A wonderful week is drawing to a close and my mind is in the mode of preparing for Sunday. Just the mention of that word–“Sunday” stirs my heart. Now if you are looking for a debate about the meaning of the word or whether or not one day is more important than another you are looking in the wrong place. I’m thinking about what Sunday means to me, and I’m not interested in debating anyone at this moment.

Sunday has been special to me since the day I was saved–which was on a Sunday. Bev and I were so excited about attending church that we would get there before anyone else and just sit in the dark auditoruim. Getting ready for Sunday was a big deal to us. I can still picture getting all the kids clothes ready the night before. Well, not me, but Bev! Bless her heart–you’ll never know! She would mend what was torn, wash and iron the clothes, and lay them out on Saturday night. The next morning she would make sure that the kids and their clothes were spotless, right down to the smallest detail. Our kids didn’t have the best clothes, but they had the cleanest–no doubt about that. After getting the kids ready, making preparation for lunch, helping me pick out a proper tie, etc., Bev would then get herself ready, and it was out the door — and we were NEVER late! No man on earth was more proud of his family than I was as we marched into church, and as the tribe increased that word “marched” became more and more appropriate. Everyone was in order. If you’re going to have eight children you better establish some order! We raised all eight kids without the “aid” of the nursery (except for those necessary trips) or children’s church. While I preached Bev maintained order, which sometimes meant some quick trips outside to tan someone’s hide. Then it was back into the service and all eyes to the front.

Sunday was special because we were excited about worshipping the Lord. That was all new to me. I had only recently been saved and had not been raised in church, so I had no idea what to expect. I was like a kid in a candy store–I was excited about everything. I was so grateful for the fact that God saved me that I couldn’t think of doing anything else on Sunday. Nothing else mattered. I didn’t want to be anyplace else. I quit playing ball, hunting, fishing and everything else on Sunday. For us that was “the Lord’s Day” and there was never a question about what we did on Sunday.

In addition to the thrill of the church service itself, Sunday was special because of our contact with other Christians. We almost never spent the day alone. After church we either had other families over to eat or they invited us to their house. I can’t say enough about how important this was to my spiritual development. You couldn’t backslide if you wanted to–there was always someone lovingly holding you accountable! If you think you don’t need Christian fellowship you are seriously mistaken. We tend to become like the company we keep–don’t run with the wrong crowd or you’ll end up on the wrong side of the tracks. Or as old Sam Jones used to say.”Lay down with the dogs and you’ll get up with the fleas”.

Shortly after being saved I surrendered to preach and I started teaching Sunday School and Sunday took on even more meaning. I wish I had time to talk in more detail about our life after I started pastoring. I’ll never forget those Saturday night study sessions as I prepared for Sunday morning. I would often study into the wee hours of Sunday morning trying to get ready. Being in my 45th year as a preacher I am considerably more relaxed today about being ready for Sunday, but make no mistake about it, I still view it as important as ever. I still get excited as Sunday approaches and I still try to get myself in the right frame of mind. I have often said that for the most part what happens during the church service on Sunday is already decided by what we’ve been doing before we get there. There is nothing magical about being in church. You can’t just flip a switch as you enter the building and put yourself in a worship mode. If you just had an argument with your wife and are as angry as an old wet hen it will destroy your ability to worship. We need to prepare ourself, body, mind, and spirit for Sunday, so that we can be at our very best.

Well tomorrow is Sunday and I’ve got a lot to do in order to be prepared. I could write a book about this subject, but I’ve probably already overstayed my welcome and need to bring this to a close. I hope something I’ve said will serve to remind you of how important the Lord’s Day is. I hope to see you in church tomorrow. Personally, I can’t imagine being anyplace else. That’s where my heart is and God willing my feet will take me there in the morning. I hope you have a great day. Get plenty of rest, take care of the odd jobs, shine your shoes, read your Bible and get your focus on Christ. Be ready and you will be blessed. Come with a desire to celebrate our risen Savior, to express your gratitude for His wonderful salvation and to serve others and it will be a glorious day. Yep–there really is something special about Sunday! Think about it!

We just finished our Bible Conference and it’s time to reflect. As I think about what has transpired the last four days many things come to mind. It has been a joyous time. Who can describe the joy of being reunited with old friends, the excitement of making new friends, or the blessing of seeing your loved ones blessed? Words fail me.

However, instead of talking about all of the pleasant things we experienced, I want to focus on a few lessons I’ve learned as a result of this conference.

#1. I learned that we’re all getting older! I’ve been aware of the fact that I’m getting older, but now I can see that we’re all in the same boat in this regards. I won’t go into detail, but the evidence is there for all to see. Even the best make-up and hair color can’t hide this fact.

#2. I learned that sometimes good people who truly love the Lord are denied certain blessings. Some of our dear members, who would have loved to attend the conference,could not do so because of reasons beyond their control. That doesn’t seem fair. Why was I granted such a wonderful privilege that to others was denied? I don’t have the answer.They missed a blessing and they know it and my heart hurts for them.

#3. I learned that not everyone has an interest in God’s word, nor a desire for Christian fellowship, nor a heart to serve. I could say a lot about this, but it would probably destroy the purpose of this little chat. I just don’t understand how any Christian could intentionally miss a meeting like this.

#4. I learned that some people actually enjoy the hard work that is required to host a conference such as this. Strange–those who had the biggest smiles had sweat on their brow. I did not hear one word of complaint from those folks–I knew I wouldn’t. They have discovered the joy of being a servant. Some of these people were hurting physically yet they did their job. The queston is, did they have to do your job also?

#5. I learned that some preachers actually do remain faithful. Why do we give so much attention to the one falling star, rather than those who stay in their God-appointed orbit? I’ve know some of these preachers for 40 years and they have remained true to God’s word. Hats off fellows!

#6. I learned that there are some young preachers after all. I often think about the lack of young preachers and am troubled by it, but there are some! I was greatly encouraged by these young guys. I had to hold back the tears as I watched them. I want to help them anyway, any time I can.

#7. I learned that there is always more to learn. I wish I had time to talk more about this. Regardless of how long we live or how much we know there is always more, much more, to be learned. We should never stop being students.

#8. I learned that there are some young people who truly love God and have a desire to serve Him. I saw many examples of this, but one example stands out. After the last service, when I wanted to say goodbye to my friends, a 10-12 year old boy asked to talk to me. He had a handful of tracts and asked if I would give him some advice about how to talk to his friend about Christ.Wow! How do you refuse a kid like that? He got the message about getting the message out. I know some folks who have lived three-score and ten who still haven’t got the message. Shame on them!

#9. I learned that Satan never, ever quits fighting. He simply doesn’t give up. Everyone should expect that Satan will resist us anytime, any place, and any way. Any progress we make will have to be made in the face of opposition. So be it!

#10. I learned some things about myself. I hope that can be said of all who attended. Now I’m not going to get too personal and spill my guts about myself (I wonder how much we would love one another if we knew everything about each other?), but there is a matter I want to mention. I could talk about a lot of my faults –I’m not as good as I ought to be, nor as smart as I could be, nor as wise as I should be, nor as holy as I want to be, but I want just want to mention one thing— I’m not as strong as I used to be. The effort required to host the conference evidences the fact that my strength has waned. I can deny it all I want, but that doesn’t change the facts.

I can remember a time when I was strong enough to do what would now be impossible, but time has changed my body and I’m no longer able to do things that used to be done with ease. I now have limitations that I didn’t have before and there is a price to pay if I try to exceed them.

I’m not trying to get your sympathy. I’m sending you a message. Are you listening? Time will make these same changes in your life–like it or not. This conference served to remind me that the battle is fierce, the enemy is determined, the cause is great, our needs are many and varied, life is short, and we stand in constant need of help that God alone can provide. You won’t always be able to do what you can do now. Don’t waste your opportunities! Make the best use of every moment. As Jesus said,”the night cometh, when no man can work.”(John 9:4). Think about it!

I wish I had read this before the new year began, but you could still use this as your new year’s motto. It would do you good to read it over and over. This is exactly what we need! These words were written by James Smith in 1865 and entitled, “A New Year’s Motto”.

Look up!

“–look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

We are entering upon a new year, we shall have —
new toils,
new trials,
new temptations, and
new troubles.

In whatever state, in whatever place, into whatever condition we may be brought this year–let us seek grace to follow our Lord’s loving advice, and “look up!“

Do not look back–as Lot’s wife did.

Do not look within–as too many do.

Do not look around–as David did.

But “look up!” Look up to God–He is your Father, your Friend, your Savior. He can help you. He will help you. He says, “Look unto Me, and be delivered–for I am God!”

Look up for light to guide you–and He will direct your path.

Look up for grace to sanctify you–and the grace of Jesus will be found sufficient for you.

Look up for strength to enable you to do and suffer God’s will–and His strength will be made perfect in your weakness.

Look up for comfort to cheer you–and as one whom his mother comforts, so will the Lord comfort you.

Look up for courage to embolden you–and the Lord will give courage to the faint; and to those who have no might–He will increase strength.

Look up for endurance to keep you–and the God who preserves you will enable you quietly to bear the heaviest burden, and silently to endure the most painful affliction.

Look up for providence to supply you–and the jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry; but God shall supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Look up in faith–exercising confidence in the Word of a faithful God.

Look up in prayer–asking for what God has graciously promised.

Look up in hope–expecting what you ask in the name of Jesus.

Look up with adoration–and adore the sovereignty, righteousness, and wisdom of God.

Look up constantly–let nothing daunt or discourage you! Rather say, “Our eyes are on the Lord our God–until He shows us mercy.”

Look up–for this will keep . . .
the head from swimming,
the heart from sinking,
the knees from trembling,
the feet from slipping, and
the hands from hanging down!

It is impossible to say what will happen to us, or what will be required of us this year–but “Look up!” This direction, if properly attended to, will . . .
procure for us all that we need,
secure us against all that we dread, and
make us more than a match for all our foes and fears!

Fellow-Christian, are you fearful? “Look up” and hear Jesus saying to you, “Do not be afraid–I Myself will help you!”

Are you discouraged? “Look up”–and your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s, and fresh light, comfort, and courage shall be given to you!

Are you desponding? “Look up” for Jesus never breaks the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax.

Do not look too much at your sin–look at the infinitely meritorious blood of God’s dear Son!

Do not look too much at self–but look at Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for you in Heaven.

Are you stripped of your comforts, your props, and your goods? Then look up! He who stripped you–loves you! He will be more than all these to you! He will . . .
bind up your broken heart,
calm your perturbed spirit,
cheer your drooping mind, and
fill you with His own peace and happiness.

Look up . . .
for all that you need;
from all that you fear;
through all that would obstruct your way.

Look up every day, saying with David, “In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You–and will look up!” Psalm 5:3

Look up in every trial, saying “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help: my help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth!”

Do not look at your sin–it will discourage you!

Do not look at your self–it will distress you!

Do not look at Satan–he will bewilder you!

Do not look to men–they will deceive, or disappoint you!

Do not look at your trials–they will deject you!

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us–looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:1-2

Look only, look always, look intently–to Jesus!

Run looking, work looking, fight looking, suffer looking, live looking, and die looking–to Jesus, who is at God’s right hand in glory.

Oh, look, look, look to Jesus!

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1

A man came to his preacher one day and asked that the minister to quit speaking of sin so often. He suggested that the preacher might use the words, “mistake, error, human frailty,” in place of the word sin. The preacher had some poison in the building used to kill rats. He pulled it from a closet and said, “Sir, would you propose that I change the skull and crossbones on this jar of poison and put on it a label which reads,”Harmless,” or, “Wintergreen.” The visiting layman answered, “Why, no, that is poison. To mislabel it might lead some unsuspecting person to ingest it and die.”
“Exactly,” said the preacher, “The devil has led our generation to take the danger label off sin and paint it as something acceptable and millions are dying only to end up in an eternal hell.”

This is a good reminder that sin must be defined, described, and denounced. It is a deadly enemy that is to be dreaded. In this day when easy-going, pussy-footing, crowd-pleasing, compromising preachers are more interested in entertainment than they are in edification, we need bold men with a backbone of steel and the courage of a lion to stand up in the face of the world and tell it like it is. Where are they? Sadly, most preachers today are more concerned about pleasing people than they are about pleasing God. I want to vomit when I hear all that talk about bringing out the “champion with-in you”. We need to hear more preaching about getting the corruption out.

I realize that the truth isn’t always popular, but it is ever profitable. Before sinful man ever turns to God he must see himself as he is, and it’s not a pretty picture! To see the natural man as he appears to God is a horrid thing. A rebellious person is repulsive to God. Indeed, God loves the world, but the only grounds upon which man can be reconcilied to God is the sacrifice of Christ. We don’t do people any favor by leaving the impression that they are fine when they’re not. Until he sees himself as a sinner he will never truly turn to Christ. That’s why Paul wrote these words–“that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”(Romans 7:13). The law reveals God’s righteous standard and makes us aware of our sinfulness. It is “our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”(Galatians 3:24). Man will never see the gospel as good news until he becomes aware of the bad news–“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23).

Let’s pray that God will raise up an army of men who will raise a ruckus in the pulpit, by preaching hell hot, and heaven wonderful, and the blood sufficent for our salvation. Sugar-coating the message hasn’t worked in the past and it won’t work now or ever. It’s the truth that sets men free! Think about it!

For many years I have given away copies of the wonderful poem “One Day At A Time”–I keep a supply on my desk at all times. That poem is however more than just a favorite poem, it sets forth a crucial concept that helps us cope with the tough times in life. It has sure helped me.

A couple years ago I ran across an article by J. R. Miller that was a great blessing to me. It is entitled “Living By The Day” and, as you can tell, it deals with the same concept. I’m passing this article on to you with the prayer that it will help you as it helped me–to learn to live one day at a time. HDS

LIVING BY THE DAY

It is life’s largeness which most discourages earnest and conscientious people. As they think deeply of life’s meaning and responsibility, they are apt to be overwhelmed by the thought of its vastness. Life has manifold, almost infinite, relations toward God and toward man. Each of these relations has its binding duties. Every life has a divine mission to fulfill—a plan of God to work out.

Every individual life must be lived amid countless antagonisms, and in the face of countless perils. Battles must be fought, trials encountered, and sorrows endured.

Also, the brief earthly course—is but the beginning of an endless existence, whose immortal destinies hinge upon fidelity in the present life.

Looked at in this way, as a whole, there is something almost appalling in the thought of our responsibility in living.

Many a person who thinks of life in this aspect, and sees it in its wholeness, has not the courage to hope for success and victory—but stands staggered, well-near paralyzed, on the threshold. Despair comes to many a heart when either duty or sorrow or danger is looked at—in the aggregate.

But this is not the way we should view life. It does not come to us all in one piece. We do not get it even in years—but only in days—day by day. We look on before us, and as we count up the long years with their duties, struggles, and trials—and the bulk is like a mountain which no mortal can carry. But really, we never have more than:
one day’s battles to fight, or
one day’s work to do, or
one day’s burdens to bear, or 
one day’s sorrow to endure,
in any one day.

It is wonderful how the Bible gives emphasis to this way of viewing life. When for forty years God fed His chosen people with bread from heaven, He never gave them, except on the morning before the Sabbath, more than one day’s portion at a time. He positively forbade them gathering more than would suffice for the day; and if they should violate His command, what they gathered above the daily portion, would become corrupt. Thus early, God began to teach His people to live only by the day—and trust Him for tomorrow.

At the close of the forty years, the promise given to one of the tribes was, “As your days—so shall your strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25. Strength was not promised in advance—enough for all of life, or even for a year, or for a month—but the promise was, that for each day, when it came with its own needs, duties, battles and griefs—enough strength would be given. As the burden increased—more strength would be imparted.

The important thought here is, that strength is not emptied into our hearts in bulk—a supply for years to come—but is kept in reserve, and given day by day, just as the day’s needs require.

When Christ came, He gave still further emphasis to the same method of living. He said, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today!” Matthew 6:34. He would have us fence off the days by themselves, and never look over the fence to think about tomorrow’s cares.

The thought is, that each day is, in a certain sense—a complete life by itself. It has . . .
its own duties,
its own trials,
its own burdens,
its own needs.
It has enough to fill our heart and hands for the one full day. The very best we can do for any day, for the perfecting of our life as a whole—is to live the one day well. We should put all our thought and energy and skill into the duty of each day, wasting no strength—either in grieving over yesterday’s failures, or in anxiety about tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Our Lord, also, in the form of prayer which He gave his disciples, taught this lesson of living only by the day. There He has told us to ask for bread—for one day only. “Give us this day our daily bread.” He again teaches us that we have to do only with the present day. We do not need tomorrow’s bread now. When we need it—it will be soon enough to ask God for it, and get it. It is the ‘manna lesson’ over again. God is caring for us, and we are to trust Him for the supply of all our needs—as they press upon us. We are to trust Him, content to have only enough in hand for the day.

If we can but learn to thus live by the day, without anxiety about the future—the burden will not be so crushing. We have nothing to do with life in the aggregate—that great bulk of duties, responsibilities, struggles, and trials—which belong to a course of years. We really have nothing to do even with the nearest of the days before us—tomorrow. Our sole business is with the one little day, now passing. Its burdens will not crush us—we can easily carry them until the sun goes down. We can always get along for one short day. It is the projection of life into the long future, which dismays and appalls us. This lesson makes life easy and simple!—-