The Open Word (Audio)

If you died right now, would you be embarrassed about what you were doing? Maybe you're considering or wrestling with a secret sin. Pastor David wants to encourage us to stay on the straight and narrow. He wants us to arrive in Heaven and be glad that we were in the middle of serving or seeking the Lord. We should take account of our habits, and ask ourselves if there's anything that needs to go. We can weigh our actions by asking ourselves if we'd still be doing it if Jesus were in the room with us.

Have you ever had to defend yourself, only to seem like you were crazy? Pastor David wants to encourage us to allow the Lord to be our defender. He can do it way better than we ever could. With Him as our defense, it's going to come in His perfect timing too! As tough as it is, we need to remember that vengeance is the Lord's. He is a just God, and He knows exactly what every situation requires. We'd be wise to step aside and let Him work. We're not helping things when we're standing right in the way!

Have you ever been so completely sure of God's will for your life, only to find out that you were wrong? There may be times when you see how a certain situation lines up perfectly with all your wants and needs. That makes the situation all the more enticing to us. Pastor David wants to encourage us through each and every door. Whether it's a closed door or an open door, the Lord is with us. He knows what's best for us, even if we don't agree! If we had hindsight in every situation, they'd be easier to handle!

If we compare ourselves to those around us, we probably look pretty amazing. Pastor David reminds us that the only One we should be comparing ourselves to is the Lord. He's the only standard of measure that matters. Of course we're going to look like a saint compared to the person that's in continual sin. We shouldn't be seeking out someone who is worse off than us, just to make ourselves feel better. We should be immersed in God's Word, and daily dying to ourselves, seeking to be more like Him.

Have you ever taken the time to consider how your walk is going? There can be times in our lives when we are having a mountain top experience. Then, there can be other times when we're lukewarm. The question is, how did we get there? Pastor David is urging us to stay near to the Lord. If we're daily in His Word, and seeking Him diligently, we'll remain on fire. The alternative is allowing this world to sear our consciences, letting little bits of Satan into our lives more and more each day.

You may be out there listening today and are really going through a hard time. You may even be thinking that you may not make it through this one. Pastor David wants to encourage us to seek the Lord diligently. If we are armed and filled with the Holy Spirit, then we remain flexible. That way when Satan has us in his vice and is pressing in hard with trials, we'll just bend and not break! Let's not wait until the storm is here to be prepared. We should be getting ready long before the first cloud arrives.

There are days when serving the Lord seems like an impossible task. Especially if you're not seeing the fruits of your labor. Pastor David wants to encourage us to keep pressing on. The Lord sees our efforts, and they will be rewarded. We may never see someone come to the Lord in our lifetime. But there will come a time in Heaven when there's a line of people ready to tell us that they're there because of something that we did. Take heart dear soul, and allow the Lord to refresh you in this journey.

There is a church movement happening that is solely based on grace. The scriptures that speak of Hell and the repercussion for sin are conveniently left out. The congregation has their ears tickled on a weekly basis as they fall into a false sense of security. Pastor David wants us to know the whole truth. Yes, we receive grace from the Lord, but that doesn't make us free to live out every whim of pleasure we seek. We need to take up our cross and follow Him. That means we actively flee from sin!

When we get to heaven, don't we all want to hear, well done good and faithful servant? There are scriptures that warn us about God saying He never knew us. Pastor David wants us to know that we know that we know! Being a Sunday Christian is really riding the line. It's like doing the absolute minimum required to pass go! The Lord wants an intimate, loving relationship with us, that isn't forced. He wants our all. Serving Him isn't without benefit. We know He showers blessings on those who serve!

The world is all about keeping up with the Joneses. Entitlement is rampant in this generation. We live among people that won't hear truth because it offends them. Pastor David shows us how this parallels to the churches that received warnings in Revelation. An idol is an idol, whether it's a bronze statue or a giant television. Ungodliness is ungodliness, whether it's wanting pagan traditions of old or wanting intimacy outside of marriage. We need to run from sin, no matter what generation it is!