How are you spending your time?

Imagine with me for a moment that there is a bank which credits your account each morning with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use that day.

What would you do?

Here's the catch - you do have such a bank. It's called T-I-M-E. and the good news is that it won't fail like other banks have recently in our economic downturn. Every day, TIME credits your account with 86,400 seconds and every night TIME writes off, as lost, the unused balance you failed to invest.

Each evening your account is zeroed out and each day credited again with the same 86,400 seconds.

You can neither go back or draw against "tomorrow."

In the bank of TIME, you have to live in the present on today's credit. It is up to you to invest your 86,400 wisely so as to get from it the utmost.

The Bible says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

While there are variances in our economic statuses, there is no variance whatsoever in the bank of TIME. Each of us has the same 86,400 to spend as we so choose. It is imperative that we spend our time wisely.

The Bible teaches us, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)

Are you making the best use of your time? Paul speaks similar words in Colossians 4:5, challenging the church to make the best use of their time.

Only what you do for Christ will last. Now consider that statement in light of how you spend your time. What you doing with your time that will last?

What Would Jesus Do?

All too often, this question is only tossed around as a fad, with little or no intention of responding obediently to the what Jesus would do.

For those interested in doing more than just asking the question to be cool and in style, then please keep reading...

This blog presents a six-step-test of God's Word and how to apply it to daily living. All too often, people only serve God on a once-a-week basis, but true worshipers realize that living a holy and DAILY lifestyle is what pleases God.

1) The Proclamation Question:

Does God's Word proclaim it? If the answer is yes, then there is no real reason to "pray" about it. If God said it, that settles it - whether you believe it or not.

James teaches us to be not only hearers, but doers of the Word also.

You cannot approach the Bible like you do a buffet. You see, at a buffet, you can take what you want and leave what you want; but it's not that way with God. There is no such thing as a "build-a-Bible."

2) The Principle Question:

Does God's Word prohibit the action in principle? For example, take gambling: God's Word does not speak directly against gambling, but God's principles about work, greed, and love are violated in gambling.

Another issue would be smoking. It is not spoken against directly in Scripture; however, because of the ill-effects that smoking has on the body, the principle of the temple of the Holy Ghost comes into effect.

3) The Partnership Question:

This question asks, "Can I take Jesus with me and still do this activity, or wear this clothing, or listen to this music, etc?"

The Bible says that whatever we do in word or deed to do all in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

Read 2 Corinthians 6:14 through 7:1 and you'll get a clear picture of how God views His temple and those who have the Holy Ghost ARE that temple!

4) The Presence Question:

This question points to the coming of the Lord and asks, "Will I be ashamed of Him at His coming if this action is exposed?"

The fact of the matter is that we all will give an account of our actions, and if there is hidden things going on, they will be exposed.

If you wouldn't want to be caught doing something in public, then why would you try and do it in private? After all, God sees all and knows all.

5) The Purity Question:

The Bible instructs that whatever we do, we are to do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), so could you say, "Lord bless this movie, even though it takes your name in vain and has illicit sex scenes or innuendos?"

The answer to that last question is very obvious, so ask yourself the purity question before you watch something, read something, visit a place, wear a piece of clothing, etc.

6) The Peace Question:

This question asks, "After I've prayed about it, is there any shred of doubt left?"

If there is any doubt in your mind, even the slightest amount, then why do it, wear it, eat it, drink it, etc.

In other words, "If it's doubtful, then don't." Don't see how close to the edge you can walk without falling off - walk as close to the center as you can with God.

Apex:

So, the next time you have a question about something, go through this Scriptural test and see what the Lord has to say about it. Seriously ask "What would Jesus do" and then obediently respond to His answer.

Our Apostolic Identity

The West Virginia youth camp used the word "Identity" as their theme telling young people that they could "find their identity at youth camp." While there, God led me to preach about our Apostolic identity, and I wanted to share the highlights of those messages with you in this blog.

1) Identified by the Word:

The Word of God is settled forever in the heavens and every Word of God is truth!

This truth - the Word of God - is what we are built upon! It has never failed, nor will it ever fail!

The fog of confusion that covers the landscape can be navigated through by the Word of God, for His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path!

The Word of God is a mirror to look into and determine what needs to be changed in our lives.

The Word of God must never become lost as it did in the days of Josiah, but to look at some so called Christians today, you would think that the Word has been lost.

Sin is not called sin anymore, but instead is given allowances, and sometimes even celebrated - yes, even in churches. God help us to honor the Word of God and never lose it!

If the Bible says it's wrong, we must believe it is wrong! There is no such thing as a "build-a-Bible" where we can pick and choose what we want to believe.

We are identified by the Word of God - the whole Word of God. True worshipers believe the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help us God!

We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone! We know that Jesus Christ is also the Word of God (John 1:1, 14), therefore, we are built upon the Word of God!

We are identified by the Word!

2) Identified by our Walk:

Daily cross-carrying in some churches is becoming a lost art, but Jesus said that if we are to come after Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

Some only want to carry a hidden cross. This cross fits into their pockets or purses and can be pulled out if necessary, but otherwise, they keep it hidden.

This hidden cross is no more or less than a good luck charm to these lukewarm Christians. Their hope in it is built on sand and when put to the test, unfortunately, their house will fall.

The most troubling truth about the hidden cross is that you will never exchange it for a crown.

Some only want to carry a convenient cross. It's a little bigger than the hidden one, but it's nice and shiny. More people notice it than the hidden cross, but only when it's convenient.

But since when did cross-carrying and living for God become convenient?

Where have the messages of sacrifice and commitment to God gone?

The convenient, fast-food, drive-through, microwave mentality cannot be the lens that we view our walk with God through!

You will not exchange a convenient cross for a crown!

Then there's the daily cross. Everyone knows you carry this cross. It's not that you carry it pridefully, but rather that you carry it willingly and unashamedly.

Those that say we only need to preach Jesus need to re-read their Bibles. The Bible declares that we are to preach Jesus Christ AND Him Crucified! Carrying the daily cross reminds us that we must die daily to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!

The daily cross will be exchanged for a crown!

3) Identified by our Worship:

David wanted the Ark of the Covenant back in Jerusalem. The first attempt he made to bring it back ended in failure when Uzzah touched the Ark as it hit a bump crossing the threshing floor.

If there can be true worship, then there can also be false worship. Jude spoke about the "way of Cain" which is bringing to God a sacrifice that He does not accept - this is false worship.

David learned that God didn't want the Ark pulled on a cart of man's making. The Ark was supposed to be carried on the shoulders of the priests. It's either God's way or no way at all!

The second attempt to bring the Ark back resulted in God's blessing as David would pause every six paces (six being the number of man) and while the priests would sacrifice oxen, David would dance before the Lord with all his might.

Jesus said, they that worship Him MUST worship Him in spirit and in truth! There is no other way. Apostolic's are identified by their true worship!