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One of my favorite motivational speakers is Les Brown. From all his words of wisdom and encouragement, one of my favorite sayings is, “It’s not over until I win.” This is a powerful set of words to encourage entrepreneurs, athletes, and pursuers of success in general. I am taking the liberty to change the saying to fit the context of the Christian journey. “It’s not over until we get to heaven.”

     The phrase “it’s not over”, biblically speaking, refers to the daily challenges, opportunities, struggles, blessings, joy, etc. we face in everyday life. Life is not over. Every day we are given a set of circumstances with which we must deal. How we deal with these events depends on which attitudes we choose to have.

     The day a person is born anew—“raised to walk in newest to life”—the journey from earth to heaven starts. While the journey is filled with joy and blessings it is not without trials. Job nailed it when he said, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue” (Job 14:1). James asked this question, “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and ten vanishes away” (James 4:14).

     King Solomon reminded us that on the journey of life there are numerous seasons and times which make up the mosaic of one’s life. For example, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted … A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). Every day we face a “new time” of challenges.

     I once heard a man say that he wished he had died when he came up out of the baptistery. Why? Because of all the troubles and challenges that had been in his life since that day—with his children, finances, personal health, marital problems, struggling with spiritual issues, etc. Job’s wish was that he had died in his mother’s womb or during his birth (cf. Job 3:10-16).

     I’m not sure where the idea originated that once one became a Christian he or she would have a carefree life. Jesus made it known right up front that to follow Him would require a denial of self and carrying a cross (Matthew 16:24); two unpopular behaviors back then as well as now. Paul sours “the pie in the sky” attitude toward the Christian journey with these words: “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and ALL who desire to live godly in Christ will SUFFER PERSECUTION” (2 Timothy 3:10-12). This is a promise!

     From his state of banishment on the island called Patmos, the apostle John gave us comforting truth about the end of the journey and what happens at the end: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). The crowning ceremony will take place in heaven—in the Throne Room of our Father. The journey is not over until we get to heaven.

When we all Get to Heaven

I love the words to the following two hymns about heaven:

EARTH HOLDS NO TREASURES

Earth holds no treasures but perishes with using

However precious they be;

Yet there’s a country to which I am going

Heaven holds all for me.

Heaven holds all for me

Brighter it glory will be;

Joy without measure

Will be my treasure

Heaven holds all for me.

                                                               (Tillit S. Teddlie).

WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Sing His mercy and His grace;

In the mansions bright and blessed;

He’ll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to heaven

What a day that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We’ll sing and shout the victory.

                                                                             (Mrs. J.G. Wilson).

HEAVEN: Final Cure for Troubled Souls

When Jesus made His advent into the first century world, it was filled with crime, immorality, religious divisions, political corruption, hatred, discouragement and you name it. In the midst of a rebellious people who sought to discredit and even kill Him, Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me; in my Father’s house are many mansions; if this wasn’t true I would have told you, I go prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3). Jesus is the only way to heaven (cf. John 14:6).

     To enhance His emphasis on heaven, Jesus continually taught about the “kingdom of heaven” and how it related to faithful followers. Matthew records Jesus referring to the “kingdom of heaven” 32 times. For example:

1. Jesus said the “kingdom of heaven” is at hand (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7).
2. The blessings of the “kingdom of heaven” are promised to the righteous (Matthew 5:3; 4:17).
3. The Gentiles will be in the “kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11).

     Jesus promised heaven, after it’s all over down here, for the faithful. Therefore, struggles will not be over until we “win the crown of life.”

     No, it’s not over until we get to heaven. But when we get to heaven, praise God, so many things we’ve had to endure on our journey will be over. Writing to first century Christians who were experiencing terrible persecution, even death, the apostle John wrote the following words to help the persecuted see the blessings when IT IS OVER on earth. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’” (Revelation 21:14, 15). Wow! “Heaven holds all for me” and you too.

     The apostle Peter in writing to scattered Christians who were experiencing “fiery trials” (1 Peter 4:12), presented a beautiful picture of their dwelling place after it was all over—HEAVEN. He wrote in 1 Peter 1:2-6: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to and inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. IN THIS you greatly rejoice, thought now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3-7). Our “mansion” is ready!

     YES! As the hymn says, “Heaven holds all for me.” I have secured my reservation, my bag is packed, and I am waiting for my name to be called.

     How about you? Have you intentionally obeyed the Gospel and are ready to go, knowing it’s not over until we get to heaven? Can you sing “Oh happy day when Jesus washed my sins away”? THE BEST IS YET TO BE!! It really is.

In the middle seventies when the running craze was in full bloom, a news article covered the story of a man in New York who was selling “Running Certificates.” The certificate affirmed that the man was “doing the running” for others. I’m like you. I wonder about the seriousness of such thinking. Obviously, no one can do your running for you. Neither can you hire someone to do your pushups for you. Some things for you can’t be done someone else.

     We live in an age when hiring others to do certain chores, of every kind, is very popular. There are TV commercials offering lists you can subscribe to in order to find qualified persons to do tasks for you.

     Osmosis has made a subtle but powerful appearance in the church. Osmosis is “an apparently effortless absorption of ideas, feelings, attitudes, etc. Some Christians seem to think, or at least act like they believe, that personal spiritual growth can happen by exposure or “hiring the preacher” to do it for them.

     As a Christian you are 100 percent responsible for your spiritual growth. This is documented in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:11-15:

And He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some

Evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of

The saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of

Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge

Of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature

Of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed

To and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the

Trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but,

Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.

      I once heard a preacher say, “Sitting in a chicken house won’t make you a chicken…sitting in a church house won’t make you a Christian.” This may be somewhat crude, but true.

     The apostle Peter commands each Christian to do his or her on adding: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-8).

     We can “hire” someone to teach us, preach to us, and read to us. We can even “hire” someone to show us how to do spirituality, but we can’t hire someone to grow our personal spirituality. It is our task alone.

     We can read the word, take notes about the word, believe the word, but that doesn’t DO the word, which is what we are commanded to do. James wrote, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness and RECEIVE with meekness the IMPLANTED word, which is able to save your souls. But be DOERS of the WORD, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21, 22).

Some Spiritual Things No one Can Do for You

Let’s think about some practical applications of our personal responsibility to grow spiritually:

• No one can take the Lord’s Supper for us.
• No one can do our singing for us (Ephesians 5:19).
• No one can do our praying without ceasing for us (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• No one can memorize the Bible for us (Psalm 119:11).
• No one can have the attitude of Christ for us. (Philippians 2:4-9).
• No one can attend worship services for us (Hebrews 10: 24, 25).
• No one can do our visiting for us (James 1:27).
• No one will be judged for us (Hebrews 9:27)
• No one can intentionally do the word for us (James 1:21, 22).
• No one can grow spiritually for us (Ephesians 4:11-16).
• No one can walk by faith for us (2 Corinthians 4:7).
• No one can love for us (John 13:34, 35).
• No one can be obedient for us (Hebrews 5:8, 9).
• No one can go to heaven for us (John 14:1-6).

     This list of Christian attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors could go on and on, but these should confirm that we can’t “hire” or “deputize” someone to grow spiritually for us.

     It’s amazing that we know how to plan for financial growth, intellectual growth, and growth in other areas of life, but when it comes to planning for personal spiritual growth we neglect the most important growth area of all. Growing spiritually requires the setting of spiritual goals, most of which are revealed in God’s word.

     The goal of spiritual growth is simple—GROW INTO CHRIST-LIKENESS. But the goal is not easy or a piece of cake. It requires commitment and intentional actions.

     What is your plan to grow spiritually?

Larry knew he was overweight; in fact, his doctor had reluctantly informed him that he was obese and unless he lost a certain amount of weight he was headed for serious health problems. At his physician’s advice he went on a strict diet. Stopping at the Quick-Stop he would buy candy, sugared soda pops. Going through the cafeteria line he couldn’t resist filling his plate, not once but several times, with food and especially desserts. Larry obviously had a self-discipline problem, as do millions of Americans who are drastically overweight.

     During his term as President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson was somewhat overweight. One day his wife, Lady Bird, challenged him with this blunt assertion: You can’t run a country if you can’t run yourself.” Respecting Lady Bird’s wise observation, the President lost 23 pounds.

     This lesson is about one of the most needed, but frowned upon, subjects in society and even the church. The subject is self-discipline. To be more specific spiritual self-discipline. There evidently is a lot of interest in self-discipline. When I typed in self-discipline, my search engine returned 2,360,000 results. Wow! That’s a lot of interest. How about your interest?

    What is self-discipline? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as follows: Self-discipline (n), “the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. Synonyms: self-control, restraint, self-restraint, self-command.” Self-discipline is that which you can only do for yourself. It determines your successes and failures.

     Since we are talking about Positive Spiritual Self-Discipline we need to define positive and spiritual. Positive is the opposite of negative; it is the opposite of harsh or dogmatic; it is the absence of coercion or punishment; it is grace instead of law. Spiritual is having to do with the inner man, the spiritual side of man; it is the absent of the carnal; it is the quest for Christ-likeness in attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It is seeking to have “the attitude of Christ” in every situation in life. It is minding and pursuing the things of the Spirit.

     Positive spiritual self-discipline involves consistency. Here is how the apostle Paul stated this truth: “[A]nd instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written” (Romans 2:20-22).

     Positive spiritual self-discipline is the training and control of oneself and one’s conduct based on the word of God. Spiritual self-discipline is the act or disciplining or power to discipline one’s own habits, feelings, desires, attitudes, urges, and appetites. It is Christ-likeness in action. Spiritual self-discipline gives power to the decision “to deny self, take up a cross and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24). This won’t happen through osmosis.

Developing Positive Spiritual Self-Discipline

We are not born physically with self-discipline; we are not reborn with spiritual self-discipline. Both have to be learned and developed through training. One of the ways self-discipline is developed is through practice. Back in 2008 Malcolm Gladwell wrote a bestseller called Outliers. In his book he presented the results of examining the factors that contribute to high levels of success. Throughout the book the author repeatedly mentions the “10,000-Hour Rule”, claiming that the key to achieving world calls expertise in any skill, is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing the correct way for a total of around 10,000 hours. While this theory has been debated by psychologists and scientist; accepted and rejected (e.g. a Princeton study rejected the theory), it does give proof that PRACTICE plays a major role in success.

     Other studies have affirmed the benefits and role of Deliberate Practice in developing skills and achieving success.

     British statesman Edmund Burke argued, “men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains on their own appetites. Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there is without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters” (www.sermonsearch.com).

     The apostle Paul was the champion of spiritual self-discipline. He drew many examples from the gymnasium and Olympic Games to make his points:

1. Paul affirmed the need for spiritual exercise: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and EXERCISE YOURSELF TOWARD GODLINESS. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7, 8). The Greek word Paul used for exercise is gumnazo from which we get gymnasium. As Christians we go to the “spiritual gym” every day to exercise ourselves in godliness. In Hebrews 5:14 we read about the need for the proper spiritual diet to aid us in our spiritual self-discipline: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of USE have their senses EXERCISED to discern both good and evil.”
2. Paul affirmed the self-discipline involved in spiritual exercise. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 he referred to his self-discipline in gymnasium and Olympic Games metaphors: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is disciplined in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus; not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I DISCIPLINE my body and bring it into SUBJECTION, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
3. The Hebrews writer admonishes us to keep in mind that the spiritual heroes of Chapter 11 are sitting in the stands; like at the Olympic Games, cheering us on. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin, which so easily ensnares us, and run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
4. As Paul approaches the end of his life and ministry, he has hung up his running shoes and boxing gloves, and is ready to “retire” to his heavenly estate. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and time of my departure is at hand. I have FOUGHT the good fight, I have finished the RACE, I have kept the FAITH (2 Timothy 4:6-8). We must maintain our spiritual self-discipline until we cross the finish line in heaven (Revelation 2:10).

SOME SPIRITUAL SELF-DISCIPLINES

Having noted the requirements and need for spiritual self-discipline, let’s spend a few minutes studying some of the spiritual qualities we need to practice self-discipline in:

1. We need to practice self-discipline in “praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
2. We need to practice self-discipline in studying God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).
3. We need to practice self-discipline is doing God’s word (James 1:21-25).
4. We need to practice self-discipline in sharing God’s word (Mark 16:15, 16).
5. We need to practice self-discipline in thinking biblically (Philippians 4:8-10).
6. We need to practice self-discipline in producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26).
7. We need to practice self-discipline is loving (John 13:34, 35; Matthew 5:43, 44).
8. We need to practice self-discipline in attending the assembly (Hebrews 10:24, 25).
9. We need to practice self-discipline in faithful stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2).
10. We need to practice self-discipline in working with God (1 Corinthians 3:7-10).
11. We need to practice self-discipline in controlling our temper (Ephesians 4:25-31).
12. We need to practice self-discipline in helping others (Galatians 6:1, 2; James 1:27).

Obviously this list can go on and on but these 12 will get us started. How will you intentionally practice these?

Suggestions for Becoming More Spiritually Self-disciplined

The only place you find success before work is in the Dictionary: S comes before W. In developing spiritual self-discipline action comes first—WORK.

1. Analyze the spiritual areas of your life, such as the ones above, and honestly identify where you need to become more spiritually self-disciplined.
2. Prioritize your needs areas for self-control—difficult to easier.
3. Make a covenant with God that you will work on becoming more self-disciplined.
4. Pray continually for wisdom (James 1:1-6).
5. Find power Bible verses that you can mediate on (e.g. Psalm 119:11).
6. Develop and keep a regular schedule.
7. Recognize there will be “slips” (Forgive yourself and move on).
8. Don’t go by “your feelings”, go by what’s right.
9. Practicing saying “no” or “stop” when temptation comes.
10. Start with small “baby steps” then bigger steps as you grow. Develop a sequence.
11. Continually monitor your conscious thoughts—reject negative thinking (Proverbs 23:7).
12. Keep a journal or log book documenting your practices and successes, etc.

Benefits of Positive Spiritual Self-discipline

Here are only a few of the numerous benefits that result from becoming more spiritually disciplined:

1. More blessings                                  
2. More happiness                                
3. More control                                      
4. More peace of mind                        
5. More obedience                              
6. More influence          
7. More ideas
8. More creativity
9. More opportunities
10. More wisdom
11. More understanding
12. More Christ-likeness

One of the goals of positive spiritual self-discipline is to become less conformed to the world and more transformed into Christ-likeness (cf. Romans 12:1-3; Colossians 3:1-3).

How many remember this Nursery Rhyme?

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty together again!

Evidently this rhyme is as popular today as it was when I was a kid. For example it has been viewed in an animation form on ChuChu TV Kids Songs on YouTube 63,208,520 times (as of 3/8/2016).

     The original meaning of Humpty Dumpty is not clear. Some say it as a colloquial term used in 15th century England to describe a person who was fat or obese. The most popular belief is that Humpty Dumpty was a canon mounted on the protective wall of “St. Mary’s Church” in Colchester, England. During the English Civil War (1642-1649), a shot was fired from a Parliamentary canon knocking Humpty Dumpty off the wall. The Royalist—‘all the King’s men’— attempted to raise Humpy Dumpty on to another part of the wall but it failed. After an eleven weeks siege Colchester fell. (www.powerfulwords.infonursey_rhymes/humpty_dumpty.htm).

     In this lesson I will be using Humpty Dumpty as a metaphor or symbol to represent the world in which we live. We live in a Humpty Dumpty world. It has fallen from the wall of honor, justice, righteousness, truth, morality, and respect for what is holy. Sadly, Humpty Dumpty also represents many churches today that have fallen off the wall.

     All the King’s horses in governments can’t put Humpty back together again. All the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Dictators, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, Commissioners, etc. haven’t been able to put Humpty back together again. In fact, many of these have pushed Humpty off the wall.

Signs Humpty has fallen off the Secular Wall

We need to open our eyes and see the many evidences that Humpty Dumpty has fallen off the wall all over the world. Jesus taught this lesson to the Pharisees who were asking for a sign: “He answered and said unto them, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, “it will be foul weather, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:2, 3). Stop for a moment. Look at the world around you.

     Even a casual look reveals the numerous signs that Humpty Dumpty has fallen off the wall:

1. Humpty has fallen and broken the sanctity of life. Every year thousands of lives are killed in mothers’ wombs by abortions. Stem cell research is using harvested human embryos. The Psalmist wrote: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).
2. Humpty has fallen and broken right and wrong. Having an agreed to standard of right and wrong has fallen by the wayside. We live in a world where each person is doing “that which is right in his own sight.” There is no objective truth (John 8:32) on which we all can agree.
3. Humpty has fallen and broken integrity and character. People had rather be “a character” than have character. Promises are made to be broken; lying is okay if it serves the “higher good.” The model starts at the top and moves on down the ladder. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29: 2, 4, 12).
4. Humpty has fallen and broken the sanctity of marriage and the family. Fifth-percent of all marriages end in divorce, “What God has joined together” is being broken. Same sex marriages violate God’s word: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).
5. Humpty has fallen and broken freedom of speech. Christians are under orders to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15); and “preach the Gospel to every person” (Mark 16:15, 16). In response to this we say, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak hat we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20).
6. Humpty has fallen and broken race relations. Jesus made it clear that a house divided against itself cannot stand. There is only one race—the human race. “And He made from one blood every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26, cf. Revelation 5:9, 10). Adam and Eve are everyone’s greatest grandparents.
7. Humpty has fallen and broken our sense of security. One of the major fears in our country is terrorism. The knock on the door may be a home invader. It’s like it was in the days of Nehemiah: “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 5:4, 5).
8. Humpty has fallen and broken the religious fiber of our nation. Prayer is no longer permitted in school or at school functions. The Ten Commandments have been removed from public buildings. The Pledge of Allegiance is restricted. It is still true that “righteousness exalts a nations but sin brings reproach on the people” (Provers 13:34).

Can you think of additional falls Humpty Dumpty has taken? These eight simply remind us that the “whole world resides in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). How about your Humpty Dumpty world?

Signs Humpty has been Pushed off Church Walls

Pastor Humpty Dumpty sat on the Ecclesiastical wall

Pastor Humpty Dumpty had a backsliding fall.

All the creeds and councils, and all the church men

Couldn’t get Pastor Humpty Dumpty back to the Bible again.

This little rhyme of mine is my attempt to call our attention to the spiritual and biblical walls Humpty Dumpty has fallen from. There are many:

1. Humpty has fallen from belief in the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
2. Humpty has fallen from worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23, 24).
3. Humpty has fallen from preaching the Gospel (Romans 1:14-16).
4. Humpty has fallen from loving the unlovable (John 13:34, 35).
5. Humpty has fallen from faithfulness (Hebrews 10:24, 25; Revelation 2:10).
6. Humpty has fallen into traditions (Mark 7:7, 9).
7. Humpty has fallen into neglecting others (Galatians 6:1,2; James 1:27).
8. Humpty has fallen into prayerlessness (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Putting Humpty Dumpty Together Again

There have been numerous attempts to put Humpty Dumpty together again. Humpty has been broken into so many pieces that human efforts through government, psychiatry, law, social programs, entertainment, cults, self-help, and religion cannot and have not been able to put Humpty Dumpty together again.

     Only the Creator—God Himself—and the King—Jesus Christ can put Humpty Dumpty together again. Man’s brokenness is basically a spiritual problem. His peace and security has been broken by sin; it has estranged himself from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2). To a Humpty Dumpty world Jesus announced, “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 14:6). To the weary and heavy laden—the broken--He extended this invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My Yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

     In putting the spiritual Humpty Dumpty back together again there are several actions that will help us:

1. We need to hide the word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).
2. We need to buy the truth and sell it not (Proverbs 23:23; John 8:32).
3. We need to think on the right things (Philippians 4:6-9).
4. We need to follow Christ 24-7-365 (Matthew 16:24).
5. We need to walk in the light with Christ (1 John 1:7).
6. We need to confess and repent (1 John 1:5-9).
7. We need to love God with all our being (Mark 12:28-34).
8. We need to “bear the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-26).

     These 8 actions are only a few of the steps we can take in putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. We didn’t cover it but Humpty Dumpty has taken a fall in our personal lives. In our families, on our jobs, among our friends, in our communities, etc. God will help you put Humpty back together again. Go to Him!