PARTNERS

Great Partnership

The Lone Ranger and Tanto, Shaggy and Skoobedoo, Starsky and Hutch, Peanut Butyer and Jelly, Watermelon and 4th of July, Batman and Robin, Bonnie and Clyde, Tom and Jerry, Lucy and Ethel.....Me and You. 

Great partnerships have accomplished great things throughout history.   It has been our partnership for the sake of the gospel that brings me great delight today as I think about you.  Thanks for being a great "partner in crime" for the sake of the gospel.

Philippians 1:5 AMP
[I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.

On My Mind

You Are Always On My Mind

God had something to say about this long before Elvis Presley.  So I want each of you to know you hold a special place in my heart and I want to echo the words of scripture and speak them into your life today.  This truth I want you to know.

Philippians 1:3
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Walk Like A Fool

Dont Stagger Like A Fool

Have you ever seen a drunk walk?  Stumbles over his own two feet and anything else that may be in his path.  We may have laughed at the old drunk staggering down the street but walking foolishly is really no laughing matter.  When people look at our lives do they see a staggering old drunk walking foolishly or do they see someone in their right mind walking wisely?

Ephesians 5:15 AMP
Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

Ephesians 5:15 KJV
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Copy Cat

Copy Cat

Do you remember irritating your siblings or a friend by being a copy cat and doing everything they do or saying everything they said?  But when someone else would do the same to you, remember how frustrated you would become, especially if several people did it at the same time?  I can remember imitating my sister in the back seat of the car.  Then she would holler..."mom, dad...Steve is being a copy cat, tell him to stop."  I loved every minute of it.  

That is exactly what God wants us to do...be immitators, of Him.  Be a God copy cat!  Go ahead do everything He does!

Ephesians 5:1 AMP
THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Sick To Death

Sick To Death

For Amnon that became a reality.  The power of desire can bring disasterous results.  Don't get carried away with your desires, whatever they may be it will lead you down a path of destruction and even death.  Death of relationships, death of clear thinking, death of finances, death of reputation and yes even the possibility of physical death.   Amnon got his desire and more...he was sick with lustful desire and his half brother killed him.  Desire is a powerful emotion with far reaching consequences.

2 Samuel 13:1-2
ABSALOM SON of David had a fair sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon [her half brother] son of David loved her. And Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick for his [half] sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and Amnon thought it impossible for him to do anything to her.
2 Samuel 13:14
But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom commanded his servants, Notice now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and when I say to you, Strike Amnon, then kill him. Fear not; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave.

god Buffet

How Many gods?

We live in a culture that is increasingly embracing a multiplicity of gods.  If the question were posed today...do you believe in God?  The vast majority would say certainly.  (With the exception of those who are embracing the atheist fad, which many students are.  And it is a genuienly a fad for many.  Not to mention that atheism is an oxymoron)  However, clarification often reveals that God to you may not be God to someone else.  We have a virtual buffet of gods and its just "enee meeni minny moe".  So do you believe in God?  I would challenge you, there is but one God! 

Ephesians 4:6 AMP
One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.

Exodus 20:2-3
I am the Lord your God....
You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.

Aggrevating People

Attitude With Others

Sometimes people are aggravating!  Ever met anyone like that?  I am sure we all have a long laundry list.   Now don't start fretting about them...instead walk like you have been summoned by the God of the universe to be His ambassador.  And if so then this should be our attitude toward all those aggrevating people in our life...

Ephesians 4:1-3 AMP
I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.