Why Did I Do That - 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

“Why Did I Do That”

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

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Does sexual immorality leave you in a state of “Why did I do that!”  No matter how handsome or pretty the person is . . . when we know it is  wrong, we ask ourselves “Why did I do that!”  We try to mend broken relationships with “that” and we try to convince someone of our love with “that”.  Sometimes we do “that” to try and make ourselves feel better about ourselves, but truth be told, “that” leaves you feeling worst about ourselves!  We do it to feel powerful, but truth be told, “that” leaves us weak and vulnerable!  As Christians wanting a true relationship with GOD, it’s hard to get past “that” without realizing we are sinning against our own bodies!

The reason we ask “Why did I do that” is because we realize that we have sinned against GOD and ourselves.  Have you ever asked “Why did I do that to GOD”  You know it’s not a coincidence that this sin has caused so much damage in our lives!  It’s hard to recover from it and it can be even harder to move on!  You began to beat up on yourself because you did “that” again.  You know the intentions were wrong . . . you know how it is going to end . . . yet you find yourself asking again in frustration “Why did I do that!”  It’s like playing that old game called Russian roulette with your body!  You are hoping you don’t get hurt . . . this time!  You are hoping you are not pregnant . . . this time!  You are hoping you don’t contract a disease . . . this time!  But you are sinning against your own body . . . every time!  Please, don’t try to convince yourself “that” is O.K.  Try looking at sin the same way GOD looks at sin . . . and you will realize HE loves you too much.  HE doesn’t want to see you hurt yourself with “that”

I can’t answer for anyone on why, but I do know that GOD’s Word says that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit!  With JESUS as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you!  Before you open your heart to man (human), give your heart to JESUS, and HE will let you know who to let in!  We can abuse someone else physically and emotionally . . . but we always hurt ourselves with sexual immorality!  Wrapping it up does not protect against the emotional damage.

Then there is the area of sexual immorality that we will refer to as "Self Gratification".  It is also a sin against our own bodies!  The mind should never go where the body is not allowed to follow!  If you know that your body is not suppose to be in the bed with someone other than your spouse . . . why would you let your mind go there?  We are to keep our beds pure, so if your mind goes there in self gratification . . . you are still sinning against your own body and your bed!  You think you are not cheating or sinning, because no one else is involved, but that is so far from the truth!  Not only do you sin agianst your own body, but you put a huge strain on any physical relationship!  No one will ever live up to your standard of self gratification!  So, don't be fooled . . . self gratification is still a sin against "self"!

Tipping The Scale - Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

“Tipping The Scale”

 ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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I always hear or read about “balance!”  We must have a balanced diet!  We must have a balanced life!  So now I am visualizing a “Balance Scale”  One side has to equal the other side in order for the scale to be balanced!  If you put a 10 pound weight on one side, you have to put two 5 pound weights on the other side!  That’s balanced!

What does this have to do with the passage?  We can get caught up in focusing too hard on balance!  We can become so anxious, worried and concerned about life and all the things of this world, that we end up tipping the scale towards the spirit of depression, anxiety, etc.  Then when we feel the scales are tipping in the wrong direction, and then we try to balance it with GOD’s Word!  We go to church and bible study just long enough to feel better and have a balance.  But this will not give us true joy!  We have to tip the scale in the direction of GOD!  We have to think on whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.  Those things of excellent and those things that are praiseworthy!

I always say, “It takes more preparation than participation”  You can’t balance your efforts with your results.  You will always have to give your best effort to get any result.  Tipping The Scale towards GOD will always outweigh the bad!  It only takes One love to tip the scales away from haltered! 

I began tipping the scales towards GOD when I purposed to have more Christian friends in my phonebook for advise then those who would advise me of what the world would do!  I tipped the scale when I chose to stop watching “R” rated movies and have more Christian DVDs in my library!  I tipped the scale towards GOD when I eliminated worldly music CDs and began to purchase Christian CDs.  I use to try to balance them all, but now I realize that GOD tipped the scale on death when HE gave HIS only Son . . . so surly I can do my part to keep the scale tipped towards GOD in my life!

We can’t stand “On the Fence” and we can’t “Balance the Scale”  Be full of HIS Love!

Note:  If you prepare yourself all week with GOD’s Word, your participation during the Sunday Worship Service will be awesome!  More preparation than participation!

Rejoice In HIS Blessings!

Action Speaks Louder - 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

1 John 3:18 (NIV)

“Action Speaks Louder”

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

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It’s amazing how we (our country) can spend millions of dollars to campaign, but we can’t invite a hundred homeless folks over for a BBQ!  We can start programs that sound good, but have no impact on those who truly need it!  Of course I am not beating up on our country, nor can I admit that I am doing all that it takes. But ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (James 2:15-16)  Action Speaks Louder than words!

As Christians, who say we love the LORD, must always be in action!  We are to pray without ceasing, but that doesn’t mean you don’t take action!  You have heard the “Whistle while you work”, well we should “Pray while we work”  but we must always be in action.  ²¹ Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did (James 2:21-22). Action Speaks Louder than words.  If you don’t believe me . . . give one of your family members a hug without saying anything!  That action will speak!  Try giving a homeless person on the street a blanket and a pair of new socks!  That action will speak!  Now tell someone that JESUS loves them, and then show them how active HE has been in your life!  That action will speak louder than words!  Just imagine if you could not speak any words . . . how would you show love?

Be Active!

Divided By Water - Acts 11:16 (NKJV)

Scripture of the Day

Acts 11:16 (NKJV)

“Divided By Water”

Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

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Two men are talking on the subway, and the conversation about our Great GOD began!  They had a wonderful time talking about HIS goodness and blessings.  They shared their testimonies of what GOD had done for them and their families.  They spoke on spiritual, theological and practical aspects of the relationship with CHRIST!  Even after the subway ride came to an end, they realized that they were getting off at the same stop, and both agreed that it had to be the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit that brought them together!  Then the discussion took a sharp turn when the subject of baptism came up!  One did not believe the bible said we had to be completely submerged in the water.  In fact, he pointed out this verse and said that it states John baptized “with” water, not “in” water!

Wow!  How many of us are divided by the water?  Now as the other man continued to say he had not given that much thought, the arguing man continued on with stating his case that we did not need to be completely submerged in the water.  As the new friend continued to listen, he finally asked this question, “How much does it matter?”  The other man shouted, “What do you mean how much does it matter!”  His friend responded with, “JESUS died, JESUS rose, JESUS lives . . . and we are saved!  How much does the water matter?” 

John 3:16 tells us why we are given salvation.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us how we are saved.  And JESUS demonstrated that baptism is important, for HE HIMSELF was baptized (Matthew 3:16).  Although this topic does develop some interesting conversations, I don’t think it should divide our love for GOD and each other!  Many friendships have been dissolved over this topic and many like it!  Keep the main thing the main thing!  If we all agree that GOD so loved the world, and that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart, then we are saved . . . why would we let anything divide us!  For we are all baptized in the Holy Spirit!

Let us all wade in the water together and live by the Holy Spirit as one! Amen!

All For One & One For All - Matthew 28:18-22 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day:

Matthew 28:18-22

“All For One & One For All”

Then JESUS came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to ME. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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O.K.  I will try to keep this from sounding like a riddle or tongue twister! GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit are One, and because THEY are all One, THEY gave for all!  THEY gave for you and me . . . righteous and unrighteous . . . saved and unsaved . . . lost and found!  Many times we are approached with the question, how can all three be One.  In other words, we are questioned about the “Trinity” of GOD!  Many have made the argument that there must be three of them!  Last week we spoke of “Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient”, which should help us better understand and explain the capability of GOD in three persons!

A more practical approach is looking at the fact that I am a son, a husband, and a father!  To my parents, I am a son.  To my wife, I am a husband.  To my children, I am a father.  If all of them were standing in the same room with me, I don’t give up being any one of the three, but I remain all three!  As a man, I can only answer as one to each, but GOD can answer All For One & One For All!  The Trinity of GOD is your great “I Am”  If you need a father, HE says “I Am”, If you need a brother, HE says “I Am”, If you need a friend, HE says “I Am”

Whatever you need . . . whenever you need it . . . in the Trinity, GOD is our great “I Am!”  HE is All For One & One For All!  We are to "GO" and make disciples of "All" nations and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!  By the authority given to JESUS, we are commanded to baptize in the Trinity of GOD!

HE Will Never Die - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NKJV)

Scripture of the Day

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NKJV)

“HE Will Never Die”

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.

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Here is some sound doctrine on the Word of GOD!  HE Will Never Die!  JESUS gave up HIS life, and by the power of GOD HE will always live! When JESUS ascended back to glory, The Holy Spirit was left with us!  GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit will never die!  We never hear anyone say, “GOD is dead” . . . nor do we hear anyone ever say, “JESUS is dead and HE never got up from the grave” . . . so why do we hear, “The Spirit is dead”  If GOD is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are we saying apart of HIM is dead?  I hope not, because HE is a Holy GOD and HE is always whole and complete in all that HE does!  We can quench the Spirit and we can grieve the spirit (Isaiah 63:10), but man will never kill the Spirit, therefore HE Will Never Die.

Now . . . what we have to understand is the flesh will die and we can kill our own worship by quenching or grieving the Spirit, but HE Will Never Die!  I may enter into a worship service with my heart weary or harden!  I may expect the praise and worship team to lift my desire to praise!  I may expect the pastor to preach a good sermon to encourage me or even chastise me with truth . . . but never ever should I think the Spirit is dead!  If the Spirit is dead . . . even for a second . . . who are you sealed by until the day of redemption? (Ephesians 4:30)

GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit Will Never Die!  Amen!

Again, please don't limit GOD to the size of your reality!  HE's Too Awesome, HE's Too Amazing!

A Solid Rock - Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

“A Solid Rock”

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

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I usually reference three different translations of the bible (KJV, NKJV, NIV) for studying.  The word ecclesiology means the study of the church.  Which many of us focus on “What is the church?” vs. “Who is the church?”  Just as we are to be apologetic (yesterday’s SOD), we must have a basic understanding in ecclesiology.  Now of course I cannot break it all down in a SOD (I know I have a 10 – 15 second window), but I do want us to take the time to study the church.  In this verse we can see that JESUS tells Peter that on this rock HE will build HIS church!  Now, there isn’t any translations that lead us to believe that JESUS was pointing at a rock on the ground.  Nor do we ever read that on a particular rock JESUS began to build HIS church!  This would eliminate the “What”, so let’s focus on the “Who”. Derived from the Greek word “Petros”, the name Peter means stone.  In Matthew 4:18 we see that there were two brothers Simon (called Peter) and Andrew.  So Peter’s real name was Simon, but they called him Stone (Rock).  Which should help us understand that JESUS was going to build HIS church from Peter . . . not a rock sitting on the ground!  So, who is the church?  I’ve always wondered why none of the disciples asked JESUS, “What is a church?”  Although this is the first mention of “church”, not even doubting Thomas asked about a church!

¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶ But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)  Again, no one raises their hand and ask, “Teacher, what or who is a church?”  JESUS doesn’t say take it to the administrative office, the pastor, or the counselor . . . HE said that after you have taken it to all of them, take it to the church!  This is another reason ecclesiology!  By reading the entire book of Acts, we will not find the church referred to as a facility.  Even when Saul was destroying the church, it says he went from house to house and dragged out the men and women.  (read Acts 8:1-4).  In fact the church begin to meet at the homes of believers!  Believers are the church! 

The more we understand ecclesiology the more our churches will be “A Solid Rock” that JESUS has built! This SOD should generate a lot of discussion, so please check out http://inhishandministry.blogspot.com/ later to see the comments!  And please note that I do not claim to be an expert in ecclesiology!  But hopefully you have learned a new word to add to your biblical rolodex!

Let Us Learn More About JESUS & The Church That HE Built!