Back to Basics -- Part 8

(We conclude our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “self-control.”)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

I am not sure if this is the custom in other countries, but here in America many people make resolutions, or set goals, in an effort to change some aspect of their life that they are not happy with. Traditionally most resolutions begin on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately their good intentions often end in failure.

When areas of our lives are out of control what do we do? We often make grand statements like:

• “I’ll never do that again.”

• “I’m going to quit smoking, drinking, or gaining weight.”

• “I’m going to control my tongue.”

When we attempt to make these changes on our own, more times than not we fail. However, with a little help we can find a way of getting control of our lives again.

The Holy Spirit offers such help in the form of the fruit of self-control. This is a fruit that delivers us from despair, and it enables us to win the battle against the negative things in our lives.

Today we will examine the fruit of self-control, something that we all so desperately need in our lives. We will learn how to exchange our self-confidence for faith. We will learn how to exchange our will power for God’s power. Finally, we will learn how to exchange our weakness for God’s strength.

The Woman of Great Faith

(Marking the Path will continue its series on The Fruit of the Spirit next week. This week we hope you enjoy this special message in honor of Mother’s Day.)

"Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." (Matthew 15:28)

There are many women of the Bible that could have provided a good sermon text for Mother’s Day. There is the mother of Moses … or the mother of Samuel. Certainly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, would make a good subject for a message on a day such as today.

However, this morning we will learn the story of an almost unknown mother. She was a woman of great faith, who received the answer to her prayer after initially receiving the cold shoulder from Jesus.

Have you ever had someone give you the cold shoulder?

You know what I’m talking about. They just totally ignore you, won't return your phone calls, and never answer your e-mails. Even when you're in the same room with them, they act like you aren't even there?

That can be awfully frustrating, can't it? Nobody enjoys getting a cold shoulder, whether that shoulder belongs to your child or your spouse or from someone who you are trying to seek help from. Amen?

And yet, as discouraging as it is to get the cold shoulder from a fellow human being … can you imagine what it would feel like to get the cold shoulder from God?

I mean, its one thing to have your husband act like he doesn't hear you, but for God to treat someone that way??? That's practically unthinkable. Or is it? Maybe there have been times in your life when you felt like you were being totally ignored by God …

• Times you felt like God was oblivious to what you were going through …

• The pain you were feeling …

• The trouble you were enduring.

There may have been times that you desperately wanted to talk to God, but you felt like he was giving you the cold shoulder. And that left you wondering, "Why?"

In this text we are introduced to a woman who found herself in a very similar situation.

Undoubtedly this grieving mother must have felt as if Jesus were giving her the brush off … the cold shoulder … the silent treatment. And yet, through it all, this woman displayed a truly remarkable faith … a faith which Jesus ultimately commends as a "great" faith … a faith which can still serve as a model for each one of us.

This morning let's take a moment to consider the faith of a Canaanite woman … a Canaanite mother.

We'll see that she has a faith which was tested by God, and a faith which trusted in God.

Back To Basics – Part 6

(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “faithfulness.”)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." (Beyond Hunger, Beals)

What a powerful example of someone who measured her life not by how many awards she received, money she earned, or material wealth she accumulated. Rather than care about earthly things, like success, Mother Teresa measured her life by her faithful walk with the Lord. Her faithfulness can teach us much.

It is important to know that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to produce the fruit of faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is an ever present help as we try to stay on the narrow path on our daily walk with Christ.

When we are lost, the Holy Spirit works to bring us to Christ. As believers, the Holy Spirit brought about our new birth in Christ. When we backslide, the Holy Spirit restores us to Christ. The Holy Spirit’s presence within us is revealed by the fruit He produces.

Today we will discuss the fruit of the Spirit called faithfulness. We will learn about faith that is childlike; faith that rises to all the challenges of life; and faith that proves the believer’s life is different.

Back To Basics – Part 5

(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “goodness.”)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

The past several weeks we have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit. We have seen how love, joy, peace, patience and kindness play an important role in our Christian walk. They each call for a higher standard than we could ever achieve on our own. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that produces this fruit in us.

Some call this fruit “the nine graces” and they divide them into three distinct groups. Love, joy and peace are considered graces which turn one’s thoughts toward God. Patience (or longsuffering), kindness and goodness are graces that direct our attention toward our fellowman. Faithfulness, gentleness (or meekness) and self-control are considered graces which refer more directly to oneself.

Today we turn our attention to the fruit called goodness. We will learn how having a good disposition and a good attitude are an important part of goodness, and how goodness creates a desire in us to do good for others.

Back To Basics – Part 4

(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “kindness.”)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

The other day I went out to lunch with a close friend who I have not spent much time with lately. I was eager to sit down with her and catch up with the events of her life, and share with her my latest happenings.

As we entered the restaurant, and walked up to the greeting area to get a seat, we both looked at the woman who stood in line directly in front of us. It was obvious that she was homeless, and she was trying desperately to talk to the hostess who was paying her little attention. I believe the woman may have had a stroke at one time or another because she spoke with a slurred kind of speech usually seen in such patients. The hostess started to help us, and I thought for a moment that she was being rude in ignoring this poor woman, but only a moment passed before another hostess came and led me and my friend to a table.

I immediately forgot the incident, but my friend didn’t. She indicated her displeasure about the woman being disregarded. That is when I thoughtlessly said something about us not knowing the whole situation.

My friend and I had a wonderful lunch and we both promised each other that we would not let so much time pass before we had lunch again. As we prepared to leave, my friend spotted the little lady who had previously been ignored, sitting at a booth and sipping a cup of coffee.

My friend excused herself, and with a look of displeasure clearly written on her face, she walked up to the hostess who had previously disregarded the woman and whispered something to her. Then my friend pulled out her wallet and paid to have lunch brought to the woman.

Of course I immediately felt about one inch tall. I’m a minister and I cast a blind eye to the woman’s plight. In hind sight I know that I should have been the one to offer to do something, but I didn’t. It was a wakeup call for me. I now know that I need to start paying more attention to the people around me. Especially my dear friend who has a compassionate heart that reaches out to anyone in need.

How wonderfully ironic that I am writing about “kindness” this week? I suppose God felt He needed to humble me a bit before I wrote this post. Thank you, Lord!

The Bible is full of passages that tell us about the word kindness. These passages describe God’s kindness to us and how we are to be kind to others. They teach us that we are to be especially kind in our speech and with our substance. They also provide us with examples of people who have been kind to others, or who have been blessed by the kindness of others. We can all learn from their wisdom.

Back To Basics – Part 3

(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “patience.”)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Those of us who have children may have experienced the joy of the family road trip. You know the one that I am talking about. The family piles into the car headed to the beach, grandma’s house, or one of the many mega-theme parks located around the country. If so, then you probably have had to endure the constant questioning from at least one of your children -- “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? “Are we there yet?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all born with the instant ability to “be patient?”

Patience is one of the most needed of the Fruit of the Spirit. Unfortunately it doesn’t come easy for most people. While love, joy and peace are all important Fruit of the Spirit, patience is essential to living a successful Christian life.

Today we will learn how God calls on us to be patient. We will examine scriptural examples of people who had the capacity to be patient. And, we will discover how we can witness through patience.

Getting Back To Basics -- Part 2

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on “peace.”)

The late John Lennon is known for his song entitled “Imagine,” which urges us to visualize a world where peace is the norm. Let me share a few words with you: “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.”

Peace … the Webster dictionary defines the word peace as, “calm; quiet; tranquility,” while Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the word as, “A condition or sense of harmony, well-being, and prosperity.”

Just as love and joy are fruit that enrich our lives, peace is a commodity that most people yearn for, but many never find.

Aren’t we all just looking for a little peace? We look for peace …

• In our relationships

• In our finances

• From our aches and pains

• From violence and war

• From injustice and hate

Most of all, don’t we just want a little peace of mind?

Know that it is possible to find peace, but first we need to understand the three keys to obtaining that peace. They are:

• Having peace with God

• Having peace of God

• And, having peace with others

Getting Back To Basics

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is a disturbing trend seen in many churches today. It is the obvious apathy, or indifference, of many Christians.

They may attend services, but it appears that they are only "going through the motions." Their singing …their praying … their Bible study … even their zeal, seems listless or spiritless. To rephrase the words of Henry David Thoreau: "The mass of [Christians] lead lives of quiet desperation."

I believe the problem is one similar to an athlete or a sports team that is going through "a slump." Such a person or team "goes through the motions," but they are not performing up to their true potential.

The usual solution in sports is to return to working on "the fundamentals." The same is true with Christians. When we find ourselves "in a slump" we too need to stress the fundamentals and get "Back to Basics!"

Today I would like to stress some of the fundamentals or basics that we need to get back to whenever our lives are in a spiritual slump. You may have heard these basics called by another name … “The Fruit of the Spirit.” There are a total of nine fruit. They are: love … joy … peace … patience … kindness … goodness … faithfulness … gentleness … and self-control.

The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
(John 14:16-17)

Speaking to a large audience, Evangelist D. L. Moody held up a glass and asked, “How can I get the air out of this glass? One man shouted, “Suck it out with a pump!” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit? The Bible does not assign Him a formal name, such as we have for the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we know him by many descriptive titles, such as the Spirit of God, the Eternal Spirit, the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Holiness, and the Spirit of the Lord.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word ruwach (pronounced roo’-akh) was used when talking about the Spirit. This word literally means “wind” … the type of wind associated with a breathe. In the New Testament the Greek word pheuma (pronounced pnyoo’-mah) was used, which means the “breathe” or a “breeze.” We can literally think of the Holy Spirit as the “Breathe of God.”

Today we will examine who the Holy Spirit is and what He does.

The Pursuit of Happiness

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

(John 15:11)

Did you know that God wants us to be happy?

The Bible is full of Scriptures which confirm that God wants us to be full of joy and happiness.

• Psalm 40:16 reads, “But may all who seek you [God] rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, The LORD be exalted!"

• Psalm 105:3 reads, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”

• And, don’t forget Matthew 25:21, “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”

There can be no doubt that God wants us to be happy and is pleased when we are happy. Christians are to be a joyful people.

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.”

When I think of how blessed we are to live in this land and all of the abundant freedoms we enjoy, it is difficult to understand why so many people are unhappy. The majority of Americans, and among them some Christians, cannot truly say, “I am happy!” In fact, according to the book, Are You Happy?, by Dennis Wholey, only 20 percent of Americans are happy.

So how is it that the majority of citizens in one of the most blessed nations on earth are unhappy? How can it be that some of the most religious and spiritually blessed people in the world are professing their own unhappiness? What possible explanations can be found for all this unhappiness, especially when the Bible is full of Scriptures that speak of God’s desire for our happiness and which provide guidelines that will lead us to real happiness?

Abraham Lincoln observed that, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and centuries before Lincoln, the Roman Emperor Marcus Antonius said, “No man is happy who does not think himself so.”

When it comes down to it, the unhappiness of Americans and Christians in particular, is a result of not having a proper attitude toward the people, things, and circumstances which we encounter every day. The Scriptures indicate that this happiness which we all seek is found only by properly ordering our lives in relation to God and His will.

Let’s develop this idea more by considering four specific principles that govern happiness.

• Happiness cannot be found in having everything you desire.

• Happiness cannot be found by trying to be someone different than we are.

• Happiness cannot be found on the other side of the fence.

• Happiness cannot be found by disobeying God.

Be Thou An Example

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

I once read that when Gen. George C. Marshall took command of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, he found the post in a run-down condition. Rather than issue orders for specific improvements, he simply got out his own paintbrushes and lawn equipment, and went to work on his personal quarters. The other officers and men, first on his block, then throughout the post, did the same thing, and soon Fort Benning was looking good again. Gen. Marshall showed leadership by example.

The Apostle Paul was a great advocate of leadership by example, and it is reflected in his writings. First Timothy is one of three letters written by Paul to two of his associates – Timothy and Titus. The letters are called the Pastoral Letters because they are full of advice on how to pastor a church.

Timothy, who was ministering to the early Christians in Ephesus, was one of Paul’s most beloved and devoted associates. Paul’s letter provided Timothy with insightful guidelines for public worship, selection of church leaders, dealing with false teachers, and advice on being a good minister.

In this passage of Scripture, Paul gives Timothy instructions on how a young minister can operate in authority despite his youth. They are important instructions because they certainly apply to us as well. Just as Timothy was told to be an example, it is important that we as believers also heed Paul’s advice.

Paul basically was telling Timothy that it is not enough as a minister to just teach the Word of God, but a good minister must live the Word of God. In other words, “if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk.”

Paul lists six areas that refer to various aspects of our life, and in this he presents a blueprint of how a good minister (or a good Christian) is supposed to act. So, let’s look at each of these areas.

God’s Great Circle of Love

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another”

(1 John 4:10-11).

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! It was once a day set aside for lovers to send each other tokens of love and affection, such as flowers, candy, and gifts. However, today the tradition has expanded beyond intimate love. School children give small paper valentine cards to their classmates. Mothers send valentine cards to their children. Children give flowers to their mother. Friends send e-cards to friends. The list goes on and on.

The Bible is the great book of love. Within its pages we find many stories of people who loved greatly. Who is not moved by the passion presented in the Song of Solomon, a poem which expresses one man’s love for a woman? Some believe it represents God’s love for the Church, but I will leave that for another message.  Just know that one of the major themes of the Bible is “God Is Love.”

The Apostle John is considered by many the Disciple of Love, because many of his writings illustrate God’s love for us. John saw himself as the recipient of Christ’s love and he called for believers to love one another. He also appealed for us to refuse to love the world or the things in the world.

In his writings, John reveals the reach and rationale for love in the Christian life. In doing so he presents three ideas: 1) God first loved us; 2) because God loves us we ought then to love one another; and 3) there is a great circle of love: from God to us to others and back to God.

Be an Encourager

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:36-37)

A couple of weeks ago one of my readers honored me with a Best Blog award. The award did not come with a golden trophy. No fancy dinner was thrown in my honor. The event was not televised or written up in The New York Times. But to me the award was special. It meant that someone cared enough about what I have been writing about to show me some appreciation. The award came at a good time, because I needed a few words of encouragement.

I have since passed the honor on to 15 fellow bloggers, and I have found by reading their comments and blog postings that many of them were just as encouraged.

Inspirational writer William Arthur Ward once wrote, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”

We live in a world that has so many let downs and disappointments that it is refreshing when you receive a few words of encouragement.

The Bible records the life of one man who made it is mission to encourage others. If we could be more like this person, it would transform our homes, churches, and communities.

Marking The Path Has Won An Award!

Thank you to Susan from The Reliant Self for nominating Marking The Path for the Best Blog Award. Susan's blog is written in a very entertaining style that provides informative tips on everything from how to make your own soap, preparing for an emergency, what to do with powdered milk, and much more. Where were you during Y2K? A great site! Visit her when you get a chance.

The Best Blog Award rules:

To accept the award, you must post it on your blog along with the name of the person who has honored you with the award, and include a link to his/her blog. Then you must choose 15 other blogs that you believe deserve the honor of Best Blog. You must contact each of the bloggers you choose and let them know you have honored them. Include a link to your post, along with the rules, so they will know what to do.

It was not an easy task choosing which 15 bloggers to give this award to, because so many people deserve this honor. Here are my picks in no particular order:

Nikon Sniper – I absolutely love Stephen Baird's photos.  Very talented!

A Handmaiden’s Journey – Alli shares her experiences as a young believer in a fresh and honest way.

Artisan of the Human Spirit – Tony provides an award-winning view on Christian living.

Christian Thoughts – Sonya has a big heart for helping people "navigate life."

Faded Ladies – Deb and Rose are two lovely ladies who practice the fine art of encouragement, while burning the candle at both ends. I'm praying for you Rose!

Good Morning Ladies – A beautiful person who urges us to keep going no matter what life brings.

Harmony – Uniquely His – I enjoy Shirley's loving but honest views on life.

John Threesixteen – John is a man who truly loves the Lord and loves to share God’s Word with others.

Joy Unspeakable – Jane is a person whose mission is to help others find their joy … and she does it so well.

Just a Sinner’s Thoughts – One of my first readers … TheSinner brings fresh insight into "real" Christian living.

Writing4Heaven – Kromagg73 shares his honest insights into the up and downs of the life of a believer.

U|SK8 – I applaud these young men who live by the theme “Skate Hard! Pray Hard!”

The Journey to Destiny – LaVetta is a beautiful person who has dedicated her blog to motivating fellow believers. Very inspiring!

The Balance Beam – Charlene uses humor to help her readers learn how to find balance in their life.

Untraveled Path - Costume Queen came up with a great idea to invite bloggers to celebrate 14 Days of Thankfulness. The 14 days have come and gone, but the site is still very interesting to return to.

Susan, thanks again for the award.  I believe it is important to encourage one another, and you have certainly encouraged me.  I think I feel a sermon coming on ...

May God bless you all!

Overcoming Troubles

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”

(Habakkuk 3:17-19)

General George Armstrong Custer is a name familiar to everyone. He was an Indian fighter in the west over a hundred years ago. Despite all of his bravery, he is best known for his defeat to the Sioux Indians at the Little Big Horn River. His troop was ambushed, and all 250 men perished.

But there was one way that Custer could have easily won the battle against the Sioux. If Sitting Bull had sent his braves one by one against Custer, instead of sending all of them at once, the Sioux could have easily been beaten, and the history books would read quite differently today.

It’s a lot like troubles. If troubles would just come one by one, we could easily defeat them. But when troubles come, they come in squadrons against us, and they overwhelm us, just as Custer was overwhelmed at the Little Big Horn.

You all know what I’m talking about. At times we have troubles that just seem to gang up on us all at once …

• The dog runs away …
• Our arthritis acts up …
• Bills are coming in faster than the money to pay them …
• Our children won’t act right …
• The car breaks down …
• When our spouse walks away …

I could go on and on and on. We can handle our troubles one at a time, but they never seem to come just one at a time.

Psalm 118 attests well to the coming of trouble: “all nations surround me …. They surround me on every side …. They surround me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns … I was pushed so hard that I was falling!” (Psalm 118:10-13 RSV)

Trouble is a familiar foe. It seems to have a pass key to every home, and a reserved seat at our dining room table.

We can understand when trouble comes to the wicked and ungodly. After all don’t their actions deserve the trouble they get into? But when trouble comes to us or to other innocent people, it is a far different matter.

There seems to be four different attitudes we take towards trouble when it comes knocking at our door. There is unbelieving … intellectualizing … resigning … and believing.

Getting Reacquainted with Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 has to be one of the most quoted texts in the Bible. This powerful psalm only contains six verses, but they are 118 words that meet us in times of need.

These words have entered many a sick room. They have been recited at many a funeral. And they have dried many, many tears. But it is our familiarity with this text that may keep us from the daily help this psalm can actually provide.

Today I want us to get reacquainted with Psalm 23. These gentle, yet powerful words that are as familiar to us as the Lord’s Prayer or John 3:16.

Let’s discover what makes this psalm so helpful to all who apply its message?

We begin with Verse 1, which presents the Shepherd.

Living Righteous In an Unrighteous World

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,

and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)

We live in a world full of unrighteousness.

People today have put the love of money before the love of God. Tricked out cars, electronic gadgets, and celebrities have become the idols of today. Many people do not think twice before using the Lord’s name in vain. To some Sunday has become just another day of the week. Many do not respect themselves; much less honor their parents. Murder is rampant. Adultery and stealing are rarely blinked at. And, it seems everyone wants something that belongs to someone else.

So, is it possible to live righteous in an unrighteous world?

Daniel did it. The Bible tells us that the prophet Daniel was just a teenager when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem and took him captive. The Babylonians were idol worshippers, but Daniel was determined to live by God’s law. He was educated at the king’s court, but he refused to defile himself by doing anything that was against God’s will. Daniel’s enemies tried to destroy him because he refused to stop praying to God, but God‘s grace protected Daniel and his enemies were destroyed instead. Daniel was a man who lived out his commitment to God during very troubled times, and his devotion to God brought him protection, favor, promotion, authority and prosperity.

Abraham did it. Abraham was raised up in a family of idolaters. God singled him out and told him to leave his family behind. God knew that Abraham could not continue among his people because he would be in danger of being contaminated by their sin. The Lord promised Abraham that He would make him the father of many nations. God made this promise despite the fact that Abraham had no children at the time, in spite of the fact that he was an old man, and despite the fact that his wife was past childbearing years. Abraham believed God’s Word, and he remained faithful and obedient to the Lord. His reward was that all that the Lord had promised came true and a nation was born.

Moses did it. Moses was born a Hebrew. His mother saved him from death by placing him in a basket and putting it in the river. He was found by the daughter of Pharaoh, who adopted him, and raised him in the house of Pharaoh. He lived among the idol worshipping Egyptians; but he never forgot where he came from. He fled Egypt, only to return a man of God. He was commissioned as leader of the Israelites, secured the deliverance of his people, and led them out of Egypt. He overcame the complaints, disobedience, and idolatrous acts of his people. He remained stead fast to the mission God had presented him with, and even though he never stepped foot in the Promised Land, he was found worthy to be present with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-8)

Jeremiah did it. Jeremiah was a prophet during a time when most of the people of Jerusalem had stopped worshipping God. He spent his life seeking to turn the Jewish people back to the Lord, but his repeated warnings of inevitable judgment were met with severe opposition, persecution and imprisonment. He prophesized that the Babylonians would take over the city, but his people thanked him by throwing him into prison. Even after the prophecy came true, Jeremiah remained dedicated to God, and his passionate love for God and His people never diminished.

Paul and Silas did it. They were persecuted, beaten, and cast into prison. However, even in the mist of their adversity, they prayed and sang praises to God. When an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, the doors of the prison opened, and the chains that bound the prisoners fell to the ground. Paul and Silas were free, but rather than running off like the rest of the prisoners did, they remained and brought salvation to the jailer and his family.

So, is it possible to live righteous in the midst of unrighteousness? The answer is yes.

What If? Why Not?

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:31-33)

We have seen the close of another year … another decade.

The year 2009 was definitely a year of change. The United States saw Barack Obama sworn in as its first African-American president. We bid farewell to Michael Jackson, Ted Kennedy, David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Patrick Swayze, and even the charismatic Oral Roberts. Countries braced themselves for the bird flu epidemic and the H1N1 pandemic. Soldiers fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, the world slowly began to recover from the greatest financial collapse since the Great Depression.

It may have been a year of difficulty for you as well. Perhaps you were one of the thousands who lost their job or even their home due to the economic conditions of today. Maybe your doctor diagnosed you with a serious illness, or you lost a loved one to death, divorce or desertion. Perhaps you struggled with an addiction, or saw someone you love suffer from one. You may have been the victim of a crime committed against you, or perhaps you are paying the consequences for a mistake you made.

Last year was certainly a year of change and difficulty, but now we have reached a New Year … a year of new possibilities … a year of new beginnings.

I have two words for this New Year. Those two words are: “What If?”

The Wise Men Who Missed The Savior

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:1-12)

Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the story of the wise men that traveled from the east to Jerusalem in search of the Christ child. It is a favorite subject of many Christmas sermons, children’s plays, and holiday television specials.

According to the story:

• The wise men followed a star in the sky – a star known as the Star of Bethlehem.

• They first went to Jerusalem to ask where the “King of the Jews” had been born.

• They were secretly brought before King Herod who questioned them thoroughly about their quest.

• King Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem in search of the child, and he requested they tell him of the child’s whereabouts.

• The wise men found the young Savior, and they presented him with three gifts -- gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod.

Yes, we know about these famous wise men that traveled from the east in search of the Savior. However, there is another group of wise men who did not go to Bethlehem in search of the Christ child. In fact, these wise men missed the Savior all together.

Fear Not, Joseph

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20)

Most of us have experienced fear at one time or another. Some of us are afraid of lightening storms. Others are afraid of heights. Then there are those who fear taking tests, public speaking, and some even fear bees.

The Bible contains many instances of people who feared one thing or another. However, in many of these instances God told them to “fear not.” Here are some “fear nots” of Christmas.

First there is a “fear not” for Zacharias. You may recall that Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth wanted to have children, but Elizabeth had been unable to get pregnant and they were now both up in age. Luke 1:13 tells us that God sent an angel to him and “the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

There is a “fear not” for Mary who was told that she would bear a child even though she had not known a man. Luke 1:30 reads, “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”

And, there is a “fear not” for the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields the night of Jesus’ birth … “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

Know that Joseph also needed a “fear not.”

Everything in Joseph’s life had been going well for him. He was engaged to the girl of his dreams. They were making plans for their future. In his eyes life couldn’t get any better.

But then, he discovered that Mary was with child, and he knew he wasn’t the father. He instantly believed that the woman he loved and planned to spend the rest of his life with had betrayed him. Suddenly his world came crashing down around him. Instead of being excited for the future, be became full of fear.

There are times in our life when we too become fearful like Joseph. We become fearful when we’ve been let down, when we worry about public opinion, and during times of mental anguish. Today I am going to share some “fear nots” for times when we feel like Joseph.