There was a time when life was good.
And people all did what they should.
But times have changed and people have too.
It just seems they don't know the right thing to do.
As I can remember my early years,
life was fun with so few fears.
We lived on a farm with always work to do.
But, we had neighbors and family to see us through.
Life was simply with no pressure then.
Oh, if we could just go back again.
Now we have become a nation of speed.
We do so much we don't need.
We have no time to sleep or dine.
To many things to do all the time.
Being an adult is not fun.
Financial pressures keep us on the run.
The women have been taken out of the home
and our men just seem to roam.
The kids have more things they don't need,
but keep getting more at great speed.
The family is almost a thing of the past.
Oh God can this country last?
So here is the deal for an old man like me,
I am like a grain of sand in the sea.
My life of influence one day will pass.
I know our generation will not last.
with sadness I watch a way of life fade away,
too late we learn our journey on earth is not to stay.
So now I understand God's plan better for man,
we are given a few years to do what we can.
And to be taken out of this world of sin,
to live with God so this is not the end.
But as I sit and think of the past,
my life has planted some seeds that will last.
To those who follow our footsteps I say,
we did our best to prepare the way.
But we failed the most important thing,
to teach you a good life is EVERYTHING.
Bud
Can you change your world? That is a good question. Not change the world, but the world you live in. The world of your work, where you live, where you worship, and the friends you have. That is your world.
Can that world change or does it change without you doing anything about it? Time changes some things. Events change some things. A crisis can change things. But how are things made better or worse in the world we live in?
I believe I have a great deal to do with what kind of world I live in. My happiness and fulfillment depends on my choices and my attitude. When my world needs a change, it's my choice to change it. It may mean a change of job or career, move to a new community, get some more education, change churches, or maybe even change my friends. But the first move is mine.
Life has a way of coming at you everyday. But how I face it is up to me. You have heard it said many times “what happens to me is not as important as what I do about it, or how I react.” How true it is. In one split second your world can change. An accident on the highway could put you in a wheelchair the rest of your life. That would change your world. The death of a loved one always changes your world. And many many other things can change your world.
But, in saying all of that, you have choices. How you will react or act will determine your future. It's my belief and conviction when we come to the end of our lives and look back that some things could have been different. So don't wail until the end of your life to realize it. Do some brainstorming now to see how you can change your world.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Ask yourself, ”am I happy?”
2. If you are happy, why? If you are unhappy, why?
3. How can I become happy?
a. What would it take?
b. How would I accomplish it?
4. If you are unhappy now.
a. What would it take to change your unhappiness?
b. How would you accomplish it?
5. If money or time was not a problem what would you do?
a. Why?
b. Why not?
6. Pick a plan for the future.
a. Those that succeed in life have a plan.
b. Take a risk, if you want to change your world.
c. Stick to your plan no matter what.
Remember, when you start out to change your world, people will criticize and may even laugh at you. People may hurt you but don't let them hinder you. Remember, you only have one life to live. Make it count, make it fun, make it have purpose, and you can love what you do, and do what you love. Failure is not final or fatal, only if you give up. Keep on keeping on till you change your world.
You hear people talk about church. Why they go or don't go. And what kind of church it is or is not.
What kind of church would you like to have? Have you ever realized that it's the members that make up the church and determine what kind of church it is? It's true.
When I speak of what kind, I do not refer to the denomination or doctrine but to the content inside. I believe you can be right doctrinally and wrong spiritually. The name can be right and the body wrong. Jesus had some very strong words to say about religious pride and it's dangers. He not only condemned it, but rebuked it as inexcusable.
The warmth of a congregation is produced from the love that exists in the hearts of its' members. Joy is more caught than taught. If love is why, then why not love? Christianity is a way of life not just a word.
What kind of church are you? What kind of church do you project in the community? What kind of church do we represent to visitors? What kind of church do we have for the lost who are seeking help? If you were looking for a church would you pick your church by what people say about it?
What kind of member are you? Are you committed to Jesus Christ? Are you faithful to all service? Do you support your God financially? Do you support your preacher? Do you support your elders? Would you want everyone else to follow you and do what you do? Think about these questions seriously.
Your church supports you; your preachers support you; your leaders support you; and your God supports you. We all need each other. As God's team, togetherness is a must for growth and maturity. If the devil can divide us, he can defeat us. We are to support and build each other up. The body is made up of many parts, but we all need each other.
What kind of church is the happy kind? The kind that loves and puts the Lord first. They love to do His will, to be in His house, and to see and be with those of like precious faith. That's the kind of church God can use and is using everyday. The kind that doesn't know defeat, or discouragement, or doubt, nor any negative teaching or preaching. They are winners because it pays in blessings to be Christian.
We, the church, need to be a church that pleases God. We, the church, need to be kingdom builders and devil fighters. We, the church, must not tolerate sin nor promote any ungodliness. We, the church, must love and seek the lost. Be quick to forgive, not to condemn, but be strong in the Word of God.
Churches that grow, know who they are and know where they are going spiritually. Their vision comes from God, their power from the Holy Spirit, and their instruction for God's Word.
Last but not least, God's kind of church will be a praying, fasting church.
We are the church, let's be the best to please God!
See ya in church,
Bud
When God designed the human body, he made it very unique in so many ways. Our scrapes and cuts will heal themselves. Our body will reproduce lost blood, etc. Our bodies also have a very strong survival mechanism called our immune system.
Our bodies can build up immunity against disease, colds, the flu, etc. A healthy body has the best immune system. The stronger the body, the greater defense we have against sickness. This is not to say we can't get sick or have a disease, but our chances are so much better with proper diet, exercise, and rest.
As born again Christians, we have a spiritual immune system. It is empowered by the word and the Holy Spirit. It's the same basics as the human body. The proper diet, the Word of God, the proper exercise, servant hood, and stewardship. The proper rest, worship, praise and prayer.
Your spiritual immune system is God's design to prevent our being sickened by the sinful nature. With power of the Holy Spirit we have the strength and willpower to say no to sin. With the authority of the word we have the two edged sword to discern between good and evil. (Heb. 4:12) By the spiritual immune system we are designed to live above sin, not to cheapen God's grace by living and acting as the pagan world.
The spiritual immune system is also described in the Ephesians letter as the “Armor of God.” We are commanded to be strong in the Lord. (Eph 6:10) put on the full armor of God and take our stand against the devil's schemes. To follow Paul's instructions in the book of Ephesians, it is impossible without total obedience. To stand your ground or to stand firm, you must be spiritually healthy. Not weak and sickly because of weakness and disobedience.
Christians backslide and die because they refuse to wear their armor and they ignore the commandments of God. Then they are powerless and defenseless against the sinful nature and the devils schemes.
No wonder our churches in America are not growing. No wonder our families and homes are being destroyed. No wonder our children do not put their hope in Christ when they see “professing Christians” so defeated and miserable. No wonder the lost people have no confidence in our message today because the evidence of transformed lives is missing. Has the church sold out because it is easier than to hold out for God?
How is your spiritual immune system? How long has it been since you had a good quiet time. How long has it been since you truly repented of a sin? How long has it been since you asked an offended brother or sister for forgiveness? How long has it been since you prayed continually until God gave you the answer? How long has it been since you were totally protected and empowered by God's armor, inspirited by the Holy Spirit, and walked in the authority of God's word? These are important questions.
Is this message possibly a defining moment in your life? Are we, the church, spiritually weakened because we have neglected our valuable immune system? I am convinced partial commitment is only a cursed commitment that only leads to trouble. With God it is either all or nothing. Which will you choose?
Bud Yoder