“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:3-4 NKJV)

All have fallen short because of sin!

There was a problem called Sin! And no matter what we do to try to reach God, we still come short of God’s glory because of it!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23 ESV)

The wages of sin is death but God gives us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23 NIV)

God has provided a Mediator between God and man

The good news is that God has provided a way to bridge the sin-gap with His Son, Jesus!

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 2:5  NKJV)

We now can come freely to God through Jesus!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30 ESV)

Yes, this means everyone who calls on His Name!

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:13 ESV)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 ESV)

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7 NASB)

Practice the presence of God

The Practice of the Presence of God is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite monk. He didn't do all the normal religious things most monks did, but instead practiced thinking about God and including Him in all the little things he did. He realized the simple truth that God is always present and you should look for and recognize Him everywhere.

God is continually present, whether you realize it or not. The Bible says so!

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20 NASB)

God never leaves you! 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalms 139:7-10 NIV)    

 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalms 50:1-6 ESV)

Happy 4th of July!

This is the day that Americans celebrate their independence! It's all about freedom and being happy about it!

There are times we should celebrate!

“A time to weep, “and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecl. 3:4 ESV)

“Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.” (Psalm 148:5 ESV)

Do it to the Glory of God!

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 ESV)

This is God’s gift to you!

“Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.” (Ecl. 3:13 ESV)

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 ESV)

What if my desires are wrong, then what? 

When I first saw the above verse in the Bible, I was shocked at what it said, that you'd get the desires of your heart by simply delighting yourself in God. I thought, “What if my desires are selfish? What if I desire something sinful? Would God still give them to me?” Then, I  discovered something very surprising about this promise. When you truly delight yourself in God, something miraculous happens. God changes your desires and you end up desiring what He desires for you. It's a wonderful process.

It's an often mentioned subject

The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of delighting and pleasing God. According Baker’s Bible dictionary the idea of delight occurs approximately 110 times in Scripture in various forms. The related concept of "please" occurs about 350 times.

Jesus, as our supreme example, took great delight in honoring and obeying his Father

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." (John 8:29 NIV)

And what pleases (delights) Him, should also delight us as well!

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (2 Cor. 5:9 NIV)

And it makes us joyful!

“Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.” (Psalm 112:1 NLT)

“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." (Matt. 9:2 NIV)

Most Christians are missing out!

Many of God’s followers have never had the joy of bringing someone else to the knowledge of a personal relationship with Christ. There are many reasons for this. Some are simply oblivious to their responsibility to share the Good News. Others would do so, but they do not know how, so they don't even try, although many clear opportunities may actually come their way. Some believe it's the exclusive responsibility of the clergy, not them. Then, there are those who are simply afraid to share their faith with anyone at all, like my friend Mary Beth. She attended my soul winner’s class at her church, mainly as something to do because she pretty much attended everything the church presented, no matter what. I taught the group how to use a little booklet to lead someone to Christ. It has Scripture verses and steps they could use to share Jesus with any interested person, and it even has a little prayer they could pray with anyone who wishes to invite Jesus into their life. It is a simple step-by-step tool. Anyone could easily use it to bring someone to Jesus… accept Mary Beth, as she exclaimed very sincerely. She told me she simply couldn't and wouldn't, because she was too shy, was an introvert, and quite frankly, was just too afraid to do it, period! I told her that once she knew how to bring someone to Jesus, He would provide the opportunity for her to do it. She just shook her head, laughed and said, “Mike, you're wonderful! You can easily share with anyone. That’s your personality, but it's not mine. I will never be able to do it!”

About a month later I saw Mary Beth at the county fair

She was sitting next to another woman and they were watching our Gospel Music program. I was the MC of the event made up of individuals and groups who were taking turns singing gospel songs. One of the singers was a black woman named Mildred Wynette. She had just finished a rousing version of the song, “Jesus got a hold of my life, and He won't let me go!” Her presentation was lively, animated and enthusiastic. After she finished the song, Mary Beth came up to me and said, “I just can't believe it! I was sitting next to a lady over there on the bench, and we were both tapping our feet to the music in enjoyment. The woman said, ‘Wow, you can sure feel the Lord’s presence when that lady sings!’ And, I said, ‘yes, you can. Are you a Christian, too?” And she said, “No, I'm not! I don't know how to become a Christian. I don't go to church and no one has ever explained what I should do to become a Christian.” And I said to her, ‘Oh, it's so easy to become a Christian! Let me show you this little booklet I just got at my church that explains it so clearly. I then took the booklet out of my purse and shared the simple steps with her. At the end of the booklet was the little prayer and she gladly prayed it with me! She invited Jesus to be her personal savior right then and there! I just can't believe it, I just led someone to Jesus!” I said, “Mary Beth, you’re wonderful!”

Be prepared to share!

Mary Beth thought she could never share Christ because she was shy. But, she was mistaken! Once she knew how, God set up the opportunity for her to use what she knew. The main reason most people don't share Jesus, is because they wouldn't know what to say if they were asked directly by someone who wanted to know. Don't let that happen to you!

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

Here is the simple plan, similar to what Mary Beth shared: www.mikefrench.com/recycledpeople

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Gal. 6:1 NLT)

It breaks my heart to often see fellow believers attack another brother or sister in Christ who may have failed in some way, or who they disagree with theologically. It shouldn't be that way! Ever! It's, unbiblical, unrighteous, unkind, divisive and destructive to God's kingdom work! Christians must support and help one another.  "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." (Mark 3:25 KJV)

Christians should NOT be devouring one another!

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Gal. 5:15 ESV)

No one is perfect! 

Understand that no one is perfect and all stumble and "fall short.” (Rom. 3:23).  Therefore, always be kind and forgiving as Christ has forgiven you!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 ESV)

Kindness leads to repentance

 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom  2:4 NASB)

Outdo one another with genuine love!

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Rom. 12:9-13 ESV)

Have sympathy,  brotherly love  and a tender heart!

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV)

Your love for one another is the proof! 

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35 NLT)

 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Rom. 8:11 NIV)

God has poured out His Holy Spirit on you abundantly!

“God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:6)

The Spirit brings life and peace!

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6 NIV)

The Holy Spirit teaches you!

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.” (John 14:26)

The Holy Spirit helps you proclaim His message boldly,

“When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

The Spirit's presence in you is for the good of all!

“The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

The Spirit helps you to pray with power

“In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

“But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20)

“For in him we live and move and exist.” (Acts 17:28 NLT)

We are His workmanship

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10 NIV)

You belong to God!

“But you belong to God, my dear children.” (2 John 4:4 NLT)

“Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.” (Deut. 10:14 NASB)

“The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them.” (Psalm 89:11).

Therefore, serve the Lord!

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11 NIV)

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19 NIV)

A few years ago, I was remodeling a room that required putting up a few pieces of wallboard cut at odd angles. This was not a big challenge because it was a matter of measuring accurately and cutting the material carefully. I followed the rule of “measuring twice and cutting once” to assure no mistakes. I cut the first piece and then held it up to the place it was to be nailed to. But, to my surprise, it did not fit! I was sure I had measured correctly before cutting it! I had even written down the measurements before cutting. I rechecked them and they were correct! So, how could my angles be off? Then I decided to check the accuracy of my tools. The tape measure was correct, so that wasn't the problem. However, the t-square I had been using to cut with was off by a quarter of an inch! Somehow it had gotten bent, so anything I would use it for would be wrong! Now I understood why it hadn't fit and how to fix it. After getting an accurate t-square, my cut pieces fit perfectly.

Use the Word of God for accuracy!

In the same way, if your personal belief system or philosophy of life which you are using to base your decision-making process on is not biblically accurate, the results could be undesirable. I have a friend who told me many years ago that he made his life decisions based on Shakespeare's words, “Above all, to thine own self be true.” It may have sounded good to him, but it is not a Biblical concept. In fact, it's the exact opposite of God’s many commands about putting other’s needs ahead of yourself. Sadly, his unbiblical philosophy led to many negative consequences for him over the years, including failed marriages and problems with his business and children. His life could have been so much better had he based his decision-making philosophy on God’s Word, such as this verse: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 NIV)

God’s Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 NIV)

It will throughly equip you for every good work

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:15-17 NIV)