ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.

A police car pulled up to the house of an elderly couple with an elderly man in tow. An elderly woman greeted the officers at the front door and the officers let her know that they had found her husband lost in the park. The surprised woman looked at her husband and said, "Bill, you’ve been going there for over 30 years, how could you get lost?'' Leaning close to his wife Bill whispered, ''Dear, I wasn't exactly lost. I was just too tired to walk home.'' You might be tired from all the wear and tear of life’s journey, but don’t worry Jesus will never abandon you. He will always be there for you, ready and waiting to give you comfort and to take you home.

EVEN WHEN IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE

Luke 5:5

"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again."

There’s a story about Neil Marten, a member of the British Parliament, who was giving a tour of the House of Parliament to his constituents when his group happened upon Lord Chancellor Hailsham. The Lord Chancellor recognized Marten among the group and cried, "Neil!" Upon seeing Hailsham, the entire set of visiting constituents took to their knees before the Lord Chancellor. In the Bible, Simon was with Jesus when He told the Apostles to drop their nets again. Simon was an experienced fisherman that knew that of no fish at the location Jesus had indicated. Nevertheless, the Disciples obeyed the odd instructions and harvested beyond what they would even be able to carry home. Sometimes we just can’t understand why God gives us instructions when they make no sense to us. The tough lesson here is that even when God's instructions seem odd or out of place, you should still follow them because they’re coming from God. You just might have a miraculous catch that day.

WATCH CAREFULLY AND LISTEN CLOSELY

Hebrews 12:25

See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, how terrible our danger if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

Adolph Herseth, a trumpeter for the Chicago Symphony for nearly fifty years said, “Playing the trumpet has less to do with the mouth than the ear. You have to start with a very precise sense of how something should sound. Then, instinctively, you modify your lip and your breathing and the pressure of the horn to obtain the sound.” Likewise, the Bible says those that have ears let them hear. So listen to what the Word of God is telling you. We have two ears, two eyes and just one mouth. It stands to reason that if we talk less, we’d be able to watch carefully and listen closely for God's voice and instruction.

THINK OF OTHERS FIRST

Philippians 2:3

Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.

Alexander de Seversky was an American aviator that lost his leg and wore a wooden replacement til his death. There's a story about Seversky visiting another pilot that had recently lost his leg, as well. Seversky tried to cheer up the injured pilot by offering, "The loss of a leg is not so great a calamity. If you get hit on a wooden leg, it doesn't hurt a bit! Try it!" And Seversky pointed at his wooden leg for the patient to hit as hard as he could. The injured pilot raised his walking stick and brought it down twice like a hammer on Seversky's leg. The inventor then cheerfully added, "You see, if you hit an ordinary man like that, he'd be in bed for five days!" With that, Seversky left the now encouraged young pilot and limped into the corridor where he collapsed in excruciating pain. Apparently, Seversky was struck twice on his good leg not the wooden leg. He couldn't bear to see the young pilot lose any more heart, so he took the blows like a champ. In uncomfortable and challenging situations, mature people like Seversky take on a very Christ-like approach as they think of others instead of themselves. In your own Christian walk, you ought to consider others before considering yourself. You’ll find that the rewards for finding comfort in uncomfortable situations are more than worthy of your efforts.

NO SHORTCUTS TO SUCCESS

Proverbs 11:18

Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.

I read a funny story about a successful businessman at a business meeting with his new son-in-law. He told the young man, “I welcome you into the family, and to show you how much we care for you, I'm making you a 50-50 partner in my business. All you have to do is go to the factory everyday and learn our operations.” The son-in-law replied, “I hate factories. I can’t stand the noise.” With that the businessman told him, “That's okay, just work in the office and take charge of some of the operations.” To which the younger man responded, “I hate office work. I can’t stand being stuck behind a desk.” Confused, the business owner said, “I just made you half owner of a money-making industrial company, but you don’t like factories, and you won’t work in an office. What am I going to do with you?” His snarky son-in-law responded, “Well that's easy, just buy out my half of the company.” Some people have a tendency to take short cuts to be successful. We read and hear about "get rich quick" businesses a whole lot these days, but ultimately the key to success is to have God as a partner. Only then will it be possible for blessed riches to appear and for those rewards to last a lifetime.

TURN OFF THE FLOW

Proverbs 10:19

Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!

According to the Lord Jesus, the things that emerge from behind man's lips have the potential to be destructive. Matthew 15:18 teaches us, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'” I'm reminded of a story of a doctor making a house call to a sickly old man. The old man’s wife said, “Doctor, I hate to ask you to come so far, but my husband is very sick.” The doctor said, “Oh, that’s quite all right, I have another patient in the neighborhood. So I’ll just come out and kill two birds with one stone.” Hmm. Seems the good doctor might need some sensitivity and word selection training. James 3:5 teaches us, “So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.” Indeed. Talk less, listen more. Turn off your flow.

DON'T GIVE IN

Hebrews 4:14-15

That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.

Everyday we face temptations, and if we're not equipped to deal with those temptations, it's highly likely that we'll succumb to sinfulness. It's really important to point out that people don’t sin from being tempted. They sin when they yield to temptation. It reminds me of a story about a man and his wife that were shopping together when a very shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. The husband’s eyes very easily followed the young lady. As he returned to his senses, his wife simply asked, "Was it worth the trouble that you're in now?" Look at it this way, giving in to temptation isn't worth the trouble or the consequences you'll face down the line. It really makes sense to follow Jesus' example of how to deal with temptation. Christ was tempted by the devil himself, but through it all He never gave in to the fleshly desires of power and lust. It's a tough task, but it's definitely possible.

LIFE TO THE FULLEST

1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Jesus knows what can make our lives full. Christ taught is in John 10:10 that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He gave His life to rescue all of us from having an empty and pointless existence. Make Him a part of your life today and you'll be guaranteed a fulfilling and everlasting life.

ATTRACTIVE IN EVERY WAY

Titus 2:9-10

Slaves must obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

If you stop and think about it, we labor away on things nearly every single day. We're almost like slaves, except our goal is to try and make ends meet. Sooner or later, however, we come to realize that the reason we exist as Christians is to fulfill our purpose given to us by God. We’re not just here to work for our survival, livelihood or to make ends meet – we’re alive so that we can testify about the Good News of God’s salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34, “And he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” Try your best to please God in your home, work place or school, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the blessings He is going to bestow upon your life.

MY SAVIOR MY GOD

Psalm 42:5

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!

I read a story about an elderly widow who was eager to serve Christ, but because of her advanced age she was restricted from certain activities. She prayed about her situation and realized that she could bring a blessing to others by playing the piano. She advertised, "Pianist will play hymns by phone for those who are sick and downhearted – the service is free." When people called, she’d ask, "What hymn would you like to hear?" Within a few months, her free service had brought cheer and encouragement to several hundred people. Sounds too silly to be true, doesn't it? Nevertheless, it's true! Praise the Lord for those gifts you have and that you use those very gifts, no matter how small, to serve the Lord. You'll be encouraged along with the others that are impacted by your service and blessings.

LA DOLCE VIDA

Ephesians 5:2

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.

The Order of the Mustard Seed, founded by the Austrian noble Count Zinzendorf, has three guiding principles: 1. be kind to all people; 2. seek their welfare; and 3. win them to Christ. Count Zinzendorf began to love the Lord at age six and lived day after day in fellowship and communion with Christ. He had given his entire life and possessions to the work of Jesus Christ. Zinzendorf's life fulfilled the standards set by Ephesians 5:2 of a pleasing life before God. In that, we can easily surmise that the Count's life deserves the comparison of a sweet perfume to God the Father. Set a goal for yourself to have your life be like a sweet perfume to the Lord.

THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.

With all the different religions that the world offers, it's no wonder that people often find themselves confused about what to believe. Every religion claims they are the right one, but the Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” From the beginning, there has been only one God. That sole God came down from heaven and became a man to save men from sin and to reconcile with man. It was God who had to reach down to man for man to be lifted up and saved. "Religion" is man’s feeble effort to try and reach up to God – which explains why religions differ on how to obtain God’s approval, with a common denominator of performing good works to get into heaven. Truth be told, good works cannot get you into heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 that, “God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” It is only through the God the Son that we have a mediator to God the Father. Only through His supernatural help are we able to have a way to heaven. There are no other options.

SHAMEFUL HOMOSEXUALITY

Genesis 1:27

So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.

One night after writing late into the evening, I went to bed with the television on. While I was falling asleep, there was a reality show that featured a wedding between two teenage girls, with both sets of parents giving their full consent to the marriage. I thought to myself about how family values are being shattered before our very eyes. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about in Romans 1:26-28, “That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved. When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.” The penalty for the rejection of God's values is really harsh. Don't leave God out of your life, but rather have God at the center of your life so that you might truly be in the likeness of the Creator.

ACCEPT THE TRUTH

John 19:6

When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, "Crucify! Crucify!" "You crucify him," Pilate said. "I find him not guilty."

Jesus was crucified even though He was never found guilty of any of the crimes that He was accused of. The hordes shouted for a verdict led by the Jewish leaders that wanted Jesus dead because they refused to accept that Jesus was the Son of God. The Apostle Paul was at one point in his life the main opponent, prosecutor and killer of early church Christians, but upon personally encountering Jesus while traveling to Damascus, he would become one of the most prolific preachers of the Gospel in history. Paul wrote in Romans 9:1-5, “In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness – I do not lie and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I am saying is true. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed – cut off from Christ! – if that would save them… He made covenants with them and gave his law to them. They have the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Do not be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day! Rather, be open-minded and accepting of Jesus' Truth. Open your mind to all of His amazing possibilities!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Psalm 93:3-4

The mighty oceans have roared, O LORD. The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore — the LORD above is mightier than these!

King Frederick the Great was making folly of the Lord Jesus at a dinner and he had everyone laughing when suddenly the great General Von Zealand stood up and said, “Sire, you know I have not feared death. I have fought and won 38 battles for you. I am an old man; I shall soon have to go into the presence of One Greater than thou, the mighty God who saved me from my sin, the Lord Jesus Christ whom you are blaspheming against.” With a trembling and apologetic voice, King Frederick said, “General, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!” Our Lord Jesus is God and He is mighty. A full respect and reverence towards Him is required. Know it and practice it.

ENSLAVED BY DEPRESSION

Psalm 73:25-26

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

Depression will attack you when you're burdened with problems and you feel like you’re all alone. Depression can be enslaving and people that struggle with it sometimes go to great measures to find escape in drugs, alcohol or even shopping. The sad reality, however, is that those kinds of solutions don't make the real problem go away. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, admits his burden and dipping emotional state in verse 2 when he sang, “But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.” We later find that Asaph was reassured of God's security and refuge. The more that we desire God, the stronger we become in times of trials and problems because He becomes the center strength of your heart. Have God at your core and when your down days arrive you'll find yourself content in His peace rather than depressed within your emotions.

YOUR INHERITANCE AND SHARE

Numbers 18:20

And the LORD said to Aaron, "You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your inheritance and your share."

According to 1 Peter 2:9, Christians are peculiar because they, "Are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This means that as priests of God we become an heir not only to blessings here on earth, but also of the possessions God owns in heaven. Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" David said Psalm 16:5, "Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine." Our riches are untouchable because God's economy is not affected by the economic crisis and meltdowns of this world. Rejoice in knowing that He is our inheritance!

WRITTEN ON MY HEART

Psalm 40:8

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.

David ran from the pursuits of King Saul for nearly twenty years. On several occasions, he had opportunities to kill Saul, but David understood the principle of not harming God’s anointed leader. Regardless of Saul's wrong doings, David understood that both blessings and vengeance come only from the Lord. The joy of doing God’s will isn't based upon good things happening in one's life, but rather upon following the instructions of the Word of God. David said, “Your law is written in my heart,” and in Psalm 119:11 he said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Doing the will of God leaves the sin out of our lives and brings the joy into our lives. It's definitely worth doing.

TIME TO TAKE ACTION

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus said, "It must be done, because we must do everything that is right." So then John baptized him.

The Bible goes silent about Jesus’ life after the incident where Joseph and Mary found the young Jesus teaching in the temple. Jesus told them in Luke 2:49, "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." The last words about the young Savior are found in Luke 2:52, "So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him." Even from the time that Jesus was a young boy He set about doing the right things. He didn't make excuses, nor did He use His authority to exempt himself from the processes of earthly life. In a modern context, these principles were used by General Bernard Montgomery as he began his command in North Africa to rescue the allied forces, he said, "My commands are to be carried out; Orders no longer form the basis for discussion, but for action." As history would later tell, Montgomery delivered victorious battle after victorious battle. Likewise, when we do what’s right and obey God’s exact instructions as found in His Word, our victory is certain and the battle is won.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WAY IT LOOKS

1 Corinthians 4:10

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools.

Worldly principles are totally different from the ways of God. To the world, in order to have something you be a "go-getter". Another famed principle is if someone treats you badly, you have the right get "even". In contrast, Jesus’ principles are starkly different: “To have, you give.” Luke 6:29 teaches, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.” It reminds me of John Wanamaker's description of a trip to see a Chinese mission he’d been supporting. Wanamaker saw an old man plowing a field with an old plow drawn by a young man. He asked the elder why the young man was pulling the plow and the old man replied that, “The church needed to build a steeple so that people could see the church from a distance. The money was not enough to build the steeple. The son had said, ‘Let us sell one of our oxen to finish the steeple and I will take the yoke of the ox we sell.’” To the world, this would be considered utter foolishness, but Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Be dedicated to Christ and don’t worry about looking like a fool. His ways are not the ways of man.

WE WILL ALL HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.

We can deny the existence of God and try to live as if God doesn't exist, but even atheists can be heard mumbling, “I don’t believe in God and God knows it.” It reminds me of a silly story about a college student that didn't study for a final exam just before the Christmas break. At the top of the exam he handed in he wrote, “Only God knows the answers to these questions. Merry Christmas!” Well, the professor graded all the papers and wrote this note to the snarky student: “God gets 100. You get a zero. Happy New Year!” The day will come where everything you’ve ever done will be judged by the all-knowing God. You can, however, get your judgment day off to a good start if you ask for His forgiveness and let Him cleanse you of your sins. He’ll refresh your mind and erase all your sins as far as the east is from the west. After all, because God knows everything, He also knows exactly what you need.

WHO ARE YOU COMPARED TO GOD?

Genesis 22:14

Abraham named the place "The LORD Will Provide."

Charles Spurgeon once told one of his struggling students, “If you had gone up as you came down, you would have come down as you went up.” Humility means recognizing who you are and who God is. Abraham humbled himself when God asked for his son to be offered. Isaac, Abraham’s only son, was to be the seedling of God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations – and God was asking that Abraham offer Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. While it was certainly a difficult decision and path, Abraham still knew who God was in his life. The mountain was a God-given place for Abraham to tread and we need to be just like Abraham, heading up onto the mountain on what would appear to be a dead-end road, but knowing that God’s provisions are still waiting for us.

LIGHTLY USED

Acts 20:24

But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.

This is an excerpt from Brian Keith Moore's autobiography “The Room”:

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. One wall covered with small index card files. A sense of wonder and curiosity, mixed with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files. Some brought joy and sweet memories, others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. Files named "Friends I have betrayed", "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Laughed At", "Things I Have Yelled At My Brothers and Sisters", "Things I Have Done in Anger", and "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". Could it be possible that I had time in my 17 years to write each of these thousands or millions of cards? "Songs I Have Listened To", "Lustful Thoughts". No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room!" I saw the file bore, "People I Shared the Gospel With". It’s newer, almost unused. I began to weep.

Two months later, Brian died in a car accident. Other than sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, our lives are worth nothing. Get your priorities straight so you don’t live a useless life.

GIVING IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT

Luke 21:1-4

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people putting their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two pennies. "I assure you," he said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

Regarding giving, Christianity is about giving everything you have – just like when Jesus gave His life for all of us on the cross. In Acts 2:45, the first century Christians, “sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.” Acts 4:34-35 teaches us that, “there was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.” Right now, Jesus is watching us from His throne and He knows who is giving their all and putting everything possible into the kingdom. Ultimately, the rewards and blessings for giving everything you have are absolutely priceless.

TELL THIS TO THE RICH AND WEALTHY

1 Timothy 6:17

Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Ray O. Jones said that the dollar bill actually speaks and that when it speaks it says:

You hold me in your hand and call me yours.
Yet may I not as well call you mine.
See how easily I rule you?
To gain me, you would all but die.

I am invaluable as rain, essential as water.
Without me, men and institutions would die.
Yet I do not hold the power of life for them;
I am futile without the stamp of your desire.

I go nowhere unless you send me.
I keep strange company.
For me, men mock, love, and scorn character.
Yet, I am appointed to the service of saints,
to give education to the growing mind and
food to the starving bodies of the poor.

My power is terrific.
Handle me carefully and wisely,
lest you become my servant,
rather than I yours.

Money is a wonderful servant, but a truly awful master. Ultimately, you've got to personally trust the living God and not your riches because it's impossible to serve two masters. Think about it, if you're caught up in the pursuit of money, riches and power, you're really a slave and your master is money. Flip it around so that your master is God and your servant is money.

IN THE PAIN AND SUFFERING

2 Timothy 1:12

And that is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

The Apostle Paul was imprisoned because he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it is fair to say that it is a great privilege for one to go through pain and suffering brought about by their service unto the Lord. In moments of pain and suffering we can identify with Jesus Christ who walked upon a path much worse than the one we tread. John 15:20 tells us that Jesus taught, "Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you!" Just serve the Lord despite any anguish because your blood, sweat and tears become a true badge of honor.

SUFFERING IN ANGUISH

Isaiah 38:17

Yes, it was good for me to suffer this anguish, for you have rescued me from death and have forgiven all my sins.

History tells us that the most ancient set of laws is the Code of Hammurabi from the King of Babylon (c. 1728-1686 BC). The code divides the population into three classes: gentlemen, citizens, and slaves. Generally, gentlemen would enjoy many special privileges, but if one would commit an offense, that person would be punished more severely than members of the citizens or slaves. As Christians, we are the children of God given the awesome gift of many privileges and promises by our Lord. When we are corrected through suffering and hardship, it can be argued under the Code of Hammurabi that the punishment ought to be more severe because of our position as a child of God, so behave as a child of God ought to behave. If you really think it through, you're a member of a royal family and your behavior should be impeccable.

YOUR REWARD FOR TRUSTING

1 Peter 1:9

Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

I'd read about a monastery in Portugal sitting atop a 3,000 foot cliff that's reachable only by a basket with a single rope and pulley. Visitors to the monastery ride in the basket, pulled up to the cliff by several strong men. One tourist visiting the site noticed that the rope was old and a bit worn, prompting him to ask, "So how often do you change the rope?" The monk in charge said, "Whenever it breaks." I guess it takes some real faith just to get to this monastery! What's your faith like? How sure are you about your religion? Can you fully trust your religion to bring you to heaven and to save you from hell? The Apostle Peter said that your reward for trusting Jesus will be the salvation of your soul from hell. Here’s the best part - it’s 100% guaranteed and you don't have to worry about old ropes breaking while you're in a basket.

BRING THEM TO CHRIST

1 Corinthians 9:22

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” I heard that Gandhi also said, “I should have been a Christian if not for the Christians.” Often, the biggest hindrance of Christianity is the Christians themselves. We ritualize our personal standards making it difficult for people to know of and believe in Jesus Christ. We sometimes polarize people with our own personal preferences in music, musical instruments and even the manner of worship in the church. The very people that we want to reach sometimes end up excluded and even scared to come to the feet of Christ. We need to stand with conviction upholding Christ's truth and decreasing our personal preferences for the salvation of the lost. After all, the common ground is bringing the unsaved to Christ.

FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE

John 5:24

I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Death can arguably be called the greatest enemy of man. Voltaire the Incomparable Infidel told his doctor while on his deathbed, “I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth, if you will give me six months of life.” The doctor replied, “Sir, you could not live six more weeks.” Voltaire said, “Then I shall go to hell, and you will go with me.” Misery must truly love company! If only Voltaire had realized that death was already conquered by the Jesus on the cross. The Word of God testifies in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 that, “When this (death) happens – when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?’ For sin is the sting that results in death and the law gives sin its power - Thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! We can enjoy life and not be scared of death if our trust is in Jesus.” You see, with Jesus Christ we have victory and we get to go from death unto life. You just have to sincerely make the choice to be in Christ and your greatest enemy becomes nothing more than a dog who's bark is worse than it's bite.

SOAP WON'T GET IT DONE

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Supreme Court records tell us that Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan argued in a 1998 dissenting opinion that the, “Scrutiny of another's trash is contrary to commonly accepted notions of civilized behavior. A search of trash, like a search of the bedroom, can relate intimate details about health and personal hygiene, as well as financial and professional status, political affiliations and inclinations, private thoughts, personal relationships and romantic interests.” God would love to clean out all the garbage that we've personally accumulated in our lives. However, because of the free will He has granted us, God won’t intrude on our freedom of choice, whether our choice be good or bad. You've got to choose to take out your own trash, and He’ll be just and faithful to cleanse us from all the dirt that's left behind with the blood of the Lamb. It's simply your choice and He'll faithfully be there for you when you make your decision. All you have to do is decide and choose. When you think it through, you'll find that it just doesn't make sense to choose anything other than God.