"Bittersweet Blessing"

By Rob Bailes

How could a blessing be bitter and sweet?

When I read about the death of the apostle Stephen, there were two distinct characters that stood out in my mind. One of them was very bitter and one of them was a character with a very sweet spirit. When I say sweet, I don't mean in a feminine way, as is so often meant today. This is a characteristic of God, as something that is good and desirable. Have you ever had candy that had a bitterness but still had a sweetness as well? That's exactly what I see in the final events of Stephen's last hour of his life. Let's look at those final events together.

Stephen had a message to give to the Jews. His message was a reminder of the things that their fathers had done to the prophets and the Messiah. Their fathers had murdered those who had come to warn them and even the One who came to save them from the hopeless state of condemnation that bound them; by breaking the laws by which they were to live their lives. When anyone has committed an act of sin and they choose not to repent and make it right, the guilt and the bondage of satan has them held hostage until they do make it right. We often refer to this condition in a person's life as being bitter. They become very defensive and aggressive when anything is mentioned to remind them of their actions.

I remember a time in my life when I was much younger and I had made some decisions that were wrong and my father knew about this, but he would hesitate to bring it up because I was living on my own and wanted to do my own thing. A few years later after all of that had passed, my father brought it up again and he just wanted to talk about it and see what I had learned from that experience. To his surprise, I suddenly became angry and defensive. I found my heart beating very fast and my mind just feeling anger and trying to find some fault in my own father as a defence! How could I have gone from being a calm, peaceful person to such an angry, aggressive person in a split second? I couldn't even understand why myself!

After thinking about this alone for about an hour and sorting through what had just happened, I realized that although I had made changes in the way I lived, I hadn't ever really repented of what I had done in the past and because of this, there was a seed still growing in my heart. It was the seed of bitterness!
I often think of this growth like the potato plant. It is growing for months, but you don't see the fruit until you dig it up. My friend, we all have things in our lives that we would rather leave untouched and it really irritates us when some one digs or probes into our past, but it is at that moment when we realize that there is a real need for repentance. That buried bitterness and anger can drive us to do things that we will regret for the rest of our lives.

I had to go back and make things right with my father here on earth, but first, I had to get it right with my Father in Heaven. Oh, what a relief, to finally call out to my all forgiving and caring Heavenly Father and earthly father as well. They were both so pleased to see this change and I had received a peace within that I had not had before this time of repentence.

Let's read about the Jews reaction to Stephen's reminder of their father's sins,

Acts 7:54-58
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he(Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
57 Then they(the people) cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

This kind of anger and aggression is found where the potatoes are ripe and ready for harvest! Those are the potatoes (fruit) of bitterness. The plants had been growing and above the surface everything looked fine and as our world keeps reminding everyone in this day that we live, it looks nice and "green". I agree with recycling and protecting the environment, but be careful when you see growth taking place where the fruit of the "green" or results are not visible!

These people didn't even want to hear the truth!

Look at verse fifty-seven above where it says they shouted and stopped their ears! They couldn't stand it! Just as I had jumped up and walked out of the room that day in a state of anger, they were angry and didn't want to hear Stephen's reminder. When Stephen said that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God, this reminded the people that their ancestors had put Jesus to death and many had not ever repented of this. It was the fruit of bitterness that had been passed down to them by their fathers. The thing that I saw next was the sweetness of Stephen's spirit when he knelt down and cried(In the Greek-he screamed) with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!"

Acts 7:59-60
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. "
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." and when he had said this, he fell asleep.


Then God let Stephen sleep. The last words of this apostle were words of forgiveness. Stephen didn't want to leave this world with a bitter spirit towards those who were taking his very own life on that day. How many of us could shout out a request of forgiveness to God, for our attackers, while being pounded by rocks, by big rocks that are meant to kill us?

What are the things that you have experienced? How many times have we let the little things that someone has said or little bumps and bruises cause us to hold anger and bitterness in our hearts towards someone else? Oh, that we would be like Stephen, who in the midst of being bitten and being pounded by rocks thrown with such force as to break his very bones; spoke those sweet words that would penetrate the hearts of all who were there, including Saul. God knew that Stephen's cry for their forgiveness would melt the bands of bitterness in their hearts one day and God knew how Saul would one day repent and preach the Word of God around the world.

It didn't happen that day, as we find Saul going from house to house, taking men and women who believed in the Messiah and persecuting them (Acts 8:3), but the day came, not much later, when God brought Saul to his knees, to a place of repentence and changed his name to Paul(Acts 9:4).

You see, Stephen's death was the beginning of the spread of the message of hope and salvation outside of the walls of Jerusalem (Acts 8:4). Many were afraid and scattered abroad. The blessing was that many saw the love of God, due to Stephen's final words and his example, even to his death.

Acts 7:60 And he (Stephen) kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge". And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The bitterness rose up in the people, but God was victorious over all, whether they repented or not! Is there something that puts you on the defence today? If so, I encourage you to pray about this and make it right with God. You have so much to gain!

The Fruit of Life will replace the Fruit of bitterness, defensiveness and revenge in your life, as soon as you come to the place where you can confess the past and accept the forgiveness of God.

That place can be right here and right now! The only thing holding us back from making this decision right now is our own foolish pride and in the end, that is what satan will try to use to lead us to destruction.

If you remember anything from your past that is still something you avoid discussing, I encourage you today to turn it over to God; repent of your anger and hatred towards others; forgive so that you can begin to heal and God will do the rest for you.

You'll begin to see the Fruit of Life in your life like never before! A New Life awaits you today. Choose Life over bondage! Choose sweet over bitter! Choose love over hatred! God loves you and is waiting for this very moment to bless you with the presence of His sweet Spirit today.

"Pray For Pearls"

Written by Rob Bailes


Have you ever had an irritation that wouldn't go away, no matter what you tried? I have and sometimes it is the smallest things that can drive us crazy! I have been through times in my life when I prayed for relief and for blessings day after day, only to awake to another day of the same irritating situations. I would normally just take charge and remove anything of discomfort from my life. Have there been times when God has allowed situations in your life that you just couldn't deal with entirely on your own?

Maybe a difficult relative that you must care for long term; a financial problem that looks hopeless; a co-worker or associate that lays awake at night thinking of ways to make your life miserable; maybe even a spouse who doesn't seem to care about the needs of the people who love them.

The list goes on and on! By now you are probably thinking, "What does this have to do with praying for pearls? I just want the pearls!".

For thousands of years, most seawater pearls were retrieved by divers working in the Indian Ocean, in areas like the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and in the Gulf of Mannar. Starting in the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), the Chinese hunted extensively for seawater pearls in the South China Sea. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Western Hemisphere, they discovered that around the islands of Cubagua and Margarita, some 200 km north of the Venezuelan coast, was an extensive pearl bed. One discovered and named pearl, La Peregrina, was offered to the Spanish queen.

Margarita pearls are extremely difficult to find today and are known for their unique yellowish color. The most famous Margarita necklace that any one can see today is the one that then Venezuelan President Romulo Betancourt gave to Jacqueline Kennedy when she and her husband, President John F. Kennedy paid an official visit to Venezuela.

Quality natural pearls are very rare jewels. The actual value of a natural pearl is determined in the same way as it would be for other "precious" gems. The valuation factors include size, shape, quality of surface, orient and luster. Single natural pearls are often sold as a collector's item, or set as centerpieces in unique jewelry. Very few matched strands of natural pearls exist, and those that do often sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. (In 1917, jeweler Pierre Cartier purchased the Fifth Avenue mansion that is now the New York Cartier store for US$100 cash and also bought a double strand of matched natural pearls valued at the time at US$1 million.)

Typically the men who search for pearls must bring 3 tons of oysters in for every perfect pearl that is found and a pearl will take about two years to fully develop! Does that give you a better understanding of how precious this treasure truly is to those who collect them?

What can we learn from all of this knowledge today on pearls? Well, we see how rare and valuable the pearl is to mankind, or should I say women, as most are worn by the women who have been honored by someone who thinks very highly of them in presenting such a gift. I would rather us turn our attention to the oyster though, in order to understand the rarity of the pearl.

The oyster was created by God in such a way that their bodies create this jewel in the process of dealing with an irritation or intruder. Pearls are formed inside the shell of oysters as a defense mechanism to a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside its shell, or an attack from outside, injuring the mantle tissue. The oyster creates a pearl sac to seal off the irritation.
The mantle of the oyster deposits layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. The combination of aragonite and conchiolin is called nacre, which makes up mother-of-pearl. It is the nacre that gives the pearl it's shine and luster! Many times the pearl develops due to intruders or even from an injury that separates a piecce of the mantel from the oyster shell.

Isn't it amazing how wonderfully made this creature is that can produce something of such value and beauty over a two year period, all because of some uninvited irritation or an attack that brought an injury that couldn't heal? God has a pearl for each of us who have been through life's difficulties. It is through the intrusions; the attacks; the challenges and the irritations that God draws us to His throne in prayer! He awaits us with open arms as we run to Him for refuge! As we pray each day for His comfort and His protection, all the while knowing that the irritations still exist, He pours out His love and His compassion on us. It is this very comfort that applies coat after coat over our pain until that day that we see how much more valuable our lives have become to God.

He is able to use us as a precious jewel, adding us to His strand of matching pearls as a testimony of His love and beauty. I urge you to pray, call out to Him each day; as He is waiting to apply His healing balm of love and compassion over the irritations of your life.

Let's take time to look at chapter thirteen where Matthew has written the words that Jesus spoke, as He gave comparison to our lives and the value of a single pearl,

Mat 13:45-51
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

"DO YOU HAVE A DIVERSION?"

Written by rob Bailes


"It's a wise decision!"

I have talked about habits before and how we will do things without thinking, but today I'd like to talk with you about decisions. When I think about the decisions we make, all I have to do is look around me and I see it happening every minute of every day.

People haggling over things they need or maybe just want real bad; juggling schedules to fit in one more deal; making excuses to avoid having to spend time with someone we don't agree with; people discussing decisions that affect the lives of thousands or maybe even millions; people in charge of our lives; people shopping for the right shoes or clothes; scheduling flights and travel for business or to care for a loved one; what to do with an elderly relative to get the care they need; how to invest all that extra money stashed away for the later years; disagreements settled or not; executives deciding how to stay in business and who to lay off; then there's the child trying to find their first job while they are in school.

I see people from all areas, levels and ages making decisions every day. Maybe I'm a little more observant than some people, but the thing I see in most cases is that they are frustrated or stressed, maybe with over loaded schedules and it's become a way of life for so many. The decision to jamb as much pressure and stress into your life is totally your choice and I don't fault you for it. That's fine if that's how you choose to live your life. Personally, I tend to be more laid back and believe that God made me this way. Maybe it was necessary for someone like myself to take the time to observe and write about the things I see and learn from the world that the majority of the population races their way through to the finish line.

There was a king once that lived his life much like this and was very busy, of course! It was this king's frustration and stress that brought him to the place where he had to have some kind of outlet; something that he could do to ease this tension of the many decisions and responsibilities that he carried on his shoulders.

I have come to realize that going shopping with my daughters could sometimes be as, if not more, stressful as making an important decision on a major building project.

You see, something that Saul knew was that the outlet or hobby was what kept him balanced and kept the flesh from taking over. It was the desire of pleasure in our hearts that God gave us in order to maintain a balance in our life. I call it harmony.

When I was a boy, I worked hard and made enough money to have a horse and I used to spend my down time riding my horse and caring for it, but it didn't seem like work. Why? Because it was the thing I looked forward to doing when the work was done and it brought me relaxation and harmony.

As I got older, I found new hobbies, but there came a time when I was being interviewed many years later and the vice president of a very large company out of Atlanta, asked me a question.
He asked me,"What are your hobbies?" and I froze, because I had become stricken with tunnel vision somewhere along the way and had become totally focused on making a living. I told him I liked to deep sea fish and of course he asked me, when was the last time I had gone.
I was embarrassed to say that it had been about three years ago. He told me that I should take time to go more often and he added, "Take your kids".

You see, this man had been there, done that. He knew where it led and he wanted his superintendents to be healthy and balanced when they were out there representing their company. By the way, I got the job and I did go deep sea fishing!

In 1Samuel 16 and Proverbs 31 we can read how men and women have activity in their lives besides their work and chores. Starting in verse eighteen, it talks about how Saul would get really out of control and it was David's hobby of playing music that would bring him under control and give him balance. It was King Saul's hobby of listening to music that relaxed him and gave him balance.

Proverbs 31 shares with us the story of every woman and how the use of her hands bring her blessing, not only from her children, but also from her husband. She has put her hands to work for her own needs, but also reaching out to her family and the needy in her community, going to the merchants tents making purchases that will benefit all that she loves and is involved with in her life.

Pro 31:26-31
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excell them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Can you name at least one area of interest (outside the limits of your calling) which you are presently developing?

Do you experience as much satisfaction in your diversion as you do in your occupation? Maybe more?

Whenever you plunge into your hobby or diversion, is it without guilt or anxiety?

Are you aware that your hobby is as significant to God and to your own happiness as your actual vocation?

If your answer to any of the above is no, you may need to go get out the fishing pole, camera or paintbrush. They will help you forget about the worries in your head as God had planned it to do.

Deepening Your Roots-1Samuel 16:18-23, 2Sam. 22:1, Proverbs 31:1-31

Branching Out
1. Spend at least three hours this week on one of your hobbies or finding one!
2. Start a new hobby that forces you to be with new people.

"NEWBORN"

Written by Rob Bailes

I thought I'd take advantage of this opportunity to show off the most beautiful grand-daughter in the world, since this message is about newborns. The picture is of Kaelyn and she was born only two hours earlier. I couldn't believe my eyes as I pressed my camera against the glass, catching this Kodak moment. What a gift from God she has been. Since her birth on Sept. 10, 2007, Kaelyn has been smothered with love by her mom and family. Kinda funny, but I was so excited on that day that I didn't even set the correct date on my camera, so just ignore that date stamp on the picture. lol

Charles Swindoll tells of his journey around the world just two hours from his front door. He said that he and his family traveled from Paraguay to the Congo. From the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania into the tropical rain forest of Malagasy, across the Indian Ocean to mysterious Malaya. Then it was the tundra of the Arctic Circle, Scandinavia to Mesopotamia, Egypt to China, Manchuria to Siberia. From the icy heights of the Himalayan peaks, across the vast outback of Australia, on deep into the tangled jungles of New Guinea....by bus.

In only forty-five minutes.

They oohed and ahhhed their way through every conceivable scent, sight and sound. Nothing was the same except the small familiar sign that kept popping up on the trails and trees: "Please Don't Feed The Animals".

Yes, they were at the famed San Diego Zoo. Where else could a family hear the shrilling scream of the peacocks running free, touch an elephants snout, study in detail the colorful crest of the rare cockatoo, look into the ceaseless stare of the silvery gray koala perched in the fork of a eucalyptus, or stand just eighteen inches from a cobra.....all in one afternoon? He told of his renewed respect for His creative genius, as they marveled at God's handiwork among his creatures.

But above and beyond all of that, they had a rare treat seldom witnessed in the hundred acre nucleus of Balboa Park. It was so unusual that the salty guide was suddenly mute. They happened upon a newborn. Charles couldn't remember the name of the species but the tiny thing was no more than a few minutes old. There it lay out in the open. Still curled into a fetal ball. Wet, wide eyed, and flop eared, that awkward, fuzzy ball of new life was blinking at it's very first glimpses of dirt, rocks, sun and water. Standing over it was it's mama, fresh blood on her strong hind legs as she proudly licked away the afterbirth and the cord. The other animals? Hardly a second glance. They milled around totally unconcerned.

They could stay no longer. They had to "stay on schedule", so they roared off, leaving a choking cloud of diesel exhaust in their wake.

Many moons have passed since Charles and his family had that memorable episode but he couldn't get over the analogy. That's what I want to share with you today. What happened that day was an amazingly accurate scenario of what happens ever day around our world. Not physically, but spiritually. Not among the caged animals, but in human hearts.

Whether in Madagascar or Monterrey, Zaire or Zurich, Belfast or Birmingham; as the traffics rolls by and the pace increases and pressure mounts....a new birth from heaven suddenly transpires. For some it may be in the heat of the day and for other it may be in the evening or in the dead of the night. Some newborns take their first breaths in a small church on a windy hill after hearing the story of the Savior's death. Others may be in a lonely prison cell sitting beside a radio. Some are even on a school campus somewhere encircled by a few Christian friends who care.

It is then that God steps in, unannounced, bursting into the soul, bringing forgiveness, cleansing, peace along with a whole new perspective and dimension to life. God calls it "eternal life". And the newborn? Whether it is a savage in the bush or a statesman on Capitol Hill, it really doesn't matter. The Word paints the same picture of all newborns;

2Corinthians 5:17 - If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold (see for yourself), all things are becoming new.

New hope. New attitudes. New feelings. New direction. New destiny. The newborn turns his head, blinks his eyes, looks around at his first glimpse of New Life and he can hardly believe it's true. And the World? Of course, it rushes on; unconcerned, busy, preoccupied, it has to "stay on schedule".

Someones eternal new birth has occurred. although it doesn't catch a second glance by all those standing around, the kingdom of God is being silently enlarged.

It happens everyday in our vast world. It even happened today. For all you know, maybe even just two minutes from your own front door. I had a friend share with me today how her son had received his spiritual new birth and how she saw changes in his life as he began to change his habits, his language and the way he treated others. Then she told me something that began to burden my heart as the day progressed. She has put her son in God's hands, but with a broken heart she shared with me how he had slowly fell back into his old habits and away from Christ. Has this happened to someone you know or maybe it even happened to you? It's no mistake that you are reading this message today. God loves us as His own and just as we love our children, He will always welcome you back home. His love is unconditional and the most pure form of love available to mankind. It is the love that you search for when you wander away from your Heavenly Father.

If you know someone who has been through spiritual birth and they didn't get the care that they needed to grow healthy in their spiritual New Life; reach out to them and let them know that they are not alone. Show them the way back home, into the Word, where they will be fed and grow to become strong in their divine nature (spiritual maturity). A newborn must be loved, held and taught. Let's lay our schedules aside and do this a little each day. Sometimes it only takes a minute to pray with them. This is missing in so many churches today. Is it missing in your life? If so, don't feel alone. It is so common and we have grown accustom to it. Reach out.

Passages of Wisdom
Deepening Your Roots - John 3:1-17, 2Corinthians 5:17, 1Peter 1:1-5

Branching Out
1. Sometime this week hold a baby in your arms.
2. Pray for a young Christian every day this week.

"You Did It To Me"

Written by Rob Bailes

New Life in Action!

Today I was thinking about the times when I worked hard at teaching my girls how to help others in need because it was the right thing to do! We would do things like take food or clothes to people in poor sections of town.

In 1999 I read something, that greatly disturbed me, while I was on a quest for knowledge and wisdom.

What I read, said that I would parish if I didn't do certain things in my life here on earth! When I talked to someone at church about this, he said, "Isn't that a parable?" So I went back and read it again and one more time to make sure I was correct. It wasn't a parable at all!

This was about something that is really going to happen one day!

What I didn't understand, when I first read it, was that I would not have to work at it; nor would I be trying to keep up with what I had done or not done .

You see, when I first read this passage, I had not yet fully understood the plan that God had for me. I didn't fully understand that it was God who gave us the grace and mercy that would make us pure in His sight so that we would not only be a part of His family, but I would also have a natural desire to do the things I read about whenever I had the opportunity!

What is it that I read that day? Lets read it together now,

Matthew 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I knew it, when my life was change that day in February of 2004, while sitting in my kitchen searching for the answers to life and coming to the place where I would accept the grace and mercy of God and knowing from that moment to this that I had a new desire to do these things out of the compassion of my heart! The Spirit of God now dwells inside of me and I am truly a new creature! The old stuff has passed away.

I want to share an eleven minute video that someone shared with me. I hope that we will carry the lesson in our hearts and remember what God will say one day, "When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me".

This video is a prime example and worth watching! By the way, it isn't me! His name is very close but this speaker is Rob Bell. Enjoy!

Click the following link to watch the video - NOOMA ON COMPASSION

"Sibling Rivalry"

Written by Rob Bailes

Did you have an older brother or sister?

Guys, if you ever had an older brother, you probably had times when you felt as I did when I was a child. My older brother was only a year and a half ahead of me, but it seemed he could always do everything perfect. When I would try to do things that he did, it just didn't come out the same, so I was always trying to improve, but never quite matching his achievements. He was also quite smart and could remember almost everything he read, which wasn't one of my traits, so it eventually became evident that we were not alike, nor would we ever be alike in many ways. He went on to do allot of things I couldn't and I did allot of things that he could never do in my life as well. As we talk about things now we have come to appreciate each others ideas and differences.

I was thinking about this as I read a passage in the Bible where we are called God's adopted children, but it says that when we were adopted we were made equal, in that we would also be glorified and praised just as God's own son. I thought about how awesome that is going to be one day when we meet God in His glory. Then the Bible also says we will be joint heirs with Jesus, God's own son. That means we will receive all that God has for His Son as one of His children.

Could you imagine being fatherless and then someone from a royal family choosing you to become a heir or heiress to their royalty and riches beyond your wildest imagination? Did you know that the foundations of Heaven are described by John as being twelve levels deep and each one is made from a precious stone! That's right, John was allowed to see this so he could share it with us. He also said that the walls of heaven were made of Jasper which is diamond like material and it was about 200 feet thick. That sounds like a place where safety is definitely of no concern to all who call this place home.

Just think though, if the city is built of this kind of material, what does God have in store for us? I can't wait to find out! How about you? Are you adopted into God's family? Are you going to be joint heirs with Jesus, who we will never have to rival with in Heaven, because we will be right there in the glory and praise with Jesus as one of God's own children!


Rom 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

God's Final Call

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried: And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember thou in thy lifetime received good things, but he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this , between us and you there is a great gulf fix: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot: neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would send him to my fathers house. For I have five brethren: that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luke 16,19-31
This message has been on my mind all week, yet something has happened that differed me away from it. Each time I attempted to write it, it never failed, something came. God has laid this story on my heart and when this happens, there is someone that needs to hear it. Maybe you have heard it before, but not quite taken it to heart. My own heart, hearing it for years, just heard it and that was all. But even now, just writing it brings tears to my eyes, as well as my heart.

So many people today are a picture of that story. Living our life with all the riches this world has to offer and yet, it never satisfies the soul. Sure, things this world places before our eyes are dazzling it seems. But that's the way Satan wants it to appear. His time is short and he knows this. The Bible says, He walks around this earth, seeking whom he may devour. And sometimes it seems, he is right at our front door.

Just as Lazarus, Christ so much wants to come into our house, which is our soul. And the door to our house is our hearts. We get so blinded today by things that are pleasing, but they only last a short while. Time with God is not. He says our life is as a vapor, it appears for a short while then vanishes away. But you know what? Hell is for eternity. Today, the rich man is still in hell crying out to Abraham to please send someone to come and but touch the tip of his tongue with water, but his cry is going unheard.

God didn't intend for anyone to go to this place. He sent His only Son , JESUS CHRIST so we wouldn't have to. Its a free gift, nothing you have to purchase with money. Its nothing you have to work for, its free.Yet so many people today feel they have to earn it, or do certain things to obtain this gift of life. This is a way Satan deceives so many today.

I don't say these words today out of anger, nor am I judging anyone. I say what I have out of love. I am, by no means, better than anyone else. I am only a sinner saved by Gods grace.

I feel lead Of God to have shared this story today with you. You see, Jesus is returning just as He left. He tells us this in John 14:2-3,

In my Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

This is a promise He has given us. And my friends, his coming is very soon.

In Titus 3:5-6, He tells us, Not by works of righteousness which we have, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

I have had a little difficulty even this morning getting this devotion to you. And believe me, it was no accident. God is there next to you this morning, and I know in my heart He has lead me through this devotion to present to you. With love, I want you to know, just as God is real and he does so love us. Jesus died on the cross so we could all have a place with Him in heaven. But just as the rich man, the choice is ours. Will we accept this gift, Jesus, God's son or will we reject Him just as the rich man.

Matthew 7;13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

"HOW PRACTICE ENSLAVES US"

Written by Rob Bailes


How can practicing make ME a slave?"



You might be asking yourself this question, completely unaware that the things we practice every day may be holding us hostage. When I say practice, I mean doing the things that we desire or have learned to do without thinking that may bring us harm. As I was thinking about this, I realized that it isn't just about our deliberate decisions in life that can harm us.

Sometimes we get into the habit of doing things that seem acceptable by one person's standards, but may be totally unacceptable to another person. Until we actually are told, we may think everything is just fine in how we are doing things.

We could even get rewarded for doing things in such a way that seems great to all who are involved, only to find out later that the way that they had you had been taught and what they praised you for was, not only wrong, but was causing allot of negative consequences for others and yourself.

When this revelation takes place, you suddenly become surprised and disappointed that you had been misguided, wasting a portion of your life spent here on this earth. I know that some of you may be thinking,"What is the point and why is he wasting my time with this subject? I don't even have any bad habits!" and it may seem like this isn't for you, but at least read the next paragraph as I share an experience from my life, as I was just getting started in working for a living.

I was about twenty-four years old and had been working for a couple of years as an interior trim carpenter. The focus of each day for my boss was to put as much trim on the walls as possible and he was particular about some things, but other things he wasn't so picky about.

I often heard him say things like, "The painter will get that!" as he left a large crack in the joint where he had cut the board wrong and he'd nail it up with his fast shooting nail gun. Other times he would say, "Looks good from my house!" as he would nail up a piece of splintered material that was defected in some way. His attitude was one that said, "I'm not concerned because I just need to get done" and guess what, no one ever said a word to him about it.

The Contractor praised our work all the time and one of the houses we trimmed out in Raleigh NC even won the "Parade of Homes" Award for the nicest house in the homes entered for this contest. Many contractors would enter one or more houses for people to parade through each year and they would get judged to see who could produce the biggest, most luxurious house by the date of the event. The thing is that all of the homes entered were about the same size and price range and the builders often put more time and emphasis on that house.

My next job was with a company who had been in Raleigh for over sixty years and who only built very expensive homes. As a matter of fact, they only built three houses a year and each house took all year to build, using twenty-five carpenters. Some of the carpenters had been with this company for over thirty years and they had seen my kind come and go many times over the years.

It was my first day on the job and I was put on a framing crew of about five guys and I'll never forget how I spent the whole morning running circles around those guys. A couple of the guys kept telling me to slow down and I thought they were just worried I was going to show them up.

You see, my employer from the previous job loved to create competition between us, so we would work even faster, putting more money into his pocket. Regardless of the suggestions to slow down, I kept going full speed, practically in a running pace and I felt good about myself and what I was doing. I remember even thinking,"It won't take long to get a raise at this place!".

Little did I know that the superintendent was also going to start telling me to slow down. That really threw me a curve because I had been taught for the past two years to go faster and now my superintendent wants me to slow down! It was so confusing! Why? I can tell you now, but I couldn't tell you at that time. I had formed habits that led to allot of little mistakes, mistakes that were not acceptable in the caliber of homes I was now involved in building. It literally took me practicing to slow down and concentrate for a period of about six months before I finally understood the difference and why it was so important!

I'm sure some of you are scratching your head right now and thinking, "It still doesn't make sense!", but that is because of the way you have been trained and the things that you have been practicing.

Yes, that's right!

The things we practice are what forms our habits, good or bad. We may not realize that we have practiced something bad until someone takes the time to spend showing us how it makes a difference and effects the world around us. Some things we do may be actually harming our children or spouse or others in the world around us and we may be totally ignorant of this because we are doing what we learned to do as we were forming our habits.

This brings me to the verse that caused me to think about this story in the first place. I was studying verses that say something about our bodies and I came across this verse.

Romans 8:5-6
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We don't just decide to think about bad things.

Most often we learn about them while we are growing up and sometimes we are even taught it's ok to do a little wrong every now and then. The problem is that it develops our mind into the person we become and it leads us to destruction in the end.

So, how do we keep from destroying ourselves? It says that being spiritual minded is life. That would be the opposite of death, wouldn't it?

Spiritually minded means to focus our minds on the things that we find in the Word of God and to develop new habits by changing the things that we practice. If we are practicing satisfying only the body, our thinking is going to constantly take us to places where you find your human satisfaction never quenched. But you cannot deny that your spirit has needs too and this is what we ignore when we dwell entirely on our body's desires. Habit, my friend; habit is what we develop by practicing it over and over until it is what we have become.

I'd like to share a few verses with you from the same chapter that gives us a guide for how we ought to practice today,

Romans 8:13-15
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

In verse thirteen, the word mortify in the Greek is
thanatoō
It is pronounced than-at-o'-o
It means to kill (literally or figuratively): - become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify.

The word deeds in the Greek is
praxis
It is pronounced prax'-is
It means to practice, that is, (concretely) an act; by extension a function: - deed, office, work.

So when we look at the meaning of this passage we can see that we need to basically put an end to the practice of our body and by doing this we will live. But why? In the next verse we are told that in doing this we are led by the actual Spirit of God from within our minds and bodies and we are, not may be or will be, but we are the sons of God.

How?

Because our spirit changes from a spirit of slavery and fear of death to the Spirit of adoption into the family of God as one of His children.

Look at the Greek for the word adopt,

uihothesia
It is pronounced hwee-oth-es-ee'-ah
It means the placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons).

If we, through the changing of our Spirit destroy the practices of our body that we have made into daily habits, the fear of death will be gone and our slavery to our body will cease to exist.
Instead, we will enjoy new life as the child of God and when anyone receives this adoption they will be able to call out, Abba, Father.

Paul used the Jewish and the Gentile version of the title for Father so that all would know that they are welcome to receive and there is adoption and new life available for all of mankind .

Wisdom from the Word

Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"HELPING HANDS & HOPEFUL HEARTS"

written by Rob Bailes

There was a time when helping someone in need came as a second nature to me and there wasn't a question of should I or would I help, but rather, "how can I help someone else who wasn't able to help themselves?". It was when I was young that I learned this from my father and mother, but mostly I remember my mother always willing to do for others when there was a need and showing her compassion on them in their time of suffering. Dad was compassionate too, but many times mom would notice someones need before dad would.

I guess this was where I learned to be this way with people without even thinking about it and as I grew older, I began to go about demonstrating this for my kids so that they would have a heart and compassion for others and actually do something good for the needy, instead of only aware of the fact that they existed and in the world.

I would find a family to help at Christmas and carry trees to poor people at the last minute when they went on sale. We would carry groceries to poor people when we heard they needed it. We'd help with food drives at our church and even collect food sometimes. I helped with volunteer work following some of the really bad storms and helped my neighbors out when I was able to do something they couldn't do.

All in all, I felt like I was a good guy and so it made me feel pretty good about myself. I felt that I wasn't lacking in anything in my own life and therefore I focused on others and their needs. I really believed I was well cared for as a result of doing so much good for others. Someone just yesterday referred to this as getting some good karma for sending some good karma out. I thought about how strange it sounded for them to use a basic Biblical principle, but change the words a little to sound so wise by man's view.

That's the thing that I had found myself doing when I would go and do for others. I would talk about how excited they were and how we enjoyed it and how it is so much better to give than to receive, which is in the Bible, but I never mentioned the Bible or God to anyone. Why not? Well, I wasn't really even looking at the Bible, except on Sundays when the pastor would tell us to open our Bibles to a certain passage.

Let's look at a passage recorded by Solomon in the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs,

Prov. 31:8-9
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The dumb refers to the one's who cannot defend themselves or speak up for themselves when being accused of something they aren't guilty of doing. We are told to take up for them and then in verse nine it says we are to plead the cause of the poor and needy. When I first read this many years ago, I remember thinking about how I was surely doing this and I felt that, if I was doing what Solomon said, that I was alright with God for sure! I'm sure there are many people who, just like I did, feel like they are good people and that God doesn't expect anything more from them, just as I felt. The thing is that I had stopped at that verse when I read this, because the next thing we guys see here is a verse about women. Well, I figured the rest of this chapter was for the wife so I skipped it altogether.

The thing I missed when I didn't read this was that it also talks about the woman reaching out her hand to the poor and the needy in verse twenty. But the most important verse is way on down in the chapter where in verse thirty it says "Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she will be praised."

Guys, gals, teens and children, this applies to all of us! Not only will she be praised by her family and friends, but all of us will be praised, not only because she has fear for God, but also because her family will learn this from their mother, as well as the husband and father of the home. I realized that my hands had been busy helping, but my heart had not shared a hope for living with those in need.

I needed the hope in my own life before I could give it to others and that is why I began to search for the meaning of God, the Bible, church and fellowship with believers. I hadn't understood, even though my own father was a minister. I had not listened and studied the Bible like others when I was approaching my adult life and so I went on for many years living a good life; being a good guy who helped everyone out. Most people thought I had received the grace and mercy of God into my life and had believed on the Son of God, Jesus as my Savior because of the way I lived.

Let's all check our hearts, like I did the day that I realized that I hadn't really ever repented and accepted the gift of God's forgiveness. It made such a difference after that unforgettable day in February 2nd of 2004 while reading the Word and realizing that I had been trying so hard for so long to be a Christian, when it was already done for me by the gift of God through His Son Jesus. All I had to do was receive and repent. The presence of the Spirit of God in my heart has opened so many doors where I not only was able to help the poor and the needy, but I also could share my hope for their hopeless hearts. When their heart received that hope, the needs gradually vanished as they saw the blessings of God upon their lives. Trust in the LORD and honor Him, for He is our Almighty Savior and our Jehovah El-Shaddai, who alone can sustain us.

A Word for the Heart

Romans 8:1-17
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

"HOW'S YOUR SPIRIT?"

Written by Rob Bailes

"Love One Another"

When I was in my late teens in high school I remember a time when I was doing some things around my friends that I knew my father wouldn't have approved of and some of that was even just being associated with people who got into trouble. I didn't really think it was all that bad, but I realized something really important my senior year around graduation time. I realized that I couldn't communicate very well with my father! I had been doing my own things, making choices that were not according to what he had told my brothers and I to do. I wasn't living by his direction.

It was time to get wisdom and experience from my father because I needed it! I was going into a new phase of life! Not only did I need advice; I needed things to get started on my own. I was leaving for college in the fall and there were allot of things to get and decisions to make.

Well, guess what happened? I tried to do it on my own! I decided that I would just get it all done myself and I didn't need my fathers help. Why did I feel that way? That brings me to my point! I had decided do it on my own because I didn't want to admit that I had done anything wrong or against my fathers will. I didn't want to face my father because I knew that he wasn't pleased with my choices; although he gave me enough independence to make them.

I knew that my father was not going to be able to bless me if I wasn't following his guidelines. I was too ashamed of some of the mistakes I had made to face him.

If you have kids, you know exactly what I am saying; but I'm not talking about the kids today. I'm talking about us adults who need things right now! I'm talking about grown ups who need guidance to get through this day!

We have a heavenly Father, you know? Are the communication lines open between you and our Lord today? I have to admit things to Him every day it seems. There isn't a day that I don't make some kind of mistake and I have to tell him I didn't mean to do whatever I did.

"I wish I hadn't done that Father!"

"I want to do better next time Father!"

"Help me to learn how not to make this mistake again Father!"

Let's look at a passage today that tells us what we need to do and why in order to receive the things we need from our Father in heaven and not only that, but to be in Him and His Spirit to dwell in us.

It's called relationship! We will be able to relate to each other like never before when we do what this passage says! God is all about relationship as He tells us that we will become brothers of Jesus and become His child when we accept Him!

Let's read,

1John 3:22-24
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Are we doing those things that are pleasing in His sight?

Do we truly believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ?

Do we really love one another as he commanded us to?

If so, we dwell in Him and He in us!

We know it by the Spirit that He gave us.

How's your Spirit today? Do you know that God is there? Can you come to our Father and ask for your needs to be met or for guidance and support today? If you feel like you cannot face Him, don't let your heart condemn you! Come to Him and admit your mistakes; he already knows about it! He just wants to hear it from you and He wants you to regain your confidence so that you will come to Him and He can give you what you need!

1John 3:20-21
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

I have a had times when my child has independently made choices against my will. I want to share with her all that I have learned and I want to be a part of her life! Why? Because I love her!

It grieves me that she is trying to tough it out on her own! I long to commune with her and guide her and help her with her needs! I want to have our father / daughter relationship and to see her do well. I have found that the only thing I can really do as a Father is to let her know that I love her and to wait patiently for her to come to me with a desire for me to help her. My children may feel condemned or guilty for the bad decisions, but they shouldn't because the love of God is much greater than anything they could have done and God knows all things.

I talk with my Lord every time I think of them. I know that God wants to bring them into communion with Himself and that is when their communication with me will be open and ready to accept the guidance and love I offer them.

Let's pray,

Our Father, I come to you today with confidence that you love me; that you dwell in my spirit and that I am welcome to receive your guidance and infinite blessings. You are an infinite God! Your grace and mercy is more than I could ever deserve, but you loved us first before we ever existed on this earth. I ask you Lord to protect me from evil; to keep me from temptations that would try to come between us and break down the communication that I want to have with you. I need your help and your guidance so I ask for this and for the Holy Spirit to empower my life and all those who will receive this message of hope in love as you have given me and I give my children. Amen.

"A WORD TO THE WISE"

Written by Rob Bailes

Wise Men Search For Something New

The city was Athens and Paul was waiting for his fellow apostles to join him, but Paul wasn't one to sit still for very long and wait on others to show up! As Paul walked around the city he observed the practices of the people in Athens and one of the things that he really took notice of was there forms of worship and what they were worshipping. This is always a good sign of how wise a population is in the matters of God and the teachings of Jesus while on this earth. It wasn't long before Paul had made his way to the local place of worship that they called synagogue back then and he began to discuss this with those who were revered in the church and this led him into an argument over how the people were worshipping gods of gold, silver and art made by men.

It wasn't long before a group had gathered! It was a group of people who were termed the philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoicks. The disciples of Epicurus basically gave up the search by reason for pure truth and turned to search for true pleasure by experience instead.

Then there were the Stoicks and their philosophy was almost opposite. These did not deny the existence of the gods; but they held that all human affairs were governed by fate. They did not believe that any good was received from the hands of their gods; and considered, as Seneca asserts, that any good and wise man was equal to Jupiter himself. Both these sects agreed in denying the resurrection of the body; and the former did not believe in the immortality of the soul.
Epicurus, the founder of the Epicurean sect, was born at Athens, about before Christ 341.
Zeno, the founder of the Stoic sect, was born in the isle of Cyprus, about thirty years before Christ. His disciples were called Stoics from the Στοα, a famous portico at Athens, where they studied. Besides these two sects, there were two others which were famous at this time; viz. the Academics and the Peripatetics. The founder of the first was the celebrated Plato; and the founder of the second, the no less famous Aristotle. These sects professed a much purer doctrine than the Epicureans and Stoics; and it does not appear that they opposed the apostles, nor did they enter into public disputations with them. Against the doctrines taught by the Epicureans and Stoics, several parts of St. Paul’s discourse, in Acts seventeen, are directly pointed.

Act 17:16-19
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

So the Philosophers of these two groups took Paul to a place called Areopagus or Mars Hill and it was here that they asked him to tell them about this new doctrine that Paul was discussing at the synagogue. Keep in mind that Paul had also been going to the city square every day and teaching the people that met there about the events that led up to Jesus death and resurrection. This is what had gotten the attention of these Athenians; a people who spent all of their leisure time doing nothing but talking about things they knew and listening to others share their wisdom. (Acts 17:21)

This is when Paul tells how he saw their altar with an inscription on it saying TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Paul said that they were ignorantly worshipping, but now they could know who this GOD was because he was going to share the wisdom of God with them. Paul proceeds to tell them about the God that made all of the earth and the heavens and how He doesn't need anything from us or for us to make anything with our hands. Paul told them that God isn't living in a temple but rather that He gave life and breath to all living things and that He gives all things. Paul says in verse twenty-six that God made all nations of one blood to live on all the face of the earth and has determined when we would be here before the time has even come and what areas of the earth we would spend our time residing. All those who want to seek the Lord will be able to seek for Him and find Him as He isn't very far away from every one of us; because it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Some of their own poets had said already that they are also his offspring.

Then Paul brings them into reality with the present day when he tells them that in times past when they were ignorant, God winked. Now though, there would come a day when He would judge the world in righteousness by the man who He had ordained, by which He has given assurance to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead. We all know who this is today! We are not ignorant as people all across our globe celebrate Easter. Even though many have celebrated with bunnies and eggs, they too know what the celebration is really all about and cannot claim their ignorance to this. You see, the same new message that Paul shared that day on Mars Hill to the philosophers of that day in Athens is still being proclaimed today throughout America in every store and many churches that the Savior lives and is no longer the UNKNOWN GOD. Paul was laying the foundation with the teaching of Jesus on that day.

In verse thirty-two, it says that some mocked Paul and others said, we want to here more of this and still others followed him and stayed with him when he left the hill that day and it says that they believed.

Everyone there that day was wise and knowledgeable of many things. They spent all of their leisure time in search of new knowledge and wisdom, but Paul said that some of them jeered and cast his message aside in their pride and others said they would come back to hear more about it. The fact is that neither of these accepted the truth of God that day. They heard but they didn't believe. Did they come back? Maybe they did or maybe they went on with their life and back to their books and meetings where they continued seeking for the satisfying of their mind, body and spirit. Could it be that they searched their whole lives only to come to the end of life without ever believing in the God that isn't made with hands? This God that made them, breathe life into them, gave them a habitat and all that they possessed; sending a messenger with good news.

In verse eighteen, where it says that some saw him preaching of Jesus, the Greek for the word preaching is to give good news of Jesus. This is why they were so curious. Paul wasn't condemning people there in Athens and telling them how wrong they were in their acts of worshipping idols and images. Paul was giving them the good news of Jesus and the hope that they now have because of His death and resurrection. Some believed him. I ask everyone that reads this message today, "Do you believe or are you waiting until you know a little more?" Why not believe today? God who already gave you life on this earth wants to give you life in Heaven but it requires that you believe in Him. Today is the day of salvation!

Don't let wisdom seekers keep you from believing in what used to be known as the UNKNOWN GOD. You now know Him and know that one day we will all be judged in righteousness. Let's ask ourselves today if we have believed in the God of all creation or if we have put our trust in a church or the priest, a pastor, a leader or some another person in our life.

"Why Must Blooms Wither?"

Written by Rob Bailes

Beauty of Spring is all around us!

Have you ever wondered why all those beautiful blooms cover our shrubs and trees in such an array of beauty, but so quickly they fall to the ground and wither away?

I began to think about this in relation to our Saviors life here on earth and how Jesus walked among men, women, teens and children performing miracles that were beyond the wildest dreams. His beauty and glory shined forth in such an array of colors that the world had never seen. It brought hope to people all across the world and little did they know that this man who was so admirable would one day suffer the pain of death and fall as a bloom from it's branch to the ground limp and lifeless. Yes, our Savior Jesus Christ would submit to the laws of God in order that we may have something even more wonderful.

Let's take our thoughts back to the blooms for a minute. As I looked outside this spring, having just celebrated Easter, I saw that many of the blooms on the trees had begun to fall to the ground. They had been so beautiful to behold for about thirty days but soon they will all be gone and the trees will be full of leaves. Could it be that this is our reminder of what Jesus said when the disciples sat around the table with Him consuming the bread and wine? It had only been about thirty years since Jesus had come to bring the beauty of His Father's love; so short lived, yet He had given us to of Himself that His beauty is remembered even today!
Let's look at this scripture and see what Jesus told his disciples,

Mat 26:26-32
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Jesus spoke of the NEW testament and the NEW drink in His father's kingdom or from the Greek this could be said "His Father's rule". He was telling us that a time had come for a new testament (a new disposition or covenant) with man and God. Jesus said that there would be a time when we would share in the new wine with Him. What did He say the wine represented? Look at verse twenty-eight again. He says that this is His blood of the new testament. The new covenant would become a binding agreement once His blood was shed, but he says that the wine would be new under God's reign when He shared it the next time with all who believe in Heaven! I don't know about you, but that excites me my friend! To know that we will partake with Jesus one day!

First though, the bloom must fade and fall to the ground before the new life could spring forth. The new life that brings us more fruit, more timber, more materials for living a life of hope and joy in this world after the beautiful short lived blooms have fallen to the ground. I can't help but see how God has given us a picture of His very own Son's life, burial and resurrection when we look right outside our own doors. We see this in the plants and gardens all across our globe as spring turns into summer. Let us praise Him today for His love and compassion that allows us to celebrate, not only the new life of Jesus, but also the new testament and the new life given to each and every one of us today!

Will we be willing to give of our lives for Christ as He also did for us? Will we be willing to pass this love to others so that they too will see His gift of newness in Christ? I wonder if I could do more to serve the one who blossomed, fell to the ground and withered that my spirit may experience new life. The blooms of life may have fallen from the branches but my life is green with new growth in the light of our Heavenly Father.

"When I Let Go"

Written by Rob Bailes

Letting go is against my nature

Have you ever noticed how funny it is when you give two children only one toy to play with? They have to share it with each other but no matter how good of a child they are, it's hard for them to willingly share something that they want to play with. They will hold onto it as long as they possibly can and may even fight over it when the other child tries to take it away. We were born with a nature to collect and gather and protect our toys and possessions while on this earth, so what happens when we can't have what we want? We often get angry and as a child pitch a little fit. Have we any idea why we do all of this in the first place?

I believe that we spend our lives collecting and gathering things to surround ourselves with because it makes us feel secure and safe. We begin to feel independent of others, of the government and eventually of God. It is in this time of self sufficiency that we tighten our grip on the things we love most.

That brings me to a story I'd like to share. It was a summer night and we were at church in our home town of Memphis Tennessee in 1966. The service had been over for some time and my parents were busy, as usual talking outside the church with friends. Being a normal five year old, I grew bored and was looking around for something to climb when I saw some bricks sticking out of the corner of the building. As I made my way closer, I realized that every other brick stuck out just enough to get the front of my shoe onto it and they were like that all the way up the two story building. That was an invitation if I had ever seen one and I felt very confident I could handle it with no problem. I was thinking how I could tell my three brothers how far I had gone up that wall and have the only bragging rights to this feat! Little did I know that I wouldn't be bragging at all when it was the feat had finally ended.

I began to inch my way up, higher and higher until I had reached the height of the windows an then the tops of the windows and eventually getting up to the second floor level. That is when it suddenly occurred to me that I had no way out of this situation but to climb back down! I had seen the balcony rail at the second floor and in my mind I knew I could reach this rail once I had made it to that level, but now that I was up here, it was allot further over than it looked from the ground. Besides all of that, I had found myself gripping those brick ledges so hard that I couldn't even get my fingers to loosen up enough to move my hands. I had frozen with the realization of my desperate state of mind. I was trapped by circumstances that wouldn't change to accommodate my despair and fear. The only thing changing at this point was my realization of how things really were at the second floor elevation of this building while holding onto those little ledges of brick that had seemed so secure at the bottom when I first began to climb. So what would you have done if you had been in my shoes? Your right! That's exactly what I did!

I looked down at my dad over in the parking lot and I whispered for him to come help me. You know better than that! I hollered, "Dad!", knowing the embarrassment I would feel when everyone saw me up there and stuck. At this point, it didn't matter though. I was trapped and I was going to eventually loose my grip and fall to my death if I didn't get help quick! Guess what? My father couldn't hear me because he was so far away, so I yelled again, "Dad, help me!" and I saw him looking around. The problem was that he never expected me to be up here. Then I yelled a third time, "DAD, UP HERE!!!" and he looked up and the look on his face described exactly how I felt at that moment. It was a look of total panic and fear, but he regained his composure and told me to climb down to him. I reluctantly told him I couldn't or I would fall and that's when he told me to do something against ever bit of my nature as a young boy. My father told me to let go and he said he would catch me. I thought he had lost his mind, but at the same time, I knew it was my only chance. After his coaxing me on for a few minutes and my mother almost passing out on the lawn(I remember that actually being kind of humorous to me at that moment), he told me to just close my eyes and let go and he assured me that he would catch me.

It was at that moment that I grew to new heights in my ability to trust. I closed my eyes and imagined that my dad was standing just a few feet below me instead of 18 feet below in reality and I took a deep breath; relaxed and said,"OK" as I let go of those brick; never doubting for a moment that my dad would let me down. The next thing I realized was that I landed in his arms and I got the biggest hug that I have ever gotten from my dad. You may think it is amazing that I still can remember all of that from such a young age, but I can tell you first hand that it is moments like these when our father rescues us from destruction that we will always remember and can share to encourage others. Not to encourage children to climb walls like I did, but rather to encourage people who need to let go and trust someone who will not let them down.

Maybe you have climbed your way to the top or as high as you can go as a career man or woman, as a house wife, a man or woman in the ministry or even as a community leader or politician, and you have found yourself in these unstable times clutching to everything that you have in your possession in total desperation.

I would like for you to remember one thing today.
We have a Father that has promised to never forsake us, no matter what we are going through in our life. It is in the time of despair and fear that we can rest assured that he will carry us through the circumstances. Are you living of fear for what tomorrow may bring? Do you have too much to carry on your own? Are things not what they seemed at the bottom when you first started out?

Don't loose hope!

Close your eyes right now and take a deep breath and release whatever you are holding onto and allow your LORD; your heavenly Father, to rescue you from the danger and destruction of the fearful moments in your life. You can depend on Him for His Word is true!

Psalm 9:7-10
9 But the LORD will endure for ever: he has prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you.

"Let Go and Let God!" You'll see what God can do when you loosen your grip.