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Published: 07 July 2017

I’ve never actually heard the following excuses used but I have heard about them.  For example, a girl was asked to go out on a date but she declined because “she had to wash her hair.”  Or, the student did not turn in his homework because “the dog ate it.”  There are many examples of lame excuses.  This started early.  In Genesis Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.  We have all joined our dysfunctional race with some excuses of our own.  If we could actually hear ourselves say them, we would realize how silly they really are.  While excuses are not the main point of the sermon on Sunday, it may come up as we attempt to apply the text.  To be direct, what I mean is this, we have some lame excuses for not walking with God.  We think we need more time, a better home, a job that is less demanding, fewer children, more children, no children etc.  We’ll learn from the study of Stephen’s history lesson in Acts 7 that God is not bound by geography, buildings or traditions.  He moves, speaks, acts, works, provides, leads and directs regardless of geographical location or the presence or absence of religious conveniences.  “The kingdom of the Heavens is at hand.”  Jesus made this very clear and Stephen believed Him!  Whatever you are doing today and wherever you are, you can walk with God.  Your situation may be less than ideal, your time may be crimped, the people in your life may be difficult and your body might be in terrible shape but friend, you can walk with God.  The Lord is “at hand.”  Emmanuel means “God with us.”  Look, listen and pray…you can walk with God today!

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Published: 29 June 2017

When my brothers and I are together we laugh a lot.  Stories of our happy childhood are told, revised, clarified and rehearsed.  Somebody will say, “Do you guys remember the time…?”  There are stories about frogs, bleeding, fishing, hunting, Itza Ball, girls, farming, tree fort building, cigars etc.  While I have many happy memories, I also have a few memories of some things I did that I wish I hadn’t done.  I know the Lord doesn’t remind me because He has forgotten them but I remember them and I think the enemy helps me!  Thankfully the Lord has something He does want me to remember—that He loved me before the foundation of the world.  That Jesus Christ volunteered to take the penalty for my sin.  That faith in His finished work results in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  That I have the “smile of God in Christ.”  Knowing how well our memory works on bad things and how easy it is for us to forget the good things, Jesus gave us a Memorial “in remembrance of Him.”  We’ll be having Communion this coming Sunday and our theme will be “Remember This!”  I’m sure some of you will be away remembering and celebrating our nation’s independence.  Enjoy!  While you are remembering our great freedoms as a nation, remember the greater freedom that is ours in Christ, our Redeemer and King!