"The Ten Commandments"

Read Exodus 20:1-18

God wrote the 10 commandments, which you can read about in Exodus 20:1-18. They are meant to be a guide for people to know and determine the difference between right and wrong. They protect us from impurity, falsehoods, murder, idolatry, theft, and many other things that rob us of our joy and peace.

God's law is like a mirror, pointing out wrong doing as a mirror points out a dirty face. There is hope for this mixed up world that we live in today. I understand that we don't live under the law of 10 commandments, due to the grace of God. However, does that really give us a reason to just cast them aside? When we ignore them, the result always ends badly.

I am tired of hearing Christians complain about our government removing the 10 commandments from public places. The one place you would expect to find a copy of the 10 commandments is usually the last place you find them - the church house! Churches all across our country removed them before the government even thought about. Next time you're in your church, look for a copy of the 10 commandments. If you can't find one ask your pastor if you can put one in.

"Thinking about Death"

When was the last time you thought about death? Now, for the Christian we know death is not an end of something, just a continuation of from passing from this life to the eternal life provided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am not trying to be gloomy. However, are you prepared to die? First of all if you're do not know Christ as your savior, then you are not ready. Trust Him now.

Most of you that read this blog are Christians and on your way to heaven. Praise the Lord, for you death will be a wonderful thing. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Believe it or not, I don't really want to talk about the spiritual aspects of death today. (However they are very important) But I want to talk about physical death. Are you prepared? Is your family prepared? Have you discussed your funeral arrangements with your family?

As a pastor, I have done a lot of funerals. Let me tell you something, pre-plan your own funeral! I know it's not something you want to think about, let alone talk with your family about. Do it anyway, even if it is a little uncomfortable. Your family will be so grateful that you did. Go ahead plan as much as you want. Pick out a casket, buy a plot, plan your own music, pick your own minister. There is so much involved with a funeral, take the load off your family by pre-planning.

I always think about these things when I am dealing with a family that just lost a loved one. The first thing I ask is, "did they pre-plan anything?" Most of the time they didn't but the family always wishes they had.

So don't wait till your dead to plan. Because while you enjoying your new found eternal life, your family is mourning your death. Go ahead, pre-plan, they will be glad you did.

"We all need teachers!"

II Timothy 2:2 "...the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

A good English student is not one who follows an English teacher in conjugating a verb, and then when that teacher is gone finds another to follow. No. A good English student is one who eventually learns how to conjugate a verb for himself. A poor student is one who must perpetually have a teacher. We all need teachers. They are wonderful people. I am very grateful for the teachers that I have had in my life. I am grateful because they taught me how to think for myself, rather than just how to rely on them to always be there for me.

In the Christian life, we need teachers too. But just like in school, we cannot merely copy down the answers and never figure out how to solve the problem. We must be taught how to think spiritually for ourselves.

Find a good teacher, learn from them, solve what needs to be solved. Then, go and teach someone else what you have been taught.

I know you can do it.

"Taking the Initiative"

Are you an initiator? Do you look for opportunities for God to use you, or do you wait for it to come to you? Do you endlessly analyze everything before making a decision? Former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca said, "Even the right decision is the wrong decision if it is made too late."

When was the last time you initiated something? When was the last time you got out of your comfort zone and tried to accomplish something special for the Lord? David took the initiative the day he killed Goliath! Moses took the initiative when he lead Israel across the Red Sea! Elijah took the initiative the day he prayed down fire from heaven!

Do yourself a favor today, take the initiative and accomplish something great for God! You'll be glad you did.

Acts 23:1 "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

I think this may be the very reason the Apostle Paul is considered to be the greatest Christian to have ever lived. He lived his life in all good conscience before God. He didn't live his life for anybody. Not his parents, not his family, his friends, his employers, or even his church. He just lived how God wanted him to live.

As Christians we ought to be doing our best to live our lives for the Lord, and not for man. If we live longing to have a good conscience before God, then we will also have a good conscience toward man too.

Watch your testimony, not for man's sake, but for your own conscience sake. Do right, and have a clear conscience before the Lord.