Southside's Blog

There are weights in life you simply cannot carry. Set them down and trust him. I can’t overstate God’s promise in 1 Peter 5:7: “Unload all your worries onto him, since he is looking after you.” What do you say we take God up on his offer? We might find ourselves traveling a little lighter.

"He’s not saying you don’t need teachers, elders, or counselors. He is saying, however, that we are all brothers and sisters with equal access to the Father. Seek God for yourself. No elaborate channels of command or levels of access. You have a Bible? You can study. You have a heart? You can pray. You have a mind? You can think."

From Mike: I've said it before and still believe that many people pick the belief they have because they were raised in that faith or they choose the faith of their spouse. You see that makes life easier! That is their middleman! What if that middleman is wrong? Oh well, I'll just tell God that's what happened. He'll understand! Don't think so. The scripture teach us that every person will stand before Him to give an account. It does not say that we and our middleman will give an account of my life.  II Timothy 2:15 does not say "study to present yourself and your middleman approved". Just yourself! Take Max's final paragraph to heart!

Thanks!

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How are we made right with God? All the above are tried, all are demonstrated, but none are from God. Romans 3:28 says, “A person is made right with God through faith.” Through faith in God’s sacrifice on the cross. It’s not what you do, it’s what he did.

From Mike: Think about your answer. How many would have said "all of the above"?

Here’s another quiz; see how you do on this one. Think of three people you enjoy spending time with. Name ten people who’ve taught you something worthwhile. Name five friends who’ve helped you in a difficult time. List a few teachers who’ve aided your journey through high school. Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with credentials, but the ones with the concern.

Mike: Now take the test from the last paragraph but how many people have you made a difference for?

The big choice, God leaves to us.  The critical decision is ours.  What are you doing with God’s invitation?  What are you doing with his personal request that you live with him forever?

From Mike: Emphasis mine

You see, God is the King who invites us to come.  Who prepares the palace and sets the table and invites his subjects to come in. His invitation for you, however, is not just for a meal – it’s for life!

From Mike: You read a devotional like Max has written and it appears it should be easy to love God and reject Satan and his temptations.. God has given us so much because He loves us. Satan has only given us pain. He cares nothing about us except that his desire is for us is to join him in hell. Our sinful desires and our humanism seem more attractive, That's why God us Jesus! Thank you God!

God has a peculiar passion for the forgotten. Have you noticed? See his hand on the skin of the leper? See the face of the prostitute cupped in Jesus’s hands? See him with his arm around little Zacchaeus? God wants us to get the message: what society puts out, God puts in. What the world writes off, God picks up. Why did he pick you? He wanted to. After all, you are his. And he made you. No matter how long you’ve waited or how much time you’ve wasted, you are his. And he has a place for you.

“Believing prayer ushers in God’s peace. Not a random, nebulous, earthly peace, but his peace, imported from heaven. The same tranquility that marks the throne room, God offers to you. Do you think he battles anxiety? You suppose he ever wrings his hands or asks for antacids? Of course not. A problem is no more a challenge to God than a twig is to an elephant. God enjoys perfect peace because God enjoys perfect power. And he offers his peace to you. A peace that will “guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NLT).”

“The Philippians, living in a garrison town, were accustomed to the Roman sentries maintaining their watch. God oversees your world. He monitors your life. Listen carefully and you will hear him say, “Everything is secure. You can rest now.”

From Mike:

From the Internet: The term "peace" is used in the New Testament in at least five different ways: (1) peace as the absence of war or chaos, (2) peace as a right relationship with God or with Christ; (3) peace as a good relationship among people; (4) peace as an individual virtue or state, that is, tranquility or serenity; and (5) peace….

Dictionary: freedom from disturbance; or tranquility; a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

These are the general descriptions most of us will use when asked about peace. Where we are in the stages of life will have a lot to do with each individual’s answer on peace. Young, newly married, married with children, stages in careers, health and age all affect our peace. It seems that the most important answer on peace is described in Philippians 4:7.

Thanks

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalms 28:7

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.”

Max Lucado

“God is God. He knows what He is doing. When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.”

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help you will get through this.” Various books from online quotations – used by permission

Allen Jackson

“God has always been faithful to me, but I’ll admit that I’ve questioned Him about His timing, especially when it seemed He was allowing a challenging situation to continue rather than change it. I have to remind myself that’s God’s perspective is infinitely bigger than mine as He looks across the span of the ages to see people and circumstances and events that I cannot see. If you’re unhappy with God right now because of His sense of timing, I would encourage you to trust Him. God has a plan for your life and mine, and He will do what needs done—when it needs to be done—to accomplish His plan and purposes for those of who wait for Him.” From Standing Firm- Allen Jackson -2018 - Intend Publishing – used by permission

From Mike: I believe everything written above but still struggle. God is all powerful and can do anything and everything that is asked of Him. But, why doesn’t grant my prayers? I’m writing about the prayers for someone else. My sister passed away in 2002. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor told her that with a double mastectomy there was only a 5% chance it would come back. Two years later she died with cancer in many parts of her body.  My parents provided her hospice care for the final three months of her life in the front bedroom of their home. No parent should have to do that.

An 11/12 year old boy in Memphis is dying from cancer. His parents are watching him on his death bed in the hospital. He let’s go but his mom cries out “no” and he summons barely enough strength to take one  more breath but his dad lays his hand on his son to tell him it’s ok to go!

You pray for your marriage or your child’s but divorce still happens.

There are numerous examples of these types of events happening. There was prayer upon prayer. All of us can tell a tale where God did not grant our request. Why, God? At times it’s very difficult to trust that all will be OK in time. Just remember reread verse mentioned and hang on.

Thanks

What are your thoughts? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The path to peace is paved with prayer. Less consternation, more supplication. Fewer anxious thoughts, more prayer-filled thoughts. And as you pray, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. And in the end, what could be better?

If you noticed the title and thought this was going to be an expose of my sins, you are going to be very disappointed! Besides, your sins are worse than mine! No one expresses that thought but I believe many people rationalize that thought. What is the basis of that thinking? Human nature encouraged by Satan.

Most of us possess an outstanding ability to rationalize. If I have a bad day then a piece of Kay’s coconut cream pie helps lift my spirits and conversely on a good day a piece helps me celebrate! Meanwhile my weight continues to go up. Rationalization is a powerful tool. Unfortunately, it’s often not based on fact or the truth. It’s a crutch.

I worked with a lady years ago who was the queen of gossip. She loved to talk about other peoples’ problems. When she was asked about it, her reply was that she was not lying. Rationalization kept her going. Those that were willing to listen claimed innocence because they were just listening. Listening to gossip is being a party to gossip.

Judgement day arrives. You are standing before God. There will be no others that you can divert His attention towards. He’s waiting for your account and God does not care to hear your rationalization. If He doesn’t want to hear how your sins are not as bad as someone else’s nor your rationalization on judgement day then why would He want to hear that today?

Give God what He wants to hear, heartfelt and true confessions expressed in true sorrow!

Thanks

Mike    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"The word race is from the Greek word agon, from which we get the word agony. The Christian’s race is not a jog but rather a demanding and grueling, and sometimes agonizing race. It takes a massive effort to finish strong."

"Likely you’ve noticed that many don’t. There are many on the side of the trail. They may come to church, but their hearts aren’t in the race. And unless something changes, their best work will have been their first work, and they will finish with a whimper."

"By contrast Jesus’ best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step. Our Master is the classic example of one who endured. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus “held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him” (Hebrews 12:3 NCV). Jesus could have quit the race, but he didn’t. Let’s stay in the race, shall we? And let’s finish strong."

From Mike: For a number of years I was a runner. Runner is not really a accurate description. Plodding is a better description. My first race was a 10K, 6.2 miles. I was only half way through when the winner finished!! I was in agony!

Running is no longer a test for me. I was plodding in 2015 when the stroke hit. Any endurance I ever had for plodding is gone. I'm still plodding in my Christian life however and Satan is constantly urging me to quit trying. He cares nothing about me. He only wants me join him in Hell some day. This is not a race that any of us can give up on.

God Bless!

Mike

Good afternoon!

I discussed my need for a sabbatical from the blog with the elders this past fall. The decision was made to wait until our new minister was on board. I'm very pleased to announce that Tim Gunnells is the new minister at Southside. Tim and his family will transition to Shelbyville over the next few months. He has agreed to post his thoughts on the blog giving me a rest. In actuality, you need a rest from me as well. I'm certain you will enjoy  reading his encouragement. When Tim has settled in, we plan to meet to discuss new ideas for the blog.

Thanks!

Mike

Some have mentioned enjoying reading Maxd Lucado's devotional.  Go to Max Lucado's website.

One of my many faults is that I tend to want to fix your problem no matter what it may be. If you come to me to talk about the problem, I feel the need to fix it. I sincerely mean well but maybe the help you are looking for is someone to just listen.

I learned a valuable lessons years ago. Our son, Chad, decided that he no longer wanted to manage an antique mall. He felt that becoming a policeman or a fireman was his calling. We pushed as hard as we could towards the fireman career. Getting shot at was way to dangerous. We did not know at the time that some of the fire stations in Memphis had ten foot chain link fences with barbed wire around them to protect the fireman from the neighborhood.

Chad chose to become a fireman. He went through all the necessary training and was assigned a station. During his first week he called me early one morning to discuss a call he was on that morning. The unit was called out to a head-on car wreck. An old man in one of the vehicles had gone through the wind shield and was laying on the street. I ask about the air bag. Chad replied, “Dad he went through the air bag and the wind shield. I was doing compressions on the man and it felt like compressing jello!” The man was actually already dead but they compress until the ambulance arrives.

My mind immediately went to “fix” mode but I had no idea what the experience called for so I just ask a few questions for clarification and listened to him. One the questions was, “Son are you ok?” He said he was and we closed the call. I felt like I failed him because I did not “fix’ the problem.

Shortly after I ran into one of his fellow fireman who had been on the job for several years. I related the experience to him. His comment was that I did good. Why? “We don’t need fixing! We just need someone to listen! We prefer not to take it home with us so you did right by Chad.”

What a lesson for a fixer who thought he needed to talk to fix the problem. I still have the urge to “fix” but that lesson has stayed with for fifteen years. What the Bible has to say:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “ So encourage each other and build each other up,”

Proverbs 17:28 -  “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

James 1:19  - “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.”

Proverbs 18:2  - “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.”

Without understanding it at that time I encouraged Chad by just listening. When others approach us, listen first and speak second! Make sure they want your advice before you give it..

God is really the only true fixer! Let them know that you will pray for them!

Thanks

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"There are some things we want to do but simply are not equipped to accomplish. I, for example, have the desire to sing. The problem is, I am what you might call a jailhouse singer – I never have the key, and I’m always behind a few bars. Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3: “Have a sane estimate of your capabilities” (PHILLIPS). In other words, be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow? Where are you most productive? Identify your strengths, and—this is important—major in them."

"We cannot meet every need in the world. We cannot please every person in the world. We cannot satisfy every request in the world. But some of us try, and in the end we run out of fuel. So have a sane estimate of your abilities and stick to them."

NIV version of Romans 12:3 -  "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."

This is the EVS version of Romans 12:3 –  "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

From Mike: The bold sentence in Max's writing is my idea. I have aways thought that this verse was just about being conceited especially based on the faith God has granted us. There are some commentators who also follow Max's thoughts. It does not mean that any of  commentators is wrong but Max's line of thinking makes sense. BUT, do not use this line of thinking as an excuse for not serving. Do use Max's thought to choose your service wisely. 

F. LaGard Smith is the author of the book Meeting God in Quiet Places. It’s been a very influential book that I’ve used many times in Sunday school and in writings.

Mr. Smith at times has spent several months each year living in England where he authored this book. He uses his life experiences in England as references in the book. It has thirty-one chapters so I noted what seemed to be the primary message of each one. I plan to select some chapters to write what they mean to me and quote Mr. Smith. If you read the book, you might say my thought is not the main theme of that chapter. That would be okay as long as you get encouragement from his writing.

Chapter 2 he entitles “Balloons”. The theme is “Trust”. You might say the theme is “Faith”. Both are correct because you must have faith to trust. The Cotswold area of England is frequently very busy with hot air balloons. It’s a beautiful site and he even envies those who ride in them because of the beauty. He admits to mixed feelings about riding in one. His comment, “You can never be totally in control”. His thought is that while up there you must trust the pilot and he in turn is dependent on the winds and currents over which he has no control.  

Mr. Smith refers to Thomas, the doubter, because he had to see the nail scars on Jesus’ hands before he would trust that Jesus was who He claimed to be. He writes:

“From my youth I have happily committed my trust to an unseen God. Even now, in most cases, I truly am a willing passenger.  As so far as the flight has been, if not always smooth, at least accompanied by an abiding sense of security. Over the years, I have been through storm and calm, through ups and downs; through the heartache of broken relationships, the passing of loved ones, the tears of defeat, the fear of loneliness and the discouragement of my own fallibility. But somehow I kept flying. Somehow He lifts me higher. In the safety of His gracious providence He carries me over the rough times and shares with me the joys of a live lived by faith.”

Mr. Smith admits that at times he can’t understand God’s way and why it has to be His way but admits his trust works out. “When I let God’s invisible power take control, I am dependent, but oddly free. I am no longer in control, yet I am safe and secure in His leading.”

He closes the chapter: “Nothing can surpass the reality that settles on us when we reach the point that with God where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is in control. When we really know that we have nothing to fear! When we take that confident step and actually get in the basket! It is then, when we let go of everything that holds us back, that we will know true freedom. And beauty. And breathtaking heights of exhilarating joy!”

When I read encouragement like Mr. Smith’s it sounds so easy to put into practice. It’s not easy for me to let go and allow God to take total control. At times His control does not deliver that for which I prayed. These occasions require extra effort to let go and trust Him especially when the understanding is not present.                           

Meeting God in Quiet Places – F. LaGard Smith – 1992 – Harvest House Publishers – Used by permission

"It doesn’t make sense that we’re able to do this. We don’t claim to be worthy of such an incredible gift. When people ask how in the world we can keep our balance during such stormy times, we don’t boast. We point to the One who makes it possible. “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling,” we sing. “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved,” we declare. And we never look back. May that be the anthem of your life."

From Mike: We've all had dark days. Some are going through very dark days right now. The scriptures tell us we will have dark days but there are promises made by God. Hebrews 13:5 "He will never leave us nor forsake us!!" In the darkest times get a solid hold on to God and never let go!

We seldom do that, though. To accept grace is to admit failure. We opt to impress God with how good we are rather than confessing how great he is. We dizzy ourselves with doctrine, burden ourselves with rules, think that God will smile on our efforts. He doesn’t. God’s smile is not for the healthy hiker who boasts that he made the journey alone. It is, instead, for the crippled beggar who begs God for a back on which to ride.

Just some ideas on my list. Why don’t you compile your own?