1. If My People...
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14
We begin learning "if... then..." from the time we are born. A baby learns that if he cries, then Mom will come and feed him. We try to teach toddlers that if they touch a hot stove, then they will burn their fingers. We begin school and learn that if we goof off and don't do our work, then we will get bad grades. Science is full of laws and consequences. We know from the law of gravity that if an apple drops from a tree, then it will fall down toward the ground. We know that if we combine two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, then we will have water. God's Word also has laws and consequences. The Old Testament goes into great detail to explain if man sinned, then certain sacrifices had to be made. The Bible also contains wonderful if... then... promises. In our verse above we see that if God's people humble themselves and pray, and seek God, turning from their wicked ways, then He will hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and heal their land. People have tried to take God out of our schools, and out of our government, and they wonder why crimes have become so heinous. We need to humble ourselves before Almighty God, confess, and turn away from sin and back to a Holy God. When God's children turn back to Him, then He will hear their prayers. Let's look at some of the various if... then... statements we find in God's Holy Word as we turn our hearts back to God.
2. If You Sin, Then You Will Die
"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17
This is the first "if... then..." in the Bible. Even though we don't see the words, "if and then" in this verse, the message is very clear. God told Adam that if he ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, then he would surely die. "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husand with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:4-8) Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death in the garden, and physical death followed. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12)
3. If We Confess Our Sins Then He Will Forgive Our Sins
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." I John 1:8-10
Romans 3:23 tells us plainly, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" The first step in gaining salvation is believing and admitting that you are a sinner, lost and on your way to hell. The verses above are very clear. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." People who don't see themselves as lost sinners, are deceiving themselves. There may be a lost of people who think they are going to heaven, but they have never asked the Lord Jesus to save them. That is a sad thing to say, but I believe it is true. Everyone who thinks he or she can do enough good works to get into heaven is deceived and does not know the truth. The truth is in verse 9 above, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
4. If Ye Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear
"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:23
We find these words of Jesus in the gospels and also in the book of Revelation after the seven letters to the seven churches. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ..." (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29 and 3:6,13, and 22) Jesus wants us to hear His Word. He wants us to fellowship with Him. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:20-22) There are many rich and powerful people in the world today who would not give me a minute of their time. But Jesus has invited us to dine with Him and hear His Word. He has the Words of eternal life and He wants to fellowship with us. Jesus does not force His way into our life. Instead, He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. If we hear His voice and invite Him in, then He will never leave us nor forsake us and we will spend eternity with Him. Don't turn Him away. Listen to His voice.
5. If I Have Sin In My Heart Then The Lord Won't Hear Me
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18
We looked at verses which tell us to hear the Lord. This verse in Psalms tells us when the Lord won't hear us. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" If I have sin in my life, then God will not hear my prayers. We know if we have robbed someone, or committed adultery, and we must confess our sins to God. What about the sins we may have in our hearts that we don't even realize are there? We may have envy, hatred, or pride buried deep in our hearts. We need to pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24) We need to pray that God will reveal the sin in our hearts. Then we can confess our sins and God will hear our prayers.
6. If We Don't Forgive Others, Then God Won't Forgive Us
"9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:9-15
We have seen this prayer printed on everything from wall plaques to book marks. We have heard it recited and beautifully sung. But I have never heard anyone continue past the "Amen" to the next two verses. Those are the verses I want us to look at today. "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." These are some powerful "if... then..." exclamations. Jesus said that if we forgive others, then God will forgive us. And if we don't forgive others, then God will not forgive us. I have often heard people say, "Well, I may forgive, but I won't forget." That is not the way God wants us to react. God wants us to forgive, fully and completely, just as He forgives us. There was a time in my life when someone hurt me deeply. Everytime I saw that person, I remembered the pain from the past. I had to keep praying that God would help me forgive and that He would take away those hurt feelings. I am happy to say that God did just that. He was able to heal my broken heart, just as His Word tells us in Psalm 147:3. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Don't let problems of the past rob you of pleasures of the present. Forgive those who sin against you. And if you just can't seem to get over it ask God to help you and give you a forgiving heart. Sometimes only God can take away the pain of a broken heart, and bind up your wounds.
7. If We Love God, Then We Will Love One Another
"11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
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?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." I John 4:11,12 and 20,21
We looked at verses in Matthew about forgiving one another. Now let's look at these verses in I John about loving one another. The verses are really very simple, but sometimes hard to follow. God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross to pay for our sin. If He could love us so much, then we ought to be able to love one another. Jesus told the disciples, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) Try to think of ways that you can show love to others. Be kind and courteous. Live your life in such a way that others can see Christ in you.
8. If The Lord Be God, Then Follow Him
"17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." I Kings 18:17-21
Ahab was a wicked king and in I Kings 17:1 Elijah told him that God would hold back the rain for three years. At the end of those three years the Lord sent Elijah to Ahab and He would send rain upon the earth. The children of Israel gathered on Mount Carmel and Elijah asked them, "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him." It is sad to notice that "the people answered him not a word." How many people today are trying to stand in the middle between serving the Lord and serving something else? They say that they are Christians nad they go to church sometimes, but they don't want to fully follow God. It is time for Christians to stand up and serve the Lord in faithfulness and holiness. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24) We also have the words of Joshua in the Old Testament, "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 14:14-15) Have you made a commitment to serve the Lord? How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord is you God, then serve Him!
9. If You Gain The World And Lose Your Soul
"34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:34-38
Yesterday we looked at verses in scriptures which describe those who claim to know the Lord but they do not want to follow Him. Maybe there is something in your life that is keeping you from fully serving God. I heard a woman say one time that she would go to church on Sunday, but she and her husband drove down to their beach house every weekend. Don't let the pleasures and riches of this world come between you and the Lord. There is nothing in this world to compare with eternal life with God. Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" What good would it do if you had all the wealth and riches this world could offer, then died and left it all behind? Come to Jesus. Believe on Him and follow Him. What would you give in exchange for your soul?
10. If You Call Unto The Lord, Then He Will Show You Mighty Things
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3
The book of Mark begins with the baptism and ministry of Jesus. Notice the quick pace described by Mark. "And straightway coming up out of the water,..." (1:10) "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness." (1:12) "And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him." (1:18) "And straightway he called them:..."(1:20) "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught." (1:21) "And immediately his fame spread abroad..." (1:28) The words "straightway" and "immediately" are used in verse after verse throughout the book of Mark. When we come to Mark 10:49 we read, "And Jesus stood still..." What was so important the Jesus "stood still"? Blind Bartimaeus called out, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." (Mark 10:48) "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." (Mark 10:49) He called unto Jesus, and Jesus answered his call. I remember when I was eight years old I cried out to Jesus to save me, and He heard my call and came into my heart. Our verse in Jeremiah says, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." If we will call unto Him, then He will answer. The world may claim to have all the answers but you won't find what you are looking for in the things of this world. "As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:16-17)
11. If We Have The Faith Of A Child
"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root; and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." Luke 17:5-6
David stood right in front of my chair as I rocked his younger brother and exclaimed, "I've been praying for a little sister!" I didn't want to discourage the faith of a four year old, but I also did not want to build up false hope, and I replied, "I don't think we are going to have any more children, David." It was early fall of 1989 and the boys were 2, 4, 6, and 8 years old. In the few days that followed I learned that I was indeed pregnant with our fifth child. Later, while we were Christmas shopping David asked if we could buy dresses for the new baby. I told him that we didn't know if it was going to be a girl, and in his child-like faith he replied, "God knows!" He surely does. I bought a small doll for the baby and told David he could bring it to the hospital when the baby was born. (I knew I could give it to my neice if I had a boy.) David's baby sister was born a few months later, five days before his fifth birthday. I often watched David whisper up his five second prayers. He would close his eyes and his little lips moved with words only God could hear. And God answered his prayers. I had tried to teach my children about the importance of praying to God anytime, anywhere. David taught me that God hears the prayer of faith... and God answered the prayers of faith of this small child.
12. If You Want To Have Friends, Then Be Friendly
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
I have a quiet nature and reserved personality. I was never popular in school and I had only a few close friends each year. It was not that I didn't want friends, I was just a shy person and had trouble talking to people I didn't know. When I became a mother, I soon learned that most people like to talk to, or about, children. We have five children that stood like stairsteps, and people were always asking me questions about them. I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, but after talking to pre-schoolers all day, it was refreshing to have adult conversation. One thing I learned from my children is... smile. When someoe would look at them, they would smile, and the person would smile back. That is a good way to show yourself friendly. Even in our multi-cultural society, a smile goes a long way to show friendship. Another way to be friendly is to be kind and courteous. Hold the door for people, speak pleasantly, say "Thank you" and "Please". To keep the friends you have, it is also important to know when to say, "I'm sorry." Don't gossip about people, or cut them down. Build up your friends. Being a good friend is not only about talking, but also about listening. Take time to listen to them, cry with them when they need a shoulder to cry on, and rejoice with them when they rejoice. Practice being friendly, and soon you will have many friends.
13. If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15
"10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:10-14
Let's go back to Proverbs 18:24 and look at the last part, "...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Who is this friend? Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and He said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Jesus wants to be our friend. He loved us so much that He gave His life for us. It gives me great joy to serve the Lord and try to keep His commandments. I have peace knowing that He is ever watching over me and my family. I have the hope of eternal life. I have His bountiful blessings on my life. He surely is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
14. If Jesus Went To Prepare A Place For Us, Then He Will Come Again
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:2-6
Take a pencil and a scrap piece of paper and draw a house. Stop reading for a few seconds and draw a house. I wonder how many drew a square with a triangle on top. Oh, you may have added a door and a window or two, but most of us draw a house as a box with a roof. Now draw a picture of your house. Do you have more than one story? Do you have a garage, or long porch? When we think of a house we usually think of four walls, and a roof. We need shelter and protections from the weather. Jesus told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for us. We can read in the book of Revelation that heaven is much more than four walls and a roof. In heaven we will walk on streets of gold. In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus also said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." As you compare the two pictures of the houses you drew, ask yourself where your treasures are. God may have blessed you with a large, lovely home. Be thankful, but don't spend your whole life building treasures down here. Jesus has gone to prepare a place in heaven for all who believe on Him and He will come again to call us home to be with Him. Be content with your home here, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior to reach your heavenly home.
15. If We Abide In Him, Then We Will Bring Forth Fruit
"4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." John 15:4-8
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you..." When I take my daughter to school in the morning I get to work early and have to sit in the car about 15 to 20 minutes. I take my Bible with me and use that time to read from God's Word. One day this week I was thinking about my Bible being there on the seat beside me, and it was like I had invited Jesus to ride with me to work. Since I don't want to leave my Bible in the heat of a closed up car all day, I carry it in to work with me. There is a basket of papers next to the wall of my cubicle and my Bible lays there next to me all day. It makes me feel like the Lord is sitting there with me all day. I carry the Word with me and I feel constantly aware of Jesus' presence in my everyday life. I started thinking of these verses, abiding in Him, and His Word abiding in me, and I began to feel closer to the Lord. I want to be a fruitful branch. I am sure there are some who think I am a little peculiar to carry my Bible to work. But that's ok, because I read in Titus 2:13-14, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
16. If We Give To God, Then He Will Open The Windows Of Heaven
"7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:7-10
Yesterday was the Lord's day. Did you give your tithe and offering to God? Let's look again at the phrase in this verse, "...prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This is the verse God used to speak to me about using the "if... then..." verses for our topic this month. Sometimes the devil tries to tell me it is hard to pay my tithe on pay day. He tells me that I won't have enough left over to pay my bills. A short while ago, God spoke to me through this verse. I took the verse to heart, and prayed about giving more than my tithe to the Lord. God led me to give an extra offering to certain missionaries and to some of His servants. I decided to "prove" the Lord just as His Word said. God has opened the windows of heaven and poured His blessings on my life.. Take this challenge from the Lord. Give your tithes to Him. Give an extra offering, and He will open the windows of heaven and bless you.
(This is another devotional that was first written in 2007. Since that time, I lost my job, but the Lord has continued to bless us and supply all our needs. I praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness to keep His Word.)
17. "If Thy Presence Go Not With Me, Carry Us Not Up Hence"
"12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." Exodus 33:12-15
(Also from 2007.)
One day last week we got up at 5:00 am to get on a plane at 8:00. We got to the airport and checked our luggage and found out that the plane would not be leaving until 12:00 pm. We boarded the plane around that time, but did not get off the ground until after 1:00 pm. Before takeoff, the pilot wanted us to be aware of the problems and said that there were some things "broken", mainly the blackberry that was the communication system of the plane. He said that they would use the old radio communication for our flight. He also said that there were strong winds and they had to refuel. We sat on the plane and waited for an hour, after waiting in the airport over 5 hours. We sat and talked together, and I also talked with the Lord. I prayed that God would go with us as we flew to Minnesota. I thought of these words of Moses. " If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." We arrived safely and enjoyed our stay with my son, his wife, and our baby granddaughter. As I meditated on my devotions for today, I realized that we should carry these words with us everywhere we go. If we always prayed that God's presence go with us, we would not want to go places we shouldn't go. If we made a delierate effort to include God in our day to day conversations, and routines, we would be careful of our words and mannerisms. It took a long wait in an airport to bring me to this verse. What will it take in your life?
18. If Thou Be Christ, Save Thyself And Us"
"39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43
Let's look at the plea of this dying man. He hung on a cross beside our Lord. He may have seen the beating that Jesus was given. He may have been there as Jesus was nailed to the cross. We don't know how much he saw of the mock trial and crucifixion, but he saw enough to know that some thought Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah. Listen as he cries out in anger, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." Maybe you have heard prayers similar to that. "If there is a God up there somewhere..." When the sentence begins with "if" it shows doubt and unbelief. The man on the cross did not fully believe that Jesus was Christ. The rest of his statement was not possible. Jesus could not save Himself and us. He could have saved Himself, because He is God, but He chose to stay on the cross and give His life to save us. Now look at the plea of the other man. "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." He called Him "Lord". This shows submission and humility before the Lord Jesus. His next words, "when thou comest into thy kingdom" show that he truly believed in Jesus. How many of the followers of Jesus had already left Him.? In Luke 24:21-23 after the resurrection, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus told Jesus, "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive." They spoke of Jesus in the past tense, "But we trusted that it had been he..." The man on the cross spoke in the future tense, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." If you have doubts, just put all doubts aside and believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who gave His life on a cruel cross to save you. Throw the "ifs" out the window and trust in Him. He can save you.
19. If God Clothes The Grass, Then He Will Surely Clothe You
"22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Luke 12:22-28
It is a delightful surprise when a husband sends a dozen red roses, just to say, "I love you." We send flowers to the funeral home when a friend passes on, to let the family know we are thinking of them. Flowers brighten any room, and have a way of saying, "Welcome." Even fields of wild flowers have a beauty all their own. And the bridal bouquet is the final touch that adds to the bride's splendor as she walks down the aisle on the dropped rose petals. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" God gave the beauty to the flowers, and they last a few days and then wilt. Why do we ever doubt that God can, and will clothe and feed us?
20. If We Live In The Spirit, Then We Should Walk In The Spirit
"16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25
These verses give us two contrasts: the works of the flesh verses being led by the Spirit. They are at war. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh..." We talked about abiding in Christ and being a fruitful branch. These verses describe the fruit we will bear if we walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit. The love of God can be manifested in our lives in perfect love, joy, and peace that only comes from God. The Spirit can help us be longsuffering, gentle, and good to those around us. We can also have faith, meekness, and temperance within as we grow in the Spirit. Are you a fruitful branch yielding the fruit of the Spirit?
21. If The Son Shall Make You Free
Memorial Day
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36
Many men and women have given their lies down through the ages so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. Memorial Day is a special time that we take to remember, and pay honor to all our veterans. Many still bear physical and emotional scars from the battles they fought. Freedom often comes with a great price. Spiritual freedom came with the greatest price of all. God's Son, Jesus Christ, humbled himself to become man and die for the sins of the world. He fulfilled His own words on the cruel cross; "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) It cost our Lord and Savior His life but He gave it willingly to give to us eternal life. When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and repent you are no longer bound by the chains of sin, but you are set free.
22. If The Lord Is With Us, Then Why Does Stuff Happen?
"11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." Judges 6:11-15
To thresh wheat, a person should be out in the open air so that the chaff will be carried away by the wind. To keep the Midianites from robbing him of his wheat, Gideon is down by the wine press. When I was growing up I would help my dad stack bales of hay in the barn. It wasn't too bad to start on the floor, but the closer we got to the top, the harder it was to breathe with all the bits of hay in the air. I imagine Gideon was getting pretty discouraged and he probably felt like a coward, hiding down in a wine press. He couldn't believe what he was hearing when the angel said, "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." He didn't feel like a mighty man of valor. So he asked the angel a question that people still ask today, "Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?" When trouble comes we often feel forsaken and we are prone to ask, "Why did this happen to me?" We know that God has delivered us through trials in the past, just as Gideon knew that God had delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt. Still we cry, "Why is this happening to me?" God is patient with Gideon, just as He is patient with you and me. "And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" I am so glad that the Lord looked in my direction one day? He lifted me up out of the mirey clay and saved my soul. I have felt His look of compassion on my life, and in my heart, through many trials. We cry out just as Gideon, "Why, Lord?" We want the Lord to make our problems disappear, but sometimes He tells us to stand up against our problems, "Go in this thy might..." And we make our excuses just like Gideon did. We are poor, we are small, we don't have what it takes to fight the fight. But the Lord knows what we can do when we go with Him. Look at the next verse, "And the LORD said unto him., Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." (Judges 6:16) If the Lord tells us to go, we can be sure that He will go with us.
23. If God Wants Me To Do Something, Then Show Me A Sign
"17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.
18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD,..." Judges 6:17-24
As we continue with the story of Gideon we see that he has another "if...then..." statement for God. Although I have heard preachers speak against Gideon's request for a sign, I don't see anywhere in these scriptures that God rebuked Gideon. God actually gave Gideon one sign after another to strengthen his faith. When we have answers to our questions in the Word of God then we don't need signs. We should not have to ask God in prayer, "God, show me if it's your will for me to read my Bible today, or if I should be kind to my neighbor." We often come to crossroads in our life when we don't really know which direction to take. You may be graduating from school or college this month. I think it is wonderful to ask God to give you guidance and direction to the job He wants you to have. The angel of the Lord told Gideon that he was going to save the children of Israel out of the hand of the Mideonites. That's a mighty big challenge. I can't blame Gideon for wanting to make sure he understood correctly what the angel was saying. Notice also that Gideon gives an offering to the Lord as he asks for a sign. We are often prone to ask, ask, ask, without thinking about giving. We need to give offerings of our tithes, time, and talents to the Lord. Once Gideon had his sign from the Lord, he tore down the altar of Baal and the grove of idol worship and the men of the city tried to kill him. "But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet..." (Judges 6:34) He was ready for war, but he needed more faith from the Lord. " And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water." (Judges 6:36-38) We need to notice that Gideon was willing to do all that God wanted him to do. If we are going to ask God for signs of His leadership in our lives, we need to be willing to follow where He leads. Give your offerings to the Lord. Tear down the idols and things that have a prominent position over your faith and worship of God. And blow your trumpet... step out onto the battlefield, because once you yield your life to God, the enemies are going to come against. you.
24. If You Are Afraid
"9 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
11 And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host." Judges 7:9-14
I wanted to look at the story of Gideon once more. Gideon called the children of Israel to fight against the Midianites. And the Lord told him there were too many because they would have said that they won the battle. The Lord had Gideon send most of the men back home until the army was down to 300 men. The Lord wanted Gideon to trust in Him and not be afraid so he sent him to the camp of the enemy, where he overheard the enemies saying that God was going to deliver Midian into his hands. If you don't know the story of Gideon, you might enjoy reading chapters 6 and 7 of Judges to see how they won the battle.
What can we do if we are afraid? When my children were very young, I helped them memorize Psalm 56:3. We were able to quote this verse throughout their childhoods each time they had nightmares, or became afraid. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." We all have fears. It is good to know the One who can calm our fears. When I went in to surgery several years ago, I kept thinking of this verse, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" and I kept going over the 23rd Psalm in my head. God's Word brought me great comfort in that time of fear. If you are afraid, then put your trust in God.
25. If You Seek After Knowledge
"1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:1-6
Another school year is coming to an end. Many young graduates are making choices, about going to college, and finding jobs. Their days of learning are not over, but going on to new and higher levels. Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived, and he encouraged his sons to seek wisdom and understanding. There are many verses about wisdom in the book of Proverbs and this message is also carried over to the New Testament. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) Pray for wisdom. Seek for knowledge. Read your Bible. Keep on learning. Claim this promise. If you seek after wisdom as silver, then you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
26. If The Salt Has Lost Its Savor
"13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Preacher David Woods, from Hudson, NC, preached for our homecoming services Sunday. He used these verses for his text Sunday evening. First we see what we are. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt is good for several things. It adds flavor. Psalm 34:8 says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Salt also acts as a preservative. The Christians in our nation are what holds it together. Another use for salt is to melt the cold. Just as we use salt to melt the ice in the winter, the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can melt cold, hard hearts. We are also the light of the world. Jesus is the light and we are to let His light shine through us. Next we see what we are to do. We are to be the salt of the earth, and we are to let our light shine. Last of all we see what we are not to do. We are not to lose our saltiness. We are not to cover our light. Imagine a basket put over the light. There is light under the basket, but only a few small rays of light will shine through. Apply that to your life and to your church. Imagine a basket over your church. You have light in your church, but your light is not shining out into the dark world. One way we hide our light is through unconfessed sin. Isaiah 59:2 tells us, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Another way to hide our light is inconsistant living. When we live one way at church on Sunday, and live like the world during the week, we are not letting our light shine for the Lord. Unconcern for the lost may cause us to hide our light. The last way we hide our light is through unbelief. Do you feel like you can't witness for the Lord? You just don't believe that you can tell someone what God has done for you? Let me remind you of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." God can work through you if you will yield your life to Him and let His light shine through you. Take the basket off your life and let your light shine.
27. If We Don't Warn The Wicked, Then Their Blood Will Be On Our Hands
"1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 33:1-9
God spoke to Ezekiel to warn His children of coming destruction. These words are from the Old Testament, a message to the children of Israel. We also have a message from the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16) Again we read in Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." We are to go and tell others about Jesus. I have not been a faithful witness as I should have been. Is is sad to realize that there will be people in hell who will lift their hands to me and say, "Why didn't you tell me how to be saved?" Hell and destruction is coming ot the unbelievers and we must warn them as a watchman upon the wall. Pray for me that I will be a living witness for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
28. If The Lord Washed Their Feet
"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:13-15
John the Baptist preached of Jesus, "He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." (John 1:27) The gospels of Matthew and Luke begin with the story of Jesus as He was born in a stable and laid in a lowly manger. He left the splendor of heaven and came down to us so that He might lift us up to Him. The gospel of John begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) I believe that many today like to think of Jesus as a baby born in a manger. They do not see Jesus as the one and only begotten Son of God. Before we look at the example given by the Lord in our verse above, we need to know who Jesus is. "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16) Jesus is God. That is what makes our verse so extraordinary. Jesus stooped down to the position of a servant as He washed the feet of the disciples. He told them that He did this as an example of how we should serve others. There are many verses in the Bible which warn us not to be proud and lift ourselves up above others. I believe that Jesus is pleased when we lower ourselves to serve others. If my Lord could become a servant to be an example for me, then I can be a servant to be an example to others.
29. If Any Man Thirst, Then Let Him Come To Jesus
"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38
High Point Camp Meeting is going on this week and the night started out really hot. With the convenience of bottled water, I have become used to taking a bottle from the refrigerator each time I head out the door. I drank a few more sips from the bottle just before I got out of the car tonight and I noticed that there were other people in the parking lot with bottles of water in their hands. I thought to myself that there are probably many more people like myself, who drink more water and less soft drinks with the convenience of bottled water. Leviticus 23:24 tells us that the feast of the tabernacles was celebrated for 7 days, and the 8th day was holy. As Jesus walked through the midst of the people on the last day maybe He saw that they were hot and thirsty. They did not have the convenience of cold bottles of water for their feast. They had to draw deep from the well to get cool water and they did not have ice cubes to keep it cool. Jesus understood their physical thirst, and even more He understood their spiritual thirst. He cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Have you drunk from the living waters? What is your soul thirsting for? You will never find satisfaction in what the world has to offer. This reminds me of the words He spoke to the Samaritan woman, "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14) After the woman realized that Jesus spoke of spiritual water she ran and called all her friends, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:29) She believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and brought others to Him. We should do the same. The people of the world are thirsting for something in their life that only God can satisfy. Just as you would share a bottle of water with a dying man, won't you share the Living Water with a lost and dying world?
30. If We Stand For God, Then God Will Stand With Us
"14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace." Daniel 3:14-20
Daniel 1:6 tells us that these Hebrews had been carried away to Babylon as children and Nebuchadnezzar had changed their names. "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." (Daniel 1:19-20) Nebuchadnezzar knew of the wisdom of these young men. They were quickly promoted, as we read in Daniel 2:48-49. "Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king." The king could not believe that they would stand against his commandment. That is why he asked, "Is it true...?" He even offered to give them another chance to bow to his idol, but they refused. They stood firm in their faith to serve God only. They were thrown into the fiery furnace and the Lord stood with them. "Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3:24-25) Stand firm in your Christian beliefs. Don't bow to the gods of the world.
31. If We Walk Wth God, Then God Will Walk With Us
"And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people." Leviticus 26:12
We sang a song at Camp Meeting that has the words, "I don't know just what I'd do if the Lord wasn't walking by my side." That is so true in my heart. With all the problems we face in the world, I often ask, "How do people live that don't know God? Where do they turn in times of trouble?" Even on the darkest days, God sends light to my path. In the most difficult times He gives me peace down in my soul. Do you walk with God? The prophet Amos asked the question, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) In our verse above God told the children of Israel that He would walk among them. In the same chapter He said, "And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins... And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins." (Leviticus 26:21-24) From the beginning of time God wanted to walk with man. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden of Eden until sin separated them. "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" (Genesis 3:8-9) God knew where they were. They had walked contrary to God. I want to live out my days walking and talking with God. Because I can truly say, "I don't know just what I'd do if the Lord wasn't walking by my side."
If... Then...
