After David had sinned and done a terrible thing by committing adultery, he said this in Psalm 51:3, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Can you imagine what it would be like for your sin to “ever” be before you? The deed would reverberate through your consciousness unendingly. You see, the conscience is an inner judge that God puts in you that accuses or excuses you. It cannot make you do right, but it shows you what is right or what is wrong. When your conscience is right, you have tremendous freedom. A good conscience will do something for you that a sleeping pill could never do.

What is your conscience “telling” you this morning? Are you right with God, in all areas?

I read something that deeply touched my heart about a PGA golfer named DiVincenzo. As he was leaving a golf course with his winnings, a woman approached him and said, “I have a baby who is dying.” Moved with compassion, he endorsed the check and gave it to her saying, “Take this, and try to buy some happiness for yourself and your child.” A week later, he was in the clubhouse having lunch, and one of the PGA officials came up to him and said, “Did you know that the woman who approached you last week didn’t have a baby dying of an incurable disease!” And DiVincenzo said, “There’s no baby dying? That’s the best news I’ve heard all week!” What an attitude!

I love to water ski.  When I was learning I found some basic rules to follow: One, the skier must follow the boat. Skiing ahead of the boat doesn’t work very well. Two, the skier should travel in the same direction as the boat. Three, the skier must hold on to the rope being pulled by the boat. If not, he will stop very quickly.

Following Jesus is something like water skiing. One, it works best if Jesus is out front, pulling, rather than behind, pushing. Two, it is best if both you and Jesus are traveling in the same direction. His direction. And three, it is best if you hold on very tightly; otherwise, your forward progress will stop.

Let’s all work on following Jesus this week. Don’t forget to hold on very tightly.

The song I sing today is -  “guided by the unseen hand”.  Let’s God’s hand guide, hold, and carry you.

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“You will never meet a fear that Jesus has not conquered; you will never face an enemy that Jesus has not defeated; you will never have a need that Jesus cannot meet; you will never face a temptation that Jesus cannot overcome; you will never have a burden that Jesus cannot lift; you will never face a problem that Jesus cannot solve; you will never have a wound that Jesus cannot heal; you will never know a bondage that Jesus cannot break; you will never know a circumstance when Jesus is not sufficient; you will never experience a moment when Jesus does not care.”

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

Hebrews 12:2

Think about it - He satisfiest the DESIRE.  I know through love and pity He fills my every need, through love and duty He covers my wants, but to satisfy my DESIRES shows a tender watchfulness, a sweet gracious knowledge of us, and an eagerness to BLESS US!  He tells us in Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the DESIRES of thine heart”.  Today, Trust in Him and be fed, Delight in Him and have your desires fulfilled, commit your way unto Him and let Him bring it to pass.  Rest in Him, wait patiently for Him.  After all His love, His tender mercies and watch care delight in fulfilling the DESIRES of your heart!

Here is a paradox - Love not the world and yet we must love it.  Although we should not love the things of the world or the sin of the world we must LOVE THE WORLD.  We need to learn to love it with the love of God, who gave His Son to die for it.  Love it with the love of Christ who willingly shed His blood for it.  Love it with the love of angels, who rejoice in its conversion.  Love it to do it good, giving tears to its sufferings, pity to its sorrow, wealth to its wants, prayers to it miseries, and Christ to it needs.  We cannot live without affecting the world and those around us so affecting for better by giving them love in Christ.  Yes, we live in the world but we must learn to look beyond it into eternity, look above it into heaven, and leave it better than we left it.

As I went outside this morning I asked myself - “Am I really living in Sweetwater, Texas?”  It was raining and then shortly thereafter, snowing!  The first day of March, snow in Texas.  I have had the privilege of being in 48 of the 50 states, living overseas, and experiencing all types of weather from Greenland to the Florida Keys and I must admit I LIKE IT WARM.  But here is the reality, no matter where I live, I must live for Christ.  Warm, cold, tropical, dry doesn’t really matter.  What matters is that Christ is my ALL in ALL - Col 3:11.  Today keep in mind that the Service of Christ is the business of your life; the will of Christ is the law of your life; the presence of Christ is the joy of your life; and the glory of Christ is the crown of your life.  Today is the first day of the rest of your life - make a difference somewhere and in someone.

The word “keepeth” in 1 John is a derivative of a word that sailors used years ago to refer to their practice of steering their course by “keeping” the stars. This did not mean, of course, that a sailor would not be blown off course or that he might not over-steer. It didn’t mean that he might not nod at the wheel, or somehow be distracted, or fail to keep a perfect chart. But the goal, the aim, the desire, and the controlling principle in his life were those stars. He knew that in them he could find direction to his destination. In the same way, John says God’s commandments are to be the standard by which you and I chart our courses in life.

God wants to build spiritual steel and rock-solid faith into you. And the way He will do this is through the fires of affliction. Why? To test you. The faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted. The times I have grown the most were not when everything was going fine. The times when we go through sorrow, pressure, and trouble are the growing pains of our lives with Christ. Isn’t that true? Someone wrote these lines, “I walked a mile with pleasure. She chatted all the way. But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she. But oh, the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me.”

A farmer and his farmhand went duck hunting. The farmer said to his friend, “You’re always talking about fighting with the devil. I’m not a Christian, and I never have to fight with the devil.” The farmhand answered, “Boss, if you and I shot two ducks, one was wounded and one was dead, which one would you go after first?” He said, “Well, I guess the wounded duck.” He said, “That’s right. The devil knows you’re a dead duck.” If the devil doesn’t bother you, it’s because he doesn’t have to bother you, since you and he are traveling in the same direction. If you turned around, you’d have a collision with him. Right now, you are in collusion with him.