No Vacancy There used to be no vacancy When zeal for God yet burned But entered in complacency Few hearts for God now yearn We fill our inner passages With much of worldly fare Along with evil’s images Grown harder now to care Before the smoldering wick shall fail God’s Spirit blows again To fan a flame that shall prevail And vanquish growing sin Pain shall be the instrument The Lord shall use to cut This last resort of implements For His people in their rut Many hearts His love will pierce From God’s great jealousy Because His love’s intensely fierce His church must be set free Tom Green Copyright © September 8, 2001 Written at a Christian Businessmen’s meeting After reading Amos 6:1-7

Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can build or destroy. Read and Study - Psalm 50:23 Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” What kind of fruit are you speaking? Have you wanted to retract some words before? Mark 11:22-24 – Speak to the mountain! “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.” Are you being bold today and speaking…praying out loud? Matthew 12:36 – “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in t

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 A lot of the rebellion in our lives comes from the fact that we want to have control. We don’t like someone telling us what to do. It may have started as a child not wanting your parents to “boss” you around. Then it easily transferred to a work boss you didn’t like or the relationship that was quickly going south. In the world we have spent a great deal of time and a lot of effort controlling the things in our lives. Even though a “take charge” attitude will help us in the “work world”, Satan can easily use this trait against us. Salvation is about letting God have control of

“Yucky-poo, yucky-poo, Jamall’s yucky-poo,” two-year-old Lacy announced to the other children. I had placed one-year-old Jamaal on the floor to change his dirty diaper when Lacy came over to look. Immediately the three other children, whom I baby-sat, also repeated the proclamation. The atmosphere of the room had changed from laughter and talk about the toys to describing the Jamaal’s condition. “All right everyone, he’s clean now, go back to your toys,” I encouraged. In thinking about the incident, I realized that I and other adults have indulged in telling “yucky-poo” stories, too. “John lost his job because of not getting to work on time,” we may report. “Susan was checking her email duri

In a letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul discusses the ministry of reconciliation, and he uses the term “ambassadors” for Jesus Christ. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 To define ambassador, they are a respected official acting as a representative of a nation. Usually sent to a foreign land, the ambassador’s job is to reflect the official

Father, Lord, Precious Holy Spirit With fervor, honor, zeal, love, and a persuaded expectancy, we bring our melodious sound rich and engorged with praise- worship and thanksgiving- to the One we trust has planned our lives in good, prosperous and perfect efficacy. As oracles of God we make a joyful, motivating, piercing sound that unifies the body of Christ, unto singularity of heart, inviting the Presence of God into our midst, and ever watchful of His leading. Psalm 100:4 plainly says: enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. As You have wondrously saved and turned, and keep turning unto perfection the sons and daughters of love,

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 A Child of God! Is that you? Did you receive Him? Do you believe in His name? If you answered “yes”, then you have the right, you are a Child of God. Not everyone has this right. It is reserved for the few that find the narrow road. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14 You found it! You found the way, it is Jesus! The one and only way to eternal life in Heaven. There is no other way. Don’t be deceived. Many think they can “be good” morally and this will save them. Many think they

Pastor Chris Brooks, was preaching recently about the lame man outside the temple that Peter and Paul healed. It made me think of a couple of things. One they told the man that neither gold or silver they had but from what they did have they would give him. (Acts 3:1-9) Peter and Paul were not consumed to fill their pockets with the status symbol of society. They weren’t preoccupied with obtaining wealth or focused on money as a means to an end. They had built their spirits… they filled their hearts with the Word of God and had allowed the Holy Spirit to fill them wholly. So, how did they fill or build up their spirits? At the feet of Jesus, they learned from the Master. They received

We recently took a family trip to Fritz’s Adventure here in town. For those who haven’t been, it’s a 5 story indoor agility and adventure park. There are ropes courses 30-40 feet in the air, zip lines, tunnels and slides all over. It is a young person’s dream for running and playing. Just recently my oldest child found out she was now tall enough to get to do all the “Big Kid” stuff. She could now do the zipline, ropes course, and climb the rock wall. As I took her up for the first time on the ropes course, we completed some obstacle courses elevated 2 to 3 stories off the ground. To my surprise, she did great and didn’t have any hesitations, until we made it over to the zip line. The

Our son Grant lived at home while he attended college. He and my husband Larry had some jeans that were similar except for waist size. Grant was a slim young man and Larry had gained some weight, so Larry’s jeans were a little bigger. When I washed the clothes, I put Grant’s jeans in his bedroom and Larry’s were folded and put on a shelf in our closet. One day Larry came out of our bedroom with a pair of jeans on, but not fastened. He complained loudly, “These jeans have shrunk!” As I looked them over, I realized they were Grant’s jeans, not Larry’s. I evidently had put them in the wrong bedroom. When Larry went back to the closet and put on his jeans, they did fit. God has given gifts and t

The descendant called Manasseh became the fourteenth king of Judah. He was the son King Hezekiah by Hezbevak (2 Kings 211-18). He reigned longer than any Israelite King (55 years) and had it said about him that he was Judah’s most wicked king. It was written that he seduced Judah to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel (2 Kings 21:9). The historian Josephus said he called for daily executions and as responsible for the Prophet Isaiah being sawed in half (Hebrews 11:37). The king was committed to idolatry like no one else. He abolished all the good his father had done. He had altars to Baal; he put an image of Asherah in God’s Temple. He

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 Salvation…the beginning of your journey. Salvation…the reason for living. Salvation…the answer for change. Salvation…a gift of love. To know God and be ready for heaven, you must be saved. How can I be saved? It is as easy as ABC just follow the Roman Road. Admit you are a sinner. There is none righteous not even one. Romans 10:3 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 10:23 But God demonstrates His own

I am learning to give away something every day and not to delay in doing good for others. Here are a few examples: Taking time to help someone. To give money away. Example – Tip teller at the bank or store. To write a letter to someone and even put a gift in it. Volunteer somewhere. Go and take cheesecake for everyone at the dentist office. Do something to the extreme for a family member. Today sit down with God (James 4:8) and write down some things you could do and do them! Give and it shall be given. Luke 6:38 The Lord loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7 As you give, you are giving to the Lord. A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs

To walk in love means that I am submitted to God (James 4:7). To walk in love is being led by His holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and putting to death all the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). Walking in love is obeying Jesus’ commandments (John 14:15). I am conscious of being in God’s presence without fear (Hebrews 4:13) (1John 4:18) because the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7). I am now a new creature in Christ and there is no condemnation in me because I chose to live by the law of the spirit of life in Him (Romans 8:1-2). I now experience the freedom that Christ bought for me (Galatians 5:1). I am no longer a slave to sin as I consider myself dead to

For the time, will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:3-5 Are you among the many wearing green today? I am. It is a fun game to play with children, seeing who remembered to celebrate by wearing green or who is going to get “pinched”. It seems that the holiday we celebrate today has come a long way from the original intent. Today we play games, wear green and many have d

Steadfast defined: “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” During a time in my life I felt a lot of uncertainty as to where the Lord was leading me. I had the thought of “stepping back” and taking time to seek where the Lord really wanted me. This is something many of us often think about in our lives. However, I believe the Lord has something else for us. A faithful spirit-filled friend knew of my apprehension, but did not know I was wanting to step back or more bluntly, quit. The Lord used her to speak a word to me. She sweetly said, “don’t quit. You need to just be faithful and stay while you seek the direction of the Lord.” Honestly, that was not what I wanted to hear, ha! However

We see it over and over in Scripture. God uses people who show courage, people who stand up when everyone else sits down. Just look at Daniel. Daniel is one of only two people in history to whom God revealed how the world ends. God used Daniel like few men in human history. But before God used Daniel to change the world, Daniel stood up to the most powerful man in the world. When King Nebuchadnezzar told him to eat his Babylonian food, Daniel said no. Think about it. He rejected the king. He said, “Sorry, king, your food isn’t good enough for me. I can’t eat it.” Daniel was respectful but firm in his refusal to compromise. I’m sure there were many other Jewish young men taken captive who saw

You are a special agent, ambassador full of authority to pray and intercede for all those that are before you. I want to remind you of a few things: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ…Romans 13:14 Job 29:14 says “I put on righteousness and it clothed me.” Paul puts it….”You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 5:21. You and I have been made right in the sight of God now by the blood of Jesus. Let us draw near with boldness or confidence to the throne of grace….Hebrews 4:16. God desires for us to come to Him as a Father. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8. You approach God speaking out loud and hold nothing back. Romans 6:13b….”but present

I was driving down the road the other day and something on the radio struck me. I began reflecting on the statement. We need to replace our negative talk with praising The Lord. I really started reflecting on what would be considered negative talk. My list included negative self-talk, gossip, negative comments, inappropriate or vulgar comments, etc. The scripture that came to mind was Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. We are called to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirab

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5 Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines redeem as, “to free from distresses or harms: such as, to free from captivity by payment of ransom.” It also says that freedom can be a release from blame or debt. It means all of those things to me. As a sinner, I was held captive by sin. A chorus that I like to sing says it all: He paid a debt he did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a bra