Never before have we had a president who leaves a trail of unanswered questions everywhere he goes.
I could not care less if he were born in Hawaii or Africa, it makes no difference with me. I don't care if he has a social security card that is only issued to residents of Connecticut, even if he has never lived there. I don't care if he and wife both surrendered their law license, nor do I care the reason. I don't care if everyone running for major office have a swarm of women that come out and say they had sex with them and no one has claimed Obama.
But, let me tell you what I do care about. The simplest definition of being a Christian is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He has played around with the religious groups trying to be everything to everybody. He has bowed down to the Muslims and their day of prayer because he didn't want to offend anyone. It does not matter if he offends Christians. Now he is quoted in the news media as saying, that the "triumph" of the Easter story, including Jesus overcoming his doubt and fears before the Crucifixion had helped him get through the tough moments of his presidency.
It is obvious the man has no knowledge of the same Jesus I know. It is really simple: If Jesus is the Son of God there could be no doubts and/or fears. What was he in doubt about? From his first miracle he knew exactly what his course in life would be. God is all-knowing. I suppose it never occurred to the president that nothing ever just occurred to God. What was there to fear? The same power that restored withered arms could have withered the arms of those driving the nails into his hands and feet, Did he fear death? He could have called ten-thousand angels for deliverence. I think he who defeated death by raising several back to life had no fear of death. It is sad that the perfect life of Jesus has been hid from the president by those who have been around him, beginning as a lad, then through not-so-reverend Wright's church, to his misguided helpers today. I just hope he gets the message that at what moment he recognizes Jesus as the Son of God and trusts him as his saviour, Jesus will save him. Quite unlike the other group would do to him.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
Oh what a difference a few days of time can make. During the days surrounding the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus there was a drastic about face for those involved.
To begin with, just for future clarification, I do not believe that Jesus was crucified on Friday. I think it was on Wednesday with a possibility it could have been Thursday. The scripture says. "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall be Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." By using parts of three days and three nights it could have been as late in the week as Thursday, but there is no way that Scripture can be fulfilled by a Friday crucifixion. That being said, I will use Friday for the day in this writing.
The night before and early morning of Friday the Jewish leaders were obviously elated for that which they had desired, the death of Jesus, was reaching fruition. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
During the course of the so-called trial, Jesus was crowned with thorns, beard plucked out, face beaten and spat upon, back pulverized by the whip. He was ridiculed, scorned and made a laughing stock. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
As they led him out to Golgotha, the place of the skull, it was a strange procession. Men who were walking on new legs because Jesus had healed them were there. Those that had been blind but now can see were there. The women were there weeping as they walked along. And along the way he stumbled under the weight of the cross. I suggest to you it was my sins and your sins that was the heavier of the weights he carried.
And when they came to Calvary, there, they crucified him. With nails in his hands and feet he was lifted upon the cross to die under the most cruel form of punishment ever devised. The crowd taunted him with such things as: He saved others let him save himself; If you be the son of God come down from the cross; O Miracle Worker, work another miracle now. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
With a final statement, Jesus said, "It is finished!"
God's lily had been beaten to earth by the hailstones of hell. Joy was widespread among the enemies of right. Satan and his imps must have done some great rejoicing, God's son was dead. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
His body was taken down and hastily buried in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb. He was finally alone for the first time in years. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
The world is filled with people today who are relishing living on Friday, not knowing that Sunday is coming.
Christians unable to make a total commitment on Friday, but Sunday is coming.
However, there is an opposite side to the concept. There are multitudes today who are sick, hurting, and despondent, with no hope of it getting better. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming! We all, ever so quickly, began to feel the ravages and effects of the aging process. Do not be discouraged my brother or sister, It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!! Lift up your heads for redemption draweth nigh!
To begin with, just for future clarification, I do not believe that Jesus was crucified on Friday. I think it was on Wednesday with a possibility it could have been Thursday. The scripture says. "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall be Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." By using parts of three days and three nights it could have been as late in the week as Thursday, but there is no way that Scripture can be fulfilled by a Friday crucifixion. That being said, I will use Friday for the day in this writing.
The night before and early morning of Friday the Jewish leaders were obviously elated for that which they had desired, the death of Jesus, was reaching fruition. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
During the course of the so-called trial, Jesus was crowned with thorns, beard plucked out, face beaten and spat upon, back pulverized by the whip. He was ridiculed, scorned and made a laughing stock. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
As they led him out to Golgotha, the place of the skull, it was a strange procession. Men who were walking on new legs because Jesus had healed them were there. Those that had been blind but now can see were there. The women were there weeping as they walked along. And along the way he stumbled under the weight of the cross. I suggest to you it was my sins and your sins that was the heavier of the weights he carried.
And when they came to Calvary, there, they crucified him. With nails in his hands and feet he was lifted upon the cross to die under the most cruel form of punishment ever devised. The crowd taunted him with such things as: He saved others let him save himself; If you be the son of God come down from the cross; O Miracle Worker, work another miracle now. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
With a final statement, Jesus said, "It is finished!"
God's lily had been beaten to earth by the hailstones of hell. Joy was widespread among the enemies of right. Satan and his imps must have done some great rejoicing, God's son was dead. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
His body was taken down and hastily buried in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb. He was finally alone for the first time in years. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
The world is filled with people today who are relishing living on Friday, not knowing that Sunday is coming.
Christians unable to make a total commitment on Friday, but Sunday is coming.
However, there is an opposite side to the concept. There are multitudes today who are sick, hurting, and despondent, with no hope of it getting better. It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming! We all, ever so quickly, began to feel the ravages and effects of the aging process. Do not be discouraged my brother or sister, It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!! Lift up your heads for redemption draweth nigh!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
A farmer who was a member of the Baptist Church was married to a member of the Methodist Church. They were extremely compatible in every respect each their respective views of baptism. The farmer consantly insisted that baptism was a "burial beneath the water" and his wife would respond, "That's stupid sprinkling is just as good." There came a day when one of the chickens that had just hatched out of the egg, died. The wife said to her husband as he started out the back door, "Take the baby chick to the garden and bury it." The next morning as she entered the garden to pick some tomatoes she saw the chicken laying on top of the ground. She confronted her husband, "I thought I told you to take the chick to the garden and bury it." He responded, "You did, however, isn,t a sprinkle of sand as good as burying it?"
As I begin, let me say without a doubt in my mind, a person can go to heaven without being immersed under water. That being said, why would anyone want to go any other way.
Why is there so much confusion around a simple Greek word that was translaterated into our language. In the Greek language, in every aspect, it meant to dip, plunge, or immerse in a liquid. John the Baptist baptised near Aenon because there was much water there. Sounds like John might have been doing a little dipping beneath the water. It does not require "much water" to sprinkle or pour. I readily admit that it is so much easier to just dip a rose in water and sprinkle a little on the head than go to the burden of finding a hole of water or building a baptistry in order to immerse. I knew of a Methodist preacher who insisted the new church building have a baptistry in it. His argument was since we give the convert the choice of sprinkling, pouring or immersion it is only right that we provide the same opportunity for them to choose immersion.
Even those churches who believe in immersion as the only mode of baptism there also is a division as to when the person is actually saved. One camp says their baptism is a believer's baptism, only for believers and the other camp says their baptism is sinner's baptism, the sinner is saved during the act of baptism. Those of that persuasion have never tried to explain to me how Cornelius received the Holy Spirit at the same time he is saved during his baptism.
I suppose the major difference is that we by action need to answer his question, "Are you able to drink of the cup that I drink and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with." We will never achieve the mark, but let us strive toward the mark of being as close to Christ as we can in both word and deed.
As I begin, let me say without a doubt in my mind, a person can go to heaven without being immersed under water. That being said, why would anyone want to go any other way.
Why is there so much confusion around a simple Greek word that was translaterated into our language. In the Greek language, in every aspect, it meant to dip, plunge, or immerse in a liquid. John the Baptist baptised near Aenon because there was much water there. Sounds like John might have been doing a little dipping beneath the water. It does not require "much water" to sprinkle or pour. I readily admit that it is so much easier to just dip a rose in water and sprinkle a little on the head than go to the burden of finding a hole of water or building a baptistry in order to immerse. I knew of a Methodist preacher who insisted the new church building have a baptistry in it. His argument was since we give the convert the choice of sprinkling, pouring or immersion it is only right that we provide the same opportunity for them to choose immersion.
Even those churches who believe in immersion as the only mode of baptism there also is a division as to when the person is actually saved. One camp says their baptism is a believer's baptism, only for believers and the other camp says their baptism is sinner's baptism, the sinner is saved during the act of baptism. Those of that persuasion have never tried to explain to me how Cornelius received the Holy Spirit at the same time he is saved during his baptism.
I suppose the major difference is that we by action need to answer his question, "Are you able to drink of the cup that I drink and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with." We will never achieve the mark, but let us strive toward the mark of being as close to Christ as we can in both word and deed.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
How Sensitive Are You?
Joe Brown, a law officer. was killed in the line of duty and the fellow officers were trying to decide who would be the better of the other officers to deliver the message. It was finally decided that Trooper Ingram would be the one to take the word to her. He had always took things so seriously that they thought he would be the appropriate one to deliver the death message.
Trooper Ingram knocked on the front door of the Brown’s cottage and was greeted by Mrs. Brown. Trooper Ingram then asked, “Does Widow Brown live here?” She responded, “My name is Brown, but I am not a widow.” To which the trooper answered, “That’s what you think.”
It is very apparent that Trooper Ingram had a zero sensitivity level. No one should be that insensitive, and most folks could do without as much sensitivity as they already have. They walk around seemingly looking for an opportunity that they can claim offended them. At church the person may be offended because the preacher did not shake their hand. To learn about being sensitive study the lady in the fifteenth chapter of Matthew verses 21-28.
A woman came to Jesus with a problem at home; her daughter had a demon and no one could help her. She had faith that Jesus was the answer. When she first pled her case to Him, he answered her not a word. She continued to beseech him and his disciples said, “Lord, send here away." To make matters worse, Jesus said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”
Most people would have left at that point, but she responded, :Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”
Jesus rewarded her persistence and faith by granting her petition. She knew, what many today do not know, that if you have Jesus, nothing else matters.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Man's Number One Enemy--Tomorrow
A young man approached God with a couple of questions. He said, "God is it true that a penny is the same to you as a million dollars?" God answered, "Yes." Then he asked God, "Is it also true that a minute is the same with you as a million years?" Again God said, "Yes." Then the young man asked, "Would you please give me a million dollars?" God said, "In a minute!"
The young man would have waited longer than the minute, but not a million years. Most of us spend our time waiting on tomorrow. I have decided that the greatest enemy that man faces is the hope of tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Tome Burguillos said: Dreaming of a tomorrow, which tomorrow will be as distant then as 'tis today.
But tomorrow is not the time to make decisions for God. Elijah challenged the people on Mt. Carmel to choose you this day who you will serve. Tomorrow is not the time to witness to others about Christ. Jesus cautioned his disciples to not say 4 months and then comes the harvest but look upon the fields that are white already unto harvest.
Tomorrow is only found on the fool's calender. Tomorrow the smoker will quite. Tomorrow the alcoholic will give up his drink. Tomorrow the dope addict will reform.
But what happens when there is really no tomorrow. For each of us that will be so. There are folks who will be killed in wrecks, have heart attacks, or have strokes--for them there is no tomorrow. The rich man tore down his barns and built bigger barns, yet they were filled to overflowing. He said, "Soul take it easy, you have enough goods laid up for many years." But God came and said, "Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall these things."
Shelly wrote"
"Where art thou, beloved Tomorrow?
When young or old, and strong and weak,
Rich and poor, through joy and sorrow,
Thy sweet smiles we ever seek--
In the place--ah! Well-a-day!
We find the thing we fled--Today."
What if there was a bank that every day deposited into your account $86,400 carried no balance forward and made the money available for you. You could not take out any cash and the balance was deleted at the end of the day to start over again tomorrow. What would you do--stay busy writing checks every day.
There is such a bank. It deposits 86,400 seconds into your account for you to use wisely and enjoy life. Each night the seconds that you have misused or did not use productively are deleted from your account, the record is destroyed. You lose what you do not use. There is no tomorrow.
The young man would have waited longer than the minute, but not a million years. Most of us spend our time waiting on tomorrow. I have decided that the greatest enemy that man faces is the hope of tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Tome Burguillos said: Dreaming of a tomorrow, which tomorrow will be as distant then as 'tis today.
But tomorrow is not the time to make decisions for God. Elijah challenged the people on Mt. Carmel to choose you this day who you will serve. Tomorrow is not the time to witness to others about Christ. Jesus cautioned his disciples to not say 4 months and then comes the harvest but look upon the fields that are white already unto harvest.
Tomorrow is only found on the fool's calender. Tomorrow the smoker will quite. Tomorrow the alcoholic will give up his drink. Tomorrow the dope addict will reform.
But what happens when there is really no tomorrow. For each of us that will be so. There are folks who will be killed in wrecks, have heart attacks, or have strokes--for them there is no tomorrow. The rich man tore down his barns and built bigger barns, yet they were filled to overflowing. He said, "Soul take it easy, you have enough goods laid up for many years." But God came and said, "Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall these things."
Shelly wrote"
"Where art thou, beloved Tomorrow?
When young or old, and strong and weak,
Rich and poor, through joy and sorrow,
Thy sweet smiles we ever seek--
In the place--ah! Well-a-day!
We find the thing we fled--Today."
What if there was a bank that every day deposited into your account $86,400 carried no balance forward and made the money available for you. You could not take out any cash and the balance was deleted at the end of the day to start over again tomorrow. What would you do--stay busy writing checks every day.
There is such a bank. It deposits 86,400 seconds into your account for you to use wisely and enjoy life. Each night the seconds that you have misused or did not use productively are deleted from your account, the record is destroyed. You lose what you do not use. There is no tomorrow.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
God's Valentine Day
The elderly couple had been married for 70 years. Since the first day of their marriage a box had set in the closet. The wife had told her husband to never look in the box. Finally, curosity had its way and the husband sneaked into the closet and opened the box. It contained a pair of baby booties and a large stack of 100 dollar bills. He confessed to his wife that he had sneaked a peak and she said that it was alright. "Tell me what is so amazing about the box that you did not want me to look in it." The wife said, "My mother told me to never have an argument. When I became angry she said for me to crochet a pair of baby booties." The husband said, "You mean you only got angry with me twice in seventy years." To which the wife replied, "No, every time I got a dozen pair crocheted, I would sell them. That's where the money came from."
There must be a lot of love for a marriage to endure 70 years. Valentine Day is just around the corner and a lot of people will be expressing their love through giving cards, candy, flowers or other gifts. I don't know if I ever met someone who did not like Valentine Day. I remember a valentine day when I was in the 7th grade in which I had a crush on a 10th grade girl. I bought a beautiful Valentine to give to her. I mean it was special, I probably paid a quarter for it. People called that type of attraction puppy love. I don't know about that but it was sure real to the puppy. A lot of people get married on puppy love and it usually leads to a dog's life.
But no better day pictures God's love for the human race than Valentine Day. In order for Valentine Day to have a meaning there must be a giver. Someone must give a gift to their loved one. Oh, what a gift God gave when he gave his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the world. No man loved greater than the love of God.
Then there of necessity must be a receiver of the gift. The lover thrills when the card comes, the candy or gift is exchanged. It would be a rare occasion when a person would refuse the Valentine on Valentine's Day. And so it is with God, he only offers his love it is never forced. The scripture says, "He came to his own, but his own received him not, but as many as received him gave he them power to become the sons of God.
Oh, joy of all joys, one day God singled me out of all the people in the world and said, "I want you to be mine." He makes the same offer to each and ever individual in the world. Thank God he loves us in spite of our sinfulness.
There must be a lot of love for a marriage to endure 70 years. Valentine Day is just around the corner and a lot of people will be expressing their love through giving cards, candy, flowers or other gifts. I don't know if I ever met someone who did not like Valentine Day. I remember a valentine day when I was in the 7th grade in which I had a crush on a 10th grade girl. I bought a beautiful Valentine to give to her. I mean it was special, I probably paid a quarter for it. People called that type of attraction puppy love. I don't know about that but it was sure real to the puppy. A lot of people get married on puppy love and it usually leads to a dog's life.
But no better day pictures God's love for the human race than Valentine Day. In order for Valentine Day to have a meaning there must be a giver. Someone must give a gift to their loved one. Oh, what a gift God gave when he gave his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the world. No man loved greater than the love of God.
Then there of necessity must be a receiver of the gift. The lover thrills when the card comes, the candy or gift is exchanged. It would be a rare occasion when a person would refuse the Valentine on Valentine's Day. And so it is with God, he only offers his love it is never forced. The scripture says, "He came to his own, but his own received him not, but as many as received him gave he them power to become the sons of God.
Oh, joy of all joys, one day God singled me out of all the people in the world and said, "I want you to be mine." He makes the same offer to each and ever individual in the world. Thank God he loves us in spite of our sinfulness.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where can you find God?
The drunk had somehow found his way home as he had done so many times before. However, this time his head hurt terribly, and he was sick of his stomach. Upon seeing that his wife was still awake he began to implore her to pray for him. The wife began by saying, "Oh, God, have mercy on my poor drunken husband." At this point, he interrupted her by saying in a whisper, "Don't tell Him that I am drunk!"
It is obvious that his conception of God was completely off base. However, far too many Christians have a conception of God that is almost as bad as the drunk. What type of being do you perceive God to be? Rest assured, God is not all things to all people. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Man cannot manipulate Him into being something that he is not nor count on God to take their side.
Someone asked Abraham Lincoln which side he thought God was on during the Civil War. His response, "My concern is which side is on God's side."
Far to many want a god of convenience; one who would be around in times of need or when things are not going very well. Then when all is well they really have no need for God, yet they hope he will hang around until needed. Rest assureds God is not a part-time god nor will you will find him moon-lighting as a service for individuals.
The values of most are ever changing in accordance to the whims of society. God's values are absolute; things are right or wrong, black or white, and never a mixture of the two. It should be no shock to anyone to discover that God did not give us ten suggestions but rather Ten Commandments. We often speak of breaking the Ten Commandments as if by disobeying the commandment somehow broke it or rendered it no longer effective. One can not "break" the commandments; however, he may break himself against them in trying.
God is much like the manna he sent to the Children of Israel. He is always there as promised. They could not store up manna for a future use; it would ruin. There would be no manna on the Sabbath day, and I am sure that first Sabbath day some came out to gather it and went home hungry. God will be there for you as he has promised. Search the scriptures and claim His promises that he makes to you. You will find He will be the same for you when things are tough as He is when all is well with you. You can count on Him.
It is obvious that his conception of God was completely off base. However, far too many Christians have a conception of God that is almost as bad as the drunk. What type of being do you perceive God to be? Rest assured, God is not all things to all people. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Man cannot manipulate Him into being something that he is not nor count on God to take their side.
Someone asked Abraham Lincoln which side he thought God was on during the Civil War. His response, "My concern is which side is on God's side."
Far to many want a god of convenience; one who would be around in times of need or when things are not going very well. Then when all is well they really have no need for God, yet they hope he will hang around until needed. Rest assureds God is not a part-time god nor will you will find him moon-lighting as a service for individuals.
The values of most are ever changing in accordance to the whims of society. God's values are absolute; things are right or wrong, black or white, and never a mixture of the two. It should be no shock to anyone to discover that God did not give us ten suggestions but rather Ten Commandments. We often speak of breaking the Ten Commandments as if by disobeying the commandment somehow broke it or rendered it no longer effective. One can not "break" the commandments; however, he may break himself against them in trying.
God is much like the manna he sent to the Children of Israel. He is always there as promised. They could not store up manna for a future use; it would ruin. There would be no manna on the Sabbath day, and I am sure that first Sabbath day some came out to gather it and went home hungry. God will be there for you as he has promised. Search the scriptures and claim His promises that he makes to you. You will find He will be the same for you when things are tough as He is when all is well with you. You can count on Him.
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