What emotions rule your life? Some people are Optimists and some are Pessimists. What is the truth about our emotional makeup? Psalm 139:23 states, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts:” What emotions rule your life? Emotions can rule what you think about, talk about, look like, etc. They can rule your activity, your attitude and even your relationships. We are emotional creatures. God made us that way, but like the old Puritan said, “What God creates, the devil corrupts!” Be careful here. Emotions were given to us so that we could experience anger and indignation, love and excitement and to feel disappointment and guilt. These all have a purpose. II Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” You see the difference between good and bad emotions. The emotion of sadness that God sent into your life was never meant to be turned into self-pity. The emotion of rejection that God sent into your life was never meant to be turned into bitterness. The emotion of guilt and shame that God sent into your life was never meant to be turned into wrath. In Genesis chapter three, Adam and Eve’s shame caused them to accuse and condemn. In Luke chapter eighteen, The Publican’s shame caused him to accept and confess.

Gifts Unlimited of Scarborough, Ontario, recently advertised “the Mood Watch”. Here is part of the ad: “You’ve seen the remarkable mood-ring with its ever-changing colors; now you can own an exciting new watch with the same mystical properties! The watch face changes colors from an ominous black through six distinctive stages to a vibrant blue…Many people believe that the colors do reflect inner moods and feelings.” The color was supposed to tell you what mood you were in. But what does the mood you are in tell you? Your emotions are messengers! I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Do you have an emotion of gratitude towards God? Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” Do you experience this peace? I John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.” Do you love God? Emotions are very revealing.

Matthew Henry writes, “The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers.”

I Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we made lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

What emotions fill your life? They are messengers from God.

Isaiah 54:17 speaks of the heritage of the Lord. The definition of heritage is inheritance, share or portion. Now that is something to think about and contemplate. According to the text in Isaiah, our heritage is joy and peace, mercy and kindness and protection. I Timothy 6:2 states, “…partakers of the benefit.” Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling…” A partaker is one who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a share; a participator; usually followed by of.

There are many verses in the Bible that promise this blessing. Remember, these are God’s promises to us.

I John 5:12, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life.”

Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

II Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…”

Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us to be pratakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Charles Spurgeon writes, “Never forget the three whats:

1)   What from? Believers are redeemed from hell and destruction.

2)   What by? By the precious blood of Christ.

3)   What to? To an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that will not fade away.

Psalm 16:5-6, “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

Spurgeon went on to say, “Our Lord was poorer than we are, for he had not where to lay his head, and yet when he mentioned his poverty he never used a word of murmuring;”

I would invite you to read the story found in Luke 12:13-21. After reading this story you will understand this comment by Matthew Henry. “When he saw a great crop upon his ground, instead of thanking God for it, or rejoicing to be able to do more good, he afflicts himself. What shall I do now?”

The rewards of Christ’s disciples are of another nature. Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have. All the world lives in two tents-content and discontent.

“The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Abraham Lincoln. May we live as an example and teach the next generation about the heritage of the Lord. We are so blessed.

Psalm 90:9, “…we spend our years as a tale that is told.”

Once upon a time in a great forest lived a poor wood cutter with his two children. Times were very hard and a day came when there was no food in the cottage except for stale bread. (Gingerbread cottage) (Witch) (Pushed her in the oven) Hansel & Gretel

Once upon a time many years ago in a beautiful valley in Greece, a poor farmer had built his house. His most valued possession was a flock of sheep. They gave wool for clothing and meat for the table, and the farmer guarded them day and night.

(Young son) (Tired of only hearing the sheep) Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!

Once upon a time many, many years ago, in the city of Hamelin, the people were having a dreadful time. Every house in town was full of rats. Large rats, small rats. Old rats, young rats – they were everywhere. They fought with the dogs and killed the cats.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

These are Fairy tales, make believe stories that came out of someone’s imagination. They are written to teach us moral values or helpful principles of life. How much better are Biographies (The history of the life and character of a particular person) and Autobiographies (The biography or memoirs of one’s life written be him or herself).

Everyone has a story, a life story, whether it is written or not.

The Bible is filled with stories about the lives of men, women, boys and girls. Stories of hatred and greed. Stories of love and affection. Stories of sacrifice and dedication. Stories of selfishness and deception. Stories of godliness and purity and stories of sin and debauchery. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Ray Stedman of Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, once asked a nine-year-old boy what he wanted to be when he grew up, and he answered, “A returned missionary.” The boy looked ahead not to the years of graduate study, not to the years of separation from home and loved ones, not to the months and years in steaming jungles or parched deserts – but to the final state of recognition and acclaim. It’s hard to skip the preliminaries and still reach the final goal. The musician’s finger exercises, the Olympic athlete’s daily push-ups, and the Christian’s daily stint in the prayer closet cannot be bypassed.”

The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. It’s scary to realize that most of the people who failed in the Scriptures, failed in the second half of their lives. Baxter wrote, “While thou are reading this, whosoever thou art, time posteth on, and thy life will be gone, “as a tale that is told.”

Maybe your life’s story will include a chapter of when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. Hopefully, many chapters after that of a life lived for Him.

The name of our church is Fellowship Bible Church. I John 1:7 states, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,…” Fellowship is defined as companionship; society; joint interest; communion.

John Fawcett was preparing to move. At age 32, he was leaving the small Baptist Church in Wainsgate, England, for the prestigious Carter’s Land church in London. Fawcett had worked hard. Orphaned at 12, he was forced to work fourteen hours a day in a sweat shop. He taught himself to read by candlelight and studied continuously. When he was ordained at age 25, he moved to Wainsgate. For seven years he served the tiny church of 100 members before receiving the invitation in London. However, Fawcett never moved to London. He couldn’t break “the tie that binds.” The last possessions were loaded on the moving cart as Fawcett began his good-byes. Tearfully he bade farewell to those he had loved for the past seven years. They returned his tears…and his love. It was too much for the young preacher. London would have to wait. Unloading the cart, he decided to stay in Wainsgate a little longer. He died there 54 years later. Fawcett was destined to become one of England’s greatest preachers. He wrote hymns, pubished books and opened a training school for young ministers. His “Essay on Anger” so impressed King George III that he offered Fawcett “any benefit a king could confer.” His love for the people and their love for him not only kept him in Wainsgate, but it also prompted the writing of a hymn we sing today:

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.

There are three important parts to Christian fellowship. 1) Faith. I John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 2) Following. Philippians 2:1-3, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,” “Fulful ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” 3) Forgiveness. I John 1:6, “If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

It is a funny thing, but true, That folks you don’t like, don’t like you;
I don’t know why this should be so, But, just the same, I always know
If I am “sour,” friends are few; If I am friendly, folks are too.
Sometimes I get up in the morn, A-wishin’ I was never born;
I make of cross remarks a few, And then my family wishes, too,
That I had gone some other place, Instead of showing them my face.
But let me change my little tune, And sing and smile, then pretty soon
The folks around me sing and smile; I guess ‘twas catchin’ all the while.
Yes, it’s a funny thing, but true, That folks you like will sure like you.

Steve Blankenship wrote, “One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas. Often, Christians neglect their spiritual maintenance, and find themselves (out of gas).” Worry will take all of your strength! Fear will make you feeble! Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

There is a great blessing in knowing and experiencing God’s strength.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:…” Psalm 28:7

”In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness;…” Colossians 1:11

“…out of weakness were made strong…” Hebrews 11:34

Knowing your own strength is a fine thing. Recognizing your own weakness is even better. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean upon God. And the harder we lean upon God, the stronger we grow. Chambers writes, “Only one in a thousand sits down in the midst of their troubles and trials and says – I will watch my Father mend this.”

“Ah, I have kept Him waiting when I ought not, but He has waited even then. Always waiting – so patient with my foolishness, my weakness, my fear. Our fellowship is with God, and fellowship is friendship, and friendship means that partnership which, on His part, is the accommodating of His strength to my weakness.”
~ G. Campbell Morgan, English & American Preacher

JESUS PAID IT ALL

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.

For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,” My lips shall still repeat.

As we begin the New Year, most people are looking for a change, an improvement in health, relationships, in circumstances, etc. Commitments are made, but seldom kept. We call these first of the year commitments New Year’s Resolutions. Sad to say, “Most people will passively do exactly what they did last year.”

When you read the Gospels, you find that Jesus was always trying to convince people of their need of salvation. This is certainly the most important change anyone can make if they are not a Christian. In John chapter three, Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” The Bible explains that in order to be born again, you must receive Jesus as your Savior. This is called the new birth, becoming a new creation in Christ. Marvin Lewis tells the story about such a life. “His first name was Bill. At an early age he began to drink and live in the depths of sin. Sometimes he was referred to as “Old Bill.” One night in a drunken brawl, a man hit him so hard that he was often referred to as “One-eyed Bill.”  But something happened to that sinful man. Bill was told about a Savior who could save him and give him a new life. In simple faith, he accepted the Savior, and his life was completely changed. For many years after that, Bill worked around the rescue mission in Evansville, Indiana. Because of the remarkable change in this man’s life, many of his old friends began to speak of him as “New Bill.” In fact, he actually went by that name for the rest of his life. While in my junior year of college, I heard “New Bill” give his testimony. I do not even remember his last name, but I remember him as “New Bill.”

“In the natural world it is impossible to be made all over again, but in the spiritual world it is exactly what Jesus Christ makes possible.” Oswald Chambers. If you are already a Christian, share this wonderful and powerful message of new life with those around you. It will be the beginning of a new life that many so desperately need.

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The Christian has eternal life when he is born again. He has abundant life when he follows the Lord. Here is some advice passed down to us from various authors.

“Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.”
Chuck Swindoll

“New Year’s Day is a good time to fix one’s eyes on the only One who knows what the year is to hold.”
Elisabeth Elliot

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
Oswald Chambers

“This one simple act of beginning each day with God sets each day on the path of wisdom.”
Elizabeth Elliott

“We’re most happy when we’re enjoying God and fulfilling His purpose for our life.”
Nancy Wolgemuth

“Enter the coming year with renewed hope in the power of God to do through you what you cannot.”
John MacArthur

“It’s time to begin righting the story of your life.” (How will you be remembered?)
David Jeremiah

HAPPY NEW YEAR