“No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.” -Abraham Lincoln

Here are some famous American Fibs you have probably heard:

- The check is in the mail.

- I'll start my diet tomorrow.

- We service what we sell.

- Give me your number and the doctor will call you right back.

- Money cheerfully refunded.

- One size fits all.

- This offer limited to the first 100 people who call in.

- Your luggage isn't lost, it's only misplaced.

- Leave your resume and we'll keep it on file.

- This hurts me more than it hurts you.

- I just need five minutes of your time.

- Your table will be ready in a few minutes.

- Open wide, it won't hurt a bit.

- Let's have lunch sometime.

- It's not the money, it's the principle.

Bits & Pieces, December 9, 1993, pp. 12-13.

Every day we hear numerous lies. Sometimes we know when we are being lied to, other times we are totally fooled and deceived. Hang out with liars and you will learn to lie.  Likes drawl likes.  In other words liars hang out together.  God says He hates lying lips. 

Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV) “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Sin always demands an increase.  If you lie you will find you usually have to lie again to cover up the lie.  Truth is defined by one source as “sincerity in action, character, and utterance”. Perhaps the most famous verse about truth in the Bible is what Jesus said “… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) So Jesus is truth and Jesus is also the Word (John 1:1, 14).  As Christians we believe that every word in the Bible is true; this is the foundation upon which we live our lives. Knowing what the Bible says about truth and hiding God’s word in our heart helps us to know when we are listening to the Voice of Truth.  Father God always speaks truth. The devil always lies.

Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)”You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

When we make Jesus our Lord and Savior we have power over the devil and are free to choose how we will live and for whom we will live.  Go ahead and tell the truth. Let everyone know who your daddy is.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=J2EJ9FNU

This video is a hilarious skit on the perception of Youth Ministry and the reality of Youth Ministry.  Sometimes we need a little bit of laughter in order to swallow truth.  This video could have been on anything--marriage, raising children, cooking, working; but I choose Youth Ministry because most of you are not in Youth Ministry so you will think it's funny.  If I chose the other topics you may not think it so funny. The point I am trying to make is so many times what we perceive as truth, is simply not going to be reality, it is merely our perception of what we think is reality.  

Many times in Marriage I find that young couples become disillusioned because they had an illusion in the first place of what they perceived marriage to look like.  Come on, we all have been there, done that.  Perhaps it was with a colleague or family member, where we thought things were going to happen and were sadly mistaken.  We thought we knew what they would say or do and we were wrong.  What do we do when our perceptions are not accurate?

First we must understand: any time the senses are involved there is potential for error and any time the mind is involved, the same is true. Until our mind is completely renewed our perception has potential for distortion.

Rom 12:2: (NIV) "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

There are several places in the Bible where people perceived one thing and were totally deceived. (1 Chronicles 19:1-19:19) We all have some ability to perceive. How we perceive determines thoughts, words, and actions. Behavior is often based on our perception. How we respond to people, places, and things is a result of how perceive things to be, not always how they really are. So here are my suggestions:

Read the Word of God daily to gain wisdom and understanding.  Then memorize scripture that you can recall in time of need. Begin to practice seeing through the eyes of God. (Job 33:14-16)

The San Andreas Fault movie was awesome last night. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but it’s a "go see" for sure.  As I was watching the movie I was reminded of a study I had done about about how Jesus was bruised for our iniquities and how these are really weaknesses passed down through the blood line. Iniquities cannot be seen—they are under the skin if you will, hence Jesus was bruised—shed His blood under His skin for us.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

The San Andreas Fault cannot be seen but it is a weakness underground that when pressure comes it is a high possibility that that area will break.  Many of us break under stress and pressure and react in various ways.  Some go to the bottle, others go to pills, and still others turn to food or unhealthy pleasures. The way we respond is often the way our ancestors before us responded. In my studies I referred to these as our iniquities.  These weaknesses can also be health issues and mental disorders and an entire array of other things.  This is the point however I would like to make, Jesus shed His blood for all those things so that we can have victory in those areas and weaknesses.

Praise be to God who loved us and sent His son to die for us. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter wrote, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

Won’t you take a moment to listen to this song and thank Him for your health and for supplying your every need.  There is no weakness--no sin... that His blood cannot bring healing to.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qoQmjwv-0

When you’re at the beach and everything is so beautiful it’s hard to imagine someone would leave their property abandoned. This prime piece of real estate sat empty and deteriorating while others were making up to $10,000 a week, renting their much smaller homes.  When we have things we are to take care of them.

Matthew 25:20-21 (ESV) “And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

If you want to increase, take care of what you have.  If you have bitterness in your heart and think by not taking care of something you are hurting others—think again.  The Bible tells us bitterness dries up our bones not the bones of others.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Whether this particular piece of property is held up in a family feud or just a relationship gone bad it has become an eye sore for others and a real waste to all.  Rumor has it this was a popular boat ride enterprise and tourist attraction.  I pray whatever it is the next time I visit; a good steward has this place up and running.  As good stewards we have a responsibility to God and to others to take care of what we have.

In chapter 27 of Acts there is a story about a storm and an anchor.  The third night of my vacation get-a-way for my nieces wedding a horrible storm beat upon our motel window.  The rain came down so hard it beat upon our windows till rain seeped in around the seal.  The lighting crashed so violently we could not sleep and the sky looked like a war zone.  

Sometimes in our lives we have no warning that a storm is upon us.  From outside indications we would have assumed that it was to be a bright, sunny day...but the winds change and you now find yourself in the midst of a storm, with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.  It is too late to look for Bible Scriptures and calling your Pastors up who are miles away won't do you any good either.  Many people might try to leave where they are and run out in to the storm uncovered and unprotected. Your best option, however, is to get on your knees, pray and hunker down to ride out the storm.

It is in the storms that we find out what we are made out of.  Some people may awake from a storm in a panic, others awaken in prayer.  Today, should you find the winds suddenly changing, remember that the anchor holds.

Mark 4:39 (KJV) “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm".



  

Ahhhh what a beautiful day when you watch two people so in love become one.  I was honored to be numbered among the guests.  Much preparation had taken place. A great cost had been paid.  Meals had been prepared and flowers expertly arranged.  The time was now.  As family and friends surrounded the beautiful couple it reminded me of the soon to be “Marriage Supper of the Lamb”.

Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV) ”6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

As the ocean behind us roared I thought of the commandment of God found in Genesis. “…be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 1:28)

For almost 40 years I have been married. We have been blessed with three beautiful daughters.  I have learned that whatever God commands us to do will bring us joy and safety.  God is a good God.  His desire is for us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. (3 John 1:2) Even through trials and tribulations He is with us.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Today enjoy life.  Today enjoy family. Today celebrate the fact that there is a wedding coming and you are in it.

Driving down route 130 to Holden Beach North Carolina you come to a bridge right before you see the ocean.  This picture doesn’t really do it justice.  It appears the bridge goes nowhere. Intrigued by its design I decided to take several pictures. It wasn’t until after I went back and looked at the pictures that I saw another optical illusion.  I saw Jesus on the cross right before the bridge.  Immediately I thought about how He is always there, always with us and we so seldom see Him.  He never leaves us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Even when we fail to see Him and the road we are to take seems impossible to cross He is there.

It amazes me that Lighthouses are so small, that one little light can actually keep a ship from crashing into the dangers awaiting it seems surreal. Yet when I read the Word of God I see that we are the light of the world.  One life can touch innumerable lives for eternity.  Imagine how many lives Billy Graham has kept from the dangers and perils of the swells of hell.  The voice of God pierces through the darkness like the beacon atop the lighthouse.

Matthew 5:14 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

The two main purposes of a lighthouse are to serve as a navigational aid and to warn sailors of dangerous areas.  It is like a traffic sign on the sea.  The Keepers were to be on duty 24-7.  So it often required three Keepers to work together.  The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are always on duty to protect those of us on the Sea of life. The light was to be lite as soon as the sun went down (dusk) and checked every so many hours until the sun arose again. The analogy I see here is that until the Son of God arises we are to keep our lights shining as a candle in the darkness. 

Proverbs 20:27 (NIV) “The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one's inmost being.”

The light from a lighthouse can be seen from a great distance.  The taller the lighthouse and the more prominent it’s location the greater distance the light shines.  Our character and position in this life is a responsibility.

Luke 12:48 (NIV) “But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Matthew 5:16 (NIV) “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Shine on!

By flying together in a v-formation, scientists estimate that the whole flock can fly about 70% farther with the same amount of energy than if each goose flew alone.  We as the body of Christ can learn a lot from these feathered friends.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) “1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Together we are to sacrifice together. We need each other to communicate with one another in order to encourage one another to press on to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Formation Geese honk to encourage one another.  They take turns leading the flock so everyone gets to know the cost of leadership as well as get some well needed rest from being the point man. 

Geese help each other. Scientists also discovered that when one goose becomes ill, is shot or injured, and drops out of the formation, two other geese will fall out of formation and remain with the weakened goose.  They will stay with and protect the injured goose from predators until it is able to fly again or dies. Likewise, human teams work best when they do more than just work together, but care for the well-being of each other.

It is time for the body of Christ to support rather than point a finger at one another.  Like the Formation Geese we need to learn to be there for one another rather than talk about one another.  Flying in a V isn’t about staying in the right place it is about flapping at the right time. As each bird flaps its wings the trail of the uplift left by its wingtips also moves up and down.  Somehow the birds sense this and adjust their own flap to stay in the lift zone.  They actually trace the path of the lead bird.  Imagine walking in the footsteps of someone on the beach or in the snow.  It matters as a leader and as a follower how you walk and where you walk.

As disciples of Jesus Christ let’s stay together, work together and be a follower of Jesus Christ. Together we are better.

We all love to go on vacation. We all hate to pack the suitcase and car with everything we need take with us.  We have a lot to think about. What will we need? What will the weather be like? How many sets of clothes do we need to pack? Then there are the little things, camera, toiletries, medicines or vitamins, computer, bible, and whatever else you may need. By the time we are ready to get into the drivers set we are exhausted. Let alone the fact that the car is packed tight and there is no way we will be able to shop while we are away it won’t fit in the car.

Perhaps you have guessed I am planning for a road trip; which got me thinking about destination Heaven. For the most part very few people talk to me about what they may need to do to prepare for their eternal destiny.  No one asks me what they need to pack or what will they wear.  We wear ourselves out preparing for a weeklong trip and never think to prepare for a destination that will last for eternity.

There are a lot of Bible verses about Heaven.

John 14:2-4 (NIV) “2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

In this verse we learn that Jesus is preparing for our arrival.  If He is preparing I think we should be too. We can begin by reading the book of Revelation.  Oh, and once you get to your destination—your glad you packed what you need! We are never sorry that we did a great job preparing for where we are headed.

Revelation 22:3-7 (NIV)” 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.  4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."