Thursday, December 13, 2018
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
KNOWLEDGE
"But thou, O Daniel,
shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end:
many shall run to and fro,
and knowledge shall be increased."
(Daniel 12: 4)
It is my belief that knowledge has increased more since the year 1900 up until today than knowledge increased from the time of Adam's creation up until the year 1900.
Do you suppose this is a fair and accurate assessment for the increase in knowledge.
Even as early as 1900 the horse was still the number one method of transportation worldwide; but because of the increase in knowledge in the 20th century man was able to mass produce automobiles and the horse was returned to pasture.
Then, too, consider the impact of computer technology in addition to the increase in knowledge in medicine and science, which has enabled people to live longer and healthier lives as well as harness diseases before they spread.
After all, the Bible says "knowledge shall be increased," and the Bible has never been wrong.
Read the Bible: and your knowledge shall be increased in the knowledge of God.
Friday, September 21, 2018
PADDLE TALES
There were six of us in all---
marveled that we survived;
Not one perished in the flee.
Walking in ankle-deep water,
we struggled and strained
tugging our boats ashore;
we fell on the ground
to rest there for a spell.
Needing a fire,
we gathered sticks and twigs
and a few dry bones;
striking rocks to get a blaze going.
Everything we had was wet---
our clothes, food, harps still in tune---
from not knowing the swelling currents
in downstream water this time of year.
We hung our possessions in the trees
to hopefully dry before the dawn.
Should we go or should we stay?
we asked ourselves in the night.
'Tis better to die on a desert island,
than return to Babylon,
to its misery and darkness.
Zeke said we should look to Zion,
for a sign we should see there,
as a prophet of God
he breathed no lies.
Pushing north
we paddled upstream
toward the destination
we had chosen.
The days were long,
the nights longer,
with fear on every side
and in the boats with us.
And there it was
as clear as the moon!
A cross stood in Jerusalem.
marveled that we survived;
Not one perished in the flee.
Walking in ankle-deep water,
we struggled and strained
tugging our boats ashore;
we fell on the ground
to rest there for a spell.
Needing a fire,
we gathered sticks and twigs
and a few dry bones;
striking rocks to get a blaze going.
Everything we had was wet---
our clothes, food, harps still in tune---
from not knowing the swelling currents
in downstream water this time of year.
We hung our possessions in the trees
to hopefully dry before the dawn.
Should we go or should we stay?
we asked ourselves in the night.
'Tis better to die on a desert island,
than return to Babylon,
to its misery and darkness.
Zeke said we should look to Zion,
for a sign we should see there,
as a prophet of God
he breathed no lies.
Pushing north
we paddled upstream
toward the destination
we had chosen.
The days were long,
the nights longer,
with fear on every side
and in the boats with us.
And there it was
as clear as the moon!
A cross stood in Jerusalem.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
CHRIST ALONE
Anybody can be a Catholic, anybody can be a Hindu, anybody can be a Buddhist, anybody can be a Muslim, and anybody can be a member of any religion in the world today, but it is impossible for people to be a Christian until they meet Christ the Lord.
Until then, Jesus is no more than an imaginary character in the minds of religious people and with no more value than Santa Claus or Easter Bunny, or a Jack-o-Lantern at Halloween. They can celebrate Christmas and Easter with all the pomp and pagentry of presents and green trees, yet believing that Jesus is no more than a ceramic baby in a manger scene.
Unless people believe that Jesus is resurrected from death, they will never trust in Him to be the Savior of their sins while clinging to their religion until the day they die.
The Bible, however, tells us the truth about knowing Christ:
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
Christ alone saves the souls of people, not religions.
Until then, Jesus is no more than an imaginary character in the minds of religious people and with no more value than Santa Claus or Easter Bunny, or a Jack-o-Lantern at Halloween. They can celebrate Christmas and Easter with all the pomp and pagentry of presents and green trees, yet believing that Jesus is no more than a ceramic baby in a manger scene.
Unless people believe that Jesus is resurrected from death, they will never trust in Him to be the Savior of their sins while clinging to their religion until the day they die.
The Bible, however, tells us the truth about knowing Christ:
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
Christ alone saves the souls of people, not religions.
Monday, August 20, 2018
PATHWAY TO GOD
The pathway to God is through the word of the Lord, which is the Bible, and nothing else.
For the Bible says,
For the Bible says,
"So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10: 17)
If we will believe in the word of God, then we will also believe that the pathway to God is not based on my church membership, nor is it based on my affiliation with a religious institution.
Moreover, the pathway to God is not based on water baptism, nor in participation in rites, rituals, and traditions.
The pathway to God is not based on my entrance to a temple, shrine, or cathedral, nor in the belief that I must go to building to meet God because God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands.
Beyond this, my pathway to God is not based on whether my shirts and pants are starched and pressed, nor by the way I comb my hair.
My pathway to God is based on God and not me, and not in the things that I do.
God is interested in my soul and His relationship with me.
For when I was without God and knew Him not, He came looking for me instead of me looking for Him.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
(Ephesians 2: 8-9)
In other words, we cannot save ourselves from sin because of the things we do. If we could do that, then we would die on a cross for our sins instead of Christ.
The pathway to God is through the word of the Lord, which is the Bible, and nothing else.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
AN ELECTRONIC GENERATION
As long as people feed their minds from television and iPhones, they will have difficulty believing anything else.
Has America raised an electronic generation, a generation that relies on television and iPhones to tell them everything they need to know that they believe is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Have we raised a generation that refuses to read, research, and study in order to gather information to make up their own minds? Or, are they allowing others to make up their minds for them, to believe as others believe, and to do as others do?
The attention span of people is very short these days, especially as people are watching television or holding iPhones in their hands.
It is also difficult to share a meal with others because their iPhones are closer to their plates than the silverware.
"Excuse me," they say, "but I need to take this call. Very important."
Then they say, "Hi, Susie. How was your date last night?"
Even out on the golf course people will stop the game and brake their carts in the middle of the fairway and say,
"Excuse me, but I need to take this call. Very important."
Then they say, "Hi, Johnny. How was your first day of kindergarten?"
They cup the phone to tell their partners and whisper, "It's my grandson." Then they go on to talk about fishing and camping and everything little Johnny got for Christmas, item by item, while other golfers are in a traffic jam, backed up to the first tee.
Have you ever seen people in churches clinging to their iPhones instead of their Bibles?
Watch him. He's flirting with the girl in the choir, left side, next to the piano: "Brush your hair if you see me."
For the electronic generation, their only interest in news is selfie news, such as selfie cars and bars, pools and pets, and selfie Christmas trees that light up the night and will surely win Tree of the Month.
On social gathering places on the internet, if the electronic generation does not like people such as you and me, or do not like what we say or post, all they do is click and turn the page; for we are not the important people in their lives even though they call us friends and will also tell us they love us from time to time.
How quickly will this blog post today get a click and turn the page?
There was so much I wanted to tell you, but now you are gone. I thought we were friends.
Has America raised an electronic generation, a generation that relies on television and iPhones to tell them everything they need to know that they believe is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Have we raised a generation that refuses to read, research, and study in order to gather information to make up their own minds? Or, are they allowing others to make up their minds for them, to believe as others believe, and to do as others do?
The attention span of people is very short these days, especially as people are watching television or holding iPhones in their hands.
It is also difficult to share a meal with others because their iPhones are closer to their plates than the silverware.
"Excuse me," they say, "but I need to take this call. Very important."
Then they say, "Hi, Susie. How was your date last night?"
Even out on the golf course people will stop the game and brake their carts in the middle of the fairway and say,
"Excuse me, but I need to take this call. Very important."
Then they say, "Hi, Johnny. How was your first day of kindergarten?"
They cup the phone to tell their partners and whisper, "It's my grandson." Then they go on to talk about fishing and camping and everything little Johnny got for Christmas, item by item, while other golfers are in a traffic jam, backed up to the first tee.
Have you ever seen people in churches clinging to their iPhones instead of their Bibles?
Watch him. He's flirting with the girl in the choir, left side, next to the piano: "Brush your hair if you see me."
For the electronic generation, their only interest in news is selfie news, such as selfie cars and bars, pools and pets, and selfie Christmas trees that light up the night and will surely win Tree of the Month.
On social gathering places on the internet, if the electronic generation does not like people such as you and me, or do not like what we say or post, all they do is click and turn the page; for we are not the important people in their lives even though they call us friends and will also tell us they love us from time to time.
How quickly will this blog post today get a click and turn the page?
There was so much I wanted to tell you, but now you are gone. I thought we were friends.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
The Adventures of Christmas
If we should take away the green trees, Santa Claus and presents, what would people do at Christmas? Or would Christmas be the most boring time of the year?
Without Christmas, there would be no office parties, no traffic jams on interstate highways, no cruises on the seas, and no family vacations at beachfront condos.
There would be no toys for tots, no electronic games for kids of all ages to play throughout the day, no mistletoe to tack above the doors, and no shopping malls wall to wall with people.
There would be no candlelight services in churches on Christmas Eve because there would be no "'twas the night before Christmas and all through the house."
Above all else, there would be no football games and no pumpkin pie at grandma's house on Christmas day.
Oh, my!
What would people do without the adventures of Christmas in their cities, in businesses, in neighborhoods, and in families once a year?
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Without Christmas, there would be no office parties, no traffic jams on interstate highways, no cruises on the seas, and no family vacations at beachfront condos.
There would be no toys for tots, no electronic games for kids of all ages to play throughout the day, no mistletoe to tack above the doors, and no shopping malls wall to wall with people.
There would be no candlelight services in churches on Christmas Eve because there would be no "'twas the night before Christmas and all through the house."
Above all else, there would be no football games and no pumpkin pie at grandma's house on Christmas day.
Oh, my!
What would people do without the adventures of Christmas in their cities, in businesses, in neighborhoods, and in families once a year?
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2: 8-11)
Saturday, August 4, 2018
CUSSING
In my lifetime, I am amazed and astonished at the number of people, as members of religions and churches, that curse after leaving their houses of worship.
They cuss at work, cuss while driving in traffic, cuss at school, cuss while standing in lines at restaurants, cuss while playing golf or while watching Little League baseball games, cuss on the telephone with neighbors, friends, or relatives, as well as cuss while watching politics and sporting events on television. They even cuss in front of their children and grand-children as if their little ones need to be like them.
And then, at their appointed times of weekly worship, such as 5 o'clock on Saturday evenings, or at 10:30 or 11 on Sunday mornings, they return to their religious institutions or churches, sit on the pews, kneel to pray, stand to sing, repeat the words they have learned to repeat since they were children, such as "the peace of the Lord," or "God is good all the time," shake hands with the preacher or priest---being mindful to thank him or her for such a lovely message---and then leave the buildings and quickly return to their cussing: as if cussing to them is as normal and natural as eating gravy on biscuits is normal and natural to a hungry stomach.
I am also amazed and astonished when I hear some of these people, from time to time, actually desire to talk about God, who is holy, while the words of the devil are still sizzling on their tongues!
How can these things be? How do these people justify talking like the devil yet still believing they have something important to say on behalf of God and that others should listen to them!---as of they wrote the book on "In God We Trust".
If I should invite you to go to church with me, would you go because you would want to understand a wonderful change in my life? Or would you think that going to church with me would help you to be better at cussing?
Have these people never heard of the Bible, that says,
They cuss at work, cuss while driving in traffic, cuss at school, cuss while standing in lines at restaurants, cuss while playing golf or while watching Little League baseball games, cuss on the telephone with neighbors, friends, or relatives, as well as cuss while watching politics and sporting events on television. They even cuss in front of their children and grand-children as if their little ones need to be like them.
And then, at their appointed times of weekly worship, such as 5 o'clock on Saturday evenings, or at 10:30 or 11 on Sunday mornings, they return to their religious institutions or churches, sit on the pews, kneel to pray, stand to sing, repeat the words they have learned to repeat since they were children, such as "the peace of the Lord," or "God is good all the time," shake hands with the preacher or priest---being mindful to thank him or her for such a lovely message---and then leave the buildings and quickly return to their cussing: as if cussing to them is as normal and natural as eating gravy on biscuits is normal and natural to a hungry stomach.
I am also amazed and astonished when I hear some of these people, from time to time, actually desire to talk about God, who is holy, while the words of the devil are still sizzling on their tongues!
How can these things be? How do these people justify talking like the devil yet still believing they have something important to say on behalf of God and that others should listen to them!---as of they wrote the book on "In God We Trust".
If I should invite you to go to church with me, would you go because you would want to understand a wonderful change in my life? Or would you think that going to church with me would help you to be better at cussing?
Have these people never heard of the Bible, that says,
"Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength,
and my redeemer."
(Psalm 19: 14)
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
THE GIFT OF FAITH
If you never set a goal to par a golf course, you never will.
If you never set a goal to play a musical instrument, you never will.
If you never set a goal to read the Bible, you never will.
If you never set a goal, you will never accomplish anymore than you are accomplishing now.
At the end of your days, however, you will look back at your life and realize all that you could have achieved had you only set a goal.
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
If you never set a goal to play a musical instrument, you never will.
If you never set a goal to read the Bible, you never will.
If you never set a goal, you will never accomplish anymore than you are accomplishing now.
At the end of your days, however, you will look back at your life and realize all that you could have achieved had you only set a goal.
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
(2nd Timothy 1: 5-6)
Faith in God is a gift from God.
Therefore, if we will stir up the gift of God that is in us, which is faith in God, and let God help us in our talents by setting goals, the results that we can achieve will be far greater than our own expectations.
Faith in God is a gift from God, and there is no greater gift than this.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen."
(Hebrews 11: 1)
Saturday, July 14, 2018
A LINE IN THE SAND
Christians believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death while the founders of man's religions are still dead and their bones are still in the ground.
There is a line in the sand: which side are you on?
"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." (Matthew 28: 1-7)
"And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go unto Galilee, and there they shall see me." (Matthew 28: 8-10)
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed them his hands and his feet. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20: 19-20)
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had said these things, he showed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24: 39-40)
Thomas Didymus proclaimed: "My Lord and my God."
Earlier, if you recall, Jesus said unto Martha:
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11: 25-26)
Paul the Apostle wrote: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection...." (Philippians 3: 10)
There is a line in the sand: which side are you on?
There is a line in the sand: which side are you on?
"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." (Matthew 28: 1-7)
"And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go unto Galilee, and there they shall see me." (Matthew 28: 8-10)
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed them his hands and his feet. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20: 19-20)
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had said these things, he showed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24: 39-40)
Thomas Didymus proclaimed: "My Lord and my God."
Earlier, if you recall, Jesus said unto Martha:
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11: 25-26)
Paul the Apostle wrote: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection...." (Philippians 3: 10)
There is a line in the sand: which side are you on?
"Choose you this day whom you will serve;
but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD."
(Joshua 25: 15)
Thursday, July 12, 2018
MUSICALLY SPEAKING
The ear is the pathway to the mind and to the heart, through which flows words, noises, and music.
Words, noises, and music are invisible, and only God can create things invisible.
God created words and music, but man created noise.
Interestingly, the first words spoken from God in heaven are these:
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3: 16)
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Words, noises, and music are invisible, and only God can create things invisible.
God created words and music, but man created noise.
Interestingly, the first words spoken from God in heaven are these:
"Let there be light." (Genesis 1: 3)
Interestingly, too, are these words:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1: 1-4)
Therefore, we can believe that light, words, and music are in Christ Jesus, which He has made available to us; for, without Him, light and words and music would not exist.
For if God did not exist we would not know it because we would not exist.
But we know, however, that we exist because we can touch our bodies and see our faces in the mirror because of the light created by God! All we need to do is believe that God gives us the minds to believe that He is God, the Creator of all things visible and invisible, and accept the fact that God created us.
Now that we know that God is God, Creator of all things, why hesitate to trust in Him to be the leader of our lives since He knows more about us than we know about ourselves?
If we, therefore, believe in God, why hesitate to believe in the word of God, which is the Holy Bible?
God wants us to be happy, healthy, and prosperous.
God wants the best for us and not the worst.
God wants us to be the head and not the tail.
God also wants us to be with Him in heaven after our bodies die here on earth.
The life we are living on earth today is simply a prelude for a life that is yet to come, which now is invisible to our eyes, but it is a life that we will behold with our eyes after our bodies die.
In other words, the best of our lives it yet to come!
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him."
(1st Corinthians 2: 9)
The ear is the pathway to the mind and to the heart, through which flows words, noises, and music.
The ear is also the pathway for hearing the word of God:
"So then,
faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10: 17)
When we hear the truth of God's word and accept it in our hearts, the word of the Lord will eliminate the noise, which will enable us to hear music instead of noise; for lost people like noise, which clutters the soul. Our music choices will also change when we accept Christ.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3: 16)
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Monday, July 2, 2018
A FRIEND OF GOD
Do you want to be my friend?
If I am to believe in you, I must be able to believe in your words.
Likewise, if I am to believe in God, I must be able to believe in the words of God, which are written in the Holy Bible.
Just as you and your words are one, you cannot separate yourself from your words.
Likewise, God and His words are one, and God cannot separate Himself from His words.
You and I, on the other hand, can change our words and lie, but because God is perfect and holy, it is impossible for God to change His words and lie, which is why "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13: 8)
For us to remain friends, we must not lie to each other. And for us to become friends of God, then we must be honest with God, not lie, but tell the truth and admit that we are sinners, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3: 23)
Consider Abraham, for the Bible says of him:
"And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (Hebrews 2: 23)
But Jesus tells us more about friends of God:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that he should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." (John 15: 14-16)
How, then, do we become a friend of God?
By confessing to God that we are sinners in need of salvation, for the Bible says:
"That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10: 9-10)
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
Believe in this today and you will become a friend of God today.
Remembering, too,
If I am to believe in you, I must be able to believe in your words.
Likewise, if I am to believe in God, I must be able to believe in the words of God, which are written in the Holy Bible.
Just as you and your words are one, you cannot separate yourself from your words.
Likewise, God and His words are one, and God cannot separate Himself from His words.
You and I, on the other hand, can change our words and lie, but because God is perfect and holy, it is impossible for God to change His words and lie, which is why "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13: 8)
For us to remain friends, we must not lie to each other. And for us to become friends of God, then we must be honest with God, not lie, but tell the truth and admit that we are sinners, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3: 23)
Consider Abraham, for the Bible says of him:
"And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (Hebrews 2: 23)
But Jesus tells us more about friends of God:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that he should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." (John 15: 14-16)
How, then, do we become a friend of God?
By confessing to God that we are sinners in need of salvation, for the Bible says:
"That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10: 9-10)
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
Believe in this today and you will become a friend of God today.
Remembering, too,
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life
for his friends."
(John 15: 13)
TWO EARS FOR THE HEART
"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I have commanded thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God."
(Deuteronomy 28: 1-2)
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God."
(Matthew 4: 4)
Saturday, June 30, 2018
NO GREATER LOVE
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life
for his friends."
(John 15: 13)
Perhaps we can agree that many, many people have the opinion that God is no more than a bad dude, sitting in heaven, with no more to do with His time than to thump people on their heads and send them down to the pit.
If that had been the agenda of God, however, He would have never sent His Son to die for the sins of the world.
But we can also agree that not one man of the earth has ever laid down his life for a religion or philosophy, and neither has any sinful man of the earth ever laid down his life for the sins of people.
For the leaders of philosophers and religions never lay down their lives for people because their only desire is for people to believe in them while they remain living.
To be honest, it is impossible for people to believe in God until they believe in the word of God, which is the Holy Bible.
The Bibles says,
"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16: 31)
"But these things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20: 31)
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15: 4)
Even Jesus said,
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4)
"So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17)
In conclusion, Jesus said,
"I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.." (Luke 15: 10)
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS
Over the past two thousand years, people have heard more stories about people, places, and events in the Bible than from any other book in world history.
These are the stories:
The Creation of the heavens and the earth
Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden
Cain & Abel and the world's first murder
Noah & the Flood
Nimrod & the Tower of Babel
Abraham, the "friend of God"
Moses & the Burning Bush
Moses & the Exodus
Moses & the Red Sea Crossing
The Ark of the Covenant
Joshua & the Battle of Jericho
Samson & Delilah
Ahab & Jezebel
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon
Daniel in the Lions'Den
Three Men in a Burning Furnace
King Bel-shazzar & the Writing on the Wall
David & Goliath
King David & Bathsheba
King Solomon's Wisdom
Joseph & Mary
The Birth of Jesus Christ
John the Baptist
King Herod
Judas Iscariot
Pontius Pilate
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Mary Magdalene
Peter & Paul
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
These are the stories:
The Creation of the heavens and the earth
Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden
Cain & Abel and the world's first murder
Noah & the Flood
Nimrod & the Tower of Babel
Abraham, the "friend of God"
Moses & the Burning Bush
Moses & the Exodus
Moses & the Red Sea Crossing
The Ark of the Covenant
Joshua & the Battle of Jericho
Samson & Delilah
Ahab & Jezebel
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon
Daniel in the Lions'Den
Three Men in a Burning Furnace
King Bel-shazzar & the Writing on the Wall
David & Goliath
King David & Bathsheba
King Solomon's Wisdom
Joseph & Mary
The Birth of Jesus Christ
John the Baptist
King Herod
Judas Iscariot
Pontius Pilate
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Mary Magdalene
Peter & Paul
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8: 38-39)
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
THE DEVIL'S TONGUE
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James 3: 5, 6)
When was the last time you heard an encouraging word from friends or family members in a time of need, or in a time of great sorrow?
Would it be fair to say that most disagreements between friends and family members begins with angry words?
Would it also be fair to say that man's greatest weapon under the sun is his own tongue?"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing."
(James 3: 7, 10)
"Life and death are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18: 21)
Whenever people use words of profanity, they are speaking the Devil's language.
Whenever people surrender the authority of their own tongues to the authority of the Devil, they are enabling the Devil's wrath to come out of their mouths and torch other people.
Some people spread rumors and gossip about people, and some people spread rumors and gossip about God.
The power of the tongue is man's greatest weapon in physical and spiritual warfare.
"But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil,
full of deadly poison."
(James 3: 8)
Monday, June 11, 2018
FATHER'S DAY, 2018
This is a picture of my Dad, working in a barbershop when he was young.
Let me tell you about him.
He had a quiet and gentle spirit.
He never had any enemies.
He never had an unkind word to say about others, and others never had an unkind word to say about him.
He had an ear for music.
His best friend was his Bible, taking it with him to church as well as to work.
One of my favorite memories of him happened in the heat of summer each year when he would take a chair from the house and sit under the shade of the maple trees and quietly read his Bible, which confirmed his understanding of "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10)
His brothers and sisters called him Gar, an abbreviation for his middle name, Garfield, but most folks called him Preacher Pruitt.
James Garfield Pruitt was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on September 14, 1904, and passed away at our home on Cool Springs Road on August 1, 1962, one month shy of his 58th birthday. His parents were Hampton Pruitt and Samantha Blevins, and his father-in-law was the Rev. Calloway Blevins.
James Garfield Pruitt was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on September 14, 1904, and passed away at our home on Cool Springs Road on August 1, 1962, one month shy of his 58th birthday. His parents were Hampton Pruitt and Samantha Blevins, and his father-in-law was the Rev. Calloway Blevins.
Many more memories I could tell you about him, but, most of all, I remember him as the greatest man I have ever known.
"How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of great things."
(Romans 10: 15)
Sunday, June 10, 2018
A TWO-HEADED BEAST
Nimrod was the leader of a religion, Caesar was the leader of a government, and both men were revered and adored as gods in their empires.
Government is a system of laws, rules, and regulations, designed to control and dominate the lives of people, and religion is also a system of laws, rules, and regulations, designed to control and dominate the lives of people. Therefore, both systems is one system with two heads, or a two-headed beast, which controls and dominates the lives of people.
Not much has changed in the world of religion today than from the religion in the days of Nimrod, and neither has much changed in the world of government today than the government in the days of Caesar.
Men today still seek to be the head of government, and men today still seek to be the head of religion.
People today still give their tax to Caesar, and people today still give their tithes and financial gifts to religion. Therefore, this two-headed beast is the money pit of the world as the two-headed beast controls all of the money systems throughout the world.
People today still look to the leaders of governments to sustain them, to protect and defend them, and to give them a better and brighter future, just as people still look to religion to sustain them, to protect and defend them, and to give them a future in this life, but also to give them a place in that place we call heaven, or paradise, or utopia in their life after death.
People willing give their money to things they believe; therefore, they willing pay their tax to Caesar in the belief that they will get something in return, just as they willing give their tithes and financial gifts to religion because of the belief that they will get something in return.
The leaders of government and religion do not see the money pit the same way, for they value the money that people give as the wages for their labor, their leadership, their expertise in matters that the people are not qualified to perform. And the people continue to believe in them, they continue to give them their money even though their lives today are about the same as the lives of people in days of Nimrod and in days of Caesar, for they do not know that they are prisoners of the same system.
Judas Iscariot was rewarded with money to betray Christ, and the leaders of government and religion are rewarded with money to keep the Gospel of Christ hidden from the people as well as to keep the knowledge of God from becoming the knowledge of people. For this reason, the leaders of religion and government also keep the Bible hidden from people.
The Bible says,
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2nd Corinthians 4: 3-4)
Whom, then, is the "god of this world"?
The god of this world is none other than Satan, and the leaders of government and religion are his agents doing his will while people believe that the two-headed beast is their friend.
But as long as people continue to believe in the two-headed beast, they will not believe in God, they will not believe in the Bible, and they will not believe that Christ died for their sins; and when they die they will die with their hands still clinging to feet of men whom they had believed were gods, whom they had believed would not let their souls go down to the pit.
Government is a system of laws, rules, and regulations, designed to control and dominate the lives of people, and religion is also a system of laws, rules, and regulations, designed to control and dominate the lives of people. Therefore, both systems is one system with two heads, or a two-headed beast, which controls and dominates the lives of people.
Not much has changed in the world of religion today than from the religion in the days of Nimrod, and neither has much changed in the world of government today than the government in the days of Caesar.
Men today still seek to be the head of government, and men today still seek to be the head of religion.
People today still give their tax to Caesar, and people today still give their tithes and financial gifts to religion. Therefore, this two-headed beast is the money pit of the world as the two-headed beast controls all of the money systems throughout the world.
People today still look to the leaders of governments to sustain them, to protect and defend them, and to give them a better and brighter future, just as people still look to religion to sustain them, to protect and defend them, and to give them a future in this life, but also to give them a place in that place we call heaven, or paradise, or utopia in their life after death.
People willing give their money to things they believe; therefore, they willing pay their tax to Caesar in the belief that they will get something in return, just as they willing give their tithes and financial gifts to religion because of the belief that they will get something in return.
The leaders of government and religion do not see the money pit the same way, for they value the money that people give as the wages for their labor, their leadership, their expertise in matters that the people are not qualified to perform. And the people continue to believe in them, they continue to give them their money even though their lives today are about the same as the lives of people in days of Nimrod and in days of Caesar, for they do not know that they are prisoners of the same system.
Judas Iscariot was rewarded with money to betray Christ, and the leaders of government and religion are rewarded with money to keep the Gospel of Christ hidden from the people as well as to keep the knowledge of God from becoming the knowledge of people. For this reason, the leaders of religion and government also keep the Bible hidden from people.
The Bible says,
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2nd Corinthians 4: 3-4)
Whom, then, is the "god of this world"?
The god of this world is none other than Satan, and the leaders of government and religion are his agents doing his will while people believe that the two-headed beast is their friend.
But as long as people continue to believe in the two-headed beast, they will not believe in God, they will not believe in the Bible, and they will not believe that Christ died for their sins; and when they die they will die with their hands still clinging to feet of men whom they had believed were gods, whom they had believed would not let their souls go down to the pit.
"For there is one God,
and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus."
(1st Timothy 2: 5)
Friday, June 8, 2018
GOD IS GOD
God is God.
God has always been God.
God had no beginning, and God has no end.
God is living, He has always been living, and it is impossible for God to die.
God is love. God has always been love, and it is impossible for God not to love because love is God's nature.
If more people accepted the love of God, we would have more family reunions.
The Bible has been telling us the stories of people for more than two thousand years---the good, the bad, and also the ugly. We, on the other hand, prefer to talk about the good we have done---while omitting the bad and the ugly.
The earth is the battleground of human wars. Ever since Cain killed Abel east of the garden of Eden. humans have been in constant warfare with humans for approximately six thousand years; and if we could see all of the blood that is in the earth from human wars, it would be over our heads.
The Bible is not a book about choosing a denomination, nor is it a book about choosing water baptism. The Bible is about choosing Christ---and everything else is circumstantial evidence, which is not admissible at the judgment seat of God.
If people will separate God from religion and religion from God, they will come to understand God. But as long as people try to mix God with religion and religion with God, all they will get is a strange mixture for mass confusion.
The Bible is not a smorgasbord where we can pick at what we like and spit out the rest. But if we will swallow the Bible as it is, we will send a note to the kitchen: "Compliments to the Chef!"
The cross of Christ seals two testaments together. The Old Testament is about the coming of Christ, and the New Testament IS Christ.
God is God, God is living, and God is love.
God has always been God.
God had no beginning, and God has no end.
God is living, He has always been living, and it is impossible for God to die.
God is love. God has always been love, and it is impossible for God not to love because love is God's nature.
If more people accepted the love of God, we would have more family reunions.
The Bible has been telling us the stories of people for more than two thousand years---the good, the bad, and also the ugly. We, on the other hand, prefer to talk about the good we have done---while omitting the bad and the ugly.
The earth is the battleground of human wars. Ever since Cain killed Abel east of the garden of Eden. humans have been in constant warfare with humans for approximately six thousand years; and if we could see all of the blood that is in the earth from human wars, it would be over our heads.
The Bible is not a book about choosing a denomination, nor is it a book about choosing water baptism. The Bible is about choosing Christ---and everything else is circumstantial evidence, which is not admissible at the judgment seat of God.
If people will separate God from religion and religion from God, they will come to understand God. But as long as people try to mix God with religion and religion with God, all they will get is a strange mixture for mass confusion.
The Bible is not a smorgasbord where we can pick at what we like and spit out the rest. But if we will swallow the Bible as it is, we will send a note to the kitchen: "Compliments to the Chef!"
The cross of Christ seals two testaments together. The Old Testament is about the coming of Christ, and the New Testament IS Christ.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."
(John 1: 14)
God is God, God is living, and God is love.
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:
is there any thing too hard for me?"
(Jeremiah 32: 27)
Monday, June 4, 2018
TO BE LIKE US
What would humans do if we didn't have humans to fight?
We argue, we debate, we agitate, stir up mischief, seek to dominate and control, and spread rumors, gossip, and lies as if they are truth while doing it all with such natural ease that we are actually proud of our behaviors while deceiving children to follow our examples to be like us in this vicious war of humans fighting humans across the face of the earth, from generation to generation, as we purposely strive to be like us and to be proud of our path of destruction while teaching children to do likewise.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he striken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53: 6-11)
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1st John 3: 2)
To be like us will cease to be when the children of God choose to be like Christ.
We argue, we debate, we agitate, stir up mischief, seek to dominate and control, and spread rumors, gossip, and lies as if they are truth while doing it all with such natural ease that we are actually proud of our behaviors while deceiving children to follow our examples to be like us in this vicious war of humans fighting humans across the face of the earth, from generation to generation, as we purposely strive to be like us and to be proud of our path of destruction while teaching children to do likewise.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he striken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53: 6-11)
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1st John 3: 2)
To be like us will cease to be when the children of God choose to be like Christ.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
Just as God is the heavenly Father of His children, Adam and Eve, so are we.
For this reason, Jesus said,
For this reason, Jesus said,
"And call no man your father upon the earth:
for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
(Matthew 23: 9)
In teaching people how to pray, Jesus begins by saying,
"Our Father
which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
(Matthew 6: 9-13)
Therefore, since we are children of our heavenly Father in heaven, and since Jesus is the Son of our heavenly Father in heaven, does this mean that Jesus is our brother, and that we are brothers and sisters of Christ our Lord?
Maybe it is time for the family of God on earth to come together.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
THE MIND OF CHRIST
The way we know that religions are dictatorships is because the people of religions have no voice or vote in policies, programs, and procedures because their minds are governed by religious laws, rules, and regulations; at which time, too, they are expected to yield in total obedience to their ministers and priests in religious costumes as if they are gods because they have been trained to believe that these people of the earth have the power to forgive sin as if they are equal to God in heaven.
A religious mind is therefore a mind without Christ because the Bible tells us something that is entirely different:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above all names: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippines 2: 5-11)
A religious mind is therefore a mind without Christ because the Bible tells us something that is entirely different:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above all names: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippines 2: 5-11)
Saturday, May 19, 2018
FIRST DAY IN HEAVEN
"Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go to prepare a place for you,
I will come again,
and receive you unto myself;
that where I am,
there ye may be also."
(John 14: 1-3)
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
ALL ALONE
All alone
the Savior died there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
All alone
the Savior bled there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
Now out on the narrow way
Christ died and paid the way
for the sinner's plea,
for all who will believe in He.
Jesus, all alone:
the Savior died there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
for all the world,
for all eternity.
I wrote All Alone approximately twenty years ago and I recently discovered while thumbing through a binder of writings that I have collected across the years.
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2nd Corinthians 4: 8-10)
the Savior died there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
All alone
the Savior bled there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
Now out on the narrow way
Christ died and paid the way
for the sinner's plea,
for all who will believe in He.
Jesus, all alone:
the Savior died there all alone;
for all the world,
for all eternity.
for all the world,
for all eternity.
I wrote All Alone approximately twenty years ago and I recently discovered while thumbing through a binder of writings that I have collected across the years.
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2nd Corinthians 4: 8-10)
Thursday, May 10, 2018
WHAT IF?
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2nd Peter 3: 8)
According to the Bible book of Genesis, what if the six days of creation was one thousand years each, plus an additional thousand years for the Sabbath Day, making a grand total of seven thousand years?
What if these seven thousand years could be a prophetic model for seven thousand years for man's existence on the face of the earth, so that from the creation of Adam and Eve until the end of time will be exactly seven thousand years?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8-9)
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
GREED
Governments and religions have sufficient funds to feed hungry people worldwide every day and without going broke. But are governments and religions feeding hungry people every day? Of course not!
Governments and religions also have sufficient funds to build schools, hospitals, emergency medical centers, and alcohol and drug treatment facilities worldwide and without going broke. But are governments and religions doing any of these things for people? Of course not!
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1st Timothy 6" 10)
The leaders of governments and religions are greedy people, for they are willing to watch people suffer and die rather than giving them a helping hand in their time of need.
The leaders of governments and religions are just as guilty as Judas Iscariot. For as Judas betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver, the world's leaders have betrayed people for all the money in the world, which they love and heap unto themselves endless profits and benefits while being content to watch evil destroy the lives of men, women, and children, for they love money more than they care for people.
Jesus said,
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8: 38-39)
If the leaders of governments love money more than they care for people, have they sold their souls for all the money in the world?
If the leaders of religions love money more than they care for people, have they sold their souls for all the money in the world?
If people follow the leaders of governments and leaders of religions, have they done the same?
"Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor." (Ephesians 5: 1-2)
Governments and religions also have sufficient funds to build schools, hospitals, emergency medical centers, and alcohol and drug treatment facilities worldwide and without going broke. But are governments and religions doing any of these things for people? Of course not!
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1st Timothy 6" 10)
The leaders of governments and religions are greedy people, for they are willing to watch people suffer and die rather than giving them a helping hand in their time of need.
The leaders of governments and religions are just as guilty as Judas Iscariot. For as Judas betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver, the world's leaders have betrayed people for all the money in the world, which they love and heap unto themselves endless profits and benefits while being content to watch evil destroy the lives of men, women, and children, for they love money more than they care for people.
Jesus said,
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8: 38-39)
If the leaders of governments love money more than they care for people, have they sold their souls for all the money in the world?
If the leaders of religions love money more than they care for people, have they sold their souls for all the money in the world?
If people follow the leaders of governments and leaders of religions, have they done the same?
"Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor." (Ephesians 5: 1-2)
Friday, April 13, 2018
Friday, April 6, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
ANCIENT ALIENS
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought against his angels, and prevailed not. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
(Revelation 12: 7-9)
"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
(Jesus of Nazareth, Luke 10: 18)
"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye ahll not eat of every tree of the garden? Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
(Genesis 3: 1, 4, 5)
"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown."
(Genesis 6: 1-4)
The Bible gives us the names of 36 tribes of giants as well as the individual names of 22 giants, including King Og of Bashan and Goliath.
Giants are the offspring of fallen angels, or the sons of God, that fell to earth because of the war in heaven. They are part human and part devil, and they are beyond redemption.
Giants are the offspring of fallen angels, or the sons of God, that fell to earth because of the war in heaven. They are part human and part devil, and they are beyond redemption.
Jesus said,
"Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thy serve." (Luke 4: 8)
"Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thy serve." (Luke 4: 8)
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hath redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5: 9-10)
Worthy is the Lamb by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
THE GOSPEL OF ST. NICOLAS
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20: 3-6)
Young children have never seen Santa Claus, but an image of Santa is all it takes for children to believe that Santa makes his midnight run out of the North Pole once a year, bringing toys and presents to children worldwide in a single night.
What a story!
When parents and grand-parents teach children to believe in Santa Claus, they are also teaching them to believe that the character from the Bible is just a fairy tale from ignorant people. And because Santa Claus brings toys and presents and candy, which one will they believe is real?
As parents and grand-parents teach, the children will learn.
As parents and grand-parents believe, the children will also believe.
Just as young children believe in Santa Claus because of his image, how many parents and grand-parents believe because of the images they see of their gods in churches and religious institutions?
If we should remove the image of Santa Claus, what would children do for Christmas?
If we should remove the images of gods in churches and religious institutions, what would adults do?
Have you ever wondered if 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is the Gospel of St. Nicolas?
St. Nick only visits once a year and always under the cover of darkness while children are sleeping, then escapes to the North Pole to be heard from no more.
And when the morning appears, parents and grand-parents are thrilled because the children believe in Santa Claus while believing that Jesus is still a baby in His mother's arms and unable to do for them all that Santa can do.
Young children do not know the difference between Santa Claus and Jesus. Somebody must tell them. And the story that gets to their minds first is the story they will most likely believe.
Jesus said,
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19: 14)
Young children can understand the Good News of Christ---if adults will tell them.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20: 3-6)
Young children have never seen Santa Claus, but an image of Santa is all it takes for children to believe that Santa makes his midnight run out of the North Pole once a year, bringing toys and presents to children worldwide in a single night.
What a story!
When parents and grand-parents teach children to believe in Santa Claus, they are also teaching them to believe that the character from the Bible is just a fairy tale from ignorant people. And because Santa Claus brings toys and presents and candy, which one will they believe is real?
As parents and grand-parents teach, the children will learn.
As parents and grand-parents believe, the children will also believe.
Just as young children believe in Santa Claus because of his image, how many parents and grand-parents believe because of the images they see of their gods in churches and religious institutions?
If we should remove the image of Santa Claus, what would children do for Christmas?
If we should remove the images of gods in churches and religious institutions, what would adults do?
Have you ever wondered if 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is the Gospel of St. Nicolas?
St. Nick only visits once a year and always under the cover of darkness while children are sleeping, then escapes to the North Pole to be heard from no more.
And when the morning appears, parents and grand-parents are thrilled because the children believe in Santa Claus while believing that Jesus is still a baby in His mother's arms and unable to do for them all that Santa can do.
Young children do not know the difference between Santa Claus and Jesus. Somebody must tell them. And the story that gets to their minds first is the story they will most likely believe.
Jesus said,
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19: 14)
Young children can understand the Good News of Christ---if adults will tell them.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
HIDING FROM GOD
In the garden of Eden story in the Bible, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and neither Adam nor Eve blamed God.
Adam and Eve knew the commandment of God, they also knew the consequences, and yet they ate the forbidden fruit anyway.
And when God came on the scene on their judgment day, what did Adam and Eve do?
"And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3: 8)
Does this story sound familiar?
For more than two thousand years, people have heard the Gospel of Christ, just as Adam and Eve heard the truth in the garden of Eden.
Therefore, people have heard about sin and the consequences of it, and they do it anyway while believing they will get away it.
Unlike Adam and Eve, however, people today blame God---while the devil gets away with murder, pornography, pedophilia, prostitution, and the human trafficking of women and children for money, drugs, and rape.
But on the other hand, people do as Adam and Eve did: they look for a place to hide from God, a place that will provide a cloak for their sin---while believing that if God cannot find them, then God will not judge them.
While hiding beneath their cloaks, they blame God for everything that is wrong in the world today while rejecting personal responsibility for the consequences of their own choices.
God, however, has something to say to people hiding amongst the trees:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2nd Corinthians 6: 17-18)
Adam and Eve knew the commandment of God, they also knew the consequences, and yet they ate the forbidden fruit anyway.
And when God came on the scene on their judgment day, what did Adam and Eve do?
"And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3: 8)
Does this story sound familiar?
For more than two thousand years, people have heard the Gospel of Christ, just as Adam and Eve heard the truth in the garden of Eden.
Therefore, people have heard about sin and the consequences of it, and they do it anyway while believing they will get away it.
Unlike Adam and Eve, however, people today blame God---while the devil gets away with murder, pornography, pedophilia, prostitution, and the human trafficking of women and children for money, drugs, and rape.
But on the other hand, people do as Adam and Eve did: they look for a place to hide from God, a place that will provide a cloak for their sin---while believing that if God cannot find them, then God will not judge them.
While hiding beneath their cloaks, they blame God for everything that is wrong in the world today while rejecting personal responsibility for the consequences of their own choices.
God, however, has something to say to people hiding amongst the trees:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2nd Corinthians 6: 17-18)
Sunday, March 18, 2018
THE ATHEIST
Atheism is a religion, created from the minds of atheists.
The only reason a person converts to atheism is because he believes the words of another atheist.
Since all religions are created from the imaginations of men, and not from God, there had to have been a first atheist because men take credit for the things they invent. Can an atheist give us the name of the first atheist?
We know that spoken words are invisible, so how would an atheist explain why he believes in the spoken invisible words of another atheist?
Light is invisible. We do not see light. We see, however, because of light and not because we see light. So how would an atheist explain invisible light?
Darkness is also invisible. Darkness is the result of the absence of light. But when invisible light appears, invisible darkness flees, and we do not see darkness running down the road to get away from light. How, then, would an atheist explain invisible darkness?
Scientifically, we know that things that appear do not come from nothing. By this we know that the universe began from something greater than itself. How would an atheist explain how something can come from nothing?
For an atheist to declare that God does not exist is like trying to explain how something that does exist does not exist.
An atheist will seek fellowship with other atheists because other people do not believe that something that does not exist does not exist.
An atheist is a god of his own mind because an atheist believes in himself more than he believes in anything else.
People of religions build images, or idols, to represent their gods and goddesses, and they will also worship their images. The only image an atheist has is a picture of himself.
People of religions also believe their gods and goddesses are invisible in the heavens, but an atheist believes he is a god here on earth as he rules and reigns over atheism.
We do not actually see the hole in a doughnut. The doughnut is made that way to let the light shine through darkness. Ask the atheist to explain what happens to the hole when the doughnut disappears.
Music and noise are also invisible.
Thus we have invisible spoken words, invisible light, invisible darkness, and invisible music and noise. So how does an atheist explain things invisible?
Because the atheist believes God does not exist, the atheist has no love for others because love is of God. The Bible explains it this way:
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1st John 4: 7-9)
The only reason a person converts to atheism is because he believes the words of another atheist.
Since all religions are created from the imaginations of men, and not from God, there had to have been a first atheist because men take credit for the things they invent. Can an atheist give us the name of the first atheist?
We know that spoken words are invisible, so how would an atheist explain why he believes in the spoken invisible words of another atheist?
Light is invisible. We do not see light. We see, however, because of light and not because we see light. So how would an atheist explain invisible light?
Darkness is also invisible. Darkness is the result of the absence of light. But when invisible light appears, invisible darkness flees, and we do not see darkness running down the road to get away from light. How, then, would an atheist explain invisible darkness?
Scientifically, we know that things that appear do not come from nothing. By this we know that the universe began from something greater than itself. How would an atheist explain how something can come from nothing?
For an atheist to declare that God does not exist is like trying to explain how something that does exist does not exist.
An atheist will seek fellowship with other atheists because other people do not believe that something that does not exist does not exist.
An atheist is a god of his own mind because an atheist believes in himself more than he believes in anything else.
People of religions build images, or idols, to represent their gods and goddesses, and they will also worship their images. The only image an atheist has is a picture of himself.
People of religions also believe their gods and goddesses are invisible in the heavens, but an atheist believes he is a god here on earth as he rules and reigns over atheism.
We do not actually see the hole in a doughnut. The doughnut is made that way to let the light shine through darkness. Ask the atheist to explain what happens to the hole when the doughnut disappears.
Music and noise are also invisible.
Thus we have invisible spoken words, invisible light, invisible darkness, and invisible music and noise. So how does an atheist explain things invisible?
Because the atheist believes God does not exist, the atheist has no love for others because love is of God. The Bible explains it this way:
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1st John 4: 7-9)
Monday, March 12, 2018
AT FAITH VALUE
If people will not believe in the Bible by faith, they will not believe in the Bible at all.
If people will not believe in God by faith, they will not believe in God at all.
If people will not believe in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by faith, they will not believe in Jesus at all.
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (John 1: 18)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11: 1)
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." (Hebrews 11: 3)
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6)
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17)
"For by faith are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2: 8)
And after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, the Lord said unto Thomas,
"Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20: 29)
Again, Jesus said:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14: 1-3)
At faith value simply means:
"That if thou will confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
If people will not believe in God by faith, they will not believe in God at all.
If people will not believe in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by faith, they will not believe in Jesus at all.
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (John 1: 18)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11: 1)
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." (Hebrews 11: 3)
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6)
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17)
"For by faith are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2: 8)
And after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, the Lord said unto Thomas,
"Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20: 29)
Again, Jesus said:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14: 1-3)
At faith value simply means:
"That if thou will confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
Saturday, March 10, 2018
WERE YOU THERE
"Ah, thou that destroyeth the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and come down from the cross." (Mark 15: 29, 30)
If Jesus had come down from the cross, He would have liked Himself more than He liked others, and He would have loved Himself more than He loved others.
Strangely, but we often hear people saying those words today:
You must like yourself
before you can like others.
You must love yourself
before you can love others.
Take care of self first.
Let me be first in line, first to be seated, and first to be served.
Let me go first and you can go second.
Let me pick first and you can pick second.
Let me have it because I saw it first.
Save the last dance for me.
Save the last piece of cake for me.
Look out for numero uno because numero uno likes and loves the face in the mirror above all faces.
"...save thyself, and come down from the cross."
Had Jesus come down from the cross, the New Testament of the Bible would have never been written, and Jesus would have not been known outside of Nazareth.
But because Jesus remained on the cross and died there, His name has been known worldwide more than any name in world history, for there is something about that name that God will not let people forget.
But because Jesus remained on the cross and died there, His name has been known worldwide more than any name in world history, for there is something about that name that God will not let people forget.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53: 3-6)
"Were You There" by Tennessee Ernie Ford
Friday, March 2, 2018
LUKE
"Only Luke is with me."
(2nd Timothy 4: 11)
If you have but one friend in this world, be thankful.
If you have but one friend who loves and cares about you, be thankful.
Who is that one friend you have in this world?
Who is that one friend who loves and cares about you?
Who is the Luke in your life?
He has always had more belief in you than you have believed in yourself.
He has always had more confidence in you than you have had in yourself.
He has always been there when you have had victories, and he has always there when you have suffered defeats.
He has seen you in your best of days, and he has seen you in your worst.
If you remember, it was Luke who encouraged you to be a golfer, musician, songwriter, shade-tree mechanic, and a host of other endeavors that ran through your head.
If you remember, it was Luke who encouraged you to use your talent for God, and not for the praises of men, nor for the praises of yourself.
Luke has never given up on you when you wanted to give on yourself.
Paul the Apostle went to the heart of the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel of Christ, and the Gospel of Christ prevailed. Only Luke was with him.
Paul preached to the devil's face on throne in Rome, and the Gospel of Christ prevailed. Only Luke was with him.
As long as Luke was with him, Paul was fine.
As believers in Christ, we are much like the Apostle Paul in that we are messengers and ministers to empires: the empires of families, the empires of friends, the empires of communities and cities, and the empires on the streets where we live. And as long as we have a Luke with us, we will be fine, and the Gospel of Christ will prevail.
Jesus said,
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst thereof." (Matthew 18: 20)
Paul and Luke were fine because the Lord was there in midst thereof.
In like manner, Christ will be in the midst thereof with us when two or three gather in His name.
Luke has never given up on you when you wanted to give on yourself.
Paul the Apostle went to the heart of the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel of Christ, and the Gospel of Christ prevailed. Only Luke was with him.
Paul preached to the devil's face on throne in Rome, and the Gospel of Christ prevailed. Only Luke was with him.
As long as Luke was with him, Paul was fine.
As believers in Christ, we are much like the Apostle Paul in that we are messengers and ministers to empires: the empires of families, the empires of friends, the empires of communities and cities, and the empires on the streets where we live. And as long as we have a Luke with us, we will be fine, and the Gospel of Christ will prevail.
Jesus said,
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst thereof." (Matthew 18: 20)
Paul and Luke were fine because the Lord was there in midst thereof.
In like manner, Christ will be in the midst thereof with us when two or three gather in His name.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
THE EXPENDABLES
Kings, queens, presidents, politicians, and popes employ armed guards and travel in bulletproof vehicles.
And while the blood of children flows in the halls and classrooms in our schools, about all these above mentioned will offer is this:
And while the blood of children flows in the halls and classrooms in our schools, about all these above mentioned will offer is this:
"our thoughts and our prayers"
Then they get back in their bulletproof vehicles and fly, fly away---while their armed guards have their backs.
Till the next time.
Have children in the United States and children worldwide become the expendables?
Have we reached the age where we treat children as disposable diapers that we throw on the streets with the rest of the trash to be taken to dung hills and burned?
Does "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" not apply for children?
If nations do not protect their children from evil, why should God protect those nations?
Jesus said,
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19: 14)
What would happen if all of these kings, queens, presidents, politicians, and popes preached the love of God to adults and children instead of government and religion?
Why do they have armed guards and children do not?
Why do they have bulletproof vehicles and children do not?
Could it be that world leaders fear men more than they fear God?
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
EVICTED
God dwells in the hearts of believers, not in buildings made by human hands, and not in institutions created from the imaginations of men.
More than this,
But God is not slack concerning His promises, for this nation and for any nation that evicts God while prohibiting children from hearing the Word of the Lord.
And now we are facing the consequences of our decision because we evicted God by saying that God is not welcome here.
More than this,
GOD WILL NOT DWELL WHERE GOD IS NOT WANTED.
Ever since the United States Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools, this nation evicted God from the minds of children.
Not only did we evict God from schools, we also evicted the Bible, Christmas, and Easter, which has led to evicting God in public places all across our land.
People say,
"How could a loving God allow our children to be killed in schools?"
But perhaps we should ask:
But perhaps we should ask:
"How could loving people resist the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, while teaching their children to do the same?"
Our nation is crumbling beneath our feet, leaving our children on shifting sand: all because people began to fill the minds with the knowledge of men while evicting the knowledge of God.But God is not slack concerning His promises, for this nation and for any nation that evicts God while prohibiting children from hearing the Word of the Lord.
And now we are facing the consequences of our decision because we evicted God by saying that God is not welcome here.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,
I will also forget thy children.
As they were increased,
so they sinned against me:
therefore will I change their glory into shame."
(Hosea 4: 6-7)
Sunday, February 18, 2018
A MIRACLE IN ME
On the morning of February 15, 2018, my day began as most of my days have begun for at least forty years---with a cup of coffee. This cup of coffee was different because I kept slurping coffee below my lower lip and drenching my chin. As I continued to sip I continued to slurp, and my napkin was absorbing more coffee than my mouth.
When my wife awoke, she talked to me and I tried to talk to her; but my words felt like they were twisted on my tongue and came out slurred. Again and again I tried to speak clearly, but I could not.
Quickly recognizing the situation, Linda used the word "stroke" and I agreed. Just as quickly we got in our car and she drove me to the hospital.
Along the way to the hospital, my slurred speech became clear again and I was able to tell the medical staff about my experience of slurping coffee and slurring words. Following a CT scan of my brain, however, I returned to slurring my words.
After that, I was air-lifted via helicopter to Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, admitted to the intensive care unit, and, for 24 hours, I underwent examinations and observations by the stroke trauma staff, followed by an additional 24 hours in a semi-private room.
Just after noon on Saturday, I was released to go home, and it was as if I had never had a stroke at all! My brain was free from any damage, my motor skills had no damage, and neither was there any change to my vision or hearing.
Some people will say I was lucky, some will say this was all chance; but I say this is a miracle in my life because I believe that only God can perform miracles.
What, then, shall I do with this miracle in my life?
At this point in time, I do not know the answer to the question. Suffice is to say for now is that I, at this time, am to make this miracle known: with the belief that God will make more known later because I believe this miracle in me is not for me alone.
After that, I was air-lifted via helicopter to Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, admitted to the intensive care unit, and, for 24 hours, I underwent examinations and observations by the stroke trauma staff, followed by an additional 24 hours in a semi-private room.
Just after noon on Saturday, I was released to go home, and it was as if I had never had a stroke at all! My brain was free from any damage, my motor skills had no damage, and neither was there any change to my vision or hearing.
Some people will say I was lucky, some will say this was all chance; but I say this is a miracle in my life because I believe that only God can perform miracles.
What, then, shall I do with this miracle in my life?
At this point in time, I do not know the answer to the question. Suffice is to say for now is that I, at this time, am to make this miracle known: with the belief that God will make more known later because I believe this miracle in me is not for me alone.
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of my righteousness."
(Isaiah 41: 10)
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