Christmas is all about Christ.
It is not about Hanukkah.
It is not about Hindu or Islam.
It is not about Santa Claus and eight tiny reindeer.
It is not about Christmas trees, bright lights and snow.
It is not about toys and shopping.
It is not about black Friday and businesses making profits.
Christmas is about Christians celebrating the birth of the Savior of all men.
Christmas is about the Christ, the anointed one, the one chosen by God the Father to be the Redeemer of all men.
Christmas is about the Christ Child; born of a virgin named Mary.
Christmas is about Jesus, the son of man and the Son of God.
Christmas is about Emmanuel, which means, God is with men.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10–11
Let us celebrate Christ and not the season.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Use It Or Lose It
Christians, the Christmas season offers a great opportunity to stand up for Jesus. Christians are standing idly by and letting our religious freedoms be stolen from us. We have been the “Silent Majority” much too long and while we remain silent our light grows dimmer. Jesus has told us, “You (Christians) are the salt of the earth and you are the light of the world.” (See Matthew 5:13-15) The more the Christian presence is known in the world, the greater the Christian effect on the world and the opposite is also true.
The commercialization of Christmas is removing every trace of Christ from Christmas it can, while Christians remain silent. Now they are trying to eliminate the name Christmas from the holiday and just call it the “Holiday Season.” Have you ever stopped to think about who is behind this? It is the devil, the enemy. He wants to remove the name of Christ from everything he possibly can. Businesses and corporations are complicit in going along with this. Customers are complicit also, just going about their holiday spending spree having forgotten what it is all about. Christians, don’t be complicit by your silence.
A college professor friend of mine said, “The Greeks made a philosophy out of Christianity; the Romans made a government out of it and the Americans made a business out of it.” It was never intended to be any of these. For Christians it is a faith and faith must be active and lived out by Christians or it is no faith, it is a dead religion.
James said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17) Stand up and speak out Christians; let your voices be heard and your lights shine. Let the world know that Jesus is the reason for the season. Had it not been for him, there would be no holiday season for there would be nothing to celebrate. It is He who gives us every reason to celebrate. He is God’s ultimate gift to the world. He is life everlasting.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:8–14
The angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” That is what Jesus is all about. He alone can bring peace on the earth because he can bring peace in the hearts of men by restoring them to a right relationship with the heavenly Father. Look at what all the other religions have brought us. They have brought us wars and death and human suffering beyond measure. God gives us the gift of peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Silent Night
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!
Joseph Mohr
The commercialization of Christmas is removing every trace of Christ from Christmas it can, while Christians remain silent. Now they are trying to eliminate the name Christmas from the holiday and just call it the “Holiday Season.” Have you ever stopped to think about who is behind this? It is the devil, the enemy. He wants to remove the name of Christ from everything he possibly can. Businesses and corporations are complicit in going along with this. Customers are complicit also, just going about their holiday spending spree having forgotten what it is all about. Christians, don’t be complicit by your silence.
A college professor friend of mine said, “The Greeks made a philosophy out of Christianity; the Romans made a government out of it and the Americans made a business out of it.” It was never intended to be any of these. For Christians it is a faith and faith must be active and lived out by Christians or it is no faith, it is a dead religion.
James said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17) Stand up and speak out Christians; let your voices be heard and your lights shine. Let the world know that Jesus is the reason for the season. Had it not been for him, there would be no holiday season for there would be nothing to celebrate. It is He who gives us every reason to celebrate. He is God’s ultimate gift to the world. He is life everlasting.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:8–14
The angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” That is what Jesus is all about. He alone can bring peace on the earth because he can bring peace in the hearts of men by restoring them to a right relationship with the heavenly Father. Look at what all the other religions have brought us. They have brought us wars and death and human suffering beyond measure. God gives us the gift of peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Silent Night
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!
Joseph Mohr
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happy Commercial Holidays
Is anyone out there tired of the commercialization of our Christian holidays? Thanksgiving has been overshadowed by Black Friday which has now been expanded to make Thanksgiving Day Black Thursday. Christmas shopping now begins before Halloween which almost rivals Christmas in its celebration which makes the year end holiday season almost two months long. Where will it all end? Has anyone noticed, or is it just me? Does this bother you? With all these black days past and just twenty seven shopping days left before Christmas, my wallet is now in the red. Let me be the first to say, Happy Easter Everybody.
I want to pass a quote along to you, which I think is very significant.
Return the Cross to Golgotha
By George MacLeod
“I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church.
I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles: But on a garbage heap; at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut and thieves curse and soldiers gamble.
Because that is where he died and that is what he died about. And that is where Christ’s men ought to be and what Church people ought to be about.”
I want to pass a quote along to you, which I think is very significant.
Return the Cross to Golgotha
By George MacLeod
“I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church.
I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles: But on a garbage heap; at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut and thieves curse and soldiers gamble.
Because that is where he died and that is what he died about. And that is where Christ’s men ought to be and what Church people ought to be about.”
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving, More Than Just A Once A Year Holiday
Psalms 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
This Psalm tells us that if we would come into the presence of God, we must come with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts. The truth is we should do this every day. There is a phrase in that verse that gets less attention bur it is the key to thanksgiving; it is, be thankful. To be thankful means we have an attitude of gratitude. It is an ongoing process and not a once a year experience.
When we pause to remember all our God has done for us, we are blessed indeed and we all should be thankful. Never does a day go by that we are not the recipients of something to be thankful for. Our thankfulness should make every day a day of thanksgiving. If we are a truly thankful people, the fourth Thursday in November, each year, will take on a whole new meaning.
Happy Thanksgiving
This Psalm tells us that if we would come into the presence of God, we must come with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts. The truth is we should do this every day. There is a phrase in that verse that gets less attention bur it is the key to thanksgiving; it is, be thankful. To be thankful means we have an attitude of gratitude. It is an ongoing process and not a once a year experience.
When we pause to remember all our God has done for us, we are blessed indeed and we all should be thankful. Never does a day go by that we are not the recipients of something to be thankful for. Our thankfulness should make every day a day of thanksgiving. If we are a truly thankful people, the fourth Thursday in November, each year, will take on a whole new meaning.
Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 5, 2010
Prayer Moves God
The electorate of America has spoken and the next two years should be markedly different, in many ways, from the last two years. Could this be an answer to prayer? I believe it is. Many churches, in the last few months, have issued the challenge to their members, and all Christians, to make the state of our nation, our government, our economy and our leaders, the object of their prayers up to the mid-term elections. Christians have responded by bombarding the throne of grace with their prayers. I believe this has moved God to action. God is the great mountain mover but it is prayer that moves God.
There is an interesting verse in the book of Daniel that tells us it is the Most High God that rules in the kingdom of men. “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17, KJV) It is God that sets up and takes down kingdoms that rule the people of this world. Can God influence elections? He certainly can, and I believe we have seen a good demonstration of it in the election just past. If God couldn’t influence elections, the prayers of Christians would all be for naught.
Could it be that God moved our country to the left so we could see and learn the perils of socialism and its accompanying loss of individual freedoms? Many people wanted to see change in our country but many of those people didn’t like the change they got. And, many of those people turned to the only one who has the power to turn America back to the right, the Most High God.
Since our founding, America has been known as a Christian nation. That didn’t mean Christianity was a state religion but it meant that America was founded upon Christian ideals and principles. We had fought and won a great war for the right to freedom of religion, speech, press and fair representation in our government. It also meant that Americans were free to be a self determining people. After all, God himself had given us that right at creation.
There are many people, governments and religions throughout the world and right here in America that would take that right away from us. Our country was headed in that direction and the people prayed. God has made a move to the right but it is not complete yet. Christians need to keep praying that God will either move our current leaders back to the right or raise up new leaders that will lead us back.
God truly is the only hope for the U.S.A.
There is an interesting verse in the book of Daniel that tells us it is the Most High God that rules in the kingdom of men. “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17, KJV) It is God that sets up and takes down kingdoms that rule the people of this world. Can God influence elections? He certainly can, and I believe we have seen a good demonstration of it in the election just past. If God couldn’t influence elections, the prayers of Christians would all be for naught.
Could it be that God moved our country to the left so we could see and learn the perils of socialism and its accompanying loss of individual freedoms? Many people wanted to see change in our country but many of those people didn’t like the change they got. And, many of those people turned to the only one who has the power to turn America back to the right, the Most High God.
Since our founding, America has been known as a Christian nation. That didn’t mean Christianity was a state religion but it meant that America was founded upon Christian ideals and principles. We had fought and won a great war for the right to freedom of religion, speech, press and fair representation in our government. It also meant that Americans were free to be a self determining people. After all, God himself had given us that right at creation.
There are many people, governments and religions throughout the world and right here in America that would take that right away from us. Our country was headed in that direction and the people prayed. God has made a move to the right but it is not complete yet. Christians need to keep praying that God will either move our current leaders back to the right or raise up new leaders that will lead us back.
God truly is the only hope for the U.S.A.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thanks Lioneagle
I posted my first blog back in April of this year. I retired from the active pastoral ministry in 2004 and I decided before I retired that I wanted to have a writing ministry. After forty years in the ministry, I didn’t know anything to write about but my wonderful Lord and his word, The Holy Bible. To me, this gave me an inexhaustible supply of material to write about. Since my retirement, I have written and published fourteen books, all based on my studies of the Bible.
To me, The Word of God is the best thing the world has to give guidance in navigating the troubled waters of life here in the twenty first century. Jesus still is the best example that is available to us in how we should live. I have written my fundamentalist views in my blogs because I believe, whole heartedly in the message of the Scriptures.
I am like my friend, James, who also writes a blog on Blogspot. He travels as an evangelist and he was wondering if his ministry was really making a difference. I told him that if only one person is saved because of his ministry that it was worth everything it had cost.
Recently, I have wondered the same thing. Does this really make a difference? I wrote for months before anyone posted a comment about my blog. I was thrilled the other day when I looked at the blog site and found a comment that had been posted that gave me a great boost in my morale. I am now encouraged because someone has noticed and apparently they were blessed and posted a very kind and blessed response. I have found a new friend and sister in Christ.
Thanks Lioneagle
To me, The Word of God is the best thing the world has to give guidance in navigating the troubled waters of life here in the twenty first century. Jesus still is the best example that is available to us in how we should live. I have written my fundamentalist views in my blogs because I believe, whole heartedly in the message of the Scriptures.
I am like my friend, James, who also writes a blog on Blogspot. He travels as an evangelist and he was wondering if his ministry was really making a difference. I told him that if only one person is saved because of his ministry that it was worth everything it had cost.
Recently, I have wondered the same thing. Does this really make a difference? I wrote for months before anyone posted a comment about my blog. I was thrilled the other day when I looked at the blog site and found a comment that had been posted that gave me a great boost in my morale. I am now encouraged because someone has noticed and apparently they were blessed and posted a very kind and blessed response. I have found a new friend and sister in Christ.
Thanks Lioneagle
Sunday, August 15, 2010
On the Same Page
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10, KJV)
Isn’t it amazing that there are so many divisions in the Christian church? The apostle Paul, implores us, by the name of Jesus Christ, that there be no divisions among his people, the Christian church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if all of God’s people were, as Paul put it, “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment?” Such a situation is almost unimaginable in this day. Paul called them brothers.
If we are all in the same family, Christians, we are brothers and sisters. Then why do we have all the divisions? I believe it is the enemy’s way of neutralizing the effectiveness of the Christian church as it tries to evangelize the world. The Bible has ample proof that divisions are not of God in their origin, so they must be of the devil.
In the true church, the body of Christ or the kingdom of God, there are no divisions. They are all brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are all perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. They are blood related by the blood of Jesus and they are all led by his Spirit. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)Think about how much more good the church could accomplish if we all had the same mind and were all on the same page.
Isn’t it amazing that there are so many divisions in the Christian church? The apostle Paul, implores us, by the name of Jesus Christ, that there be no divisions among his people, the Christian church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if all of God’s people were, as Paul put it, “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment?” Such a situation is almost unimaginable in this day. Paul called them brothers.
If we are all in the same family, Christians, we are brothers and sisters. Then why do we have all the divisions? I believe it is the enemy’s way of neutralizing the effectiveness of the Christian church as it tries to evangelize the world. The Bible has ample proof that divisions are not of God in their origin, so they must be of the devil.
In the true church, the body of Christ or the kingdom of God, there are no divisions. They are all brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are all perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. They are blood related by the blood of Jesus and they are all led by his Spirit. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)Think about how much more good the church could accomplish if we all had the same mind and were all on the same page.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Correction
In my last blog I made a slight typographical error. The blog was entitled, Rebuttal to Renouncing Christ. It should have read, Rebuttal Renouncing Christianity. It was in response to a statement written by Anne Rice and posted on Facebook which was reprinted in that blog. This was immediately called to my attention by my fellow blogger who said, “She didn’t renounce Christ, but she was renouncing Christianity.”
In her statement, Ms Rice stated, “In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen” – Anne Rice.
Webster’s defines renounce as, (1) to formally give up a claim or right, (2) to give up a claim or practice, (3) to cast off or to disown.
Quitting Christ, quitting being Christian or quitting Christianity, according to the Bible, there is no difference.
In her statement, Ms Rice stated, “In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen” – Anne Rice.
Webster’s defines renounce as, (1) to formally give up a claim or right, (2) to give up a claim or practice, (3) to cast off or to disown.
Quitting Christ, quitting being Christian or quitting Christianity, according to the Bible, there is no difference.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Rebuttal to Renouncing Christ
A fellow blogger whom I follow regularly and highly respect his point of view; wrote a blog which I must reply to. For me, being a Christian myself, I feel it will haunt me if I don’t write it down and release it to the universe. I hope he will excuse me for borrowing his line.
This is in no wise meant as a put down to my friend. It is just me giving my point of view as he gave his. I hope he doesn’t take this personally.
The title of his blog was, Renouncing Christianity. In it he included a statement written by Anne Rice and posted on Facebook which reads:
“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen” – Anne Rice
I am an old time gospel preacher and a fundamentalist at that. So, at the risk of sounding judgmental, it appears to me that Ms. Rice has missed one very important point. She didn’t become a Christian by being those things she now refuses to be. If she is, or ever was, a Christian, she became one by believing in Jesus Christ as her Savior and living her life by the example that he set for us.
Jesus told Satan, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) When he said every word, he meant every word. Man has not been given the privilege to pick and choose the words of the Lord and accept the ones that sound good to him; and reject those that offend him. It is true, Jesus spoke words of love and gentleness and meekness and kindness; but he also spoke words of rebuke and rejection. He once told Peter, one of his staunchest followers, “Out of my sight Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you don’t have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23, NIV) Peter later became one of Jesus’ most faithful disciples.
Those words that Jesus spoke that hurt us are meant for our good just as the good words he said. The gospel is meant to expose our faults and our sins and help us to repent of them. Jesus’ goal is to have everyone saved from their sins.
The way we live our lives that pleases God is for us to believe and live by his word. Christians are supposed to take their stand for the things that God stands for and against the things that God is against.
God told Isaiah, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20–21) Look around you and see what has come from secular humanism. It sounds to me like God himself is anti-secular humanism.
Wake up and smell the roses Ms. Rice. You can’t see the forest for all those trees.
This is in no wise meant as a put down to my friend. It is just me giving my point of view as he gave his. I hope he doesn’t take this personally.
The title of his blog was, Renouncing Christianity. In it he included a statement written by Anne Rice and posted on Facebook which reads:
“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen” – Anne Rice
I am an old time gospel preacher and a fundamentalist at that. So, at the risk of sounding judgmental, it appears to me that Ms. Rice has missed one very important point. She didn’t become a Christian by being those things she now refuses to be. If she is, or ever was, a Christian, she became one by believing in Jesus Christ as her Savior and living her life by the example that he set for us.
Jesus told Satan, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) When he said every word, he meant every word. Man has not been given the privilege to pick and choose the words of the Lord and accept the ones that sound good to him; and reject those that offend him. It is true, Jesus spoke words of love and gentleness and meekness and kindness; but he also spoke words of rebuke and rejection. He once told Peter, one of his staunchest followers, “Out of my sight Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you don’t have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23, NIV) Peter later became one of Jesus’ most faithful disciples.
Those words that Jesus spoke that hurt us are meant for our good just as the good words he said. The gospel is meant to expose our faults and our sins and help us to repent of them. Jesus’ goal is to have everyone saved from their sins.
The way we live our lives that pleases God is for us to believe and live by his word. Christians are supposed to take their stand for the things that God stands for and against the things that God is against.
God told Isaiah, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20–21) Look around you and see what has come from secular humanism. It sounds to me like God himself is anti-secular humanism.
Wake up and smell the roses Ms. Rice. You can’t see the forest for all those trees.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Forgetting God
There are some in America who are trying to eliminate God from our society. They have banished him from the classrooms and they are trying to remove all traces of him from our government. The liberal educational institutions are so anxious to fill our children’s heads with knowledge about everything from A to Z but they are intentionally leaving God out of the curriculum. America has raised a generation of its children who have not been taught about God. In another generation, two thirds of our society will have been educated by a system that has banned God from its public classrooms. By then, a majority of Americans will have forgotten God and so, America will have forgotten God,
The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17, KJV) The word used for hell is sheol, which means the world of the dead, or the grave. Will America die as a nation? Later, the Psalmist wrote, “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” (Psalms 50:22, KJV) America is a divided nation and being torn to pieces by the various groups that are pushing their agendas and it seems there is none to help.
The one thing that could save America is to turn back to God. God told the Israelites, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV italics added) Christians, the ball is in your court now. It’s time to play offense. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.
The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17, KJV) The word used for hell is sheol, which means the world of the dead, or the grave. Will America die as a nation? Later, the Psalmist wrote, “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” (Psalms 50:22, KJV) America is a divided nation and being torn to pieces by the various groups that are pushing their agendas and it seems there is none to help.
The one thing that could save America is to turn back to God. God told the Israelites, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV italics added) Christians, the ball is in your court now. It’s time to play offense. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Independence Day
We have just celebrated Independence Day, the birthday of our nation. I heard a preacher say recently, “America is the last bastion of true freedom in the world.” When America declared her independence on July 4, 1776, she became a free nation. Webster’s Dictionary defines independence as being free from the control of another. Is America truly a free nation in 2010?
Webster’s defines the word independent in many ways; among them are (1) free from the rule of another (2) self determined (3) self reliant (4) Not depending on another for financial support (5) having an income large enough to enable one to live without working (6) one who is independent in thinking, action etc.
By Webster’s own definition, is America truly a free nation? Are we a nation of free people? Are we truly the land of the free and the home of the brave? I want everyone who reads this to seriously ponder these questions.
Sure, we still have some basic freedoms but they are slowly and incrementally being taken from us. We have the right to vote but we lack the courage to vote our convictions; that is, if we have any political convictions. We are allowing ourselves to become a nation of dependents and we keep re-electing those who are making us dependents of the government. We Americans have the power to fix our nation before it is too late. It is called the ballot box. If we don’t fix it, soon it may be too late.
I do not wish to sound negative about America. I love my country and I want to see her return to her greatness. God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her, through the night with a light from above.
The next time we celebrate the fourth of July or sing The Star Spangled Banner, let us remember these words. Is America really the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?
Webster’s defines the word independent in many ways; among them are (1) free from the rule of another (2) self determined (3) self reliant (4) Not depending on another for financial support (5) having an income large enough to enable one to live without working (6) one who is independent in thinking, action etc.
By Webster’s own definition, is America truly a free nation? Are we a nation of free people? Are we truly the land of the free and the home of the brave? I want everyone who reads this to seriously ponder these questions.
Sure, we still have some basic freedoms but they are slowly and incrementally being taken from us. We have the right to vote but we lack the courage to vote our convictions; that is, if we have any political convictions. We are allowing ourselves to become a nation of dependents and we keep re-electing those who are making us dependents of the government. We Americans have the power to fix our nation before it is too late. It is called the ballot box. If we don’t fix it, soon it may be too late.
I do not wish to sound negative about America. I love my country and I want to see her return to her greatness. God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her, through the night with a light from above.
The next time we celebrate the fourth of July or sing The Star Spangled Banner, let us remember these words. Is America really the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Love and Hate
We can discover a lot of things when we study God’s word but there are two things that are inescapable; God hates sin but he loves the sinner. This is the great paradox of the Bible. God hated sin so much that he placed the death penalty on it. It was sin that destroyed the perfect relationship between God and his creation. It is sin that has caused all the human suffering and misery throughout the history of the world. Sin has robbed God of his most treasured possession, man.
The Bible doesn’t say too much about God hating but what it does say amounts to a violation of all of the Ten Commandments.
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16–19
Jeremiah 44:4 tells us idolatry is another thing the Lord hates.
In the New Testament, Jesus only listed two things he hated. They were the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitanes. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, supposedly, was a false teaching among many Christians that eating meat sacrificed to idols was alright. From reading the Revelation it becomes very clear that Jesus hated false teachings.
God’s hatred for sin is only exceeded by his love for the lost sinner. He doesn’t love the sinner because he is a sinner but because he is God’s creation; made by God himself and for God’s pleasure. God derived his greatest pleasure from man as long as man was in his innocence; but when man sinned, God was robbed of his greatest pleasure. However, God still saw in man the potential for giving him pleasure if he could rescue him from sin. He had a plan already in place to do just that.
His plan was called grace. His love for his creation caused him to find grace for his fallen creature and he had mercy on the man. God’s plan of grace called for a Redeemer, an innocent man who had never sinned, to die for the sins of mankind thereby paying the death penalty for sins. God knew there was no innocent man among the sons of men so he sent his Son Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, to die for the sins of men.
“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
Now, because of his grace, mercy and love, man can have his relationship with God fully restored. Once again, God can derive his greatest pleasure from man who will receive his Son, Jesus, as their Savior by faith and live for him in obedience to his will.
This is the only way a man can realize his greatest pleasure too, to have his heart right with God. Is your heart right with God?
The Bible doesn’t say too much about God hating but what it does say amounts to a violation of all of the Ten Commandments.
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16–19
Jeremiah 44:4 tells us idolatry is another thing the Lord hates.
In the New Testament, Jesus only listed two things he hated. They were the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitanes. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, supposedly, was a false teaching among many Christians that eating meat sacrificed to idols was alright. From reading the Revelation it becomes very clear that Jesus hated false teachings.
God’s hatred for sin is only exceeded by his love for the lost sinner. He doesn’t love the sinner because he is a sinner but because he is God’s creation; made by God himself and for God’s pleasure. God derived his greatest pleasure from man as long as man was in his innocence; but when man sinned, God was robbed of his greatest pleasure. However, God still saw in man the potential for giving him pleasure if he could rescue him from sin. He had a plan already in place to do just that.
His plan was called grace. His love for his creation caused him to find grace for his fallen creature and he had mercy on the man. God’s plan of grace called for a Redeemer, an innocent man who had never sinned, to die for the sins of mankind thereby paying the death penalty for sins. God knew there was no innocent man among the sons of men so he sent his Son Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, to die for the sins of men.
“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
Now, because of his grace, mercy and love, man can have his relationship with God fully restored. Once again, God can derive his greatest pleasure from man who will receive his Son, Jesus, as their Savior by faith and live for him in obedience to his will.
This is the only way a man can realize his greatest pleasure too, to have his heart right with God. Is your heart right with God?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
My View of Christianity
My view of the Christian faith may vary somewhat from most people’s views. I have made a lifetime of studying what people believe and the ways they practice their religion. I speak of the religion of Christianity. I have reached the conclusion that most people I’ve known approach their religion in one of three different ways. These are not the only ways but the three main ways which I have observed. They are:
1. The grace/faith only way
2. The works only way
3. The legalistic way
First, the grace/faith way: This group of people maintains that their righteousness is strictly by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ; and that accompanied by a few good works, secures their salvation for all eternity. This group believes that the grace of God has covered everything for them and no further efforts, on their part, is necessary for salvation. Their good works are expressed mainly by their financial support of their church and social and charitable causes.
Second, the works only way: This group believes their salvation comes from their good works alone. Some of them never make any profession of faith. They have an attitude that they believe they are as good as the person who does profess faith in Christ. They also believe that God will overlook all the bad they have done in their lives because they have done a lot of good also; and the good they have done will outweigh the bad. This group rarely attends church and is often critical of Christians but they contribute well to charitable causes and volunteer work.
Third, the legalistic way: This group believes righteousness is obtained by the strict observance of the religious rules of their church dogma or discipline. This may include such things as abstaining from certain foods, observing religious customs or even wearing a particular type of clothing. This group is usually more faithful in their church attendance but they are strong in their criticism and judgment of those who do not agree with them.
A fourth approach to obtaining righteousness would be some combination of all the above. A great many people tend to have their own personal way of interpreting the Bible or their church’s theology.
The Christian faith, when viewed as a whole, is just that, a faith. It is not just another religion like many other religions. Christianity is a faith, a way of living that is guided by a Christian’s strong faith in the supreme God and his Son, Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Christianity is people who are citizens of an eternal heavenly kingdom but are living their lives as sojourners in this world. We strive to live as kingdom citizens in a paganistic world; representing our King and his kingdom well as its citizens while we are here; knowing that soon he will call us to be with him in our eternal home. Without this faith and this hope, life in this present world makes little sense.
Kingdom citizens don’t live by the world’s interpretation of the Bible but we seek our King’s interpretation of his word. We live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. We don’t sink our roots too deeply into the world because we know this world is not our permanent home. Instead, we follow him by faith, being led by his Spirit; dutifully going about witnessing of his saving grace and persuading others to come and follow him too. This is our task which he has given us and we derive great pleasure out of doing his will.
This is true Christianity. James called it pure religion. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) True Christians are loving and caring people, always reaching out to the afflicted. Not only to those afflicted by the hurts and misfortunes of life but also to those enslaved by the sins of this world. We are to be the good Samaritans and the deliverer of good tidings to the people of this world. We are to do this while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.
We walk daily in the power of the Spirit, claiming personal victory over sin while telling others about the glorious kingdom of heaven. Our God gives us the power to be his sons and daughters and to carry out the mission which he gave us. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
Christianity is all about God, reaching out to the lost and needy, and about his Son, Jesus, who has bought our salvation with his own blood. It is all about Christians who are living godly and holy lives, doing his will and looking for his glorious appearing and his soon coming kingdom.
My views of the Bible and Christianity are fundamentalist and are fully supported by the Scriptures. Any person who has a lesser view of Christianity, has not yet seen the whole picture and is living far below their privileges.
1. The grace/faith only way
2. The works only way
3. The legalistic way
First, the grace/faith way: This group of people maintains that their righteousness is strictly by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ; and that accompanied by a few good works, secures their salvation for all eternity. This group believes that the grace of God has covered everything for them and no further efforts, on their part, is necessary for salvation. Their good works are expressed mainly by their financial support of their church and social and charitable causes.
Second, the works only way: This group believes their salvation comes from their good works alone. Some of them never make any profession of faith. They have an attitude that they believe they are as good as the person who does profess faith in Christ. They also believe that God will overlook all the bad they have done in their lives because they have done a lot of good also; and the good they have done will outweigh the bad. This group rarely attends church and is often critical of Christians but they contribute well to charitable causes and volunteer work.
Third, the legalistic way: This group believes righteousness is obtained by the strict observance of the religious rules of their church dogma or discipline. This may include such things as abstaining from certain foods, observing religious customs or even wearing a particular type of clothing. This group is usually more faithful in their church attendance but they are strong in their criticism and judgment of those who do not agree with them.
A fourth approach to obtaining righteousness would be some combination of all the above. A great many people tend to have their own personal way of interpreting the Bible or their church’s theology.
The Christian faith, when viewed as a whole, is just that, a faith. It is not just another religion like many other religions. Christianity is a faith, a way of living that is guided by a Christian’s strong faith in the supreme God and his Son, Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Christianity is people who are citizens of an eternal heavenly kingdom but are living their lives as sojourners in this world. We strive to live as kingdom citizens in a paganistic world; representing our King and his kingdom well as its citizens while we are here; knowing that soon he will call us to be with him in our eternal home. Without this faith and this hope, life in this present world makes little sense.
Kingdom citizens don’t live by the world’s interpretation of the Bible but we seek our King’s interpretation of his word. We live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. We don’t sink our roots too deeply into the world because we know this world is not our permanent home. Instead, we follow him by faith, being led by his Spirit; dutifully going about witnessing of his saving grace and persuading others to come and follow him too. This is our task which he has given us and we derive great pleasure out of doing his will.
This is true Christianity. James called it pure religion. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) True Christians are loving and caring people, always reaching out to the afflicted. Not only to those afflicted by the hurts and misfortunes of life but also to those enslaved by the sins of this world. We are to be the good Samaritans and the deliverer of good tidings to the people of this world. We are to do this while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.
We walk daily in the power of the Spirit, claiming personal victory over sin while telling others about the glorious kingdom of heaven. Our God gives us the power to be his sons and daughters and to carry out the mission which he gave us. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
Christianity is all about God, reaching out to the lost and needy, and about his Son, Jesus, who has bought our salvation with his own blood. It is all about Christians who are living godly and holy lives, doing his will and looking for his glorious appearing and his soon coming kingdom.
My views of the Bible and Christianity are fundamentalist and are fully supported by the Scriptures. Any person who has a lesser view of Christianity, has not yet seen the whole picture and is living far below their privileges.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Good Dirt
Almost every human has been touched in some measure by the word of God in the last 2000 years. Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Here, in the twenty first century, it is very likely that most of the world has heard of Jesus Christ. The great Christian religion’s influence has been felt all over the globe. The religion of Islam has even been influenced to a large extent by Christianity. Being founded largely as an anti-Christian religion, it still contains come Christian ideas such as the idea of a savior who will return to save his people in a time of great troubles. The major difference is, Christians serve a living Savior, Jesus, while Islam’s savior, Mohammed, is dead. Their god, Allah, supposedly will send someone who will be known as the twelfth imam to save them in the end.
In Matthew 13, Jesus gave us the parable of the sower. In the parable, Christ is the sower. He has also delegated the sowing to his church, to sow the seed, which is the word of God, all over the world. In the parable, Jesus said some of the seed fell by the wayside, some fell in the stony places, some fell among thorns and some fell on good ground. That which fell on good ground, brought forth fruit in varying amounts. Every Christian can find themselves somewhere in this parable. If you are a Christian, look for yourself, you are in there somewhere.
Jesus interpreted the parable in Matthew 13:18–23. The seed that fell by the wayside, represents those who hear the word of God and immediately the devil, the wicked one, takes it away from them and they follow him instead,
The seed that fell in the stony place represents those who hear the word of God; but because of their stony heart, the root of the seed doesn’t go deep enough and that person can’t take the troubles and tribulations of the world and they are offended. To them, everything must go just right because they are a Christian.
Those that received the seed among the thorns, represents those who have heard the word of God but the cares of this world are stronger. The material things, the deceitfulness of riches, have more importance than the spiritual things and the word of God is choked out.
The seed that fell on good ground represents those who heard the word of God and it took root and grew within them, producing fruit. These are the Christians whose lives were changed by the gospel and they became what they were meant to become because they heard the word of God.
I call upon Christians everywhere to closely look at your Christian life. Your life has been touched, in some measure, by Jesus Christ. What effect has it had on your life? Are you the wayside, the stony ground, the thorny places, or are you Good dirt? Where are you standing as a Christian?
In Matthew 13, Jesus gave us the parable of the sower. In the parable, Christ is the sower. He has also delegated the sowing to his church, to sow the seed, which is the word of God, all over the world. In the parable, Jesus said some of the seed fell by the wayside, some fell in the stony places, some fell among thorns and some fell on good ground. That which fell on good ground, brought forth fruit in varying amounts. Every Christian can find themselves somewhere in this parable. If you are a Christian, look for yourself, you are in there somewhere.
Jesus interpreted the parable in Matthew 13:18–23. The seed that fell by the wayside, represents those who hear the word of God and immediately the devil, the wicked one, takes it away from them and they follow him instead,
The seed that fell in the stony place represents those who hear the word of God; but because of their stony heart, the root of the seed doesn’t go deep enough and that person can’t take the troubles and tribulations of the world and they are offended. To them, everything must go just right because they are a Christian.
Those that received the seed among the thorns, represents those who have heard the word of God but the cares of this world are stronger. The material things, the deceitfulness of riches, have more importance than the spiritual things and the word of God is choked out.
The seed that fell on good ground represents those who heard the word of God and it took root and grew within them, producing fruit. These are the Christians whose lives were changed by the gospel and they became what they were meant to become because they heard the word of God.
I call upon Christians everywhere to closely look at your Christian life. Your life has been touched, in some measure, by Jesus Christ. What effect has it had on your life? Are you the wayside, the stony ground, the thorny places, or are you Good dirt? Where are you standing as a Christian?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Peace
I just finished reading today’s paper and I must admit I could easily be depressed were it not for my faith. The world news is most depressing. It is easy to see why there is no peace. There are no major world wars being fought but given the condition the world is in it is easy to think that could come to an abrupt end real soon. The war in Afghanistan, the oil spill in the gulf, the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the economy and unemployment, the dissatisfaction with the government, spiraling medical costs, the budget deficits, the national debt, the falling value of the dollar, earthquakes killing thousands of people and the devastating floods here in Tennessee with thousands of people losing their homes; it all adds up to troubles and tribulations.
People everywhere are looking to the governments of the world to fix all this mess. I just read a blog about the meeting of the G20 in Toronto in a few weeks. The G20 is a group of twenty of the world’s wealthiest industrialized nations. It seems the world is looking to them to solve many of the world’s problems––in just forty eight hours. Needless to say, this blogger was very skeptical, just as I am. Forty eight hours? Really?
As I read his blog, I got the distinct impression that his feelings reflect the feelings of millions, maybe billions of people in the world. People’s hearts are filled with doubts fears and skepticism; all fueled by the list of things above and hosts of other situations.
There is no peace in the hearts of men. Recently, I noticed a bumper sticker on a car in front of me that read, No Jesus, No Peace, Know Jesus, Know Peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) How many of really like the “peace” the world gives?
Jesus said his peace wasn’t like the “peace” the world gives. He told us, “Let not your heart be troubled.” How can our hearts not be troubled in a world that knows nothing but troubles? Jesus told us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I think you will agree, the world offers nothing but empty promises and false hopes and all we get seems to be more troubles. If we would know peace we have to know Jesus. He alone can give us real peace. He alone can give us real hope. How can we have peace in the world that does not know peace? It is only by having made peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus can reconcile us to God. There is no other way. When we have the peace that Jesus gives, we too can overcome the world. With him, we can not be troubled by the world’s situations. We see this world as only a temporary place we must pass through. None of us are here to stay so we have not based our hopes in what is only temporary. Those, who do base their hopes in this world, have no hope.
I’m thankful all the bad news has not depressed me. Jesus told us it was going to be this way. Why won’t more people listen to him? Know Jesus, Know Peace.
People everywhere are looking to the governments of the world to fix all this mess. I just read a blog about the meeting of the G20 in Toronto in a few weeks. The G20 is a group of twenty of the world’s wealthiest industrialized nations. It seems the world is looking to them to solve many of the world’s problems––in just forty eight hours. Needless to say, this blogger was very skeptical, just as I am. Forty eight hours? Really?
As I read his blog, I got the distinct impression that his feelings reflect the feelings of millions, maybe billions of people in the world. People’s hearts are filled with doubts fears and skepticism; all fueled by the list of things above and hosts of other situations.
There is no peace in the hearts of men. Recently, I noticed a bumper sticker on a car in front of me that read, No Jesus, No Peace, Know Jesus, Know Peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) How many of really like the “peace” the world gives?
Jesus said his peace wasn’t like the “peace” the world gives. He told us, “Let not your heart be troubled.” How can our hearts not be troubled in a world that knows nothing but troubles? Jesus told us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I think you will agree, the world offers nothing but empty promises and false hopes and all we get seems to be more troubles. If we would know peace we have to know Jesus. He alone can give us real peace. He alone can give us real hope. How can we have peace in the world that does not know peace? It is only by having made peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus can reconcile us to God. There is no other way. When we have the peace that Jesus gives, we too can overcome the world. With him, we can not be troubled by the world’s situations. We see this world as only a temporary place we must pass through. None of us are here to stay so we have not based our hopes in what is only temporary. Those, who do base their hopes in this world, have no hope.
I’m thankful all the bad news has not depressed me. Jesus told us it was going to be this way. Why won’t more people listen to him? Know Jesus, Know Peace.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Christian Rest
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)
Most of us carry a lot of excess baggage. Did you ever stop and contemplate the things that you really don’t need? Most people worry and fret over things that, in the big scheme of life, they really don’t need. Life has a way of overwhelming us if we are not careful.
Jesus understood the need for rest. His disciples had gone several days without rest and Jesus told them, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat. (Mark 6:31) Life had overwhelmed his disciples.
To those who are overwhelmed, Jesus extends his hand and heart to you. If you will give him a place in your heart, you will find that his word is true. To yoke up with Jesus is to partner with him. One of the first things he will help you with is arranging your priorities in their right order. With Jesus’ help, you’ll begin to understand what is really important and what’s not. You’ll soon begin to discard those things that aren’t important.
Jesus didn’t promise the cares of life would disappear altogether. What he did promise was that the load would be lighter because you would be yoked with him and as a team working together, your burden would be light. He will give you rest. You have been carrying your burdens all by yourself and you need some help.
Isn’t it strange, that many people try to lighten their burden by taking on additional burdens? We let ourselves be convinced that a new car, new clothes, new job, new house or even a new husband or wife is just what we need to make some of life’s problems go away. We can soon be entangled in a web from which there seems to be no escape.
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” He invites us to try him and prove him and see that he is as good as his word. People need to learn that Jesus can be a far greater help that they think. “I am meek and lowly in heart,” he said. Meekness would be the opposite of pride. Pride is an overrated assessment of one’s self. You can’t live life all alone. We all need some help at some point. Jesus can help you and he wants to. Why not give him the chance?
Most of us carry a lot of excess baggage. Did you ever stop and contemplate the things that you really don’t need? Most people worry and fret over things that, in the big scheme of life, they really don’t need. Life has a way of overwhelming us if we are not careful.
Jesus understood the need for rest. His disciples had gone several days without rest and Jesus told them, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat. (Mark 6:31) Life had overwhelmed his disciples.
To those who are overwhelmed, Jesus extends his hand and heart to you. If you will give him a place in your heart, you will find that his word is true. To yoke up with Jesus is to partner with him. One of the first things he will help you with is arranging your priorities in their right order. With Jesus’ help, you’ll begin to understand what is really important and what’s not. You’ll soon begin to discard those things that aren’t important.
Jesus didn’t promise the cares of life would disappear altogether. What he did promise was that the load would be lighter because you would be yoked with him and as a team working together, your burden would be light. He will give you rest. You have been carrying your burdens all by yourself and you need some help.
Isn’t it strange, that many people try to lighten their burden by taking on additional burdens? We let ourselves be convinced that a new car, new clothes, new job, new house or even a new husband or wife is just what we need to make some of life’s problems go away. We can soon be entangled in a web from which there seems to be no escape.
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” He invites us to try him and prove him and see that he is as good as his word. People need to learn that Jesus can be a far greater help that they think. “I am meek and lowly in heart,” he said. Meekness would be the opposite of pride. Pride is an overrated assessment of one’s self. You can’t live life all alone. We all need some help at some point. Jesus can help you and he wants to. Why not give him the chance?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
After Pentecost, Then What?
Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday, regarded by Christians as the birthday of the Christian Church. A study of the book of Acts reveals the church went to work; using their Pentecostal gifts and began building the Lord’s church. They didn’t start by planning a church building but they started by going into the work places, the market places and the streets and telling people about the resurrected Christ.
Everywhere they went, they spread the word of God and the teachings of Christ; meeting people where they were and ministering to them the gospel of Christ. Just as Christ had done, if there was sickness or infirmities, they healed them; while telling them that it was by the name of Jesus that these miracles of healing and faith were accomplished. People, by the thousands, began to believe on the name of Jesus. Lives were dramatically changed and people were added to the church daily as they were saved.
The young church had only one mission and that was to carry the life changing gospel to the people. It worked wonderfully well as thousands were miraculously saved and their lives transformed from the servitude to sin to the saving and cleansing from sin by faith in Jesus Christ. They became powerful witnesses for Christ themselves. They became extensions of Christ himself as they carried on his ministry. Instead of Christ alone ministering to those close by, they became a great army of countless thousands; carrying Christ to the whole world.
What has happened to the church in the last two thousand years? Granted, there are still faithful Christians who are carrying on the work of spreading the gospel. However, they have been upstaged by the church, in general, that has turned worldly, materialistic and apostate. The worldly church has lost its vision and commission and seemingly has become more interested in growth in numbers rather than growth in the things of the Spirit.
The true church has remained true to the great commission and has held on to her Pentecostal roots and is still at work today just as if yesterday were Pentecost. She still believes in her high calling of God to, “Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.” (2Corinthians 6:17) She has kept herself separate from the things and ways of the world but she knows the world is her field of harvest in which she must work.
The true church is not a denomination. It is not even a building. It is a people who have been transformed by Jesus Christ and have had their Pentecostal outpouring and are faithfully and tirelessly working to fulfill the great commission of, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16: 15)
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38, KJV)
I feel a renewed sense of burden to spread the word of God.
Everywhere they went, they spread the word of God and the teachings of Christ; meeting people where they were and ministering to them the gospel of Christ. Just as Christ had done, if there was sickness or infirmities, they healed them; while telling them that it was by the name of Jesus that these miracles of healing and faith were accomplished. People, by the thousands, began to believe on the name of Jesus. Lives were dramatically changed and people were added to the church daily as they were saved.
The young church had only one mission and that was to carry the life changing gospel to the people. It worked wonderfully well as thousands were miraculously saved and their lives transformed from the servitude to sin to the saving and cleansing from sin by faith in Jesus Christ. They became powerful witnesses for Christ themselves. They became extensions of Christ himself as they carried on his ministry. Instead of Christ alone ministering to those close by, they became a great army of countless thousands; carrying Christ to the whole world.
What has happened to the church in the last two thousand years? Granted, there are still faithful Christians who are carrying on the work of spreading the gospel. However, they have been upstaged by the church, in general, that has turned worldly, materialistic and apostate. The worldly church has lost its vision and commission and seemingly has become more interested in growth in numbers rather than growth in the things of the Spirit.
The true church has remained true to the great commission and has held on to her Pentecostal roots and is still at work today just as if yesterday were Pentecost. She still believes in her high calling of God to, “Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.” (2Corinthians 6:17) She has kept herself separate from the things and ways of the world but she knows the world is her field of harvest in which she must work.
The true church is not a denomination. It is not even a building. It is a people who have been transformed by Jesus Christ and have had their Pentecostal outpouring and are faithfully and tirelessly working to fulfill the great commission of, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16: 15)
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38, KJV)
I feel a renewed sense of burden to spread the word of God.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Pentecost in 3-D
To many people, Pentecost is a one dimensional event. They focus on only one aspect of the miraculous outpouring. Some see it only as a one purpose event; as God giving the gift of tongues. Some see it as a one time event; an event for a very special occasion, the birthing of the church. Still others see Pentecost as a one place event; confined to Jerusalem.
I see Pentecost as a multi-dimensional event; as God’s power to remove every obstacle in the road to victory for his people. It is God giving his power to his people to empower them in every way necessary for them to succeed at what he has called them to do.
It is true, without the gift of speaking in tongues; the gospel message would never have been communicated to the thousands of people who were gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost. The gift of tongues was not the only gift that was given that day however. Without the outpouring of gifts that day, Peter could never have healed the lame man at the gate to the temple. Peter would not have had the boldness to proclaim to the religious leaders that it was really through the name of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, that the man was healed. Multitudes were healed by the shadow of Peter passing over them. See Acts 7:15–16. They were thrown into prison and the angel of the Lord freed them. See Acts 5:18–19.
Throughout the Book of Acts, we read of numerous miraculous events that were worked through the Apostles. Therein is the real key to understanding the full meaning of Pentecost. The day of Pentecost shows us a real demonstration of God working through his people, the church. The individual acts of the Apostles are demonstrations of God working through individuals. The results are the same. The scope of the results may differ but when God works through the individual or the church; the results will be nothing but miraculous.
Pentecost then, is God at work through his people. Peter never performed a miracle in his life. However, God used Peter in a mighty way, working miracles through him. Is God still able to use his people to work his miracles of divine healing, of breaking down communication barriers between languages and of setting people free from sin and the possession of demons? You bet he is.
What is the key to this? There must be a key that explains such a miraculous outpouring. There is, and it is not hidden. It is there in plain view to all who will look for it. Acts 2:1 reveals it to us. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” They were all with one accord. Their being in one accord had brought them all together in one place. They all had one mind and one purpose. None wanted to be somewhere else and doing his own thing. One hundred twenty people shared a common desire and that was to receive the promised baptism of the Holy Ghost. See Acts 1:8.
At least six times throughout the Book of Acts, the people are described as being in one accord. Each time there is unity of purpose and in each instance God works in them to accomplish what he desires. This is the real church in action. Be it working, witnessing or worshipping, it is the real church in action when God is in the midst of his people and pouring his Spirit upon them.
The mighty power of God cannot be contained in a building regardless of its size. It will overflow the building and the hearts of men and women; spilling out into the streets, work places and the market places touching the lives of people everywhere. It will even spill over into other towns, states and countries. Look what God did with the one hundred twenty people on the day of Pentecost. That day was truly the Feast of the First Fruits.
Try, if you will, to get the big picture of Pentecost. Come to understand its full meaning. Let it empower your life so that you may do those things in the Lord that you can’t do on your own.
I see Pentecost as a multi-dimensional event; as God’s power to remove every obstacle in the road to victory for his people. It is God giving his power to his people to empower them in every way necessary for them to succeed at what he has called them to do.
It is true, without the gift of speaking in tongues; the gospel message would never have been communicated to the thousands of people who were gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost. The gift of tongues was not the only gift that was given that day however. Without the outpouring of gifts that day, Peter could never have healed the lame man at the gate to the temple. Peter would not have had the boldness to proclaim to the religious leaders that it was really through the name of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, that the man was healed. Multitudes were healed by the shadow of Peter passing over them. See Acts 7:15–16. They were thrown into prison and the angel of the Lord freed them. See Acts 5:18–19.
Throughout the Book of Acts, we read of numerous miraculous events that were worked through the Apostles. Therein is the real key to understanding the full meaning of Pentecost. The day of Pentecost shows us a real demonstration of God working through his people, the church. The individual acts of the Apostles are demonstrations of God working through individuals. The results are the same. The scope of the results may differ but when God works through the individual or the church; the results will be nothing but miraculous.
Pentecost then, is God at work through his people. Peter never performed a miracle in his life. However, God used Peter in a mighty way, working miracles through him. Is God still able to use his people to work his miracles of divine healing, of breaking down communication barriers between languages and of setting people free from sin and the possession of demons? You bet he is.
What is the key to this? There must be a key that explains such a miraculous outpouring. There is, and it is not hidden. It is there in plain view to all who will look for it. Acts 2:1 reveals it to us. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” They were all with one accord. Their being in one accord had brought them all together in one place. They all had one mind and one purpose. None wanted to be somewhere else and doing his own thing. One hundred twenty people shared a common desire and that was to receive the promised baptism of the Holy Ghost. See Acts 1:8.
At least six times throughout the Book of Acts, the people are described as being in one accord. Each time there is unity of purpose and in each instance God works in them to accomplish what he desires. This is the real church in action. Be it working, witnessing or worshipping, it is the real church in action when God is in the midst of his people and pouring his Spirit upon them.
The mighty power of God cannot be contained in a building regardless of its size. It will overflow the building and the hearts of men and women; spilling out into the streets, work places and the market places touching the lives of people everywhere. It will even spill over into other towns, states and countries. Look what God did with the one hundred twenty people on the day of Pentecost. That day was truly the Feast of the First Fruits.
Try, if you will, to get the big picture of Pentecost. Come to understand its full meaning. Let it empower your life so that you may do those things in the Lord that you can’t do on your own.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Christian Where is Your Cross
Christian, Where is Your Cross?
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
Last night I was surfing through the TV channels and I happen across the TBN channel. There was a man carrying a large wooden cross. It immediately caught my attention so I listened to him. He was telling about all the opportunities it had given him to witness about Jesus to people who stopped him to ask him about the cross he was carrying. He gave a long list of his experiences while carrying his cross; telling about how many he had won to the Lord.
I’m not sure that is exactly what Jesus had in mind when he spoke those words to his disciples, in the verse above. It does however illustrate perfectly what Jesus meant by them. It made me stop and ask myself some questions which I think every Christian should ask themselves.
Is the cross I am carrying evident to people I meet?
Does the cross I carry cause people to be curious enough to ask me about it? Does my cross give me chances to witness to them about Christ?
Can the world see that I am carrying a burden for the lost?
If someone asks, can I explain the meaning of the cross to them?
Christians should be asking themselves these and many other similar questions. If we are carrying our cross, as we should be, we should be able to answer the questions above in the affirmative.
Jesus said to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him. That is three things all Christians are to do. If we don’t deny our self, are we following him? If we are not carrying our cross, are we following him? If we are following him as we say we are, where is our cross?
The apostle, Paul, had some harsh words for some false Christians in Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
God forbid, that this ever be true of us who say we are following Christ.
Christian, Where is Your Cross?
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
Last night I was surfing through the TV channels and I happen across the TBN channel. There was a man carrying a large wooden cross. It immediately caught my attention so I listened to him. He was telling about all the opportunities it had given him to witness about Jesus to people who stopped him to ask him about the cross he was carrying. He gave a long list of his experiences while carrying his cross; telling about how many he had won to the Lord.
I’m not sure that is exactly what Jesus had in mind when he spoke those words to his disciples, in the verse above. It does however illustrate perfectly what Jesus meant by them. It made me stop and ask myself some questions which I think every Christian should ask themselves.
Is the cross I am carrying evident to people I meet?
Does the cross I carry cause people to be curious enough to ask me about it? Does my cross give me chances to witness to them about Christ?
Can the world see that I am carrying a burden for the lost?
If someone asks, can I explain the meaning of the cross to them?
Christians should be asking themselves these and many other similar questions. If we are carrying our cross, as we should be, we should be able to answer the questions above in the affirmative.
Jesus said to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him. That is three things all Christians are to do. If we don’t deny our self, are we following him? If we are not carrying our cross, are we following him? If we are following him as we say we are, where is our cross?
The apostle, Paul, had some harsh words for some false Christians in Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
God forbid, that this ever be true of us who say we are following Christ.
Christian, Where is Your Cross?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
How Firm a Foundation
May 6, 2010
At first appearance the title to that great hymn seems to be a question but it is clearly an exclamation. The first sentence of that great hymn says, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word! Notice the punctuation, the exclamation point, at the end of the sentence. His word is a solid foundation for our faith. Therefore, we exclaim with jubilant joy, “Our faith, our trust and our hope is in the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
After the events of May 1 and 2, that song has a new meaning for me. The area where I live in middle Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, was hard hit by heavy rains all day Saturday and Sunday. As much as sixteen inches of rain have been reported in some areas. Nashville recorded a record rainfall amount of over thirteen and a half inches in the two day period. The result has been widespread flooding. The damage has been very widespread with thousands of homes under water. Many homes near us have been completely destroyed; their foundations literally washed out from under them. Electric and phone service is still out for hundreds of thousands. Many streets, highways and freeways remain blocked and traffic is snarled everywhere, stranding thousands of motorists. Shelters have been set up everywhere to help those who are stranded.
Human suffering is great as this area is populated by about two million people. Many people have lost everything they had. Many thousands of homes have either been totally destroyed or severely damaged and will take months to make them livable again. The cost to repair damage to buildings, houses, streets, highways and bridges will run into the billions of dollars.
In times like these, everyone needs a firm foundation of faith for their souls; something that gives them peace in the midst of the storm. Only Jesus can give that kind of peace. He is our foundation on which our faith holds firm. We, who have committed our lives to him, have learned to draw peace from his comforting word. We are not being reckless or blind to what is going on around us but we have learned that he can be trusted to keep his word. After over forty years of trusting him, he still proves to be trustworthy. He has kept us safe while many storms have passed by.
The above song is inspired by Isaiah 41:10 and 43:2 which says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” He didn’t promise we would not pass trough the flood or through the fire. He did promise us he would be with us and that is what gives us a deep settled peace in our soul.
He is there when we trust him. We will not suffer alone and he has promised he will bring us through it. He will bless us with his presence in our deepest distress. Our fiery trials are designed to refine our gold and remove the dross from our lives. The refining process deepens our resolve; our anchor holds firm and we trust him more. He gives us peace in the midst of the storm.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the rock which can not move; grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
Priscilla J. Owens
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Some Days Are Diamonds
I awoke this morning in the middle of a thunderstorm and a hard down pouring rain. The weather forecast had predicted this so it was no surprise. The whole day is supposed to be like this; dark, cloudy, thunder, lightning, lots of rain, a flash flood watch and even a tornado watch. I thought, this would be a good day to just go back to sleep and sleep through it. However, I can’t do that. Once I’m awake, I can’t go back to sleep that easily. I’ve always been driven by the philosophy that too much sleeping is a waste of precious time.
John Denver recorded a hit song entitled, Some Days are Diamonds. The catch line said, “Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.” At first appearance, this day was definitely a stone. But God, who made the stones, also made some diamonds.
Then a scripture verse came to my mind. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24) Isn’t it great that God has made all our days. He could have cut off my days yesterday and I would never have seen this day. So, I have to see this day as another gift from the Lord. Just as surely as he has given us another day, he has also given us many reasons to rejoice and be glad in it. He has left it up to us to choose whether we will rejoice or let the bad weather or some other circumstance rob us of our joy.
How many of us have learned that rejoicing and being glad in the Lord is not conditional on the weather? Too many people let the weather or some other situation in which they find themselves, rob them of their rejoicing. Regardless of our situation, we can find many reasons to rejoice and be glad in the Lord.
When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well; it is well with my soul.
It is well––with my soul,––It is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford
When Horatio G. Spafford penned the words to this beautiful hymn, he had just experienced the loss of all four of his daughters in a tragic shipwreck. Few people ever suffer a loss of such magnitude. My wife and I have lost one son and that was devastating to us and I can’t imagine the loss of all four of our children. I can say however, on this otherwise dreary day, “It is well with my soul.”
John Denver recorded a hit song entitled, Some Days are Diamonds. The catch line said, “Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.” At first appearance, this day was definitely a stone. But God, who made the stones, also made some diamonds.
Then a scripture verse came to my mind. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24) Isn’t it great that God has made all our days. He could have cut off my days yesterday and I would never have seen this day. So, I have to see this day as another gift from the Lord. Just as surely as he has given us another day, he has also given us many reasons to rejoice and be glad in it. He has left it up to us to choose whether we will rejoice or let the bad weather or some other circumstance rob us of our joy.
How many of us have learned that rejoicing and being glad in the Lord is not conditional on the weather? Too many people let the weather or some other situation in which they find themselves, rob them of their rejoicing. Regardless of our situation, we can find many reasons to rejoice and be glad in the Lord.
When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well; it is well with my soul.
It is well––with my soul,––It is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford
When Horatio G. Spafford penned the words to this beautiful hymn, he had just experienced the loss of all four of his daughters in a tragic shipwreck. Few people ever suffer a loss of such magnitude. My wife and I have lost one son and that was devastating to us and I can’t imagine the loss of all four of our children. I can say however, on this otherwise dreary day, “It is well with my soul.”
If you can say that, you too have something to rejoice and be glad about. Remember, it is God who made this day. It may first appear as a stone but God can turn it into a diamond.
God Bless You
Friday, April 30, 2010
Mayday
Mayday is a word recognized internationally in two different ways. First, Mayday, or May Day, is a day of celebration; a spring festival and a labor holiday that is celebrated in many countries of the world. Second, Mayday is an internationally recognized distress signal used by ships and aircraft that are imminent danger or life threatening emergency. As such it is repeated three times; Mayday, Mayday, Mayday; giving the name and location of the craft in danger and a brief description of the emergency.
Mayday, when used as a distress signal, comes from the French word, m’aider, which means, come and help me. In French, “Venez m’aider,” means, “You come help me.” It is the word from which we get the English word, aid.
As Christians, we live somewhere in between May Day and Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. We are either celebrating our Christianity or using it as a call for help.
We celebrate our salvation in Christ. We celebrate in our daily walk with our risen, living Savior and we celebrate our hope of his coming kingdom. We find a joy in our salvation that the world does not understand. We have a peace within us that the world cannot give and we have a hope in us that the world does not have. For us, it is a cause for continual celebration in the midst of the troubles and confusion of the world.
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2Corinthians 4:7–10)
To the Christian, life is like a paradox. When conditions around us dictate that we should be sad, we find reasons to be joyous. When the world is at war, we have peace in our hearts. When all seems hopeless, we have hope.
Tragically, too many Christians choose to live at the Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, end of the spectrum of their Christianity. They don’t enjoy the full package of benefits that comes with their salvation. They allow themselves to become victims of their situation in life; be it marital problems, financial, career or health problems. Their prayer life consists of always calling for help.
God has made it possible, through Jesus Christ his Son, that we may live as close to him as we want to live. Just how many of the benefits of being a Christian we want to enjoy is entirely up to us. Let us use this May Day as a time to celebrate our Christianity. The world doesn’t give us much cause to celebrate; but Jesus gives us every reason.
Mayday, when used as a distress signal, comes from the French word, m’aider, which means, come and help me. In French, “Venez m’aider,” means, “You come help me.” It is the word from which we get the English word, aid.
As Christians, we live somewhere in between May Day and Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. We are either celebrating our Christianity or using it as a call for help.
We celebrate our salvation in Christ. We celebrate in our daily walk with our risen, living Savior and we celebrate our hope of his coming kingdom. We find a joy in our salvation that the world does not understand. We have a peace within us that the world cannot give and we have a hope in us that the world does not have. For us, it is a cause for continual celebration in the midst of the troubles and confusion of the world.
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2Corinthians 4:7–10)
To the Christian, life is like a paradox. When conditions around us dictate that we should be sad, we find reasons to be joyous. When the world is at war, we have peace in our hearts. When all seems hopeless, we have hope.
Tragically, too many Christians choose to live at the Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, end of the spectrum of their Christianity. They don’t enjoy the full package of benefits that comes with their salvation. They allow themselves to become victims of their situation in life; be it marital problems, financial, career or health problems. Their prayer life consists of always calling for help.
God has made it possible, through Jesus Christ his Son, that we may live as close to him as we want to live. Just how many of the benefits of being a Christian we want to enjoy is entirely up to us. Let us use this May Day as a time to celebrate our Christianity. The world doesn’t give us much cause to celebrate; but Jesus gives us every reason.
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