Baptist City Blog

Three Keys to a Happy Life

Exodus 22:1

"If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep."

Happiness is not a possession that can be bought or obtained, but happiness is a result of actions performed. This world is constantly trying to find the key to happiness, but they avoid the very thing that tells how to have happiness which is the Word of God. The world often thinks that happiness is obtained through possessions, when the Scriptures teach that happiness comes as a result of doing something right. You will notice the difference between the two ways is that the world's way to obtain happiness is through selfishness, and the Scriptural way to obtain happiness is through unselfishness.

In the Book of Exodus, God gives the laws by which man should live. God wants man to be happy, so He gave them laws by which to live so they could have happiness. If anyone should know how we can be happy it should be God, because He is the One Who created us. God categorizes His commandments into three areas, which in these three areas are the three keys to happiness. Let me show you these three keys.

The first category of laws that show the keys to happiness are the laws of spirituality. God teaches in His Word that you will never be happy without having a right relationship with Him. The laws of spirituality are simply laws which show how mankind can have a right relationship with God. You can try every other way to be happy, but you will not find it until you make sure you serve the LORD. You may think that God has too many rules by which to live, but those rules are the very key to having a right relationship with Him. If you want true happiness in your life, then you MUST make sure that your relationship with God is right.

The second category of laws that show the keys to happiness are the laws of morality. These laws show you how to live with yourself. Being moral is more than just being right with God. Morality is living in such a manner where you can live with yourself. The laws of morality are there to help you to not to have regrets later in life. Christian, the Devil may try to trick you into believing that losing your morality is where you find true happiness and fun, but the Devil never shows what the person's life is like when the season of sin is over. Living a moral life is important so that you can be at peace with yourself. If you live an amoral life, you will find that regrets will constantly nag you for the remainder of your life. If you want true happiness, then you must live a moral life.

The third category of laws that show the keys to happiness are the laws of civility. These laws show you how to live with others. In Exodus 22, God goes into great detail on how to treat others right. This is simply being civil with each other. When you treat others right, you will find that you can happily live with others.

Summarizing the keys to happiness simply comes down to this, having a right relationship with God, others and yourself. You will find that these three keys result in happiness. If you get one key wrong, then all keys will be wrong. All three must be right to find true happiness in life.

I Can't Believe You Would Do That

Exodus 32:21

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?"

Has someone you loved and respected ever done something that you couldn't believe? That is exactly what Moses felt about Aaron when he allowed the children of Israel to build a golden calf. While Moses received the commandments from God on Mt. Sinai, Aaron was supposed to care for the children of Israel. Because Moses had been on the top of the mount for so long, the children of Israel asked Aaron to build them a new god. The new god he built was a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mount, he saw the people dancing naked around this calf. Apparently, Moses thought the people must have forced Aaron to do this because he said, "What did this people unto thee,..." Moses never thought that Aaron was capable of committing this great sin.

The older I get, the less I am surprised when good people fall in sin. I have watched people who have a great respect for someone excuse someone's sin away, or cover their eyes when they compromise. In their heart they are like Moses, they don't believe this person whom they love and respect would ever do what they were accused of or what they actually did. Let me give you some thoughts about this subject.

First, anyone is capable of any sin. You must realize that everyone is a sinner. Because everyone is a sinner, then that means everyone is capable of committing any sin. Just because you love and respect a person does not put them above sin. If I were to tell you some of the things I've heard good people do, you would be shocked. At best we are all sinners; therefore, we are all capable of committing any sin.

Second, nobody made them commit their sin or compromise. Let me make this clear, everyone has a will with which they can do whatever they want. Nobody makes a person commit sin. When they sin, they chose to sin. Don't fall for the trap of blaming their sin on health or tough circumstances. Everyone chooses to sin; therefore, it is their own fault.

Third, don't justify their sin when you find out about it. Herein is one of the greatest mistakes I see people make. Because we love someone dearly, we will justify their sin and make it sound as if their sin is not really a "bad" sin. Let me make this clear, all sin is bad sin. In our attempt to justify in our minds why someone committed a sin, we will water down sin for the sake of keeping a person on the pedestal we set them upon in our minds. The worst thing you can do is to justify a person's sin. When you justify sin, you are setting them up for greater sin.

Last, realize everyone is human. I make this statement for two reasons. First, don't build anyone so big that you will fall for the trap of excusing their sin away. Second, when someone you dearly love and respect sins, don't attack and kill them, rather try to restore them. If you are not careful you will lose faith in people, and become suspect of everyone. That is not a good attitude to have. If you will realize people are human, then that will keep you from setting them higher in your estimation than you should, thus keeping you from trying to destroy them when they fall. Just remember, sin affects everyone, including you.

Keeping Your Salvation Fresh

Exodus 13:3

"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten."

The greatest day of anyone's life is the day they were born again; the day they accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Once you get saved, one of the greatest tasks you will have is to keep it fresh each day. You don't ever want your salvation to become stale. I have watched many Christians let their salvation become stale when they could have kept it fresh and exciting. Let me show you several things from Israel's deliverance from Egypt that will help you to keep your salvation fresh.

First, remember the day you got saved. In the verse above it says, "Remember this day,..." Do you remember the day you got saved? I remember that day very clearly. It was June 21, 1973. My dad was out soul winning, so that night my mother gave the family devotions. I asked my mother after the devotions were over, "Mom, can you show me how I can go to Heaven? I don't want to go to Hell." She sent my brother and sisters to bed, and she showed me that night how to get saved. After she was done showing me the Scriptures on salvation, I knelt beside the couch and received Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I love telling this story because it was the night that changed my life. You should regularly remember the day you got saved and rehearse it to everyone you can.

Second, remember from whence you came. Israel was delivered from Egypt and their bondage. They should have rejoiced in their deliverance. Likewise, you were delivered from the bondage of sin. Though I was saved at a young age, I constantly remind myself from what I was delivered. If you were saved from a rough, sinful background, it shouldn't be hard to remember from whence you came. If you are going to keep your salvation fresh, you need to remember what it was like before you got saved, or what it would have been like if you didn't get saved.

Third, remember the blessings that salvation brought. Israel received many blessings by being delivered, and you received many blessings by being born again. Christian, look at everything God has done for you since you've been saved. If you are going to keep your salvation fresh, you need to remind yourself of the blessings you received from salvation.

Fourth, talk about your salvation to others. In verse 8, God told Israel to tell their children about the deliverance. If you want to keep your salvation fresh, then tell others about your salvation experience. One of the reasons you should be a soul winner is so that you can tell others about this great experience in your life. Every time you witness to someone, you should tell them how you got saved. This keeps your salvation fresh.

Last, regularly sing about salvation. In Exodus 15:1, Moses sang a song of deliverance. It is important that you listen to the right music, for whatever music you listen to is the same music you will sing. Every time you hear a song on salvation, it should excite your soul.

Christian, salvation is the greatest thing that will happen to your life. Don't let your salvation get stale! Keep it fresh by regularly following these steps. You will find that keeping your salvation fresh will help you to enjoy serving the LORD.

Avoiding Divided Homes

Mark 3:25

“And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

The home is supposed to be a place of refuge. When you think of home, good thoughts should come to mind. Every week when I am out traveling, my favorite day is the day I get to come home. To me, my home is my refuge. To me, my home is where those whom I love the most live. To me, home brings the happiest thoughts to mind. That is the way every home should be.

God said that a divided home cannot stand. Can you imagine that which is supposed to be our refuge becoming a place where division and strife exists? The Devil is after the home. He knows that if he can destroy the home, then he can destroy the church. The home is the foundation of the church and nation. If the Devil destroys the home, then he can destroy the church and a nation. We must strive to be sure that our homes are strong. The best way to keep them strong is to keep them from being divided. There are some things you must avoid in your home if you want to keep it from being divided.

First, you must avoid strife in your home. In Genesis 13:7-8, there was strife between Abraham and Lot. Abraham raised Lot, and you would think there would be no division. Yet, they were at strife with each other. What was it that caused the strife? Possessions! You must be careful in your home that you don’t let things become a source of strife. Amazingly, many homes fight over things. You must always keep in mind that things can be replaced, but a home that is destroyed is hard to repair. Don’t let things become the source of strife in your home. Don’t allow your children to fight over possessions. How silly it is to fight and divide your home over possessions. The people inside your home are more important that any possession. You can replace things, but you can’t replace people; keep that in mind before you enter strife.

Second, misappropriated love will divide a home. Genesis 37:4 shows us that Joseph was loved more than his brethren. This misappropriated love caused a division in the home. Parents must be very careful not to misappropriate their love. Every child should be loved the same. God loves each of his children the same, even though some of His children are not as obedient as others. Likewise, parents should follow God’s example and be sure to love each child the same so that your home is not divided.

Third, a home filled with individuals who are going different directions will cause division. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” If the home is going to be filled with harmony, then everyone in the home must be on the same page. A husband and wife who have two different agendas for life will cause division in the home. The Scriptures are very clear that the husband is to lead the home. That means, everyone should get behind the husband or dad and follow his direction. Many homes are divided today because both husband and wife have to work. They both have their desire to be promoted on their job. Thus, you have created a divided home. Be careful that you keep your focus on going the same direction. Serve God together. Keep the same focus by allowing the husband or dad to be the leader in everything.

Your home can only stand if you are one. If your home is not divided, then you will find that home will be that place of refuge and happiness that all will enjoy.

It’s Not Their Fault

Luke 9:53

“And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.”

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who doesn’t really seem to be interested in your conversation? Every once in awhile I’ll be with someone who doesn’t know how to let their voicemail take their phone calls. If that person continually takes calls while I’m trying to talk to them, or if they continually text people, I normally just end the conversation and go on. The reason I go on is because I don’t feel that they are really interested in talking to me.

In the verse above, Jesus entered a village of Samaritans who did not receive Him. The disciples were so loyal to Christ that they wanted Him to call fire from Heaven and destroy them. Jesus understood why these people didn’t receive Him. While He was in the village, He was on a mission to get to Jerusalem. His time to pay for the sins of mankind was near, and He couldn’t miss that time. The people of the city could read that Jesus was passing through and was on a mission to get to Jerusalem, and this caused them not to receive His presence. You will notice that Jesus did not preach or teach. He was simply passing through the city. Jesus did not do anything to these people because He knew it was not their fault that they did not receive Him.

I fear too often we are all guilty of condemning people for not receiving us, when in reality it is truly our own fault. People are more perceptive than what most give them credit. People know when you want to be there, and when you don’t want to be there. They know when you want to talk to them, and they know when you don’t want to talk to them. They know when your are interested in them, and they know when you’re not interested in them. How they receive what you are trying to give them really depends upon whether you are truly interested in them.

Every parent needs to be careful not to seem disinterested in their child. Many parents can’t figure out why their children won’t listen to them, when if they saw how halfheartedly they listened to what their children are saying, they would understand why their children don’t talk to them anymore. Children are perceptive, and they know when their parents are truly interested in them. Children will try several times to get their parent’s attention, but if they don’t succeed, they will stop listening to their parents. Parents, don’t blame your children if you are not giving them your undivided attention.

Church ministry workers must be careful that they don’t get so busy in other things that they seem disinterested in those they are supposed to help. I have watched many pastors hibernate in their offices to the point that their people stop responding to them. Ministry workers have lost many people because they didn’t show interest in them. Often, we want to blame the person who backslid or left, when truly it was our own fault.

Let me encourage you to not seem disinterested in those with whom you are talking or helping. Whenever God allows someone to cross your path whom you can help, give them your undivided attention. The next time someone doesn’t receive you, instead of blaming them, look at your own actions and determine if it could be your fault. Most of the time if you will give your undivided attention to someone, they will receive you and your message.

Wearied With the Journey

John 4:6

“Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”

One of the things that is encouraging about the Scriptures is that God is not afraid to show us the physical side of Jesus Christ. Though Jesus is the Son of God, and always has been, He also put on robes of flesh to show every person how to successfully live the Christian life.

The verse above says, “Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey,…” Jesus got physically tired just like you do. While doing the will of the Father, Jesus’ body became weary. You must notice that Jesus was not weary with doing God’s will, but He became weary with his physical journey. He got tired, just like you get tired. He was physically worn out, just like you get physically worn out. How he handled the weariness of the journey shows how every Christian should handle themselves when they are weary to keep themselves from becoming weary with the journey of serving God. Let me show you three thoughts about Jesus that will help you when you become weary with the journey.

First, it is normal to become weary in serving the LORD. You must remember that you are in a spiritual war. You are not a bad or wicked person because you become physically weary. I remember as a young man hearing men talk about the little sleep they got as they served the LORD. I thought that I must be very unspiritual because I just couldn’t keep going on the rest I received, and it was more rest than these men. I soon realized that there was nothing wrong with becoming physically weary. You must be careful that you don’t fall into the trap of thinking you are unspiritual because you are physically tired. Everyone has a different physical makeup, and as long as you are not using your weariness as a crutch to not serve the LORD, then it is normal. If Jesus became weary, then you will become weary as well.

Second, you must take time for physical rest to keep yourself from spiritual weariness. There are a few times in the Scriptures when Jesus took time and rested. If you are not careful, you will spiritually kill yourself because you feel guilty every time you take time to rest. Nobody can go nonstop without it eventually breaking them down. If you don’t get rest, your physical or spiritual body will break down. When your physical body breaks down, you will lose your health and the strength to be able to serve the LORD to your capacity. If your spiritual body breaks down, you will most likely succumb to sin’s temptation. You must have time to rest so that you can serve the LORD your entire life.

Third, in your time of rest, continue to help. You will notice that even when Jesus was taking time to rest, His spiritual awareness did not stop. He still helped people as He rested. Isaiah 40:31 teaches that the way to gain strength is to “wait upon the LORD.” Keep your eyes open to witness to people, for nothing will recharge you like winning someone to Christ. Though you’re resting, God will still send someone your way whom you can help to help recharge your spiritual battery. Don’t stop resting your spiritual awareness in times of physical rest.

Your goal in serving the LORD should be to serve Him your entire life. If you are going to be successful at this, you will need to take some time to rest. Don’t run yourself into the ground and wish you would have listened. God knows you will get weary with the journey. So, when you become weary, follow the Saviour’s example of resting, yet waiting.

But Some Went Their Way

John 11:46

“But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.”

There is a story about a vessel that cruised the Mediterranean in search of a bank that existed beneath some treacherous waters. After the captain of the ship had exhausted all of his resources to find this bank, he declared that this supposed bank was simply a dream. On the same ship was an officer who believed differently. He organized his own expedition and discovered the rocks and reefs, and reported it so that it could be added to the charts so ships would be safe.

When the captain heard of this, he mocked its discovery. He said the next time he sailed those waters he would sail his ship over that spot to prove this officer wrong. Two years later, this captain was sailing to Naples. One windy night he examined the charts with the master of the ship, and saw these reefs on the chart. Again, he mocked that these reefs were not there, and declared that he would sail over that exact spot to prove them wrong. To demise of this ship, this captain sailed over those reefs only to break up the ship. Everyone escaped safely to land, except the captain. He died in those waters because of his unbelief.

In the verse above, there were people who knew that Lazarus had been dead for three days. They saw what everyone else saw. They knew that the stone had been rolled over the front of the tomb. They knew that his sisters had mourned for several days. They also saw Jesus come to the tomb and ask for the stone to be rolled away. They heard Jesus call for Lazarus to come forth. They even saw Lazarus with the grave clothes wrapped around his body come out of the tomb. Yet, their unbelief caused them to walk away and deny the miracle they had seen with their own eyes. Their unbelief eventually led to the efforts to destroy Jesus. Sadly, these people knew the truth, but chose to believe the lie in their heart because of unbelief. Just like the captain of the ship, their unbelief led to their eventual eternity in Hell.

Unbelief is an amazing tool that will destroy the best of people. Unbelief has caused many people to hear the truth, but determine the truth is a lie. Many people have destroyed their life all because they would not believe the truth.

Do you find yourself being so stubborn that it doesn’t matter what you have seen, you go your own way because of unbelief? You must be careful that you don’t allow unbelief to be your demise. Many Christians have heard the truth proclaimed from the pulpit, but walk away in unbelief thinking they knew better, to their own demise.

You must understand that one of the greatest tools Satan uses is unbelief. If he can get you to simply doubt, then he can win the battle. God is a God of absolutes. God does not want us to live in a world of unbelief. God plainly tells us in His Word what is right and wrong. You must be careful that you don’t allow unbelief to cloud your judgment and miss the blessings of God.

The promises of the Word of God are for you. The only thing that will keep you from seeing God perform the miraculous in your life is for you to doubt His promises and power. I encourage you to always take God at His Word. If God says He is going to do something, then He will do it. If God says something is wrong, then it is wrong. Unbelief will keep you from seeing God’s promises come true. Don’t cheat your life, and the lives of those whom you influence with your unbelief. Become a person who trusts the power and promises of God. It is when you trust His power and promises that the Christian life will become real and exciting to you.

• Filling Eternity’s Void
• You Had Better Have Some Selah
• The Great Commission
• Go, Sow, or Say No

Four amazing sermons are now available to you at www.baptist-city.com for the week of 3/10/13.

Enjoy!

Christianity 24/7/365

Acts 2:46“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

It is no wonder that God blessed the early church in a tremendous way. When studying the Book of Acts, you see that Christianity was not a once a week act; rather, Christianity was 24/7/365. These people took serving the LORD seriously. They understood that Christianity was a way of life, and not a penance that must be paid on a weekly basis.

Two words are important in understanding the success of these Christians. The two words are “daily” and “continually.” You see that these Christians didn’t think that Christianity was only for Sunday morning and night. Daily and continually they served others, praised God, led people to Christ, preached and taught the Word of God, and walked with God in the Scriptures and prayer. These things were not just a once a week action, but they were a daily action that they continually performed. This is why the early church saw such great growth. This is why the early church saw the power of God perform such miraculous actions. This is why the early church saw people saved in abundance. To them, Christianity was a way of life. To them, Christianity was something that was to be done 24/7/365.

If you want to see God do miraculous things in your life, then Christianity is going to have to become a way of life. You will never see God doing great things in your life when Sunday is the only day that is the LORD’s day. Christianity is not one and done. We have seen so much Hollywood and television Christianity that is a performance that we forget that true Christianity is to be lived 24/7/365. When a person makes Christianity their way of life they live 24/7/365, that is when God begins to do great things through their life.

One may wonder why we don’t see great Christians like those of the past. My answer to that would be that Christians in the past understood that the Christian life was their life. They were not part-time Christians, but they were full-time Christians. They didn’t have a full-time career and served God part-time, rather, they served God full-time and had a part-time career. Their job was a necessary part of life to pay the bills so they could serve God in a greater manner. They didn’t put God on the back burner and bring Him out every Sunday; rather, every day and in every place God was their life. On the job they talked about Christ. Every morning they spent time reading the Scriptures and talking to God in prayer. Every day they praised God in the public arena. They witnessed to every person with whom they came in contact. Every need a person had they saw as an opportunity to be a help to someone. The Christians of the past realized that Christianity was to be lived 24/7/365.

Let me ask you, are you living Christianity 24/7/365? Is Christianity a way of life to you? Let me challenge you to make the Christian life your way of life. Let me challenge you not to put God in a box and bring Him out on the weekends. If you really want God to use you in a great way, then you are going to have to serve God 24/7/365.

Give Wrath Some Space

Romans 12:19

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Has someone ever done something that angered you so much that you wanted to retaliate? I imagine everyone has faced this at some point in their life. Life is filled with hurts and injustices. It is in these times when our Christianity is tested and our testimony is on the line. All it takes is one act of retaliation to ruin a testimony that you worked so hard to build.

There is a process that many people go through that leads to retaliation. First, a person has been hurt or experiences an injustice. Someone does something to you, and you are hurt by this person. Normally, this is not done by your enemy, for you would expect this from them, but this is done by someone to whom you were close. This hurt or injustice, if not quickly dealt with, leads to anger. Anger is a human response to hurt and injustice. It is at this point when you must be careful, because anger not dealt with properly will lead to wrath.

Wrath is simply anger that wants revenge. It is like a time bomb ready to explode inside you. When wrath is present, then you must be very careful, because wrath can come out and do many hurtful things that you will regret later in life. God says that you must “…give place unto wrath:…” In other words, you must give wrath some space. Giving place for wrath simply means that you must give God the time to work out your situation. Notice, God said that vengeance belongs to Him. God is teaching that you must allow Him the time to take care of your situation. Let me give you some thoughts about dealing with hurts and injustices.

First, don’t react to hurts or injustices. God says, “…avenge not yourselves…” God is simply trying to teach you that you must not react when someone hurts you or when you experience an injustice. These are going to happen, but you must learn that reacting will hurt you more than it will hurt the one whom you want to retaliate against.

Second, trust God and wait on His timing. God knows when you have done nothing wrong, and He will take care of the situation in His timing. God’s timing will not always seem to be quick enough, but He knows the best time to deal with that person. The difference between how God deals with a situation is that God exercises vengeance to restore someone, and we exercise vengeance to hurt someone. God knows when you have done nothing wrong, and in His timing He will take care of the situation. You must give it to God and let Him fight the battle for you.

Third, sometimes the best reaction is to step away. When you have been hurt, you simply need to give yourself space away from that person so that you don’t do something dumb. I’ve learned that when I’m angry, the best thing I can do is step away until my passions subside.

Last, do good to overcome your evil desires. Verse 21 says, “…overcome evil with good.” The best way to stop your desire to hurt someone is to do good to them. When you find out they have a need, then do what you can to help them. This will certainly take God’s help, but this is how you deal with those whom you want to hurt.

Christian, you have worked hard to have a good testimony, and all it takes is one moment of retaliation to ruin it. Be careful that you don’t let your anger turn to wrath. Give yourself some space by letting God act in your place. God knows how to avenge your wrong. Trust Him, and you will find that He will deal with it better than you can, and He will keep your name from being tarnished.