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Monday, August 13, 2012
Following In The Footsteps Of Faith, Hymn, This Is My Prayer, Mon, 8/13//2012
Ex. 20:16
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR NEIGHBOR'S REPUTATION, Lesson 24c
REPUTATIONS SHOULD BE VIGOROUSLY PROTECTED
Confront The Gossip - Be quick to stand up for those who are being torn apart by the mouth of a gossip. We are just as guilty as the one talking when we stand there listening and do and say nothing in our brother or sister's defense. Be ready though, most gossips are sneaky, conniving people. They will be just as ready to turn their sharp tongue on you as they would on anyone else! In fact, if a gossip will gossip to you, he/she will probably gossip about you!
Conceal The Guilty - This does not mean that we condone sin in the lives of believers. It does mean, however, that we hesitate about bringing it out into the open. Many lives have been destroyed because people talked about others behind their backs and condemned them instead of praying for them and letting God work it out in His time and in His way. As usual, God has a word about his matter also, (Pro. 11:13; 17:9; 1 Pet. 4:8).
Here is a good practice for living when it comes to what you will say or refrain from saying. We can form an acrostic from the word THINK. We should THINK before we speak of another.
T - Is it True?
H - Will it Help?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?
If what you have to say fails in any of these categories, then it is pretty safe to say that you would be better off not using your tongue for damage. A good habit to fall into is that of saying nothing about anyone unless it is good!
Conc: Are you guilty before the Lord today of using your tongue in a manner not pleasing unto Him? If so, then I invite you to come to the altar and get that thing made right with the Lord. If you have been hurt by the long, wicked tongue of another, then I invite you to bring that injury to Jesus and let Him heal your heart. Every child of God needs to search his or her heart and determine for whose glory we are using our tongues. God help us to do the right thing!
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Til The Storm Passes By” By Mosie Lister (1958)
In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
Chorus
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try,
For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"
But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise
Where the storms never darken the skies.
Chorus
When the long night has ended and the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore;
In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.
Chorus
THIS IS MY PRAYER!
Loving Father, Awesome God! Help us to be a “Teflon” Christian: a non-stick Christian, so when praise come our way it doesn’t stick on us, but slides off us and is served to You, the source of all life. Enable us to reflect Your goodness in all that we do, for You alone are worthy of all praise and glory. We thank You for living in us, and through us. Teach us how to shine our light to Your glory. This we pray in Jesus’ beloved name. Amen!
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Sunday, August 12, 2012
Following In The Footsteps Of Faith, Hymn, This Is My Prayer, Sun, 8/12//2012
Ex. 20:16
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR NEIGHBOR'S REPUTATION, Lesson 24b
A REPUTATION CAN BE VANDALIZED PUBLICALLY
It Is A Serious Thing - When we undermine the reputation of another by the words we speak, we are guilty of destroying that persons respectability and credibility before others. We are guilty of doing unspeakable damage to a person's life and ministry by the words we say about them.
I remember reading of a woman who was guilty of gossiping about her pastor. She was convicted and went to him to apologize to him and to try and make restitution for her wrongdoing. The pastor graciously accepted her apology and then told her that if she wanted to make it all right again, that she should take a chicken, kill it, pluck it, carry its feathers to the top of the highest building in town and cast its feathers to the four winds. When this was done she was to return to the Pastor. She carried out his directive and returned to him. He looked at her and said, "Now go and collect every one of those feathers." She replied, in horror, "That is impossible!" He said, "So, it is impossible or you to take back all those things you have said about me."
Another Pastor was having trouble with a gossip in the church. Every time she would see his car parked anywhere strange, she began immediately to spread the word that their Pastor was having an affair. There was no truth to her rumors, but she kept it up until the pastor, in an effort to stop her mouth, left his car parked in front of her house, day and night for a week. That cured the problem.
The words of a false witness can be forgiven, but they will never be forgotten by those who are touched by their poison! Eternal damage can be done to reputations and ministries. People can even wind up in Hell because of the lies of a foolish person. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have absolutely no use for a gossip and a talebearer! I don't think the Lord does either!
“The man who with the breathe lent him by heaven, Speaks words that soil the whiteness of a life; Is but murder, for death is given, As surely by the tongue as by the knife!” (Jean Blewett)
It Is A Sad Thing - It is a sad day when one person thinks they have to repeat something on another. This is behavior that is hateful to God and demeaning to men! There are several ways in which people are guilty of using their tongues against another.
Slander - defined as, "Communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation." We are guilty of slander when we knowingly lie about another person in an effort to harm their reputation.
Lying - "A false statement deliberately presented as being true." Whether we admit it or not, we are all guilty of lying. Its no wonder when 67% of Americans do not believe in "Absolute truth." It is said that 91% of us lie regularly. Most never make it through a week without lying and 1 out of 5 cannot even make it through one day without telling a lie. Even men of God lie - ( Aaron - Exodus 32:24). Statistics say that people lie 92% of the time to save face and 98% of the time to keep from offending someone else. But, we have gone way too far when we tell things on others that we know are untrue.
Criticism - What I am referring to are statements made about another's actions, ways and deeds in an effort to hurt their reputation. Constructive criticism is a good thing, but destructive criticism is right out of the pit of Hell! The vulture sees nothing but that which is rotten and dead. He does not see the flowers and the green grass. He does not see the living things all around. His focus is on that which is dead and corrupt. There are a lot of vultures around the Lord's house!
A lady was looking out her window, watching her neighbor hang her wash on the clothesline. As she watched, she remarked to a friend, "Our neighbor sure isn't clean. Why, just look at those streaks on her laundry." Her friend replied, "Those streaks are on your windows, not her clothes!" Sometimes, it is the sin in our own heat that makes us look for the evil in others! If the best thing you can do is criticize, you would do well to keep your big mouth shut!
Talebearing - This is the practice of spreading gossip and rumors about others. It may be that the rumors are true. But, even that does not give us the right to tear down another's reputation. If we learn a secret about our neighbor, then we had better tell no one but God. He knows how to deal with their need and with them. I will promise you that He knows how to handle the gossip as well! Gossip is always a sin!
Insinuation - This is the practice of insinuating or hinting that something may be wrong in the life of another. When we are guilty of making people doubt another's reputation, we are guilty of sin before the Lord. This is the tactic that Satan tried to use against Job - (Job 1:11; 2:5).
Flattery - Flattery is saying something to a person's face that we would never behind their backs. Usually flattery is given in an attempt to gain something from that individual. Flattery is lying!
Exaggeration - This is an easy lie to tell. We stretch number, statistics, etc., to make things look better. What fisherman is there who has not been guilty of stretching the size of the one the got away? When we exaggerate, we are lying!
Silence - When we here an untruth told and we remain silent, we are guilty of the "slander of silence." We become a party to the deception by not setting the record straight.
"Loose lips sink ships!" This old saying is appropriate to the church today. Many churches are in turmoil because of gossiping and foolish talking. God will deal with the gossip. Notice what the Word has to say about the trouble a gossip can cause - (Pro. 26:20-28).
It Is A Sinful Thing - when we practice any of these methods in regard to another, we are guilty of sin before the Lord! (Pro. 12:22; Lev. 19:16-17; Eph. 4:25). In fact, God includes abuses of the tongue as three of the seven things He hates the most - (Pro. 6:16-19). Are you guilty of using your tongue to harm another? If so, then you need to repent of that sin and get right with God! When you use you tongue to attack another, you are opening up your life to the judgment of God. James is exactly right when he says the tongue is "World of iniquity." The question today is, “What shape is your world in“?
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Love One Another” By Betty Bender (1992)
Angry words! O let them never,
From the tongue unbridled slip,
May the heart's best impulse ever,
Check them ere they soil the lip.
Refrain
Love one another thus saith the Savior,
Children obey the Father's blest command,
Love each other, love each other,
'Tis the Father's blest command.
Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment's reckless folly,
Thus to desolate and mar.
Refrain
Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word.
Refrain
THIS IS MY PRAYER!
Heavenly Father, Holy God! We do not want to entertain sin in our heart. We want our heart to be right before You so that You will always help to guide what comes forth from it. We know we do not do everything perfectly, so we ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit You will enable us to keep a pure heart and clean hands. Thank You for loving us and sending Jesus to show us what is right in Your sight. This we pray and ask in His Loving name. Amen!
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Saturday, August 11, 2012
Following In The Footsteps Of Faith, Hymn, This Is My Prayer, Sat, 8/11//2012
Ex. 20:16
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR NEIGHBOR'S REPUTATION, Lesson 24a
This 9th Commandment has to do with controlling One's tongue. A very important, but extremely difficult task. James tells us the tongue can be tamed by no man, (James 3:1-8). However, Jesus reminds us that we can do all things through him, (Phil. 4:13). Therefore, there is absolutely no excuse for a big mouth! We have an altar that is about 24 feet across. This should be sufficient space for just about anyone to lay their tongue on it and get it under control.
Few people realize the awesome, destructive power of the human tongue. Because of a miss-spoken word, homes have been splintered, reputations shattered and lives literally destroyed and even ended. That little piece of muscle that lies in your mouth behind your lips and your teeth can bless or bruise, heal or hurt, love or lambaste. It all depends upon how you use it.
This verse deals primarily with one's testimony in a trial setting. God says that we must never be guilty of lying on our neighbor thereby causing him to suffer. We are exhorted to always be truthful and absolutely honest when dealing with another person. As we consider some of what God has said about the tongue, may He help us to understand that every time we speak of another, we literally hold that person's reputation in our hands. Today, I would like to speak for a few minutes on this thought, “How To Handle Your Neighbors Reputation“.
A REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE POSSESSION
According to the Bible, one's "good name", or reputation, is far more valuable than riches or expensive ointments, (Pro. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1).
Your Reputation Determines The Level Of Respect You Receive - No one puts much confidence in a person who is dishonest, deceptive, or otherwise living his life in a sinful, shameful manner. I really respect people about whom I never hear a negative remark. Jesus was such a man - (Luke 2:52). We should do all that is in our power to see that we never allow our names to be associated with that which is disrespectful and shameful. It will undermine your good name and cause people to lose respect for you. Your life ought to be a beacon of integrity and decency.
Your Reputation Determines The Level Of The Response You Receive - Every Christian wants to be respected as a Christian and have his/her testimony be respected and responded too in a positive manner. The type of response that we can expect will always be determined by the kind of life others see us living! It has been said, "What you do, speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying." In other words, the world will never believe what say until they can see what we believe!
Your reputation is important, because what people perceive you to be is usually a fair indicator of what you really are. You see, your reputation is what others think you are and character is what you really are. However, people can misread us and misunderstand us and cause us to be something less than we actually are. However, as a general rule, your reputation is a direct result of your character. In other words, men think the way they do about you because of the way they see you act and live before them.
Your own reputation is valuable. Therefore, guard it with your very life. And, pray that others will do the same. Now, you cannot be responsible for what others do with your reputation, but you are responsible for what you do with theirs. Keep this in mind as we go forward with this message.
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Freely, Freely” By Carol Owens (1972)
God forgave my sin in Jesus' name
I've been born again in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to
Refrain:
He said: 'Freely, freely, you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.'
All power is given in Jesus' name
In earth and heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to
Refrain:
THIS IS MY PRAYER!
Holy Father, Loving God! We look at the nations and watch with utter amazement, for You do things that we cannot believe or imagine even if we were told. Sometimes Lord, we struggle to grasp the depth of Your providential kindness, not because we lack faith, but because we lack imagination. Open the eyes of our hearts Lord, so we may see the wonders of your mighty works in our life, in the life of others, and even in the life of the nations. This we pray and ask in the blessed name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen!
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Friday, August 10, 2012
Following In The Footsteps of Faith, Hymn, This Is my Prayer, Fri, 8/10/2012
Exodus 20:15
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, Lesson 23c
THE VIOLATION OF A HEAVENLY LOVE
There is one more form of stealing that many are guilty of today. There is no law of man against it, yet it is far more terrible than these other forms mentioned. It is the idea that a man can steal from God. Just the thought that man would steal from God is amazing. Let’s see how it is done.
The Stealing Of The Tithe – Notice what Malachi says about the tithe – (Mal. 3:8-10). God says that when we hold back that which belongs to the Lord, then we are guilty of stealing from God. Now, when we think of all that He has given us. How He loves us and how He saved us by His grace, how can a person with any sense at all condone stealing from the Lord? We rob God when we do not give Him what is His, or when we use what is His for our own purposes. The tithe is not ours to use!
You might rob a man, your employer, a bank or be a shoplifter from a store and get away with it here. But, my friends, you will never rob God and get away with it. He will get what is His!
A Pastor related that he heard a pastor friend say that he had to visit a church member at the hospital. The first pastor asked him what she was having done. The second replied, "Oh, she’s just having her tithe removed." That happens to a lot of people! If you give God what belongs to Him, He will give you what you need. Are you as faithful with the Lord’s money as you should be? We need to remember that none of us has the right to all that we earn. 100% belongs to God, but 10% (at least) is to be dedicated to His work, and is to be given through His storehouse, (1 Cor. 16:2). When we follow His plan, we will prosper – (2 Cor. 9:1-7).
The Stealing Of Time – You and I have been allotted only so much time in this world. If we waste that time instead of using it for the glory of the Lord, we are guilty of theft! Are you using your time as you should?
The Stealing Of Titles - There is also the matter of Lordship. We are guilty of stealing when we hold back areas of our lives from His Lordship. When we try to exercise control over our own lives, instead of giving Him the place of supremacy, then we are guilty of stealing from the Lord.
The Stealing Of Talents – The Bible is clear when it tells us that when we are saved, we are given certain gifts from the Heavenly Father – (1 Cor. 12:7-27). When we fail to exercise our God given gifts and talents, we are guilty of stealing from the Lord. When we fail to fill our place in His body, we are thieves and robbers. Our lives are gifts and they are to be invested for the glory of God.
Conc: If we were honest, most, if not all, would have to admit that they were guilty of stealing in one form or another. If this is the case in your life, then God has a word for you. According to the Word of God, when we steal, we are to repay – (Eze. 33:15-16). We are to practice restitution to those we have wronged. Whether it is an employer, a neighbor or even God. We are to make it right, whatever the cost!
At Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, George Washington and his troops were in utterly desperate straits. He appealed to the government of Pennsylvania for help. Jacob DeHaven, a staunch believer in the revolutionary cause, lived near Valley Forge. hearing of Washington's appeal, he loaned him $50,000 in gold and $400,000 in supplies.
The army survived the winter, but after the war DeHaven was never repaid. Now his descendants are trying to collect. They claim that the loan, compounded at 6% interest daily, amounts to $141.6 billion.
In one sense, all the money in the world could never repay DeHaven for what he did. In reality, he saved the cause of freedom for all America.
There's another debt all of us owe that we can never repay. It is the price Jesus Christ paid to give us liberty from the bondage of sin.
God’s will is that His people never resort to stealing, and if we are guilty, then we need to make restitution.
“Thou shalt not steal“!
TODAY’S HYMN!
“Listen To Our Hearts” By Jeff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman (1992)
Verse 1:
How do you explain, How do you describe,
A love that goes from east to west,
And runs and deep as it is wide?
You know all our hopes Lord,
you know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear
Chorus:
So listen to our hearts (oh, Lord, please listen)
Hear our spirits sing (and hear us sing)
A song of praise that flows (a simple song of praise)
From those You have redeemed (from those You have redeemed)
We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough
To tell You of our love
So listen to our hearts
Verse 2: If words could fall like rain
From these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
I would still run out of time
So if You listen to my heart
Every beat would say,
"Thank You for the Life,
thank You for the Truth,
thank You for the Way."
[Chorus]
THIS IS MY PRAYER!
Loving Father, Almighty God! Our faith is confirmed and strengthened each time we read Your Word. Help us not to be dismayed whatever betide, for Jesus will take care of us. Through days of toil when our hearts fail, He will take care of us. What we need He will provide. Let us lean therefore upon His breast and give thanks, and give thanks, and give thanks. Thank You Father for sending Jesus to walk with us, to show us the way, and to save our souls from eternal damnation. This we pray in His Holy name. Amen!
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Thursday, August 09, 2012
Following In The Footsteps of Faith, Hymn, This Is my Prayer, Thu, 8/9/2012
Exodus 20:15
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, Lesson 23b
STEALING IS A VIOLATION OF A LOYALTY
As An Employee – Employee theft costs companies billions of dollars every year, somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 billion. According to USA Today, 48 % of all American workers took something from an employer last year. People do this by taking thing home, selling things without their employers knowledge and pocketing the money, taking kickbacks, falsifying time records, wasting time while at work, etc.
Many years ago a young lad in a small village was working in a general store when a man entered and ordered some cloth. Observing that the owner of the establishment wasn't there, the customer suggested the boy cheat a little and give him an extra yard or two. "It'll be all right, son," he said. "No one will ever know about it. Your master isn't in." Looking somewhat stunned, the youngster quickly replied, "Oh, but you're mistaken, sir. My Master is always in! You see, I'm a Christian." He was conscious of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
After F. E. Marsh preached on this subject, a young man came to him and said, "Pastor, you have put me in a bad fix. I've stolen from my employer, and I'm ashamed to tell him about it. You see, I'm a boat builder, and the man I work for is an unbeliever. I have often talked to him about Christ, but he only laughs at me. In my work, expensive copper nails are used because they won't rust in water. I've been taking some of them home for a boat I am building in my backyard. I'm afraid if I tell my boss what I've done and offer to pay for them, he'll think I'm a hypocrite, and I'll never be able to reach him for Christ. Yet, my conscience is bothered."
Later when the man saw the preacher again, he exclaimed, "Pastor, I've settled that matter and I'm so relieved." "What happened when you told your boss?" asked the minister. "Oh, he looked at me intently and said, 'George, I've always thought you were a hypocrite, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe there's something to your Christianity after all. Any religion that makes a man admit he's been stealing a few copper nails and offer to settle for them must be worth having.'"
Anytime we take things that are not ours from an employer, we are guilty of stealing. Whether it is time, or materials, the result is the same! Notice what God has to say to employees – (Col. 3:22-24; Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 23:13-16).
As An Employer – When employees are underpaid, over worked and treated badly, this too is a form of stealing! God has certain principles, which are to be followed by employers – (Col. 4:1). However, I am of the opinion that there is less theft among employers than there is among employees!
In Our Ethics – Often, we are guilty of stealing in various area of our lives. Things like taxes, keeping our word, honoring our debts, borrowing things and not returning them. When we are obligated to do something, we should do it! When we don’t, we have stolen. When we owe a debt, or taxes etc, then we also must pay that, or, again, we are guilty of stealing before God.
One Sunday morning, Charles Finney preached a message entitled The Sin Of Borrowing Things And Not Returning Them. He said, "When I went to my tool shed yesterday with some men on hand to do some work, I found it practically empty. President Mahan had borrowed my plow and never sent it back. Professor Morgan had sent for my spade and I haven’t seen it since. Deacon Beecher has had one of my monkey wrenches for so long a time that the memory of man cannot recall how long ago it was borrowed. What does it mean? It means that there are some among the best of us such a carelessness concerning our fundamental everyday obligations." The sermon was extremely effective. The next morning before dawn, one neighbor trying to bring back a workhorse had to be rescued from Finney’s dog. All the rest of the morning, there was a steady stream of the neighbor’s kids bringing back borrowed tools. They even returned things that were not Finney’s.
What the Lord wants us to see is that when we owe something, whether it be our money or just the fulfillment of our word, He expects us to make it right!
TODAY’S HYMN!
“More Precious Than Silver” By Lynn DeShazo (1982)
Lord you are more precious than silver
Lord you are more costly than gold
Lord you are more beautiful than diamonds
And nothing I desire compares with you
(Repeat)
THIS IS MY PRAYER!
Most Loving Father, Beloved God! Give us a faith that knows no fear, a faith to serve no other gods except You, the only True Living God. Enable us to not fear what man can do to us, but rather to fear only YOU, the True God. Let us not waste our time on fearing things of this world, but rather spend our time in glorifying the God we love. We will not fear death because we have the Word and the Promise of eternal life in our Savior, Jesus Christ. We praise His name in all we do. Forgive our weakness. This we pray in the Glorious name of Jesus. Amen!
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