Devotional Archive

There are seven statements that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made from the cross of Calvary. In case you don’t know them, here they are.

1st – “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

2nd – “Today, shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

3rd – “Woman behold thy son, … John behold thy mother.”

4th – “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

5th – “I thirst.”

6th – “It is finished.”

7th – “Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit.”

I want to look at #6, “It is finished.”

Our Lord, dying on the cross for our sins, said, “It is finished.” He did NOT say, “I am finished.” That is significant.

What exactly was finished that day?

Christ’s redemptive work was finished.

Our salvation was finished.

The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, is an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin, the debt that you and I owed.

Although the redemption of mankind is the most important thing that was finished, many other things were finished on Mt Calvary. The suffering that Jesus had endured while on the earth, and especially in His last hours, were finally over. God’s will for Jesus was accomplished in His perfect obedience to the Father (John 5:30; 6:38). Most importantly, the power of sin and Satan was finished. No longer would we, mankind, have to suffer the “flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).

But, He is not finished. Jesus is NOT finished. He is coming back one day to, once and for all, finish the work that He was sent to do. One day soon Jesus is coming back to take us home.

See 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 & 17.

Jesus is coming back to rule and reign for 1,000 years.

Jesus is coming back to redeem the earth. There will be a new heaven and new earth.

Praise God! Jesus is coming back, He is not finished yet!

- ALAN MURPHY

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, evangelist and founder of Dallas Theological Seminary, told a simple story from his life. It seems that one day Dr. Chafer was walking along the street when he encountered a flagman sitting in a little house at a railroad crossing. He noticed that the man was reading a large family Bible.

Although a sign on the door said, "No Admittance," Dr. Chafer went boldly through the door to greet the man. In reply to a question from Dr. Chafer, the man said that he read the Bible a lot. So Chafer asked a second question--one most people are too timid to ask these days--"Are you saved?"

The answer that the flagman gave carries the sentiments of many in the world today: "I never could be good enough to be saved."

Dr. Chafer responded, "Friend, if God would make an exception of your case, and give you salvation outright as a gift, would you receive it?"

"Mister," the flagman replied, "I don't know what brand of fool you think I am that I wouldn't take a gift like that!"

Chafer asked the flagman to read John 10:28. It took the man awhile to find the passage, but then he read, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish..." Then Chafer directed him to Romans 6:23, where he read, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The flagman was amazed. He said to Dr. Chafer, "Stranger, I don't know who you are, but you've done more for me today than any other man." Chafer crisply replied, "What have I done for you? I've got you in a trap. You told me that if it was a gift, you'd accept it. Now, what are you going to do about that?"

"I will accept it right now," the flagman responded. And he did. Dr. Chafer prayed with him and left. That is the simplicity of the gospel. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I know it sounds too simple, too easy to be true, but that is the whole point of salvation. It is easy and it’s FREE. All you have to do is accept the gift. What are you waiting for? Today is the day. Now is the time. Don’t put is off. Eternity balances on your decision. Won’t you accept Christ today and join God’s family?

Pray this simple prayer from your heart. “Dear God in heaven, I know that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that you sent Jesus to save us. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried and that He rose on the third day alive forevermore. I ask Jesus to come into my heart to be my personal Lord and Savior. Accept me as I am and make me clean. In Jesus name, amen.

- ALAN MURPHY

Before meeting Christ on the road to Damascus and his encounter with our risen Lord, Paul (Saul of Tarsus) could best be described as a “hired-gun” for the Pharisees. From Jerusalem, Saul traveled all around the area arresting Jews who had become followers of Christ, taking them to jail or worse. You can read about this in Acts 22:3-5.

But all that changed when he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and his roadside conversion. See Acts 9: 1 – 9.

As Paul and his associates traveled, a bright light from heaven caused Paul to fall to the ground. In Scripture, falling to the ground is a posture for worship. However, Paul likely wasn’t worshiping; he was more than likely just shocked and scared, as I know I would have been. Nonetheless, it became an image for what he would be doing for the rest of his life: bowing his knee to the Lord Jesus Christ in worship. He fell to the ground in literal fear, but he lived the rest of his life in reverential fear—that is, in worship. When he discovered the true object of worship, Jesus Christ, it changed his life.

In “Your Father Loves You,” James Packer wrote:

“To worship God is to recognize his worth or worthiness; to look God-ward, and to acknowledge in all appropriate ways the value of what we see. The Bible calls this activity "glorifying God" or "giving glory to God," and views it as the ultimate end, and from one point of view, the whole duty of man (Ps. 29:2; 96:6; 1 Cor. 10:31).”

Scripture views the glorifying of God as a six-fold activity: 1-praising God for all that he is and all his achievements; 2-thanking him for his gifts and his goodness to us; 3-asking him to meet our own and others' needs; 4-offering him our gifts, our service, and ourselves; 5-learning of him from his word, read and preached, and obeying his voice; 6-telling others of his worth, both by public confession and testimony to what he has done for us.

This then is worship in its broadest sense: petition as well as praise, preaching as well as prayer, hearing as well as speaking, actions as well as words, obeying as well as offering, loving people as well as loving God. However, the primary acts of worship are those which focus on God directly -- and we must not imagine that work for God in the world is a substitute for direct fellowship with him in praise and prayer and devotion.

The more we worship our Triune God, the more our life will change. If it is not your practice already, worship on your knees, if you are able, and see how it changes your heart.

- ALAN MURPHY

There are far too many people who take Bible verses out of context. Perhaps they hear a verse from someone else and don’t actually read it for themselves. Let me give you one perfect example. I refer you to Philippians 2, verse 12. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Taken out of context or without full understanding, too many believe that Paul is saying that you have to work or perform some action in order to receive salvation. Let me respond do this with one word.

NONESENSE! Falderal, balderdash, claptrap, twaddle, hogwash. Okay that’s more than one word.

Pay close attention to what Paul said. He did NOT say “work for your own salvation.” That is where people go so far astray.

Paul said “work out” which is to say, demonstrate. Once you have received salvation, you need to let your salvation be seen by what you do, what you say, how you act. “Demonstrate your own salvation.”

According to the Bible (God’s infallible Word) there is only one requirement to salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31)

There are no multiple step processes you have to undertake before you can be ‘saved.’ Salvation is not about certain steps we must follow to earn salvation. Yes, Christians should be baptized. Yes, Christians should publicly confess Christ as Savior. Yes, Christians should turn from sin. Yes, Christians should commit their lives to obeying God. However, these are not steps to salvation. They are results of salvation. Because of our sin, we cannot in any sense earn salvation. We could follow 1000 steps, and it would not be enough.

That is why Jesus had to die in our place. We are absolutely incapable of paying our sin debt to God or cleansing ourselves from sin. Only God could accomplish our salvation, and so He did. God Himself completed the “steps” and thereby offers salvation to anyone who will receive it from Him.

Salvation and forgiveness of sins is not about following steps. It is about receiving Christ as Savior and recognizing that He has done all of the work for us. God requires one step of us—receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin and fully trusting in Him alone as the way of salvation. Read your Bible, study your Bible. Know what your Bible says.

- ALAN MURPHY

As children of God, we are so blessed. God gives to us so abundantly and yet we often do not fully appreciate His generosity. There are two short phrases that I would like you to consider. The first is “Out of,” and the second is “According to.” Do we truly understand the depth of these words? I really don’t think so.

I won’t be long, and I hope to be a blessing to you.

In Matthew 12:35 we read, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

And in Matthew 13:52 scripture records, “Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

There are hundreds of other references to “out of” in the Bible.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 13:10 “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”

In Ephesians 1:5, the Paul would write, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”

And in Ephesians 1:7, Paul penned, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Take a few moments and ponder these as well.

Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 4:7 and Philippians 4:19.

Meriam Webster dictionary defines “according to” as: 1: in conformity with, 2: as stated or attested by, 3: depending on

That really doesn’t give us the depth of these words. Let me give you a quick illustration that just might put it in a better perspective.

If Elon Musk walked into a room and handed you a signed check, with your name on it, written out for 10 million dollars, you’d be thrilled, as would any of us. That 10 million dollars is “Out of” Elon Musk’s worth. He is worth so much more than $10,000,000, thus “out of” his total worth he is simply giving you a limited portion. (Which I would gladly accept by the way).

Now, if Elon Musk walked into a room and handed you a signed check, with your name on it, and the amount was left blank for you to fill in whatever amount you wanted, that would be “according to” Musk’s total worth. No limit has been placed on that gift.

You see, that is the way it is with God, His mercy, His power, His love for us, His forgiveness, His grace, His riches are limitless and He offers us ALL that we need. We are not limited to just a portion of what He has, we have been given access to ALL of it, we just need to fill in the amount.

Don’t be afraid to ask for the moon. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t be afraid that you are asking too much. He wants to give to His children and His resources are limitless. Accept that ‘blank check’ from God today.

- ALAN MURPHY

I hope you get a text on your phone asking how you’re doing right when you need it most. I hope you see a bible verse, or a quote, or something on Social Media that reaches out, calms your heart, and lifts you up when you are feeling low.

I hope you meet an unexpected, new friend when you’re at your loneliest. I hope something astonishing works out and unfolds in some miraculous manner.

I hope a song comes on the radio, and it puts a smile on your face, and I hope you sing as loud as you possibly can, and when you feel like you’re about to fall apart, I hope a stranger offers you a bit of random kindness.

I hope you have a conversation that makes you grow and helps you understand that we’re all just people doing the best we can. I hope somebody says the one thing your soul needs to hear right now. I hope you walk outside and feel the sunshine radiating down and I hope that joy fills every single square inch of your being.

I hope someone tells you you’re beautiful. And I hope you finally believe it. I hope you get that good cry you’ve been holding back to release all the pent-up junk that’s been making you tense for a very long time. I hope right when you think you can’t take it anymore, someone, somewhere, somehow makes you laugh so hard you can’t control it, and your faith in mankind is restored, even if just a smidgeon.

I hope you pause when necessary. I hope you reflect when needed. I hope you give thanks when appropriate. I hope you remember every hard time God brought you through, and how He put you back together until you know without a shadow of a doubt, He’s going to bring you through this trial too.

I hope you walk away restored, renewed, and refreshed like never before. I hope you find a 10 dollar bill in your pocket, and that the grocery store has strawberries that aren’t moldy and grotesque.

I hope you get to rest you need. I hope your mind shuts down long enough for you to breathe and accept the moment for whatever it may be—good, bad, strange, messy, hard or beautiful. This moment is either going to teach you something, or its going to bring you peace. Don’t doubt that and don’t waste any of it.

I hope you don’t forget who you are. I hope you don’t forget that you are here to love. I hope you stay grounded and that you keep shining bright because God made you just as you are.

I hope you’re able to give the peace sign to any drama. I hope you’re able to walk away when that’s what’s best. It’s never easy, so I hope God gives you courage. I hope you’re able to forgive. I hope you’re able to let go.

I hope you look in the mirror and like the person staring back. I hope you give him or her the grace they deserves.

I hope you have friends who never make you walk on eggshells, and who remain steady when everything else seems unsure. I hope you have people who celebrate you, and throw parties when you succeed, and leave little goodies on your front porch for no reason at all. And I hope you’re able to return everything they’ve given to you ten-times over.

I hope know God doesn’t always give us everything we want, but I hope He gives you what you need, and I hope you’re able to run after Him with your hands raised to the sky in praise and your heart wide open to receive what He has for you.

I hope you know that God loves so much that He send His only begotten Son to die for your sins and mine so we can have eternal life.

- ALAN MURPHY

We are warned in scripture to not ‘fall out’ of our spiritual walk with Christ. Our first warning is in the very first book of the Bible. Genesis 45:24. “So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.” Joseph gave this little nugget to his brothers when he gave them wagons to go to Canaan and bring their family back to Egypt so they would be safe during the next five years of famine, but it is sound advice for all of God’s children. We all need to be careful not to ‘fall out’ of fellowship with the Lord.

I think the first reason that believers ‘fall out’ of their walk is a matter of doubt. It wasn’t long after being delivered from the slavery of Egypt, for the children of Israel to doubt God and feel that they were about to die at the hands of Pharaoh’s army. They saw the chariot’s approaching from the rear and the Red Sea in front of them and instantly started to doubt.

When hopelessness begins knocking at your door, let Heaven’s Hope answer the door. Mark 6:50… “For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”

Doubt and distrust will cause you to ‘fall out’.

Pitfalls can be a great hindrance in the life of a believer. 2 Samuel 11:2 says… “And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.” An available balcony became a huge black-eye for the delightful Psalmist of the Bible, a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) This is why you should have at the top of your prayer list – protection from the devil, protection from your own weaknesses and protection from anyone who would want to lead you off course. Difficulties can cause you to ‘fall out’.

Circumstance can make you to ‘‘fall out’’ of your spiritual walk. Job wasn’t even able to make it home after the funeral of his children or see the doctor about his sores before his wife tells him to give up on God. Job 2:9 says…“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” Submission, not stubbornness, will draw the comfort from the “all things” of Romans 8:28…“ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Circumstances of life can make us to “fall out” of our fellowship with Jesus.

Stay strong and keep your eye on the Lord. Don’t allow things to make you lose your focus.

Let’s keep the “main thing” the “main thing.” Trust in and lean on Jesus.

- ALAN MURPHY

What do you give God in return for what He gives you?

That can be a sobering thought. What DO you give God? I mean, really take a moment to stop and think about it; what do you give God? God gives us everything. He doesn’t stop giving. He has given us this wonderful world to live in and explore and enjoy. He has given us our very lives and our health (such as it is), He has provide employment. He has given each of us gifts and talents (most of which are probably not being used properly) and abilities. The money that we have comes from Him. The things that we have and enjoy are from Him. He has given us family. You could have been born into any family, but God chose your family for you. He has given you church and church friends. He gives us His Word and He gave His only Son.

What do you give Him?

He doesn’t ask for much and yet asks a lot. God asks us to love Him and to return 10% of what we have to Him. It ALL belongs to Him and He is willing to let us keep 90% for our own uses. Do you give 10% back to your local church to support the work that has been started there?

Do you give of your time? Are you in church whenever the doors are open for services? Are you there for Mid-Week Prayer Service? Do you attend Sunday school, Cottage Payer Meetings or Small Group Prayer Meetings?

Do you give of your talents? Do you sing in the choir? Do you volunteer to be an Usher or greeter? Are you a Sunday School Teacher? Are you a Deacon or Trustee? Do you serve on a committee? Do you play an instrument or work the sound system? Do you mow the church lawn or help with the cleaning duties?

What does God ask of us? Look to Deuteronomy for the answer. Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, :13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes…

When you love God that way, you want to serve and to give and to offer and to worship. When you love God, giving is not a burden. So, do you give God your best – giving Him first and then paying your monthlies? Or do you give Him the leftovers – paying your monthlies and then giving what you can afford to God?

God deserves nothing short of our very best, give God first and watch Him bless you in return.

- ALAN MURPHY

Not too long ago our Pastor talked about the seven statements that Jesus made from the cross of Calvary. In case you don’t know them, here they are.

1st – “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

2nd – “Today, shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

3rd – “Woman behold thy son, … John behold thy mother.”

4th – “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

5th – “I thirst.”

6th – “It is finished.”

7th – “Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit.”

I want to look at #6, “It is finished.”

Our Lord, dying on the cross for our sins, said, “It is finished.” He did NOT say, “I am finished.” That is significant.

What exactly was finished that day?

Christ’s redemptive work was finished.

Our salvation was finished.

The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin, the debt that you and I owed.

But, He is not finished. Jesus is NOT finished. He is coming back one day to, once and for all, finish the work that He was sent to do. One day soon Jesus is coming back to take us home. See: 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 & 17.

Jesus is coming back to rule and reign for 1,000 years.

Jesus is coming back to redeem the earth. There will be a new heaven and new earth.

The current heavens and earth have been subject to God’s curse since Adam’s fall. All creation “has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22) as it waits for the fulfillment of God’s plan and “the children of God to be revealed” (verse 19). Heaven and earth will pass away (Mark 13:31), and they will be replaced by the new heavens and the new earth. At that time, the Lord, seated on His throne, says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). In the new creation, sin will be totally eradicated, and “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3).

The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will be similar to our current earth, but without the curse of sin. It will be earth as God originally intended it to be. It will be Eden restored.

In the new heavens and new earth, Scripture says, there are seven things that are noted by their absence—seven things that are “no more”:

• no more sea (Revelation 21:1) [no more separation]

• no more death (Revelation 21:4)

• no more mourning (Revelation 21:4)

• no more weeping (Revelation 21:4)

• no more pain (Revelation 21:4)

• no more curse (Revelation 22:3)

• no more night (Revelation 22:5)

The creation of the new heavens and new earth brings the promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). This event comes after the tribulation, after the Lord’s second coming, after the millennial kingdom, after the final rebellion, after the final judgment of Satan, and after the Great White Throne Judgment.

Praise God! Jesus is coming back, He is not finished yet!

- ALAN MURPHY

What is the watchword of our day and time?

It is materialism; the accumulation of things. The world in which we live is focused on ‘self.’ We want more things, then more things, then bigger things and then the latest and hottest things. Don’t think that’s true? Visit your local retailers (Malls) on any given holiday and see how long the line is to get inside. People will camp out and sleep in tents on the sidewalk for DAYS to be one of the first to that new ‘thing-a-ma-jig.’

I think the pervasiveness of materialism is so great that when we read our bibles, it is hard to not associate words like “blessing” and “bounty” and “treasure” with earthly possessions.

“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.” Psalms 119:17

I don’t think the psalmist was too overly concerned with the riches of this world as much as he wanted God to show him what his own heart was after - “that I may live, and keep thy word.” Look at verse 18 “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Clearly the writer was looking for spiritual comprehension. There is no suggestion of greediness or selfishness. The request was for understanding of the “wondrous” perceptions of the law (Torah).

If we don’t get into God’s Word on a regular basis, if we avoid studying our Bibles, then we will lack “bounty.” Bounty= reward, abundance, plenty, richness.

It is so easy, as we get wrapped up in our jobs, families, careers and obligations, to forget that this is not our home. We are just padding through. Psalms 119:19 “I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.”

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Peter 2:11 - Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Once saved by the grace of God, we become brothers and sisters with Christ and our citizenship gets transferred from this old earth to God’s city. Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” When we who are saved accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we were adopted into God’s family and all the wealth, riches and splendor of this world mean nothing. We are now members of God’s family and our true home is in heaven.

Look at Psalms 119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

The writer was pleading with God not to “hide” (v:19) His commandments because his soul was breaking with the hunger he had for the judgements of God’s Word, in season and out. Our souls should be yearning for God’s infallible Word. The psalmists’ desires should be our desires. We need to be hungry for God’s Word because every word of God is pure.( Proverbs 30:5, Psalms 12:6, Psalms 19:8, Psalms 119:140).

We know that we can trust the Word of God. Don’t neglect the study of God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word.

Meditate = contemplate, ponder, think on, consider, reflect, ruminate, study.

See: Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 63:6, Psalms 77:12, Psalms 119:15, Psalms 119:23, Psalms 119:48, Psalms 119:78, Psalms 119:148, and Psalms 143:5.

Looks like there might be something to the whole idea of meditating on God’s Word, huh? We would do well do model ourselves after these godly servants of the Lord. Let God’s Word be your delight, your desire, your longing and your meditation.

- ALAN MURPHY

God’s Word is a truly unique thing. It is unlike any other book ever written. Not just because it is the inspired word of our creator (which is amazing in itself) but because it holds messages for each of us. Individual messages intended to meet a particular need at a particular time.

Let’s consider the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is the sermon that Jesus gave in Matthew chapters 5-7. Matthew 5:1-2 is the reason it is known as the Sermon on the Mount: " And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,."

The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous sermon Jesus ever gave, perhaps the most famous sermon ever given by anyone. This sermon covers several different topics. I don’t want to comment on every section, but rather to give a brief summary of what it contains. If we were to sum up the Sermon on the Mount in a single sentence, it would be something like this: How to live a life that is dedicated to God, pleasing to God, free from hypocrisy, full of love and grace, full of wisdom and discernment.

Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light

Matthew 5:17-20 - Jesus fulfilled the Law

Matthew 5:21-26 - Anger and Murder

Matthew 5:27-30 - Lust and Adultery

Matthew 5:31-32 - Divorce and Remarriage

Matthew 5:33-37 - Oaths

Matthew 5:38-42 - Eye for an Eye

Matthew 5:43-48 - Love your enemies

Matthew 6:1-4 - Give to the Needy

Matthew 6:5-15 - How to Pray

Matthew 6:16-18 - How to Fast

Matthew 6:19-24 - Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 6:25-34 - Do not worry

Matthew 7:1-6 - Do not judge hypocritically

Matthew 7:7-12 - Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:15-23 - False Prophets

Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise Builder

Matthew 7:28-29 concludes the Sermon on the Mount with the following statement: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

If we put 100 people in a room and had everybody read the Sermon on the Mount, and then asked them, one at a time, what they got out of it, their answers would all vary. It wouldn’t have to be the Sermon on the Mount; it could be any passage of Scripture. The results would be the same.

One person may say, “The part about loving your enemies, stood out to me. I need to work on that.”

Another might say, “The part about not worrying about tomorrow. I have a real problem with worry and need to work on that.”

Yet someone else might say, “The part about anger and murder. I have a tendency to hold onto anger. I need to work on that.”

Somebody else might say, “The part about making amends if you have a problem with another person. I need to ask a few people for forgiveness.”

And it would go on and on and each would be different. Why? Because God’s Word meets us where we are. God’s Word meets us when we need it. God’s Word will convict us of sin in our lives.

Let’s start reading our Bibles and asking ourselves, “What is God trying to tell me here?”

- ALAN MURPHY

There are two powerful forces working in the world today. One force is pulling everything apart, while the other force is trying to put things back together again. Sin is the destroyer, but Jesus Christ is the builder.

It is an undeniable fact that many of the problems we struggle with in the present are the result of what has happened to us in the past, whether as a result of our own deliberate choices or because of circumstances which were relatively beyond our control.

The person we are today is a product of all our yesterdays. We can blame our problems on genetic inheritance or the environment. In fact, it is often easier for us to shift the blame for our problems on to others, but to do so is to ignore our own actions or inactions. More important than the circumstances of the past are the ways in which we have decided to react to them. Such behavior often grows into patterns, which harden into solid convictions, which in turn prepare and direct our present feelings.

We can’t run away from our problems. We can’t avoid taking with us the basic cause of most of our problems, which is an unbelieving and disobedient heart.

So many people need to put their lives together today. Lives and homes are being pulled apart and jobs are in jeopardy. For these people, everything seems to be crashing down around their shoulders. People are falling apart physically, mentally, financially, and worst of all spiritually.

Want to destroy your life? Make these same three mistakes: try to run away from your troubles, try to cover up your disobedience and become bitter against God. Mark my words. If you take these three steps, your life will begin to fall apart.

Why do people, why do we, try to run away from our problems?

I think one reason is that many today, are living by sight and not by faith. We look at the world and we can’ help but see greener pastures. But are those pastures what God has in mind for us? That’s the real question. We have a tendency to look at the physical and not the spiritual.

That was the mistake the Esau made, He scorned his God-given birthright and sold it for a bowl of soup. Esau put his physical desires ahead of God’s plan for his life. Can you imagine what would have happened if Jesus had put the physical ahead of the spiritual? What if He had been more concentrated on His own comfort and pleasure than doing the will of His Father? Where would we be today? I don’t even want to think about that.

It is much better to be poor and hungry in God’s will than to have all the comforts of life outside of God’s will.

I think another reason why people try running away from their problems is because they are living for the world and not for the Lord. The problem today is that people are adapting to the world with its disobedient environment and attitudes. When you start running away from your problems, you are living for the world and not for the Lord. If we are not careful, our excuse will be, “Hey, everyone is doing it, why not me?” When that happens, you begin to do that which is right in your own eyes.

And finally, people run from their problems because they are ignoring the real source of the problem – their own heart. It boils down to this…the real source of every problem is inside - - not outside. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Let me say that one again. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. It is so easy for us to blame circumstances and sometimes even blame God. But when you reach the root of the problem, it is us who are to blame, no one else.

We doubt God and disobey His Word. We put the world and the flesh ahead of the will of God. We somehow think we can successfully run away. But God’s Word makes it very clear that when you run away, you take your sinful heart along for the ride. No matter how fast your run, no matter how far you run - - - - there you are.

Just before the death of actor W.C. Fields, a friend visited Fields' hospital room and was surprised to find him thumbing through a Bible. “Bill, what are you doing with a Bible?” his friend asked. Fields replied, "I'm looking for loopholes."

There are no loopholes in God’s Word. You can’t run away from your problems and you certainly can’t run away from God.

- ALAN MURPHY

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. Basically, what happened is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday. You can read the account in Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; and John 20:1,19. Jesus’ resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated. While it is proper for Jesus’ resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated really should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus’ resurrection on a Sunday.

By the way, the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most documented events in human history. And not just religious writings but secular. Noted historian Josephus wrote quite a bit about the resurrection.

As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. I, for one, agree wholeheartedly. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus’ resurrection.

By all means, celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ’s resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. Meanwhile, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

- ALAN MURPHY

God has given us His Word for very specific reasons. The Bible, the Word of God, is a history of ourselves. It is where we came from. All the characters of the Bible are distant relatives of ours. God’s Word tells us how we are to act and react. God’s Word tells us how we are live our lives. His Word tells us how to grow closer to Him. His Word tells us how to live with other people. God’s Word is a guide book to proper living.

Sure there may be some things that we don’t particularly like about the Bible, and that’s because it hits close to home or gnaws a little too close to the bone. When His Word hits our sin head on, it hurts. We have a sinful nature and when it is brought to our attention, we have a tendency to get our back up.

That doesn’t negate His Word in any way or fashion. His Word convicts us of our sin and leads us in the right direction, whether we like it or not. It is no different than life with your parents. Let’s face it, when we were growing up, they told us to do things that we didn’t like and there were times that we didn’t like them very much, but we didn’t stop loving them. When we rebelled, we were punished or reprimanded for our actions. Well, God is no different. When we disobey, He chastises us and works to get us back on the straight and narrow.

We all know someone or several someones that pick and choose what they want to believe out of the Bible. They will use phrases like:

“Things were different back then.”

“Life is more complicated now.”

“That just doesn’t apply to our lives today.”

“That was fine in Jesus’ day.”

“The world has changed since then.”

Those, and the many others, are just excuses to do things that they know deep down inside they shouldn’t be doing. When the Bible confronts their sinful ways, they reject that part because it makes them uncomfortable.

God gave us the 10 Commandments, not the 10 Suggestions.

Folks, God’s Word is not an á la carte menu that we get to pick from. If we reject one part of His Word, we reject all of His Word. God’s Word is all or nothing, you can’t pick and choose what you want to accept.

- ALAN MURPHY

Backsliding is not an instantaneous event. It is very subtle and starts out very slow. It is a gradual, methodical progression. And it all starts when we stop paying attention to God’s Word. It comes from a desire to do things our own way and in our own time. You can read the pattern in Psalm 81.

God’s Word is gradually transformed from commands to suggestions. We just slowly stop obeying God. We stop submitting to God. And we no longer comply with God’s simple declarations in His Book. God’s will for our lives suddenly is open to change and becomes conditional on our own will.

It often starts by skipping an occasional Wednesday evening service because that’s the night of the play-offs, or it’s League Night at the bowling alley, or any number of other weak excuses. Then it progresses to missing one or two Sunday evening services a month. Next thing you know it is one or two or more Sunday Morning Services. And it grows from there to stop reading God’s Word and only attending church services a couple times a month.

Backsliders were once devoted followers of God, but have stopped. Sadly they start to do those things that they know are wrong. They hang with the wrong people, go to the wrong places, listen to the wrong music, watch the wrong TV programs and simply do the wrong things. After that, they put away the things of God; they stop going to church, they stop reading their Bible and they stop praying.

God does not force us to trust Him. He doesn’t force us to obey Him, He doesn’t force us to serve or love Him. God has granted us free will. And when free will gets in the way of God’s will, we stop serving God and start serving ourselves. When we stop seeking the counsel of God, we will follow the counsel of our own hearts and start doing what we think we want and should do.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Don’t give into the devil, resist him and he will flee from you. Stay strong, God has a plan for you.

- ALAN MURPHY

...

Have you ever given thought to your name? I don’t mean your ethnical origin or heritage, but your name. Who you are. Your name is perhaps the single most valued possession you will ever own. You might think that would be your home or your car. Maybe you think it is your intellect or your bank account. Fact is, the most important thing you own is your name.

When your name is mentioned, what is the first thing that comes to someone’s mind? Do they automatically think “godly,” “dedicated,” “caring,” ”religious,” or “loving” or maybe “cheater,” “liar,” “lazy,” “procrastinator,” or “unreliable.” Maybe their first thought is “hard-worker,” “trustworthy,” or “family man.” You can rest assured that your name evokes some thought or idea in the mind of the one who hears it.

How does that happen? Why does that happen? Simply because each and every thing that you say or you do creates an image of who you are in that person’s mind. That image tells that person who they think you are and what they think of you. This image is very hard to change and almost impossible to erase from their mind. The significance that other people place on your name will indicate how they will treat you.

It will come as no surprise to learn that the most frequent reference to the word ‘name’ has to do with God’s name. God’s name is used throughout the bible. God’s name stands for mercy, justice, faithfulness, love, compassion, honesty, grace, intelligence, life, power, supply, etc. “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name is all the earth!” Psalms 8:9. You can also take a look at these verses. Psalm 8:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 102:15, 1 Chronicles 17:24, Psalms 54:6, Psalms 138:2, Isaiah 25:1, Isaiah 63:16, and Isaiah 9:6. You get the idea.

The Bible has a bit to say about our name and I’d like to take a look at just a few and give you a few additional references that you can look up on your own. The first verse that pops into my mind is from Solomon and can be found in Proverbs, chapter 22 and verse 1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” This comes from the wisest man ever known other than Jesus Christ. Your name is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox.

When you do good, when you do the right thing, your name will bring up thoughts with a positive vibe. When you do bad or wrong things, your name will not bring very pleasant thoughts or memories. In fact your name might even be forgotten all together. If your name brings out undesirable thoughts in someone’s mind, you have no one to blame but yourself. This is also found in Proverbs 10:7. Solomon wrote “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Also read - Proverbs 21:24, Ecclesiastes 6:4, Ecclesiastes 7:1, Song of Solomon 1:3, Acts 24:16, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 1 Timothy 3:7, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 22:12-13 .

Your name means something to others, what will that be? The choice is yours. Will it be good or will it be not so good?

Your name also means something to God. What does God think of when He thinks of your name? (Sobering thought)

- ALAN MURPHY

Let’s face it, none of us likes to be told what to do, right? We didn’t like it as a child and we don’t like it as an adult. I mean really, who do these people think they are that go around telling us what to do all the time?

“I didn’t like it when mom and dad told me what to do. I don’t like it when my spouse tells me what to do and I sure don’t like it when a stranger tells me what to do and how to live my life.”

Sound familiar? Sorry, maybe I was typing what you have been thinking. Maybe I struck a nerve or a tender spot. Didn’t mean to. Well, actually I did. That’s the point of this message. We have to stop thinking that we have all the answers and don’t need anyone telling us how to live or what to do or how to act.

One of the common remarks heard in the majority of churches today is, “I’m not letting some preacher tell me how to live my life.” It is probably true for the older members of the congregation, but the younger have the same attitude. "It's my life and I will live it as see fit."

They won’t let “some preacher” tell them what to do or how to live their life, but they sure do listen and pay attention to the TV ads. Do you think all those infomercials would be paying all that money (millions of dollars) to run 30 minutes ads or one hour infomercials if it wasn’t profitable for them? Of course not, they are in it to make money and they do, hand over fist. These shows are making someone very rich by telling us how to live our lives

We won’t let “some preacher” tell us how to live, but we listen and pay attention to the Hollywood crowd. People try to model their lives after some movie star or soap-opera character that they watch on TV. Really? Have you paid attention to the Hollywood divorce rate? Those people get married at the drop of a hat and divorce just as quickly. They live together, have children and then go their separate ways. What can they possibly know about how to properly live our lives?

People won’t listen to “some preacher” but they will allow a backslidden relative or a carnal-minded Christian to serve as a life instructor. What’s up with that? Does that even remotely make sense?

Still others refuse to take wise counsel and listen to their own selfish heart instead. Who is it that we are letting repress the voice of a Spirit-filled, God-anointed man of God that loves them and cares about their spiritual well-being?

Do you know why you don’t want to listen? Probably because there is some sin in your life that you enjoy and don’t want to give up. Satan is telling you that you don’t have to listen and that it’s perfectly alright, everyone is doing it. After all you’re not hurting anyone.

Well, listen to what the writer of Hebrews says… (Hebrews 17)

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Who are these that have rule over us? The Pastor, that’s who. With a few (some notable) exceptions, these men have been called by God to preach the Word and lead a flock and to watch over the souls of others. These men are called and will give an answer, to God, for how they performed their duties.

Granted there are some preachers out there who are in it for personal gain, but I believe the majority are called by God to lead a church. I use myself as an example. At one time, I thought I wanted to pastor a church, but I have never felt the call of God to take that step. As a result I remain a faithful member of my local church. I have served several functions in our church including but not limited to teaching a Sunday school class, being a Trustee, singing in the choir, running the Audio Visual and serving as the Church Clerk. I support my pastor because he IS called to pastor.

If you say, “I don’t have a ‘God-called, Spirit-filled’ preacher, then go out and find one. Find a church where the man of God will stand up, preach and proclaim “Thus saith the Lord,” no matter what others may think or say.

The sinful you might want someone that can be pressured and manipulated, but your redeemed soul wants a “man of God.” If you don’t have one, FIND ONE.

- ALAN MURPHY