​I was sick on Tuesday with the crud so today I give you Wednesday's Wisdom 

          Are You Really Ready For Christmas?
 
          It’s tough to miss Christmas if you live in America today. Just about anyone with a pulse can tell you what time of year it is. We hear the ads on the radio and TV, see the lighted houses and buildings, the decorated yards in our neighborhoods, the displays inside every store make sure we don’t forget. The clues many times are there to tell us simply – be prepared. Don’t get caught without just the right gift – the right decorations – the right treats and goodies.
          Who do you think was fully prepared for the first Christmas? Were the stores that day full of last-minute shoppers in search of holiday gifts? Were the huts and houses decked out with twinkling décor? Were the theaters and houses of worship offering special shows and musicals? Did anxious children find it hard to sleep that night? My guess is the answer to all the above is “No.”
          But the first Christmas was not without its own signals and signs dating back a few centuries. The prophets had predicted a coming Savior, the Messiah, who would be born of a virgin, from the ancestral line of David, born in Bethlehem – all Jews, even the marginally religious – had known such things from the time they were toddlers.
          And yet on the eve of the very first Christmas business pretty much went along as usual for most. People came home from work and cleaned up for dinner. Children played in the dusty streets until time for bed. Spouses rolled over and gave good night kisses before turning out the light.
          The first Christmas might have been easy to miss. But the subsequent ones in our lifetimes are practically impossible to overlook. The Bible tells us in Revelation 22:7 &12 that Jesus says “Behold, I am coming soon!”  Here’s a question I pose to you today: Have we done more to prepare for the celebration of a past event than we have to prepare for His future coming?
 In other words, do our efforts to observe and remember his first coming surpass our attention to the details of being ready for Him to come again? Some of us might have a better idea of how to prepare for a great Christmas celebration than we do for how to prepare for Him to suddenly appear today.
          Christmas is December 25 every year. Easy to keep track of. What day will Jesus return? We don’t know. The key is to be watchful and alert all the time. Constant attention needs to be given all the time, because it could be any moment. After all, Jesus said it would be soon. Ready or not
          At Christmas children are told they shouldn’t be bad or they’ll get coal in their stocking. The prospect of Santa coming soon spurs them on toward good behavior.
The prospect of Jesus coming back has a lot more on the line than candy or coal in a stocking. We’re talking eternity. Heaven and Hell. So we ought to live holy and godly lives. That means if there are things we are practicing now that we wouldn’t if we were sure today was judgment day – we need to change them today. How would you want Jesus to find you on the day He returns?
           In some ways this has been a tough Christmas. The rain and cold have made our usual preparations a bit more difficult. The economy and layoffs have been bad. People come home exhausted from shopping, fighting traffic, driving in this horrible weather – but you got it done. You persevered. Now you’re ready to celebrate. Listen to what Paul tells Timothy about the Christian life. “Fight the good fight of the faith…I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Timothy 6:12, 14)
          Persevere. Don’t give up. You’ll be tempted to think, it’s not worth it. You’ll be tempted to think, Jesus isn’t coming back. You’ll be tempted to turn away. You’ll be tempted to take your eyes off of Jesus while you wait. You’ll be tempted to make a compromise here or there because it’s been a long time already, and Jesus hasn’t come yet.
But don’t give in to those temptations. Persevere. What’s the best strategy for life-long perseverance? Remember that He’s coming soon. Remember that He came on Christmas once and He can do it again. Are you ready if He does come this Christmas? In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs

​Tuesday’s Truth is a free weekly devotional shared by Rev. Gary Mimbs
 
You Are An Important Member of the Team
 
          At a business that I do an early morning Bible study at, I arrived the week of a holiday. Several of the workers were on vacation. As the manager was talking about the tasks that they needed to do that week he kept experiencing that, “Well so and so handles that and he is on vacation”. This happened in several areas and concerning several assignments that needed to be done.  The guys shifted around and covered for those who were out in order to make sure that the orders got filled that week.
          I thought about how each member of the team is vital for the business to be successful and to keep flowing smoothly. Each person has a job to do and each person is important in seeing the task completed. It is great that the other workers could step in and help cover temporarily for the one that was out. It would not be a great business plan to try and operate like that on a regular basis.
          I know that in life and even church work we sometimes feel like what we do isn’t that important and if we don’t show up it won’t make much of a difference. I want to tell you that you are wrong in that type of thinking. Everyone is important in the Kingdom of God. Each saved person is a member of the Family of God and has a specific purpose that God had called you to do. When you aren’t there the Kingdom suffers and things don’t flow as smoothly.
          I want to let you know that I, as a pastor, appreciate each person who attends our church and I want everyone to know that they are important. When we do what God has called us to do, no matter how unimportant it may seem to you, it is a key part of seeing God’s work done here on Earth. There are no unimportant people in the eyes of God. He loves you so much and you are so important to Him that He sent His only Son to die for your sins so that you could be a part of His family.
          Be cautious and don’t burn out. It is okay to take a short break every once in a while. But don’t be slack about what God has called you to do. When you are missing in action other people have to cover your part. You may not see much benefit down here but God promises us that our faithfulness will be rewarded in Heaven. So hang in there and do your part. You are vital and loved. In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs 

​Tuesday’s Truth is a free weekly devotional shared by Rev. Gary Mimbs
 
Terminal?
 
          I met a man who had been diagnosed with cancer. The doctor told him that his condition was terminal. The man really didn’t know what the term meant. So he went and looked it up. The first definition that he saw said - A place designated to wait until transportation arrives to transport a person to another location. The man, who was a strong Christian, got excited about this definition. He said I am terminal in that I am waiting for God to transport me from this life here on Earth to eternal life with Him in heaven. WOW.
          In that sense we are all terminal. We are here on Earth awaiting God to transport us to another location. That location will either be Heaven (If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ) of Hell if you are unsaved. We just don’t know how long we will be waiting in this terminal here on Earth. We can’t always know how long we will be here on Earth but we can know how long we will be at whichever location that we finally arrive at. The answer is for all of eternity.
          Eternity is something we really can not measure with our finite minds. Eternity has been compared to a thousand years being one grain of sand in the midst of an unending dessert. Or one drop of water being a thousand years and that drop of water is in a vast ocean. It is never ending. We hear of criminals getting multiple life sentences. The truth is that we all have an eternal sentence.
       The good news is that if you are saved your eternity will be spent with God, Jesus, and all of the saints of all time in a spectacular place called heaven. The bad news is that if you are unsaved, you will spend your eternity in an indescribably horrible place called Hell. You get to choose where you will spend eternity. BUT you must live with the choice for all of that eternity that never ends. There are no do overs or mulligans when it comes to eternity. So please choose carefully.
       Your choice for all eternity will make your terminal condition either exciting as the man with the diagnosis was, or fearful and terrifying as you face an endless eternity of pain, sorrow, and suffering. As one person has said – “If you are a Christian then your life here on Earth is the only Hell that you will experience. But if you are not a Christian then this is the only Heaven that you will ever know.”
In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs

​Tuesday’s Truth is a free weekly devotional shared by Rev. Gary Mimbs
 
Temptation Is A Powerful Force
 
          On a recent family vacation our 10-year-old granddaughter Amelia kept on insisting that she was not getting into the water when we went to the beach. When asked several times by her mother and others about being sure about not getting into the ocean water she was almost defiant in her determination that she was not getting into the ocean. Her reason was that she did not want to have to wash her hair. She has beautiful full thick wavy hair, and it is a chore to wash it. 
          When we get to the beach and she sees everyone else going into the water you could see Amelia contemplating her decision. She would look at the Ocean and then look at her hair. Pretty soon the Ocean called her name one last time and away she went. She dove in with a fury and was one of the last ones out of the water. The temptation got the better of her, and she wound up doing what she was determined not to do.
          Paul tells us about this situation in Romans chapter 7 - “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer myself who does it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who does it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
          Now Amelia’s desire wasn’t sinful but still the temptation overcame what she was determined not to do. That is why we have to crucify the old sinful nature in order to have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and do what the Spirit leads us to do. In our own strength we cannot overcome the powerful force of temptation. But with the Spirit’s help it is much more achievable.
          Paul goes on to say: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  He realizes that he cannot overcome this force without the supreme power of God that gives him the overcoming power.
In love with Jesus - Gary Mimbs

​Tuesday’s Truth is a free weekly devotional shared by Rev. Gary Mimbs
 
Keep It Awake?
 
          I got a new phone and transferred all of my old apps to the new phone. I also downloaded some new apps. I got a notice from the phone that it was putting to sleep some apps that I have not used enough to keep them active. One of the apps was a Bible app that I had transferred from my old phone. It was shocking to see that I had not used the Bible app enough to keep it “awake” and active.
          The reason was that I had started using the new Bible app that I had downloaded. But still I didn’t like the thought that the phone recognized that I had not used this Bible app enough for it to stay vital. There was no notification from my gaming apps or from my sports apps – they were all very active. But in the phone’s view, my Bible app had been neglected and was going to be made inactive.
          How does that translate to the real world? What are the biggest priorities in our world? Do we spend more time gaming, checking on sports teams, shopping online, chatting, following Facebook, twitter, Instagram than we do reading the Word of God? Have we become so entertained that the devil has stolen our passion for the things of God? Has the devil so changed our priority to love the Lord our God with ALL of our heart, mind and soul that we now love the things of the world more? I am asking me as much as I am asking you.
          Jesus anticipated this when He said in Matthew 6:33 when he said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”.  A Christian song writer, singer Josiah Queen captures this idea in his song, “Dusty Bibles” The phrase "we got dust on our Bibles, brand new iPhones" is a lyric from the song "Dusty Bibles" This line reflects a sentiment about how people often neglect their spiritual lives (symbolized by dusty Bibles) while being preoccupied with modern technology (represented by brand new iPhones). The song explores themes of distraction and the struggle to maintain meaningful connections in a fast-paced, technology-driven world.
          Have we become so distracted by the technology of the world that we have neglected and forgotten the simple truths from God’s Word. Have we “put to sleep” by lack of use of the most important writings and principles ever written (The Bible)? This is God’s Holy Word. His love letter and instruction guide to navigate life and make it to Heaven one day. We need to AWAKEN our passion and desire for the things of God FIRST before it is too late and we are put to sleep spiritually. In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs

Tuesday’s Truth is a free weekly devotional shared by Rev. Gary Mimbs

 Share Jesus By Any Means That You Can           

Our church has a very good security system including a ring doorbell at our church office. It is there to allow the secretary to see who is at the door and allow her to communicate with them without letting them in if necessary. The alarm sends a notice to my phone and hers when someone is at the door.       

I was home one night when a pretty powerful rainstorm hit town. I got a notice on my phone that someone was at the door of the church office. I looked on the phone and saw a young man who had obviously got caught in the storm and was seeking shelter on the church front porch. I startled him by asking through the alarm if he was okay. He said that he was just trying to wait out the storm.         

He asked me if I was going to call the cops on him. I advised him that he had not done anything wrong and that he was more than welcome to stay on the porch until the rain passed by. We began to talk, and he told me that he had drank a few beers after work and was feeling buzzed. I told him that I didn’t judge him and that as long as he didn’t drink one on the church porch he was welcome to stay.         

As we talked, he began to reveal how he had been hurt at another church and he had tried to avoid church since then. He had been in jail a few times and he said that God really has a sense of humor. He told me that as he bought his beer that day, he had felt convicted and that he really wanted to quit drinking. Then as he is walking down the road the sudden summer rainstorm comes up and the only place to stay dry was on the porch of a church. Now here he is on the porch of a church talking to a preacher through a ring doorbell camera.         

As we talked, he sobered up pretty quick and we had a serious conversation about God’s love for him. He had a very strong Bible knowledge and could quote several scriptures. I told him that God loved him enough to put him on a church porch during a storm. I also told him that the Holy Spirit had sobered him up and awakened His spirit that was within him. I prayed for him, and he promised to come back to church sometimes since I had not judged him, condemned him, or called the cops on him. He left as the storm ended and I felt like God had used me to try and help this young man.         

About 5 minutes later I got notified again that someone was at the church office door. I looked and it was the young man back and this time he had brought a friend that he found down the street. He introduced his friend and then told his friend that I was someone that he could trust and talk to. I would end up witnessing to and counseling with this friend for about 5 minutes. I prayed with both of them and they left.       

I wonder if in I Corinthians 9:20 when Paul said that “…I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some” he had witnessing to someone through a ring doorbell camera in mind? Hey – use whatever it takes to tell people about Jesus.  In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs ​

Say Anything To Get Out Of  Jail / Hell

In my decades of ministry, I have visited my share of people in jail. I had a prison ministry for over 6 years. It is amazing what jail will do to get some people’s attention. That addict that was cursing and out of control will tell you how much they have been praying and reading the Bible since they got locked up. Others will basically say anything they think that you want to hear to help you get them out of jail.

I have seen a few incarcerated people be sincere and the experience turned their life around and they started living for Jesus. That is why I take every opportunity to minister to and witness to those who are locked up. I can’t tell you who is genuinely seeking the Lord or who is just playing the game to get freedom. That is why I treat each one as an opportunity to introduce (Or reintroduce) them to Jesus who can set them free - not only from physical jail but the bondage that sin brings with it.

In thinking about this I concur that not only will people say anything to get out of jail - but they will also say anything to get out of trouble. I have seen people when they were in trouble promise God that they would never miss a Sunday of church or never do bad things again if God would just get them out of the situation that they were in. When God does His part, pretty soon the person starts to backpedal on the promises that they made while in a crisis.

People will also say anything to stay out of Hell. You ask someone about their relationship with Jesus, and they will tell you that they are a good moral person. They will list all of the good things that they do and the bad things that they don’t do. They will give you their spiritual resume. The problem is that it takes a RELATIONSHIP not a RESUME to get to Heaven.

You can say whatever you want but if you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior then you aren’t getting into Heaven. I have met many silver-tongued salesmen who talk you into almost anything. But no one will be slick enough to talk God into letting them into His heaven when you are not saved. You may fool others down here and even fool yourself - but you will NOT fool God.

The best thing is to make sure that your relationship with Jesus is solid and up to date. The Bible tells us that we can know that we know that everything is good between us and Jesus. So instead of trying to talk your way out of a jam - talk to Jesus BEFORE the jam comes up and you may avoid the jam all together.
In love with Jesus - Gary Mimbs ​

“Not Today Satan”          

I have heard people who were going through spiritual battles use the expression out loud, “Not Today Satan”. This is not a magical chant or phrase. It carries with it the power and authority that every up to date born again believer has. They are, (I hope), claiming Spiritual authority to tell Satan to flee James 4:7 (Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you) or leave them alone.          

But I am afraid that many times we use a similar phrase, even though we would most never say it out loud or even want to admit that we use it. Sometimes when God, through the Holy Spirit, speaks to our heart about doing or not doing something, in our spirit we will say, “Not today God. I know that I should do or not do this thing that you are directing me in, but I chose to exercise my free will and NOT do or not do that thing that you are speaking to me about”.         

We take great pride in saying outload, “Not today Satan”, but we say silently to God, “not today”. We exercise our spiritual authority when we claim James 4:7. We #1 Submit to God. #2 Resist the Devil. #3 Claim that he has to flee from us. But when we say not to God, we are NOT submitting to Him. We are claiming our selfish free will to disobey Him and sin against Him through our disobedience.  

There are consequences to claiming your Spiritual authority and also for disobeying God. When we claim our Spiritual authority God works through and empowers us to take Spiritual action against the Devil. The Bible says that he HAS to flee. He has no option because the Spiritual authority that you are claiming is more powerful than he is. Praise the Lord.         

But when you, in your own spirit and power, claim your right to say “not today” to God, you have followed the power of the devil and sinned against God. There is spiritual warfare going on all the time and you have to choose to submit to God and receive His power or submit to the devil and follow his disobedience. To follow him is to face the consequences that are the price of sin. This will eventually wind up in defeat in some area of your life that you are disobedient in.          

I challenge you to submit yourself to God and claim your spiritual authority, because if you are NOT submitted to Him, then you can say, “Not today Satan” and he will laugh at you because you have NO authority over Him. He won’t flee but will attack you even harder because he knows that there is sin in your life that is blocking your connection with the Father.

Before you claim Spiritual authority to tell Satan to flee, confess any known sin and be restored to the right relationship with God. This gives you the power and authority over Satan and He WILL have to flee. Satan won’t flee forever, and he will be looking for the next opportunity to attack you. So stay prayed up, confessed up, and submitted up and God will fight your battles for you.  In love with Jesus –Gary Mimbs     ​