The Road Ahead 

   We are living in the most uncertain times of our lives.  Many are apprehensive, worried and even scared about what lies up the road in the next few months and years.  I want to assure you of something this month as we start off a new year...

JESUS IS STILL LORD!!   WE ARE STILL IN COVENANT!!  GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!! THE WORD OF GOD IS STILL TRUE!!  CAN I GET A WITNESS?!

    Now that I have that off my chest I want to share with you what I think will be very important on the road ahead.  Let's be Christians...let's do what Jesus told us to do...let's be the salt of the earth and the light of the world!  While most people worry...let's trust.  While most cower in fear...let's rise in faith.  While most give up...let's hold on.

    As a matter of fact here is my scripture for you this month, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(Eph 6:13)

These are uncertain times to be sure but as Christians, we will be fine as long as we do what Jesus has commanded.  To survive these unsettling days we will need the blessings of of God as never before.  The message this month is one I have posted before but I felt to share it with you once again because it shows us how to be blessed.  We really need to know that right now! 

    I have always said that two of the most favorite words to many Christians (including my self at times) are BLESS and ME!  The focus of scores of sermons has been on personal blessings.  Tape series' on how to achieve personal success literally fly off the table in the bookstores.  Books and recordings with titles such as, "Seven steps to wealth" or "Three Bible keys to financial independence" are just about guaranteed to be gobbled up as quickly as they are made available. 

    Now let me say that I absolutely believe in biblical prosperity and I believe we are promised great things as believers but I always like to look at the complete picture.  How does God view the principle of blessings?  Well let's take a look at how he started it all off. 

    In the book of Genesis we see the story of a man God truly blessed.  His name was Abraham.  The Lord directed Abram as he was called at that time to leave his home country, travel to a strange place, and completely rely on God to order his future.  We are familiar with the story of how God changed Abram's name to Abraham (meaning father of a great multitude), gave him a miracle son and made him one of the richest men in the earth. It all started for Abraham in Genesis 12.  I want you to notice this account of what God promised him. " Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing...Gen 12:1-2" Notice...you will BE a blessing.  I believe God is just as much interested in His people BEING A BLESSING as he is in them BEING BLESSED. 

    Last year I was able to help more people than I ever have.  It made me feel so good to do it. I was reminded of the scripture: ".... remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35".   I have decided to focus my life on being a blessing to others.  In making this decision I have realized that the only way I can BE A BLESSING is that I must BE BLESSED!  I realized that as I focus on BEING a blessing the Lord would focus on BLESSING me!! The Lord began to deal with my heart to pray that way.  I have begun to pray each day, "Lord, make me a blessing". 

    There are so many ways we can bless others, and it is not just financially.  When you begin to meditate on it - it is really easy to be a blessing!  I thank God that I have been blessed to travel around the world and preach the gospel for many years.  I feel that I have been a blessing to others by bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to them.  What about you?  You may not be able to travel around the world.  Have you ever considered the number of lonely people in nursing homes in your area?  Maybe you don't realize what a blessing you could be by just sitting and reading the bible or talking to a lonely someone who feels like no one cares.  What about someone in the hospital who has no visitors?  How about volunteering at a homeless shelter, a jail service, working with a church group, or carrying a cake to a friend who may be in a time of struggle?  These things may not sound very glamorous but they could be a lifesaver for someone who is hurting.

     It is really our way of giving Jesus to the world.  We can and must show the world Jesus.  As a matter of fact the only Jesus some will ever see is what they see in us.  I have found that the world as a whole does not really know much about Jesus.  They need a picture.  I have news for you.... YOU ARE THAT PICTURE!!  Next month in part 2 of this message I will show you how you are a photograph of Jesus.  Until then....each day...pray this prayer....LORD MAKE ME A BLESSING!!