination in which they were raised. I want to challenge them to question what they believe and engage in a study of God's Word. I am not afraid of any question they have. I am not afraid of their background. I am not afraid of being rejected or being judged. Why? Because I know the Bible will do what needs to be done to make all of us simply Christians and members of the body of Christ.

Now I ask you, friend - when it comes to questioning what you believe, or doing something different than you have ever done, what are you afraid of? Saul had to change. Simon Peter had to change. All of the people in the first century had to change when Christianity was first offered. We all have to change in order to be what God requires. Don't be afraid! Embrace the wondrous working of the will of God in your life! Study the Bible and let it change your life every day! I hope to see you Sunday!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Giving and Sharing

My four-year-old daughter taught me two lessons this week just by being herself. The first was on sharing and the second was on giving:

1. When she found out that her little friend, Kyla Adams, was coming on Friday to stay overnight with her and spend most of Saturday at our house, she was very excited. Many times when we find out people are coming over, we are also wanting to know when they are going to leave. But not Lyssa. In fact she said to me, "I cannot wait for Kyla to come and stay with us, because I am going to play with her and share all of my toys with her." She was looking forward to Kyla getting to play with her toys. I am confident that she would be willing to let her friend even take some of her toys indefinitely.

2. On Sunday morning, Lyssa was acting up in worship just before it was time for the offering. Amber had to take her out and discipline her. When they got back, the plates had already been passed. Our kids enjoy giving their money to God. When Lyssa found out that she had missed her opportunity to give, she began to cry. It was very difficult to console her, and we thought we might need to take her out again because she was so upset. She wanted to give her money and was crying because that moment had slipped from her grasp. I couldn't help but think, on the flip side, how adults cry about giving because they don't want to. How easy it becomes for adults to hold back from God!

Amber and I are thankful for our children for at least 1,000 reasons. But we may be most thankful for the lessons we learn from them about faith. Adults struggle with sharing and giving. Satan changes open, childlike hearts into closed, cynical, seflish hearts if we let him.

Let's remember during this season of thanksgiving and of doing for others, that God has from His heart given us everything so freely, even the blood of His Son. May God help us to share and to give like little children. May God help us to love unconditionally, to forgive completely, and to embrace our relationship with Him an with one another.

"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." ~ Hebrews 13:16

The Man with the Four Dollar Soul

This may not be the most appropriate title. But as you read you will understand. Monday evening I was getting gas for my truck when a man approached me from the other side of the pump. He was unkempt and unshaven, his clothes were worn and his face revealed a man who had been beaten down by the cares of the world.

He was with three others in a small blue car which looked like it had only a few blocks left in it. He begged me for some gas. He said he was on his way to a Nashville hospital and nobody else would help them. I had already payed inside and I was about to pump my own gas, but I gave him the only money I had in my wallet - four dollars. He waved to his friends as if to say, put gas in the car, then he went inside.

Since I had already payed, I just started the pump and followed about 30 seconds behind him. He did not go to the counter to pay, but instead he had gone in looking for something. I followed at a distance, but he recognized me, did a loop through the store and exited quickly. I asked the cashier if he had given her any money for gas. She said, "No." As I went back outside they were pulling off and waved as if to say, "Thanks." They had not pumped any gas, they were simply running away. I am glad I hadn't given him twenty.

I am not sad about this incident for me. I am glad, that when I was asked to help someone in need, I did not wimp out, turn him away, or just keep what I had for myself. I am sad about this incident for this man and his friends. He was scamming people for cash to buy something other than what he said he needed.

This man's soul is worth more than four dollars. Jesus said our individual souls are of more value than gaining the whole world. But we sell our souls for far less than four dollars every day by the sins we are willing to commit when Satan tempts us. You might not have the guts to cheat people for a few pennies, but face the reality that you often are willing to boldly sin against your Creator and Judge to please your own whims and desires.

Your soul is worth so much more than what you are selling it for. Think it over. Repent. Save your soul.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" ~ Matthew 16:26