Will your CONSCIENCE stretch?

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will REJOICE and be glad in it! It is going to be a beautiful, WINDY day in West Memphis. As I type this blog, it is 6:00 am and the wind is blowing 25 mph. It reminded me of what Jesus says in John 3:8 (MSG) You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God." Those who are Christians (born from above, by the Spirit of God), wake up every morning saying, "Lord, I'm not sure where you are taking me today, or what you have planned, but take my life, my plans, and use me today for your glory!" And He will do it! What an exciting time to be alive and in the Kingdom of God! Continuing the thought about the wind (as I hear it singing outside of my window), it is very important that we allow the wind of the Spirit to carry us along, and not every WIND OF DOCTRINE or NEW thing that comes along to ENTICE US.

Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 4:13-15 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 13 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

God desires for us to ALL come into the UNITY of the faith, and that grow into the full measure of Christ. The way we do that is to be LED by the Wind of the Spirit, and RESIST the WIND of false teaching and NEW doctrines. Let's be ROOTED and GROUNDED in God's Word. Hide it in our HEARTS and speak it out of our MOUTHS. When we do that, we will not compromise our walk with Christ. The question today for all of us is, "Will I allow my conscience to be stretched by anyone or anything?" Let's talk about it.

Psalm 119:11 Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin.

Ever hear of a Pitcher plant? It attracts insects with its bright colours, but once inside, they lose their footing and slide down a sugar coated tube into a liquid that drowns them. Satan does that too; he sugar coats the way to ruin and before you know it you're hooked.

Adam Clark once worked in a shop selling silk. One day his boss suggested he stretch the silk as he measured it; this would increase profits, and also Adam's value to the company. He refused. Adam Clark told his boss, "Your silk may stretch but my conscience won't."

Nixon aid Jeb Magruder, commenting on the Watergate scandal said: "We conned ourselves into thinking we weren't doing anything wrong, and by the time we were doing things that were illegal, we'd lost control."

The book The Day America Told The Truth, reports that 91% of those interviewed lie regularly, and 70% believe there are 'no absolutes' when it comes to good and evil. God says: "Don't move back the boundary lines" (Proverbs 22:28 TM). Why? Because they're there for your protection! Paul writes, "Hold fast that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21) because right's right, even when everybody's against it, and wrong's wrong, even when everyone's for it.

After fasting 40 days, Satan said to Jesus: "Change these stones into… bread" (Matthew 4:3 NLT). Now eating's okay when you're hungry, but following the devil's suggestions is not. So, while Satan twisted the Scripture to justify sin, Jesus used it to withstand him. And you can to do that too!

My prayer for each of us today is that we, along with Adam Clark, will say, "...my CONSCIENCE will not STRETCH" PERIOD, END OF STORY!

I pray that you have an INTEGRITY-filled day! Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Today’s “THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR” reading: February 26, 2008 (Tuesday) I Samuel 8:1-I Samuel 12:25

This week’s MEMORY VERSE to hide in your heart: Isaiah 58:6-8

Isaiah 58:6-8 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (7) Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (8) Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.