Jesus knew about this kind of hurt.  He was betrayed and denied by friends. (St. John 13:18-22)

Proverbs 18:8 & Proverbs 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  Proverbs 27:3-6 ³A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.  ⁴Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?  ⁵Open rebuke is better than secret love.  ⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Verse 6 may be difficult to understand unless you have had some honest, sincere and true friends in your life.  Pastor Paul Thompson has said “You never really have but about five true friends in your lifetime.”  I am not speaking about one that tries to change you or hurt you, but one who truly loves you for who you are.  You never have to defend yourself to a true friend.

True friends are not to be loved chiefly on account of the pleasure they give us, although nothing is more pleasant than a friendship and fellowship of a true friend.  Their integrity and faithfulness is their most valuable quality and at times they will speak to us about things that may seem more helpful than pleasant for us to hear.  Honesty is difficult to handle.  Help comes from a true friend.  Will you be someone’s friend today?

Believers ought to understand that our day is not made just for us but as an opportunity to honor and glorify God.  With our heart and eyes focused upon Him, His Word and His will, we can more easily accomplish what He desires us to do.

Have you taken the time today and ask God for grace and wisdom for this day?  Did you think this morning about how the day will end?  Have you been reminded that the same God who gave you this day will bless and keep you in it?

God is good – look to Him for all you need today!

A willingness to heed the call of God and leave behind a life of sin, pleasure and often luxury.

Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to a place which he would later receive as an inheritance – and he went not knowing where he was going!

God “called” Abraham!  This is not a calling to preach, pastor or be a missionary or to some special form of Christian service, it was a call to live a life that was willing to do and go for God!  God called Abraham out of the life he was living into a relationship with Himself!

I really don’t believe that it was Abraham’s plan nor intention to leave his home in Haran, but God revealed Himself to Abraham and called him to a life of faith!  This would not be the first time Abraham is ask by God to do something difficult (Genesis 22).

Our salvation begins with our faith in God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) but continues with a willingness to live and do for Him! 

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Our life of faith begins when we are willing to stop walking by sight and walk with our hand in His hand!  When we are willing to leave behind our place of sin and unbelief!

The Word of God calls for faith but also action with that faith – or maybe we can say “a faith that leads to action!”  True faith always leads to decisive action.  James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I guess as Christians we want to do the same thing with our Heavenly Father – we read His Word, pray for others, do good deeds and hope He smiles down upon us.

Let me ask us something – can you really gain God’s approval by being religious?  By going to church?  By keeping the 10 Commandments?  The answer is NO! 

There is only one way to please God and that is by believing Him (not just believing in Him)!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”              Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

There are only two ways to live:

• by sight – to base everything on what we see.
• by faith – to base your life primarily and ultimately on what you cannot see.  This is the way God has instructed us to live.  This is the way the people of God have always lived.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Today I thank God for His promise concerning our Savior!  Christ is born a Savior for all mankind!

O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Thom­as O. Chis­holm, in the Young Pe­o­ple’s Hymn­al, 1897

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.

The following acronym has been suggested about the Bible:

B – Basic

I – Instructions

B – Before

L- Leaving

E – Earth

The Bible – the very Word of God can and will make a difference!

In a survey several years ago of over 500 pastors, the following question was asked, “What do you feel is the major reason Christians do not read the Bible?”

• 47% Lack of time / too busy
• 19%  Laziness or lack of discipline
• 15% Not important or relevant
• 8%    Not a priority
• 3%    Don’t understand what they are reading
• 3%    Not readers / poor reading skills

65% of adult Bible readers have never read the complete New Testament. That’s 27 Books consisting of 260 chapters (only 838,380 letters)!

“This Book, which we call the Bible, contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the solder’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven is opened and the gates of hell or disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It shall fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, rewards the greatest labors, and condemns all who trifle with its contents.”

“The Bible was written by about 40 men who engaged in writing it during a period of about 1600 years dating from 1500 B.C. to about 100 years after Christ.  These men wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21).  They wrote not in words of human wisdom but in words taught by the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 2:13).“

–The Open Bible Edition / Thomas Nelson Publishers

 What a Book and yet so many never read or study from it.

The first part of the passage in Deut 6 was to call an assembly of people to worship.  Our highest calling is to love God with all we are.  Immediately following this call to worship is an admonition.  It is simply this: The word of God is to be taught in a variety of ways and at various times of the day in the home so that the command to put God first will rest on a foundation of an understanding of what God has done in the past, is doing now, and will do in the future.

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”        – Psalm 11:3

The Word of God is to be taught so diligently that it penetrates the heart (Psalm 1:1-3).  Repeated discussion is the order of the day, every day!  The call to bind it on the hand, the forehead, the doorpost and the gate makes it clear that the Word of God is to be heard and seen wherever one looks while going about the daily routine of life.

Some “think” they know the Scriptures. They have studied but they may not have the wisdom to comprehend what God is saying. The story is told about a ministerial candidate for ordination.  He was to tell his favorite Bible story.  Here it goes!  “There was a good Samaritan going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he fell among thorns and they sprang up and choked him and left him half dead.  And he said, I will arise and he arose and came to a tree and he got hung in the limb of the tree and he hung there for forty days and forty nights and the ravens fed him.  Delilah, she came along with a pair of shears and cut off his hair and he fell on stony ground.  Again, he said I will arise and he arose and came to a wall and Jezebel was sitting on the wall and she mocked him – and he said, Chunk her down and they chunked her down.  He said Chunk her down again and they did, and he said, Chunk her down seventy times seven and great was the fall thereof; and of the fragments that remained they picked up twelve baskets full and whose wife will she be in resurrection?” 

We believe in teaching the Scriptures in each service at our Church.  Our Youth Program (AWANA) has been used of God to teach the teacher and student the Word of God.  AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed and comes from the Bible verse 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Again using the words of Apostle Paul concerning the last dangerous and perilous days in II Timothy 3:2…For men shall be lovers of their own selves,…

Jesus taught that believers are to marry and raise children.  The institution of marriage is ordained of God.  I didn’t say those who get married should be institutionalized .

Jesus also said to us in Matthew 5:27-29 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Our world has gone crazy with passion.  Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. (Leviticus 18:22 – an abomination)

George Barna said “Busters (those born between 1965 – 1983) were twice as likely to have viewed sexually explicit movies or videos; two and a half times more likely to report having had a sexual encounter outside of marriage; and three times more likely to have viewed sexually graphic content online.”

It is no secret that music, TV, video games, uncontrolled / un-monitored computer and TV viewing have contributed to this looseness!  But I want to approach this from another direction.  The mistake people are making today is they are placing more importance on the looks of the body than the inner person.  Let me explain – I see young people decorating or desecrating their body with piercings and tattoos and I have to wonder why.  Do they not know what a sagging…looks like when they are older?

And then, millions are spent on advertisements selling products that will glamorize people.  I will tell you what matters – the love a man has for his wife and the wife for her husband!  The world is becoming drunk on passion.  It is throwing out faithfulness, responsibility and respectability for the whatever I want or whatever feels good – do it philosophy!

What used to embarrass America is common place on the streets of our town.  I have been propositioned for a sexual experience right here in Columbus, OH!  Adultery and homosexuality has become an acceptable way of life but God still calls it sin and an abomination (thank God He forgives!)

The horrible disease of AIDS is killing many because of drugs and perversion.  It is getting worse and worse.  People will murder to get enough money to buy dope.  Girls will sell their body to get a quick fix.  It’s no wonder the last prayer in Scripture was that of apostle John, (Revelation 22:20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The best that we can do is live right and teach our families; our children and grandchildren to live right.

When I marry couples, I ask them to repeat the following promise….I, take thee, to be my lawful and wedded spouse.  To have and to hold from this day forward.  For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer.  In sickness and health; to love and to cherish till death shall part us.  According to God’s Holy Law, I pledge thee my love.

Can you or have you made the vow to Christ our Savior?  How long has it been since the husband has said that to his wife or wife to her husband?  How long has it been since you prayed for your children, your grandchildren together?  The devil is fighting against our homes and winning many battles.  It’s not because he is stronger than God; it is because we allow him to win!

Jesus instructed His disciples not to wrestle or struggle with the idea of position.  Matthew 20:25-27 says But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Jesus tells us the order of authority in the home:

        I.            Man (husband)

     II.            Woman (wife)

   III.            Children (obedient young-ins)

 I Corinthians 11:3 – But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

In the church, we also see authority:

        I.            The Lord.

     II.            The Pastor.

   III.            The Deacons.

  IV.            The Teachers.

    V.            The Laity.

The Lord is a “Lord of order!”  When people respect the rightful position in life, life will be more enjoyable and pleasant.  Too many want to mess with God’s plan and then can’t figure out why they have so many headaches, heartaches and burdens!

If we will honor and respect those in position and act accordingly, there would less problems in our daily life!   Order is necessary and vital in the well being of any group or groups carrying out their purpose.

We are living in a very selfish society.  Some strive for position and recognition.  I am always “leery” of that type of person. Jesus taught us that even “religious people” try to do this (Matthew 6:1-8).

Our society tries to reverse God’s order – this is brought much damage to the home and the church.  Women; stop trying to be the head of the home and children, stop trying to rule the home!

Jesus told His disciples that the important things was to put the right person first (Matthew 6:33).

Quoting from apostle Paul in II Timothy 3:4b, …lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Perilous and dangerous times are upon us and proof of this is the fact that many enjoy pleasure and amusement more than they love God!

There are many wholesome pleasures in life that are not wrong or sinful.  The wise Solomon said…(Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) I know that there is no good in them, but for a man
to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (12:13-14) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Life does hold allot of pleasure.  So many things we enjoy are like medicine to the heart.  In our day of stress and strain in daily life, we need to find some wholesome pleasure in something to help take our minds off the normal routine.

Sometimes we may get so busy it is a matter of coming apart for awhile before we come apart (Mark 6:31)!

Paul said the end time generation will be a pleasure loving generation – they will love pleasure more than they love God! How much of our lives are centered around pleasure?  Sports, classes, movies, games, TV, programs often are put before our Lord!

Exodus 20:2-5 records two of the Ten Commandments. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;