As you probably know, we are getting ready to enter an election year! Yep, November, 2012 is fast approaching! We are beginning to hear interviews, watch debates and read articles about all the candidates. It will, unfortunately, get ugly between the parties and the candidates.....One thing we will hear is a lot of promises. We will hear something like this, "When elected, I promise........" The question is how many of those promises will they keep???
And so it goes, the trials we face every 4 years here in America. I began to think of all the "promises" that will be made over the next many months and how many of them will be broken after the election. That can really bum you out if you think about it for very long. However, my mind began to dwell on One who has yet to break even one promise He has made. That will make you smile if think about that for any length of time. Yes, we have a Savior, a Heavenly Father who has never broke one promise He has made to us. The Bible says that it is impossible for God to lie. Truth = God. All the promises we have are found in His Word and we stand upon His Word. All the promises of God are "yes" and "amen"! (II Corinthians 1:20-22)
God has left us hundreds of promises in His Word and we can claim them in good times and bad. We don't have a God who is like the shifting sand. His promises are good from the moment He spoke them and through eternity. God is not a politician with hopes of getting reelected, making promises trying to win votes. No! Christ was crowned King of Kings a long, long time ago and that title is not up for grabs! The King of Kings that was, still is, and will be throughout all eternity! God's promises are not dependent on the economy, or the votes of the House or the Senate and there is not one person who has the power to veto what God has promised! Hallelujah!
However, we must realize that some of God's promises are contingent upon our obedience. I have heard it so many times from others, and sad to say that I have done this very thing.....quoting a promise from God but not obeying God at the time- still claiming the promise of God. What do I mean? Well, I have had people talk to me sad about a need that wasn't met, a hope shattered, and they will read a certain verse to me that they claimed and now they doubt God because they feel He didn't come through for them.....but there was one problem.....they weren't walking with God.....the promise they claimed was contingent upon their obedience to God. We can't claim all the promises of God if we are not walking in obedience to Him.
Let me give a few examples. Romans 10:13- "For whosoever shall call upon the the name of the Lord shall be saved." The promise of salvation is a promise that is ours to claim for all time. God doesn't remove our salvation in our moments of disobedience. (Such grace is not a license to sin- but this great grace is something that is ours to rest in at all times!)
John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you"- This is another promise that we can claim at all times. The presence of God is with His children at all times. While we may walk away from Him, He never walks away from us.
Romans 8:1- There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus....."- Another promise that the child of God can claim at any time. We will never, no never face the condemnation of our Father.
But how about Matthew 6:33- "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."- the promise comes after the instruction given to us to seek first the Kingdom of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths" The promise comes after the instruction.
Malachi 3:10, the promises of God opening up the storehouses of heaven and pouring out a blessing so great that we cannot receive it is contingent upon us bringing the tithes and offerings of our first fruits to Him.
These are just a few of the examples. My question is, where are you at today in your walk with the Lord? I ask myself that same question. Are we living like the world yet trying to claim promises that are contingent upon our obedience. We can do that all we want- but I fear that it will be an exercise we will carry out in vain.
You want to live in all the promises of God, do I? Then friend, we must walk in obedience.
Take comfort in those promises of God today. I know, we have a life time of experiencing broken promises, deceptions and embellishments from those in the world that we should be able to trust.....but we do not serve a God who lies or deceives or embellishes! No!! A thousand times NO! We serve a God who cannot lie, who will not lie and we have a whole Book that gives account after account of a God who keeps His Word!!
Testify today to the promises God has kept in your life. People need encouragement, they need to hear from you about the God you serve. Share Christ with someone today.
Are you walking in disobedience?.....ok. We serve a God that allows U-Turns! Just turn around you will find Him right there to embrace you. We serve a God who just doesn't "leave the porch light on" in case we want to come home. He is awake and sees us from afar off and runs to meet us. We serve a Shepherd who leaves the ninety and nine to look for His one lost sheep! Hallelujah!
To God be the Glory!!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Dare to be a Daniel!
Christians can live without a lot of things- but there is one thing that we cannot live without....CONVICTIONS!
The time to set our convictions is not when we are in the fire but rather TODAY. What will we take a stand for...what would we die for? WOW! Even writing that statement gives me some chills. Yet as I listen to the agenda of Satan being carried forth in this world through abortions, pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality and a multitude of other sexual sins, and the atheist goal of destroying all that is a part of America's godly heritage, I know that I better be set in what I am willing to stand for and what I must stand against.
The Old Testament book of Daniel is about a man of convictions. A Godly man who had purposed in his heart what he would and would not do.
Daniel 1:8- But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.
It is easier to resist temptation when our convictions are set in stone prior to the temptation arising.
When Daniel chose to obey God over the king's decree- he found himself being thrown into the lion's den. Daniel had purposed in his heart that he would obey God over man long before being thrown into the lion's den.
Daniel had 3 friends named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many of us might remember being told about these men when we were little. These 3 men were wise like Daniel. In fact we read their story in the book of Daniel. At Daniel's request, the King appointed these men to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon.
When these 3 men refused to bow down to the king- they were brought before the king and questioned concerning the charge against them. Let's look at their reply:
Daniel 3: 16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
These were not 3 men who just spoke "off the cuff" when brought before the king. These were 3 men who had long ago purposed in their heart whom they would serve....only the Lord God Almighty!
We are in the midst of times and will continue to face times when we will be called to stand for Christ. Are we ready? Have we purposed in our heart that we will not bow down to any other god, and that we will never go against our God.
Friends, now is the time, today is the day to have these issues settled in our mind and heart. We must be unshakable, unmovable, even in the toughest of times. It is not easy, and I fear it will get harder. Yet, Jesus went to the cross for us, we must be willing to do the same for Him should that be asked of us.
Now is the time to get to know the Savior- now is the time to plant His Word in your mind and in your heart. Now is the time to call upon Him to help you take a stand. And while we pray for this world to repent and turn back to the One True God, we stand ready to follow Jesus even if no one goes with us.
Dare to be a Daniel! This was a song I learned as a little girl but it still fits today. Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone! (remembering, while we may stand alone humanly speaking, Jesus always stands beside us!)
To God be the glory! I love you dear readers and I lift you up in prayer. If you have any prayer request, please don't hesitate to share them with me. I would love to join you in praying for the concerns of your heart!
The time to set our convictions is not when we are in the fire but rather TODAY. What will we take a stand for...what would we die for? WOW! Even writing that statement gives me some chills. Yet as I listen to the agenda of Satan being carried forth in this world through abortions, pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality and a multitude of other sexual sins, and the atheist goal of destroying all that is a part of America's godly heritage, I know that I better be set in what I am willing to stand for and what I must stand against.
The Old Testament book of Daniel is about a man of convictions. A Godly man who had purposed in his heart what he would and would not do.
Daniel 1:8- But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.
It is easier to resist temptation when our convictions are set in stone prior to the temptation arising.
When Daniel chose to obey God over the king's decree- he found himself being thrown into the lion's den. Daniel had purposed in his heart that he would obey God over man long before being thrown into the lion's den.
Daniel had 3 friends named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many of us might remember being told about these men when we were little. These 3 men were wise like Daniel. In fact we read their story in the book of Daniel. At Daniel's request, the King appointed these men to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon.
When these 3 men refused to bow down to the king- they were brought before the king and questioned concerning the charge against them. Let's look at their reply:
Daniel 3: 16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
These were not 3 men who just spoke "off the cuff" when brought before the king. These were 3 men who had long ago purposed in their heart whom they would serve....only the Lord God Almighty!
We are in the midst of times and will continue to face times when we will be called to stand for Christ. Are we ready? Have we purposed in our heart that we will not bow down to any other god, and that we will never go against our God.
Friends, now is the time, today is the day to have these issues settled in our mind and heart. We must be unshakable, unmovable, even in the toughest of times. It is not easy, and I fear it will get harder. Yet, Jesus went to the cross for us, we must be willing to do the same for Him should that be asked of us.
Now is the time to get to know the Savior- now is the time to plant His Word in your mind and in your heart. Now is the time to call upon Him to help you take a stand. And while we pray for this world to repent and turn back to the One True God, we stand ready to follow Jesus even if no one goes with us.
Dare to be a Daniel! This was a song I learned as a little girl but it still fits today. Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone! (remembering, while we may stand alone humanly speaking, Jesus always stands beside us!)
To God be the glory! I love you dear readers and I lift you up in prayer. If you have any prayer request, please don't hesitate to share them with me. I would love to join you in praying for the concerns of your heart!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What makes a nation great?
Proverbs 14:34- "Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people." (NLT)
In case you haven't had a chance to read a newspaper or turn on the news, please allow me to update you. The world is in pretty bad shape.....The stock market is putting people on edge as they watch it take a dive and in so doing, they see their "retirement" or "future" go down the drain. England is dealing with people rioting in the streets, France and Italy face their own economic woes, and the Middle East....well do I even have to say anything about the unrest there? The terrorist are forever plotting and planning to make bombs or other weapons of mass destruction all in the name of a false god they call Allah.
But it's not just a nation or a government that is in turmoil....it is families, marriages, households. Divorce, abuse, alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, murder, pornography......does it end? What is the answer to this madness?
Well first of all let me say that the answer to the madness is not a "what" but rather "who". We look for answers in politicians, petitions, and policies. While we certainly must use wisdom and caution in electing men and women to help lead the world.....they are not the answer.
We seek help from support groups and psychiatrist. We look for answers in a bottle of pills or another self help book.....but we turned to the wrong physician and search the pages of the wrong book.
We tune into Oprah (how will we live without her?....just fine), Dr Phil or Dr Laura to help us rear our kids and save our marriages....but we fail to go the Owner's manual, seeking advice from the One who made us and the One who created marriage and family.
NO NO NO!! We don't exist on this earth to just "hope for the best" or accept what satan has thrown our way. We have the answer. It is Jesus Christ!
Godliness makes a nation great!! Do we grasp this? It is not a President or a policy or a philosophy. It is Godliness. It is submission to a Holy God who says if you seek Me, you shall find Me! It is turning over our will to do the will of the Master.
God is not some bully living in heaven. He is a pure and holy and righteous God who longs to be a Heavenly Father to all. But He will not share His throne with another. ....and we should be grateful for that. God loves us so much and He understands that since He created us, He is the best One to rule over us. God has no underlying agenda. He is not trying to gain votes or win an election. He is not trying to put on a great show so He can be renewed for another season. He is not trying to write a book that makes its way to the best sellers list (although He did do this!)
God has laid it out plain and clear. The nation that acknowledges Him will be blessed....at the same time He lays out the consequences for the nations that forget Him.
He then gives us the freedom to choose. Somehow we have continued to return to our folly.
Proverbs 26:11- As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. (NLT)
Will we wake up.....will we humble ourselves and fall before His throne, seeking His face, forsaking our sin and following after His Word. Oh how I pray we do that before it is too late. I fear that we are nearing that point of no return.
Will you right now bow your head with me and pray?
Oh Father, right now i come before You....seeking your forgiveness for my straying for my half hearted commitment. I want to follow you at all cost. I want to rise up and follow you even if no one else joins me. I want to seek you and your wisdom in my marriage, my family, my work, my friends, my decisions and my desires. I want everything I do to bring glory to you.
Oh Father, have mercy on this world and may your Holy Spirit convict hearts and heal hearts. May there be a widespread revival across this land. One that is unstoppable.
Oh Father, we do not desire to hate anyone that does not desire to follow you, rather we will pray for them and love them and look for ways to share your love with them. At the same time, we will take a stand against an agenda to indoctrinate our children with the ungodly teachings that tell our children that there is no such thing as absolute truth and that it is ok to experiment with their sexuality. We stand on the Holy Word of God that teaches marriage is between one man and one woman.
Oh Father, heal our minds our hearts and our land.
In the precious name of Jesus
Amen.
Do you know Him,,,,do you know Him as your Savior? If you do not, please do not delay. Click on my tab on how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can have it today. It will be the best decision you will ever make. I dare you to prove me wrong, my friend. I've been a Christian for over 40 years and it has been the bests journey ever!
In case you haven't had a chance to read a newspaper or turn on the news, please allow me to update you. The world is in pretty bad shape.....The stock market is putting people on edge as they watch it take a dive and in so doing, they see their "retirement" or "future" go down the drain. England is dealing with people rioting in the streets, France and Italy face their own economic woes, and the Middle East....well do I even have to say anything about the unrest there? The terrorist are forever plotting and planning to make bombs or other weapons of mass destruction all in the name of a false god they call Allah.
But it's not just a nation or a government that is in turmoil....it is families, marriages, households. Divorce, abuse, alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, murder, pornography......does it end? What is the answer to this madness?
Well first of all let me say that the answer to the madness is not a "what" but rather "who". We look for answers in politicians, petitions, and policies. While we certainly must use wisdom and caution in electing men and women to help lead the world.....they are not the answer.
We seek help from support groups and psychiatrist. We look for answers in a bottle of pills or another self help book.....but we turned to the wrong physician and search the pages of the wrong book.
We tune into Oprah (how will we live without her?....just fine), Dr Phil or Dr Laura to help us rear our kids and save our marriages....but we fail to go the Owner's manual, seeking advice from the One who made us and the One who created marriage and family.
In our despair we finally cave to the lie of the evil one, satan himself. "Everybody's doing it" "It's just the way things are", "welcome to the new generation" . So we close our eyes, cross our fingers and hope for the best.
NO NO NO!! We don't exist on this earth to just "hope for the best" or accept what satan has thrown our way. We have the answer. It is Jesus Christ!
Godliness makes a nation great!! Do we grasp this? It is not a President or a policy or a philosophy. It is Godliness. It is submission to a Holy God who says if you seek Me, you shall find Me! It is turning over our will to do the will of the Master.
God is not some bully living in heaven. He is a pure and holy and righteous God who longs to be a Heavenly Father to all. But He will not share His throne with another. ....and we should be grateful for that. God loves us so much and He understands that since He created us, He is the best One to rule over us. God has no underlying agenda. He is not trying to gain votes or win an election. He is not trying to put on a great show so He can be renewed for another season. He is not trying to write a book that makes its way to the best sellers list (although He did do this!)
God has laid it out plain and clear. The nation that acknowledges Him will be blessed....at the same time He lays out the consequences for the nations that forget Him.
He then gives us the freedom to choose. Somehow we have continued to return to our folly.
Proverbs 26:11- As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. (NLT)
Will we wake up.....will we humble ourselves and fall before His throne, seeking His face, forsaking our sin and following after His Word. Oh how I pray we do that before it is too late. I fear that we are nearing that point of no return.
Will you right now bow your head with me and pray?
Oh Father, right now i come before You....seeking your forgiveness for my straying for my half hearted commitment. I want to follow you at all cost. I want to rise up and follow you even if no one else joins me. I want to seek you and your wisdom in my marriage, my family, my work, my friends, my decisions and my desires. I want everything I do to bring glory to you.
Oh Father, have mercy on this world and may your Holy Spirit convict hearts and heal hearts. May there be a widespread revival across this land. One that is unstoppable.
Oh Father, we do not desire to hate anyone that does not desire to follow you, rather we will pray for them and love them and look for ways to share your love with them. At the same time, we will take a stand against an agenda to indoctrinate our children with the ungodly teachings that tell our children that there is no such thing as absolute truth and that it is ok to experiment with their sexuality. We stand on the Holy Word of God that teaches marriage is between one man and one woman.
Oh Father, heal our minds our hearts and our land.
In the precious name of Jesus
Amen.
Do you know Him,,,,do you know Him as your Savior? If you do not, please do not delay. Click on my tab on how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can have it today. It will be the best decision you will ever make. I dare you to prove me wrong, my friend. I've been a Christian for over 40 years and it has been the bests journey ever!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
"Where is God?"
I have heard this question a lot.....you probably have heard it also. It is the question used by those folks who do not know the Lord as they give excuses as to why they have their doubts about God. Truth be told, it is also a question asked by Christians who get hit with some bad news or tragedy that turns their world upside down.
"Where was God when the twin towers were attacked in New York City?"
"Where is God when bad things happen?"
"Where is God? I just lost my job and I have a family to feed and bills to pay?
On and on the question is asked in various circumstances. Is it a valid question? Well any question is valid if someone is sincerely asking....so let's look today at "Where is God?"
When God put Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave them an incredible gift called "free will". He gave them instructions and He laid out the consequences should they disobey the instructions. In a very short time it was all a mess right there in the garden. The consequence of death kicked in and here we are thousands of years later still facing the consequences of the sin of disobedience that occurred in that garden.
It has intrigued me at times that God did not take away the free will of man that day. The punishment could have been taking away the free will of man but God did not desire to make us robots forcing us to follow Him.
Today is no different. God has given the Bible that is full of instructions....it is full on consequences for those who fail to follow those instructions and He has even laid out the blessings for those who do choose to follow. He has then placed us in this world with a free will.
The sin that we see in abundance in this world is a result of people exercising their free will in a wrong way. God desires that we take the free will that He has given us and surrender it to Him. He longs for us to lay it at His feet and allow ourselves to be controlled by the Holy Spirit not by our free will. But we have to initiate that process. He does not force Himself on us.
Why are the bad stuff happening in the world today? We have not consented to be led by God, and His Holy Spirit.
My job is in the medical field. Every day I am at work my patients are asked to consent to treatments. Someone may have cancer, they may even be in the later stages of cancer and their only hope is surgery. A surgeon cannot just wheel them into the operating room and cut on them against their will. They have to sign a consent form. Most sign the consent....but their are some who refuse. There are some who agree to it and then back out at the last minute. By doing so, they face the consequences laid out for them by the surgeon.
A popular medical term that most folks are familiar with today is the word "DNR" . It means "Do Not Resuscitate." A person has signed a form telling their medical team that if they stop breathing or if they go into a coma or if their heart stops beating, they do not want CPR, they do not want their heart to be shocked with the hopes of restarting it, they do not want to be put on a machine that will breathe for them. The medical team is required to honor the wishes of the patient, even though the consequences may be death itself. We respect the free will of the patient to make such a decision.
I believe most folks in this world have told God, our Heavenly Physician that we want to be a "DNR" He says "Come now and let us reason together....though your sins be as scarlet they can be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson they can be as wool" we say..."No thanks" (Isaiah 1:18)
He says that His Holy Spirit can breathe new life into us.....we say "no thanks" (II Corinthians 3:6)
He offers us a new heart.....we say "no thanks" (Ezekiel 11:19)
He offers to renew our mind- we say "no thanks" (Romans 12:2)
He offers us a total body makeover- "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things become new." (II Corinthians 5:17) we say "No thanks"
The consent form has been laid before us. It has been laid before every nation, every tribe, every tongue, every people. A healing of our land by the Creator Himself. Will we sign on the dotted line?
Time is running out. In medicine we tell patients something obvious. The time to operate on the cancer is sooner rather than later. Cancer spreads, cancer eats away and in time cancer can reach a stage where it becomes inoperable. Death is imminent.
So it is with sin. Sin spreads, sin eats away. The time to take care of sin is the moment we see it crop up in our lives. There comes a time when sin can bring destruction that leaves a permanent scar.....perhaps even damage that cannot be completely repaired.
Where is God? He is everywhere. But He is a gentleman, intervening only where He is invited to do so. He is like the surgeon at the bedside of the patient saying let me help you, sign the consent....I can fix the problem.
America and many other nations have kicked Him out and then wonder where He is at when a tragedy occurs. It's like a patient who refused the surgeon's help now lying on their death bed and wondering where the surgeon is at and why he is not helping to save their life.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me..Revelation 3:20
He is knocking! Will we open the door?
To God be the glory!
"Where was God when the twin towers were attacked in New York City?"
"Where is God when bad things happen?"
"Where is God? I just lost my job and I have a family to feed and bills to pay?
On and on the question is asked in various circumstances. Is it a valid question? Well any question is valid if someone is sincerely asking....so let's look today at "Where is God?"
When God put Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave them an incredible gift called "free will". He gave them instructions and He laid out the consequences should they disobey the instructions. In a very short time it was all a mess right there in the garden. The consequence of death kicked in and here we are thousands of years later still facing the consequences of the sin of disobedience that occurred in that garden.
It has intrigued me at times that God did not take away the free will of man that day. The punishment could have been taking away the free will of man but God did not desire to make us robots forcing us to follow Him.
Today is no different. God has given the Bible that is full of instructions....it is full on consequences for those who fail to follow those instructions and He has even laid out the blessings for those who do choose to follow. He has then placed us in this world with a free will.
The sin that we see in abundance in this world is a result of people exercising their free will in a wrong way. God desires that we take the free will that He has given us and surrender it to Him. He longs for us to lay it at His feet and allow ourselves to be controlled by the Holy Spirit not by our free will. But we have to initiate that process. He does not force Himself on us.
Why are the bad stuff happening in the world today? We have not consented to be led by God, and His Holy Spirit.
My job is in the medical field. Every day I am at work my patients are asked to consent to treatments. Someone may have cancer, they may even be in the later stages of cancer and their only hope is surgery. A surgeon cannot just wheel them into the operating room and cut on them against their will. They have to sign a consent form. Most sign the consent....but their are some who refuse. There are some who agree to it and then back out at the last minute. By doing so, they face the consequences laid out for them by the surgeon.
A popular medical term that most folks are familiar with today is the word "DNR" . It means "Do Not Resuscitate." A person has signed a form telling their medical team that if they stop breathing or if they go into a coma or if their heart stops beating, they do not want CPR, they do not want their heart to be shocked with the hopes of restarting it, they do not want to be put on a machine that will breathe for them. The medical team is required to honor the wishes of the patient, even though the consequences may be death itself. We respect the free will of the patient to make such a decision.
I believe most folks in this world have told God, our Heavenly Physician that we want to be a "DNR" He says "Come now and let us reason together....though your sins be as scarlet they can be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson they can be as wool" we say..."No thanks" (Isaiah 1:18)
He says that His Holy Spirit can breathe new life into us.....we say "no thanks" (II Corinthians 3:6)
He offers us a new heart.....we say "no thanks" (Ezekiel 11:19)
He offers to renew our mind- we say "no thanks" (Romans 12:2)
He offers us a total body makeover- "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things become new." (II Corinthians 5:17) we say "No thanks"
The consent form has been laid before us. It has been laid before every nation, every tribe, every tongue, every people. A healing of our land by the Creator Himself. Will we sign on the dotted line?
Time is running out. In medicine we tell patients something obvious. The time to operate on the cancer is sooner rather than later. Cancer spreads, cancer eats away and in time cancer can reach a stage where it becomes inoperable. Death is imminent.
So it is with sin. Sin spreads, sin eats away. The time to take care of sin is the moment we see it crop up in our lives. There comes a time when sin can bring destruction that leaves a permanent scar.....perhaps even damage that cannot be completely repaired.
Where is God? He is everywhere. But He is a gentleman, intervening only where He is invited to do so. He is like the surgeon at the bedside of the patient saying let me help you, sign the consent....I can fix the problem.
America and many other nations have kicked Him out and then wonder where He is at when a tragedy occurs. It's like a patient who refused the surgeon's help now lying on their death bed and wondering where the surgeon is at and why he is not helping to save their life.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me..Revelation 3:20
He is knocking! Will we open the door?
To God be the glory!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The "right wing Christian fundamentalist"
Last Friday will forever be described as a horrific nightmare for family and friends of 92 people. Last Friday, 92 innocent people had their lives taken from them by a 32 year old male who has been named as a "right wing Christian fundamentalist". Many of the victims were children....teenagers at a youth camp.
May our sincere thoughts and prayers be turned toward the family and friends of these victims and may they find even some small peace in knowing that this murderer is in custody.
As I was reading about this tragedy, I kept reading the term "right wing Christian fundamentalist" and I became curious as to the exact definition of that term. I have heard that term for a long time but I just wondered how the world was defining the term and I was kind of curious to know if I am one of those folks since I am a Christian who stands on the authority of the Word of God.
As I searched my computer to find my answer, I found some information about the beginnings of "Christian fundamentalism " in America. This is what I read and I want to share it with you. I think it is important for us to know about such things that we make speak with wisdom and be able to give answers to those who ask us questions.
My source is Wikipedia
Fundamentalism as a movement arose in the United States, starting among conservative Presbyterian theologians at Princeton Theological Seminary in the late 19th century. It soon spread to conservatives among the Baptist and other denominations around 1910-1920. The momvements\'s purpose was to reaffirm key theological tenets and zealously defend them against the challenges of liberal theology and higher criticism.
The term "fundamentalism" has it's roots in the Niagara Bible Conference (1878-1897) which defined those tenets it considered fundamental to Christian belief. The term was popularized by "The Fundamentals", a collection of twelve books on five subjects published in 1910 and funded by the brothers Milton and Lyman Stewart. This series of essays came to be representative of the "Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy" which appeared late in the 1920's. The first formulation of American fundamentalist beliefs can be traced to the Niagara Bible Conference and, in 1910, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which distilled these into what became known as the "five fundamentals"
1.)The inspiration of the Bible by the Holy Spirit and the inerrancy of Scripture as a result of this
2.) The virgin birth of Christ
3.) The belief that Christ's death was the atonement for sin
4.) The bodily resurrection of Christ
5.) The historical reality of Christ's miracles
By the late 1910's, the theological conservatives rallying around the Five Fundamentals came to be known as "fundamentalist". In practice, the first point regarding the Bible was the focus of most of the controversy.
It is important to distinguish between "Fundamentalism" as the name of a militant style and "fundamentalism" as a theology. Evangelical groups typically agree on the theology "fundamentals" as expressed in The Fundamentals, but often are willing to participate in events with religious groups who do not hold to the essential doctrines. Fundamentalist groups generally refuse to participate in events with such groups who don't hold to the essential doctrines.
Well.....that was a learning time for me when I read that. Those 5 "fundamentals" are doctrines that I take a solid stand on. I guess that would define me as a fundamentalist, theologically speaking. Wikipedia ends by encouraging people to understand the difference between "militant" style fundamentalism and "fundamentalism" as theology. Wikipedia defines the "militant" style fundamentalism as the unwillingness to participate in events with groups that don't hold to the essential doctrines.
I have thought about that and have drawn some conclusions that I believe are based on the Word of God.
Jesus did draw boundaries for His followers- We are reminded to: "Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord"- II Corinthians 6:17
Jesus said that His followers are "not of the world, even as I am not of the world"- John 17:16
Jesus warned His followers that the "world " would hate us - I John 3:13
Jesus tells us not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers- II Corinthians 6:14
Jesus tells us to not be conformed to this world- Romans 12:2
This is just a short list of verses that deal with the followers of Jesus and their relationship with the world and it's philosophy.
But I want to stop there and get to the what seems to be the "Internet question of the day"- Was this killer in Norway a Christian? Good question....so what is the answer?
Well, I am not God and only God knows the hearts of men. However if he was accused of being a Christian and I was on the jury- I really don't have enough evidence to convict him.
While the world will have a great time associating Christianity with this killer they call a "right wing Christian fundamentalist, I want to talk about the one thing that was missing from this killers actions. It was LOVE. This is very telling as it was Jesus who gave the commandment of love and God is the definition of love
When Jesus talked about the life of a believer, He said this: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35.
Let's look at our own lives for a minute. Are we called to take a stand against what is contrary to the Word of God? (abortion, homosexuality....just a few hot topics) Absolutely!
Are we called to be separated from the worldly philosophies? Absolutely!
If so, then why didn't Jesus say "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye.....take a stand against homosexuality.....if ye take a stand against abortion....if ye.....fill in the blank.
No! Jesus said the world would know we were His followers if we had love for one another. Why? why did Jesus say that?
Well, I believe Jesus was teaching us that taking a stand can never supersede love. Even when we stand up for what is right, it must be done in a heart of love or it is not of God.
Love and standing up for the Word of God must go hand in hand- Love without standing for principal also bears rotten fruit- It is the fruit of walking away from Biblical principals in order to just "love everybody". This is why we see churches now marrying homosexuals...just one example. We are called to love homosexuals, we are not called to compromise principal for love. That is not true love!
I think this "love" thing is bringing a crisis to churches. Either we have gone so far to one side of the scale that we have done away with our convictions or we are so set on taking a stand that we fail to do so in love and gentleness. The world has a lot of criticism toward the church and sad to say, at times it is deserved.
Sinners loved Jesus when He walked on this earth! It was the "religious" folks who gave Him a rough time.
Jesus never softened His message but at the same time, He never failed in the area of love.
Back to my original question- Was this killer a Christian? Well as the saying goes, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck then he probably is a duck. Or, to apply it to our lives, if we walk like Jesus and we talk like Jesus, then we probably belong to Jesus. This man did not walk like Jesus, he did not talk like Jesus. Just the opposite, he resembles the evil one the Bible names Satan. We know that satan came to steal, kill and destroy. It is Jesus who came to give life and life more abundant. (John 10:10)
Jesus would have never condoned such behavior as we saw from this killer. Today Jesus is walking in the midst of hurting families and a country asking "Why?" He is there to comfort and to bring peace to all hearts that will invite Him in.
Pray for all the hurting family and friends of the victims. This is an opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
May our sincere thoughts and prayers be turned toward the family and friends of these victims and may they find even some small peace in knowing that this murderer is in custody.
As I was reading about this tragedy, I kept reading the term "right wing Christian fundamentalist" and I became curious as to the exact definition of that term. I have heard that term for a long time but I just wondered how the world was defining the term and I was kind of curious to know if I am one of those folks since I am a Christian who stands on the authority of the Word of God.
As I searched my computer to find my answer, I found some information about the beginnings of "Christian fundamentalism " in America. This is what I read and I want to share it with you. I think it is important for us to know about such things that we make speak with wisdom and be able to give answers to those who ask us questions.
My source is Wikipedia
Fundamentalism as a movement arose in the United States, starting among conservative Presbyterian theologians at Princeton Theological Seminary in the late 19th century. It soon spread to conservatives among the Baptist and other denominations around 1910-1920. The momvements\'s purpose was to reaffirm key theological tenets and zealously defend them against the challenges of liberal theology and higher criticism.
The term "fundamentalism" has it's roots in the Niagara Bible Conference (1878-1897) which defined those tenets it considered fundamental to Christian belief. The term was popularized by "The Fundamentals", a collection of twelve books on five subjects published in 1910 and funded by the brothers Milton and Lyman Stewart. This series of essays came to be representative of the "Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy" which appeared late in the 1920's. The first formulation of American fundamentalist beliefs can be traced to the Niagara Bible Conference and, in 1910, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which distilled these into what became known as the "five fundamentals"
1.)The inspiration of the Bible by the Holy Spirit and the inerrancy of Scripture as a result of this
2.) The virgin birth of Christ
3.) The belief that Christ's death was the atonement for sin
4.) The bodily resurrection of Christ
5.) The historical reality of Christ's miracles
By the late 1910's, the theological conservatives rallying around the Five Fundamentals came to be known as "fundamentalist". In practice, the first point regarding the Bible was the focus of most of the controversy.
It is important to distinguish between "Fundamentalism" as the name of a militant style and "fundamentalism" as a theology. Evangelical groups typically agree on the theology "fundamentals" as expressed in The Fundamentals, but often are willing to participate in events with religious groups who do not hold to the essential doctrines. Fundamentalist groups generally refuse to participate in events with such groups who don't hold to the essential doctrines.
Well.....that was a learning time for me when I read that. Those 5 "fundamentals" are doctrines that I take a solid stand on. I guess that would define me as a fundamentalist, theologically speaking. Wikipedia ends by encouraging people to understand the difference between "militant" style fundamentalism and "fundamentalism" as theology. Wikipedia defines the "militant" style fundamentalism as the unwillingness to participate in events with groups that don't hold to the essential doctrines.
I have thought about that and have drawn some conclusions that I believe are based on the Word of God.
Jesus did draw boundaries for His followers- We are reminded to: "Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord"- II Corinthians 6:17
Jesus said that His followers are "not of the world, even as I am not of the world"- John 17:16
Jesus warned His followers that the "world " would hate us - I John 3:13
Jesus tells us not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers- II Corinthians 6:14
Jesus tells us to not be conformed to this world- Romans 12:2
This is just a short list of verses that deal with the followers of Jesus and their relationship with the world and it's philosophy.
But I want to stop there and get to the what seems to be the "Internet question of the day"- Was this killer in Norway a Christian? Good question....so what is the answer?
Well, I am not God and only God knows the hearts of men. However if he was accused of being a Christian and I was on the jury- I really don't have enough evidence to convict him.
While the world will have a great time associating Christianity with this killer they call a "right wing Christian fundamentalist, I want to talk about the one thing that was missing from this killers actions. It was LOVE. This is very telling as it was Jesus who gave the commandment of love and God is the definition of love
When Jesus talked about the life of a believer, He said this: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35.
Let's look at our own lives for a minute. Are we called to take a stand against what is contrary to the Word of God? (abortion, homosexuality....just a few hot topics) Absolutely!
Are we called to be separated from the worldly philosophies? Absolutely!
If so, then why didn't Jesus say "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye.....take a stand against homosexuality.....if ye take a stand against abortion....if ye.....fill in the blank.
No! Jesus said the world would know we were His followers if we had love for one another. Why? why did Jesus say that?
Well, I believe Jesus was teaching us that taking a stand can never supersede love. Even when we stand up for what is right, it must be done in a heart of love or it is not of God.
Love and standing up for the Word of God must go hand in hand- Love without standing for principal also bears rotten fruit- It is the fruit of walking away from Biblical principals in order to just "love everybody". This is why we see churches now marrying homosexuals...just one example. We are called to love homosexuals, we are not called to compromise principal for love. That is not true love!
I think this "love" thing is bringing a crisis to churches. Either we have gone so far to one side of the scale that we have done away with our convictions or we are so set on taking a stand that we fail to do so in love and gentleness. The world has a lot of criticism toward the church and sad to say, at times it is deserved.
Sinners loved Jesus when He walked on this earth! It was the "religious" folks who gave Him a rough time.
Jesus never softened His message but at the same time, He never failed in the area of love.
Back to my original question- Was this killer a Christian? Well as the saying goes, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck then he probably is a duck. Or, to apply it to our lives, if we walk like Jesus and we talk like Jesus, then we probably belong to Jesus. This man did not walk like Jesus, he did not talk like Jesus. Just the opposite, he resembles the evil one the Bible names Satan. We know that satan came to steal, kill and destroy. It is Jesus who came to give life and life more abundant. (John 10:10)
Jesus would have never condoned such behavior as we saw from this killer. Today Jesus is walking in the midst of hurting families and a country asking "Why?" He is there to comfort and to bring peace to all hearts that will invite Him in.
Pray for all the hurting family and friends of the victims. This is an opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
It's Still the Blood...and it Will Never Lose its Power!
I am in the medical profession and therefore blood is something I deal with each day that I work. I am either taking blood for some lab test, giving blood via a transfusion or looking at lab results from someones blood, making decisions accordingly.
Gloves are an important part of my job. There are too many diseases out there that we know are spread through the blood.....who knows how many more we may learn of before I retire! Therefore, before I draw blood, before I place an IV in someone, before I change a dressing, I am putting on my gloves!
However, there is one place that involves blood where I don't need gloves. In fact, it is a place where I must come bare. That place is the fountain of the cleansing blood of Jesus. It is there I can come transparent, I MUST come transparent and I need not be fearful. This blood is cleansing and healing.
Blood is life giving, it is energy giving. I don't know how many times I have given someone a blood transfusion and after it is through they talk of how much better they feel, how they have more energy! Where once they felt drained, they now feel alive. How true, the life of the flesh is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:14) Yet a blood transfusion is not without risk. We are required to present those risks to the patient for these risks come with life long consequences (AIDS, hepatitis) Yet, when a patient is confronted with life and death and a blood transfusion will give life, the patient will choose life and be willing to take the risk.
The blood of Jesus is life giving.....it is ETERNAL LIFE giving. It also provides strength to the weary sojourner, feeling beat up by what this world has to offer. There is risk involved, there are lifelong consequences. It is the risk of the Lord cleansing you in His blood and then molding you and making you to what HE wants you to be....this never comes without some pain involved. It is the risk of being sent out by the Lord to do a work that you've never done before....to open your mouth and proclaim the Gospel where once you would have remained quiet....there's the risk of being rejected by this world, even the risk of death because you make a decision to take up your cross and follow the One, the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave it all for you.
Yet, hopefully we are like that patient... drained and in need of life giving blood.... faced with the choice of life and death, may we accept the risks and choose life. Plunge into the life giving fountain filled with blood and be cleansed and be refreshed.
IT IS STILL THE BLOOD. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? Do not wait another moment. In prayer receive Him into your life, ask Him to forgive you of all your sin and invite Him in. Begin to live each day walking and talking with Him.
Maybe you know Him but you are weary....you've been living with 1 foot in the Word and 1 foot in the world and it just isn't working for you....plunge yourself in the cleansing, healing fountain and rise up renewed and refreshed. Allow Him to lead you and don't live to please God and the world. We only have one Master and the Bible is clear that no man can serve 2 masters! (Matthew 6)
Whatever is your need, He stands ready to meet you right where you are at! IT'S STILL THE BLOOD!
Gloves are an important part of my job. There are too many diseases out there that we know are spread through the blood.....who knows how many more we may learn of before I retire! Therefore, before I draw blood, before I place an IV in someone, before I change a dressing, I am putting on my gloves!
However, there is one place that involves blood where I don't need gloves. In fact, it is a place where I must come bare. That place is the fountain of the cleansing blood of Jesus. It is there I can come transparent, I MUST come transparent and I need not be fearful. This blood is cleansing and healing.
Blood is life giving, it is energy giving. I don't know how many times I have given someone a blood transfusion and after it is through they talk of how much better they feel, how they have more energy! Where once they felt drained, they now feel alive. How true, the life of the flesh is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:14) Yet a blood transfusion is not without risk. We are required to present those risks to the patient for these risks come with life long consequences (AIDS, hepatitis) Yet, when a patient is confronted with life and death and a blood transfusion will give life, the patient will choose life and be willing to take the risk.
The blood of Jesus is life giving.....it is ETERNAL LIFE giving. It also provides strength to the weary sojourner, feeling beat up by what this world has to offer. There is risk involved, there are lifelong consequences. It is the risk of the Lord cleansing you in His blood and then molding you and making you to what HE wants you to be....this never comes without some pain involved. It is the risk of being sent out by the Lord to do a work that you've never done before....to open your mouth and proclaim the Gospel where once you would have remained quiet....there's the risk of being rejected by this world, even the risk of death because you make a decision to take up your cross and follow the One, the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave it all for you.
Yet, hopefully we are like that patient... drained and in need of life giving blood.... faced with the choice of life and death, may we accept the risks and choose life. Plunge into the life giving fountain filled with blood and be cleansed and be refreshed.
IT IS STILL THE BLOOD. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? Do not wait another moment. In prayer receive Him into your life, ask Him to forgive you of all your sin and invite Him in. Begin to live each day walking and talking with Him.
Maybe you know Him but you are weary....you've been living with 1 foot in the Word and 1 foot in the world and it just isn't working for you....plunge yourself in the cleansing, healing fountain and rise up renewed and refreshed. Allow Him to lead you and don't live to please God and the world. We only have one Master and the Bible is clear that no man can serve 2 masters! (Matthew 6)
Whatever is your need, He stands ready to meet you right where you are at! IT'S STILL THE BLOOD!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Oh what a Savior!
If you are breathing right now then you probably have some knowledge of the Casey Anthony trial that recently finished up in Florida. A young woman accused of murdering her little girl has spent the last few years in jail awaiting trial. Her trial recently finished up and she was found not guilty of the murder. She was found guilty of lying to the police and was sentenced for that crime but time already served was credited to that and she was released from jail this past Sunday.
Oh the outrage that this verdict caused! This woman will probably not have an easy life outside of jail since most think she is guilty of this murder and the threats toward her and the media that are trying to follow her every move must make life very difficult for her.
Did this woman murder her child? I do not know. I did not follow the trial and I am not God. Only God knows for sure whether this woman is guilty or innocent.....and rest assured nothing escapes His watchful eye.
So I do not write this entry about Casey Anthony. I want to talk about our amazing Savior. Yesterday as I was among someone who was talking about this woman, she turned and said to me "Of course, you subscribe to the theory that all she has to do is call on Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness and everything will be ok for her and she will go to heaven" I was caught a little off guard as I had not said anything about this trial or this woman. But this was my reply: "I do not subscribe to a theory. I stand on the Word of God...." She then said "And where is that in the Bible?" I replied "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)
Those of us who have been Christians for a while and are familiar with these verses can quote them quickly without thinking about them....but God caused me at the moment I quoted them to really THINK about what I was saying.
The world may never leave Casey Anthony alone, hunting her down, harassing her.. She will remain "Guilty" in the eyes of the world and hated by many folks who believe with all their heart that she is a murderer of a beautiful little girl. But God...(you've got to love that phrase..."But God") is not like us. Even if she is guilty, the Hound of Heaven is on the hunt of her! Not so He can follow her with a camera and televise her every move, not so He can harm her and harass her and make her life a living nightmare. The Hound of Heaven hunts her down that He might wash her in His blood cleansing her soul and pronouncing her blameless before His Father. (Colossians 1:22)
Oh what a Savior! Oh what a friend of sinners! He can make the vilest sinner clean! Who is the vilest sinner? Oh we don't like to admit it but Casey Anthony is not the only "vilest of sinners". You and I are right there with her. Our only hope is not our life or our actions but our only hope is Jesus Christ.
It is not mine to judge the Casey Anthony trial. The verdict has been read the the verdict stands. I don't know if she is guilty or innocent. There is probably a lot of arguments that support both sides of the story. My job, your job is to shout from the rooftops that Jesus saves!
Are you on the run? Are you entangled in sin, running from your accusers? Let me encourage you to run in one direction, toward the cross! Run into the arms that are open wide, waiting to embrace you and cleanse you!
Oh what a Savior!
Oh the outrage that this verdict caused! This woman will probably not have an easy life outside of jail since most think she is guilty of this murder and the threats toward her and the media that are trying to follow her every move must make life very difficult for her.
Did this woman murder her child? I do not know. I did not follow the trial and I am not God. Only God knows for sure whether this woman is guilty or innocent.....and rest assured nothing escapes His watchful eye.
So I do not write this entry about Casey Anthony. I want to talk about our amazing Savior. Yesterday as I was among someone who was talking about this woman, she turned and said to me "Of course, you subscribe to the theory that all she has to do is call on Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness and everything will be ok for her and she will go to heaven" I was caught a little off guard as I had not said anything about this trial or this woman. But this was my reply: "I do not subscribe to a theory. I stand on the Word of God...." She then said "And where is that in the Bible?" I replied "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)
Those of us who have been Christians for a while and are familiar with these verses can quote them quickly without thinking about them....but God caused me at the moment I quoted them to really THINK about what I was saying.
The world may never leave Casey Anthony alone, hunting her down, harassing her.. She will remain "Guilty" in the eyes of the world and hated by many folks who believe with all their heart that she is a murderer of a beautiful little girl. But God...(you've got to love that phrase..."But God") is not like us. Even if she is guilty, the Hound of Heaven is on the hunt of her! Not so He can follow her with a camera and televise her every move, not so He can harm her and harass her and make her life a living nightmare. The Hound of Heaven hunts her down that He might wash her in His blood cleansing her soul and pronouncing her blameless before His Father. (Colossians 1:22)
Oh what a Savior! Oh what a friend of sinners! He can make the vilest sinner clean! Who is the vilest sinner? Oh we don't like to admit it but Casey Anthony is not the only "vilest of sinners". You and I are right there with her. Our only hope is not our life or our actions but our only hope is Jesus Christ.
It is not mine to judge the Casey Anthony trial. The verdict has been read the the verdict stands. I don't know if she is guilty or innocent. There is probably a lot of arguments that support both sides of the story. My job, your job is to shout from the rooftops that Jesus saves!
Are you on the run? Are you entangled in sin, running from your accusers? Let me encourage you to run in one direction, toward the cross! Run into the arms that are open wide, waiting to embrace you and cleanse you!
Oh what a Savior!
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