Last night was a truly special time. We had our annual Children’s Christmas Program and it was GREAT. Of course after all these years we expected that and we were not disappointed. Children really get a hold of your heart. Couple that with the tremendous message of Christmas and you can’t help but be blessed. Our program this year truly explained the miracle of Christ’s birth and the reason for His death. Every person present had an opportunity to receive the Gospel. Now we pray that none will reject it. As I reflected on the program today and thought about those adults who worked with them I was reminded of what a tremendous investment such work is. Their effort made a lifetime impression on some folks and I’m confident their work will be rewarded. So would your’s if you make such an investment in the life of others–don’t waste it. THINK ABOUT IT!

Did you read about the teacher, the garbage collector, and the lawyer who died and wound up together at the pearly gates?

St. Peter informed them that in order to get into Heaven, they would each have to answer one question.

St. Peter addressed the teacher and asked, “What was the name of the ship that crashed into the iceberg? They just made a movie about it.”

The teacher answered quickly, “That would be the Titanic.” St.Peter let him through the gate.

St. Peter turned to the garbage man and, figuring Heaven didn’t REALLY need all the odors that this guy would bring with him, decided to make the question a little harder: “How many people died on the ship?”

Fortunately for him, the trash man had just seen the movie, and answered, “1,228.”

“That’s right! You may enter.”

St. Peter then turned to the lawyer. “Name them.”

That reminds me of some folks who seem to have the silly idea the God is trying to make things difficult. If you listen to them you get the impression that God is hiding the truth rather than revealing it. I admit, there are some things in the Bible that are difficult to understand, but when it comes to the gospel, it is so simple that a child can understand it. Were that not the case young children could not be saved. Thank God, it is within the grasp of normal children as young as six years old. Billy Sunday hit the nail on the head when he said, “I’ve seen a ten-point buck run through a stand of trees that seemed inches apart without ever touching a tree with his antlers–that’s pretty amazing! But it’s more amazing to read through 300 pages of some theological textbook in which the theologian never gets close to touching the simple truth of the Bible.” Some preachers and teachers are “too smart for their own good”, or the good of anybody else. Tell it like it is and folks won’t have any trouble understanding it. They might reject it, but it won’t be because it was too difficult. THINK ABOUT IT!

The manner in which God works is amazing. Just as I was thinking about the need to post another article on this blog, I received an email thanking me for today’s “Morning Manna”. It said,”This was EXACTLY what I needed today.” Wow–I could have turned a cart-wheel (LOL, well I could if I could). That was exactly what I needed. The kindness of that person reminded me of Proverbs 25:11″A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” That speaks of words that are pleasant, attractive or charming.

There is great power in the words we speak. Words can heal or hurt, bring pleasure or pain, tear down or build up. Notice that this verse speaks of a single word. Sometimes less is more. You don’t have to give a speech or preach a sermon to encourage a person. A simple phrase with carefully chosen words focused on just one word can speak volumes. When we communicate love, kindness, understanding, forgiveness, sympathy, etc. to others they are encouraged. We ought to make it a habit. Someone, somewhere, needs to hear from you today. They might be living under the same roof. THINK ABOUT IT!

Some people don’t understand that there is a difference between performance and worship. The former appeals to man, the latter to God. I just read an article entitled,”The Best Choir in America”. It said, “Along with the title, the winning choir also snagged $30,000 in cash and prizes, adding to the three other awards it had picked up as it made its way through the ‘How Sweet the Sound’ competition, sponsored by Verizon Wireless”.

I wonder who would have won had God been the Judge? What does it take to truly be the best choir? By “best” I mean the most pleasing in God’s sight, not as judged by man. What God deems best and what man considers best are two different things. So what does it take for a choir to be considered best by God?

First of all, the choir would have to sing purely for the glory of God, not to please man. Motive matters to God. The only thing acceptable to Him is that which is done for His glory. Regardless of how talented a choir might be it doesn’t impress God unless it brings Him glory. The purpose of a choir is to worship God, not to please self or others. When you think of worship you should think of an audience of One. God is both the object and the audience of worship.

Second, the choir would have to do its best. God is never pleased with anything less. You don’t have to be better than someone else to please God, but you do have to give Him your best. Think about it. Are you giving God your your best when you’ve got a $500 suit at home (that you wear to weddings and funerals) and you wear a “Bass Pro Shop” tee shirt in the choir? Are you giving God your best when you yell like a commanche at ball games and then mumble through the words of a song, with a frown on your face, durning church? Are you giving God your best when you forget the words to a song and miss the notes all because you didn’t practice? The “best choir” would always do its best to be at its best for the glory of God. They might not win any awards here on earth, but they would gain God’s approval, and that’s what is important.

Thirdly, the choir members would be willing to do what is best for the choir to be at its best. Everyone can’t sing lead! You might be able to sing a certain part far better than someone else, but the choir might be best served by you singing a different part. If everyone sang the bass notes it would be a mess! Choir members who aren’t willing to do what is best for the choir ought to resign. If you do what you do just because you enjoy it or to get attention you are selfish–that’s the wrong motivation. You should have the best interest of the choir at heart.

Summed up–the best choir would be made up of members who are willing to do their best and to do what is best for the choir for the sole purpose of glorifying God. It might never win a competition, but it will please God and that’s all that matters. God deserves our best and demands out best. Give Him your best and you will be at your best. Think about it!

I just read the story regarding Kimberly Munley. Who? Most people don’t have a clue! But the folks at Fort Hood will never forget her. Kimberly is a “slightly built 34-year old civilian officer”, who was the first on the scene after Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 and wounded 31 others. Kimberly “succeeded in bringing him down by shooting him four times, even after being hit by a bullet that passed through both her legs”!

The story of that gutsy woman, who prevented many more deaths, is amazing–God give us all such courage, but the most amazing part of the story involves “our president”. He actully urged Americans against “jumping to conclusions” about the killer’s motives. Say what? You’ve got to be kidding! Considering all we know about this nut-case, his motives are clear. The FBI had been warned about this man six months earlier, surely the president has that information. Given Hasan’s history and the earlier comments he made, we don’t have to wonder why he did what he did, yet “our president” warns us about “jumping to conclusions”. I find that amazing. Instead of recognizing this for what it is President Obama wants us to ignore the obvious–the killer is a hate-filled Muslim. I wonder why he would do that? Well. I think the answer is obvious, defending Muslims isn’t anything new for the President.(I wonder if the president’s new “Hate-crimes” law will be used against him–I bet you know the answer.) To see Hasan’s actions for what it is, and saying so, isn’t “jumping to conclusions”, it’s as clear as anything could be. It’s called facing the facts–something a lot of folks don’t want to do.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of listening to people who try to excuse the sinful actions of wicked, hate-filled people who blame America for everything under the sun. We don’t need any warnings about “jumping to conclusions”, we just need leaders with the guts to call it what it is. We need to face the facts! Think about it.