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Calling Dr. Jesus

Written
By

Dr. James Spinnati

               Christian, you and I have been called to take Christ’s love message to the world in which we live. We need to understand that not only have we been called, we have been commanded! The Great Commission is not the great suggestion. Our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, has given us clear instructions as seen in Matthew 28:16-20.

          And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

The key to this passage is, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” All Christians are called and commissioned to share the faith we have in Jesus Christ. Now, don’t start making excuses. You don’t have to be a polished speaker, a great debater or a theologian in order to share your faith. What you do need is a heart for God.

What if you were cured of a fatal disease, wouldn’t you tell everyone you knew who had this same disease about the doctor and the medicine that cured you? Of course you would! As believers, all of us have been cured of the fatal disease called sin! And the doctor who cured us is Dr. Jesus. And Dr. Jesus, by the power of His blood, which cleanses us from every sin, has changed our hearts. And because we have been transformed by His love and grace we can’t help but tell others!

So, what are you waiting for? There are a lot of people you know who need your family physician.

When God Messes With Your Plans!

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

What do you do when God messes with your plans? If you don’t think He does then think again, just think of Mary and Joseph. Mary had no thought of becoming pregnant before her wedding night. And certainly, the idea of becoming pregnant and giving birth to the Lord Jesus Christ was unthinkable. Mary’s reaction to the news was, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Joseph’s reaction was a little different. He had a decision to make. Should he believe that Mary had been faithful to him or should he break off the engagement?

Today I want us to look at three lessons God taught through this story:

1. God didn’t ask them, he told them! He didn’t get their opinion on the matter. He did ask for a show of hands. He didn’t take a vote! Too many today want to give God their opinion. Instead, why don’t they just obey God like Joseph and Mary?

2. God’s plan for Mary and Joseph was not an easy one. Sometimes we think that if we are in the will of God, everything will be a bed of roses and life will be without trials or tribulations. That was not the case for Joseph and Mary. Why didn’t  God work it out so the Tax was collected either before Joseph and Mary were married, or after the baby was born? He could have done that couldn’t He? I mean, having a woman who was so pregnant that she just barely made it to Bethlehem before she had the baby had to travel by foot, camel, donkey or cart.

3. Though things were difficult God still blessed them and He
will bless you too. The broad and easy way that almost everyone takes is the way that leads to destruction. The straight, narrow, and more difficult way, is the way that leads to eternal life. When we choose the way that looks the easiest, we aren’t  necessarily choosing the way that is the will of God! Christ chose the path that led to the cross. Paul chose the path that led to prison. Both chose paths that were in the plan of God for them!

Remember God does not promise us an easy trip. He just promises to be with us as we take it!

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

        1 Thessalonians 5:16 18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Please read that verse again and realize what it doesn’t say! It doesn’t say, “Give thanks FOR all circumstances,” but rather, “IN all circumstances.” No matter how terrible some of the circumstances of life may be, with God’s help there will always be that for which we can be thankful for. And yet we meet people who are “thankfully challenged”. In other words they are never ever satisfied or thankful no matter what the situation is.

         That reminds me of the story of two old friends who “bumped” into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?” The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.” “That’s a lot of money, said his friend.” “But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear”, replied the forlorn fellow. “Sounds like you’ve been blessed”, his friend replied. Almost in tears he cried, “You don’t understand! Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million dollars from her.” Now his friend was really confused and said, “Then, why do you look so glum?”  His buddy took out a handkerchief blew his nose, and with trembling lips muttered, “This week you know what I got, absolutely nothing!”

        How many of us complain about what we don’t have or how bad things are in our lives instead of being thankful for what we do have? How many times a day do we thank God for the blessings in our lives? Remember no matter if you are a Christian or not God blesses each and every one. In fact Matthew 5:45 says, “It rains on the just and the unjust.”  So remember, the sun shines for all.

         Thanksgiving is one of the few times in our busy lives that we slow down and begin to weigh how blessed we are. So how can we live above the fray? How can we be positive in a sometimes negative world? Well we can begin by examining several factors on our way to contentment:

 1. Make sure you thank the right person.

         If we’re going to give thanks make sure that it is directed to the One who truly blesses you. It is too bad that idea is foreign to many. There was a story concerning Harriet Martineau who was an atheist that I found quite  interesting. One morning she and a friend stepped out into the glories of a beautiful fall morning. As she saw the brilliant sun peeking through the haze, the frost on the meadow, and the brightly colored leaves making their way lazily to the ground, she was filled with its beauty and burst forth with, “I am just so grateful for it all.” A slight pause filled the air, then her friend, who was a Christian, asked, “Grateful to whom, my dear?”

        Remember, make sure you are thankful to the right person.

2. Make a list of all the positive things in your life. 

       I’ll help you with the first one. Now I know this will blow your mind, but you are alive to make the list! 

 3. Live with an expectant attitude.

         If you get out “on the wrong side of bed” climb back in and roll out the other side. Remember, you can’t determine your circumstances all the time but you can determine your attitude!

 4. Live with a grateful heart.

         Be grateful that you are called upon by God to touch other people’s lives. Be thankful that you have the God given ability to make a difference in a child or a senior citizens’ life.

 5. Live with a confident hope.

        If you are a believer, live your life knowing that your future is secure! And never forget that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you.

         Now, isn’t it nice that you can sit down with friends, family, or just yourself and relish the true meaning of Thanksgiving?

You Are What You Are

Written
By

Dr.
James Spinnati

        Here are the facts of life. You are what you are because you do what you do. You do what you do because you believe what you believe. You believe what you believe because you heard what you heard. You heard what you heard because you listened to what you wanted to listen to.

         Whether we want to admit it or not we are a product of our beliefs. Some cultures believe that cats make great pets while others believe that cats make great stew! Some people believe that someone somewhere owes them a living so they spend all their time and energy seeking to get someone else to provide for them. Other people believe that “If a man will not work neither should he eat” as second Thessalonians 3:10 says, so they spend their days working so they can have the resources they need to enjoy life.

        The doctrines you believe will determine the direction of your life. If you believe you are a loser then you have a 100% chance of being a loser! Therefore it is extremely important that you establish your beliefs on the rock of Christ instead of on the shifting sand of man’s opinions. That process begins and ends with the Word of God. Our Father believes that you are worth the blood of His Son. He believes that you can make a difference in this life and make a difference in the lives of others.

         Never forget, what you listen to will determine what you hear. What you hear will determine what you believe. What you believe will determine how you conduct your life. So the question of the hour is, “Who or what is going to determine your value system?” There are many who allow MTV to be their guiding “light”. If that is the case for you, all I can say is, “Good luck in the next life.” Too bad luck has nothing to do with it. If you desire to fly on a certain date you must buy a ticket ahead of time. This is also true of those who desire to “fly away” to heaven’s gate. Salvation is free, but we must choose it.

        It is time for you to see what matters most in life. What matters to you, is it homes, cars, education, or jobs? What should matter to you is, “Where are you going to spend eternity?” In case you haven’t noticed this life that we live is short. It doesn’t take long to go from high school graduation to Social Security. Therefore, it is time to plan ahead. Develop eternal life values that will stand the test of time and those values only come from the word of God. So open the Bible today and feed on the manna from heaven.

Pew Potatoes

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

        If you are a Christian, what are you doing in this life? What do I mean? Well for starters, are you truly making a difference in your community and within the congregation you attend? Or are you “double parked” waiting on Heaven? Many Christians are pew-potatoes. What are pew-potatoes? They are those that the Lord gave His life on Calvary’s mountain for and yet they are in a holding pattern. They are holding down a pew on Sunday morning.

         A while back I was to preach a revival in Kentucky. I arrived early and sat in a pew about three rows back. Two sweet old ladies came in and began to “make me welcome”. They continued to make conversation for about twenty minutes. Finally one of them looked at me and raised her eye brows and said with a shrill voice, “You are sitting in our pew!” Here I thought, “Lord, this is going to be a great revival. Look how friendly the people are.” After they sat down in “their pew”, I was just happy that I was preaching the revival and not a first time visitor! It was then that I discovered that they were truly “pew-potatoes”. The preacher told me that he had preached there for nineteen years and these women hadn’t done anything for the Kingdom in all those years except sit in “their pew”! It is unfortunate but these women had been “fed” misinformation, thinking that they deserved the gates of heaven for their attendance. Listen, when a pew, piano, or pulpit becomes yours, it ceases to become the Lord’s!

         There are many who follow the example of those two women. They sit in “their pew”, but do little else. They are not only “pew-potatoes”, but they are “drive thru Christians”. They come to the assembly to pick up what they deem profitable for themselves and head to the exits as fast as cockroaches head for the shadows when the lights have been turned on. 

         If you are practicing the “pew-potato” mentality I want to change the way you view your life and service to King Jesus. I want you to know that you are a gifted child of God? When the Lord gave you a new birth into the Christ-centered life, He didn’t leave you empty-handed. He gave you the Holy Spirit that indwells you and He {our Father} has given every person that has ever walked this earth abilities special to them! These  “gifts” are to be exercised in the Body of Christ for the glory of God!

         Pay attention, I’m not talking about charisma, fanaticism, and excesses. Remember that spiritual service is always in conjunction with the will of God. So what is the will of God? God has promised a wonderful, abundant, and victorious life for every Christian. The answer for this kind of life is not education, activity, emotionalism, or a list of dos and don’ts that provide some kind of instant spirituality. No, no, no, the secret to the abundant life is simply, walking in the Spirit. It is God’s will that every Christian be filled with the spiritual nourishment that can only come through His Word. This abundant spiritual life is not just for “super saints”, preachers, or missionaries, but it is the life that our Father wants you and me to experience.

          As a child of God don’t you think it is about time that you stand up and make a difference? God and the world, that is lost and undone, are waiting on you to use your abilities to make a difference in someone’s life. So, stand up and be counted worthy of the high calling of Christ!

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH KIDS TODAY?

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

        Kids! What’s the matter with kids today? Why can’t they be like we were perfect in every way? What’s the matter with kids today? I guess these same questions have been asked by parents since the beginning of time. I wonder, why am I asking these questions now? Is it because I have passed a milestone in the aging process? Have I become a senile old man,
just like the ones I couldn’t stand as a youth? Or have I finally reached that pivot point in the sea saw of life that I am suddenly pitted against the youth of America? Maybe I am remembering the “old days” as the “good old days.”                                                       

        It seems that with every passing generation there is a further degeneration in the work ethic. You ask most employers who they would rather hire and they answer, without hesitation, “Older people.” Why? Because older people know what it is to work. They have inherited a work ethic that goes back to the Great Depression. They take fewer sick leaves. They arrive at the job site on time and when they do a job they do it right.

        What has made a growing number of our young people irresponsible? I believe, we, as parents, have to shoulder much of the blame. We have given our children too much. We have tried to make it easier for them and the monster that we have created has returned to haunt us. We have  said to ourselves, “I’m not going to make my kids do what my parents made me do!” We say this in complete ignorance, not realizing that those rules and regulations helped form us into what we are today. If that was the only mistake we have made it would be bad enough, but we carry it even further.

         When we ask them to do something and they don’t complete the task we let them get away with it. We even reward them sometimes by allowing them to go with their friends even though they never completed the job we asked them to do. We are our own worst enemies. My son  used to “play” me like a banjo. I would ask him to go and get me a  hammer and he would always bring a screwdriver. Instead of making him do it right I would rather do it myself, but what did I teach him? Absolutely nothing!

         I can’t imagine my father telling me to take out the garbage and me replying back to him, “When I get good and ready.” If you told my dad that, you would be ready in a heartbeat. He would have the five fingers of fellowship wrapped around your throat and lead you gasping to the garbage can. When I was a kid, TV didn’t rule the house, dad did. We all had chores to do and you had better do them right. If you finished the job, you were allowed to watch an hour of TV.

         We as parents have created a monster that eats, sleeps, burps and watches TV. Twenty – two years after birth they have graduated from college and they are still in your living room munching popcorn and watching your TV. When you ask them what they are going to do with their lives they reply, “I don’t know yet. I think I’ll take a year or two off  to find myself.” At that point your emotions register twelve on the Richter scale! You have finally had all you can take. The adrenaline rushes through your body as you tell them that the only place that they are going to find themselves is in intensive care if they don’t get a job.

         Listen, only when you work will you find the true value of something. We give our children a car and they ruin it and we go right out and buy them another. When we do these things we have taught them nothing about responsibility. They realize you are an easy “mark” and they will use you the rest of their lives. I guess my biggest nightmare is to be seventy years old and still have my five children living at home. Still  fighting over the breakfast cereal and lying in front of the “tube.” It’s enough to make you wake up in a cold sweat. Freddie Kruger couldn’t cause more distress!

         This scenario might seem funny to you, but it is a living nightmare for millions of parents because they have “Children”, thirty and forty years old that are still living at home. Mom is still making all the meals and doing the laundry. Dad is still putting the food on the table and “junior” is still in front of the TV. I guess what I’m trying to get across to you is that while your children are young make them responsible. Make them work for what they receive. Quit rewarding them for poor grades and a poor work ethic. Teach them the value of a dollar, just as your parents taught you. Raise the standards, don’t lower them. If you don’t they will be sixty years old and you will still be responsible for them, when that happens the most frightening words in the world will be  muttered to you across the breakfast table, “Hey dad, pass the Wheaties.”

         Raising children is difficult enough without all the conflicting views on how this  task should be accomplished. The previous story may be humorous, but it points to questions most parents ask themselves. “How do you raise children in a corrupt world? How can you instill them with godly values that will last a lifetime? How do you bring them to full  maturity and help them to be profitable to society?” These questions  become even more difficult to answer when we see good people raise bad kids.

         Why do good people have bad children? Raising children is a very difficult proposition. Ephesians 6:1 says just as much to parents as it does to children. Children are to obey not out of fear, oppression, or force, but out of honor and respect. I have often heard the question and perhaps have even raised it myself, “Why do good people have bad children?” That question will be covered in another blog.

FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

         Please understand that failure is not permanent. I know we have all heard, “Win at all costs! You’ve got to get it right the first time! Second place is for losers. It must be perfect!” In fact it is a constant “drum beat” that is relentlessly hammered into our society at all levels from kindergarten to corporate board rooms. The winners receive all the acclaim and trophies and the perceived losers get, at best, a pat on the  back and the ever present assertion, “Well at least you tried”. Anything other than first place is considered losing. We are a nation that rejects what we consider failure. Yet failure is sometimes the greatest teacher  that one will ever be privileged to learn from.

        So why do we expect perfection? We are constantly bombarded  with what is perceived as perfection. In fact, just to prove my point, many of the world’s gods are movie stars. They are perfect, right? They seem to the naked eye as invincible on the silver screen and they always look good. Yet one often forgets that they have a script, multiple takes, stunt doubles, tons of makeup and don’t forget special lighting. They dub words and miss the mark hundreds of times in their career and yet as we view the finished product we see “perfection”.

        I just want you to know that many great men and women have failed and yet they were not failures! When I think about “failure” I think of Thomas Edison and the invention of the electric light bulb. He didn’t get it right the first time. Yet he didn’t throw his hands in the air and proclaim that he was a loser. He didn’t do what many have done on Facebook when  they write, “I hate my life and I’m giving up!” The truth is that it took  Edison 10,000 experiments to invent the electric light bulb. That little light switch that you take for granted just didn’t happen by magic! Even after the first 500 “failures” Edison didn’t proclaim, “Life sucks, I give up!” And yet we have people today that after one “failure” they are ready to “throw in the towel” when things don’t go their way. They fail to realize that adversity is the maturing agent for the soul.

        That is why Edison is such a great example. When his calculations didn’t work the first time, Edison made a note of exactly what he’d done and then he would make adjustments. Time after time he made adjustments until it finally worked. When asked about what the world  calls failure Edison replied, “I didn’t fail at all, in fact I found hundreds  of ways that wouldn’t work!”

        Failure is never final. Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter? He said, “Satan desires to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.” What did Peter reply to that? Peter said, “Though everybody else denies You, Lord, not me! I’ll die for You.” Yet what happened? Peter denied Jesus three times just as the Lord had  proclaimed.

         So what is the spiritual lesson we are to grasp? Listen, our Lord will
not prevent conflict or failure in our lives. But, He has promised, just as He did to Simon Peter, that no true believer will ever experience final defeat. Jesus knows that falling down doesn’t mean we have to stay down. Being knocked down doesn’t mean we have to be knocked out. There is always a new day on the horizon as long as the Lord delays His coming.

         Peter failed miserably, but he got up off the “canvas” and he came back as a powerful preacher of the Gospel. If you feel like you are down and out let the Lord pick you up, dust you off, and put you back in the service of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. As we close there are three things I want you to remember:

 1. Do not accept defeat lightly.

2. Failure is not permanent unless you allow it to be.

3. Failure is never final when you have Christ in your life.

Imperfect Perfection

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

What do you complain the most about when it comes to your spouse? I’ve heard women say, “He leaves his socks all over the house.” Another said that she hated tooth paste on the bathroom sink. She said, “I have told him a thousand times, yet he still does it!” It just irritated her to death to have to continually clean it up. Still another complained about her husband’s snoring. She said it was worse than living beside a railroad track.

On the other hand a man complained to me that the house was always a mess and that his wife always waited to the last minute to do the laundry. Another grumbled that his wife was so inept at the culinary arts that she couldn’t even boil water! Still another said it aggravated him that his wife spent so much time putting her makeup on.

I know you are asking yourself or about ready to ask yourself, “What has this to do with Christianity or spirituality?” It has a great deal to do with both. For one, we as Christians need to realize what we have before we lose it. Remember death is around the corner for all of us. Just read the obituary column in your local newspaper if you don’t believe me. If that doesn’t open up your eyes you need your head checked! Death doesn’t know an age limit. And yet with the brevity of time why are so many unhappy in their marriage even though they claim to know the Lord? In marriage it seems if everyone wants the perfect mate. In fact, perfection is the number one item on most people’s shopping list. One young girl told me, “I’m looking for the perfect husband.” I told her, “Good luck, I’ve already been taken.” Now, please don’t call my wife. Understand that there is nothing sinful about finding the “perfect spouse”, but it is not reality. Sometimes we forget that there was only one perfect person that ever walked this earth and it isn’t you or me.

We need to remember that our imperfections are part of who we are. As Christians we need to have joy, love, patience, and an attitude of gratefulness in dealing with our spouse. Understanding that perfection, in human terms, is in the mind of the one willing to overlook imperfections.

Years ago a man told me he couldn’t wait until his children were out of the house and then he might have peace and quiet. Well today he has quiet, but his wish now is to have his house once again filled with life. Listen to me, a woman that loses her husband to a heart attack after years of married life would love to hear him snore again. And the husband that lost his wife to cancer would give anything to see his wife putting her makeup on. You see it is the small things that one remembers. It is those little imperfections that make our spouse so perfect. So brothers and sisters, smell the roses while they are in bloom. The things that irritate us now will be the things we desire when they are but a memory.

Enjoy every minute the Lord gives you and don’t waste a second “wishin’ and hopin’”. So when my wife Judy yells for the umpteenth time, “How many times have I told you to close the cupboard door” I just smile and thank God that she is there because we are the picture of true “perfection”!

How Is Your Light?

Written by

Dr. James Spinnati

Jesus said you are the light of the world. He didn’t say, “You might be the light. You could be the light of the world. Instead He said you are the light of the world.” So if you are the light of the world, how is your light today? Is it working at full power or are you “short circuited?” Listen; there are times in all our lives that we get “hit” with trials, trouble, and heartache. No it is not just you, understand this, no one escapes. The key is not the trials, trouble, and heartache, the key is how we handle those things that come our way. Do we allow them to dim our light or does our light shine brighter because we know who is in charge?

Maybe your light is not burning very brightly right now. Are you experiencing a power outage? Did someone step on your dimmer switch and now your feelings are hurt. Just think, if you were Jesus we would really be in trouble, wouldn’t we? Don’t you think His feelings were ever hurt? Yet our Lord didn’t stop doing what He was put on earth to do and neither should you. Maybe you have been neglectful in your service to the King of Kings and your light has been allowed to get collect dust. Therefore, it is not casting the light it once did. Take out God’s “dust rag” of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness and reevaluate your life and your purpose. Dust your light off and get back to work, we all need you.

Maybe, just maybe, your light has burned out. You burned brightly for the longest time but weariness, wickedness, or bitterness has snuffed out your light. I want you to understand that you could shine brightly again if you would allow Christ to do His work as the great physician in your life. So what are you waiting for, get up and get going. I hate to tell you but pity parties are not in this year. Remember, Jesus is always waiting with open arms ready to recharge your “batteries” so that you can light up the world around you. So tomorrow get out of bed with a smile on your face and a renewed attitude and shine, shine, shine for the One who died for you!

Change The Blues Into The Yahoos

Written By

Dr. James Spinnati

Have you ever met people who continue to live in the past? Many are carrying their insecurities around as a “badge of courage” when in essence it is a weight that keeps them from becoming all that God wants them to be. I wish I could number the times that I have seen people fail to live up to their potential because they are constantly living in a bygone era. They say, “I can’t do anything right. Everything I do turns out bad. It has always been that way.” They may have raised three wonderful children, have a solid loving marriage, have many unique abilities and yet they can’t see the forest for the trees. Instead of accomplishments they see failures. They have the “glass half empty” mind-set. They seem to be constantly looking through the “rearview mirror” of life dredging up their past fears, failures, and frustrations. The problem becomes magnified when these are brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen, if I am talking to you today please understand that you can’t live for the Lord today looking back to yesterday, it is an impossibility!

So how can you change the blues into the yahoos? Remember, God already knows everything about you. He knows every glitch, stitch, scar, sin, and shortcoming. And yet he still sent His Son to die for you. He still wants great things for your life. You are unique, a one of a kind and you were put on earth to shine for the Lord.  Therefore, stop comparing yourself to others and forget about what happened yesterday! You are wasting the rest of your life. Be a Joshua today. Joshua could have compared himself with Moses as long as he lived, but he knew there was no comparison and that God had made him for a special purpose.

Have you been living in the past? Are you willing to get out of yesterday and start living today? Bury your past, remember what Christ has done for you, and go forward walking by faith, not by sight! And one last thing, please understand that a fool will lose tomorrow looking back on yesterday. So don’t be fooled by Satan. The only thing that matters is God’s opinion of you and He thinks that you are GREAT!!