Good Words for Today
Remember: Herod is not God. Sometimes we have to disobey. "They went back home by another road" (Matt 2:12).
"That he alone might have the first place in all things" (Colossians 1:18). There is no room for double occupancy in the Christian's heart.
"Don't let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26). There is a divine time limit on your anger. Ignore it at your own peril.
In 1915 J. Wilbur Chapman preached a sermon at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina on Psalm 45:8, "All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made you glad." As Dr. Chapman emphasized what Jesus left behind when he came from heaven to earth, Harry Barraclough felt the Lord nudging him to write a song. He gave the words to Charles Alexander who introduced the song to the great crowd at the conference center that night. It soon became a beloved favorite of evangelical churches around the world. We don't hear it much nowadays, and it isn't often thought of as a Christmas song, but it is most fitting for this season of the year. Take a few moments to ponder the words of the chorus: Out of the ivory palaces Into a world of woe only His great, eternal love Made my Savior go. I found a beautiful acappella version with the words superimposed above the singers.
An unforgiving Christian is an oxymoron. We forgive because we have been forgiven. When you refuse to forgive because "they don't deserve it," you've forgotten what Jesus did for you.
When God wants to save the world, he starts in a manger.
We sometimes say, “God helps those who help themselves,” but that’s not found in the Bible. It would be more accurate to say God helps those who can’t help themselves, and aren’t ashamed to admit it.
"Sweet little Jesus boy They made you be born in a manger Sweet little holy child We didn't know who you were Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord To take our sins away Our eyes were blind, we could not see We didn't know who you were"
"By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). Lord, help me to see "him who is invisible" so that I might not be bothered by the anger of those who do not see you at all. Amen.
Speak the truth, but speak it in love. If you can't do that, you'll be better off not saying anything at all.
Christmas proves how far God will go. He doesn't wait for an invitation. He doesn't wait for us to come to him. He shows up and light explodes in our darkness. He moved into our neighborhood and made himself at home. He gave up heaven to rescue you. That's how far God will go.
"I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do." From "Through It All" as sung by Andrae Crouch
Preachers, tell us what God has to say. We don't need political commentary or movie reviews. Give us the Word of the Lord. PS After you tell us, tell us again. We tend to forget.
Who needs a good word from you? Say it. Who needs your wisdom? Share it. Who needs your love? Give it.
Father, as we begin our journey to Bethlehem, show us how much we need Jesus and how much we have in him. Amen.
"When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just putting on the Ritz (Our God is an awesome God) There's thunder in His footsteps And lightning in His fists (Our God is an awesome God) And the Lord wasn't joking when He kicked 'em out of Eden It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood His return is very close and so you better be believing that Our God is an awesome God" Rich Mullins
Generosity is measured not by what we give but by what we keep for ourselves.
"I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help him. I ended up by asking him to do his work through me." J. Hudson Taylor, pioneer missionary to China
"You are not your own" (1 Cor 6:19). Until you grasp this truth, you will stay in spiritual kindergarten.
Last Tuesday David Cassidy died at the age of 67. He is remembered for his role in the 1970s sitcom "The Partridge Family." According to his daughter Katie, his last words were, "So much wasted time." Sooner or later we all come to the end of our earthly journey. What will we have to show for our time on earth? No doubt we can all look back on too much wasted time. When I thought about David Cassidy's final words, I remembered these lines by Benjamin E. Mays: I have just one minute Only sixty seconds in it, Forced upon me—can’t refuse it Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it, But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute— But eternity is in it. Dr. Mays was right about that--it may only be a minute, "but eternity is in it." Famed missionary C. T. Studd said it this way: Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. One day all of us will pass from this life into the presence of God. What will we say on that day? More importantly, what will the Lord say about us? God help us to redeem the time we are given. Lord Jesus, since eternity is in every minute, may we not waste our brief time on earth but make it count for you. Amen.
God can do a lot with a little. Goliath learned that the hard way.
The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing.
God is good, All the time, In every situation, No matter what, God is good! Take a moment to say that out loud because it will do your soul good. I hope you have a wonderful day. Happy Thanksgiving!
"If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) The answer is no one, in case you were wondering.
“Don’t bother to give God instructions. Just report for duty.” Corrie ten Boom
Waiting is never wasted if we are waiting on the Lord.
Our Lord knows what he is doing even when we think we have a better idea.
“Your will be Done.” All spiritual growth begins with those four words.
"Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world Has a wondrous attraction for me For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above To bear it to dark Calvary" "So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged Cross And exchange it some day for a crown" George Bennard, 1912
Rebuke goes both ways. Are we as willing to hear the truth as to tell the truth? Lord, make us open to the wisdom of others even when it hurts. Amen.
If people get mad when you tell them the truth, that doesn't mean it's not true. It just means they're mad. That's all.
Lord Jesus, make us sensitive to the promptings of your Spirit today. Make us quick to pray, quick to praise, and slow to criticize. Amen.
The question is not, "How big are my problems?" The question is always, "How big is my God?"
"He does not grow tired or weary" (Isaiah 40:28). God never says, "Take a number" or "Could you come back later?" He is never too tired to help us. He stays awake while we fall asleep. He never takes a nap. He is there when we need him. He never tires of helping his children. So why are you so worried today? God will do what needs to be done.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40:28). That means he is all-powerful. No problem can be too great for him because he made the things that are causing you the problem. “Lord, can you handle it?” “Handle it? I made it.”
"This is my Father’s world: Oh, let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world, The battle is not done: Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one."
"A lot of what we call 'struggling' is simply delayed obedience." Elisabeth Elliot
Today is a great day to tell someone about Jesus.
"Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, Bearing my burdens all the day long; For all my sorrow giving a song, Just when I need Him most." William C. Poole, 1907
May God give us preachers with some backbone who won’t back down. God deliver us from politically correct sermons and preachers who preach everything but the Word of God.