Common Phrases

May28

Ever heard those phrases that are so common, so mundane and so repetitive that it just becomes a second-natured habit? For instance; someone asks how you are, your response; “Good. You?” Or you’re at a restaurant, the waiter asks, “Anything else?” to which you reply, “No, just the check”. Finally, one of the oldest, “Would you like fries with that?”

You’re probably getting the picture by now. These are just a few common answers, words and phrases that are so mundane and ordinary that people rarely actually think about what’s coming out of their mouth. Someone asking how you are gets a response of “I’m good” despite how you really feel. Phrases and responses that become second-natured, that we don’t even listen to the response or pay attention to the answer.

I recently heard of a lady that publicly announced that she was a lesbian. It wasn’t such a shock, but it was more common. Something that is such a sin, an abomination to the Lord, and here’s someone that’s just recognizing it so nonchalant and second-natured. It’s not an issue, it’s not that serious, it’s no big deal. “Yes. I’m gay” is now “would you like fries with that”. People are sinning and living ungodly and unholy life and it’s now the norm.

How did it come to this?!

Society says that it’s okay to ‘be yourself’ to ‘express yourself’ and ‘be who you are’. You hear “I was born this way” or ” You can’t help who you fall in love with”.

Homosexuality is the norm.

Teen pregnancy is alright.

Drugs and alcohol in the school system is looked at as fine.

Pornography is just something teens, and adults, do now days.

Sin is now acceptable.

See a trend? Sin and an unholy lifestyle is just something that goes on. The lady I spoke of previously that announced her ‘gender preference’ was in a conversation where someone was supporting her and her decision. It was said, “Guess we’ll hold hands and go to hell together“. This came another woman.

Homosexuality is not something to joke about. Adultery isn’t something to look over. Drug addiction isn’t something to disregard. Sin is not a laughing matter!

Sin has become so ordinary, so common and so acceptable that our world is being turned upside down. Now, the sinner is supposed to be loved, and the sin hated. We can’t tolerate sin, but God’s love still needs to be shown to sinners. But sin is now another common phrase that people use so nonchalantly.

Gay; it’s okay.

Teen pregnancy; it’s alright.

Discord; it’s the norm.

Drugs/Alcohol; everybody’s doing it.

God help us when sin is a part of our daily lives.

Think about it.

J. H.

Junk Mail

May20

From Joseph; I’m very privileged and honored to have a wonderful person in my life. They’ve been a role model, mentor, counselor, spiritual guide and friend throughout all my years. I’ve known this person my whole life and have learned so much from them. It’s a great honor to introduce a guest post from my mother, Bonnie Hardin.

Well, we’ve all received it, those hundreds of pieces of advertisements, sweepstakes offers, a loan company, insurance company or direct marketing company promising us the lowest price, premium or discount available to mankind. Yes, those leaflets that fall over the ground when you check your mail and you are so annoyed that, sometimes, you leave them right where they fell.

Been there, done that. Yes, by now you’ve figured it out. It’s just junk mail. Why do we receive all this junk we didn’t ask for? How did these people get my address? That’s the questions I’ve asked myself. I can’t think of anything at this time that is more bothersome! Perhaps, you feel the same way.

How about the little lady who lives alone? Her family; deceased, living a thousand miles away, or just so caught up in their own lives that they forget she’s even still here. How about her?

What about the man just down the road from you who is disabled? He can’t drive anymore and a government check is what he looks forward to each month. All his family is gone. Passed on, hopefully, to a better life in eternity.

Maybe you know someone who worked for a company just shy of the required number of years to receive full retirement. Now, he has no job, the bank is foreclosing on his home because what income he receives now is just not enough.

What these three have in common is junk mail. A reason, albeit not much of one in someones eyes, to go to the mailbox. To pull out all the junk and go through it piece by piece. It’s something to do. the mail order catalog, the “wish books”, as a friend of mine called them.

One offer will allow the little lady to buy towels she sorely needs. And, oh wait! She can make payments! It’s not too much and she has that much, that very amount that she has allowed herself for her “mad money“, her splurge, her allowance so to speak. To her, that junk means maybe a new dress from that catalog. She looks forward to receiving mail, any mail.

Our friend, the disabled man; his favorite time of day is when he sees the post mistress pass by on her way to his mailbox. He knows, today his check will come. He will be able to pay his rent and necessities. Oh, and this month, he got a $20.00 raise. The junk becomes something to look at, to hope for… What would $20 afford you?

Our retiree, he is so depressed, the thought of suicide has entered his mind more than once. Will he make it? To him, the junk mail gives him a feeble excuse to hope. Maybe someone else is out there who feels the say way he does… but there is hope!

All he looks forward to is the junk that we throw away. How sad! We as a church cannot let these people pass us by on their road to suffering; especially when we have their hope! Where were you before God gave you the hope you were seeking?

Our treasures are not of this world. We have what this world needs and desires. No price tag can be put on peace of mind or the joy of the Holy Ghost. The priceless gift of salvation is, to some, just junk. It’s because they’ve never come close to receiving what Jesus freely offers.

We as Holy Ghost filled christians are bought with a price. It is the one and only true free and no gimmicks offer in this life, and it will reap eternal benefits.

Dont get so caught up in your own life, church, ministry, etc. that you forget why you’re here. The blood-bought church has much more to offer our friends mentioned previously, more than any “wish book” ever could.

Pray God sends labourers for this dying world, that He would lead us directly into their paths and put them right in front of us, so they can experience the love and peace of our Savior, so they can have something real to look forward to each day, instead of just junk mail.

“…freely ye have received, freely give.” (Mt. 10:8)

Look Up

May10

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Lu. 21:28 KJV)

Several weeks ago, I found myself having a pretty deep conversation with a man in our church. I don’t exactly know how we got on the subject, but the conversation got around to ‘the point’ of going on, moving forward, living, living for God, etc. Now, before you go thinking this man is going off the deep end, relax. He’s not. This man was simply speaking from his life’s experience.

This man began to tell his story to me, and unbeknownst to him, began to speak volumes of wisdom in my life. He told me of his life, how it was hard growing up. I heard about times when he didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. I listened to the time when the bills went unpaid and he didn’t know how to provide for his family. He told me of the time when he pursued his dream and entered into an arm-wrestling league… and won. Not only did he win, he won big, the championship, in fact; complete with the fame, money, fancy cars and ESPN cameras all around.

All this time, he was drifting away from God. He told me the words he uttered at that point in time, when someone was trying to speak wisdom into his life. Standing in a church, he said, “I don’t need church. I don’t need a preacher,” and as he looked up to the ceiling, “And I don’t need you, God.” I shuttered and thought, ‘How could someone even think that, let alone actually say it?’

I listened intently to the life of a man that went from bad to worse with each passing day. The words of a man who thought he was too big and too good to go to church. A man who thought of himself as invincible. A man who went away from God for 18 years. This man told me he felt nothing when he prayed or tried to talk to God. A man who found his belongings on his front porch, unwanted and unwelcome. A man that reminded me a lot of myself when I went astray from God…

This man made me think… hard. What if I had went astray and never came back? What would have happened to me if I left the church and didn’t make a turnaround? What if God and His saving grace hadn’t looked past my failures and saw what I could be?

The man continued and told me about how he lost his arm and the use of his left ear. He took me to the place where he lost his arm, he walked me down the path of the pain and blood loss, the months of recovery, the never-ending sense of not being good enough as he was now missing a vital part of his body.

Then the wisdom came…

He began to tell me how he didn’t regret a minute of the accident. He told me he doesn’t blame God and never did. He told me that losing his arm and the hearing in one ear was probably one of the best things that ever happened to him. “Why?”, I asked. He proceeded to tell me that God was doing something to draw him back, to save his life eternally, to teach him the way He wanted him to go.

God had to take this man to his lowest point in his life to get him to understand what he needed to do and how he needed to live. God let him do his own thing and go on his own path to show him the it was impossible for this man to live without Jesus. “When I hit rock bottom,” he told me, “I had nowhere to look, but up. When I did, I saw Jesus waiting on me.”

At your lowest point, look up.

When you’re out of options, look up.

When the doctors say, “no”, look up.

When the marriage counselors say, “no”, look up.

When creditors say, “no way”, look up.

When the bills aren’t paid, look up.

When you can’t sleep because of the stress of this life and the weight of the world resting on you, look up.

I asked this man, when in the midst of all his trials, “Did you ever stop and think, ‘what’s the point?’” He replied to me saying, “What’s the point? The point was that God was teaching me to trust Him and to get my life right. The Lord allowed me to hit rock bottom so I’d look up, to Him.”

What’s the use? What’s the point? The point is that, despite your struggle, even though you’ve slipped up, even though you may have failed, even if you walked away, God still has a plan for you!

The point is to look up! When you’ve hit your lowest point, look up and find Jesus waiting. He will never leave you, nor forsake you! Keep going. Keep pursuing the call of God on your life. Make the choice to stick it out and hang in there. Stand strong. Stand firm. After you’ve done everything you can, stand still and let God move!

Even after you’ve reached your weakest point and feel like you can’t go on, look up. Jesus is right there with you. He’s watching you. He’s waiting on you and your surrendered life to Him. He’s got the perfect plan for you.

Look up, child of God. Just look up.

J.H.

Improving Scripture Knowledge & Memorization

Apr27

10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Ps. 119:10-11 ESV)

I love the Word of God. I get joy when I go into my study time each day. I’ve set aside time each morning for prayer and devotion, but I also have study time throughout the day and in the evening. I use my lunch hour at work for study. I use time when I get home for more study. I find myself counting the minutes until I get to dive into God’s Word. I want to seek Him with my whole heart!

I recently discovered some different ways and methods of study that I have found to be extremely beneficial in my spiritual life and study time. I’d like to take time to pass this on. I’ve read and developed new techniques for drumming, study, etc. from other people who have told me; so I want to pass on what I’ve learned and experienced to others out there. Here are a few ways to help improve your study and spiritual memory;

APPS; This day and age we live in has an application for just about everything. Whatever you may be looking for, you can bet “there’s an app for that”. I’ve recently come across Fighter Verse. Simply the best app I’ve ever seen for scripture memorization. I highly recommend getting this app if you haven’t already done so. No doubt this is just one of many apps out there; if anyone finds more, let me know.

READING; It’s imperative that all preachers be readers. Even if you’re not a preacher, you must read the Word of God daily. We as Christians must have the Word of God in our hearts. If we don’t know the Word of the Lord, how can we tell anyone else what it says?

There are different methods and little tricks in reading that I use;

Repetition; I read a passage over and over until it becomes familiar to me and I can almost recite it.

Reading Aloud; I’ve found over the years if I hear myself saying the words, I’m more apt to remember it. Small trick, but very successful.

Recite; I remember times of trying to recite lines for a play in school or a song for choir. I would try and recite each word as my mother, sister, or father read the actual material. Reciting the information as someone listens and shows you where you slip up can improve your memorization skill.

WRITING; I love to write. I come from a long line of writers in my family. The past couple weeks, when I think I’ve memorized a verse or two, I’ll take some paper and start writing it down. Of course there are mistakes made, but when I’ve mastered the verse, I write it over and over until the page is full. This has proved to be one very successful way for me to memorize scripture.

STUDY; I’m an advocate for study. We need to store up all the Word we can. There are so many methods if study, I simply cannot list them all, but here are a few;

Gospels; The four gospels in the New Testament are some of my favorite places to read. You’ll find the birth, death, burial and redirection of Jesus, his miracles, signs and wonders and do much more. If you want to learn and know more about Jesus, the gospels are the place to be.

Chronological Study; This is one way I’ve enjoyed reading the Bible through. It’s interesting to read the Bible in the order of the time the events took place.

Book Study; Select one book if the Bible, read it, study it, master it and know everything about it. Who is speaking? Who is being addressed? What is the theme of the book? This will definitely increase scripture knowledge.

Topical Study; Find passages that relate to each other, such as faith, obeying God, holiness, etc. Verses that relate to the same topic will increase the knowledge and understanding of that topic and make more sense to you in your life.

These are just a few ways to study and dive head-first into the Word of God. I hope this has helped you, dear reader.

What are some ways you study or memorize scripture?

J.H.

Imperfect Perfection

Apr25

I love when my wife talks to me. I adore her and all her features. One of my favorite things about my sweet wife is her smile. That smile can light up a room, make troubles disappear and brighten up my day. Talking with my wife the other day, I noticed a little mark on her lip. It wasn’t anything huge or noticeable, just a little mark. It got me thinking that even though in my eyes she’s the best and has no flaws, there are some things that aren’t so perfect. Now before you go thinking I’m pointing out her imperfections, I’m not. I’m simply making a point.

Despite how good we think we are, there is always room for improvement. Think about it; do you really pray like you should? Do you really read the Bible each day? Do you really have a time set aside for devotion and study? Do you really attend all the church functions you need to?

No matter how ‘good’ we think we are, we can always improve and do more, do better.

On the other hand, even though we have flaws, God can and does still use people like you and I. If we’re perfect and need no help, where is our need for God? If we are already so good and do everything right, why do we need preaching?

The point is, we need God. Reality is that we’re not perfect. We are in need of a powerful, wonderful, all able God. We need Him everyday.

Now that we’ve realized we need God, let’s take it a step further;

We are definitely not perfect. That being said, we understand we make mistakes. I mean, we’re human. Even though we make those mistakes and slip up, it doesn’t mean we are unusable. We learn a lot through our mistakes, trials and struggles. With what we learn, we use that knowledge to help ourselves and others; and again, just because you mess up doesn’t mean that God can’t use you.

Moses killed a man, but led the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Jacob was a deceiver, but he was given a vision, established a house of God and had a son named Joseph.
Joseph was sold, imprisoned and forgotten, but he was the vice president of the land.
Saul was a Christian killer, but he ended up with a new name and wrote over half of the New Testament.
Peter denied even knowing Jesus Christ, but he preached the day of Pentecost.

See, no matter what you’ve done or what mistakes you’ve made or even how bad you’ve messed up your life, God still loves you and can use you. He still has a plan and some major things for you in your future. Just hold on a little longer, God still has your perfect plan waiting for you.

We’re human, He’s holy. We mess up, He’s perfect; and the beauty of that is He still uses our imperfections to carry out His perfect will.