A little humor for Thursday

 A pastor put sanitary hot air hand dryers in the rest rooms at his church. After two weeks he took them out. When asked why he confessed that they worked fine but when he went into the men’s room he found a sign that read, “For a sample of this week’s sermon, push the button.”

The priceless gift of God

The cost of your sin is greater than you can pay.

The gift of your God is greater than you can imagine.

John Jesse, “Connecting Sinai to Calvary” page 27

Works and faith go together

“Thus it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible to separate heat and light from fire.”

“The Calling,” page 157

Looking for people hungry for the truth

I wonder if you can relate this this poem, entitled "Fancy Dive," by author and illustrator, Shel Silverstein?

The fanciest dive that was ever done

 Was done by Melissa of Coconut Grove

She bounced on the board and flew in the air

 With a twist of her head and a flip of her hair

She did 34 jackknives, backflipped and spun

 Quadruple gainered and reached for the sun

And then somersaulted nine times and a quarter

 And looked down and saw

The pool had no water

The apostle Paul was having one of those days in Corinth (you can read about it in Acts 18).  He discovered that his hearers were not listening - they had closed their hearts and souls to the good news that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  Rather than continue to dive into a pool of water, so to speak, Paul turned the focus of His ministry to another people who were hungry for the truth.

Are you unsure about your next move? Seeking reassurance that the important decision you've recently made was the right one? The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision (Acts 18:9).  The Lord will speak to you in worship and as you daily read and reflect on His Word.  Give it a try and see if you don't receive the comfort and guidance that your Lord and Savior can give you.

What Character Does

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain...and most do.  

But it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving.

Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” Page 42

Trust Him!

Saul's conversion as described in Acts, chapter nine, is one of the most amazing in all of Scripture.  On the Damascus Road the risen Christ changed Saul's life.  Before that miraculous moment of grace, Saul preached "murderous threats against the Lord's disciples."  (Acts 9:1)  After being cared for by the disciples, 9:20 reports that "At once he (Saul) began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God."  Saul had been saved by grace.  His heart is filled with joy.  He gladly and eagerly testifies that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father.

Not everyone shared in his joy.  In 9:23 we read, "After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him (Saul).  And in 9:29 - "He (Saul) talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him."

Unfortunately, the world doesn't always share in the joy of a heart that has embraced the gracious invitation of Jesus to "Follow me!"  You might know of individuals who have received the forgiveness and salvation of Christ and, in turn, have been shunned by family members or persecuted by co-workers or been excluded from participating in neighborhood or other activities.  How about you? Have you ever been persecuted for following Jesus Christ?

Becoming a Christian does not guarantee a problem-free, stress-free life.  In fact, we might experience what it means to suffer as our Savior God suffered.  Jesus taught, "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Jesus has overcome every trial, every temptation you might face.  The cross and empty tomb give testimony of His victory over sin and evil.  His victory is ours.  We believe in our Savior.  He gives abundant life, eternal life.  The Lord changed Saul's life.  Through the power of the Holy Sprit, God is forming and shaping your life.  Keep on trusting and following Jesus Christ.  He will give you great, great joy - no matter how difficult life might be.  Trust Him!

Where do good works flow from

“In a manner of speaking, therefore, Luther believed the Christian had no need for a teacher of good works because they flow naturally, spontaneously, out of faith.”

From the book, “Lift High the Cross”. Page 87