Seeing through the eyes of a Servant!!

Seeing Like Jesus!!

Good afternoon world. I hope all is well in your individual life.

Today has been pretty relaxing for me. I went off with my wife and youngest son for lunch and then came home to finish preparing my message for tonight.

Tonight I will be bringing the message in a small church in town, Meadowbrook Baptist Church. They are having a revival and this is the last night. This church was started four or five years ago and they have been struggling ever since. I believe in my heart that it is the Lord’s will that this church contiune preaching the WORD.

Preaching the Word is one thing, but there are many more things that are needed if our churches are to be successful in the harvest of God’s children.

The text for my message comes from Matthew 9:35-38.

As I searched God’s Word, these words of Jesus caught my eye and my heart.

Read the passage for your self and see what it says to you.

Intro: “What do we need more than anything else?” One major goal as a Christian is we need to become more like Jesus. I think most of us would agree. If we are going to be laborers for the harvest, and be like Jesus we need to understand what He saw and felt and what He said and did. Matthew 9: gives that picture.

1) WHAT JESUS SAW: (Vs. 35.) Jesus went through all the towns and villages. Teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Reading this verse we can read and see what He saw.

He saw multitudes of lost: Everywhere Jesus went, great multitudes followed Him. He saw them not as a hindrance, but as an opportunity for witness and ministry.

He saw their needs: Right here and all America is filled with people in need. The homeless, jobless, helpless, and hopeless. How about you? Do you have needs? Do people you know have needs? Are you doing all you can do to help Christ supply the needs for the people in your life? Are we supplying the needs for the people in our community? Spiritual needs, telling them about Jesus.

He saw their potential: He saw every one of them as a precious soul with unlimited potential. Satan also knows the potential of God’s children as well as the souls that are not saved. This is why the old devil does all he can to make us lazy in witnessing and does his best to keep the unsaved away from someone who might me trying to spread the good news.

One day we will have to stand before a Holy God and give account for what we did that we should not have done and also for what we did not do that we should have done. (Boy that’s a mouth full but so true.)

2) WHAT JESUS FELT: (Vs. 36) When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Define compassion: Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the desire to relieve it. (Lost, blind, lame, dead in spirit, prideful, hypocrites, liars, etc.)

He felt their lost condition: He saw them as, sheep having no shepherd. He knew they were without God and without hope in this world or eternity.

Jesus came to be the Good Shepherd, the One who could show people how to avoid life’s pitfalls. In John 10 Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.”

People are waiting to hear from you as a witness of the Main Shepherd.

He felt their future pain: He feels for them (Us) because He knows what the future holds. Jesus told us in His Word that something is coming “Like a thief in the night.” (What is it that is coming? Think about it, look it up in the Word) He knows about the future pain!!!

3) WHAT JESUS SAID: (Vs. 37-38) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.

Notice three things Jesus said:

1) The harvest is plenteous: Many people have a tendency to believe the problem is in the harvest. They believe that people are gospel-hardened, uninterested, and unreceptive. Just the opposite is true. People are hungry for the gospel and will respond favorable if it is presented to them in the power of God Holy Spirit!!

Jesus looked at the crowds following Him and referred to them as a field ripe for harvest. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how. Jesus commands us to pray that people will respond to this need for workers.

Often when we pray for something, God answers our prayers by using us. Be prepared for God to use you…to show another person…the way to Him.

2) The laborers are few: The problem is not in the harvest, but with the laborers. We have many churches and many members, but we have few laborers who will go out into the harvest sharing their faith boldly and bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

3) We need to pray: Pray ye therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that He will sent forth laborers.

I do not believe Jesus said this to complain about the lack of workers or to criticize the people because they were not working faithfully. He commanded that we pray for them just as fervently as we pray for church members and for the lost.

4) WHAT JESUS DID: Matthew 10:5, These twelve Jesus sent out…

He sent them out: He wants to send some disciples out right now. The same disciples He had asked to pray for more laborers became laborers themselves. These are the ones Jesus sent forth house to house, home to home, sharing the good news and winning souls.

Think about it…somewhere along the line, He sent someone out for you and you became united in Christ.

He gave us liberty: Another word for liberty is privilege. We are not to use our liberty or privileges as children of the living God to serve ourselves. Liberty is to be used to serve others. There is freedom in serving but bondage in slavery. Some of us are still living in slavery to self. A slave is one who has to serve while a servant is one who lives to serve.

He became a Servant: Matthew 20:26-28, “Who desires to become great among you, let him be your servant…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

He did not come to be served but to serve. He was the Son; He was free; He owed no one anything; He was subject to no man. Yet He chose to use His liberty and freedom to serve all of us.

The highest title God ever allows in His church is, “Servant.” I must ask myself and you must do the same. Am I willing to serve people as Jesus did?

Conclusion: What have you done with Jesus? If He is your Lord and Savior, He might just want to send you into the field of the harvest because the field is ripe for harvest!!

All glory and honor to Him in the highest.

Maybe this little message will touch some dear heart and they will go forth into the field of the Harvest and serve Jesus as He serves us.

Remember The Duck

Remember The Duck

Hello world.

Today was not much different from yesterday. Hot, hot, hot. I'm still working on my boat. Still up between those two exhaust pipes.

I have noticed some ducks walking around the dock lately. They also walk on the dock and when they get ready to go, well, you know the rest of the story. What a mess. I try to be real careful when I walk because I do not want the step on a duck or step in duck stuff.

This little illustration is really cool , check it out!

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. And he was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. And getting a little discouraged; he headed back to grandma's house. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him, "Remember, the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember, the duck?"

So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know . You see, I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

I don't know what's in your past. I don't know what one sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window. And He saw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He has forgiven you. Perhaps He's wondering how long you'll let the enemy make a slave out of you. The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He forgets!!!

One thing I know we should do is... Cast you cares on the Lord...

Psalm 55: 22, "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you;...

1st Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

P.S. "Remember the Duck...."

A dark and perverse world!!

A Dark World

Philippians 2:15. “You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let you lives shine brightly before them.”

Good afternoon world.

Today was very, very, very hot. While working on my trawler I got over heated and started to feel sick. I was working in the engine room where it is around 110 degrees. It’s hot down there but I have several fans running and it takes the edge off the heat. Still, if a person has to stay down there for very long, it could be a bad thing.

While down there I was working in a small spot up between two exhaust pipes. As I was working my mind was wondering about many things. One was, there ain’t any air-conditioners in hell. When I came out of the engine room to get some cool water, I thought, “There is no water in hell.”

Up between those exhaust pipes it was dark and dirty. Being up there reminded me of the dark world outside even though it was daylight. Now how can the world be dark when it is daylight outside? Answer: The sinfulness of mankind makes the world a dark frightening place.

Now, do not get me wrong. I love this world we live in and when God created it He said it was good and then very good. I love the smell of the ocean. I love to feel the sea spray on my face.

The sea birds are a trip. They never go to sleep. I don’t care what time of day or night, the seagulls are always flying, searching, looking for something to eat. I believe they know the story of God; after all they have been here the whole time. When they sing, they tell the story of God and all His glory. They shout early in the morning, “The sun is coming” or maybe it’s “The Son is coming.” Whatever the case maybe, they are beautiful.

Each time we go out on the ocean, not only do we have hundreds of sea birds, we also see the big fish, like the porpoises or dolphins as some people call them. Often they are down under the bow getting their backs rubbed as we are moving forward to our destination. We can lean out over the front of the boat and see them. They are so beautiful. Sometime we get really lucky and sea a passing whale. They are great in size and move so gracefully and strong.

Even the forming of a thunder squall can be a beautiful sight, but it can also be frightening and life threatening. I have watched water spouts form right before my eyes only a short distance away. They are alarming and very dangerous.

So you can see that the world is still a great place. I bet you can use your mind, and think about some things you love.

All these things are really great or good as God has created them, but still the world is a dark place. Man has really messed things up. Would you agree with that?

Did you know that the Devil has a tricky plan! A plan to deceive you and make you believe his lies. Jesus said the he was a liar and a murder from the start. It is Satan’s job to make our lives as miserable as possible.

How does he do this? He deceives us! I know so many people who have; seeming had it all and then were deceived by Satan and ended up dead or without anything at all.

Satan likes to use the appetite of lust to capture his prey. Often he uses drugs, like marijuana. When he has people using this then he slowly puts them in a position to try something a little more destructive or additive. Something like cocaine. Cocaine is very additive and it pulls the person using a little deeper in to the darkness of the evil world.

Cocaine can be cooked and turned into one of the most destructive drugs in the world today, “crack cocaine.” I have been witness to many people and families that have been destroyed because of the deceitfulness of this terrible drug. It is called, “The Devils candy.”

The result of using this drug can leave a person broke, alone, seemingly in a hopeless state.

I have known people that went from driving a fine car, living in an expensive home, having what seemed to be, “It all,” only to find themselves sleeping under a bridge and walking every place they went. It is sad but so true. Satan is the god of this part of the world I am talking about.

It all comes down to sin, with the “I” in the middle. The consequence of sin is fatal. Fatal now and fatal later. The scripture says, “The wages of sin is death,” and this is so true. Death of a relationship, death of a friendship, death to self-respect; also death to a chance at eternal life with God in heaven. Unrepented sin leads to death and will get a person a front row seat at the grand cookout. Satan is the chief and the un-repenting person is the main course.

Philippians 2:15, says, “You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let you light shine brightly before them.”

Now with all the filth and sin in this world all around us how are we to live this clean life?

It seems almost impossible doesn’t it?

No matter what we have done, we can come to Jesus for forgiveness of all our sins.

John wrote this for us in 1st John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”

The clean life begins with accepting Jesus' payment for our sins. When we accept Him and believe on His name, we can know that we have eternal life. Jesus also said, “If you believe in Me, you will obey my commands.” So, knowing you have the good eternal life and then by obeying the commands of Jesus, we will move into living the clean life Paul is talking about in this verse. We are seen as innocent children before the throne of Grace, not because of anything we have done, but because Jesus has paid the price for us.

Even though we live in this so-called dark world we can follow Jesus and stay as much as possible in the Light of His glory.

Now about those “Perverse people.”

The word perverse means: wicked, bad, mean, vicious, stubborn, headstrong toward evil, pigheaded, persistent in evil and much more. So from reading this scripture and also from living in this place we know that it is full of people described above. Pick out one word from the list and see if you know or have known anyone that fits the description. It may even have been you at one time; I know I was in the list.

The world is full of sin and perversion. We must use Christ-control mixed with self control to stay away from people that we know are living with Satan as a running partner.

The scripture tells us to “Let your lives shine brightly before them.” Who is "them"? Answer: Those perverse people. They are every where. So if we are not those perverse people, who are we? We are supposed to be Christians.

See if you can find yourself in the list to follow.

Who is a Christian? The word Christian is a very misunderstood word. Some people cannot even relate to "Christian." They think only in terms of Baptist-Christian, etc. Denominations, as we know them today, were non-existent in the First Century.

Many confess to be a Christian when actually there is little difference between their manner of life and the life style of a person who is not a Christian. Some believe and teach there is not serious connection between being a Christian and life style. (This is not true...Although it is not easy, a true Christian will live a lifestyle of following the example of Christ.)

The noun (people, places or things) Christian is found three times in the New Testament (Acts 11: 26, 26: 28, I Pet. 4: 16). The word is simply defined as:"Christianos, 'Christian,' a word formed after the Roman style, pointing to a believer of Jesus. It was first applied to such by the Gentiles and is found in Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.…From the second century onward the term was accepted by believers as a "title of honor."

Do you honor that title?

There is no doubt that the term "Christian" is meant when James wrote, "Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" (Jas 2: 7).

"Christian" is a "worthy name" because it is divinely given and points to both obedience and belonging to Jesus in its meaning.

One excellent way to define words is by noticing their usage. In this case, lets consider the idea in the biblical presentation of a Christian.

In pursuit, the Christian is a follower of Christ. Jesus said, "…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16: 24). Jesus is the Christian's example

Therefore, the Christian looks to Jesus (Heb. 12: 2 Author and finisher). Too many continue to follow men, not Jesus (I Cor. 1: 10 ff.).

Allow me to be plain: One cannot be a Christian and follow Joseph Smith. Following Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon makes one a Mormon!

In knowledge, the Christian is a disciple or learner. (We do not follow the perverse ways of the evil world all though some who confess to be Christians still follow the ways if the world.)

Christians are called "disciples" (Acts 11: 26). Jesus said "learn of me" (Matt. 11: 29). The Christian is progressively learning the word of God (Col. 1: 10 growing in the knowledge of God), 2 Pet. 3: 18). Not only is he learning God's word, he is applying it to his life (2 Pet. 1: 5-11, 3: 17, 18).

In faith, the Christian is a believer. Paul wrote, "…for I know whom I have believed…" (2 Tim. 1: 12). Paul's faith was personal and active. We see Paul's faith in his following statement, "…for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27: 25. A true Christian believes what The Word of God says!!

In character, the Christian is a saint. A saint is sanctified or set apart for spiritual use (John 17: 17). A saint is sanctified in body, mind, and spirit (Rom. 12: 1, 2, I Thes. 5: 23). A saint does not use vile language, allow bad thoughts to dominate his mind, or live in an unbecoming fashion (Eph. 4: 29; Phili. 4: 8; Eph. 4: 1).

In connection and relationship, the Christian is a branch in the vine. Jesus teaches at length about the branch/vine relationship (Jn. 15: 1-8). Jesus is the vine and his disciples are the branches (vs. 1, 2 ff.). Just as the branch must depend on the vine for nourishment and life, so it is with the Christian.

Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself…" (vs. 4). Apart from Christ, the Christian "withers and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (vs. 6). (What are you connected to?)

In transformation, the Christian is a new creature. Paul wrote, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new: (2 Cor. 5: 17). (Are you being transformed into the ways of the world or the ways of Christ?)

In illumination, the Christian is light. (This is the light we are to shine.) Words of Jesus, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid…" (Matt. 5: 14). In our scripture Paul said, "…among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2: 15). The Christian illuminates or reflects the light of Christ, the single source of light, to an unenlightened and sinful world ( Jn. 3: 17 ).

In influence, the Christian is leaven. For the most part, "leaven" is used in the scriptures to stand for the influence and frequency of evil. However, Jesus said "the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leaven" (Matt. 13: 33). So for the Christian, just as evil influences, so does righteousness (I Cor. 5: 6, ...Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of doe?).

In labor, the Christian is a worker. The Christian is the laborer of the parable of the sower (Matt. 13: 3). The warning is, "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Heb. 4: 11). The labor of the Christian is not in vain, when it is in the Lord (I Cor. 15: 58).

In combat, the Christian is a soldier. The Lord has his army and every Christian is a soldier ( Eph. 6: 11-17). The soldier is spiritually aggressive and endures hardship (2 Tim. 2: 3, 4). By the way, there are no conscientious objectors in Jesus' army and there is no draft system.

In alertness, the Christian is a watchman. So many walk around in a daze. It is no wonder they have so many problems. Paul says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (I Cor. 16: 13). Spiritual alertness is essentially involved in the command, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" (Eph. 5: 15).

This world is a very dark place and it seems to be getting worse with each new day. If we are to do the things necessary to make a difference in the world and our individual lives and families, then we need to be living a life that is pleasing to Jesus Christ and then and only then will we live clean lives in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people.

As you have probably concluded, certainly not all who claim to be Christians are. Paul wrote of certain ones, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him…" (Tit. 1: 16.

I hope you read this over and over and if you find someplace in your life, (If you confess to be a Christian) that needs to be adjusted, then for Christ sake, make the necessary adjustments.

May God Bless you and give you His strength for the adjustments needed!

Robert N. Graves, Sr.

Fisherman for Christ.

A gun or mud in the eye!!

Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many people.'

Good afternoon world.

Today was a very hot one. I worked on my trawler this morning. A good friend, Capt. Kenny helped me.

Kenny has had a lot of problems with the engine in his trawler. He is in the process of rebuilding it. He already had the engine back together once but had to take it back apart because he realized he had left some small shims out.

Before I got down to the dock this morning, Kenny had already hurt his leg. As he went to get on the boat, and the tide was low, his foot slipped and he fell and hurt the front part of his leg. He hit it right on the bone and it was bruised and bleeding just a little. It hurt him and he complained just a little. He never really complains very much at all.

Kenny is a special person. He is honest, hard working, faithful to his wife and friends and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

I have known Kenny for many years. His daddy and my wife's daddy were brothers. Kenny's daddy passed away several years ago.

Kenny's story is special, yet so much like others I have known, mine included.

Kenny was a truck driver. He has been all over the country driving trucks and hauling stuff for different people and different companies.

He has always been interested in shrimp boats, he even worked on one many years ago. Last year he worked for me and I really enjoyed having him as part of my crew.

SOMETHING HAPPENED:

Kenny's life changed several years ago. Something happen to him that changed his life.

Before I tell you about it let me back up and tell you a little about the past. I have always thought a lot of Kenny.

A few years after I got my life straightened out and God opened up the door for me to teach a men's Sunday school class, I invited Kenny to come.

The reason I invited him was because I was in a position to see just how much knowing Jesus was doing for other men and women that had started coming to Sunday school and church. I knew what knowing Christ was doing for me. My whole life was changing right before my very eyes. It was and is great. So because God had revealed to me the promise of His Son, I felt compelled to bring others into what I was experiencing.

Now back to Kenny. I knew him, but I didn’t really know a lot about his personal life. I knew this, that if knowing Christ could change me and help me grow, it could help almost anybody. So I invited Kenny to come to the Sunday school class, and I invited him and invited and then I asked him again. I was not pressuring him but just trying to let him know how much it was doing for me and many more people just like me. Then I asked him again, but no show! A long time went by and I asked him again. No good!

One day I was at the hospital sitting with somebody, I can’t remember who right now. As I was sitting there someone asked me if I had heard what had happened to Kenny. I was shocked at the story.

HE SAW THE LIGHT!

Kenny was making a delivery at Wal-Mart late at night. A man pulled up on a bicycle with a ski mask on and in pulled out a pistol and demanded all the money Kenny had. Kenny told him he did not have any money and the man proceeded to beat Kenny’s face in with the pistol. Kenny fell down or tripped and as he did, felt something warm running down his face into his eyes, he was blinded and couldn’t defend himself. He told me that he thought this was it, he thought his life was over. He said during the time the blood was running down his face, he remembered about me inviting him to church.

Thinking his life was over all of a sudden he saw the light or a light. Now how does God work? His ways are not like our ways. He works in ways we cannot see. The light God sent this night was in the form of headlights from a passing car. A man and his wife were passing by and their headlights brightened up what was happening to Kenny. Kenny really saw the light. The bandit made a clean get away and has not been seen since.

THE ROOM UPSTAIRS

Kenny was up stairs in the hospital, room 509. I hurried up there as fast as I could. When I opened up the door, what a site! His face was severely swollen, red, black and blue with many stitches. He looked horrible. When my eyes meet with what little of his one eye that could still see, he began to cry. In my heart I felt sincere compassion for him. I don’t know why, but I said to him, “Kenny, I have been trying to get you to come.” He said, “I know it, I have just been to busy.”

Now why did I say what I did? Did I think that if Kenny had been coming to church, that this thing would not have happened? Did I think that bad things don’t happen to God’s children? Absolutely not! Coming to church or Sunday school doesn’t make us exempt from bad things happening to us. The reason I said what I said was that at that moment I believe the Holy Spirit was directing my thoughts and words. Before I came out of room 509, Kenny was a brand new creature in Jesus Christ. (Praise God) I said what I said because if he had meet up with Dr. Death the night of the pistol whipping, according to the Word of God, his salvation was not secure.

He made a commitment to Jesus, and told me as soon as he got out of the hospital he would be in church. I kept going to see him daily. After several surgeries, he able to go home.

Weeks went by and Kenny didn’t show up in church. I called him just to ask how he was doing and he said he was doing ok. One day I stopped by his house, not to see why he had not come to church but just to see how he was doing. As soon as our eyes met, he told me he would be in church Sunday. He was convicted.

Come Sunday, I was almost the first one at the church. Kenny was pulling in right in front of me. He came in my Sunday school class and said it made him feel really good. He stayed for the sermon. At alter call he did not get out of his seat.

The preacher was Dr. Robert Cuttino, a really good man. The next Sunday when I arrived at church, Kenny was parked waiting on me. He had a gleam in his eye that I had never seen in him before.

Dr. Cuttino preached about Joseph and the coat of many colors. Genesis 50: 20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done….the saving of many people.”

When the preacher gave the invitation, Kenny was up and down that isle like a bolt of light. His life has changed for the better. He has patience where he had none before. He doesn’t every use foul language; he is humble in a manly way. He has love, peace, joy, and many more things that people are searching for in their own lives.

One thing I didn’t know about him was that each night on the way home before his new birth, he would stop off at the store and get a twelve pack of beer and drink it all before he went to bed. Now he does not drink at all. He even stopped chewing that old nasty Levi Garrett.

His life is brand new. He has a new heart. It is a good sight to see. All this took place about five years ago and he has missed maybe one or two days from church. He tells people about Jesus and how much his conversion has helped his life. This is truly a blessing for me. I give all praise and honor to God.

Kenny cannot drive trucks anymore because he vision is very poor in his damaged eye.

Now what does all this mean to you? God works in different ways in different people. He has a mission for you. It is to tell people about Him.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to tell anyone who’s interested how you came to know Jesus. It’s all about a personal encounter. Once you know Christ you introduce Him to others through your own story. This notion that so many Christians and non-Christians have that our mission is to dazzle folks with how much better we are is not only ineffective, it is untrue.

This is precisely the kind of wrong thinking that keeps people from telling their story. Who am I to tell someone about Jesus? The absurdity in this kind of thinking is the fact that no one, especially Christians, will ever have it all together in this life. The fact that we aren’t good enough should be the whole point of our message. We tell people about Jesus because we know, better than anyone, how much we need Him. When people throw our own inconsistencies up in front of our faces, that is just another opportunity to tell our own story of how Christ has forgiven us on the cross and how much we need His salvation every day. So instead of being a threat to our witness, our faults and shortcomings are the very things upon which our witness hangs. If we were perfect, we wouldn’t need Jesus.

When I think of the real meaning of our statement as Christians to those who haven’t come to know Christ yet, I always think of the blind man that Jesus healed by covering his eyes with mud and telling him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-34). When the religious leaders got wind of it, they started to question the man at length, wanting to know who healed him, how it happened, where the man who healed him was now, and even asking his parents to verify whether their son was in fact born blind. When they came back to the man and pressed him with questions a second time, accusing Jesus of being a sinner for doing work on the Sabbath, the man replied, I don’t know whether he is a sinner. But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see. (John 9:25 NLT)!

That’s the fundamental nature of the message: I was blind, and now I can see; I was lost and now I am found; I was guilty and now I’m forgiven; I was alone and now I have a friend.

It doesn’t take a perfect life to spread that message. Just someone who has had an eye-opening encounter with the living Christ. Regardless of intellect, position, status or wealth, the message for everyone will come down to this: I was blind, and now I can see.

Have you seen the light? Regardless whether it was blood or mud that caused you to see Jesus, please tell someone about Him.

A gun or mud in the eye!!

Grace and Peace.

A New start after Father's Day.

Changed Through Problems

Well here we go again, a new day, a new week, a new chance to learn and grow.

How was your Father’s day? I hope it was as good as mine!

My day started early on Sunday Morning. The clock went off about 5:30 and my flesh wanted to stay in the sack.

I preach at Parris Island Military Recruit Depot and I am supposed to be there and ready by 7:15. My body was tired and it was hard to get up and go but from past experience I knew it was Satan trying to keep me at home. When ever I feel this way I “Get a Grip” and push into what my flesh does not want to do.

So after getting baptized by the water coming out of the shower I knew what I had to do. I got dressed and went forward even though I had a problem getting started.

I always have to stop at the gate and get a temporary pass. This pass allows me to go to my specific destination. It is a pain to have to stop each time I go over there to get this pass. It is a so called, “problem.”

(We only have a temporary pass here on earth. Jesus offers us one and all a permanent eternal pass to a specific everlasting destination!! Do you have your pass?? )

Point one: 2nd Corinthians 4:17 says this, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Read it again and let it sink in. The troubles we go through in life are part of an eternal glory. Not only do troubles or problems help us to grow but, they also help others to grow. Sometimes it is hard to see or even understand, but when we are encompassed by troubles God has a purpose behind every one. He uses circumstances to develop our character. So here it is, our problems or troubles are helping us to grow to be more like Christ and, others will witness our growth and some will grow forward into maturity with us.

I said earlier that my flesh did not want to get up and go to P.I. on Sunday but because I pushed forward toward the goal in Christ Jesus, or I went on to do what Christ has called me to do, at alter call, fifty men came forward and accepted and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Now what caused these men to come forward to meet Jesus? Answer: (Problems laced with God’s grace.) It was not because I had all the right words to say, it was because of the Grace of God.

Point two: In John 6:44 the words of Jesus echo the truth of God’s grace, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The reason I got up and went to Parris Island and the reason all those young recruits showed up is because God’s love and grace had drawn us together for that specific purpose. God has called me to preach and even though I have problems in my life I went regardless of the troubles.

Now these recruits, do you think they are having problems? You better believe it! They have more troubles that you can even comprehend. Some are missing home, parents, wife's, girlfriends, sons, and daughters. Some don’t want to be there but there they are anyway. Some have just gotten of drugs, booze etc. The list is unlimited. One young man came forward crying his eyes out because his father and this was Father’s Day, was at home dying from a lung disease. This recruit wanted me to pray for his daddy because he is afraid his father will die before he gets through with training.

Jesus warned us that we would have problems in the world. How true is that statement? No one is immune to pain or protected from suffering, and no one gets through life problem free. So I think it's important to see and understand as much as we can, that, God’s grace mixed together with our problems prompt us to hear and realize the call of God in our lives.

Point three: (Something we need to KNOW!!) God uses problems to draw us closer to Himself. Scripture says this, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.

Our most insightful and treasured experiences of devotion will likely be in our darkest days—when our heart is broken because of trouble or problems. Often when we feel like our heart is broken or when we feel abandoned, when we think we are out of options, when the pain is great, it’s then when we hear the call from that still small voice, and we turn to God alone. (This is the voice these young recruits hear and turn to for help).

Here’s the point—When life is all glowing and things seem to be going well, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus. We may quote scripture and speak about Him, but only in true distress will we truly KNOW Jesus.

We learn things about God and ourselves during these times of distress that we can’t learn at any other time. (You may disagree with this but I bet if you think it through you will change your mind).

Problems force us to look to God and depend on Him instead of ourselves. The Apostle Paul testified to this advantage: “We felt we were doomed to die an saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us” (2nd Corinthians 1: 9, Living Bible).

Rejoice and give Thanks:

The Word of God tells us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Notice that God tells us to give thanks “in all circumstances” not “for all circumstances.” The LORD doesn’t expect us to be thankful for evil, for sin, for suffering, or for their excruciating consequences in the world. But God wants us to thank Him that He will use our problems to fulfill His purposes in our lives.

Conclusion: I could go on forever but I have got to get up and “Get a grip,” on this days work. I hope and pray that you, who ever you are, will get something out of today message.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weight them all.”

Changed Through Problems.

Thanks and have a blessed day.
May God’s Grace and peace comfort you in Jesus name.

Robert N. Graves, Sr.
Fisherman for Christ.

Happy Fathers Day!!

My Daddy.

This will be the first Fathers day that my daddy will not be here. His number was called this past January.

He passed away and has gone on to his reward. My daddy accepted Jesus as his Savior several years earlier in the same hospital he died in. It was a sad time but it is something we all must face sooner or later. One day our number will come up and we will have to go. Are you prepared??

Daddy was 84 years old and in bad health. A week or so before his passing momma called me and said, your daddy has fallen in the bath room and he can’t get up.

I only live a couple of blocks from their house so it did not take long to get there. He had fallen and it looked like he had hit his head on the toilet. He was hurting really bad. I got him up carefully and helped him to his bed room. I told him I was going to call 911 and he at first said “no”! He was one of the most stubborn men I have ever known. Being stubborn is what help keep him alive for 84 years.

After a short while he told me to call somebody because he was hurting in an awful way. I called 911 and with in a very few minutes they were there. I had called them several times in the past for one reason or the other.

They took daddy to the hospital and admitted him to the emergency room. After a while they x-rayed his neck and told me I could take him home because they could not see anything wrong, but it was not to happen that way. I told them that something must be wrong with him in the first place, because something had made him fall.

After a while I called his personal Dr. and he fixed it so we could get a room on the third floor for my daddy.

I thank God for my daddy. He was a World War II Veteran. I had listened to many war stories throughout the years, now I wish I had listened better. I wish I had gone to see him more. Many times, coming home from sea, I would say to my self, I'll stop by and see daddy but often would not go because I was wore out.

I will hear no more stories from him at least not this side of heaven. Any way he was a combative patient and he fought hard every night but he was just fighting for his life as he had always done.

I stayed right by his side every night on a little uncomfortable cot. (I wish I could sleep on it tonight by his side, but---)

After a week of struggling, they finally found out that he had broken his neck in the fall.

His doctor told us that this was it. He would never go back home, at least to his home here on earth. So we all knew the end of Pa Pa’s life was really near.

They were going to take him and run some test on him so I went home to get cleaned up. My mother and my sister were there with him.

On the way to my house I have to go past his house so I stopped. I guess I just wanted to go in and see what I would feel or something, I don’t really know. The house smelled like urine because daddy had been sick for a long time and often could not control himself. My mother has always been an excellent house wife but it was just getting to be too much for her to handle. I have a great mother, she is a blessing to all of us and I praise God for her everyday.

This is the same house that I grew up in, so memories were running wild. I went to his bedroom and looked at the bed where he had slept for many, many years. I cried. Tears ran down my face like never before but they were good tears if tears can be good. I went in the living room and sat down in his chair. In this chair, daddy spent most of his time since his retirement. As I sat there, I cried some more of those same tears. I got up and went into the kitchen and sat down at the place where he always sat. I cried. I felt like writing something so I reached for a piece of paper and pencil and started to write an inspired poem. (I will share it with you in a few minutes.) As I stared to write this poem, tears started to fall on the paper and I could not see what I was writing but I knew what was trying to come out. I got up and went on home so I could use the computer to finish writing the poem.

I sat down at the computer and started to write and when I got to a place in the poem where it says something about daddy going to meet Jesus in the air, the phone rang and it was my sister at the hospital. She said daddy had stopped breathing and she breathed into his mouth and he came back to life.

I told my sister to tell him not to die until I got there. On the way I called all my children and shortly after I got there, the whole family was there. Also my best friend WK. was there. He said he just felt like being with me this day. He lives out of town. It was a comfort to have him there. He is a special person.

I held my daddies hand and told him I loved him and he said, “I love you to son.” I will never forget those words. Daddy had told me many times that he loved me. We were never afraid of saying those words that so many people don’t know how to say. “I love You.”

With the whole family in the room it was filled with tears and sobs, smiles but most of all love. Momma, was holding onto daddy with all her might but the time had finally come.

The nurse came in and told us that his heart rate was dropping fast and it would not be long and it wasn’t. I was holding his hand when he died. I watched his face go from blush red, to pale, to yellow and then white with no life. Everyone was in the room when he went across the bar to walk with Jesus. This was the first time ever that I heard momma call him darling. When he was passing she called out with a loud voice, “Oh my darling.”

My daddy was a great man, as far as I am concerned. I don’t know if all sons think their daddy is the smartest man in the world, but I thought mine was. I learned a lot about life from listening to him. I learned how to shoot a gun from him, how to drive a boat, car, and many more things. One thing that will never leave my mind is the love he lived and taught. I will always love my daddy.

Now what is the lesson in this, (Boy I am tired right now).

I would say: If you have a daddy still alive, tell him you love him because tomorrow may be too late. If your father is still alive, listen to him better when he tells you something because tomorrow he may be gone. Go see him if you are tired or not!! If you live a long way from your daddy or momma, give them a call.

If you are a young man, tell your son or daughter or wife you love them because before you know it, life here will be over. We are only passing through this earth for a short while.

Hear is the poem and you are welcome to use it in any way that you deem necessary.

“THE CHAIR WHERE MY DADDY SAT”

The chair where my daddy sat is empty now, so bare.
Age has taken its payment and now I sit and stare.

How could it be that a man so strong could have faded from my sight?
The one,, my Father,, so big and bold, who taught me day and night.

I called on him, all the time, when things weren’t going well.
Each time I did, you can bet my friend, a story he would tell.

He always gave good advice, and to his words I did heed,
And somewhere in his wisdom, was something I would need,

My daddy’s chair is empty now, his body it’s not there,
He’s going to meet Jesus, yes a journey in the air,

I thank you for my daddy Lord, who put me in this place,
But most of all dear Jesus, I thank You for Your grace.

I’ll miss him now “ My Father”, his voice it sounds so clear,
I’ll always have his memory, even though he is not here,

And as I travel on the ocean of life, I’ll think of him and cry,
And in my heart, I’ll wonder, and ask the question why?

I know that we are born to die and how special is this life,
I thank you Lord Jesus, for my daddy’s gracious wife.

My daddy’s chair is empty now, the room it seems so dark,
But as I look, I see his face and it lights a special spark.

A spark of love he gave to all, it was so truly dear.
And in the back of my spirit, his voice I still can hear.

He called my name as he went up; I know this is true,
He called my name as he went up, to walk the shore with you.

My daddy’s chair is empty now, but he’s in a better place.
Sitting and talking with Jesus because of amazing grace!

He didn’t have a lot of money, to this I can confess,
It was something much more special, so much better than the rest.

My daddy’s chair is empty now; I know he sits above,
The treasure he has left us, it is a gift called love.

In this life I will miss him and I know you’ll miss him too,
For now he sits with Jesus, helping prepare a place for you.

Robert N. Graves, Sr.

Fisherman for Christ.

Happy Father's day.

PS. My daddy taught me how to spell Father!!

What can storms teach us?

What can storms teach us?

When I say storms I am talking about things that can come into our lives and shake us up. It could be financial storms, emotional storms, physcial storms or even real storms like Katrina and Andrew or whatever. Storms come in all shapes and sizes.

I have some very close friends who have been going through some physcial storms for several months. As I have watched and prayed for them, I have witnessed and surrveyed several things that I believe are important in the lives of each of us.

The Apostle Paul told us in much of his writings, about love. "When all the other gifts are gone, love will still remain." Storms or difficuties bring out real love.

I don't mean to be one of those people, and I wouldn't want to say anything that could make light of or downplay the tremendous loss that we and our friends experience in difficult times. But there may be something we can learn from storms and heartache, from loss and fear. I would say that even in the aftermath of tragedy, we can experience reassurance and hope.

First, life's difficulties cause us to review our priorities.

What really matters? Sometimes difficult situations give us pause from the daily bout of “normal” life and give us a chance to think about what we're living for. Is there more to life than what I'm living? Is there a higher calling that I should pursue? Am I spending enough time with those I love? (I want to spend more time with my wife). When faced with loss, do my priorities make sense?

Second, storms and trials help us maintain an “eternal” perspective.

In the Bible, Paul went through many hard times, including the equivalent of a hurricane (and resulting shipwreck) in the Mediterranean Sea . His perspective? “For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

When difficult times come into our lives, whether as a ordinary disaster or even the result of bad personal choices, we can fix our eyes on eternity. We can realize that any struggle we face on earth is small in comparison to the wonderful future God has promised to those who follow him.

Third, storms of difficulty deepen our relationship to God and each other.

I don't know about you, but when I'm faced with misfortune or an anxious situation, it drives me closer to my family, my friends, and to God. In these times I learn what it means to love, to care, to show compassion, to pray, and to encourage. Not that I look forward to difficulties, but when they come, I know that even in great “evil” good can result.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us…” ( Rom. 5:3-5).

Finally, bad things that happen remind us of God's ultimate plan.

We can find joy and peace in knowing that we aren't alone, and that we can still turn to God, our “ever-present help in times of trouble” and the true shelter from any storm. His plan is to create a new world in the future that will be free from the tears and death we experience here on earth.

Here's a final word of hope from Revelation 21, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

PS. Be ready, there is a strom coming right now. We can't see it yet, the radar is not picking it up but it is on the way. It could come at any time, a phone call, a letter, a Doctors visit, a fall in the dark.

Be prepared! Life here is short but eternity is forever!!

Get a Grip

Get a Grip,

Today I have been busy cutting down some bushes for my wife. It is hot outside so I came in to get something cool to drink, and relax for a few minutes before I go back out into the heat.

Some times it is hard for me to concentrate on doing other thing besides working on my trawler and fishing. I fish for a living (Shrimp). Any way this yard work is hardwork. I know someone out there will agree with me!

Often when I am trying to do something that I don't really want to be doing, I have to reach inside and "Get a Grip" on my thoughts and actions and push into whatever it is that I don't want to be doing. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doen't.

I am always trying to get a grip on what the Lord wants me to be doing. I know He wants me to do yard work as well as anything else. God wants us to live a balanced life and it is not easy to do.

I don't know about you but I want my life to count for something. I have made so many mistakes, (Which I learned from,) so now I do my best to let God be my leader. He often just tells me to, "Get a Grip." So I look to His Word for guidance.

Here are some helps for today!

1st Timothy 1:9,"Keep a firm grip on your faith and on your self. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking, 'anything goes' have made a thorough mess of their faith." (Life)

By reading this scripture I realize that I must not give up or relax my grip on my faith. This means that I must not relax in my commitment to my Lord. By keeping my commitment to God I will be keeping it with my family also.

Here are four most important questions. Answer them for yourself!

1) What will be the Center of my life?”

“If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” Psalm 62:10.

“So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:7.

“Christ Love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center.” 2nd Cor. 5:14

Will I be SELF-CENTERED or GOD-CENTERED?

2) What will be the Character of my life?

“For from the beginning God decided that those who came to Him should become like His Son.” Romans 8:29 (LB)

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5 (NVC)

“Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love.” 2nd Peter 1:5 (Message)

Will I chose COMFORT or CHARACTER?

3) What will be the CONTRIBUTION of my life?

“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” 1st Peter 4:10 (LB)

“It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Eph. 2:10 (LB)

“Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps His word.” Hebrews 10:23, (Message)

Will I focus on GETTING or GIVING?

4) What will be the COMMUNICATION of my life?

“Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word…The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t have to say anything anymore…You’re the message.” 1st Thess. 1:8 (Message)

“Live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ.” Phil. 1:27 (Message)

“Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus…the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.” Acts 20: 24 (Living Bible)

“And I pray that, as you share your faith with others, it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus.” (Philemon 1:6)

Will my life message be ME or HIM?

Can you read between these lines and “Get a Grip” on what you need to do?

Oh by the way, somewhere in between cutting down the bushes, the heat, red bugs and ticks, I got a grip on finishing the yard work and writing this little message to YOU!!

God bless!!

Why should we pray?

Why should we Pray?

Good morning world. The wind is blowing and the rain, for now, has stopped falling but God is still in the communation business. Have you been talking to Him lately?

As I started to pray this morning there were many thoughts going through my head. One was about prayer. Why should we pray? Have you ever considered why?

"For many people prayer isn't a joy but a burden. When they fail to pray, they feel guilty; when they do pray, they worry that they might not be doing it correctly. Or their prayers are wooden and lifeless, perhaps only repeating words learned in childhood but never engaging their minds or hearts.

But this is the opposite of what prayer should be. Prayer shouldn't be a burden but a privilege—a privilege God has graciously given us because He wants our fellowship. Remember: Jesus Christ died to destroy the barrier of sin that separates us from God, and when we give our lives to Him, we have a personal relationship with God. In fact, we have access to God in prayer only because of what Christ did for us on the cross.

But central to any relationship is communication. It's true on a human level; what kind of relationship do two people have who never talk with each other? In a far greater way, our relationship with God involves communication—not just an occasional brief chat, but a deep sharing of ourselves and our concerns with God. Because Christ has opened heaven's door for us, the Bible says, we should "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).

What Is Prayer?

Our relationship with God involves communication, and that, quite simply, is what prayer is: talking with God. In the Bible God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to God. Both are essential-and both are gifts God has given us so we can know Him. Prayer is a gift from God's hand just as much as the Bible, and He has given us the privilege of prayer because He loves us and wants our fellowship. Jesus said, "The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (John 4:23, NIV). Think of it: God seeks our fellowship!

Strength through Prayer

Why do we need to pray? The reason is because the Christian life is a journey, and we need God's strength and guidance along the way. One of the major ways He supplies these is through prayer. God doesn't leave us to our own resources! Instead, He "has given us everything we need."

Every man or woman whose life has ever counted for God has been a person of prayer. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. A prayerless Christian is also a contradiction, because we should yearn for fellowship with the One who redeemed us. Throughout both the Bible and the history of the Church, those who made the greatest impact for God were those who prayed the most.

Most of all, Jesus demonstrated the importance of prayer by His own example. His whole ministry was saturated with prayer. On one occasion, "very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35, NIV). On another occasion, "Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray'" (Luke 11:1, NIV). He responded by giving them what came to be His most-quoted words, the Lord's Prayer.

As His death approached, He withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane, a secluded place outside the walls of Jerusalem, to pray, "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44, NIV). His last words from the cross were a prayer: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46, NIV). If prayer was this important to the Son of God during His journey on earth, shouldn't it be important to us?

Bringing God Our Needs

"I don't see any reason to pray," a young Marine told me recently. "After all, God already knows what I want, so why should I bother telling Him?"

He was right up to a point. God is sovereign, and He knows all about us: "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8, NIV). Yet God still commands us to pray for ourselves and for others, and He often responds only as we pray. This is a mystery we will never fully understand this side of eternity.

One of God's most comforting promises is that we can bring every need and burden to Him: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall" (Psalm 55:22, NIV). The Bible also says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV).

God's Word is filled with promises about prayer, and He repeatedly tells us to bring our burdens to Him.We may be convinced of the importance of prayer and yet still not pray. Why? What are the hindrances to prayer? There may be many reasons why we don't pray: lack of discipline, unconfessed sin, failure to see our need of God's help, unconcern for others, doubt that God will answer our prayers, even a lack of assurance that we can come directly to God.

Whatever the reason, ask God to give you a greater hunger for Himself and a deeper desire for His fellowship. Then be honest about whatever is keeping you from prayer, and ask God to help you deal with it.Remember: Pray most of all because we need His fellowship on this journey that has been set before us."

Listen: Don't be to lazy to pray, don't be to busy to pray, being to busy means,

B- being

U- under

S- satans

Y- yoke

Thanks and may God bless YOU!!

Giving Up and Letting Go!!

Giving Up and Letting Go!

Here are some helps for today.

When things get rough and the going is tough, we often give up. Sometimes we can be so close to victory, but we give up not knowing the battle was almost won.

We must stick to the battle when we are hardest hit.
Its then most defiantly that we must not quit.

There is a big difference between, "Giving up" and "Letting Go."

Giving up and Letting Go!!

"Giving up implies a struggle---

Letting go implies a partnership.

Giving up dreads the future--

Letting go looks forward to the future.

Giving up lives out of fear---

Letting go lives out of grace and trust.

Giving up is a defeat--

Letting go is a victory.

Giving up is unwillingly yielding control

to forces beyond myself--

Letting go is choosing to yield to forces beyond myself.

Giving up believes that God cannot help--

Letting go trust in God to care and to carry!!" (By Hank Dunn)

So here is the deal, instead of "Giving up" "Let Go and Let God."

Letting go to God has great benefits.

1) Because God is a personal spirit...I will let go to Him and seek intimate fellowship with Him.

2) Because God is all-powerful...He can help me with anything.

3) Because God is ever- present...He is always with me.

4) Because God knows everything...I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns. (Let Go to God)

5) Because God is sovereign...I will joyfully submit to His will. (Let go of my will and give it to Him)

6) Because God is holy...I will devote myself to Him in purity, worship and service.

7) Because God is absolute truth...I will believe what He says and live accordingly. (Let go of myself and trust Him.)

8) Because God is righteous...I will live by His standards.

9) Because God is just...He will always treat me fairly.

10) Because God is love...He is unconditionally committed to my well-being.

11) Because God is merciful...He forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them. (1st John 1:9)

12) Because God is faithful...I will trust Him to always keep His promises.

13) Because God never changes...My future is secure and eternal.

Wow, after seeing all these good things that God is and can do, I will seek Him and follow Him in all that I do. I hope you do the same.

Thanks.

.

Thank you Lord!!

Good morning world!! Out side right now, some well needed rain is watering what God has already planted. I just want to say, "Thank You Lord." There are so many things that we over look each day. We often take important things for granted. Like rain, when it does not rain everything get dried up and out. So right now thank the Lord for the rain. How about air? We do the same thing with air. We take it for granted, but without it we would perish.

I want to thank God right now for my wife. Man, she is so special, (Good looking to). I am so thankful that God has gifted her with a mind full of good ole, "common sense." She is a servant not only for her family but also for Jesus. She is always doing something for somebody. She is a positive force in this world. My life is blessed because of her.

Often when I write something or maybe preach somewhere, she will be the first to tell me what she thinks. She sort of sneaks up with what she thinks. She may say that was or is good, but I know that in due time, after she has had time to think about, whatever, she will give me her opinion. Often it is not what I wanted to hear, but it is usually what I needed to hear. Women do not always see things the way men do, and that is good. We all need to see life from different views.

I have learned to listen to her and by doing this it will help me become better not bitter. I believe this is important in any relationship. (We can learn from listening.)

“Thank You Lord”

When the storms of life are raging, I look to Jesus, He’s my guide.
When the rough seas want to cover me, I know He’s by my side.

When trouble seems to surround me, my heart to thee I reach,
When my cry is heard before You, Your Word I know will teach.

It Will teach which way to travel, and point the way to go.
I know Your Spirit is in me and this I want to show.

Thank you Lord for listening and showing patience from above.
Thank you God my Father, for sending Jesus so full of Love.

Thank You Lord for the sunshine that gives such special light.
Thank You Father for stars that reach out and shine so bright.

I praise You Lord and Savior for everything you do.
My life I will sacrifice an offering, faithful and true.

I know it will not be easy, just show me where to be.
Your Word that’s in my heart, it needs to be set free!!

I praise You Lord and Savior, on Your Word I stake my claim,
I praise You Lord and Master; it’s Your Word I will proclaim!!

Thank You Lord for darkness that presses every night.
Thank You God for Jesus, our hope and shining Light.

Thank You Lord for Your disciples who were taught and trained by You.
Thank You Lord for training them so they could train us to.

I praise You, O my Savior; I love to share Your story,
And Father as I go out, I’ll give You praise and glory!!

Rngsffc.

"Making the right Choices"

“ MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES”

In the last blog we taked about failure. I see failure as a tool for higher learning. As we grow we learn from our mistakes and often mistakes or failure, hurts really bad.

To learn and do become a better person, (Mom or Dad or Son or Daughter, husband or wife etc.) we need to look forward into the choices we make. So here is a lesson that will help us make better choices with less failures. It is not easy but we must pust forward trying to become mature in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been wondering about the choices we make from day to day or from moment to moment. The choices we make are very important. We buy (purchase) the consequences from the choices we make. One year from to day we will be living out the choices we have made. Good or bad we will have to deal with them. So I have here some notes that I hope will help us make better choices and then live a life that is full of happiness and joy instead of hurt and confusion.

I pray that special words will come alive on these pages and then go forward to where ever and help someone who is having a hard time making the proper choices in their daily life.
~~~Help in making right choices!!

(Psalms 119:105.) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Gods Word is the Christian’s guide for making godly, successful choices in life. Before you make your decisions, compare your desires to what the scriptures say and ask yourself the following questions:

1) Would you be able to ask God to bless it?
Would your decision be something that you can take before God with a good conscience and ask Him to bless? Or is it something that you know the Lord would not be enthused about?
(Proverbs 10:22) “The blessings of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”

2) Could you thank Him for it?
Would your decision be something that you can openly express gratefulness and thankfulness to God? Or would it be something, which would seem inappropriate to thank Him for?
(Col. 3:17) “And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

3) Would it be to God’s glory?
Would your decision be something that can bring glory and honor to the Lord? Ask yourself how the Lord would be lifted up or blessed by your plans.
(1st Cor. 10”31) “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

4) Would it be of the world?
Would you decision be an indulgence upon worldly, carnal appetites or lust? (Satan likes to use the appetites of lust to capture his prey)
(John 2:15) “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father in not in him.”

5) Would it be a stumbling block to others? (Very important.)
How would your decisions affect the lives of your brethren in Christ? Even if you don’t feel it’s wrong, could it offend or harm the sensitive faith of those who don’t share your convictions?
How will your decisions affect your parents, brothers or sisters? Someone is always looking!!
(1st Cor. 8:9) “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.”

6) Would it be a weight or hindrance?
Would your decision be something that would drag down your Christian life or influence you toward disobedience?
(Hebrews 12:1) “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

7) Would it please God or man? (I want to please God not man)
Whom do you hope to please by your decision? Will it bring pleasure to God, or will it appease self or man? One of the worst problems that we have is being selfish!!
(Col. 3:23) “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to man.”

8) How would the devil react?
Would your decision or actions be considered a victory or a defeat by the Devil’s forces? Would Hell celebrate your choice as a fulfillment of Satan’s desires, or would the enemy be angry and disturbed?
(1st Peter 5: 8-9) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

***9) What would the consequence be? Consequences can be rough!! Really rough!!
What kind of long-term ramifications would you have to face for you decision? Remember, God will forgive sin and poor judgment, but you may have to live with the results of your decisions the rest of you life.
(Gal. 6:7) “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

10) Would it edify you?
Would your decision or actions bring you closer to God or pull you farther away? Will it edify (Build you up) in the Lord, or will it weaken your confidence of the Lords strength in your life?
(1st Cor. 10:23) “All thing are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”

11) Would it serve the right Master?
Will your decision required you to yield to the demands of someone or something other than Christ? Will it cause you to compromise your submission and obedience to Jesus?
(Matt. 6:24) “ No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

12) Would His indwelling presence agree with it?
Would your decision bring peace to your inner man, or would it create discomfort or distress? Is your choice directed by the promptings and leading of the Holy Ghost, or by the appetites of the flesh? We must listen to the Spirit of God!!!
***(John 16:13)”However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…”
(Gal 5:16) “ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

13) Would you want to be doing this when Jesus returns?
Would you want to be doing this when Christ comes again? If Jesus would appear to inspect your decision or actions, would you be embarrassed or delighted? Would His presence make you comfortable or insure?
(Matt. 24:44) “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

14) Would it promote love?
Would your decision or actions express love and harmony, or would it reflect retribution, jealousy or injury to your neighbor or family? The decisions we make should impact love. We should always take the feelings of others in to account when we are deciding to do this or that.
(Romans 13: 8,10) “Owe no one anything except to love one another…Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

15) Have you sought the Lord about it?
The Lord promises to give leadership and direction to our life. Consult Him in prayer. Remember, God will never speak something to our heart that contradicts His written Word!!
(Pro. 3:6) “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
(Pro. 19:21) “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand.”

16) Have you sought Godly counsel or advice? This is why we should listen!!!
Ask the advice of those who live Godly and have a track record of experience and wise decision-making. Sometimes we should even look to people who have had a rough start in life, but now seem to be going in the proper direction. We should take time to look at people who have made bad choices; the Bible is full of them! There are those in the lives of all of us, people, who have failed, but because, somewhere, somehow, they finally made a right decision and God has let them get their life back on track. I believe this type of person can give some of the best advice. Experience is the best teacher. The ultimate teacher is Jesus Christ Himself!!
(Pro, 11:14) “Where there is no counsel, people fall; but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.”
(Psalms 1:1) “Blessed in the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…”

The words of Jesus echo good choices. He has chosen you and I to be His children. He paid the price for the sins of the entire world, which includes us all. The least we could do is to take heed to the advice that has been left in the Word of God.
******************************We can learn from listening!!!*****************************
When I bought my Dodge truck, it came with an owner’s manual. Now if I want my truck to work right and last a long time, I must go by what the manual tells me to do. There are certain things I must do at certain times to keep the truck running smooth.
God has left us an owner’s manual, The Bible. We need to keep in the Word and be ever ready to let His manual help us make the right decisions. Life can be sweet, but it also can be sour. We make it sour by the choices we make from decision to decision.

Thanks, Robert N. Graves Sr. fisherman for Christ.
We purchase the choices we make!!!