Hidden sin ahead

Unlike the sign "Hidden Drive Ahead", sin doesn't make itself so well known. There are TWO ways to deal with sin as a christian: participate in it and later get on the 'recovery' program, or avoid it and get in the 'orchard' program (bearing fruit). The fruit of the Spirit is a good way to measure your walk with Christ. Look at Galatians 5:22,23 and see how your walk is doing. For comparison jump back a few verses (19-21) where the works of the flesh are manifest.

Remember, to walk in the Spirit is a sure way to stay out of the way of the mysterious Pringles content.

God bless.

What will you remember?

Do you remember your first homework assignment? Probably not. But do you remember your first day in drivers ed? or when you got to drive alone? or your first date? how about the first time you used the rearview mirror?

Homework assignment? Rearview mirror? Who remembers those things, not me! BUT, though they weren't as instantly gratifying or rewarding as the 'first drive' they were extremely important to getting you to where you are today.

The point of the video is to be careful of the decisions you make from the choices you will you have in life. If you don't use the rearview mirror some very bad things can happen ahead.

Spiritual readiness

Baseball practice, soccer practice, football practice, band practice, new employee orientation, 4 years of training before each Olympic event, drivers ed, reciting the ABC's over and over and over! YIKES!! When do we get to do the real thing??

Well, practice is training, and both help against defeat. Both require 'repetitive action to become more skillful'. So, I challenge myself and you to practice and train for the christian life.

Young Christians are often confused about certain situations they may be faced with during the course of their day and NOT know what to do. Even mature Christians are sometimes indecisive. This comes from a couple reasons: untrained to make the right decision, or knowing the right choice but choosing not to do right.

I want to give a few suggestions for training, as the 'choosing' is a matter between you and God. (though I do encourage you to do right)

How to train/practice the Christian walk.

1. Knowing what you believe is the start, and probably the most basic principle to grasp. I Peter 3:15 tells us to 'be ready always to give an answer of reason why we believe what we believe'. THIS comes from reading AND studying.

2. Surround yourself with other Christians who can encourage you and share with you what they have done in similar situations, and the blessings they received.

3. Situational rehearsing. Role play. Yes, this is the practice and training. I will give an example of soul-winning. Sharing our testimony to a group of non-believers can be intimidating if you don't know what you are gonna say. Practice among a small group or one on one. Possible introductions, question and answer, asking the person if they want to make a decision, and a sinners prayer. These should all be things we as Christians know how to address. Let's be fruitful.

How about peer pressure? SEX! I most certainly hate Satan's attack on our young people today! 'Everyone is doing it', 'what's so special about what you got', 'don't you love me', 'you're not hurting anyone'. Whether it's your friends, or Satan telling you these things YOU are the one to make the final decision. Young person, listen to me, you only have one 'first time' with everything. Don't be in such a hurry to give something away that is so precious. Virginity. Practice saying 'NO' in the mirror. Once you realize that this is a sin it may be a little easier for you to commit to 'NO'. Our society has disregarded the truths of God, and are now suffering the consequences. Just because abortion is legal in government does not take it off the 'sin list' with God. Just because 'gay marriage' is legal in government does not take it off the 'sin list' with God. Just because 'everyone is doing it' does not take it off the 'sin list' with God.

I hate sin, more so now than ever. I have struggles in my life today that are there because of seeds planted over 30 years ago. Satan is a master farmer. He knows how to work the soil, cultivate, feed, and grow a crop. BUT! his crop is not good for digesting, it is poison.

I will stop now before this turns into a sermon. I have just recently had some news of a very dear person I know who has chosen to sign his virginity over to Satan. I wish I had a crowd of teenagers to preach to right now. I have love to preach, and deliverance that God offers. Satan is NOT your friend.

Satan is NOT your friend. You are created in the image of God, how could Satan possibly like you? He is a deceiver, remember that.

Practice goodness, practice soul-winning, practice saying NO. NO. NO to Satan. And YES, YES, YES to what is right. Plant good seed.

I love you all who read this, in Christ.

Greater is HE in me!

WE go through struggles that keep us apart from God. This is nonstop. A full time job for Satan. And he loves it! Some from seeds planted many years ago, or recently. Some struggles we bring on ourselves because we don't feed our spiritual body. BUT, all struggles can be overcome through aligning ourselves up with God's Word. Be careful what you look at today. What you listen to. Where you go. What you say. And remember, someone is feeding! Is it the carnal side of you, or the spiritual?

God bless.

I have not forgotten

A very influential person early in my life died last year. She gave me my first Bible when I was 8 years old (1971). What a Christmas gift.

She was my neighbor, invited me to church and became my Sunday School teacher, she was also my sitter when my parents were working. Then when I was 12 years old she led me to the Lord in salvation.

Ann was influential in a lot of childrens lives. She had a calling that way. I also know she prayed for me often. I don't know how many years she kept this up but one verse comes to mind as I ponder my life.

Psalms 119:61 says, "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."

My full joy in Christ has been robbed as I allowed sin to rule a good portion of my life. And I am sure it was the early teaching, and prayers of an obedient servant that kept me from falling off the page of God's will. The many scriptures I have memorized were often tugged at by the Holy Spirit, and I always knew that I should be serving God.

I tell you this for two reasons: To honor Ann, as a great lady of God. Teaching, praying, and being an example for all the children she led during her life here on earth.

And to encourage YOU. Christian sitter, Bible teacher, Sunday School teacher, prayer warrior, christian neighbor. YOU are building a foundation for some kid today that may have a way out of sin later in life when they say, "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law." It is God's pressing word that brought me back into service. Who will I influence? Who will you influence?

Ann also helped me memorize my first Bible verse. John 3:16

This Bible sits in my office as a memorial.

In memory of Ann Pritchard. My first Sunday School teacher. The giver of my first Bible. And the one who showed me how to have life more abundantly through Jesus Christ.

Happy DAY Mother's!

God bless all you mom's. I don't want to say "Happy Mother's DAY" because being a mother is a 24/7 job that is probably the most under-appreciated position a female could have. Like a good farmer, you are over-worked and under appreciated, but very, very necessary. YOU are the glue, the staple, the paper clip, you are the hinge that makes it ALL work. Like a seasoned CEO from a Fortune 500 company, you know how to meet deadlines and schedules. The early morning madness of getting the kids ready for school; packed lunches, breakfast, last minute homework, making sure the kids clean behind the ears, tying the shoes, then the standard declaration "I love you, and be good".
After work you rush to meet schedules of sports practices or games. 'Soccer Mom's, Basketball Mom's, Football Mom's, MOM's! (Manager Of Mountains). The mom mobile is on the road with the troops getting to places quicker than a New York taxi driver in rush hour. You are probably a candidate for 'mom of the year'. Of course things change when the kids get older. They drive now, more time away from home with friends, and your 'worry-years' begin. I know great moms never stop worrying about their kids, my mom still worries about me and I am 46! I tell her not to worry and her reply to me is, "Larry, you will never know what it is like to be a mom. I will always worry about my two kids, and no matter how old you are you will always be my little boy."
A special God bless you to the single moms, and the grandmas who are caring for your own children's kids. Your heart is bigger than the world, and your reward is bigger than the universe.
A farmer knows things about the land that one may never understand; a great mom knows things that we will never understand.
Happy DAY Mother's!
Larry

Copy and forward as you like. (but send people back to my blog)

Hath God Said? (Part Two)

Here is Part 2 from 'How do I commit?'
Often times we want to commit to God but are so overwhelmed with the little details we loose progress, or worst yet, we don't make any progress. Let God know you want to follow him. Then I suggest, read his word, pray for guidance, ask for wisdom to know when guidance comes, and discernment to know that it is from God and not Satan. THEN, rest, and wait.
REST AND WAIT.
Yep, these are actually action verbs! Put it in God's hands. Listen for direction. REST AND WAIT.
Enjoy.

Be sure to look up Psalms 119:32. Then get ready for some real action. Commitment. "I will run......, WHEN THOU...." Like the ole saying from the basketball coach, he says 'jump', you say 'how high'.

Have a great day!

What's in your garden?

Good seed, bad seed, good fruit, yucky fruit, we all experience it. And when we go to the fruit stand we certainly don't pick the bad, ugly flowers or apples to take home with us. Right? Sure we don't!

A garden is something you want to enjoy, whether it is a flower garden, vegetable garden, or orchard. Each type needs care. Proper seed. Proper and timely weeding, watering, pruning, more timely weeding, watering, pruning, and even more timely weeding, watering, pruning.

I just want to make mention of the seed for now. The seed is the first step to the fruit. No matter what seed it may be, it will produce fruit in the future. For the christian, seeds can be our friends, the places we go, the thoughts we have. OH YES, my friend, thoughts are the master mind of great things, BIG and small. Pondering, planning, wishing, desiring are all seeds. Always look at the seed as a road, because it will certainly take you somewhere. And know this> often the roads are ONE WAY. The only way to change the destination is to get on another road. Possible to do but usually not easy. This is why I encourage you to carefully look at the seed you are getting ready to plant or nurture today.

Our Youth need to be taught how to pick and nurture good seed. It's easier to plant than to pull weeds. God Bless Our Youth.
Galatians 5:22,23

Hath God Said?

Hey all, I have been toying with getting a fun comic type thingy together mainly for another page on my website http://www.larrydschultz.com/ and thought I would try it here as well.

This series will mostly be a lesson through Psalms and Proverbs.

Enjoy.