Immigration

The "hot topic" these days is immigration; more specifically "illegal immigration." I live in South Georgia where the Hispanic population is growing. I am sure that there are some here legally as well as illegally. I am a part of a denomination that is heavily involved in missions and we even support a Hispanic church. I have seen evidence of hard work among this people.

This can be an even hotter issue if our lawmakers do not respond. Action is needed. However, the last thing we need is more laws. What we do need is to enforce those that we have. There are many who are looking for a better life and they know that they can get it here in America.

President Theodore Roosevelt said in 1907:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man be cause of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

I must admit that President Roosevelt says it well. I am all for someone making a better life for themselves. I am all for America opening its arms to those who want to become Americans.

I have no problem with Spanish, French or even Portuguese being taught in our schools. Go to another country and they teach English. I have a daughter who spent two years in Russian and speaks the language very well.

English is the language of America and we do not need to forget that. Regardless of where someone comes from they need to learn our language, be subject to our laws and pay taxes along with the rest of us.

I believe there is room in America for people from other lands who want to be AMERICANS.

We must pray for our President and Congress that they will make the right decision and not the political decision.

It's Not About Me!

Atlanta Braves first baseman, Adam LaRoche, was embarrassed recently when on a routine play he was beaten to the bag because he lost focus and was lackadaisical in his effort. Boos and jeers began to ring out from fans in the stands. He was reprimanded and benched by his coach. At his next at bat he turned to the home plate umpire and said, “It feels like I’m standing our here all alone…naked in front of everybody.” By his own admission it “was a mental mistake and just being lazy, and there’s no place for that in this game.”

I think that we all lose focus from time to time. Focus goes a long way in determining our devotion and our desire. Losing focus can be dangerous. Think about the consequences of losing focus while driving or piloting a plane. How dangerous would it be for a doctor to lose focus in the middle of heart or brain surgery.

Paul admonishes us to set our minds on “things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Some months ago Richard Owen Roberts was a guest in our church. He challenged us not to pray “cheap prayers”, that is, prayers that cost us nothing. We need to pray with the throne in sight. Praying with the throne in sight changes everything, especially our prayers.

God created us for His pleasure and not for ours. IT REALLY IS NOT ABOUT US! But you know we still make it about us. I was listening to myself pray recently when I was convicted of how selfish my prayer was and that even in my praying it was about me and about what God could and I needed Him to do for me. That wasn't prayer that was a "gimme session." When I pray that way I simply do not focus on God, but I put the focus on me.

The Bible says that I am created for His pleasure and my attitude should be, “Lord, what’s Your pleasure?” He is pleased when we seek His pleasure. That means we are not in it for what we can get out of it or what it does for us, but what does God get out of it. Since we are “His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works” and since we are products of His grace who were at one time lost, hopeless and undone sinners that by His marvelous grace were rescued, redeemed, and reconciled it would be appropriate (and it is way past time) for us to repent, and ask Him to forgive us for our arrogant, selfish and self satisfying attitudes.

I am constantly amazed at how the Christian community approaches church these days. Although the Bible is not specific on how often we meet and at what time we meet it does define that we are to meet and when we meet we have a responsibility to be present.

Excuses abound from being tired, to needing to spend more time with family, to not getting anything out of it or even I just choose not to come. When a Christian deliberately chooses not to assemble when the body has chosen to assemble they are in violation of the Word of God.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Heb 10:23-25 NASB). What is that verse saying?

• It is saying that we are to show steadfast faithfulness.
• It is saying that we are to be encouragers to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
• It is saying that when the body gathers we have a responsibility to be present (esp. in the days we are living in.)

When we worship He is an audience of ONE who deserves and is worthy of our highest praise. Our focus is to be on Him and Him alone.

We can learn alot from Mr. LaRoche. He admitted his mistake. He felt remorse for his actions or lack of them. He said that he deserved what he got. I don't know much of anything about Mr. LaRoche's spiritual condition, but I do know that in his words with the press he seemed to be showing one of the things that God is always looking for...HUMILITY.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8 NASB)

Here's To You Mom

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem at his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the back yard.

Proceeding into the kitchen, he found an even bigger mess. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

He quickly headed down the hall, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world I did today?"

"Yes" was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

American Idols

Much of America is caught up once again in the TV show American Idol. Several months ago 80,000 hopefuls began the journey. By their own admission they want to be the next “American Idol.”

Beloved, there is something or someone in and around you that is vying for the place of “idol” in your life. It can be a person or an interest. It might be a hobby or a sport. It can happen quickly. It can occur subtly. Most of the time it happens gradually. And often it slips in unnoticed. Regardless, an idol is still and idol and idolatry is sin. An idol is anything (and I mean anything) that rivals with Holy God for our affection. God will have no rivals. He is a jealous God.

God says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…” (Ex. 20:4-5).

Idols will fail you. According to the Bible “they have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them” (Psa. 115:5-8).

Determining who your idol is may have a lot to do with who the judges are. There are three possibilities: ourselves, others or God. Remember, if your judge is anyone other than God, you're performing life for the wrong person.

The Bible says, "Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel" (Joshua 24:23). “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…” (1 Pet 3:15) Jesus never fails. He is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Katie's Big Day

Congratulations Katie ...

Our youngest daughter, Katie, graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University on May 6, 2006 with a Batchelor of Science in Education. She will begin her teaching career in the fall. College has been quite a journey for Katie. She began her experience at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA as did her older sisters. When she began we all thought that would be where we would be attending commencement excercises. That was not the case. The Lord had other plans that we could not see then, but are clearer now.

After one year at Liberty, she came back to Georgia to enroll in Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland. Ironically this is where her mom and I met. Katie would graduate from TMC. She would also live in Gainesville with her aunt and eventually meet Matthew Strickland. They were married on New Year's Eve of 2005.

May 6 brought to a completion an interesting but successful journey. Now it's time to go to work. Welcome to the real world honey.

National Day of Prayer, May 4, 2006
America, Honor God

The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans. President Ronald Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the NDP.

2006 National Day of Prayer
Perhaps never before has there been a greater need for prayer in our nation than right now! And our prayer must be of greater fervency than ever before. While we have been “praying” in recent years, the spiritual condition of our nation, our churches, and our families has been in decline. Great uncertainties seem to be crying out for real answers. Therefore, let us pray ardently until God responds and sends a mighty revival to us and our land.

On May 4th, 2006 we will be called to a National Day of Prayer (NDP) that offers us a crucial opportunity for such prayer. Much preparation must precede this corporate calling to prayer. The entire people of God must participate together in sincerity and passion. And we must not be content with anything less than a great revival! This is what God desires, and it is up to us to respond to His heart for our day.

Begin now to pray throughout the year, and encourage others to do the same. With your help we can experience together the great and mighty wonders of God again in our nation.

His servant and your friend,
Dr. Henry T. Blackaby

Crossbearing

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. (Luke 9:23-24 NASB)

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. (Luke 14:26-27, 33 NASB)

Cross bearing is a choice and it is a daily choice. In the early days of the church many gave their lives for the sake of the gospel. Picture a man with a cross beam across his back, both hands and arms lashed to the beam. He is on a one-way trip to the gallows. He is not coming back. He cannot scratch his nose. He cannot reach his wallet. He cannot grasp anything in his hands. He can do nothing for himself. He is being led to death.

Jesus says that if we are going to follow Him we must first of all deny ourselves. That means we must come to the end of ourselves. Our entire life revolves around His life. Beloved, if we are not careful we can come to the place that we think that everything should revolve around us. My life, my church, my way and my satisfaction rather than His life, His church, His way and His satisfaction. Then we take up our cross DAILY and follow Him. And by the way we don't choose where He leads, we follow even to death.

Beloved, crossbearing may just lead to that in the coming days. Real discipleship calls for sacrifice for HIs name's sake. Crossbearing is a daily choice.

Is there something (or someone) that is keeping you from undying commitment to Jesus Christ? Jesus says if that is the case you can't be My disciple, because if something or someone means more to you than I do you can't be my disciple.

Here is the question. Do I love my life more than I love Jesus?