Making a Difference...

How many times have we sat back and said, "Somebody ought to do something about that!!" Whatever the problem or controversy was, it may have had us moved, mad, or majorly disgusted! But, what did we do about it? Did we stop to think that WE could possibly help MAKE A DIFFERENCE to the situation? As a child of God, what can we do to help others or ourselves with problems and burdens? The answer is easier than we might expect: HAVE COMPASSION!

My pastor , when I was growing up, Dr. Verdie Edwards, always told us that compassion is simply defined as "love in action." We can tell someone that we care or love them, and it seem as vain repetition, until we actually SHOW that love! Compassion BRINGS action. When we see the lost, it should MOVE us to GO!
"GO YE into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. " Mark 16:15. Christ gave this command, NOT SUGGESTION, to ALL OF US, to GO! When we go out, we need to go in love and COMPASSION toward those that are without the Lord. "..Such as were some of you: BUT YE ARE WASHED.." II Corinthians 6:11 a. We can have compassion on the lost because we were in the same shape at one time as well! WE have been there! We KNOW where they are! This should move us to GO even more so! "..GO out into the highways and hedges and COMPEL them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:23. The Lord DID NOT tell us to beat people over the head or condemn them! He said Compel! This is the equivalent of PLEADING with. How can we expect someone to listen when we don't LOVE? Most people don't need someone to tell them all that they have done wrong _they know just as we did!  They need to hear WHO CAN HELP THEM AND CHANGE THEM! There is NO EXCUSE for us NOT SHOWING COMPASSION to the lost when we used to be lost ourselves! " ...and to brotherly kindness, charity. ... But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, AND HATH FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS PURGED FROM HIS OLD SINS!" II Peter 1: 7 & 9. Compassion should be what drives us to GO make a difference to the lost!
 
Secondly, we can make a difference when we GIVE from compassion. " But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of COMPASSION from him, HOW DWELLETH THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIM?" I John 3:17. "Mine eye affecteth mine heart..." Lamentations 3:51. What we see should make us give from compassion. The Lord told the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37, and how he GAVE from compassion. "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he HAD COMPASSION on him." vs. 33. The Lord said a certain Samaritan. This means it was not just anyone, but a specific Samaritan that had compassion. It was this one "certain" person that the Lord would use to help the "half dead" man, vs 30. Just as the Lord had a "certain" person to help this man, we have a "certain" person that only we can make a difference to! I may be able to reach someone that you may not be able to, and vice versa. Pray everyday for the Lord to put in your path, just as He did the Samaritan's, the people that He wants you to show compassion to. Reach out to them in compassion, GIVING TO THEM what the Lord would have you to give. Not just material things, but the SPIRITUAL as well! That IS THE GREATEST NEED THEY HAVE! "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is SIN." James 4:17.

Lastly, we should not GRUDGE because of compassion! "Grudge not one against another, brethren...". We should not hold a grudge against our Christian brothers and sisters, or the world! If we don't forgive them, we will not be forgiven! (Matthew 18:33-35). We should forgive them in love and compassion when they have wronged us, or others, for Christ's sake! "And be ye kind one to another, TENDERHEARTED forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32. We can make a difference to our brothers and sisters in Christ by loving them and encouraging them when they have stumbled. We can make a difference by "turning the other cheek" to the world when we are attacked. We never know how our reactions can be used to speak to the lost about their salvation! "Finally, be ye all of one mind, HAVING COMPASSION one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing:..." I Peter 3:8 & 9.

 We can make a difference today by GOING, GIVING, AND GRUDGING NOT. May God help us to do so ALWAYS out of COMPASSION! "Of some HAVING COMPASSION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE!" Jude 23.

There's Hope! (Poem)

 There's Hope for you 'cause there was HOPE for ME!
Once I was blind, BUT NOW I CAN SEE!

 

 Hear the LORD calling, "Come Unto ME!

"My Rest FREELY given and
A Home for YOU in HEAVEN!" 

 BY HIS OWN BLOOD,

 PAID IN FULL-
Oh, How Marvelous!
Oh, How Wonderful!

This YOUR SONG can ALSO BE! 

 SALVATION IN HIM ALONE!

 

PLEASE!__

 

 MAKE SURE TODAY THAT HEAVEN IS YOUR HOME!

His Voice (Poem)

A Voice that spans the years-

Reaching Past, Present, and Future

For people of all the Ages to hear.

Speaking into existence the worlds and all Creation,

Calling out a People to be His own blessed nation.

That same Voice that thundered from Mt. Sinai

Speaks today-still and small, when the Saviour draws nigh!

Proclaiming the birth of Jesus,from Heaven above, His Son;

Well pleased with His Beloved, The Only Begotten One.

Crying "It is Finished," Sin and Death now defeated,

Buried and Risen Again!-at the Father's Right-Hand now seated.

Speaking today in hearts,  through His Holy Word,

Salvation freely given, until all sinners have heard.

Soon His Voice will call all His children away-

Oh, Rapturous Thought!

Oh, Glorious Day!

His Voice at both Judgments-

Reward or Verdict proclaim-

Joys of the Lord or Eternal Death and Pain.

"Behold, I make all things new,"

On His Throne to reign all eternity to come.

"True and Faithful" are His Words-

Praise God! "It is Done!"



My Source of Strength.....

 

Everyone's physical strength differs from person to person. Most of the time, it depends on your bodily frame, how well you take care of yourself, or it may even be determined by how often you are sick. Everyone is NOT the same, and some can't be as strong as others. But, praise the Lord, SPIRITUALLY there are no limitations to our strength-all because of Jesus! This is because He is our Source of Strength!

 

First, He is our Source of Strength for Salvation. Since we cannot save ourselves, it is fully through His strength alone. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; HE also is become my salvation."  Isaiah 12:2. The Lord made this truth plain and simple for us to understand. He could not have said it any clearer than that! He is the strength of our salvation and is our salvation! It is as eternal as He is! Since He is eternal, so is our salvation! "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us!." Hebrews 9:12. Our source of salvation is eternally strong through His precious blood that will NEVER lose its power!

 

Secondly, He is our Source of Strength for Service. Serving the Lord day after day, month and after month, and year after year can become tiring to us physically because we are human. But the source of strength for this service is the Lord Himself! "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, according to His glorious POWER, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." Colossians 1:10&11. When we are weary in body and mind, He is the inner source of our strength that  renews our spirit and keeps us going for Him!"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (bodies), that the exellency of the POWER may be OF GOD, and not of us...For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inner man is renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:7& 16.  "But they that wait upon the Lord, SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 " ...for the joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH."  Nehemiah 8:10c. Our source of strength in service, to keep on keeping on, is the Lord Himself!

 

Lastly, He is our Source of Strength FOR Strength! We cannot live our daily lives for the Lord without His strength and help. "...The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1b. "The Lord is their strength , and he is the saving strength of his anointed." Psalm 28:8. Since He is our strength for living, we have an unending source because He is always with us. It is always available to us at anytime or moment that we need help, which is ALWAYS! " ... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5b. Knowing that our supply of strength is never-ending, we can boldy say, " I can do ALL things through Christ which STRENGTHENETH me!" Phillipians 4:13.

 

As news reporters quote their "sources" when giving the news, I am happy to quote my "SOURCE", God's Holy word, that our ETERNAL SOURCE gives us strength for Salvation, Service and Strength to live for Him! In Christ Alone is our strength for ALL things!

 This song, "In Christ Alone" by the Booth Brothers is about Christ being our Source of Strength. I hope it is a blessing to you as it was to me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Till the Storm Passes By...

 

This Pilgrim Way has many storms and problems, 

 Man-born of woman-few of days and full of troubles.

But as God's child, we will not have to walk alone!

He tenderly loves and cares for His Own!

As I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death,
This way seems dark-my soul in distress!
Unsure what lies ahead in this fearful place,
Be not far from me O, Lord,
My Strength from thee,  PLEASE haste!
Feeling alone as the shadows draw nearer me,
"Peace," speaks the Master, "I will NEVER leave thee."

Onward we go-not turning aside,
Lift me up forever-In the ROCK I will hide!
Holding my hand, leading by waters still,
Comfort from the Shepherd,
Completely trusting HIS WILL!

HELPED! CALMED! STRENGTHENED!
Ready through this storm to pass_
Darkness starts to fade_
His Lamp lighting my path!

How long will this shadow hover in the sky?
Makes no difference now, since the SAVIOUR IS NIGH!....
I'll call on His Name..... 'til the storm passes by!


 

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!!!!!

 

Yes! I went there! We've all heard this popular saying, thanks to the internet and social media. Everyone is busy these days, doing many things that are of necessity. But, what about spiritual things, Christian? As a child of God, there really is no way to separate the necessities FROM the work of the Lord. What are we SUPPOSED to be doing? And, what do we really not have time for?

 

First of all, we don't have time for SLEEPING. No, I don't mean physical sleep, as that this is how the Lord made our human bodies. We have to get rest in order to function. The Lord even told His disciples to "come ye yourselves apart into desert place, and rest a while..." Mark 6:31. What we do not have time for is spiritual SLEEP! "..knowing the time, that now it is HIGH TIME TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP: for our salvation is nearer than when we believed." We have been rocked to sleep, most of the time unknowingly, by the devil's rocking chair, and been unconscious toward the spiritual tasks at hand! "Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids... How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man." Proverbs 6: 4, 9-11. Sometimes we fall short of the job the Lord would have for us to do because we become so consumed with worldly things. As the verse said, we can become as a vagabond that travels or wanders with nothing, or a thief (armed man) that has nothing, if we don't stay vigilant in serving the Lord. We will lack substance in our spiritual lives. We can be coasting through our daily lives and not realize that we haven't accomplished anything for the Lord that day. Days become weeks, weeks become months, and months become years, and still NOTHING has been done for the Lord. "AWAKE to righteousness, and sin not; for SOME HAVE NOT the knowledge of God: I speak this to your SHAME." I Corinthians 15:34. We ALL NEED TO WAKE UP! Souls are at stake!

 

Secondly, we don't have time for SLOTHFULNESS! Romans 12:11 says, "NOT SLOTHFUL in business; fervent in spirit: SERVING THE LORD;". We are to be fervently serving the Lord, not laxidazy, or lazily. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:58. We should give full energy to the things of God. Did He not give His all for us? Just as Christ was always preaching, may we " do the work of an evangelist.." " Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold I say unto you, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST." John 4:35.II Timothy 4:5. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

 

Lastly, we don't have time for SLACKNESS! "And whatsoever ye do, DO IT HEARTILY, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward.." Colossians 3:23 &24a. We should give the utmost care and attention to serving the Lord. If it is done half-heartedly, it's slackness. "See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as WISE. REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17.  Dr. Aiken used to always give us this example at Bible college-To walk circumspectly, he said, was like a cat walking along a picket fence, knowing that on one side was a pit bull, and a Doberman pincher on the other! Get the idea! If we do what we want to do, pleasing ourselves, we are liable to get in a lot of trouble, fall on our faces, and thus hinder the cause of Christ! We should also abstain from slackness because the Lord is not slack! " The Lord is not SLACK concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9.

 

Ain't nobody got time for spiritual SLEEPING, SLOTHFULNESS, OR SLACKNESS!  WE need to WAKE UP, GET BUSY, AND WALK THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW! "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and WE ARE NOT SAVED!" Jeremiah 8:20. Think back to that time, O Chrisitan, when you were not saved!  God help us to remember that it's only by His grace that we are saved today! "WALK IN WISDOM TOWARD THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT, REDEEMING THE TIME." Colossians 4:5. "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."Matthew 25:13