WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

 

          Its October and the year is zooming by and as we find ourselves in the last quarter of this year here is the things that I have learned.  I have learned to stop chasing things beyond my control.  To stop seeking answers to questions I have no reason to ask.  I am learning that life is going to work out and should stop worrying about.  Paul wrote all things work together for good. 

     The doors that closed, the plans that fell apart, the moments that don’t make any sense are quietly leading me somewhere I could see because I was wrapped up in the moment and didn’t have the longer view of things.  Not everything needs fixing and some things just need time and patience on my part.

     Peace found me the moment I stopped fighting for what I thought I needed or deserved.  I finally realize that not everything has to make sense today and not everything needs an answer right away.  Whatever happens will happen and maybe that is enough right now.  It’s important to plan and have goals but life has a tendency not to worry about those.  The important thing is trusting the Lord with all your heart and not learn to your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path. 

YOUR CHOICE

 

The book of Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian freedom.  In this book Paul encourages his audience to walk in the freedom that Christ has provided.  In Paul time religion had come down to laws and ceremony.  The problem with these is that they replace grace and love. 

     When Paul opened his letter to the churches in Galatia, he wanted them to have grace and peace.  Grace is unmerited favor and peace is absence of inner warfare or conflict.  Only Christ can give that.  Paul wanted his audience to be free of the religions of man an embrace Christ and the freedom he alone brings.  When you no longer have Christ, you will always replace him with something else.  Often with a form of religion. 

     Paul states that if you love the Lord if will be shown in how you view him, live and treat others.  Freedom, grace and love will be the hallmarks of your life.  Paul stated that three virtues that should be evident in your life is faith, hope and love.  This is shown in how you treat others and yourself.  Never allow religion or anything else dim your love and light for God.  Its your choice.

MERCY

 

     In life you are going to meet people that are not easy to love or work with.  Something has happened to them.  It could be trauma, fear, abuse, hurt, bitterness or unforgiveness.  It is during these encounters you need to exercise grace and mercy.  One man wrote the best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and helping someone up.  Paul reminds us in Rom 12 that of our gift is mercy we are to do cheerfully. 

     Jesus made it clear when we help the vulnerable, we are doing it to the least of these.  Mother Theresa one time how she could minister to the lepers, and she replied that when we did, she was looking at each one as Jesus in his distressing disguise.  When we show mercy and grace to people, we are showing it to Jesus. 

     My encouragement for you today is to identify someone who need help and then help them.  This will make them and you feel better.  Kindness is the easy form of love we can show.  So if you can only be one thing today be kind.

WE NEEDS REVIVAL

 

     At the dawn of the 20^th century William booth was concern that the church would become largely apostate.  They would have Christianity without Christ.  That it would be forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, religion without the Holy Spirit.  Politics without God and heaven without hell.  That is what has happened in many churches.

     Today fortunately many are calling out to God.  What brings revival?  It is humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God and turning from our wicked ways.  Then God will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. 

     Today if we want to see our families, churches and land turn around we must pray without ceasing.  We must practice holiness in our living.  Love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Be diligent and directive in our approach.  We must be generous and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.  Are you hungry and wish or need revival in your own life and church. 

     DL Moody another giant of the nineteenth knew that the church needs revival all the time.  It doesn’t happen by chance it happens by choice.  We must care for our communities and country enough to refuse to give up and we must pray.  Pray until some happens. 

OUR DUTY

 

     When Paul wrote to the Romans, he had heard of their faith and he was grateful for the opportunity to share with them his version of the faith.  He starts by telling them he is a debtor.  He told them to walk in humility and to serve the Lord with all their hearts and to pray one for another, Paul was writing from Ephesus, but he believes that one day he would be with them and of course he did. 

     Paul says that we should encourage one another and that they would receive from him spiritual truth.  He was also looking forward to fellowship with them and that is why church is so important.

As a debtor Paul reveals that he was in debt to Christ for salvation and to share the gospel. 

     Paul reminds them and us that we have eternal, abundant and a blessed life all given by the grace of God.  Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel wherever God sent Him and that should be ours as well.  The message of Jesus Christ is one that sets people free.  The message of the world, the flesh and devil enslave people.  We need to set people free with the gospel it is our ambition and duty. 

QUOTES FOR OCT 4, 2026

 

WISDOM TODAY

 

 

     I would rather have God as my protector than all, the armies, navies and air forces of the world combined.  Recent events in the world have proven all that can be shaken will be shaken.  It is only those who trust in the Lord will not.  Those who trust in man’s goodness will fall.  Those who trust in God’s goodness will stand.  God is good all the time is not an adage, cliché or bumper sticker it is a truth to stand on.  You will never understand the depths of God’  love when you stay on the beach.

     The wise never test the waters with both feet.  You will never scale the heights of God love in bare feet you need the good walking shoes of the Word.  The redeemed and the unredeemed look at heaven differently.  The unredeemed thinks of it as a place of People, sitting on clouds playing their harps.  The redeemed know it is a destination of beauty, light, love and peace.  Why would the unsaved want to go to heaven.  It will be hell to them.  The problem with the unsaved is that they want heaven but they think this world is the best.