Sam

A blundering robber from Louisiana could not win for losing.

Sam Lincoln entered Bob's Cafe speaking with a thick, Cajun accent and ordered the waitress to, "give him all of the money." Unfortunately, she did not understand a word that he was saying. To her, it sounded like he was ordering, "a side of taters with all of the honey." In desperation, Sam then turned to a patron and told him to hand over all of his money. The customer thought for sure that Sam said to, "Leave a big pile of bunny." Sam then grabbed the cash register and began to run out. However, he did not get very far -- only three feet to be exact. The register was still firmly plugged into the wall.

Humiliated and frustrated, Sam ran out of Bob's Cafe empty-handed.

Communication is sometimes difficult between people.

Unfortunately, communication is sometimes -- just as difficult -- between God and His people. Why is that? Well, I am so glad that you asked! God hears and sees, but we need to recognize and remember that God hears and sees and then we must communicate to Him that we need His help.

God hears and sees. So, let us ask for His help! Let none of us be too proud!

See!

In Nehemiah 1:6, Nehemiah had no interest in just any ear hearing his prayer or just any eye being opened to see his predicament.

Nehemiah prayed to His great and awesome God who was and is in heaven knowing that His God hears and sees and has the best seat in the house.  Nehemiah knew very well the God that He was praying to. As one of God’s people, Nehemiah was very familiar with the stories of old about how God had proven himself faithful time and time again to the patriarchs. Nehemiah was not familiar with God. Nehemiah was personally familiar with God and that personal familiarity made Nehemiah’s prayer all the more powerful because He knew that God ears and eyes were wide open! God had heard and saw in the past so Nehemiah knew that God would hear and see in the now. Isn’t God still in the habit of hearing and seeing?

I am personally familiar with God’s faithfulness. How about you?

Nehemiah was personally familiar with the story of Abraham.

After God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, they both laughed in disbelief. Then, Sarah took matters into her own hands and insisted that Abraham father a child with her slave Hagar. Predictably, the pregnancy provoked Sarah's jealousy. Sarah then banished Hagar to the desert. God found Hagar there and told her to return to her home. Then He said, “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael for the Lord has heard of your misery."  In turn, Hagar gave God another name, “Jehovah El-Roi” which mean, "…the God who sees me…" (Genesis 16)

No Parking!

God desires to erect a “No Parking Sign” on the street of our minds!

A “No Parking Sign” signifies to us that God does not want us to park our faith! When our faith is parked, we cease to move! A non-moving car does not accomplish much. A non-moving faith is in that same boat. Movement keeps us growing and that growth brings obvious change into our lives.

As of late, I have noticed that obvious change turns heads! I have also noticed that passionate prayer and fasting is a catalyst for obvious change.

Sleep!

May we talk about where God is?

In Nehemiah 1:5, the phrase, “God of Heaven” almost slipped by me!

Jesus talks about the, “God of Heaven…” in the Lord’s Prayer. In the King James Version, Jesus says, “Our Father which art in Heaven…” In the New American Standard Version, Jesus says, “Our Father who is in Heaven…”  Our Heavenly Father exists and He exists in heaven occupying a place of honor, glory and power. Our God – Jehovah Himself -- is more than a just a figment of our imaginations! Hallelujah! That is the God that we pray to! That concept was important to Nehemiah.  It ought to be important to us as well.

We serve a God who never sleeps nor slumbers. If that is true, and we know that it is, then there is no need for Him and for us to be up all night. As a matter of fact, lately, I have seen God work while I have slept which enables me to sleep when I am supposed to be sleeping. That is how our God rolls!

In Genesis 2, it happened for the very first time, “But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. The Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:20-22)

Apart from his rib and his need, Adam had nothing to do with Eve. Adam could not find a suitable helper. So, God made Adam fall asleep and did in a moment what Adam could not have done in a lifetime. God worked while Adam slept.  That is how our God rolls.  It is no different with us. Some of God’s greatest achievements will have very little to do with our effort and might even occur while we are sleeping.

Today, if you have exhausted all of your efforts in regards to something that you have been praying about, sleep well tonight because God never sleeps nor slumbers and because He has the best seat in the house … a throne in heaven … He never misses a thing!

Knock!

May we talk about God’s Awesome Greatness?

In Nehemiah 1:5,  “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God…”

Our universe is the smallest of seven universes. I find that to be amazing!  Our universe contains a billion galaxies and a trillion times a trillion stars. Our universe is estimated to span a distance in excess of 20,000,000,000 light years. Now, I have no idea what that really means, but it sure proves God’s awesome greatness. After all, who do you think slung all that into existence? It sure was not Mr. Big Bang!

Nehemiah knew whom he was praying to.

Could that be a concept worth repeating in our own prayer lives? It is amazing what happens to our racing hearts and our jittery spirits when we begin our prayers by reminding ourselves just how great and awesome God really is.  When everything in the world seems to be out of control, rest assured, God is still in control!

Some of us have been praying about situations for a long, long time. Some of us have grown skeptical. May I remind all of us today that God is great and awesome even if our prayers have not been answered yet!

Do not forfeit your miracle!

What would have happened if the Israelites had stopped marching around Jericho on the sixth day? What would have happened if Naaman had only dipped into the Jordan River six times? What would have happened if Elijah had stopped praying for rain on the sixth attempt?

They would have forfeited their miracle!

Be encouraged today. Your God is great and awesome so pray like it! Your miracle might be only one lap, one dip, or one prayer away. The blessings of God are the byproduct of asking, seeking, and knocking so let us all keep knocking, knocking and then knocking some more!

Out of Gas!

Last Saturday was one of those Saturdays when I had more to do than I could possibly get done. Have you ever had one of those Saturdays?

I made my way through the days to do list. One last thing remained: My Sunday School Class Party. It was 3:00 pm and the party was supposed to start at 4:00 pm. I had not showered yet. I was in my truck, which needs gas at all times, so I headed home planning on a “quick” fill up at the new BP down the road. I found a spot. I pulled up to the pump. I hopped out of the truck and prepared to “filler up.” However, the gas station was out of gas. The woman at the cashier’s counter said to me over the intercom. “Try the next grade of gas. There is plenty of that grade left.” So, I tried the next grade up and still, there was no gas. “Oh, she said. We must be out of that grade of gas as well. Try the next grade up.”

All I could do was stare at my watch!

So, I tried the high octane. Still, there was no gas. Once again, that sweet intercom woman said, “Oh, we must be out of that grade as well.” At that point, I gave up -- in frustration – and drove down to the Shell Station!

Can I just say that when I am out of gas, I expect the gas station that I pull into to have the gas that I need … not later, but now!  Spiritually speaking, God never runs out of gas. Anytime we need a filling, God stands ready, willing and able to fill us to the brim with the high-octane presence of His Holy Ghost.

All we have to do is ask. We call that asking prayer!

Change!

The objective of prayer is not only to change our situations, but also, to change us, as we walk with God through our situations.

Sometimes, our prayers do not change a situation whatsoever, but we find ourselves being changed as God holds our hand and walks with us through the storms of life. Truthfully speaking, there are times when God’s greatest miracles lie within a changed life more than within a changed situation. Isn’t that so true?

This week, as we pray about situations, why not pray about those situations like this, “God, only You can fix this situation and as You walk me through this situation, whether the situation changes or not, please change: My attitude, the way that I think, the way that I act, my view of money, the way that I speak… … please change: My television viewing habits … … please: Make me more humble, Help me to love others as You have loved me, Help me to be more generous … … Father, Change my prayer habits, My Bible study habits, My focus … please … Help me to be a better husband, a more Godly wife, a more respectful child … Father … please change me whether my situation gets changed or not.”

Our First Response!

Prayer is to be the first resort, not a last resort!

Nehemiah shows us the way!  Look at Nehemiah 1:4, “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

Prayer and fasting was Nehemiah’s first response!

Now, if you were to spend some time this week studying about Nehemiah the man, you would quickly find out that he was a man of action, but on this occasion, his first action was not a physical action, but instead, a spiritual action –fasting and prayer!

Aren’t there those times when we need to just be still and be spiritual?

Nehemiah’s normal response was usually this, “What can I do to fix the problem?” Nehemiah’s response in verse four was, “What can God do to fix the problem?” Nehemiah did away with his normal routine -- during that time of crisis -- and embraced a new routine.  The situation was so challenging that Nehemiah could not go on with business as usual!

I just wonder, in these days, do you need to move away from what you can do and move into what God can do? Is it time for a little routine change? Is business as usual just not cutting it?  As a church, isn’t it time for us to move away from what we can do and move into what God can do? Is it time for a little routine change? Is business as usual just not cutting it?

THE 4th OF JULY AT FAULKNER LANE:

Join us on Sunday, June 24th, for a Patriotic Monologue by Pastor Don entitled, “Patriotism through the eyes of George Washington.”

Sunday, July 1st, we will present A Patriotic Musical Celebration starting at 10:00 am, with lunch at 11:00 am. There will be no Sunday School (Discipleship Time) that morning. Lunch will consist of a picnic on the grounds, followed by homemade ice cream. What a great opportunity to invite a friend! As you are inviting friends, be sure and let them know that we will have some BIG surprises planned for children that day as well!

The Small Lid!

I absolutely love my ‘67 Chevy Pick Up. It sure is “purdy!”

Not only is it “purdy”, but it purrs like a kitten. However, as I advance in my state of mechanical no how, I have come to realize that even though my truck is huge, the smallest little issue can cause problems. For example, brakes are really a small part of my truck, but without them, my truck does not want to stop. Another small thing on my truck is the windshield wipers. They seem so small, but without them, my truck does want to drive straight – especially when it is raining outside.

As of late, a small lid has been causing me issues.

The lid covers the air filter, but it has a tendency to pop off because the small nut and the small metal rod -- that holds it on -- are missing. When the lid pops off, the engine makes such loud and painful noises. The other morning, as I was taking Ory to school, the small lid once again popped off and fell to the ground and a line of cars behind me ran over it again, and again, and again.

I almost feel sorry for it. The small lid was once arched, but now it is as flat as a pancake.

It is amazing how small things can make such a huge difference. Prayer and fasting are sure not a small things, but at times, God’s people treat them as if they are.

Around 586 BC, Jerusalem -- and the wall that surrounded it -- were destroyed.

Nehemiah caught wind of that great tragedy. How did Nehemiah handle that situation? He prayed and fasted!

As we have expected more company, more company has come.  Along with that company have come more little ones. Those new little ones, and our long-time little ones, need a productive time of ministry on Sunday Nights. So, with all of that said, we introduce Super Duper Sunday Nights.

Please allow me to introduce FOCUS14.

Starting this Monday, May 14th, at 7:14 am, I am calling for a 14 day fast as we study – off and on -- 2nd Chronicles 7:14 together! Here are 14 different ideas that might enhance your effort to give up a frill in order to fervently seek the Father.

Netflix

Facebook

Twinkies

Soda

I-tunes

Chocolate

Coffee

Cell Phones

The Internet

The Family Feud

ESPN

One Meal Per Day

Your Afternoon Nap

Needlepoint

Obviously, you can chose whatever you desire -- to give up -- in order to pray and fast more effectively!

Moods!

Truthfully speaking, it is inevitable!

What is? Sooner or later, you and I are going to get into a “mood” aka a series of situations that make us feel like giving up! While “moods” are unavoidable, we do not have to resign ourselves to them.  The definition of a “mood” is this: a lack of motivation, low energy, grumpiness and an urge to disengage!

From my own experience, I have identified two action steps that combat the desire to just throw up my hands and give up!

First of all, do not predict your future based on your “mood!”

The natural tendency is to think that your “mood” is permanent.  It is not! Do not mistake momentary moods for a permanent condition! “This too shall pass!” “It came to pass!” Those are more than just clichés! The rest of your life is not determined by a few cloudy days!

Secondly, resist the urge to justify your “mood!”

Blaming how you feel on something or someone will not make you feel any better about how you are feeling. In fact, playing the blame game often leads people down the path toward self-pity! Listen! God wants to unleash me – God wants to unleash you – God wants to unleash us -- like a rock out of a sling shot to go forth and make disciples of all nations not to mention help people in our own personal area of influence find a little joy, but we cannot be unleashed if we are dangling head first in a whole dug by our own self-pity!

Church, “moods” happen, but your “mood” is not someone else’s fault!

Put your hope in God and move forward! “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you ... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

Keys!

Do not allow yourself to become downcast! Yes, you have been through the wringer, but if will reach out to and up to God, He will encourage your spirit.

One of Satan’s greatest weapon against us is the creation of a downcast spirit!

To be downcast is to be low -- bummed out if you will! In a pickle! Have you ever been in a pickle? Have you ever been downcast? Today is not the day to be downcast! Stand firm! God is about to deliver! Do not be discouraged. It is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.

In Psalm 43:5, David asked Himself a question and then provided for himself the answer!

Maybe you need to ask yourself that same question today and then celebrate the answer, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…”

That was God’s plan then and it is still God’s plan today!

Situations!

Tough Times!

Plain and simple, tough times can cause situational depression! Elijah knew all about it!

You can find the details in 1st Kings 19. His situation was bad. Here is what he said in verse 4, “I have had enough …Take my life …” Elijah was discouraged, dejected and felt like an absolute failure! He had been through the wringer! Have you ever been there before?

NOW, PLEASE HEAR THIS!  That situation had nothing to do with Elijah’s relationship with God. He loved God. Elijah was not a bad person. Elijah’ was just a person! He was up and then he was down and this down had him very down! Elijah displayed all of the classic symptoms of a situationally depressed person: withdrawal, moodiness, self-pity, anger, irritability, wrong thinking, and physical exhaustion to name just a few. Are you there today? What must you do today?

Situational depression takes a toll!

Again, not because we are bad people; but because we are people!  Situational depression often causes cynicism! A cynic is described as someone who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly doubtful, sarcastic or discouraging attitude not just about some matters, but about every matter.  Solomon was a cynic at times. He once said this in Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Meaningless! Meaningless!.....Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

Cynics see the bad or the impossible in every situation because their individual situations have cornered them into that situation. A cynic has been consumed by a problem instead of being consumed by his or her God.

Let us all lift our eyes to the hills … the place where our help comes from. Our help comes from the Lord … The maker of heaven and earth.

So Simple...

Have you ever been there before?

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Folks, get your eyes off of your problems and put them on God! That sounds so simple….

Let us all lift our eyes to the hills … the place where our help comes from. Our help comes from the Lord … The maker of heaven and earth.  This is what I know, “Tough times do not last, but tough people do … because God is tougher than what we thought was rougher!”

Cameras!

Jehoshaphat was the 4th King of Judah.

One day, a surprise attack came from the southeast. Three nations were about to move against Judah! Moab, Ammon and the Menuites crossed the Dead Sea and were headed toward Jerusalem. At that point, Judah’s enemy was only 40 miles away. Geographically speaking, King Jehoshaphat had only three days to get organized!

Life was putting King Jehoshaphat through the wringer.

With the people of Judah assembled around him and the enemy army advancing against him, King Jehoshaphat reached out to and up to God by praying one of the greatest prayers in the Bible. You can find that prayer in 2nd Chronicles 20:5-17.

Aren’t there those days when…We must be reminded!

Look at verse 7, “O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”

“…did you not…”

Church, God did not need to be reminded about what He had done.

King Jehoshaphat, and God’s people, needed to be reminded about what God had done. By using the words, “…did you not…” Jehoshaphat was reminding himself -- and the people of Judah -- that God had been faithful in the past.  Do you need a reminder this morning?

Did you know that every day, people in the United States take at least 59.1 million photographs?

Why? People want to remember! Folks, this morning, let us all whip out our spiritual cameras. Let us all celebrate by remembering how God has lifted our spirits in the past. If God has been faithful to you, let a cry of celebration spew forth that can be heard down at The Corner Pub. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! IN THE MIDST OF YOUR HEARTACHE TODAY, REMEMBER HOW GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL TO YOU IN THE PAST!