Enoch Walked With God

Genesis 5:24

What a simple verse.  A simple thought.  No fireworks.  No anthems played.  No fanfare.  Enoch walked with God.  Verse 23 says he walked with God three hundred years.  It’s easy to read those verses in a hurry and miss something huge.  

God didn’t walk with Enoch… Enoch walked with God.

There is a difference.  If I want to be right with God I must get in step with Him.  As we learned years ago through the study Experiencing God, we must find out what God is doing and be a part of it.  In the case of Enoch, find out where God is walking and walk with Him. 

The problem today is we want God to walk with us.  We want Him to agree with us.  We want Him to bless us.  We want God to walk with us even if it means He must change directions.  Even if it goes against His will.  Even if it violates His word. 

Don’t try to get God to walk with you.  Walk with Him.  Do whatever it takes to walk with Him.  Make whatever changes are necessary for you to walk with Him. You may have to stop and turn around.  It may mean a change of pace.  Don’t try to walk ahead of Him – Walk with Him.  Today.

Enoch walked with God.

“Dear Lord, I don’t know what all this means, but I know I want to walk with you.  Show me.  Teach me.  Guide me.  Lead me.  Help me….that I may walk with you today.”

MM   

Scattered In The Wilderness

1 Cor. 10:1-13

The woods are full of fallen trees – The world is full of fallen people.

…..While walking recently I noticed several fallen trees. Some were large, some were small.  These fallen trees were simply left there to rot in the heat and cold.  But what else is there to do with a fallen tree – except to let it lay where it has fallen?  These trees, sadly and maybe unavoidably, had fallen on other trees that were now bent over, disfigured, and unable to grow as they were intended.  Those trees are like people – they’re everywhere, scattered far and wide.  They’re in the church, in our neighborhoods, in our homes and families...  What can we learn?

I see many fallen Christians who are like trees scattered in the wilderness - But this is nothing new.  The good, godly, and gifted have been falling like trees since the days of Adam and Eve.  Skim the scriptures and you’ll read of men like Jacob and Esau, David and Samson, Bathsheba and Delilah, Nebuchadnezzar and Ahab and Jezebel and Jonah...Folks like Peter and Judas, Ananias and Sapphira, Demas and Diotrophes, and the list goes on. 

…..They’re all around us - men and women who once were…they were the good and godly and gifted…they were should have beens, could have beens, would have beens…they had dreams and aspirations, but now they’re like trees scattered in the wilderness – fallen never to rise again.  

I'm not suggesting that God’s grace isn’t enough – it’s just that fallen people are much like fallen trees.  They seldom ever rise above their fall. 

Truth from Trees:

·      Fallen trees land on others.  A fallen believer has an effect on those around them.  Dad, if you fall, you may fall on your son.  Mom, if you fall, you may fall on your daughter.  Don’t think your fall won’t leave a mark on your children.  …Pastor, when you fall, you may fall on your congregation.  No one lives on an island - Your success and failure falls on others.  You leave a mark for good or bad.

·      Fallen trees leave a reminder.  Fallen trees remind us regardless of how strong or tall – every tree can fall.  They remind us we’re all vulnerable.  They remind us we’re all one storm away from being flat on our back.  No one is so healthy they can’t get sick.  No one is so spiritual they can’t be tempted.  No one is so important that they can’t be replaced.

   Some people, like trees, are struck down.  A single bolt of the unexpected pronounces a death sentence.  Some are blown down.  A storm moves in and uproots a family and their future.  Some are cut down.  Someone or something becomes a tool in the hand of the devil and all that's left is a stump...a reminder of what used to be.

Here's what I see in 1 Corinthians 10...  

1. They started out Sheltered but ended up Scattered. 10:1-5
2. Instead of kneeling down to Pray they rose up to Play. 10:6-11

3. God helps us Stand Up when we feel like Giving Up.

Let'e pray for one another.  Let's practice Galatians 6:1"Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

MM

2015 Spring Preaching Schedule

Jan 11 Neel United Methodist, Neel, Al.

Jan 18 Gum Springs Baptist, Hartselle, Al. (AM)

Jan 18 Men’s Fellowship, Motes Cabin, Florette, Al.

Jan 24 Pastors Conf. Soul Harbor, Somerville, Al. (AM)

Jan 24 Pastors Conf., No Fences, Falkville, Al. (PM)

Jan 25 19th Ave Bap, Hattiesburg, Miss.

Jan 26 Morgan County VBS Kickoff

Feb 1-3 Belmore Bap, Belmore, Al.

Feb 5-12 Guatemala Mission

Feb 15-18 Mt Pleasant Bap, Lexington, AL.

Feb 22 East Highland Bap, Hartselle, Al.

Feb 28 Men’s Fellowship, Welcome Bap, Cullman, AL.

March 1-4 Sardis Baptist, Thomaston, Al.

March 8-11 First Baptist, Addison, Al.

March 13-14 Missions Volunteers Retreat, Shocco, Al.

March 15 Huntsville Park Baptist, Huntsville, Al.

March 22 First Baptist, Blountsville, Al.

March 29- Apr 1 New Center Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

April 5 Easter Celebration Wooly Springs Baptist, Toney, Al.

April 9&11 Morgan County, Al. VBS Clinics.

April 12-15 Spring Hill Baptist, Cullman, Al.

April 17-19 Prospect Baptist, Fayettville, TN

April 26-29 First Baptist, Oak Grove, Al.

If you are interested in having Michael preach at your church or event, contact him at michael-mason@charter.net.  Or you can call or text at 256-306-6645.  Thank you.  Pray for Michael Mason Ministries daily.  

Three Flees

1 Timothy 6:11

Remember that scene in Forrest Gump when he’s being chased by the boys on bikes?  Forrest’s legs are strapped with the braces as he tries to run and Jenny is screaming, “Run, Forrest, run!”  Sometimes the best thing you can do is run.  ...Times when running is not a sign of compromise but of commitment.  Sometimes you the best thing you can do is run.

Having been raised in the country I know a little about running.  I have ran from dogs, snakes, wasps, yellow jackets...and the man who owned the watermelon patch that night when I was sixteen when a few of us decided to enjoy a melon or two.  

The worst running I ever did was to run from God.  I did that for close to three years beginning when I was in the tenth grade at Brewer High School.  God was speaking to me at a young age about being a preacher.  I ignored Him...pretended I didn't hear the call...and ran hard and fast till I was nineteen.  I stopped running - got saved - and answered the call to preach.  That was the best running I ever stopped.

Running...You may have ran from your sister, from your parents, from the bully at school, or maybe even the cops - but you’d better learn to run from sin.  Run Forrest Run!

Paul talked about "fleeing."  It's kind of like running.  But, instead of fleeing sin, we’re fascinated with it.  Instead of resisting the devil we’re running from God.  Instead of getting out of Dodge we’ve gotten in over our head.  Paul told Timothy to flee.  Why don’t we?

In 1 Timothy 6:11 Paul said to Timothy, “Flee from these things…” Flee...  It means RUN…another translation of the Bible uses the word FLY.  You get the idea.  Paul is referring back to what he said about the love of money.  In verse 10 we see those folks as…People who love money too much…  These folks are never satisfied - Never content….Always thinking about how to make more, have more, and get more.  They love money too much and God too little.  People who leave their beliefs behind… In their greediness, they “stray from the faith.” They are no longer firmly persuaded in God, planted in His word, and pursuing His plans.  Consumed with having it all…they forget God.

People who lose their peace of mind… Their life is pierced through with many sorrows.  Why use the imagery of a sword and piercing?  Because the end result is that painful - A life that is built on riches more than God.  No sleep.  No rest.  No joy.  Paul said to run from all that.  Run for your life…  Why?  Because these things will “drown you” and “pierce you.” (vv9-10)   Run for your life. Don’t try to be reasonable – Run!

Here are Three Flees Paul warned believers about.…

• Flee Sexual Immorality 1 Cor. 6:18-19 “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”  This is one of the few sins that has ripple effects that can last a lifetime.  King David was forgiven, but he never completely recovered from his date with Bathsheba. 
• Flee Lifeless Idolatry 1 Cor. 10:14-15 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” While most of us don’t bow to images or idols – Too many of us have put God at the bottom of the list of priorities.  We believe Jesus is Savior – But we don’t behave like He is Lord.  Flee! 
• Flee Youthful Impurity 2 Tim. 2:22-23 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” The foolish decisions we make when we’re young can haunt us the rest of our life.  “Lusts…” The idea is sinful – spur of the moment decisions – that become a ball and chain.  Thank God for forgiveness!

Friend, let's pray for one another today.  God help us to flee.  God help us to run just like Forrest Gump.  In the end, we'll be glad we did.  M

You Can't Run On A Treadmill In The Dark

…Well, at least I can’t.  I tried to a few years ago early one morning.  When we first got the treadmill we kept it in the bedroom because we were going to run/walk on it every day.  After it became a place to hang clothes and stack stuff we moved it to the garage where it now serves as a reminder of all the exercise we were gonna do.

Anyway, one morning, about 5:30 or so, I decided I’d run on the treadmill without turning on the lights.  I thought the light from the digital readout on the treadmill would be enough.  Don’t ask me why…I really don’t know why.  I just thought I’d run on the treadmill in the dark.  It didn’t work.

Somehow I got off track….tried to get back on…stumbled and fell…all over the place.  I fell on the treadmill, hit my head on the arm of the treadmill, landed on the belt of the treadmill, and got thrown off as if I was riding a bucking horse in a rodeo.  I hit the chest of drawers that was beside the treadmill and knocked off all the doo dads and pictures.  No, I didn’t have the emergency shut-off cord attached as I should have.  So, treadmill was still running while I was laying over by the bed at this time surrounded by debris looking like I had been hit by a small tornado.  All because I tried to run on a treadmill in the dark.

I faintly remember Crystal looking in on me asking if I was alright…shaking her head and closing the door.  I was alone and wounded and nobody cared.  (sniff, sniff)

All of this could have been avoided if I had just turned on the light.  I could have been running in the light.  In fact, this silly story could be a lesson for me and you in all aspects of our life.  We don’t have to run in dark, we can run in the light.  Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Think of all the pain I could have avoided that morning on the treadmill if I had just turned on the light.  Think of all the disappointment, heartache, and hurt I could avoid if I would only allow God’s word to light my path. 

There are days when I don’t feel like reading the Bible.  There are days when I don’t want to read the Bible.  There are days when I’m tired, lazy, sleepy, busy, etc…  But, I have learned to read the Bible, every day, whether I feel like it or not.  Because, God’s word really does light my path…it really does help me see where I’m going.

I have never ran on a treadmill in the dark again.  And, I have committed to never let a day pass without turning on the light of God’s Word.  Are you interested?  Won’t you join me in the commitment to read the Bible daily…and listen as God speaks through it.  MM  

Hugging Dad

Hugging Dad

My dad is 83 years old.  He’s as good a man as I’ve ever known.  He was a good husband to my mother.  He loved her till death did they part.  He still loves her – She’s been in Heaven since 2006.  He still visits her gravesite.  Still talks to her picture.  In the 51 years I have known him, there is nothing bad I can say about him.  I have him as a role model.  I’m blessed.  Can’t tell you the times I’ve been faced with a tough decision and silently I ask myself, “What would daddy do?”  He’s had that kind of influence on me.  I’m grateful for his example. 

Before Mother died, I called to talk to her most every day.  I seldom talked to my dad when I called.  Mother had been sick off and on for several years.  I knew she’d probably go before him.  She did.  I sure miss her.

Before Mother died I didn’t think my dad had much to say.  I found out different after Mother was gone.  There were times when we’d talk for an hour on the phone.  There were times when we’d visit that he’d talk and I’d listen for the better part of two hours.  He doesn’t have so much to say these days.  He’s had a rough year or so.  He’s lost several friends, at least five, in the past few months.  He’s quieter than normal.  Can’t remember like he used to.  Talks a lot about Mother. 

After Mother died I started doing something I had never done.  I started telling Daddy I loved him.  Up till that time I guess I thought he knew it and, besides, it was kind of a “guy thing.”  But, for whatever reason, I started telling him I loved him.  He began to say the same to me.  So, for several years, when I was leaving after a visit, I shook his hand and told him I loved him. 

One day, for whatever reason, I decided I should hug him.  Me and my dad had never been much on hugging each other.  But as I saw him growing older, and saw myself doing the same, I felt like I should hug him.  Maybe he needed it.  Maybe I needed it.  It was one of those “sideways hugs.”  You know what I’m talking about?  Kind of a “half-hug.”  I thought that was enough.  So, as I left his house I would give him a half hug and say, “Love you Pop.”

Here lately I’ve gone from the half-hug to putting both arms around him.  He needs it.  I do too.  I mean, when was the last time you really hugged someone you loved?  Mother, Dad, husband, wife, son, daughter, good friend?  So, I’m hugging Dad these days and telling him in no uncertain words, “I love you daddy.”  I have overcome the “guy thing” and realized there’s something more important.  It’s a “dad thing.”  I imagine he feels what I feel when my kids hug me.  Wow.  Sorry I’m missed out on that for so many years. 

If your mother and dad are still living – If it’s at all possible – Hug them.  Tell them you love them.  They need it.  You do too.   - M