We’ve all heard the story of the prodigal son. He left home and went off to a foreign country. While there he spent all his money on ungodly living. After spending all his money his so called friends deserted him. He got so hungry, he went down to the pig pen and ate slop with the hogs and sows. He soon came to his senses and headed home not knowing what to expect. His father saw him, or smelled him from afar, ran, and threw his arms around him, hugging and kissing  him. The father had him cleaned up, put a rob on his back and a ring on his finger. He threw a banquet in honor of his son coming home.

When a son who’s been in the pigpen of life comes home it’s time to get down and celebrate. I’m celebrating this morning concerning a friend of mine, who’s a son of God but he’s been living in the pig pen of life.  He’s been having an affair with a bottle of booze and it’s caused all kinds of trouble in the home. I found out yesterday he’s checked himself into some type of rehab organization here in Texas.

I talked with him this morning and he told me he realizes his problem is not an illness but it’s sin. He agreed that it was time for him, a son of God to get out of the pigpen and go home! Pray for him, I do believe he’ll be there for about a month, but rejoice with me in the Lord, for this son who acted like a pig is now home! It’s Time To Party!

This morning I woke up to a box of chocolates, a pack of Reese’s’ Pieces, and a kiss from the most wonderful woman in the world. After all that, I went to my recliner and opened up a book called the Bible containing love letters from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I wonder how it makes God feel when we don’t read his letters that are intended for us! They are the most interesting  letters you’ll ever read. In them you’ll read about yourself and others. You’ll learn how to love your spouse as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it! You’ll learn how to love others even though they may never love you! You’ll learn about forgiveness and being forgiven! You’ll learn about the death, burial, and resurrection of or Lord Jesus Christ! You’ll learn about heaven, and how you can get there! It’s amazing, absolutely amazing!

The chocolates, cards, and kiss today was amazing, but the most amazing thing that happened to me today was my time spend alone with the Lord!

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

I’ve been around Christians who don’t have anything good to say about anything or anyone. All they do is criticize this person or that person. I’ll have to be honest with you, I’ve done exactly the same thing! It’s easy to get together for a meal and have a discussion about someone over lunch or dinner.

When I preach in churches across the US I always tell  people that it’s sin to leave church and go home and have preacher for dinner. I tell them they should pray for the preacher if they don’t agree with what he says! In the same way we should pray for those who rub us the wrong way, hurts our feelings, or tries to use us for selfish gain. We should pray for those who engage in filthy conversation around the water cooler instead of joining in!

Gossiping about someone only belittles that person and in reality makes the one gossiping look down right foolish. We as Christians should be building others up and not trying to destroy them with a loose tongue! If this describes you, let me say this, reel it in and get control of that thang!

Matthew 5:43 – 45 says, “You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

In II Peter 1:12 Peter knew he wasn’t going to be with his friends much longer. Soon he would be put to death. Knowing this he felt called upon to stir up the saints. He wanted to remind them that they should be growing in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He didn’t want them to become spiritually senile!

There are Christians today who are spiritually senile. They are tottering around, not seeming to have all their facilities. They’ve lost their love for God and they’ve forgotten how good God has been to them. My friend, don’t forget the one who created you! Share Him with you neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, and yes, even those you don’t consider your friends! Remember this, if your enemy gets saved they will become your best bud!

II Peter 1:12 says, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.”

As Christians we should not be ineffective or unproductive. Unproductive also means idle. We are to be about the Fathers business. We are to produce fruit, and that fruit is the fruit of the Spirit!  We must understand that we cannot produce fruit by sitting on the sideline and twiddling our thumbs!

2 Peter 2:5-8 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self – control; and to self – control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I have a friend who lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma. When I was at Grandview Baptist he’d drop by for some advice. While there he wanted to share his sins with me. I told him, “I’m not the Lord and I can’t forgive sins, take your sins to the Lord!”

He’d quote this verse found in the Book of James. It says, “Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed. There’s no where in that verse it says for me to confess my sins to you or you confess yours to me!

We are to confess our sins to God and our faults one to another. For example, if I say something to you that hurts your feelings, then I ought to confess that to you and vice versa.

I will not confess my sins to you and I don’t want you confessing your sins to me! We are to confess our sins to the Lord. No preacher can forgive sins, only God can do that!

I read this quote during my Quiet Time this morning. I thought you’d enjoy it! McGee states, “The cross of Christ was not an ambulance sent to a wreak!”

God, who knows all things knew from the very beginning that He’d be sending His Son to die on the cross for you and me. He knew we’d need a Savior, and He loved us enough to provide one.

God has a great big heart of love who provided salvation by His grace! Wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing, STOP! and thank God for His goodness!

I Peter 1:20, “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

Did you know that the Word of God is a miracle cleansing agent. Tide, Cheer and Wisk cannot even come close to comparison!

On television you’ll hear the advertisers claim how their detergents can really get the spots out! They are trying to convince us that their product is the real miracle worker on grass stains, grease, and dirt!

I’m hear to say, that the only miracle cleanser in this world today is the Word of God. It is the best bar of soap you can get. A bar of ivory soap may float in the water in the bathtub but God’s Word can clease you from sin.

The Word of God will really take the spots out, and many of us need to get closer to it!

I Peter 1:22 says, “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth of the Spirit.”

Today is my oldest daughters birthday. Her name is Cherise! I remember the day she was born. She was a beautiful baby then and she’s a beautiful young lady now!

Now let’s suppose that Cherise never grew up. Let’s say she’s the same size today as she was the day she was born. Let’s imagine that she’s still sucking on a bottle and her mom still has to change her diapers! Wouldn’t that be a sad situation?

In many ways people are like that who come to know the Lord. They start out babies in Christ and never grow up to maturity.

As Christians we should be growing spiritually. What can produce spiritual growth in our lives? The Word of God!

Yesterday I was watching Judge Judy. My wife and girls tease me about this but I like watching the old girl. She doesn’t put up with any nonsense and she usually gives the guilty what they deserve.

The case I watched was about a neighbors pit bull biting a little girl who lived next door as she played with the neighbors son. The lady said the pit bull was purchased for security. As a matter of fact she had a sign posted on her fence that read, “I have a pit bull! I can make it to the fence in 2.8 seconds. Can you?”

Millions of dollars are spent yearly on dogs, alarms, and guns for the sake of security. All the things I’ve mentioned can help you feel secure, but real security comes from the Lord!

Psalm 62:6-8, He alone is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times…