The Message of Instruction!!

Scripture: Haggai 2:10­-19, . . .As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.

You must read this Scripture to get the whole understanding of this message. I know you are in a hurry, but take a few minutes, get your Bible and look up the Scripture and slowly read it as you let the Good Lord open them up to you.

Introduction: I asked a deacon in our church if he thought we could be holy. His answer was “no way.” He did not at still does not believe we as mere humans can be holy. He thinks only God is holy.

God is the holy of the holy, but the Bible tells us in many places that we are to be holy. In Hebrews it tells us “to be holy, because without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

The Instruction:
The Book of Haggai is composed of messages the prophet Haggai preached to a remnant of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem after the exile to Babylon. They returned to rebuild the temple, but they became discouraged and gave up the project.

For eighteen years, nothing was done. Then in 520 B.C., a man called Haggai showed up and challenged the people. He said, "You're saying you don't have time to build the Lord's house. How come you find time to work on your own houses?"

So touching was his challenge that the people responded positively and set to work rebuilding the temple of the Lord. Haggai 2:10 contains the prophet's consequent message of instruction. The questions he asked in the text sound very complicated, but let me put them in modern English. The two questions Haggai posed were these.

Number one: Is holiness contagious? This question can also be put this way: Can you catch holiness just by being in touch with something holy? The answer is no.

Number two: Is uncleanness contagious? The answer is yes. Haggai's point was that the people had accepted the challenge to rebuild their holy temple, and accordingly, because they were involved in a "holy" work, they assumed that it made them holy.

Haggai challenged them on this because that is not necessarily the case. However, on the contrary, if we engage in the work of the Lord and our lives are defiled, is it possible the defilement is contagious?

In other words, can we defile the work of the Lord if our own lives are unclean?

The answer is yes.

Why is this important?

Why was holiness such a big deal to the children of Israel?

Is holiness a subject we should be concerned about?
The answer is definitely, "Yes!" Leviticus 19:2 says, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."

Holiness is the overarching characteristic of God, and it is to be the overarching characteristic of the covenant people of God.

1. God Is Holy.

A. He is exalted in His transcendence.
To descend means to go down.
To transcend means to go across.

Holiness means that God goes across or overarches. This is His overarching attribute.

When we ask someone what is the greatest characteristic of God, we get answers like His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness. All these thing are good but the actual fact is that His holiness defines His other attributes.

His love is a holy love.

His grace is a holy grace.

His mercy is a holy mercy. He is holy.

B. He is awesome in power.

C. He is glorious in appearance.

D. He is pure in character. One aspect of His otherness or separateness is that, while we are fallen and sinful, He is pure and sinless.

2. We are to be Holy. As far as the children of Israel were concerned, they were to be holy because that was the overarching characteristic of their God.

By the way they behaved, by the way they conducted themselves, by the way they lived distinctively among the other nations, they were to demonstrate something of the beauty and power and purity of God Himself. But Haggai wanted the people to realize that holiness isn't just a matter of being engaged in activities such as rebuilding the temple.

It came from their own relationship with God. He wanted them to realize that it was perfectly possible for them to go through all their externals and rituals but be totally devoid of any holiness.

We must make sure that we're not just involved in the work and worship of the Lord without being deeply committed in obedience to the Lord to whom our work and worship is rendered.

Conclusion: In 2 Corinthians 7:1, we read: "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

That pretty well summarizes what we've been talking about. Haggai tells us to never underestimate the holiness of God, nor devalue the sinfulness of humanity, nor neglect the wonders of grace, nor take your own spirituality carelessly. We're to be holy for He is holy.

Right Now we could be standing on the verge of World War three. Think about it! Israeli Tanks and soldiers are standing ready on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Israel will not be defeated and we as American have a mandate to stand with Israel.

Iran backs Lebanon and the ruler of Iran hates the Americans with a passion. This is a Holy war and it has been going on since the world began.

I do not know when Christ will return, but one thing I do know for sure and it is that it is closer today than yesterday.

What will you do?
Will you start living a holy life? Will you live a life of dedication to Christ and do the things He would have you to do?

What will you do with whatever time you have left?

These are things we each need to consider because in the blinking of an eye….who knows what may happen!!!

May God open our eyes and hearts because if God is for us, who can be against us?

No matter what we have done, if we come to God just like we are with a true heart of repentance, He will hear our plea for forgiveness and as this Scripture says,,,

“But from this day I will bless you.”

Thanks.
Robert N. Graves, Sr.
Fisherman for Christ

Are You Keeping In Step

Text: Galatians 5:13­26, NIV, 13) You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love. 14) The entire law is summed up in a single command” “Love your neighbor as your self.” 15) If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16) So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17) For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18) But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.

24) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26) Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Especially verse 25:

Introduction: Today, I'd like to ask this question: As one living in the age of the Christian church, are you keeping in step with the Holy Spirit?

What is He doing in your life?

How can we keep in step with something invisible?

Some think we are to imitate the life of Christ. But keeping in step in the Christian life is not done through mere imitation but by identification. We don't live the Christian life by trying to mimic (copy) the lifestyle of Christ; rather, He lives His resurrected life through us because we have received Him by faith!

How can a believer learn to keep in step with the Savior?

The answer is found in our text in which Paul deals with this subject.
He calls attention to three things.

1. The Conflict: (Gal. 5:16­21). There is a war going on inside the believer. The Greek word for "contrary" means "to be opposite" or "to be in continual opposition." (We found out in the last message that we are in a battle.)

The old you and the new you don't get along at all. The flesh and the Spirit are mortal enemies. Civil War? Yes! Soon after we become Christians and begin to discover the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we make a starling discovery. We find that we have all kinds of opposition. A number of enemies will try to keep us from walking in the Spirit. These enemies will hinder our attempt to live the victorious Christian life!

A. The External Enemy: The World (1 John 2:15). John tells us not to love the world. The Greek word for "world" can mean several things: the earth (Acts 17:24), the human race (John 3:16), and the evil system opposed to God (1 John 2:15). Living the Christian life involves care-fully interacting with the world but not being submerged in it.

Ill. Think about this: Dealing with my trawler, (Boat). When the boat is in the water, there’s no problem, but when the water is in the boat, you’ve got problems. The boat was made to be in the water but sometimes even a slow leak will gradually become a large leak and can be devastating to the well being of the vessel. It can get so full of water, if not dealt with, until it may sink or turn upside down.

In contrast, it is ok for the Christian to be in the world, but it’s not very good for the world to be in the Christian. (Right now, across the Beaufort River, they are having the annual, Water festival. May people come from everywhere to dance and drink and see what’s happening. It is in the world and there is a lot of drinking and the like going on right now. It would be ok for a Christian to be there, but not be very good if that Christian indulged himself or herself with the sinful pleasures of that world.)

B. The Infernal Enemy: The Devil. Peter warns believers that Satan prowls around as a lion seeking to devour someone (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan should not be regarded lightly, for on our own, we are no match for him. Remember that the devil will seek to hinder you in every way possible. He is the prince of this world, the evil world that is, and he will do anything to capture us. He is a liar and a deceiver. He can, if we let him, make our boat start to take on water a little at a time. We may think it is no big deal but in time our life can become so full of corruption until we may go under or burst at the seams, out of control!! He is the “Infernal Enemy”. Watch him!!!

C. The Internal Enemy: The Flesh. (Gal. 5:16­21). The human body is not sinful; it's neutral. If the Holy Spirit controls the body, then we walk in the Spirit; but if the flesh controls the body, we walk in the lusts or desires of the flesh. The flesh stands for that part of man's nature wherein his natural desires have free rein. Sometimes the Bible refers to this flesh nature as the old man or the old nature.

Something wonderful happens when we receive Christ as our Savior; at that moment we receive a new spiritual nature. The Bible refers to this new nature as the new man. Paul explains the contrariness of these (5:17).

2. The Contrast: (Gal. 5:19­23). God wants us to walk in the Spirit (v. 16), but when we attempt this, a contrast occurs between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Paul talks about the negative first, listing sensual sins, superstitious sins, and social sins as works of the flesh. He then explains the fruit of the Spirit. The contrast between "works" and "fruit" is important.

A machine in a factory works and turns out a product, but it can never manufacture fruit. Fruit must grow out of life, and in the case of the believer it is the life of the Spirit.

3. The Conquest; (Gal. 5:24­26). Paul brings us to the point of victory here in this matter of walking in the Spirit!

Is the victorious Christian life possible? Yes!

But there are certain factors we need to take on board.

We must consider the historical aspect, that is, that we died to sin and are now alive in Christ because of His sacrifice and resurrection. The mental aspect must penetrate our minds so that we know we are truly dead to sin (Rom.6:11, In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God, in Jesus Christ).

The sensible aspect must penetrate our lives; we must walk in the Spirit, meaning we must keep in step with the Spirit. This involves the Word, prayer, worship, praise, service, and fellowship with God's people.


Conclusion: The secret to avoiding temptation and living a fruitful life in the will of God is not simple but it can be done: keep in step with His Spirit. Count yourself dead to sin and alive in Christ; don't simply imitate Jesus--die to yourself and allow Him to live through you!

We must work on self-control. It is not easy but it is possible to control our self and not be controlled by the sinful desires of the flesh. I could write a book on the pain that I caused myself and many other people in my life because, for a long time I did not walk in the Spirit but I walked in the ways of the world. I can still remember the self inflicted pain that was suffered.

Life is a Journey and it is my desire to work with God and help someone pass over a life of sin and confusion and live a life that is controlled by the Spirit of God.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Don’t forget, one step to self-control is to do away with the “stinkin thinking”!!!


Robert N. Graves, Sr.
Fisherman for Christ.

The Problem With Stinkin Thinkin!!

2nd Timothy 1:7. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, of power, and self control.”

Good afternoon,

I went to a class today on Parris Island. It was a class on teaching. The gentleman who instructed the class was a very good teacher. He got his points across with outstanding clarity.

We were asked about teachers from our past school days, and if we did have a special one, what was it about that particular teacher that made his or her teaching so special. I do remember some of my school teachers but I don’t think my mind was in the learning mode back in those days. I thought mostly about what I call “stinkin thinkin.” My thoughts were about the cute girls who were all over the place. Also I was always thinking about how to get more money, and if I was going to skip school the next day, what was I going to write on my excuse note.

Stinkin thinkin! Have you ever had any of these kinds of thoughts? I bet I can answer that one from here.

My Master teacher is Jesus. I have learned, and am still learning, from Him more than all the other teachers in my life. Jesus helps keep my thinking in order. He has given me a Comforter to help me with my learning. Also He has provided a special Guide for me in all that I attempt to do.

Intro: Now I know many readers will not agree with this message about "Stinkin Thinkin." I am a learner or disciple of Jesus therefore, learning is a life long process and I do not claim to know it all. One thing I do know is what we think about has a great deal to do with what we do.

Ask yourself this question: Do the things you look at affect the way you act, look, and respond in your daily decision making process?

If a person sits around watching pornography, what would be on that persons mind a large portion of the time? If someone spends a great deal of their time watching shows like Jerry Springer with all its perversions, what would be on the mind of the one watching? The eyes are the lamp of the body.

ANOTHER VIEW:
In the book of Job we read that God took the hedge from around Job so that Satan could attack him. So from reading this Scripture, one way for Satan to get at us is for God to open us up to him. I truly believe this can happen. I also believe that we as individuals, more times that not, open the gateway for Satan with our own thought process.

LAMP OF THE BODY:
Matthew 6: 22-23, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness."

The eye is the lamp to the body. What comes in through our eyes has a great deal to do with how our body feels and acts. If we look at things that are not good, and the list is endless, we will be affected in some way.

In short, looking at negative things will more times than not produce negative results. On the other hand, looking at or taking in positive things will more times than not, produce positive results.

I guess my reason for writing this is to inform whom ever in the importance of what we take in with our eyes. What we take in through the eyes affects the mind. And what goes into the mind affects the rest of the body.

Our thoughts and expectations weld tremendous power and influence in our lives. Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will most likely have a negative life. If on the other hand, we renew our mind according to God’s Word, we will, as Roman 12:2 promises, prove out in our experience, “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We cannot expect to have a positive overcoming Christian life with a negative, worried, fearful mind. How many of you realize that? Because we’ll eventually become influenced by what we see or take in.
Our mind and what we put into it plays a tremendous role in our walk of faith.

WE ARE IN A WAR:
In the book of Ephesians there is a principle that we need to realize or a great truth there. It is, “We are in a war.” There is a war going on, but it’s not a just a battle in the physical realm; it is also in the spiritual realm. You might even say it’s in the unseen or mental realm. You’ve got to realize there is a war going on whether we like it or not. We have an enemy (Satan) and one way the enemy can get into our personality, into our emotions, into our thoughts, is through our eyes and then into the mind. (Be careful what you look at and of Stinkin Thinkin.)

We must realize we do have some control as to what enters the gateway to our mind. One access that Satan has is the access that we give him. Now listen, with all the sincerity and compassion I can, if today we have a worried mind, or a fearful mind, or an anxious mind or even if our mind is racing around with anger or unforgiveness or bitterness, unfortunately, I believe we have opened up the gateway for the enemy, and by our own choice have given him access into our life!

REAL TRUTH:
Jesus said “the truth will set you free.” God said, “People are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We all need to realize where the trouble can come from. Many times we open up the gateway by stinkin thinkin.

Life is a series of choices, none of us are robots. God gave the majority of us the power of making our own decisions. We are creatures of choice and we all have a will and decision making power of our own.Each day we are bombarded with hundreds and hundreds of thoughts that come against our mind. We must choose which one to believe, which one to act on, and which ones to throw down and disregard and forget about.

When we dwell on bad thinking we can allow that thought pattern to build a stronghold in our mind, then we will most likely, make choices that are not inline with the will of God and we will have to, in all probability, suffer the consequence there of.

We must listen to the truth from the teaching of Jesus. He said, “My Word is Truth and the truth will set you free.” Real truth comes from the Word of God.

ABOUT FEAR:

If Jesus builds by teaching the truth what does Satan use? Satan works by telling us lies which builds fear. Fear can bring us anxiety, worry, doubt and unbelief. Twenty-fours hours a day we can be bombarded with thoughts that can bring fear into our mind. That is just what Satan wants to do. He wants us to fear today, tomorrow and on into the future. He wants to break down our spirit and keep us in a frame of stinkin thinkin. He wants us to have a fear of failure, to have a fear of not being accepted, to have fear of not having enough money. He wants us to have a fear of not staying healthy. We must realize that many of those fears will not come to pass if we don't bite into his lies and listen to them and believe them and act on them.

It’s when we act upon fear that fear can bring things to pass. Just like truth or faith, can bring things to pass, fear also can bring things to pass. Job said, “The thing that I greatly feared came upon me.”

Our enemy, Satan, is never satisfied until we are totally and completely destroyed. He doesn’t leave us where we are; he wants to totally make us useless for the Kingdom of God.

If you see today that you are having any of those negative thoughts, you’ve got to make a choice to cast them down. Stop thinking about them and whatever you do, don’t act on fear because then that fear can give the enemy the right to bring fear to pass.

The Bible says in Matthew 8:13, Jesus said, “As you have believed, so it will be done unto you.”

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What have you been believing lately? Have you believing the lies of the enemy? If so, then you should take the time to get into the Word of God and the teaching of Jesus, find the promises in the Scriptures, meditate on them, and believe what God says about you and to you!!

Ask yourself right now, “What have I been thinking about?”

We should regularly examine our thought life and if we find any “stinkin thinkin” going on, then we should flush them.

God is very clear about what we should think about. Philippians 4:8 says this…

”Think on things that are pure, things that are lovely, things that are wholesome, things that are true, things that are honest, things that of good report.”

So from now on, think on things that build you up not things that tear you down.

ThanksRobert N. Graves,

Sr.Fisherman for Christ.

A Godlike singer!!

God had a song He wanted to sing, and when He had finished it, He created a man to sing it. You see, it was a mighty song and needed a Godlike singer. The man was Jesus, a carpenter of Nazareth. He went up to Jerusalem and as He walked up and down its narrow, crowded streets, God’s song swept across the hearts of people.

Some ran to meet it; it was so full of strength and beauty. Others ran from it, trembling with fear. These were they who dreaded; for fear that it might uncover the hate and pull up the falsehood in which their lives were so comfortably grounded.

Jesus had such a beautiful song to sing and He still sings it today. It is a song with a divine melody. Its tune has a sound like the wind. Sometimes soft, like a gentle whisper. At other times like the roaring of the mighty sea, powerful, constant and everlasting.

When the leaders of Israel- scribes, priest, and Pharisees heard it, they shuttered the windows of their souls and closed the gates of their minds against it.

The Godlike singer sings the song of repentance, of peace, joy, love, and also contentment. Do you hear the singer today? He is singing from the roof tops all over to world, but who will listen and respond to Him?

His song also shouts from the smoke of burning buildings. It can be heard in the mountains of Afghanistan to the shores where the tsunami washed life and death out to sea! We can hear this Godlike singer, crying from rooftops and in back alley ways all over the world.

This Godlike singer not only is singing out to the world through the perverseness that we see all around us, He also sings to us from the beauty of life, things like the cry of a new born infant. Like the beauty from the sky so blue. Also from the rain that falls down onto His creation, at times seemingly wanting to wash away all of the evil that has taken hold of man.

Jesus came, singing, “My Father worketh until now, and I work.”

As we look around us, we see the constant evidence of God’s Spirit at work in the world. The universe testifies to the fact that the Creative Singer behind it not only was but is a worker. As for us, we must work until the Master comes. We must work in singing the songs that has been planted in our hearts. This is the song of the Good News!!

“A GOD LIKE SINGER!”

My Master was a singer, with His daily work to do,
And if we are to be like Him, we must be a singer too;

We must welcome honest labor, and honest labors fare,
Because where we are working, the Master’s song is there.

My Master was a soldier, a trusted friend so true,
He who would be like Him must be a soldier too;

In joyful hours of singing, in silent hours of prayer,
Where stands this loyal soldier, the Master’s song is there.

My Master was a servant, the pain of life He knew,
If we are to be like Him, we’ve a servants work to do!

Our burden will grow lighter if each would pull his own share,
And where there’s a servant, the Masters song is there!

My Master was a mighty singer, to this I must confess,
When our song is sung up yonder, I hope we past to test!!

My Masters voice is calling, “Who will go and work today?”
The fields are white with harvest; I can hear the Master say!

I hope you hear Him singing for it’s in Jesus name I pray!!

Can you hear Him singing?

Matthew 11: 28-30, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


Robert N. Graves, Sr.
Fisherman for Christ

"Is Your Anchor Holding?"

“Most of us spend our lives seeking our destiny. One man created His own. It began in a manger and led to a cross and it included you. You too have a destiny and someday, someday soon your destiny will cross His.”

Are you drifting? Is your anchor slipping? Are you using big enough rope to hold your ship steady as the wind blows? What keeps you on course as the storm winds gale about the open sea of life? Do you have an enter alarm that will let you know when your anchor is slipping, slipping slowly down stream away from God? God is an ever-safe refuge in the storms of life. He is peace in the hardships of life. He is ever-present in times of trouble. He and only He can make the seas calm. Only he can make a beautiful day out of a whirlwind of torment. Take a look! Are you drifting your way to hell? Or maybe your ship is set. Set in the love of the One who stills the waters. Maybe your heart is set in the peace of His love. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In other words plain and simple! Unless you have set anchor on Christ you are drifting!! Only you and God know the real truth. What is your truth? I only know that He has made such a difference in my life, that I must tell my brothers about Him. Jesus can take a storm tossed life and turn it into something so beautiful that, that, well something’s have to be lived to be explained. Let Jesus explain it to you. He knows the Way to keep you from drifting.”

“ARE YOU DRIFTING? IS YOUR ANCHOR SLIPPING?”

I read of a tragic event that resulted from, “drifting.” “Two young men were fishing above a low dam on a river near their hometown. As they were concentrating on catching fish, they were unaware that they had drifted until they were not far from the water flowing over the dam. When they realized their situation, the current near the dam had become too powerful for them to keep their boat from going over. Below the dam the water was dashing with strong force over great boulders and through crevices in the rocks.

Caught by the swirling waters under the rocks, they never came to the surface. After days of relentless searching, the divers finally found one body, and then, two or three days later, the other. (I wonder what they were anchored on or what kind of anchor they had?)

ANCHOR GUIDE:
Hebrews 2:1. “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

The danger of drifting is not limited to the physical realm! In Hebrews 2:1, we find a warning against drifting. Sadly, it is not uncommon for Christians to drift toward destruction! Brothers and Sisters, “ARE YOU DRIFTING?” Would you know it if you were? With this lesson I hope to stimulate careful awareness regarding the danger of drifting away from the Lord. (CONSIDER)

(1) THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DRIFTING:

A. DRIFTING REQUIRES NO EFFORT:
1. Just stop rowing or tacking against the wind, and a boater will begin to drift.
2. The same is true for the Christian, which is why we are told:
We must pay more careful attention…Heb. 2:1

B. IT IS AN UNCONSCIOUS PROCESS: IT IS POSSIBLE TO DRIFT UNAWARE:
1. In a boat, undercurrents are often unnoticeable from the surface.
2. In a plane, the wind or gravitational forces move the plane without you realizing it.
3. The same is true in the spiritual realm.
a. Many individual Christians have slowly drifted away.
b. Only one day to find themselves far removed from the Word of God.

C. WE NEVER DRIFT UPSTREAM OR AGAINST THE TIDE:
1. Faithfulness to the Lord is like paddling up stream. It’s not easy and takes effort.
2. You must constantly be, “ Adding to your faith” (2nd Peter 1:5)
3. You must continue to “ grow” (2nd Peter 3:18) The moment you stop growing, you start going downwards.

D. THE SPEED DOWNSTREAM INCREASES:
1. The dangers increase with the speed of the drift.
a. When we hear the noise of the waterfall, it may be too late.
b. When we lose sight of land, it is more difficult to discern that we are drifting.
2. When we move farther and farther from the Lord, we care less and less about what we do.

E. IT’S DANGEROUS TO OTHERS:
1. A boat or life adrift, will crash on the rocks or go over the falls.
2. For those who drift spiritually through their own neglect, there shall be no escape from a just punishment. (Hebrews 2: 1-4) The danger of drifting is real, or there would be no need to warn against it. So I ask, “ARE YOU DRIFTING?” To help answer the question, here are some…

(2) COMMON SIGNS OF DRIFTING:

A. DIMINSHING DESIRE TO STUDY GOD’S WORD AND PRAY:
1. The Bible is a unique book- a source of information not found anywhere else.
a. Without God’s revelation, how could we truly know our origin, purpose, and destiny?
b. It tells us of sin’s dreadful consequences, and how God saves us from sin.
c. It provides direction for living happy, useful lives. (Psalm 1:1-3) ***
When one loses their desire to study God’s Word, they are drifting!
2. Prayer is a wonderful blessing; it’s an avenue to communicate with God!
a. Jesus, who loves His Father, often prayed. (Mark 1:35; 6:46)
b. He expressed concern that His disciples not grow weary to pray. (Luke 18:1)

When the Christian prays less and less, he is drifting more and more!

B. DIMINISHING DESIRE TO BE WITH GOD’S PEOPLE:
1. This includes attending services to worship God.
a. One should always have a attitude of the
Psalmist- (Psalm 122:1) I rejoice with those who said to me “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
b. If we no longer rejoice in the worship of God in the presence of brethren, “We are drifting.”
c. Fellowship with God’s people extends beyond the services of the Church .We are to be concerned with edifying one another. (Romans 14:19)
d. Such edification should occur even daily. (Hebrews 3:13) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’ deceitfulness.
e. For the right hand of friendship strengthens us, while the wrong kind leads us to sin. (1st Cor. 15:33) Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character".

When a Christian prefers the companionship of people of the world rather than fellow Christians, he is drifting toward the rocks of spiritual destruction!!

C. DIMISHING DESIRE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL:
1. When one obeys the gospel, he knows God has blotted out his sins, made him a new creature in Christ, and he wants to tell the world about Jesus. (Acts 8:4; Thessalonians 1:8)
2. When a Christian no longer has the desire to take the message of salvation to others, He’s adrift.

D. INCREASING THRILL OVER THINGS OF THE WORLD:
1. Such as greater thrill over worldly honors; for example:

Parents of one young man were excited beyond measure over a worldly honor he had received. They had never demonstrated such emotion over spiritual matters.

Which is more important? Worldly or Spiritual destiny? The apostle John warns us against the love of the world and the things in the world. (1st John 2: 15-17)***

2. Such as increasing enjoyment in worldly pleasures.
a. Paul described some who were, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. (2nd Tim. 3:4)
b. If we reach the point when we find more pleasure in some worldly activity than meeting with others to worship God, we definitely are spiritually adrift!
(These have been some of the signs of drifting away from God. If we are to remain close to God, it will not be easy. Here are…)

(3) REMEDIES AGAINST DRIFTING:
A. KEEP ROWING…1. Spiritually speaking, this involves diligence. (2nd Peter 1:5,10) Define diligence: Earnest, persistent application to an undertaking. Attentive care; heedfulness.
2. It also means to keep abounding in our Christian graces. (Look at 2nd Peter 1: 5-8)
3. There is no place for “retirement” in living the life of a Christian! It’s a life long journey.

B. WATCH OUT FOR UNDERCURRENTS:
1. We must always be on guard for undercurrents of temptation.
2. For we have a fleshly nature which wages war against the soul.
(1st Peter 2:11-12, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”

C. EXPECT TO GO AGAINST THE TIDE:
1. There are many tides to sweep us away.
a. Popularity, peer pressure, the praise of others, Modernism, skepticism, humanism. The world is full of things that will try to pull you from the good anchoring ground, and where is that good holding bottom? It’s at the foot of the cross. It’s in Christ Jesus that we find the right place to be anchored.
b. Neglect-lack of interest and concern for God’s Word and His commands are real good signs
that someone’s anchor may be slipping.
2. If one drifts along with the majority of the world, he certainly will be lost: (Matt 7: 13-14) These are the words of Jesus, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

D. WE MUST HAVE STRONG ANCHORAGE:
1. Rooted and grounded in Christ.
2. Minds must be anchored to the truth. Possessing an unshakable hope. Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ.

CONCLUSION:
Are you drifting? Only you and God know the answer to that question. The danger is real. We would be foolish to say otherwise. Many have drifted away from the Lord; we would be arrogant to say it could not happen to us! Are there signs of drifting in your life? Honestly ask yourself, is my desire to study God’s Word and prayer diminishing? Is my desire to be with God’s people not what it has been in the past? Have I lost my desire to help save those who are lost? Am I too much influenced by the things of the world? If in any way we must confess that we are drifting, then may we encourage one another to give earnest heed as warned by the writer to the Hebrews:
(Hebrews 2: 1-3)"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”

To God be the Glory forever. Amen. If God be for us, who can be against us?”

The Cross Room

I wonder if you have ever felt this way! I have.

A young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out he dropped to his knees in prayer, "Lord I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The young man was filled with relief. "Thank you Lord," he sighed, and he did what he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many other crosses, some so large the tops weren't even visable. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against the far wall. "Id like that one Lord," he whispered.

The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in!!!

Father pleasing positions

Good afternoon world. I hope all is going well in what ever position you are located in.

Yesterday my day started out getting up at 3 oclock in the morning. I had to take my trawler down the coast, fifteen hours, to a railway to get it hauled out for paint and general mantanience. It was a beaftiful day and the weather was just right to make the trip.

As soon as we left the dock and got out in the sound, everybody else went back to bed. The only person left awake for eight hours was me, myself, and I, and of course, The Holy Spirit was on the scene speaking to my heart.

My 15 year grand son, Ryan was with us. It was his first trip to sea. At one time we were about 20 miles offshore. He got up after a long nap and I let him drive for several hours. It was a great experience for him. He told me he was glad that I had let him go and he felt like he was in just the right spot. He was and so was I.

Here is a short message that was on my mine yesterday as we traveled out on God's great big ocean. I believe we were in a "Father Pleasing Position."

‘FATHER PLEASING POSITIONS’

As I sit and think and read,
I wonder about mans need.

I can see from where he came,
I can see how he is the blame.

Blame for what you will say,
And then I bowed my head to pray,

Father, thank You for Your Holy Word,
Thank You for life and love,
Thank You for Heavenly blessings,

Thank You for different ways to see,
Thank You that one day I will be,
Just what You promised to me,

Thank You for the strength that I receive,
Whenever my lungs open to breath,

Thank You for the wind of Your Holy Spirit
That opens my heart so I can hear it,

I thank You that You are in my heart,
Thank You Father for a brand new start.

I know that we are made in Your image and that we must be in the right position to receive Your blessings. My inner most feelings are love and honor for You, thank You for Christ the Lord who suffered for the sins of all human creatures, bless these words this day, Father and lead us to the place where we can be in the right position.

Set us on the right course
Amen

GENESIS 2: 4-6,

(4) These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and heaven, (5) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: For the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. (6) But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

As I type the letters onto this page I feel a fresh feeling inside. It may be because I can in a way, smell the moisture from the rising mist that is coming up from the earth that God has created. If I look deeper in to the Word I can even see the trees blowing gentle in the light breeze of creation. Wow, it must have been a sight to “BEHOLD.” No decay, no hate, no death, no pain, only a place for love to grow and grow. I can even see the birds of the air and the fish swimming and jumping without anything in the way to bother them. I can see the greenery of the beautiful background. Now I can even feel the dampness from the mist on the back of my neck.

Ok, Ok, I’ll come back; it just seemed so nice and peaceful dreaming in the mist of God’s creation.

I have learned that Bible reading can be very confusing. I think sometimes that what I’m reading at that particular time, maybe I’m supposed to be reading someplace else because I’m not ready or possibly not in the right position spiritually to see what I’m supposed to be seeing.

That’s one way I think God lets different people see things in different ways. Life would be sort of stale if we all saw things the same way. Nothing new would ever be learned and so forth.

I believe things must be in place before God will act. The Bible tells us that at the beginning of creation, God had not caused it to rain upon the earth. This however, does not mean that the earth was without water. It plainly tells us that up to this time, God had caused a mist to come up from the earth to give moisture to the earth He had made. There had been no downpour, however, from the heavenlies

Why? Because there was not a man to till the ground. There are some things that God has planned to do, has made provision for doing, and desires to do that He will not do until man is in place to receive what God intends to give.

The blessing is there—in the Father’s safekeeping. The need is there—insistent, resistant, persistent in its pain and suffering. But the blessing won’t be applied to the need until man’s heart is in a position for God to act according to his own laws of love, redemption, healing and deliverance.

There are some things that God has in the heavenlies that will not be released to you until you are in the proper position spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. Oh, we may be experiencing a “Mist”—but in your spirit, you have a restlessness that there must be something more. You have an inner knowing that you aren’t fully where you ought to be. You have an uneasiness, a frustration that causes you to say, “Why am I no further than this in my life? It’s not a negative frustration but just enough to keep you yearning for learning.

When you are in alignment with God and His purposes, He will open up the heavens and cause it to rain on you! When everything is lined up just right you’ll experience an outpouring of God’s blessings.

So now we must shift from the page of creation to where our Savior is getting into a wet blessed position.

MATTHEW 3: 13-17
(13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (JESUS IS GETTING INTO THE RIGHT POSITION) (14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee. (15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (16) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. (17) And lo a voice from heaven saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Thank God for the right position).

When Jesus stepped down into the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist, He stepped into the right position for the fullness of God’s purpose for His life. Jesus’ step into the Jordan waters was symbolic of His perpetual death and resurrection.

Have you ever stopped to think that by the time Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan River that day, they were teeming with the sins of mankind? John the Baptist had baptized countless people in the Jordan, their sins figuratively passing from them to the sea of God’s forgiveness, just as the waters of Jordan River end up in the Dead Sea.

From the shores of spiritual blindness one might think, “How awful! Jesus was wading into sin.” Jesus was doing so, however, to fulfill the purpose of God—redemption from sin. Jesus was exactly in the right position, where God wanted Him to be, doing precisely what God wanted him to do.

As Jesus stood in the very place God desired for Him to stand, God opened up the heavens, the Spirit of God descended upon Him, and voice spoke from heaven saying, “This in My Son. This in my seed, My Son, who pleases Me!”

Don’t expect God to speak up for you—or to cause others to see you for who you really are—until you are willing to step into the place where God has called you to be. When you step into that place where you are supposed to be, you don’t have to speak up for yourself, fight for yourself, or demand anything of others. God will speak for you. He’ll command whatever forces are involved to yield to you, give to you, honor you, listen to you, obey you,

Don’t expect God to open up the heavens and pour His Spirit of power and truth and wisdom and righteousness onto your life unless you are where you are supposed to be. When you step into the place God has destined for you, you won’t have to take on your on battles, grope about for the right decisions, wonder if something is right or wrong. God will give you every ability you need. He’ll put into your path what you need to have. And you won’t have any doubt that it’s God who is providing for you or working in you.

To please God we must obey Him, even if it means wading into someone else’s muddy water.

Go only where God calls you to go. Once there, do only what He commands you to do. You will be in a ‘FATHER PLEASING POSITION”


Robert N. Graves Sr. Fisherman for Christ.

The Other side

“THE OTHER SIDE”

“My Son,” have your nets captured nothing?
Even though, all night long you’ve tried,

Hear the Savior bidding,“Try the other side.”

Cast your nets with sureness With your masters call,
He will show the way For a wondrous haul.

Push out deeper as He calls you In His world of tide.
Listen when He speaks, “Try the other side”

You can trust in His power And His guiding too!
When He says,” tell others” That’s surly what to do!

We are to be His witness, And before the tides to low,
His mercy and His goodness, He truly wants to show!.

Tell them about your Master, Who is your Captain and your guide,
And just before you stumble Try the other side.

Life is full of sandbars and snags that hang my nets,

But as the Savior guides me, My eyes can truly see,
If I cast my nets on Jesus,My soul will be set free.

I must tell my needy Brothers As the tide is running strong,
To cast their nets on the Savior, For surely it won’t be long

When the tides of life will surely slow down, And their nets no more will cast,
And this life as we know it Will truly meet its past,

You can bet my Master is coming For His word says its so,
So cast your nets on Jesus before the tides to low.

Robert N. Graves Sr. fisherman for Christ

A prayer for a special son

A PRAYER FOR A SPECIAL SON

Tonight dear Lord, I ask in your name
Touch my son and let him not remain the same.

His life is so fragile, like eggs in a crate,
Please Show him your light before it’s to late.

Please reach out and touch him right in his heart
Give him strength in his weakness and set him apart.

He is such a good man, to this I confess,
I ask in Your name, his life, please bless.

He has lost so much and it’s such a shame,
Truth being revealed, no one’s to blame.

I searched and asked, and spoken and prayed,
I can’t yet figure out why this one has strayed.

I just know that I love him and you know it’s true,
I love him so deeply but not as much as you.

So because he is you child and you are the dad,
Just open his eyes, and don’t let him grow sad.

Comfort him when he is troubled; help him see when he is blind.
Fill his heart with love and give him Your peace of mind.

Let sin be his enemy, let the Holy Spirit be his friend.
Give him spiritual power that comes from within!

I say this prayer to Him whose kingdom is high above.
I say this prayer for him that God knows I love.

Strengthen him, Lord to overcome the things that he cannot change
Fill his heart with loving compassion that is without limit or range.

I thank you now my Father and it’s in Your name I pray
Let this prayer be heard before You as we start a new day.

Amen

Sonshine

“SONSHINE”

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
Like Sonshine at noon-day, His glory shone in,

Now no darkness have we who in Jesus abide,
We walk in His light when we follow His guide.

You dwellers in darkness with sin blinded eyes,
Go wash, in His blood, and light will arise.

There’s no need of the sunshine in heaven we’re told,
The Son is the light in the City of Gold.

I trust Him in love as moments just fly,
I trust Him in song as the days go by.

So I look to my Savior in all that I do,
He is my Shepherd and ever so true.

He leads me through darkness in storms frightening wind,
He helps keep my course straight so I want get lost again!!

In His arms He carries me all the day long,
Praise Him, praise Him forever in song.

Thank you my Savior for all that you do,
Please know Dear Father that I love you!!

All the way my Savior leads me, reaching each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial, and feeds me with His living bread.

All the way my Savior leads me, oh the fullness of His love,
Perfect rest to me is promised, in my Father’s house above!!

So I live for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do.

Living for Jesus in whatever I aim,
Living for Jesus, His gospel I claim.

So I’m living for Jesus through this earth’s little while,
My dearest seeking treasure, the light of His smile.

For He is my Master, my Leader, my Guide,
And surly in me, forever He’ll ride!!


Rng.

Reflections

“REFLECTIONS”

As I sit in this lonely room,
In my mind I see a vision of Christ’s tomb,

From there He arose just for me,
To shine for always and set us free,

His Spirit is here forever more,
He’ll sail our battered ship back to shore.

When the storms of life seems to get us down,
Just call on Him with His golden crown.

He’ll bring you home no matter where you are.
You can be anywhere, at sea, at work, or at deaths star.

So hold this life and His love close to your heart,
And surly don’t let sin set you apart.

Hold his love, tenderly in your hand,
For this will make you a special man,

A man of happiness and of joy,
We must teach this to each girl and boy.

His light will shine forever more,
From sea then back to shinning shore

His love reaches to clouds up high,
And deep in my heart I feel a sigh,

I see the cross where my Savior died,
And where mother Mary surly hurt and cried.

I see the star above the cross,
Where my Savior’s life was surly lost.

I see the rainbow up in the sky,
It’s a promise of hope with His life, He did buy.

I see the clouds above the earth,
They shadow life, death, and birth.

God has a plan for us each and all
His love and power is here and will never stall.

His hands reach out to gather us in,
To protect us, and use us, and keep us from sin.

So open your heart and let Him come to you,
He will guide and protect you in everything you do.

Jesus Christ is my shield,
And to His love and power I will forever yield.

Amen,
Robert N. Graves Sr.

The last inspection!

The Marine stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, young Marine, How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek and to My Church been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place, among the people here.
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, It need not be so grand.
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, young Marine, You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets; you’ve done your time in Hell."

A Petrified pine tree

I started writing this Sunday night and just finished today.

A PETRIFIED PINE TREE

Good afternoon.

I hope all is well is your little part of the world.

I just got back last night from a week long shrimping trip at sea. Right now I am tired and I need to study because tomorrow I have the honor of preaching to several hundred young recruits at Parris Island Military base at 7:45 AM. Then I will go from there to preach to some people at an open air church at Lands End. This open air church is in a man’s back yard. The back yard over looks Port Royal Sound, which is favored with one of the most spectacular views anywhere in Beaufort County.

As we look out over Port Royal Sound we can see the Intra Coastal Waterway. To the South we can see Hilton Head Island and many more Islands that God has planted in our area. If we look straight to the west there sits Parris Island. Now when I get through speaking at Parris Island it will take me about 45 min. to get to Lands End but as the crow fly’s it is only about three miles away.

It is strange or neat how the Lord works because right in front of this place where I will be preaching at Lands End is a long dock. Right in front of this dock is where I anchor my trawler when fishing in this area. Now that may not seem very special to you but to me it is, because I was anchoring there many years before I ever started preaching on the shore at the end of the dock. (I hope this makes sense.)

Anyway, praise God for all His blessings. He is so great.

On Monday the work week started off with the wind blowing about 35 knots. We went out in front of Fripp Island and made one drag but it was just too rough. When the wind blows like this it makes work hard and dangerous. Normal people don’t have a clue as to what I am talking about. Maybe this will help. Imagine what it would be like to be inside of a washing machine while it was washing, and try to stand up and get anything done. It would be really hard wouldn’t it?

Tuesday the wind had calmed down and we went back out and started dragging for shrimp, (Work is a drag). Several more trawlers showed up, so we had some company. The first drag we had a really good catch and it looked like it was going to be successful day, but on the second drag we caught a lot more shrimp but we also caught in the nets a “Old Petrified Pine Tree.” It was at least 60 feet long and weighed several tons. It tore up one of my nets but we still got a large pile of shrimp. Now this may not seem like much to you but we had to get several ropes on this old tree and get in on board so we could put it somewhere out of the way so we would never catch it again.

After we got it tied off we headed slowly into Trencherds Inlets. (Ted Turner owns an Island just inside of this inlet called, St. Phillips Island.)

We anchored the boat and stayed on the deck until 11:30 that night. We had to pick up and clean, bag and freeze all the shrimp we had caught and then we had to take off the tore up net and install a new one. This sounds easy but it was about 97 degrees and no breeze in the inlet. It was a job but we got it done.

We went on out the next morning and the rest of the week we had fair weather and really caught a lot of shrimp….Now what I want to talk about is the Pine tree. This Old Pine tree was just beneath surface, it had to have been there for years and years. One day my nets came along and raised it up to where eyes could see it.

In our lives there are many things that are just beneath the surface, just laying there waiting for us to bring them to life or maybe into full view. For instance, on the night of April 14, 1912 the “Titanic,” sank to the bottom of the Atlantic in the frigid black of night, the victim of a giant iceberg hidden just beneath the surface.

As the ice berg penetrated the steel of the Titanic, water rushed into its supposedly watertight compartments, destroying the ship’s buoyancy. Many people lost their lives, families were destroyed, and truly no words can describe the pain that was felt, that night. And no one had seen the attack coming, because the ultimate danger was not above the waterline but below it.

The real tragedy is that it could have been avoided. Warnings went unheeded. If fact, at least six warnings of ice fields were ignored. One was never delivered to the bridge, and reports were that the captain was drifting in and out of sleep. If only someone had paid attention to the warnings and been on guard. (Are you on guard?)

Now where do you and I fit into this story?

I find that too many marriages or relationships are like the Titanic. Stuck by dangers lurking beneath the surface. Sinking quickly, killing those on board. Tragedies with victims, avoidable tragedies caused by overly confident captains, fast paced lifestyles, foolish priorities, unstable structures, dangers out of sight. Shipwrecks waiting to happen.

1) Over confident captains: Now a husband is the captain of his marriage. What I mean by this is; he is supposed to be the leader of his family. He is supposed to set an example for his wife and children. Often because of a hard head or perhaps the husband or wife is over confident, they awake one morning only to find pain or confusion as the driving force directing their life. (What can be done?)

BE HOLY BECAUSE I AM HOLY:

One man I know, who is a really good friend is going through a divorce right now. He tries to act like it doesn’t bother him but I know better. He was married to this lady for many years. They have three kids who are now married.

2) Fast paced lifestyles: 3) Foolish priorities.

They lived a little in what I call the fast lane. Always going out to bars and having a few drinks and living in the party world. After a while they both began to get drunk pretty often. When this happens it is like the old pine tree or the ice berg that sank the Titanic, it is something that was hidden beneath the surface that grows slowly to the point of total destruction.

After many years of this party life, the wife began to go out with other men and finally got in trouble. The husband did the same thing. Satan does not care what he uses to get you!! It is he job to deceive you!!

This man and woman at one time truly loved each other but because they did not have their priorities in order, their life together is going down the drain.

I have talked with the man in this story and he told me that it just snuck up on him and before he knew it his marriage was over.

3) Unstable Structures: Instead of putting their faith in God, they put it in the world. Satan is in control of the world, he is the prince of the air. Satan is an “Unstable Structure.” His job is to try to kidnap us into thinking, “Every thing is ok.” He does a really good job. He deceives us into sinning and because we are fleshly creatures, we are fooled into thinking sinning is ok. He makes us feel counterfeit happiness. He leads us to believe that we are doing the right thing because it feels good. Listen, the Bible says sin is good for a season but then the payment. What is the payment for sin? Death in many ways!!

This is what he told me and I want you to see the lies in his story. Often we lie to ourselves so we will think everything is ok or normal.

4) Dangers out of sight:
He rationalized and justified his thoughts (Wife also) and actions with ideas like these:

a) I can handle this; I won’t let it get out of hand. (My comeback is, Can you play with a baby rattlesnake and not get bitten?)

b) God wants me to be happy. (I thought God wants me to be holy)

c) I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. (News flash! Theirs is not such thing as a safe affair.)

d) You just don’t understand my situation. (Oh, sure, you’re unique.)

At times I believe we all think we are unique and the truth is, we are. We are created in the image of God! God has provided all we need to sustain us. He has even given us an owner’s manual with first class directions. God has even provided an unblemished lamb as a sin offering for us. His name is Jesus.

Now about being Holy: If the man and woman in this story had offered their lives, holy and pleasing to God, chances are their marriage would have lasted. Being holy means that a person is set apart for service to God. It also means that we do the things that are in accordance with God’s will.

WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE?

Everyone’s life is driven by something.

There are so many things that are just under the surface in our lives that can cause us to be driven by the wrong thing.

Webster’s dictionary defines drive as, “To guide, to control, or to direct.” Whether you are driving a nail, car, or driving a tennis racket through the air, you are guiding, controlling, and directing at that moment.

At the present you may be driven by a problem, a pressure, or some sort of deadline. It could be that you are driven by a bad memory, or a haunting fear or even an unconscious belief. But stop right now and look back! What ever is causing turmoil in your life or in the life of someone you know, I bet that some where in the past the problem was caused by something that was hidden just under surface.

Something that was looked upon as not to important or not so bad, has now exploded in to full bloom and now it has to be dealt with.

Anyway, just stop and think about your own life! Do you have something going on that maybe just under the surface, getting ready to come to the top and cause trouble or pain?

Jesus said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God……” If we seek Him first with all of our heart, and let Him help us get our priorities straight, then we will be preparing for whatever may come our way.

My order of priorities have not always been good but now I seek the will of God in all I do!

1) God: He is number one in my life!

2) Family: My family is second.

3) Church: My church comes third.

If I look to God first, He will give me guidance in the things that matter most, like my family. If I follow Him, I will not do things or go places that will jeopardize the security of my family.

The old pine tree I caught in my net the other day was on the bottom, just below the surface. I could not see it but it was there. After it came to the top, I could see the damage it had done and was still doing. It cost a lot of money to buy new shrimp nets and rope, but it is nothing compared to divorce and things of that nature.

So watch out, don’t let something destructive that may be just below the surface, come up and make a mess of your life.

I couldn’t help catching the pine tree but there are many other things that I will not let happen. I will not give the old devil an inch.

Be careful, if you give him an inch, he’ll be your ruler.

Robert N. Graves, Sr.
Fisherman for Christ.