Thoughts Around This Pulpit

Song Were You There

2010-04-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

WERE YOU THERE?

Spiritual

Imagine yourself standing at the foot of the cross when Christ was tortured and crucified. Then place yourself outside the empty tomb when the angelic announcement “He is not here … ” was given. Try to relive the emotional feelings that would have been yours. Allow this song to minister to you as you go through the day—

It was the third hour when they crucified Him. (Mark 15:25)

Folk songs are generally described as songs of which the origins have been lost but which express the heartfelt traditions and experiences of a particular culture or people. Therefore, they become greatly cherished by each succeeding generation.

The Negro spirituals represent some of the finest of American folk music. These songs are usually a blending of an African heritage, harsh remembrances from former slavery experiences, and a very personal interpretation of biblical stories and truths. They especially employ biblical accounts that give hope for a better life—such as the prospects of heaven. They symbolize so well the attitudes, hopes and religious feeling of the black race in America.

To better understand a Negro spiritual, one must feel even as a black singer does that he or she is actually present and very much involved in the event itself. The event being sung—in this case the story of Christ’s suffering, death, and ultimate resurrection—becomes a very intensely emotional experience. It is told with much feeling and freedom of spirit, generally without any instrumental accompaniment.

The lesson for each of us to learn from a Negro spiritual like this is that truths such as the redemptive work of Christ must have much more than just our mental assent. The biblical account must become a very personal conviction in our lives, and our very souls should be gripped by its emotional power.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised Him from the dead?

Sometimes I feel like shouting glory, glory, glory! When I think how God raised Him from the dead!

Isaiah 53:4–12; Matthew 20:28; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:5, 6

Imagine yourself standing at the foot of the cross when Christ was tortured and crucified. Then place yourself outside the empty tomb when the angelic announcement “He is not here … ” was given. Try to relive the emotional feelings that would have been yours. Allow this song to minister to you as you go through the day—

HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA

2010-04-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA

Jennette Threlfall, 1821–1880

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest. (Matthew 21:9)

The week preceding Easter Sunday is known as Holy or Passion Week. These seven days have been described as the most intense and important week of history. The dramatic events that occurred during Christ’s final days on earth are recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12).

Palm Sunday: John 12:12–15— The only day of triumph known by Christ in His earthly ministry. A fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

The Lord’s Holy Anger: 1. At a fig tree that bore no fruit (Matthew 21:18–19). 2. At the moneychangers who were misusing the temple (Matthew 21:12, 13).

The Last Supper: Matthew 26:26–28— Observed on Maundy Thursday.

The Foot Washing: John 13:1–10— An object lesson taught by Christ regarding the basic qualities of true discipleship: humility, purity, and servanthood.

The Song of Victory: Matthew 26:30— This last song was likely one of the imminent Hallel Psalms, Nos. 115-118.

Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36–46— Three times Jesus prayed, while His disciples slept, “O Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt!”

The Kiss of Betrayal: Mark 14:44; Luke 22:48— “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

The Perverted Trial: Matthew 27:11–26— Christ charged with blasphemy and sentenced to die as a criminal against Rome.

The Crucifixion: Matthew 27:33–38— Most Christians believe He was crucified on what is now known as Good Friday. The church color for this day is black.

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” was written by Jennette Threlfall, an invalid English woman who was known for her cheery disposition as well as her many published poems. This text first appeared in the author’s volume Sunshine and Shadow, in 1873.

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; thru pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang; to Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to His breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed ’mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud; the Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heav’n our King; O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice, and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:9, 10; John 12,13

Sing this Palm Sunday hymn with your family—

Jesus Paid It All

2010-03-29T20:48:00.000-05:00

JESUS PAID IT ALL

Elvina M. Hall, 1820–1889

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

It has been stated that all religious systems can be spelled with just two letters—D O. The gospel of Christ, however, is spelled with four letters—D O N E! This hymn text, written by a lay woman named Elvina Hall, speaks pointedly to this basic truth, which is the very basis of our Christian faith.

Mrs. Hall wrote these words one Sunday morning while seated in the choir loft of the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, supposedly listening to the sermon by her pastor, the Rev. George Schrick. One can imagine a conversation something like this following the service:

Pastor Schrick, I must confess that I wasn’t listening too closely to your message this morning. Because, you see, once you started preaching about how we can really know God’s love and forgiveness, I began thinking about all that Christ has already done to provide our salvation. Then these words came to me, and I just had to get them down on paper. And the only paper I could find at the time was the flyleaf of this hymnal. So I scribbled the words on that.

The pastor recalled that the church organist, John Grape, had just previously given him a copy of a new tune that he had composed, which he had titled “All to Christ I Owe.” To the amazement of all, they soon discovered that John Grape’s tune fit perfectly with Elvina Hall’s words scribbled on the flyleaf page of the hymnal. Since its first published appearance in 1874, this hymn has been widely used in churches, especially for the communion services.

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small! Child of weakness, watch and pray; find in Me thine all in all.”

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone.

For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim—I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, “Jesus died my soul to save,” my lips shall still repeat.

Chorus: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain—He washed it white as snow.

Romans 3:24-26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 1:7–9

Breathe a prayer of thanksgiving even now that our eternal standing with God is dependent only on the redemptive work of Christ. Seek to share this good news with someone who may be confused about this.

Rock of Ages

2010-03-28T21:31:00.001-05:00

ROCK OF AGES
Augustus M. Toplady, 1740–1778
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea … they all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1, 3, 4)
This fervent plea for Christ our eternal rock to grant salvation through His sacrifice and to be a place of refuge for the believer is one of the most popular hymns ever written. With strong emotional impact, it proclaims Christ’s atonement on the cross to be the only means of salvation, making man’s tears and efforts to justify himself of no avail. Also it urges us to find consolation and security in Christ our rock—even at the time of death.
Augustus Toplady’s strong and passionate lines were actually written to refute some of the teachings of John and Charles Wesley during a bitter controversy with them concerning Arminianism (which stresses man’s free will) versus John Calvin’s doctrine of election. “Rock of Ages” was the climax to an article that Toplady wrote in The Gospel Magazine in 1776, in which he supported the doctrine of election by arguing that just as England could never pay her national debt, so man through his own efforts could never satisfy the eternal justice of a holy God. Despite the belligerent intent of this text, God has preserved this hymn for more than 200 years to bring blessing to both Arminian and Calvinistic believers around the world.
At the age of 16, as he sat in a barn and listened to the preaching of an uneducated man, Toplady was dramatically converted. Later, he became a powerful and respected minister of the Anglican church. While he was the busy pastor of several churches in England, Augustus Toplady wrote many hymn texts, but few have survived. “Rock of Ages” is the one for which he is known today.
Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.
Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know, these for sin could not atone—Thou must save and Thou alone: In my hand no price I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyes shall close in death, when I rise to worlds unknown and behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

Exodus 17:1–6; 33:17–23; Psalm 78:35; Acts 4:12

Give sincere praise to Christ our “Rock of Ages” for His great gift of salvation and for His provision of a place of refuge for us, even unto death.

I Gave My Life For Thee

2010-03-26T20:53:00.000-05:00

I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE
Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
A vivid painting of Christ, wearing His crown of thorns as He stands before Pilate and the mob, is displayed in the art museum of Dusseldorf, Germany. Under the painting by Sternberg are the words, “This have I done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?” (There are several painting depictions of Pilate presenting Christ to the people and although it's not clear which exact painting Havergal have seen, the message is crystal clear, "Christ died for you, what have you done for Him? The pic that I added to this is a sample) "When Frances Havergal viewed the painting during a visit to Germany, she was deeply moved. As she gazed at it in tears, she scribbled down the lines of this hymn text on a scrap of paper. After returning to her home in England, she felt the poetry was so poor that she tossed the lines into a stove. The scorched scrap of paper amazingly floated out of the flames and landed on the floor, where it was found by Frances’ father, Rev. William Havergal, an Anglican minister, a noted poet, and a church musician. He encouraged her to preserve the poem by composing the first melody for it. The present tune was composed for this text by the noted American gospel songwriter, Philip P. Bliss, and was first published in 1873.
When Christ cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” victory over sin was won. All that is required of each of us is to personally appropriate that finished work. To show our gratefulness, however, our response should be, “Thank you, Lord, for giving your life for me. Now I want to live for You and serve You till the end of my days.” This was the reaction of Miss Havergal, known as the “consecration poet,” whose entire life was characterized by simple faith and spiritual saintliness. In spite of frail health, she lived an active life until her death at the age of 43. She wrote many beautifully phrased hymn texts, including “Take My Life and Let It Be” and “Like a River Glorious.”
I gave My life for thee; My precious blood I shed that thou might’st ransomed be and quickened form the dead; I gave, I gave My life for thee—what hast thou giv’n for Me?
I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell, of bitt’rest agony to rescue thee from hell; I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee—what hast thou borne for Me?
And I have brought to thee, down from My home above, salvation full and free, my pardon and My love; I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee—what hast thou brought to Me?

Psalm 116:12-14; John 19:30; Romans 12:1, 2; Galatians 2:20

Allow your soul to respond in a new and fresh dedication to God as you reflect on all that Christ has done for you. Allow these musical questions to motivate your thinking—

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

2010-03-23T18:11:00.000-05:00

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS
Isaac Watts, 1674–1748
Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified Him. (John 19:17, 18)
While preparing for a communion service in 1707, Isaac Watts wrote this deeply moving and very personal expression of gratitude for the amazing love that the death of Christ on the cross revealed. It first appeared in print that same year in Watts’ outstanding collection, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. The hymn was originally titled “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ.” Noted theologian Matthew Arnold called this the greatest hymn in the English language. In Watts’ day, texts such as this, which were based only on personal feelings, were termed “hymns of human composure” and were very controversial, since almost all congregational singing at this time consisted of ponderous repetitions of the Psalms. The unique thoughts presented by Watts in these lines certainly must have pointed the 18th century Christians to a view of the dying Savior in a vivid and memorable way that led them to a deeper worship experience, even as it does for us today.
Young Watts showed unusual talent at an early age, learning Latin when he was 5, Greek at 9, French at 11 and Hebrew at 12. As he grew up, he became increasingly disturbed by the uninspiring psalm singing in the English churches. He commented, “The singing of God’s praise is the part of worship most closely related to heaven; but its performance among us is the worst on earth.” Throughout his life, Isaac Watts wrote over 600 hymns and is known today as the “father of English hymnody.” His hymns were strong and triumphant statements of the Christian faith, yet none ever equaled the colorful imagery and genuine devotion of this emotionally stirring and magnificent hymn text.
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most—I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small: Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Matthew 26:28; Luke 7:47; Romans 5:6–11; Galatians 6:14

Can you say with Isaac Watts: “my soul, my life, my all”? Sing as you go—

The 10 Commandments of Social Networking

2010-01-26T18:20:00.000-06:00

The 10 Commandments of Social Networking

I found this and it is so true - I pray you read and let the authors words speak to your heart allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your future steps.

The 10 Commandments were given to us thousands of years ago. Sure there was no Facebook or Twitter back then, but the principles still apply today. Here’s my take on how the 10 commandments apply to social networking.

1) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Don’t allow social networking to become a god. Are you losing hours at a time to Farmville? Do you interrupt meals with family and friends to send and receive messages? Is your first impulse when you wake up to check email/Facebook/Twitter instead of listen to God? Has posting become more important than praying? If so, maybe social networking has become a god.

2) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.

Throughout history people have created things to remind them of God – sculptures, stained glass windows, crucifixes – which people eventually began to worship instead of God. Likewise many people have become enamored with the potential social networks have as a platform to share the gospel, connect people to their church, or share spiritual insights. Be careful not to allow the tools used in the name of God to become more important than your relationship with God.

3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Don’t use acronyms that take the Lord’s name in vain like OMG. Don’t use acronyms that are shorthand for profanity. In general consider the coarseness and vulgarity of what you say online.

4) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Be intentional about taking breaks from social networking so you can spend focused time with God.

5) Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.

Kids, respect the social networking rules your parents set up. Parents, set up social networking boundaries for your kids. Install filtering software on all computers. Set rules for when and how much time your kids can spend online/texting. Warn them about friending strangers.

6) Thou shalt not kill.

Jesus said, “You’ve heard it said, ‘Do not murder.’ …But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother…[or] says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22) Don’t insult or hate on people online.

7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Guard yourself against porn. Use filtering/monitoring software on your computer and mobile browser and get yourself an accountability partner.

Guard yourself against emotional affairs. Just because you’re not having sex doesn’t make flirting or deep soul-level conversations with someone who’s not your spouse are ok.

8 ) Thou shalt not steal.

Don’t steal time from your employer, your spouse, or your kids for social networking.

9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Don’t lie or slander people online.

10) Thou shalt not covet.

Don’t envy people’s blogs or the number of friends, followers, or comments they have. Don’t envy the hot studio photo from 5 years ago they use as their profile pic. Don’t envy all the parties, vacations, and accomplishments they choose to post about. Much of what people post about is put in the best possible light and their struggles and shortcomings are omitted.

If Superman Pastored a Church

2010-01-14T09:22:00.000-06:00

A little humor but a lot of truth hidden in the humor of why Superman can not pastor your church

If Superman Pastored A Church?
By Stephen Portner

If Superman was a pastor of a church, at least in the traditional
chaplaincy mode, he would not be able to do it. Here's why -

1) Superman never mastered being everywhere all the time. He could
not take "a day off" each week, because who would cover for him? He could not
go on a vacation because, sure enough, that's when a parishioner would die,
and he would look like he doesn't care. Even if Superman never took a day
off and never went on vacation, he still could not take care of all the
people who would demand his attention. He could not even get any sleep and
expect to be there for everybody when they needed it.

2) Superman never mastered being all things to all people. Even if
Superman rounded up all the bad guys, who would then visit them all in prison?
Who gave Superman the right to be the judge and jury and make the
decisions about what is justice or injustice? And just where were Superman's mercy
gifts? Certainly he would be considered a "bad pastor" by quite a few of his
parishioners, because he could not please everybody in the way they
wanted their needs met or their opinions stroked.

3) Superman was not spiritually gifted to do everything. Sure, he
had x-ray vision, which would save a number of his parishioners from going to
the hospital. Sure, he had super strength, which would help in moving
the band equipment around the stage. Sure, he could fly faster than a
speeding bullet, which would help him visit house to house faster than most
other pastors. But who was going to do all the administration, paperwork,
convene the meetings, make sure the church was unlocked, and do the
pre-marital counseling, just to name a few things? Even Superman would "need
help" from others who had the spiritual gifts for those things.

4) Superman did not work well in teams. He was always trying to
one-up everybody else. Even Super-girl and Super-boy did not quite meet his
standards. Sure, he might "team up" with Batman every now and again,
but that was only to make himself look better. After all, Batman did not
have the power and control Superman had. Superman never gave the credit
to a Higher Power, Supreme Being, or Uncontrollable Holy, because from his
point of view, he was it. Superman was too engrossed in needing to needed
and loving to be loved to really care if anyone else got the glory,
honor, or praise. He was too addicted to co-dependency to work with teams.

So, since even Superman could not effectively pastor a church as a
chaplain, why are you trying to do it?

Why I Love Snow

2010-01-03T14:52:00.000-06:00

We awoke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white
snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world?

Why I Love snow
They say that every snowflake is different, with that being true. How could we ever get up off our knees? How could we ever recover from the wonder of it? Simple answer of why we get off our knees and how we recover from the wonder of it is we don’t truly understand the love he has for us and how he desires us to know more about him.In our busy lives I think that God uses snow to help slow us down. To take a moment of time for us to hunker down and snuggle in to know more about HIM. But to often we feel we must do what we want to do rather than do what He wants us to do. We get out of the roads and slip, slide, and go slower than normal. We get angery that we cant do what we want to do. We have plans, we have events to go to, people to see and places to go. But I think that God in heaven says, hey listen up listen to me, FOLLOW Me and I will do great things in your life.

Snowflakes (the correct scientific term is really snow crystals) are born when a water molecule (that is, two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom) gets together with others of its kind to form a hexagonal (that is, six-sided) lattice.
Just as the snowflake’s rough and tumble journey up and down through the winter sky dictates the shape it will ultimately take when it finally falls to earth, so the ups and downs each one of us experiences in life determines the character that we too will end up with.

Like snowflakes, each of us has many facets. Not in the course of hours or days, as with the snowflake, but over the years of our life.
As scientist and snow specialist Kenneth Libbrecht points out, the tremendously symmetrical snowflakes we tend to see in illustrations are the exception rather than the rule.

“Don’t be fooled by the pictures,” writes Libbrecht on his website snowcrystals.com. “Irregular crystals are by far the most common type. If you don’t believe me, just take a look for yourself next time it snows. Near-perfect, symmetrical snow crystals are fun to look at, but they are not common.”
In fact, there probably isn’t such a thing as a 100% perfect snowflake. Somewhere, in all that wondrous crystalline perfection, a tiny flaw is always hiding. The same goes for us. We have all missed the mark, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23)

This time when we have snow is for you and I to relize that God has created each snowflake unique and special. Just like he has created you unique and special.
As white snow blankets the ground, we are reminded of God and His purity and His perfection. The complexity and beauty of each single snowflake only hints at His transcendent intelligence and creativity. We hunker down and snuggle in.

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together. Same for believers, we are fragile and we will not be able to withstand the wiles of the adversary alone. We must depend solely on Christ. We cant think that we can do it on our own we must stick together. If we stick together on moral issues and issues that we face we can make a huge difference in the world that we live in.

There are some basic life lessons that we can learn from the snowflake. If we apply them to our lives we will no just be hears of the word but doers of the word.

Be unique
Every snowflake has it’s own shape and look. So should you! Accept yourself and be yourself. Everyone is different and should remain that way.

Work with others/Work with others
One flake doesn’t fall during a storm, millions do. As they build up and stick together, they accomplish a lot. Billions of the can become inches, maybe even feet tall and blanket miles upon miles. If you want to achieve success and change your life, you will need help from others eventually.

You can be small but powerful
Snowflakes are very small but very powerful. They’re extremely delicate but can shut down whole cities and states. You may be “weak” physically but mentally you can be strong.

Take your time
Unless wind is pushing them, snowflakes usually take their time to get to their destination. Don’t rush through life, it’s the journey that’s important, not the destination.

Divert away from your planned route
Most snowflakes are supposed to land on the ground and may be headed that way when they’re falling. But sometimes they land in trees, lakes, or the street. They go with the flow and are very flexible. It’s great if you have planned out your time and life, but events are going to throw those off course. So be flexible and let certain events take you for a ride.
Bring happiness and enjoyment to others
At times snow can be extremely dangerous, but think about how many times snow has made people happy and joyful. Kids get off from school and spend time sleigh riding, while skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes. Just the sight of a fresh blanket of snow makes people feel good. You should do the same, make people happy to see and talk to you. Don’t be miserable because you’ll bring those around you down. A smile is contiguous. Try one on today I promise it will make you and others happy to see you. A smile is translated the same in all languages.

Life is short
Snowflakes don’t last that long. Frequently they melt the instant they hit the ground, but they’ve had a interesting journey. Cherish your life and every minute you have. Every day is a Gift from God!

I will add verses later

So the next time you see snow, I pray that you will remember that “all good and perfect gifts come from above” and the God has blessed you. Each snow flake is to remind us to depend on him even more. Now, Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Ptolemy Tompkins
Libbrecht on his website snowcrystals.com

Thought for this New Year

2010-01-01T02:01:00.000-06:00

Deuteronomy 11:11-12 (New American Standard Bible)

11"But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven,12 land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.

Today, dear friends, we stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year and we are going forth to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our heavenly Father, "The Lord thy God careth for it." "His eyes are upon it away to the ending of the year."
All our supply is to come from the Lord. Here are springs that shall never dry; here are fountains and streams that shall never be cut off. Here, anxious one, is the gracious pledge of die heavenly Father. If He be the source of our mer¬cies they can never fail us. No heat, no drought can parch that river, "the streams whereof make glad the city of God."
The land is a land of hills and valleys. It is not all smooth nor all downhill. If life were all one dead level of dull sameness it would oppress us; we want the hills and the valleys. The hills collect the rain for a hundred fruitful valleys. Ah, so it is with us! It is the hill difficulty that drives us to the throne of grace and brings down the shower of blessing; the hills, the bleak hills of life that we wonder at and perhaps grumble at, bring down the showers. How many have perished in the wilderness, buried under its golden sands, who would have lived and thriven in the hill country; how many would have been killed by the frost, blighted with winds, swept desolate of tree and fruit but for the hill—stern, hard, rugged, so steep to climb. God's hills are a gracious protection for His people against their foes!
We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today. It shall be a good, a blessed new year!
He leads us on by paths we did not know; Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow, Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;
Yet when the clouds are gone, We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through all the unquiet years; Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears, He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze Of losses, sorrows, and o'er clouded days;
We know His will is done;
And still He leads us on.
N. L. Zinzendorf
Streams in The Dessert

SAYINGS NOT IN THE BIBLE: God Works in Mysterious Ways

2009-12-29T06:30:00.000-06:00

God works in mysterious ways Though uncertain in origin and certainly not found in Scripture (the phrase may originate from William Cowper's hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"), that God does work in ways curious and beyond the measure of our limited experience and conception is obvious. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that: The secret things belong to the Lord our God. The final chapters of Job present God's reprimand of Job wherein He asks how Job could possibly understand or judge the reasons for God's actions (Job being so far removed from God in power, wisdom, and longevity).

And perhaps the biggest mystery is revealed us in Romans 8:28. And we know that all thing work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Though we may not understand the purpose of our circumstances in God's plan, we are assured that every detail will work for the benefit of the Redeemed

Who is Jesus

2009-12-28T12:44:00.000-06:00

Found this thought you might be intrested ---

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND WHEN HE WALKED ON WATER;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING & THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM
WHO IS HE? (JESUS).

The 3 Wisemen

2009-12-27T18:18:00.000-06:00

The Three Wisemen During the advent season it is quite common to hear people tell the story of the three wise men, who, following the Star of Bethlehem, traveled from Babylonia on camels to present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This story, however, has just as much mythology as biblical truth.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only place in Scripture that refers to these magi. The text is as follows:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:1-12, 16 esv

First of all, Scripture does not designate the number of magi. Traditionally there were only three because that is the number of gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh—presented to the Christ Child. Really there could have been any number of magi visiting Christ.

A famous hymn often sung during the advent season is "We Three Kings" by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857). The first stanza goes as follows:

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Though this well-cherished song refers to the three "kings" there is no evidence which supports that these magi were in fact kings. These magi were wise men who were probably experts in astrology and oneirocriticism (interpretation of dreams), such as the wise men described in Daniel 2. Of twenty translations surveyed, thirteen referred to the magi as "wise men" (asv, cev, Douay-Rheims, esv, hcsb, kjv, ncv, net, njb, nkjv, nlt, nrsv, and rsv), five called them "magi" or "mages" (Darby, nasb, niv, tniv, and ylt), J.B. Phillips names them "astrologers," and the Message, "a band of scholars."

Another possible misnomer is that the wise men were present at the birth of Christ (or shortly thereafter), presenting gifts to the Christ Child in the manger. The evangelist Luke tells us that shepherds visited the Christ Child in the manger (Luk 2:8-20), but there is no mention of the magi at this point. In fact it seems that the magi could have arrived sometime later according to Matthew's account. Matthew 2:11 states that they entered a house (Gk. oikia) which is distinct from a manger (Gk. phatnê). Matthew 2:16 makes reference to Herod confiscating life from all the male children in and around Bethlehem "according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men." Therefore the magi may have arrived circa two years after Christ's birth, despite the traditional timing of twelve days later (January 6th is date that the magi arrived, however, this is working from the false premise that Christ was born on December 25th).

Some accounts of the "three" wise men are accompanied with their names: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The earliest reference to these names is from Excerpta Latina Barbari, which is a Latin translation of an early sixth century Greek manuscript. The names seem to be purely tradition as they do not have an early witness.

Something else to consider is the origin of the wise men. Some have attributed it to Babylonia or simply Persia based on the term magi, yet Matthew leaves it ambiguous by stating that they came "from the east."

As a note of interest, Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, records several portents or omens that foretold the war with Rome and the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70.

Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. (Josephus, War 289)

This event would have occurred in a.d. 66, and it is possible that Josephus merely included this incident from the prior account of the star at Christ's birth in order to strengthen his pro-Roman argument.

When all is said and done, the only impeccable information which we can obtain regarding the magi is the very words of Scripture.

Christmas Quotes

2009-12-23T09:56:00.000-06:00

Christmas Quotes
If you have other great Christmas Quotes add them below please source them.

If you hitch your wagon to a star, be sure it's the Star of Bethlehem.
I've seen the face of Jesus...
It was a wondrous sight!
Oh, glorious face of beauty,
oh gentle touch of care;
If here it is so blessed,
what will it be up there?
--W. Spencer Walton

The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

From a little spark may burst a mighty flame.
The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
--Helen Keller

There is no name so sweet on earth,
no name so sweet in heaven,
The name, before His wondrous birth,
to Christ the Savior given.
--George W. Bethune

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
I give Him my heart.
--Christina Rossetti

Christ was one child Who knew more than His parents--yet He obeyed them.
A Christian is one who makes it easier for other people to believe in God.
Keeping Christmas is good. but sharing it with others is even better.
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, led in paths of light.
--E. Hewitt

The three wise men saw the light and followed it.
They are rightly called wise!

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
--Dale Evans

A joy that is shared is a joy made double.
--John Roy

Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush,
rather than a last-minute rush.
God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
--Wilda English

It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.
-Van Dyke

Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime.
--Charles Dickens

Born in a stable,
Cradled in a manger,
In the world His hands have made,
Born a stranger.
--Christine Georgina Rossetti

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.
--Dr. Thieme

Christmas living is the best kind of Christmas giving.
--Van Dyke

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.
--Henry David Thoreau

I never realized God's birth before,
How He grew likest God in being born...
Such ever love's way--to rise, it stoops.
--Robert Browning

The way to Christmas lies through an ancient gate....It is a little gate, child-high, child-wide, and there is a password:

"Peace on earth to men of good will."
May you, this Christmas, become as a little child again and enter into His kingdom.
--Angelo Patri

Giving yourself is the greatest gift of all.
Love is a circle that goes on and on and on.
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can!
--John Wesley

Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year.
--A. F. Wells

Whatever else you give to your children, give them roots and give them wings.
You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.
--John R. Rice

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.
--Mencius

We may seek God by our intellect, but we only can find him with our heart.
--Cotvos

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
--Emerson

The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.
--Ralph W. Sockman

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Christmas is a spark that ignites in someone's heart.

How many angels are there?
One--who transforms our life--is plenty.
Selfishness makes Christmas a burden;
Love makes it a delight.

The joy of brightening a child's heart creates the magic of Christmas.
--W. C. Jones

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
--Guillaume Apollinaire

Seek joy in what you give... not in what you get.
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty;
not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
--Charles Dickens

The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.
--Rev. Billy Graham

Christmas is telling time--wondering time. Wonder enough about it, and you'll know, and you'll tell about it....
--Roy Rogers

So remember while December
Brings the only Christmas Day,
In the year let there be Christmas
In the things you do and say;
Wouldn't life be worth the living
Wouldn't dreams be coming true
If we kept the Christmas spirit
All the whole year through?
--unknown

If we think of our heart,
rather than our purse,
as the reservoir
of our giving,
we shall find it
full all the time!
--David Dunn

There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
--Albert Einstein

I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.
--Taylor Caldwell

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.

The means to gain happiness
is to throw out from oneself,
like a spider,
in all directions
an adhesive web of love,
and to catch in it
all that comes.
--LeoTolstoy

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.
--Mother Teresa

It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart.
--Marjorie Holmes

Each day of the holidays comes bringing its own gifts.
Open your heart,
Untie the ribbons,
and enjoy the contents!
Were earth a thousand times as fair
Beset with gold and jewels rare
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle,
Lord, for Thee.
--Martin Luther

Love and life
That's why He came, and what He offers,
Christmas isn't just for children.
It's for the world.
Don't worry if your Christmas card list seems to be growing each year. Instead, be grateful! It just means you're making friends faster than you are losing them.
A little child
a shining star
a stable rude,
the door ajar.
Yet in that place
so crude, forlorn,
The Hope of all
the world was born.
--Anonymous

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.
--Anonymous

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift--
indescribable
inestimable
incomparable
inexpressible
precious beyond words.
--Lois Lebar

Appreciation is a wonderful thing:
it makes what is excellent in others
belong to us as well.
--Voltaire

The Christmas season reminds us that a demonstration of religion is always much better than a definition of it...especially in front of the kids.
Perhaps the best Yuletide decorations are to be wreathed in smiles and wrapped in hugs.

The miracle of Christmas is that a baby can be so decisive.
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself.
--Charles Dickens

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
--William Parks

"Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again." G. Whitefield

"For a beggar to live at court is not so much as the King to dwell with him in his cottage." William Gumall

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." John Huss

"He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute." C H Spurgeon

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!"

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself." Charles Dickens

"The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birthday of our Savior, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected." Samuel Johnson

"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December....Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son." CH Spurgeon

quotes taken from the following sources:
..Merry Christmas: Inspiring Quotes, Poems, and Stories to Celebrate The Season
..Everything I Need to Know About Christmas I Learned from Jesus
..The Greatest Christmas Ever: A Treasury of Inspirational Ideas and Insights for an Unforgettable Christmas
..Christmas Treasures of the Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories and Traditions
http://www.cathye.com

Prayer

2009-11-10T15:47:00.000-06:00

I am removing one article from my blog for a little while to look at a problem. I ask that you pray for me during this time as I exam some things.
Blog was posted on June 28 Women on Mission Field

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child" & PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE

2009-11-10T09:29:00.000-06:00

“No, that’s NOT in the Bible!” There is an alarming amount of biblical ignorance in our churches today. For fun, let’s take a quick Bible Knowledge Test. Here are twelve familiar phrases, put a check mark beside the ones you think are found in the Bible. Good Luck!

“Ashes to ashes; dust to dust”
“The apple of my eye”
“Eat, drink, and be merry”
“Like mother, like daughter”
“Eat sour grapes”
“The prodigal son”
“A drop in the bucket”
“The Lord’s Prayer”
“This, too, shall pass”
“Confession is good for the soul”
“Honesty is the best policy”
“The skin of my teeth”

The six phrases found in the Bible are: (1) “the apple of my eye” Zechariah 2:8; (2) “eat drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19); (3) “like mother, like daughter” (Ezekiel 16:44); (4) “eat sour grapes” (Ezekiel 18:2); (5) “a drop in the bucket” (Isaiah 40:15); (6) “the skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20). How’d you do?
Truthfully, you don’t have to know everything about the Bible to be a Christian. I heard about a guy in Smith County who had no Christian background, but he wanted to join a church. At the first church they told him before he could join he had to answer the Bible question, “Where was Jesus born?” The guy was clueless about Jesus, so he answered, “Longview.” The pastor laughed at him and told him he couldn’t join. He went to another church wanting to join, and they asked him the same question, “Where was Jesus born?” This time he gave a different answer and said, “Tyler.” Wrong again. He visited a third church and said to the pastor, “I tried joining two other churches and they made me answer a Bible question before I could join, do you require that?” The pastor said, “No, you don’t have to answer a Bible question to join our church. We open our arms to anyone, and we want to teach you what the Bible says.” The man said, “Great, this is my kind of church–I want to join! But while I’m here can I ask you a Bible question?” The pastor said, “Sure.” He said, “Can you tell me where Jesus was born?” “Why, He was born in Palestine.” the pastor said. The man slapped his head and said, “I was close–I knew it was somewhere here in East Texas!”

You may be like that guy. You may not know where to find the book of Proverbs without looking in the Table of Contents–that’s okay. You’re in the right place–our job is to teach you what the Bible does say.

If you really want to know the Bible it will help you discover many of the popular sayings people think are in the Bible really aren’t there. Most folks think they’re quoting the Bible when they say, “Spare the rod; spoil the child.” But you won’t find it in the Bible. While the Bible teaches the importance of loving discipline, that phrase doesn’t appear.

In my studies, I’ve attempted to find the origin of all these sayings. The first time this aphorism appears in print is in a long satirical poem called “Hudibras” written in the 1663 by English poet Samuel Butler. The poem, which fills up an entire book, is a satirical attack on hyper-legalistic Puritanism. Butler writes: What med’cine else can cure the fits / Of lovers when they lose their wits? / Love is a boy by poets stil’d; / Then spare the rod and spoil the child. (Hudibras, part 2, canto 1, lines 841-844).

The current version of the saying is probably based on Proverbs 13:24: “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” In our 21st century, post-modern culture, it is not a popular subject, but we cannot escape that the Bible says “sparing the rod” does much worse than spoiling a child–it demonstrates the parents actually hate child! So, for all the parents, grandparents, and children, let’s see what the Bible says about using the rod of correction in raising children.

Spare the rod, spoil the child Despite popular opinion, the famous saying, "Spare the rod, spoil the child," cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. The saying, however, should not be considered invalid as there are verses that promote a similar concept.

Proverbs 13:24
He who withholds his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not hold back discipline from the child,
Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
You shall strike him with the rod
And rescue his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

I. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE

Parenting is the only profession that when you finally have enough maturity and experience to do it well, you find yourself out of a job. That’s probably why grandparents often make great parents, and in our culture, we’re seeing a growing number of grandparents who have the primary responsibility of raising children.

Any parent who has more than one child would agree parenting attitudes change between the first and the last child. Here’s a humorous look at the way maternal attitudes change with multiple children:

Maternity Clothes:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your doctor confirms your pregnancy. 2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes!

Preparing for Birth:
1st baby: You practice deep breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don’t practice breathing because you remember it didn’t help last time.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

A Crying Baby:
1st baby: At the first sign of a whimper or frown you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Babysitters:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Before you walk out the door, you leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

Activities at Home:
1st baby: You spend time every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend time making sure your older child isn’t poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of time every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins:
1st child: You rush the child to the hospital and demand an X-ray.
2nd child: You carefully watch for coin to pass.
3rd child: You deduct it from his allowance!

Let me share with you five practical guidelines for applying Biblical discipline to your children or grandchildren:

1. Never use your hand to punish your child

God instructs parents to use a “rod” for an important reason. A rod is a neutral object. It’s much better to use a switch or a small stick to punish your child than to use your hand. You should only use your hand to caress and to soothe your child–you don’t want your children growing up in fear of your hand. It’s tempting for parents to spontaneously slap their misbehaving child on the leg, but that’s a bad habit to begin. It’s never appropriate for a parent to use their fists or hands to beat their children on their head or face–it is child abuse. I recall one of my uncles used to “thump” my cousins on the head with his hand. They seemed to fear their father.

The word “rod” in Proverbs is the Hebrew word shabat. It was used to describe the rod a shepherd used to tend his sheep. The shepherd rarely used the rod to “beat” a lamb; instead, he firmly struck their hindquarters to get them to go in the right direction. The sheep came to fear the rod without fearing the shepherd. If a lamb wandered off beyond his reach, the shepherd tossed the stick in front of the lamb, and it would send the lamb scurrying back into the flock.

There’s a great lesson here for parents. It’s no fun to use a rod to punish your child, but the Bible says it’s an important part of “directing” their lives. God has equipped children with a perfect spanking place that has plenty of padding and no vital organs. Someone once said, “When your child is good, pat them on the back. When your child is bad, pat them a little lower on the back.

My mother used a switch to punish us. She kept the switch hanging on the wall over the stove in the kitchen. Beside the switch hung a picture with the words, “I need thee; every hour I need thee.” written on it. When I learned to read, I thought saying applied to the switch–I didn’t know it was the first line of a hymn!

My older sister didn’t get as many spankings–she was too busy telling on me and my brother. When my mother used the switch, my brother and I screamed and hollered like we were dying, then we’d go off and giggle. But we knew judgement day was coming when my Dad got home. He used his belt doubled over–it was a good old fashioned business meeting–my dad made the motions and we carried out the action! I got more spankings than I can count, but I can say I deserved every one of them, and there were times when I deserved one and didn’t get one. I don’t ever recall my parents striking me or slapping me with their hands. I loved my parents, but I didn’t particularly care for my dad’s belt or switch in the kitchen.

2. Never punish your child in anger

In our enlightened American culture, spanking is no longer in vogue. In fact, some people will hear or read my words and will immediately classify me as someone who advocates child abuse. There is a huge difference between child abuse and loving, caring biblical discipline. There is no excuse for abuse and the parent who abuses their child deserves to be publicly beaten. Abuse often occurs when a parent loses his or her temper. Loving discipline is always applied calmly and in a measured fashion.

In Proverbs 13:28 the word “careful” speaks of timing. The King James Version translates it, “He that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” The word “betimes” is the word “carefully.” It’s a bad time to punish your child when you’re mad. It’s a bad time to punish your child in front of his or her peers. There is a proper time and place for spanking, and it should be done in private after you’ve had a chance to calm down.

A lady passed by a man in a grocery store. He was standing behind his shopping cart and inside the cart was a three-year-old boy screaming at the top of his lungs. As she got closer she heard the man saying, “Easy, Albert. Settle down, Albert. Take it easy, Albert.” She stopped and said, “Sir, I want to commend you on the gentle way in which you are speaking to Albert.” He said, “His name is Sam. My name is Albert. Easy Albert.” Physicians have a saying, “When the patient is having a heart attack the first pulse you take is your own.” This means unless they are calm they won’t be able to help the patient. The same is true when you use the rod of correction.

3. Don’t make idle threats

The worst thing you can do is to threaten your child with punishment and then not deliver on your promise. For instance, you warn your child not to cross the street in front of your house alone because you don’t want him to risk being hit by a car. Then you tell him if he wanders across the street you are going to spank him. Later you find your child across the street and you rush over and drag him back, fussing the whole way. If you say, “I told you I was going to spank you, but I’ll going to let you off this time, but don’t you do it again, or I’ll REALLY spank you.” That behavior will create a belief in your child that they can disobey the rules without facing the consequences. That’s a dangerous lesson.

Don’t threaten to spank your child for everything (there are other tools for punishment). Spanking should be reserved for the most serious acts of willful disobedience and attitudes of rebellion. If you threaten to spank your child for every little mistake, your child will grow up fearing the consequences of trivial mistakes. For heaven’s sake, don’t spank your child for mistakes, accidents, or for acting childishly.

A few years ago, Ann Landers offered a newspaper column entitled “How to Be a Stupid Parent.” She wrote: “Let your kids get away with anything until you get fed up. Then lose your temper. Holler. Scream. Go wild and clobber them. If they turn out well, it won’t because of you; it will be a miracle.”

4. Talk before and after the punishment

Before any punishment is inflicted, the rules of engagement need to be clearly communicated to your child. Tell them what the rules are, and explain why you have these rules. Then tell them what the punishment will be if the rules are violated. When you tell your child they can’t do something and they ask, “Why?” The answer, “because I said so, that’s why!” only produces sullenness and anger in them.

When your child deliberately violates the rules, then it’s time to apply the punishment you promised. Talk to them before the punishment and tell them what they have done wrong and remind them of the punishment you promised.

God is the same way. He always warns us before He inflicts punishment. In Revelation 3:21, Jesus said, “Those I love I rebuke and discipline.” Like parents, God only disciplines those He loves, and He does it two steps: First, there is the warning, and then there is the discipline.

Sometimes the “rebuking phase” is the most painful part of the punishment stage–for both parent and child. When our girls were at home we had a trouble stick we kept in a bottom drawer in the kitchen. When punishment was due, Cindy or I would talk to our girls about the rules and the punishment, and then we would have them go to the drawer and get the trouble stick. That’s when the crying would start–before the first blow! After the actual punishment we would leave them in their rooms for a few minutes to think about their action. Then we would go and hug them and tell them how much we loved them and how we only wanted the best for them. We certainly weren’t perfect parents, but we both agreed on this method of loving punishment.

5. Praise more than you punish

This message is more devoted toward the punishment phase of discipline because it is addressing the popular saying about “sparing the rod.” But it’s much more important to give your child positive encouragement than punitive discipline. Punishment discourages bad behavior, positive praise encourages good behavior. A shepherd used his rod to direct the sheep and to protect them from harm. By teaching your child right and wrong, you are actually protecting them from the dangers they will face in the world.

Parents are given a warning in Colossians 3:21, “Fathers (parents) do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged.” Eugene Petersen paraphrases it, “Parents, do not come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.” (The Message)

If your child brings a report card home with four A’s and one B, are you the kind of parent who focuses on the B and asks, “What happened in class?” Or do you celebrate the A’s? I heard about one boy who brought his less-than-sterling report card to his dad. He said, “Dad, here’s my report card along with one of yours I found in the attic!

You will embitter your children if you constantly focus on their weaknesses rather than their strengths. Give your children ten times more compliments than complaints and make sure they receive a hundred times more hugs than spankings.

II. POSITIVE RESULTS OF BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE

Spare the rod; spoil the child speaks of the negative consequences of withholding punishment. But according to the book of Proverbs there are many positive benefits of correctly applying the rod of correction to the seat of the problem. Let’s notice three.

1. Biblical discipline is a lesson in love

Our primary text says the parent who spares the rod hates his son. The word “hate” means to “consider as an enemy.” Sometimes parents say, “I can’t spank my sweet little angel because I love him so much.” Well, the Bible says if they need spanking and you spare the rod, you really hate them. The second half of the verse says “he who loves his son is careful to discipline him.” When my daddy used to whip me he usually made two statements. First, he’d say, “Son, I’m doing this because I love you.” I wanted to say, “Well, dad, don’t love me so hard!” Then he would say, “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” And I just didn’t believe that–but I do now.

God loves us unconditionally, yet sometimes He has to punish His children. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.” When we are in the middle of God’s chastisement, we may not think God loves us very much–but He does. The most loving thing you can teach your children is there is a difference between right and wrong and doing wrong results in unpleasant consequences. That’s a good lesson they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

2. Biblical discipline roots out rebellion

There are two basic moral philosophies in the world. The humanistic philosophy says man is basically good at heart and any evil is his life is because of his wicked surroundings. On the other hand, the Bible teaches we are all born with a wicked, rebellious nature. Humanism says all man needs to excel is a boost from below. The Bible says man needs a birth from above.

We’re reaping the bitter fruit of the liberal indoctrination from the 1950s and 1960s, which taught parents should never punish their children because it may stunt their development. The philosophy of Dr. Spock and other “experts” was if Junior wanted to saw the legs off your dining room table, you just make sure the saw is sharp so he won’t be frustrated.

But the Word of God says we are all born with a rebellious nature. Proverbs 22:15 says “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” Some parents don’t want to spank their little precious because they think they are a tiny rose just waiting to bloom and develop. Sadly, if you don’t do something to break the stubborn, rebellious will of your child, that little rose may grow up and blacken your eye.

Sadly, we have many adults who have grown up and are just big babies. They still possess this childish, selfish attitude. If you don’t think grownups can act like babies, just go to a Little League baseball game and listen to the parents whine!

Sometimes when a toddler stomps his foot and says, “No!” Parents laugh and say, “Isn’t that cute?” But it’s not cute, it’s dangerous. When your children willfully disobey you, and you spank them, you are teaching them an important life lesson: They are not a law unto themselves. Someone (parents) has moral authority over him and there are unpleasant consequences to disobeying authority. If your child doesn’t learn that lesson they will have trouble in school, trouble at work, and trouble with the law. Most kids only need about four or five real spankings in their life to get the point–although it took many more than that for me. There are some things a child can learn through the seat of his pants that otherwise he would have to learn later in life at the cost of much greater suffering.

3. Biblical discipline steers toward salvation

When you teach your child they will be held accountable to you for their actions, you are also teaching them that they will be held accountable to a higher authority–God. Even before a child reaches the age of accountability before God, they should be held accountable to their parents.

The Bible says by punishing your child when they are disobedient, you are teaching them about the reality of eternal punishment for rebelling against God. Proverbs 23: 13-14 says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.” If you could have heard my brother and I scream when my mother used the switch on us, you would have thought we were dying–but we weren’t. I’m sure my parents spoke many life-lessons to me as a child–but I don’t remember a single verbal statement. But I do remember learning for disobedience and rebellion judgement day was coming! My parents loved me dearly, but they loved me enough to discipline me. I grew up understanding God loves me, but I will be held accountable to Him for my life and actions. Today, my brother and I both are serving God today in vocational ministry.

CONCLUSION

Parents, your children will only be with you for a few short years. Enjoy them! But you must understand the values and beliefs they develop in their first few years will be ingrained on their hearts forever. Francis Xavier wrote: “Give me the children until they are seven and anyone can have them after that.” They really are like wet cement.

When it comes to discipline, it’s easier to let things slide. No parent wants more stress, and spanking a child raises a parent’s stress level. But you will do yourself and your child a great favor by lovingly applying the rod of correction when it is needed.

It’s tough being a parent of only one child, but could you imagine being a mother of 17 children? Suzanna Wesley was the mother of 17 children, most of them became ministers or married ministers and two of her sons, Charles and John Wesley are heroes of the faith.

Although she had 17 children, she took time each day to personally interact and talk with each of them. Later in life, she wrote this about parenting: “The parent who seeks to subdue the self-will of their child works with God in the saving of a soul. The parent who indulges the child’s self-will does the devil’s work–and does all to kill their child’s body and soul forever.”

Those are strong words from a mother, but her words are reflected in the scripture we’ve examined. “Spare the Rod; spoil the child?” No, that’s NOT in the Bible. But the Bible does teach loving, Biblical discipline can keep your child out of trouble and ultimately out of hell.

If you are an adult, you may have bad memories about your childhood–whether or not you were spanked or beaten or slapped. But right now you need to know God loves you and He will be a perfect Father to you, if you will surrender your heart to Him. His arms are wide open to receive you today.

SAYINGS NOT IN THE BIBLE "Moderation in all Things"

2009-11-09T14:20:00.000-06:00

The phrase, "Moderation in all things," is common extrapolation of Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean (as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics). His ethic works around finding the mean, or middle gorund, between excess and deficiency. An example of this would be his presentation of courage being the happy medium between the extreme of rash action and the deficiency of cowardice, in respect to a person's possible action in the face of danger.

It should be noted that Aristotle's ethic is often misundertood by its summary: moderation in all things. It is frequently reasoned by those unfamiliar with context that the common phrase means that a person should approach all things (whether healthy or unhealthy) with moderation; therefore, reasoning that a moderate amount of a bad thing can be indulged is not uncommon to find. This is an inaccurate representation of the perspective summarized in the popular phrase.

But what about Scripture? Though there is no direct quotation matching the proverb, Paul does use a similar idea in his description of the successful athlete:

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).

While Paul could be making reference to an Aristotalean sort of ethic of moderation here, it is more likely that the phrase translated here as "temperate in all things" should be better rendered as "wholly self-controlled" or "entirely self-disciplined." Several alternative translations favour this reading of the text. Thayer's Greek Lexicon notes that Paul is presenting the figure of an athlete who trains himself, taking charge of his body, abstaining from "unwholesome foods, wine, and sexual indulgence" that he might perform at the peak of his potential prowess.

Weekend Heaven "The Royal Wedding"

2009-11-07T09:37:00.000-06:00

THE ROYAL WEDDING
On July 29, 1981, the most elegant, most talked about, most watched wedding in the history of planet Earth occurred. The fairy tale romance of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles raised worldwide interest in Britain's royal family. The heir to Britain's ancient throne and his beautiful princess-to-be obliged their admirers by holding a glittering storybook wedding with all the royal trappings imaginable. No one was disappointed.

Crowds of six hundred thousand people filled the streets of London, eager to catch even a glimpse of Prince Charles and Lady Diana on their wedding day. The couple was married at St. Paul's Cathedral before an invited congregation of thirty-five hundred and an estimated global television audience of 750 million—making it the most popular program ever broadcast. The entire nation of England enjoyed a national holiday to mark the occasion. Most people felt this was the wedding to beat all weddings, and would never be surpassed in its size, scope, and splendor.
They were wrong.

The Greatest Wedding of Them All
One day, in the not-so-distant future, Heaven will host a royal wedding that will cause the royal wedding of 1981 to be quickly forgotten. The wedding in Heaven will involve grander participants, a superior officiator, a much larger audience, and the best feast of all time. It will be called the marriage supper of the Lamb, and it is described in the book of Revelation.

6Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Marriage of the Lamb
7"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb '" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
REVELATION 19:6-9 (NASB)

Heaven will host the greatest wedding of them all.
One day the streets of Heaven will resound with the joy¬ous bells of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Using Revelation chapter 19 as the foundation, we can glean many insights into Heaven, the home of the greatest royal wedding of them all.

The Royal Bridegroom Is Jesus
This event is called the wedding of the Lamb. The Lamb is the Bridegroom. So who's the Lamb? Fortunately, we need not speculate. John the Baptizer told us that the Lamb is Jesus.

29The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
JOHN 1:29 (NASB)

John wanted to clearly explain to the Jews that he was not the Messiah. He was the forerunner of the Messiah, the path preparer for the Messiah. John said that he was the friend of the Bridegroom, but Jesus was the Bridegroom.

27John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28"You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent ahead of Him.' 29"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice So this joy of mine has been made full. 30"He must increase, but I must decrease.
JOHN 3:27-30 (NASB)

John was not the only one who knew Jesus was the Royal Bridegroom. Jesus Himself referred to Himself as the Bridegroom.

33And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink." 34And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35"But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
LUKE 5:33-35 (NASB)

Many thought Prince Charles made an extremely majestic and handsome groom in the full dress uniform of a British naval commander. However, the splendor of every human prince in history will pale in the grandeur and brilliance of Prince Jesus arrayed for His wedding day.

The Bride Is the Church
In understanding the Bible, it is vital to know that when the Bible speaks of the church, it is always speaking of a designation of people, and it is never referring to a building. In fact, there were no church buildings for one hundred or more years after the birth of the church. The church has many local assemblies but the church is one united entity made up of redeemed people of every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Just as a bride pledges supreme love and unparalleled loyalty to her husband forever, members of the church, the Bride of Christ, are those who have pledged priority love and utmost devotion to Jesus forever. It is our natural response to the sacrificial love He has already shown us. Paul wrote, "Husbands, love your wives [your brides], just as Christ also loved the church [his bride] and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). He also wrote, "I have betrothed you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2).

Lady Diana made a beautiful bride. People gasped at the way her elaborate and costly dress adorned her beautiful figure. In a similar yet vastly superior way, the Bride of Jesus will be a glorious virgin, simply, yet majestically, dressed in the pure white linen of those whose sins have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ and who show their gratitude by living righteous lives.

8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
REVELATION 19:8 (NASB)

The Guest List Will Be Impressive in Size
Lady Di and Prince Charles had thirty-five hundred invited guests. The marriage of the Lamb will have a much, much larger number in attendance. John said that he "heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah!' . . .For the wed¬ding of the Lamb has come" (Revelation 19:6-7). The guest list will include all the angels. Scripture tells us they number more than humans can count. The believers from the Old Testament era will also be glad guests at the wonderful wedding party.

God the Father Will Be the Gracious Host
Although not stated in Revelation 19, other scriptures tell us that in a unique and wonderful way, at the marriage supper of the Lamb, God the Father will serve as both the Father of the Bride and the Father of the Groom (He is our Father—Matthew 6:9). Because God is easily the wealthiest being in the universe, absolutely no expense will be spared. Everyone who wants to attend is welcome. There will be enough sumptuous food to last a thousand years!

Luke recorded a story Jesus told which serves as a portrait of how eager the Father is to have multitudes attend His Son's wedding. God wants everyone to be there

Parable of the Dinner
16But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; 17and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' … 21"And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'… 23"And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.
LUKE 14:16-18, 21, 23 (NASB)

Ancient Hebrew Wedding Customs
History tells of three common elements of a Jewish wedding during the time of Christ. A look at these three elements gives us insight into the incredible celebration that will occur in Heaven.

1. The Betrothal Stage
According to the custom, during this stage in the relation¬ship between a bride and groom, three things occur: First, the parents select a bride for the son. Second, a contract is signed. Third, the bride's father is paid a dowry. As you may recall, this was the stage Joseph and Mary were in when he found out she was pregnant. It required a divorce to break a betrothal. Fortunately, the angel told him the baby she was carrying was one miraculously conceived by God, so Joseph didn't divorce her. The rest is history.
On a spiritual level, God the Father selected a bride for His Son before the records of time (Ephesians 1:3-4). Jesus and the Father created a contract of commitment called the new cov¬enant (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 9:15). The Father gave His Son, and Jesus gave His life to pay the price for His bride (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 5:25). The betrothal has been fulfilled.

2. The Presentation Stage
In an ancient Hebrew wedding, the bride was fetched to the house of the groom's father for a private ceremony. One day soon, Jesus will come to get His Bride to join Him in His Father's house. Spiritually, this event has been called the Rapture of the church. Many consider it to be the next event on the prophetic calendar.
"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 and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
JOHN 14:2-3 (NKJV)

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
I THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 (NASB)

3. The Celebration Stage
In an ancient Hebrew wedding, a public party was held to cel¬ebrate the wedding. All of the friends and family were invited. These parties were huge celebrations. It was said that in those days, the party presented by a poor man would last all day; the wedding supper of the son of an average man would last close to a week; and the celebration given by a rich man would last up to a month. But the party provided by a king for his son could last for one year!

Well, friends, as they say, "you ain't seen nothin' yet." The Bible tells us that the party thrown in Heaven by God the Father for His Son, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will not be a one-day affair. It won't last a mere week or month; it will not last a year. No, there is a strong possibility that the marriage of the Lamb, given by God the Father for His son, King Jesus, and His daughter, the Bride of Christ, will last one thousand years (Revelation 20:1—6)!

So What?

What good does knowing this do us now? It certainly gives us something marvelous to look forward to. It gives us hope. Sometimes Christians look at people in the world who are godless and who seem to party their lives away, and we feel a twinge of envy. We ponder, "Why do the ungodly get to have all the fun?"
Friend, if you miss a few decades, worth of parties down here, don't worry. God is going to throw us a thousand-year party up there!

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "To thine ownself be True"

2009-11-06T08:29:00.000-06:00

To thine ownself be true When prompting people to follow their conscience on matters, the oft-touted "To thine own self be true" is occasionally cited as a Biblical recommendation. In truth, this saying originates in the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet. Polonius, the older counselor of Prince Hamlet's uncle, King Claudius, is in the midst of dispensing advice to the prince when he speaks forth the famous line: "This above all things: to thine own self be true" (Hamlet, 3.1.81). Among his platitudes, he also says, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" (3.1.78) — another saying occasionally mistaken for Scripture.

But really how good is Polonius's advice? Scripturally, we can only trust our conscience to guide us as far as it is being informed by the Spirit of God. Men, of their natural selves, are entirely corrupted; and so, to hold true to themselves would be to choose poorly indeed. Rather, we should seek God in prayer and ask Him to guide us in the paths of righteousness (cf. Psalm 23:3).

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

2009-11-05T05:58:00.000-06:00

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you The biblical parallel to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is found in the following verse: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7:12; cf. Luke 6:31). The phrase, "love thy neighbor as thyself," also bears a close relation to the saying and is found throughout Scripture (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8; Luke 10:27). James even refers to "love thy neighbor as thyself" as being "the royal law" because it is the embodiment of all the laws dealing with human relationships.

While many will happily point out that the New International Version translates the Lucan passage as "Do to others as you would have them do to you"—which is nearly identical to the standard, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. However, as close as this phrasing is, we cannot point to the NIV for the phrase's origin. The NIV was first published in 1973, well after the phrase came to popularity. Further, as the NIV is founded on a translation framework known as dynamic equivalancy (in which passages are translated in a so-called thought-for-thought manner rather than by a more literal guideline), it seems apparent that they translated the passage in order to reflect the well-known phrase.

Further research indicates that the phrase's earliest known origin comes from a Roman Catholic catechism from 1583 (which reprints an earlier of the same from 1567). The particulars of the phrase may in fact date further back even than this, as the idea of an ethic of reciprocity has been common throughout the world even into ancient histories (we find evidence even in the ancient Greeks).

So, in the end, while the saying does not appear in its common form in any of the more literal translations of Scripture, its sentiment is certainly biblical.

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "Money is the Root of ALL Evil"

2009-11-04T09:46:00.000-06:00

Money is the root of all evil This expression stems from the biblical phrase that says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (1 Timothy 6:10). There is a big difference between the two statements. Money is neutral and can be used either for the good or for the bad. Money of itself is not evil, yet the love of it is the root of all kinds evil.

Can money perform actions by itself? Is it not merely pieces of paper and shaped metal alloys? If this is true then how can money be the root of all evil?

I’ve had many interesting discussions over this topic especially with left-wing socialists who believe that the world would be a better place if we ascribed to an economic system that gives each person equal portions.
By asking this question we’re making the assumption that money has some level of influence over the beholder. That in effect, those who earn or have more money are more likely to be “evil” than those who don’t. If it were true then we could safely assume that those who have the least amount of money would be the nicest people in the world. Conversely presuming the opposite of wealthy people.

Or is it just that people are somehow altered by having money that they end up being more evil as a result? This could be true but it therefore alleviates the finger pointing at money and pokes at the behaviour of the person.

My theory is that some people are inherently evil with, or without money, while others are characterised with kindness and generosity with, or without, money. It’s just that money exposes what’s actually inside the person who has it.

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "This too shall Pass"

2009-11-03T09:29:00.000-06:00

This too shall pass Trials and difficult circumstances are difficult to bear and one comfort that many have come to share with friends assailed by trouble is the saying: "This too shall pass." The possible origins of this are too many and varied to review in depth here.

"This too shall pass" (Hebrew: גם זה יעבור‎, gam zeh yaavor) is a phrase occurring in a Jewish wisdom folktale involving King Solomon. The phrase is commonly engraved on silver rings.

Many versions of the folktale have been recorded by the Israel Folklore Archive at the University of Haifa. Heda Jason recorded this version told by David Franko from Turkey:

One day Solomon decided to humble Benaiah Ben Yehoyada, his most trusted minister. He said to him, "Benaiah, there is a certain ring that I want you to bring to me. I wish to wear it for Sukkot which gives you six months to find it." "If it exists anywhere on earth, your majesty," replied Benaiah, "I will find it and bring it to you, but what makes the ring so special?" "It has magic powers," answered the king. "If a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy." Solomon knew that no such ring existed in the world, but he wished to give his minister a little taste of humility. Spring passed and then summer, and still Benaiah had no idea where he could find the ring. On the night before Sukkot, he decided to take a walk in one of the poorest quarters of Jerusalem. He passed by a merchant who had begun to set out the day's wares on a shabby carpet. "Have you by any chance heard of a magic ring that makes the happy wearer forget his joy and the broken-hearted wearer forget his sorrows?" asked Benaiah. He watched the grandfather take a plain gold ring from his carpet and engrave something on it. When Benaiah read the words on the ring, his face broke out in a wide smile. That night the entire city welcomed in the holiday of Sukkot with great festivity. "Well, my friend," said Solomon, "have you found what I sent you after?" All the ministers laughed and Solomon himself smiled. To everyone's surprise, Benaiah held up a small gold ring and declared, "Here it is, your majesty!" As soon as Solomon read the inscription, the smile vanished from his face. The jeweler had written three Hebrew letters on the gold band: gimel, zayin, yud, which began the words "Gam zeh ya'avor" -- "This too shall pass." At that moment Solomon realized that all his wisdom and fabulous wealth and tremendous power were but fleeting things, for one day he would be nothing but dust.

The phrase "This too shall pass" and the associated ring story were made popular by Abraham Lincoln in his 'Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin' on September 30, 1859:

It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

An adequate question for the believer to ask though is how biblical is the comfort found in the reminder that "This too shall pass." Really we should be focusing on the promise of what awaits us who believe. Romans 5 reminds the believer that suffering produces hope for the kingdom of God; if we simply take heart in the temporary end of a given earthly trial, we are finding comfort in the wrong thing.

One of my favorite Bible Professors in Seminary on test day would come in after he handed out the test he would say, "This too shall pass but we will see if you will"

SAYINGS NOT IN THE BIBLE The Eyes is the Window to the Soul

2009-11-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

I often get questions by people asking me to locate various sayings in the Bible which do not exist. Many sayings have developed throughout the years by a variety of means. Scripture supports the purposes of some of the sayings while contradicting others.

The eye is the window to the soul
The Bible does not speak of the eye being a window to the soul, yet it does represent the eye as being a lamp of the body.

Matthew 6:22
The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.

Luke 11:34
The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Weekend - Heaven ---God's House

2009-10-31T09:27:00.000-05:00

God’s House

On this weekend blog I want to pause for a moment on the weekends to think about something that we maybe have forgotten about with Heaven so on the weekends for a while Im going to look at Heaven.

I was reading a quote today that says everything, A.W. Tozer said “There is little we need other than God Himself”

We Need God
Every person who lives on this planet now, lived on this planet in the past, or will live on this planet in the future has one common characteristic. The unanimous, universal denominator linking us all is a gaping, God-shaped void in our hearts. When He made us, He made us to have a holy hunger for Him.
This sacred space has been violated and twisted by the curse of sin. As a result, instead of seeking to fill our yawning empti¬ness with God, we easily settle for substitutes. Some of these surrogate gods are decidedly negative and dangerously addic¬tive. Everyone knows dependency on drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, or illicit sex can never satisfy. Other alternatives are neutral entities. Money, work, career, achievement, hobbies, food, and material things are only evil when we expect them to take the place of God. Then they fall pathetically short.
Most of us suffer from the continual temptation to put very good entities in our God void. We all attest to the intrinsic value of family, friends, church, and ministry. Yet when we try to place even these good entities into the God-shaped space in our hearts, inevitable emptiness comes. Why? Nothing or no one can replace God. Only God can fill the holy hole in our hearts. Everything else is, at best, a square peg in a round hole or, better yet, a tiny pebble in an infinite chasm.
We need God. One 100 percent pure God is our deepest need and greatest fulfillment. Clearly, nothing else can compare with infinite perfection. The very best of all things is God. With God you have all things. Without God you have nothing.
The great appeal of Heaven is more than the incredible beauty, astounding wealth, or fantastic fun we will experience there. It is the infinite God. The bottom line is that Heaven is about God. Maybe you want to go to Heaven because you were looking for something that seems to be missing. Let me tell you, that something is a Someone—God! What you really crave is found by experiencing more of Him—more often, more deeply, more intimately, and more powerfully—than you imagined possible. We experience tiny tastes of Him on Earth, but heap¬ing spoonfuls in Heaven. That is why it is Heaven.
In this book, we learn twenty-one of the best truths about Heaven. But absolutely, undeniably, and unquestionably the most significant truth anyone can grasp about Heaven is this: God will be there. Heaven is God's home, and we will see Him face to face.

Heaven is God's home.
Jesus encouraged His disciples by telling them about His Father's house.
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
JOHN 14:2
When the apostle John saw into Heaven, the central feature was not the tree of life or the crystal sea. It was God.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coin¬ing down out of heaven from God. . . . And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
REVELATION 21:2-3
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
REVELATION 21:22
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city.
REVELATION 22:3
Heaven Is God's Home
The beat drumming throughout the Bible is that Heaven is the dwelling place of God. Moses prayed, "Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel" (Deuteronomy 26:15). Jesus told us to pray to "Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). John saw the Father sitting on His throne (Revelation 4:2-9). Jesus claimed that as the Son of God, He "came down from heaven" (John 6:42). Forty days after His resurrection, He ascended visibly back to Heaven (Acts 1:9-11). He will one day return to Earth from Heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). Heaven is the dwelling place of God.
One of the very best aspects of having a home is being in a place where you can be yourself. You can relax. You do not have to hold back. You can fully express yourself.
Heaven will be astoundingly amazing because, as His home, it is the only place in the universe where God is free to fully express Himself. In Heaven God holds nothing in reserve. Nothing is limited by the presence of sin. God can be Himself. All of His goodness, all of His grandeur, all of His greatness, all of His generosity, and all of His magnificent glory can be let out. Everything His infinite heart has held in check since the creation of the universe can be conveyed.
In their own home, people reveal their true selves. Their hobbies, humor, personalities, passions, and pursuits are unveiled. At home, in Heaven, the Lord's personality, humor, dreams, and desires will be evident.
We Will See Him Face to Face
Moses begged God for a glimpse of His glory. Knowing that a direct look at His glory would be much more than Moses could safely comprehend, God suggested a plan.
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will pro¬claim my name, the LORD, in your presence. . . . But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back."
EXODUS 33:18-23
Moses was given a privilege no one else in his day could ever nope for. He received an unprecedented look at God's back. But every single person in Heaven will get to see God face to face Revelation 22:3-4).
For those of us who proudly line up in the company of God seekers, the mere whisper of seeing our God face to face sends shivers down our spines. For so many years, we have worshiped a God we have never seen. As His children, we have often heard the comfort of our Father's voice, but we have never been allowed to sit in His lap, look into His eyes, or touch His face. We have tried to be loyal servants, faithfully fulfilling the wishes of a Master we have yet to see. As dutiful soldiers, we have gladly laid down our lives for our King, yet our eyes have yet to see His throne. As His betrothed Bride we have received many gifts from His hands and letters of love from His pen, yet what we long for is our wedding day. Then we will dance in His arms, be consumed by His love, and gaze into His eyes.
It's the Person Who Makes the Place
What makes Heaven so amazing is not merely the stunning streets of gold, the gates of pearl, the radiant light, the crystal river of life, or the everyday association with angels. It is not merely receiving a great new body, enjoying the absence of sick¬ness and death, experiencing the reunion with loved ones, or basking in the majestic magnificence of the Master's throne— although each is amazingly impressive. What makes Heaven heavenly is not the place, it is the person. Heaven is heavenly because the Lord lives there.
Heaven is the only place where God's presence is revealed in an unlimited fashion. In Heaven God's presence is unhindered and unrestricted. Heaven is all God, all the time. That is what makes it so heavenly.
The Bible clearly tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16).
Since Heaven is the only place where God's presence is fully expressed, the very atmosphere of Heaven will be swimming in the pure, good, deep, rich, wonderful love of God. Just breath¬ing the oxygen of God's love in the air will heal our deepest hurts and soothe our greatest fears.
God is also light (1 John 1:5). Because Heaven is the place where God dwells unhindered and unrestricted, Heaven will radiate in the brilliant, perpetual light of His glory. Sun, moon, and stars will be unnecessary there.
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
REVELATION 21:23-25
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
REVELATION 22:5
As God is creative, excellent, loving, joyful, encouraging, faithful, true, good, and holy, so is Heaven a marvelously holy place, overflowing with all that is beautiful and truly excellent, running over with love, joy, encouragement, truth, and peace. Heaven is the sphere where the heavenly presence of God is unleashed.

So What?
The insightful twentieth-century prophet A.W. Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all through One.” Everyone in Heaven will be astoundingly rich because the Lord will be our treasure. Our capacity to enjoy and appreciate this privilege will be expanded and enhanced to the extent that we make God our primary passion now.

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "The Lion shall lay with the Lamb"

2009-10-30T11:05:00.000-05:00

Ever heard this expression before? The Lion shall lay with the Lamb.

Really? Is that so?

Problem number one: The Bible says no such thing. Search the Bible through and through, from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation and you will never find where it says the lion will lay with the lamb.

It simply is not there.

How did this tradition get started? Well, we don't know for certain, but many years ago a man by the name of Thomas A. Dorsey wrote a song titled "Peace In The Valley". It has been sung by many popular worldly singers including, Red Foley, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, , George Jones, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, to name a few.

Part of this song says:

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day.
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray.
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow,
No trouble, trouble I see.
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me.

Well the bear will be gentle,
And the wolves will be tame.
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes.
And the beasts from the wild,
Shall be lead by a child.
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes.

The closest thing to this expression in the Bible is found in Isaiah 11:6 where it says: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."

Nothing at all about a lion laying down with a lamb!

Isaiah 11:6
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 65:25
"The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the Lord.

As you can see, the lamb is both times paired with the wolf and the lion is paired with a beast of burden (once with calves and another with the ox). Still, the meaning behind the imagery is not really done damage by switching the juxtaposition to include lions and lambs. One can see with little trouble how the image became as widely popular as it has. Not only is the image made more dramatic by replacing the wolf with the lion, but there is already some precedent for the comparison if one considers the lion/lamb imagery keyed in Revelation 5.

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "God Helps those who help Themselves"

2009-10-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

How many times have we heard the familiar passage “God helps those who help themselves?” We hear it quite frequently, don’t we? In order to fully understand that passage let us turn to it. You all know where it is located don’t you? Maybe it is in the book of Hezekiah or possibly Phillips 66:1. No, that’s not right. Look as we may we won’t find that passage in the Bible. Although often quoted and stated this phrase doesn’t come from the Bible nor is it even Biblical in origin.

In fact this quotation has come down to us from GREEK MYTHOLOGY! Specifically it comes to us from one of Aesop’s fables, of the 6th century B.C. Let’s read this fable entitled “Hercules and the Waggoner.” “A Waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong.

‘O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress,’ quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said: ‘Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.’

The gods help them that help themselves.”

The saying “the gods help those that help themselves” evolved to “God helps those who help themselves” as the phrase was repeated and passed on from culture to culture throughout the centuries. And, Christians, as well as others, often quote this phrase thinking it is Biblically based, without realizing that it actually originated from pagan mythology.

The saying, "God helps those who help themselves," came to us in the United States also by way of Benjamin Franklin (1736). Franklin himself was a deist and so he believed that God did not play an active role in men's lives. In his point of view if man was not able to help himself, then man was hopeless.

But, you may say, isn’t it still true? Doesn’t God expect us to work as hard if we were doing it all and yet expect Him to work things out for us? That is what most of us have been taught BUT that isn’t the teaching from Scripture.

Let us notice just a few passages.

Psalms 25:3 “Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.”

Psalms 25:5 “Lead men in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

Psalms 25:21 “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.”

Psalms 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Psalms 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”

Psalms 37:9 “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”

Psalms 62:5 “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him.”

Psalms 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”

Psalms 145:15 “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.”

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.”

Lamentations 3:25 “The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.”

Hosea 12:6 “Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgement, and wait on thy God continually.”

What does it mean to “wait?” These are only a few of the many verses that tell us to “wait on the LORD.” What are we being told to do? To “wait” means to “stay or rest in expectation and patience; to stop or remain stationary, till the arrival of some person or event.” It is our human nature to take matters into our own hands and try to make things happen on our own.

Before we discuss what we should be doing and what we shouldn’t be doing let us look at a few more Scriptures.

Psalms 4:5 “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

Psalms 37:3 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

Psalms 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”

Psalms 115:10-11 “O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.”

Psalms 118:8-9 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Proverbs 28:25 “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.”

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

So, the question we need to answer is, “Are we to sit around like lazy bums waiting for life to be handed to us on a silver platter?” Do we work at everything as if we were doing it all? We do know that faith without works is dead. We must be doing certain things. The Word is quite clear that we are to carry on our daily lives working to provide for our families. Yet, even that is within the framework of Scripture; it is God that gives us the power to get wealth (Deut. 8:17-18).

There are many areas in our lives that are beyond our human capacity to address. And, there are areas that God gives us specific instructions and teaching.

Some areas are much like the Israelites at the Red Sea. God tells us to “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD...” There are times that God gives specific instructions of what to do. You may remember the account of Naaman recorded in 2 Kings 5. Elisha, the man of God, sent a messenger to tell Naaman to go and wash himself in the Jordan seven times and then he would be healed of his leprosy. Jesus instructed the ten lepers to go and shew themselves to the priests. And, as they went they were cleansed.

As an aside, you might notice that in neither of these cases were the individuals told to go to the doctor. And, there are no Scriptures instructing us to go to doctors. James tells us rather to call for the elders of the church, to be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14) Earlier in the book he had told us to “ask in faith, nothing wavering...” (James 1:6) He continues in the next verses stating that if one wavers he shouldn’t think that he would receive anything. Verse 8 is pretty pointed, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Being double minded is saying you are looking to God, putting your trust in Him and at the same time looking to the arm of flesh, to man to take care of the situation.

As the Psalmist said, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” We read from Isaiah that “they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength.”

About now some of you are asking, “What about James’ statement that faith without works is dead?”

Have we ever considered that “waiting,” “trusting the LORD,” and “the trying of our faith working patience” are the real WORKS that God wants? Perhaps the hardest “work” we will ever do is waiting on God to act, trusting Him with patience.

Because waiting, trusting, believing, exercising patience is SO hard we want to “look to our own understanding.” We want to look to the flesh, the physical. We say we know God can do all things!

And, we know that He says that if we believe we will receive whatsoever we desire when we pray. Yet, we want to “do something” to help God. We don’t appear to really believe and trust Him.

Let’s look at one last Scripture, Jer. 17:5. I quote this from the Bible in Basic English as it is a bit clearer. “This is what the LORD has said: Cursed is the man who puts his faith in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart is turned away from the LORD.”

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "Pride Comes Before the Fall"

2009-10-28T10:13:00.000-05:00

I often get questions by people asking me to locate various sayings in the Bible which do not exist. Many sayings have developed throughout the years by a variety of means. Scripture supports the purposes of some of the sayings while contradicting others.

Pride comes before the fall It is uncertain when or why Proverbs 16:18 was altered for popular consumption, but the original rendition states that pride ends in destruction.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

SAYINGS NOT IN BIBLE "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness"

2009-10-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

In the next few blogs I want to look at sayings that are said all the time but the wording is not found in the Word of God.
I often get questions by people asking me to locate various sayings in the Bible which do not exist. Many sayings have developed throughout the years by a variety of means. Scripture supports the purposes of some of the sayings while contradicting others.

"Cleanliness is Next to Godliness"

Cleanliness is next to godliness The book of Leviticus frequently deals with the issue of cleanliness and impurity so that the Children of Israel would be clean as a sign of separation from the surrounding nations. Yet in the New Testament, cleanliness finds mention in relation to the cleansing of the believer's life.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Ephesians 5:26-27
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

The Seven Deadly Sins

2009-10-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins, having come under recent scrutiny at the hands of the 1995 film, Se7en are:
Gluttony Greed Sloth Lust Vanity Envy Wrath They are, though certainly sins that Scripture condemns, not to be found in Scripture in any such grouping. The seven sins originated in the writings of medieval theologues and have been remarked upon by such noted personages as Pope Gregory the Great, Thomas Aquinas, Geoffery Chaucer, and John Milton. Also of interest is a Scriptural list that bears at least some similarity to the historical list of seven. Proverbs 6:16-19 reveals:These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Now while these are clearly sins despised by the Lord, none of these are able to keep one from salvation if he will only repent and believe.

Everything I need to know about life I learned from Noah's Ark

2009-09-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

The woodpecker might have to go! (see photo)

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark .

One : Don't miss the boat.

Two : Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three : Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four : Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five : Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Six : Build your future on high ground.

Seven : For safety sake, travel in pairs.

Eight : Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine : When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Strictly from a Mathematical Viewpoint

2009-09-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%...

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But: A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there,

It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

For some fun thoughts that are funny but so true

2009-09-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

Thoughts To Ponder
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet spirited until you try to get into their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny. They want the front of the bus, the middle the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door for years.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

Not only are the sins of the fathers visited upon the children, but nowadays the sins of the children are visited upon the fathers.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man till he is dead. So why should you?

To make a long story short, don't tell it.

If your left hand doesn't know what your right one is doing, you should consider running for a job in Washington.

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches-what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers.

Outside of traffic, there is nothing that holds this country back as much as a committee.

Preconceived Opions can Hinder what we hear

2009-09-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

PRECONCEIVED OPINIONS CAN HINDER WHAT WE HEAR?Years ago I heard a unique story about LISTENING:Many years ago a General was visiting and inspecting the Army Base under him.The General was drilling and questioning all the soldiers.The men treated him with great respect.At one point during the inspection the General asked to SPEAK PRIVATELYWITH THE BUGLER... The General asked to see the young man’s BUGLE.The young soilder pulled out a beautiful brass military issued instrument.The General asked the BUGLER several questions about his trumpetand his ability to play. Then the General commanded the young man to secrecy. The young man agreed.The General asked the BUGLER: DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE FIRE CALL?Of course said the young man. The General told the BUGLER, AT 4 AM SUNDAY MORNING I WANT YOUTO MEET ME IN THE CENTER OF THE CAMP AND HAVE YOUR BUGLE WITH YOU! REMEMBER, TELL NO ONE ABOUT THIS.The Post Commander was anxious to hear what the General had said to hisbugler? So when the General left, the Commander inquired what had beensaid. The young soldier refused to answer...After much pressure the BUGLER told the Commander...THE GENERAL ASKED COULD I PLAY THE FIRE CALL. THEN HE ORDERED ME TO BE AT THE CENTER OF CAMP AT 4 AM SUNDAY MORNING.So the Commander ordered all his men to come to the Fire Hall Saturday.They folded every hose just perfect. They waxed the fire trucks and cleaned the garage from top to bottom.Now the commander ordered his men at 4 AM in the morning be ready andwhen the FIRE CALL SOUNDS RUSH TO THE FIRE HALL.At 4 AM Sunday morning the BUGLER WAS STANDING AT HIS POST OF DUTYIN THE CENTER OF CAMP. HIS TRUMPET WAS ALL SHINED AND WAXED...THE BUGLER HAD PRACTICED SEVERAL DAYS ON THE FIRE CALL...The General gave the order to the young soldier: BLOW THE CALL TO CHURCH... CALL THE ASSEMBLE TO WORSHIP...The young man: SIR, YOU ASKED ME ABOUT THE FIRE CALL?DID YOU FORGET? THE GENERAL ORDERED THE SOLDIER: CALL THE ASSEMBLE TO WORSHIP,RIGHT NOW!The young man placed the trumpet to his lips and LOUDLY BLEW THE CALL TOASSEMBLE TO WORSHIP --- AFTER ALL IT WAS SUNDAY...The General and the Bugler stood in the middle of the base. The BUGLER blew very loudly the CALL TO WORSHIP...The commander and all his soilders were dressed and ready. When the trumpet sounded they all ran right past the General and the Bugler to the fire station... in the silence of the morning the fire doors flew open.The sirens were screaming, the bells were clanking. The Base Commander and his soilders were standing on the shiny fire trucks roaring out of the fire hall ...BUT SEEMS NO ONE KNEW WHERE THEY WERE GOING?HOW MANY PASTORS ARE RUNNING SOMEPLACE TO A FIRE?HOW MANY PARENTS HAVE THE SIRENS SCREAMING?HOW MANY TEENAGERS HAVE THEIR OWN PRE-CONCEIVED IDEAS THAT THEIR PARENTS SHOULD BOW?Listen: To make an effort to hear... To take notice... Pay attentionProcess or power of taking in sound... ear shot... A session where testimony is heard... Hear:Perceive with the ear... listen... to judge...

Church Quote

2009-09-06T14:12:00.000-05:00

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become unity conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life." A.W. Tozer

Biblical Stewardship

2009-09-01T22:27:00.000-05:00

Biblical Stewardship: The Truth About MoneyBiblical stewardship requires that a Christian view money differently from the way the secular world views it. The secular world equates affluence with success and happiness. Therefore, society constantly struggles to acquire as much wealth as possible. The Bible, however, exposes the worthlessness of such a struggle by revealing the truth about money. The Psalms proclaim, "But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish" (Psalm 49:12). No matter how much one struggles for wealth, death still awaits because money cannot add anything to one's life. One could argue that, although money does not keep death away, it is still worth pursuing because it brings happiness and satisfaction in life. Solomon, a wise and rich man, argues, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them….the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep" (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12). Money is meaningless. It can never satisfy those who love it and, instead, offers frivolous goods and anxiety. The struggle for wealth brings with it dissatisfaction, not a better life.
Biblical Stewardship: That Which is of True ValueBiblical stewardship does not require that a Christian despise money or to discontinue earning it. Money is a necessity for basic living. The Bible does warn, however, that the love of money creates evil (1 Timothy 6:10). It is important not to allow money to become the center of one's life. When money is not the object of one's love and devotion, one is free to focus on higher things. Good stewardship encourages a Christian to find true value in life. If money does not offer much to life, what does? The Bible states, "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf" (Proverbs 11:28). The righteous, not the rich, thrive. But how do the righteous thrive without riches? They thrive because they understand and possess what holds a higher value. The righteous have character. Proverbs 22:1 states, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." A pure reputation should be one's goal in life rather than the accumulation of wealth. Character lasts. Money cannot. Believing in God offers the righteous a lifetime of wealth (Romans 11:33). Knowing God and understanding his love are the true eternal riches. The author of Hebrews writes, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Money does not love and it does not linger. It is God who stands by and blesses his children in immeasurable amounts-this promise, not money, truly satisfies.
Biblical Stewardship: It's About HeartBiblical stewardship calls a Christian to give back to God through tithing. The word "tithe" merely means "a tenth." A Christian, therefore, ought to set aside a tenth of his or her income for God. For God, tithing is not only about a percentage. Tithing has more to do with one's heart during the act of giving then the actual amount given to God. The Bible offers this story: "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'I tell you the truth,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out her poverty put in all she had to live on'" (Luke 21:1-4). The woman gave two copper coins-what amounted to a fraction of a penny. This seems a trivial amount. However, God viewed her trivial amount with more regard than the large offerings of the rich. Why? By giving all she had, the woman showed utter devotion to God. She was willing to offer everything she possessed to show love to God. Biblical stewardship is a giving out of devotion rather than duty. It's about the heart of the giver-the Christian willing to give out of poverty, not wealth.
Biblical Stewardship: Giving to Others and Making a StandBiblical stewardship provides help for the less fortunate. The Bible states, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). Giving does not end with tithing. God asks that the giving heart be extended to those who need it most-widows, orphans, and the poor. As a Christian, one must reach out to those in need, sharing the blessings one has received from God. Even after understanding that money does not satisfy, a Christian may find it difficult to let go of more money by giving to those in need. However, the Bible promises, "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9). The generous person -- the one with the heart of a giver -- finds blessings in giving. When one offers money to others, one receives wealth in many other ways. As a Christian it is time to make a stand for God. Matthew 6:24 states, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Between God and money, which will you choose to love?

Can a Christian ever lose their salvation?

2009-08-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

Can a born againChristian ever lose his salvation?
Can a Christian ever lose their salvation? Can someone who has truly been saved ever be lost?
What saith the scriptures?
Salvation is BELIEVING in Jesus Christ
Salvation is trusting or believing in, by faith, that Jesus Christ paid for your sins with His blood on the cross of Calvary.
"He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life:. . ." John 3:36"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
We are NOT saved by WORKS
The Bible makes it clear that OUR WORKS has nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation.We don't receive it by our works — and we don't keep it by our works!
" NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,. . ." Titus 3:5"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
Salvation is a FREE GIFT
Salvation is the free gift of God. If we had to work to keep it — it would not be a free gift — and God would be a liar!
". . . the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23". . .by the righteousness of one THE FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18
Salvation is a NEW BIRTH.
Salvation is not enduring or a process, but an event in time. Salvation is a NEW BIRTH. Just as your first birth happened on a certain time and day, so does the second birth.
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a TIME accepted, and in THE DAY OF SALVATION have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted TIME; behold, now is THE DAY OF SALVATION.)" 2 Corinthians 6:2 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3"Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23
You become a CHILD OF GOD
Once you are born again SPIRITUALLY — you become a child of God.
"Beloved, NOW are we the SONS OF GOD, . . ." 1 John 3:2"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of ADOPTION, whereby we cry, Abba, FATHER." Romans 8:15
Nothing can SEPARATE us from our Father
Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth. My children will always be my children. We may have troubled times. Our fellowship may be broken, but our relationship can never be broken. They will always be my children. Nothing or nobody can change that! And once you are born again spiritually — God becomes your Father — nothing or nobody can change that! Your fellowship may be broken, but your relationship can never be broken!
"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"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." John 10:29
Jesus will NEVER leave us
Jesus promised He will never leave us. Jesus could not say this if there was even a chance of losing our salvation.
". . .for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5". . . and, lo, I am with you ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20
We already HAVE eternal life
When the Bible speaks of possessing eternal life, it speaks in the present tense (hath, have, etc.) — SOMETHING WE ALREADY HAVE! If we had to work or endure to keep our salvation, this could not be true.
"He that believeth on the Son HATH EVERLASTING LIFE:.. ." John 3:36"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,. . ." 1 John 5:13"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE,. . ." John 5:24
Jesus will NOT cast you out
". . . him that cometh to me I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT." John 6:37
We are COMPLETE in Jesus Christ
"And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10
We are PERFECTED FOR EVER
We are "perfected for ever" by Jesus Christ. How could the Lord say such a bold statement if we had to earn or keep our salvation?
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. . . For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10,14
We are PRESERVED in Christ Jesus
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED IN JESUS CHRIST, and called:" Jude 1
"And THE LORD. . . WILL PRESERVE ME unto his heavenly kingdom:. . ." 2 Timothy 4:18
We are KEPT by the POWER of God
"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5"Now unto him that is able TO KEEP YOU from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy," Jude 24
We are saved to the UTTERMOST
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the UTTERMOST that come unto God by him,. . ." Hebrews 7:25
We are SEALED until the day of redemption
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30". . .after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13
What about the BACKSLIDER?
What about the "backslider" or somebody that forsakes the Lord? The Bible says he will suffer loss (rewards, etc.) — but he himself shall be saved!
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
We become the BODY OF CHRIST
"For we are MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30"Now ye are the BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:18
What if we later — BELIEVE NOT?
Our salvation is so secure — even if we BELIEVE NOT after we're saved, because we become part of Him (the body of Christ), ". . .yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF."
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." 2 Timothy 2:13
But what if I sin an awful sin?
1 Corinthians 5 reports of an awful sin in the church. And even though Paul commands ". . . To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" — Paul still speaks of that person being saved — ". . .that the spirit MAY BE SAVED. . ."
"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. . .To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit MAY BE SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1 Corinthians 5:1,5
To lose your salvation — makes God a LIAR
With all the PROMISES from God to KEEP you, to SAVE you, to PRESERVE you — to even suggest you could lose your salvation — is to call God a LIAR!
". . .he that BELIEVETH NOT GOD hath made him a LIAR; . . ." 1 John 5:10
Why do people doubt their salvation?
They trust in feelings rather than the word of God.
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:. . ." Proverbs 28:26
They are confused by the simplicity of salvation.
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from THE SIMPLICITY that is in Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3
They trust in tradition or church teachings rather than the word of God.
"Making the word of God of none effect through your TRADITION,. . ." Mark 7:13
They trust in their own righteousness.
". . . and all OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES are as filthy rags;. . ." Isaiah 64:6
They misapply and misunderstand scriptures.
They misapply scriptures such as Matthew 24:13, Hebrews 10:26 to the church age of grace, when they doctrinally apply to the tribulation or the millenium.
They have NEVER been saved.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;. . ." Matthew 7:21
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SAVED?
Is there a time and place in your life, when you trusted in the blood of Jesus Christ? Not joined a church, not kept the sacraments, not baptism, not good works — but simply, by faith, prayed and asked Jesus Christ to save you?
To die without Jesus Christ will be the worst thing you could ever do.

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE." Revelation 20:15
YOU CAN BE SAVED THIS VERY MINUTE!
Know you're a sinner.
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10
"... for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23
That Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins.
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ..." 1 Peter 2:24
"... Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5
And the best way you know how, simply trust Him, and Him alone as your personal Savior.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SAVED?

Pray this prayer, and mean it with all your heart.
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and unless you save me I am lost forever. I thank you for dying for me at Calvary. I come to you now, Lord the best way I know how, and ask you to save me. I now receive you as my Savior. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

Angel Associates

2009-07-27T11:30:00.000-05:00

Angel Associates
Pastor Rodney A. Fry

You are not alone. I would guess that this very moment invisible visitors are viewing your every movement. Even though you cannot see them, they are definitely there. Who are these unseen onlookers who accompany us every second of our lives, witnessing our words, deeds, and possibly even our thoughts? They are angels.
You may be surprised to know that the Bible contains more than three hundred direct references to angels. What the Bible says about angels is stirring, eye-opening, awe inspiring, comforting, and challenging. It whets our appetite for Heaven, for in Heaven we will be allowed to associate more directly with these marvelous creations called angels than we do down here and now.
In Heaven we will associate with amazing creatures called angels.
Angel Myths
Because there is so much misinformation floating around about angels, it is helpful to examine some of the most common myths. Let's look briefly at several of the legends of angels and compare them with what the Bible clearly teaches.
1. Angels are adorable chubby babies with wings and/or pale females.
Walking into many gift shops, one might imagine that the primary role of angels is purely decorative. Holiday angels are soft, luscious creatures, all ruffles and fluff. They are sweet, beautiful ladies wearing kind, nonjudgmental smiles. Valentine angels are pink, plump, dimpled, whimsical, cute, baby cupids carrying little bows. Neither representation is anything anyone would take seriously.

The Bible paints a drastically different portrait of angels. Every angel described in the Bible is an awe-inducing adult male. (For examples, see Daniel 10:8; Luke 1:12-13, 30; 2:9-10; Matthew 28:2-5). Repeatedly, when you read of an angel appearing to a human, the first words out of the angel's mouth are "Fear not." Why? Because seeing a real angel would easily scare you out of your wits. Even the fearless man of God, Daniel, described his encounter with an angel this way, "I had no strength, my faced turned deathly pale and I was helpless" (Daniel 10:8). When angels appeared to the shepherds, announcing the birth of Messiah, the Bible says those poor shepherds were terrified. Words like cute and cuddly don't go with any of the angels described in the Bible.
2. Angels must earn their wings.
The cute concept that angels must earn their wings by doing good deeds comes from the mild angel character "Clarence" in the classic holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life. It makes for a great story, but it has no basis in truth. The fact is that such a notion is never mentioned in the Bible. When God created angels, they already had their wings and seem to be able to hide them when they take a human form.
3. Angels lounge in Heaven playing harps.
I think this myth comes from a misunderstanding of Revelation 5. A close reading of that passage makes it clear that the only persons said to be playing harps in Heaven are the twenty-four elders, who are redeemed humans, not angels (Revelation 5:8-14).
4. Angels reproduce.
I hate to break it to you, but you cannot marry an angel. Oh, she may be a cute girl, but technically she can't be an angel. Also, note that angels don't make babies. I know the old song says it's angels who create really special people, mixing sunlight and star dust to make a "dream come true." It makes for a nice song, but not a true one. The fact is, Jesus Himself stated clearly that angels do not marry or reproduce (Mark 12:25).
5. Angels are former humans.
A common myth is that when a nice person dies, he or she goes to Heaven and becomes an angel. According to the Bible, humans and angels are two entirely and eternally different classes of beings. We are different species. Humans do not graduate to "angelhood" at death. Instead, we will ultimately receive heavenly human bodies similar to the one Jesus had after His resurrection.
Angel Facts
I hope that some of the truths about angel myths did not upset you. If so, don't worry. The rest of the story of angels will enrich and excite you. It will also give you a greater longing for Heaven.
1. Angels are real.
Angels really exist. As we said, there are over three hundred direct references to angels in the Bible. You cannot believe the Bible without believing in angels.
2. Angels are spirit beings.
The writer of the biblical book of Hebrews asks an important rhetorical question when he says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14, emphasis added). The answer of course is yes, angels are spirits sent to serve us. Humans have a spirit, but we are dominated by our bodies. Angels are spirits who can take a bodily form, but most of the time they don't. Therefore, to us they are invisible.
However, in Heaven angels will be visible. We will see them and interact with them. When the apostle John looked into Heaven in the future, he repeatedly saw and spoke with angels (Revelation 5:2; 7:2; 8:3-12; 9:1,13-14; 10:1, 5-9; 11:15; 14:6-9,15-19; 16:2-17; 17:3, 7, 15; 18:1, 21; 19:9, 17; 21:15, 17; 22:1, 6, 8, 16). Hanging out with angels is a major attraction of Heaven.
3. Angels exist to obey God and serve the saved.
Angels are "sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14, emphasis added). David wrote, "Praise the lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding" (Psalm 103:20).
Angels, good and bad, live to obey the will of their superior. Good angels exist to serve those who are born again. If you are a Christian, God's angels exist to aid you. There is no reason to believe that their service will diminish in Heaven. In fact, it will probably be enhanced.
4. Angels were created by God.
God is the only uncreated being in the universe. Angels are not on the same level as God. They are created by God (Colossians 1:16; Job 38:4, 7; Psalm 104:4-5). Angels have not always existed. Unlike God, they are not self-existent or self-sufficient.

5. Angels are highly organized in a governmental/military structure.
The Bible speaks of thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities in the current heavenly realm (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 3:10). Although it is not the focus of this book, we should mention the great unseen war going on in the spirit world right now. Every angel is a part of this war effort. They aren't isolated, wandering souls. They are on-purpose beings whose manner is strictly business. They realize the severity of the spiritual war being waged between God and Satan for your soul. They recognize their position in either the army of light or the army of darkness. They have a tight hierarchy with positions of rank and order.
6. Angels are mighty creatures.
Angels are not cuddly babies or soft ladies. They are called "mighty ones" (Psalm 103:20). One angel had the strength to lift and carry the huge stone in front of Jesus' tomb up the hill (Matthew 28:2). In the future, four angels will have the power to hold back the wind (Revelation 7:1). Later, a single angel will throw into the sea a boulder so large that the wave will drown an entire city (Revelation 18:21). Angels are currently far superior to humans in terms of speed, strength, and intelligence.
7. Angels are immortal.
Jesus says that after the resurrection, humans will be as angels already are, in that we will no longer die (Luke 20:36). You cannot kill an angel. At this time in history, good angels fight with demons in spiritual warfare. Eventually, all evil angels will be imprisoned.

8. When not taking a humanlike form, angels are described as wind, fire, and stars.
Angels are spirits. Frequently, the Bible writers describe them in a way we could identify with—flames of fire, bursts of wind, shining stars (Judges 5:20; Job 38:7; Psalm 18:10-14; Hebrews 1:7; Revelation 9:1—2). Even when they do appear in human form, they are bright, shining, brilliantly lit beings.
9. Angels are only visible when God opens our eyes to see them.
I love one particular story in 2 Kings. Aram was at war with Israel. The Arameans were mad at God's man, Elisha. Every time they planned an attack, Elisha informed Israel's army as to exactly what the Arameans were going to do. The Arameans got so angry that when they discovered Elisha's location, they sent an entire army to get him. Elisha's servant woke him up in the morning to tell him that the enemy had surrounded the entire town with their army. The servant was terrified, exclaiming, "What'll we do? What'll we do?"
Elisha confidently calmed his consternated servant.
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. "And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
kings 6:16-17
God opened the servant's eyes to give him a little glimpse behind the scenes. What did he see? He saw an awesome army of angels surrounding the army of Aram. Elisha prayed and the angels blinded the enemy soldiers. Then Elisha led the enemy army back to his capital. There the king served them lunch and sent them home. Not surprisingly, we never read about them bothering Israel or Elisha ever again.
10. Angels do not compare with Jesus Christ.
The primary point of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is better than anything else out there. No one or no thing compares to Him, not even angels. He is supreme. Jesus' person and His name are superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:4). Jesus is worthy of worship from angels (1:6). He will sit at the right hand of the Father; they are simply servants (1:8-14). Jesus will ultimately rule the world (2:5).
In Philippians 2 we read that because Jesus left the glories of Heaven to become a man, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose from the dead, one day in Heaven every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. It is very clear which knees will bow—every knee on earth and in Heaven (Philippians 2:9-11). That means that every knee of every human and every knee of every angel will one day bow down and claim Jesus is Lord. He is superior to all, including angels.
11. Angels are not to be worshiped, hut were created to lead us to worship God.
Paul warned against the futility of worshiping angels and getting overly caught up in angel sightings (Colossians 2:18). The saddest aspect about the current "angel mania" is that people are choosing angels to be their spiritual touch point, in place of Jesus Christ. People who choke on the hard truths of the Bible and the holiness side of God often substitute angels as a handy compromise of sweet, gooey, nonjudgmental fluff. Yet angels are inadequate spiritual touch points. We all need a genuine relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

We were created to worship God, not His servants.
Granted, angels are amazing beings. They are smarter, faster, stronger, and more beautiful than any of us. They are so impressive that twice even the apostle John tried to worship them. But, in both cases, the angel said the same thing.
At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!"
revelation 19:10
But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"
revelation 21:9
Worship God!
So What?
In Heaven we will have unparalleled access to and association with awe-inspiring beings called angels. They will do for us then what they desire to do for us now—serve us and help us worship God.

Why not pause right now and worship the One who is superior to the angels? Worship Jesus Christ.

Sources:
Earley, D., Heaven
Graham, Billy, Angels
Mitchell, Ron. Theology Notes

Are only certain Christians anointed by the HS?

2009-06-08T17:45:00.000-05:00

I John 2:20, 27 Are only certain Christians anointed by the Holy Spirit?

Some well-meaning Christians describe certain preachers, songs, worship services, or sermons as "anointed," meaning that the person or event is able to evoke a strong sense of God's power. But to "anoint" in biblical terms means to consecrate or set apart for a special purpose. Kings and priests were anointed with oil in solemn ceremonies intended to designate them as civil and spiritual leaders.
In a similar yet figurative way, the Spirit of God anoints every believer upon conversion (1 Corinthians 12:13). Because each Christian has received this anointing, it becomes imperative to find and fulfill the special role each plays in the building of the church. All Christians have the Spirit's anointing—all are gifted and special in Gods eyes.

God loves the world, and we are to imitate God. Then we are told not to love the World. What does this all mean?

2009-06-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

I John 2:15-18 God loves the world, and we are to imitate God. Then we are told not to love the world. What does this all mean?

Christians should love the world of people and be concerned for their eternal welfare (John 3:16). This means to have a compassionate heart. The command not to love the world in 1 John 2:15 has to do with the world of sin, the universal system organized by Satan against God and His rule. We must never become attached and devoted to the ways of the world. This is what is meant by worldliness.

Is it okay for a Christian to intensely dislike another believer?

2009-06-04T13:23:00.000-05:00

I John 2:9 Is it okay for a Christian to intensely dislike another believer?

Several Bible passages emphasize a Christian's preeminent commitment to love—not merely a sentimental, warm feeling, but a choice of the will to put other people's welfare ahead of one's own by showing respect, considering their feelings, and praying on their behalf.
Not every Christian will enjoy a warm friendship with every other Christian. Some will be irritating, quirky, and obnoxious. A few brothers and sisters in Christ will rub us the wrong way. We will always encounter believers with whom our personalities clash. On the other hand, we will "click” be naturally drawn—to some people. The Christian’s goal is to choose to demonstrate concern regardless of warm or distant feelings, regardless of the degree of personality attachment we feel with the other. Love sees the beauty of people through God's eyes, even when our own vision is blurred by the others apparent ugliness. Love acts to fulfill God’s purpose for the other, even when the other does not seem to deserve it. That’s what God did for us and calls us to do for everyone. The road to reconciliation begins when one party is willing to talk and both are willing to listen. And there's no reason why you can not take the lead.

What does FELLOWSHIP mean?

2009-06-03T09:32:00.000-05:00

I John 1:6 What does “fellowship” mean?
"Fellowship" translates the Greek word koinonia, meaning association, communion, and close relationship. It implies participation in a mutual task and sharing possessions. In Christ, believers are able to enjoy this kind of intimacy with God and with fellow Christians.
Fellowship goes beyond friendship. Believers worldwide enjoy fellowship, though one's range of friendship is much smaller. Because of the bonds of fellowship, Christians who will never meet still feel the joy of participating in joint projects (missionary schools, for example) and often experience quick understanding when they do meet, despite language and cultural differences.
The idea of Christian fellowship makes rivalry interfaith warfare, and tribal suspicions nonsensical. Our bond in Christ overcomes social differences. Just as heaven will blend all God's creation, so fellowship blends and bonds people of different backgrounds into one church, one fellowship, one faith.

Why is God said to be "light"

2009-06-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

I John 1:5 Why is God said to be “light”
In the Bible, light indicates what is good, pure, and holy. Darkness is synonymous with sin and evil. To say that God is light is to assert that God is perfectly pure and holy. Only God is without sin. He is the standard of perfection and truth by which everything is measured.
The sun—earth's source of light.
Light reveals. Light shows the true nature of things. When confronted by God, people become painfully aware of their own failures and sin. God's "light" brings this painful crisis, then liberates us into true freedom and joy. Like a brilliant spotlight, God guides His creatures out of the dangerous darkness of their sinful lives into a place of safety and peace. Darkness and light cannot coexist (I John 1:5-6). To know God, we must put aside sin.

Who were the Gnostics?

2009-06-01T09:20:00.000-05:00

I John 1:1-6 Who were the Gnostics
Who were the Gnostics?
The readers of John's letters were confronted with an attractive yet dangerous challenge to the truth, a religious system called Gnosticism. This term comes from the Greek word for knowledge. The goal of this movement was to acquire secret spiritual insight and special knowledge and thereby achieve a state of existence higher than the norm: enlightenment.

The Gnostics believed in two spheres of reality. The physical world was evil and inferior while the spirit-mind world was good and worthy. One of Gnosticism's ideas, therefore, was that Christ could not have had an actual body. To be truly good, the real Jesus was necessarily a phantom or spirit.

Gnosticism produced two kinds of followers: those who pursued an ascetic life, shunning the evil physical world with its false sensual pleasures; and others who indulged in the physical world precisely because it was inferior. For this group, physical pleasure was okay because it was irrelevant to the "real world," namely, the spiritual.

Both versions of Gnosticism perverted biblical teaching about the value of material creation, the relevance of stewardship over the earth (including our bodies), and the importance of moral care. To imagine that Jesus was mere spirit was extremely dangerous to the Bibles consistent teaching that God became a man. To seek enlightenment in abstracted ideas was to direct the soul away from the personal God of love. John directed early believers to avoid this heresy, as we should today. Learn the faith from biblical Christians, not from followers of strange aberrations like this.

Which John wrote the NT letters that bear his name (I, 2, 3 John)

2009-05-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

1, 2, 3 John ---- Here are three letters about loving God and others. In the ripples of your life's waters, you'll find the way to keep the boat afloat and the oars in the water.

I John 1:1-4 Which John Wrote the NT letters that bear his name

Tradition has identified the writer of these letters as John, the son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19-20), the author of the Gospel of John and Revelation. He was the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20). The epistles bear a striking resemblance in style and vocabulary to the Gospel of John. The early church fathers (Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Tertullian) all pointed to the apostle John as the writer of 1, 2, and 3 John.

John was well qualified to write. In 1 John 1:1-4, John states his credentials as an eyewitness to the words and works of Jesus. Twice in these letters he mentions that he heard Christ Himself. Six times he makes reference to seeing Christ. Once he speaks of touching Jesus with his hands. Clearly John was not relating second-hand stories. He spoke with apostolic authority.

Why would God discard someone? Psalm 102:10

2009-05-28T15:00:00.000-05:00

Why would God discard someone? Psalm 102 :10
This psalm reports the writer's feelings, not the activity of God necessarily. In the middle of considerable trouble, the writer feels that God has abandoned him. After all, what other explanation could account for such distress? Surely trouble must have found a tear in the protective mantle of God's care. But if this psalm reports only feelings, still the question remains: Does God actually throw people out?

Only as a last resort (Revelation 19:20). At the final judgment, God will "discard" or banish from His presence every vestige of evil, everything not purified by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. In eternity, holiness and sin cannot coexist. In the meantime, we may feel discarded, but the assurance of the Bible is that we are not. God is always ready to hear our prayers, even at the end of life, and He always welcomes the sinner who seeks to be forgiven. When you feel abandoned, pray and take comfort in the psalmists rediscovery (verse 12) of God's presence and care.

Does everyone have a guardian angel Psalm 91:11

2009-05-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

Does everyone have a guardian angel? Psalm 91:11
The idea that a particular angel is assigned to each person or believer was popular during he medieval era but suffered under the theological housecleaning of the Reformation. Only one distant reference to the possibility recurs in Matthew 18:10.
Angels are God's servants to assist in achieving God's will, chiefly in communicating the gospel. Angels appear throughout the Bible to help people in trouble (Acts 5:19) and to assist the church (Acts 10:3).
Today we cannot know whether that close call averted was the result of angelic intervention, but we are reminded not to dismiss or disregard the work of angels (Hebrews 13:2). You may not have a particular angel assigned to your case, but a sovereign God knows your needs and meets them in His own way—sometimes, the Bible leads us to believe, through the work of angels.

Want to read more on Angel please read my blog on Angels dated ___________

Does God Kill people? Psalm 78:34

2009-05-26T12:04:00.000-05:00

Psalm 78 34 Does God kill people?
Death is one form of punishment by which God signals that violation of His holy commands carries a fearsome penalty. Death entered human experience after the Fall (Genesis 2-3), and occurred thereafter as a judgment for specific sin (Joshua 7:10-12). God, the giver of life, may also take life when purposes higher than human longevity are served.
Pagan deities were believed to hold powers of inflicting early death, so it is important to differentiate between God's judgment and pagan imagination. God is neither vicious nor fickle in life-and-death judgments. God is not merely trying His powers over human life, but moving history toward holy purpose. God does not regard death casually, as if expired people were no more significant than modern video-game villains. God may punish through death to express His holy and loving nature - which puts the issue of divine judgment in a completely different context than pagan retribution.

Finally, God's judgment on Achan and others is a preview of a much more fearsome and terrible judgment referred to in Revelation 20:11-15. This "second death" is to be avoided at all costs, for the Bible offers no remedy once this judgment is passed.

Why ask God to remain faithful as if God needed reminding

2009-05-25T08:59:00.000-05:00

Why ask God to remain faithful, as if God needed reminding? Psalm 71:9-18

The same question might be raised about any prayer on any subject. Why articulate requests to a God we confess to be omniscient? Isn't that like telling a math wizard that two plus two equals four?

In fact, prayer often recites the virtues of God in a way that serves our own memory and faith. We may passionately ask God to care for us, knowing full well that every promise in the Bible says He will. Such a prayer constitutes a reminder to us, since we cannot imagine in any real sense that we are informing God about matters unknown to Him. That we should pray is a clear biblical mandate. Intimate communication with God is the believer's privilege. Impossible by human skill alone, each prayer is a miracle.

Is it all right to ask God to Speed it up?

2009-05-22T08:56:00.000-05:00

Psalm 70:1, 5 --- Is it all right to ask God to "speed it up"?
The request that God speed His intervention is not a complaint about slowness so much as a free expression of the writer's acute sense of need. Everywhere the Bible encourages believers to speak openly with God about feelings, moods, and attitudes. The God of the Bible is not like the jealous, hypersensitive pagan deities who must always be placated and stroked to win their assistance. The true God desires intimacy and integrity with His people, not showy displays that mask the truth about human need and hurt.
Nonetheless, divine and human timing rarely coincide. People who feel intense need seek resolution to their crisis sooner rather than later. Prayer itself is a signal that a need persists, and each hour and day before deliverance makes pain more acute. God's promise is always to hear and answer, though not always when and where a given prayer might stipulate.

Why lift your hands to worship God?

2009-05-21T08:53:00.000-05:00

Psalm 63:4 Why lift up your hands to worship God?
Outstretched arms are a common sign of welcome, joy, and peace. For Christian worshipers to raise hands while singing or praying is a gesture signifying God's greatness and the joy of worshiping a loving Savior.
Lifting arms upward, of course, does not make the hands any closer to God than the feet, since God is not located in an "up" direction. We commonly believe, however, that heaven (God's abode) is up, not down, so we may be excused when we temporarily adopt mythic directional notions and raise hands rather than lower them. Either gesture, if intended to honor God, would be appropriate for worship.

Does God put down certain nations Psalm 60:8

2009-05-20T08:44:00.000-05:00

Does God "put down" certain nations? Psalm 60:8
Yes, God decides to prosper some nations (Old Testament Israel most dramatically) at the expense of neighboring nations (three are mentioned in this psalm). As land is limited, when God gives land to Israel, it must come at someone's expense. In this case, Canaanite fiefdoms "lose." In that sense, some nations are put down.
The more difficult question is whether God puts down certain nations today Some Christians teach that America was (and maybe still is) a blessed nation, while America's adversaries have been subject to God's judgment. Many First World Christians have imagined that their prosperity is a sign of God's favor, while the poverty of the Third World shows divine "put down." Such reasoning is treacherous, for it leads the wealthy to disdain the poor and gives wrongheaded theological support to racism and class prejudice.
Prayer today should include calling on God to restrain evil in certain lands, retard the influence of rulers bent on violence, and encourage the work of peace. In praying for such intervention, we may well be asking God to "put down" a nation, while leaving the means and extent of such restraint to divine wisdom.

Is Praying for revenge okay? Psalm 56:6-7

2009-05-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

Psalm 56:6-7
Is praying for revenge okay?
Revenge as a common human feeling has a long history Legal scholars, for example, believe that revenge is the basis for all jurisprudence. When Harry first stole a cow from Joe, Joe took two of Harry’s goats. Then Harry grabbed three of Joe's turkeys. And Joe, seeing where this could lead, mustered the village elders. Thus the first court was born. We seem to have an intuitive sense of justice and fairness that wants all wrongs to be made right, especially wrongs done against us. Revenge is our impulse to fix injustice. In that sense, praying for revenge may be just another name for praying that God will hear our tort claims, judge wrongdoers for their unjust deeds, and levy a just sentence. Thus we will not need to seek revenge ourselves.
Revenge today however, also carries the sense of "eye-for-an-eye" get-even politics. Revenge seems mean-spirited, primitive, and adversarial. Surely Christian forgiveness offers a more advanced option than retribution at the hand of a divine judge.
Praying for God's justice removes our need to seek revenge. When a grievous injustice has been done, prayer is the only course of action that will quiet the cycle of violence. Imagine how Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, for example, could ever repair their broken relationships apart from leaving revenge to God alone, whose mercy and justice are both limitless. Better to leave to God the task of righting wrongs than to live with neighbors always notching up the price of being made whole.

Before, Christ, how did people get to heaven (Psalm 49:15)

2009-05-18T08:32:00.000-05:00

Psalm 49:15 Before Christ, how did people get to heaven?

People have always gotten to heaven by one way only — God's way — through the work of Jesus Christ, His Son. That is the gospel, Gods Good News: God has made a way through an intractable divide between human sinfulness and divine holiness. That way is Jesus.
In the Old Testament era, believers (more often called "God's people") saw the gospel only through the system of ritual and sacrifice that was a prelude to the one perfect sacrifice (Jesus' own life) for sin. To die in the community of the covenant was to be assured that God would somehow provide prosperity in the afterlife. That was Davids hope in this psalm.
In the New Testament, the way to heaven is much clearer. Everywhere the Good News is given: "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Old Testament believers anticipated Christ's death and resurrection, while people in the Christian era look back to it.

What is the point of feeling guilt?

2009-05-13T15:19:00.000-05:00

Psalm 38:4 What is the point of feeling guilt?
Guilt is bad, many counselors and therapists tell us. Guilt is therapeutic, we learn from the counsel of the Bible. Which is right? To feel guilt is to:
· Admit need. You have fallen short of expectations, and you're ashamed. You want to do better, but how? You want to enjoy the respect of people around you, but how to recover it?
· Admit imperfection. What a moment of insight to discover that you're not perfect. Something's wrong and needs to be fixed. Who's going to fix it?
· Admit hope. You're looking for something more, something lasting, something pure — happiness not mixed with greedy motives or self-centeredness.

Where can you find it?

Guilt leads to God: our need for God, our hope in God. That makes guilt a very good thing. Don't run from guilt, or dismiss it, or regard it as a psychological complex amenable to therapy or drugs. Let guilt lead you straight to God, who always forgives, restores, and lightens the load. In Christ, guilt is forgotten, dismissed, washed, and drained. Guilt is a hunger for God and God has a feast ready for you.

There is a difference between guilt and depression. The above I’m talking guilt not depression. I believe that both need you to focus on Jesus –but by no means if you are under doctor care please continue with that. But I would advice to see another physician Dr. Jesus for some help as well.

Will God eliminate all trouble from our lives?

2009-05-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

Will God eliminate all trouble from our lives? Psalm 34:6

Some Christians actually teach ,preach and belive this idea, and many people become disillusioned when their experience turns painful. The only people who can claim to live trouble-free are those who redefine "trouble" into a word that describes absolutely nothing. Only with this kind of word play (theology run amok) can Christians claim that their life experience is trouble-free. The Bible's most mature believers (for example, Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul) endured considerable trouble. But they faced their trouble in the belief that God would certainly win in the end—a vindication of good over the pernicious influence of bad.

This is God's twofold promise:

(1) In all our troubles, He gives us strength and grace; His love is present even in the worst situation; and

(2) at the end of our lives (or at the end of history), He will indeed save all of His children from trouble—and take us to heaven for an eternity of happiness and joy.

Surely this psalm reminds us that people who are broken, at their wit's end, and at the brink of hopelessness can find in God a Helper who will never abandon or forget them—and always lead them through the crisis to victory.

Do Christians ever starve? Psalm 33:19

2009-05-11T09:30:00.001-05:00

Do Christians ever starve? Read Psalm 33:19

The psalm does not suppose to establish a fact, but to praise God for promises made and for daily care over even the most ordinary life needs. That God would care about our food needs would have been a radical idea in the Old Testament times. Pagan gods cared, in the imagination of pagan worshipers, only about their own selfish reputation, never about those who game them homage. Pagan deities were "me-centered," but the God of Israel actually provided for His people, again and again.

This is not to say, though, that in times of crisis, including famine, only nonbelievers succumb. Christians feel hunger along with their neighbors and often perish in the same disasters that afflict their region. The pervasive influence of sin works against the intentions of God. It is the job of Christians to resist sin in all its forms so churches are right to send food relief to hungry people worldwide. When one region shares it abundance with another, we witness to God's grace by overcoming, if only temporarily, the hurtful impact of sin.

Where is "The Pit"? Psalm 30:3

2009-05-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

Where is the Pit Psalm 30:3

"The pit" is called "Sheol" in some translations, and this psalm presupposes that actual places exist in the realm of the spirit. Not quite.Just as heaven cannot really be reached by flying "up," so Sheol, the place of the dead, cannot really be reached by digging "down." Yet spatial terms are the only tools we have to describe where the spirits of the dead "go." So the Bible regularly describes Sheol, the place of the dead, as a downward hike toward the center of the earth, as if a huge underground grave existed for semicomatose spirits waitingfor something. The Bible also describes people ascending into heaven (Elijah in 2 Kings 2:1 - Jesus in Acts 1:9).

We might more accurately say that Sheol is the Old Testament's "waiting area," where the souls of the dead rest (and in some passages suffer the pain of judgment). Nowhere is Sheol described as a place to be eagerly anticipated, and how souls graduate from Sheol into some other happier place is not terribly clear.

In the New Testament, however these questions are answered much more directly. The souls of those who trust in Jesus for salvation enjoy His presence in a place of joy and reunion (John 14:1-4). Souls who depart this life apart from the faith of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross must anticipate, at a minimum, of the Old Testament's picture of Sheol; and an eternal environment of suffering the penalty for their own sins (Matthew 13:42)

Does Full-hearted devotion to God lead to prosperity?

2009-05-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

I know the photo dont match what Im talking about but the other day I read this Psalm and today I found this photo and wanted to share

Read Psalm 25:13 is the verse that my thoughts spur from

Does Full-hearted devotion to God lead to prosperity?

Yes and no. If the prosperity you're after is colored green, comes in quantities of thousands and hundred thousands, and carries portraits of American presidents, then no. Sorry. Devotion to God is not a guarantee of financial prosperity. Certainly, there are biblical principles of stewardship that, when followed, enhance financial security. But many Christians today (and in the past) are very poor yet nonetheless prosperous spiritually.

If the prosperity you seek centers on being happy, hopeful, capable of love, sure about life after death, and eager to try activities that present an element of risk and adventure, then answer the question in the affirmative.

In faith, all people "prosper" when they live in relationship with God.

In Memory of Dr. Ron Mitchell

2009-05-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

Today I recived word that my friend and professor Dr. Ron Mitchell went home to be with the Lord. this has shocked me today -
Please pray for Dr. Ron Mitchell family and Central Baptist College and the many lives that this man has touched and inspired.

He was a wonderful Bible professor at Central Baptist College went home to be with the Lord

He challenged my thinking and my theology like no one else could, and I am a better disciple of Christ because of him. Praise God for Dr. Mitchell and his godly example. He will be missed. We the students that sat under his teaching loved him and learned more in class and on the couch in his office than We could have ever thought

We know that he is not hurting and we know that he taught us about heaven and at this very moment he is in Heaven. I miss him as a mentor, friend and man of God but Im also rejoicing that the Lord allowed me to know him.

More later

What is the practical value of God's promise to "renew my strength"

2009-05-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

Read - Psalm 23:3
What is the practical value of God's promise to "renew my strength"?
Some Bible versions translate this phrase as "He restores my soul." The modern era has often been called the psychotherapeutic age. More people are seeing counselors than ever before; more counselors are in business than ever before. Something must be wrong with the soul. Indeed, there is. Causes are numerous, complicated, and controversial. But this much is certain: Many people are unhappy and don't know why. Their sense of self-worth is bruised by job loss; their sense of moral lightness shattered by divorce, bad decisions, or children who have rejected family values.
People need help.
Perhaps, after food and shelter, renewing and restoring the soul is the most practical need we have.

A restored soul
· Does not take the blame for every problem in the world but does accept personal responsibility and intends, by forgiveness and reconciliation, to restore broken relationships.
· Does not run itself into the ground with criticism but does cheerfully accept gifts and weaknesses as God's grant to live to His glory.
· Does not dwell on failure—or believe failure to be inevitable—but does count on the promises of God as the one sure hope.

The practical result of restoring the soul is the difference between a defeated life and a life victorious in Christ, rich with potential, realistic about its purposes, and able to love even when it hurts.

Why does God seem so frightening?

2009-05-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on Psalms 18: 7-15

Why does God seem so frightening?

The psalmist has an extremely high view of God’s ability to respond mightily to the believer’s plea for help. He uses poetic language to describe the indescribable – Gods’ almighty power. God sounds frightening because He is. When God acts to help someone prevail over injustice, the energy God expends will be much more frightening than the victim’s adversary.

While God's omnipotent power is awesome, the believer can be assured that God acts on our behalf, not against us. The forcefulness of God's intervention may be like a hurricane, affecting everyone around, but the intention is always to rescue the faithful believer from sin and suffering.

In what sense are people rulers over creation?

2009-04-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

As most of you can tell Ive just started rereading the book of Psalm - What a great book!!

Psalm 8:6
In what sense are people rulers over creation?

At creation, God set humankind above all other species to rule and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28). Conceivably, reason, intelligence, and self-consciousness could have been given to fish or birds, but, in fact, the gift and responsibility settled on humans, by God's design and will.

People, therefore, do not rule over creation as final authorities. Rather, people are stewards over God's creation. A good manager cares for the property of his employer and is compensated according to the growth of assets in his domain (Matthew 24:46). Whether your vocation is law, plumbing, education, forestry, or ministry, God is pleased when your circle of responsibility is well managed—that is, handled with integrity, virtue, and vision.

Is God Capable of Hate as well as Love?

2009-04-23T11:09:00.000-05:00

Read Psalm 5: 5 BEFORE you read any more.......

Now that you read that verse I ask you the question
Is God capable of hate as well as love?
Here are some of my thoughts now will you share yours as well

Any description of God will necessarily use terms and ideas solidly anchored in human experience. Our own experience, after all, is our only reference point for knowing God. It should be no surprise, then, that most of the emotions people feel are attributed to God at some time: jealousy, fatigue, love, and even hate.

What kind of hate would God feel? Not the hate born of fear, as a soldier hates an enemy. Not the hate born of blind rage, as a jealous lover hates his competitor. Not the hate that seeks to conquer, as a tyrant hates people living just over the border. Not the hate of political intrigue, as an office-holder hates the other party.

God's hate is directed at evil. It is hate that burns at offense against God's own character, which is altogether holy and good. God's hate smokes when creation witnesses to a reality other than God, namely, a reality based on greed and anger. God's hate is directed toward purification, not annihilation. God's hate seeks recovery, not death.

Does God hate people? A careful distinction must be kept here. The Bible is clear that God wants all people to know His forgiveness and grace. But some will refuse, mocking God's character and rejecting His overture of mercy. When that refusal becomes entrenched, God promises judgment apart from the mercy of Christ. When rebellion against God becomes the identifying mark of a person, that person must become the object of God's righteous hatred.

We can safely say that God has a steady hatred toward sin and a reluctant hatred toward committed sinners. In an odd way that reaches beyond human experience, God hates as a function of His love. That is, God's defining characteristic is love. Included in God's love is hatred for all that stands opposed to His character and violates His intentions.

Should people today take time to Meditate?

2009-04-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the most widely read book in the Bible (Psalm), these songs and poems lead us to ask why someone so big (God) would care about things so small (us).

Reading Psalm 1:2 made me pose this question - (I already knew the answer but some of the greatest questions asked are the ones we know the answer to)

Should people today take time to meditate?
With so many message "inputs" competing for our attention, now is the best time in history to meditate on God's Word. No previous generation has ever been so media rich and meditation poor. Who can hear God through the roar of cellular phones, television comedies, Web sites, and special-effects motion pictures? Most people never think about God during the day, much less meditate on His Word.
Granted, meditating on God's Word means less time for sales and
fewer billable hours. In a culture that trades time for money, meditation
carries a cost. Can we afford it? People today who take time to meditate
are choosing spiritual wealth as the first priority. Who can afford not to?

Are Satan and God on speaking terms?

2009-04-20T15:38:00.000-05:00

Are Satan and God on speaking terms?
The Lord speaks; Satan speaks. They talk about Job as if they are negotiating over the evil initiatives that Satan proposes and the constraints that God imposes. Do cosmic conversations like this really happen?
The Bible often pictures a divine council discussing human events— how lives will unfold, how events will transpire. Using analogies to human experience, Bible authors describe these episodes to explain how a good all-powerful God, tolerates and then redeems evil in the world. These are not newspaper reports, eyewitness accounts of divine summits; they are the best way to understand a vast spiritual warfare being conducted behind and through the events of world history and our personal histories. This warfare is between God, whose victory is certain, and Satan, who futilely yet persistently seeks to subvert God's plan.
God and Satan, pictured in discussion here, are not equals in a contest over the universe. Satan is as much a creature as we are, yet without hope and sadly underequipped for the task to which he aspires. He can run but cannot hide. He rejects God's authority but cannot escape God's sovereignty. Here Satan needs permission to proceed. Once he wrecks Job's life, Satan disappears from the drama.

Did the kings help or hurt Israel as a nation?

2009-04-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

In reading I Samuel 8:6-9 here was some very brief thoughts

Did the kings help or hurt Israel as a nation?
In demanding a king, Israel became like even-other nation of the world. Instead of asking God for relief from counterfeit spiritual leaders, they cried, "Give us a king!" They rejected God's rule in favor of human leadership.
Moses had written about the danger of a human monarchy (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). He warned future kings against large stables, horse-trading with Egypt, collecting many wives, and accumulating wealth. The lives of Israel's kings appear to be an effort to do exactly what God had warned against

Where did the practice of dedicating children come from?

2009-04-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

Parents in the Bible, such as Hannah, dedicated children to God to acknowledge God's part in giving them children. They were remembering that their children belonged to God. This practice had particular importance when the first son was born.
In many societies, firstborn sons have special privileges, including the right to most of the family's estate. The birth of the family's first son brought special honor to the mother—she had provided her husband with a future to the family name. Certainly Jewish families felt blessed by firstborn sons.
The Bible gives firstborn sons an important teaching role. Each of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) were affected by the handling of firstborns. The death sentence passed on the firstborns of Egypt as the final plague before the Exodus made it clear that the very future of that nation was in God's hands (Exodus 11:1-12:30). At that same time, God told Moses, "Dedicate to me all the firstborn sons of Israel and every firsborn male animal. They are mine" (Exodus 13:1).
Although other nations practiced child sacrifice, Gods people were instructed to "redeem" their firstborn sons by offering a substitute sacrifice (Exodus 13:12-16). In Hannah's case (1 Samuel 1:11), dedication of a child involved leaving the recently weaned Samuel with the priest Eli to be raised as a servant of God. In most cases, Old Testament parents recognized God's ownership by dedicating their children through an animal sacrifice.
A modern form of child dedication is practiced in some churches as a means of committing and entrusting that child to God's sovereign care.

Cant I have everything that I want

2009-03-27T13:30:00.000-05:00

I was in study this week and when I was reading Psalm 34:10. I know God wanted me to read this because I was also reading a news article where a preacher was saying “Name it Claim it” which I’m like no way buddy, he quoted this same verse that I had read earlier so I was writing in my journal and wanted to share with you as well what I wrote (I would encourage you to journal what your studying in Gods word and step back and watch you grow in faith like watching a garden grow in the spring beware though you need to weed out the grass from time to time or the weeds will over take your garden)

Psalm 34:10 --- Will God give us anything we want?
To lack nothing (the promise of this psalm) is not the same thing as to have everything. And to imagine that God is ready to open His sack of goodies to put all our wants under our beds during the night is to live in a hopelessly imaginary world where the triune God of the Bible is remade into a giant version of Santa Claus.
Yes, some of the Bible's instructions about how to pray and how to share could lead a person to believe that anything, absolutely anything, is obtainable with sufficient faith. Want to be filthy rich? Pray in faith. Want to recover the fitness of a seventeen-year-old? Pray in faith. Want to have this, want to do that. . . ?
God's promises hold immense value, but not as people measure value. God's promise that we will "lack no good thing" cannot mean perfect bodily health and worldly wealth, those being typical human measures of happiness. To lack nothing rather refers to: (1) spiritual resources to meet life's difficulties, and (2) eventual heavenly resources to justify God's holy community in Christ. (MacAruthur 2)
On the first count, God promises joy, peace, strength, and hope. Life will bring its hits, but God's resources are there to carry us through. On the second count, Christ has paid the penalty for all human sin, and God has gathered a very large "community of saints" that will celebrate forever Christ's victory. That promise of celebration is Gods guarantee before the fact. In heaven we will lack nothing, for all will be provided.

Lets Get Started

2009-03-26T17:56:00.000-05:00

This is something new for me. But Im going to try to put some of my thoughts from time to time here. My desire is that each person that reads this blog will desire a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. So tommorrow I will start this, pray that everything that is posted will bring Honor and Glory to the Father.

Servant of the King,

Rodney A. Fry

Pastor First Baptist Church Lead Hill, AR

http://www.firstbaptistleadhill.com/