5 Easter Truths

Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

There are five truths I want to share with you this Easter Sunday:

1. Jesus loves you no matter what you have done-Jesus loves you and died for you.

2 Peter 3:9 “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”

2. Salvation is a free gift. You don’t earn it or deserve it, yet you can ask him for it!

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 3:23.

3. God always hears and answers prayer. The Bible says He hears us even before we pray.

1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

4. If God be for us then who can be against us. You need to be on God’s side. He will fight your battles for you.

Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, then who can be against us.”

5. Jesus will never us or forsake us.


Hebrews 13:5 “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Happy Easter! Jesus is alive!

The Easter Promise

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV

The Easter message is bold and clear
for all who are willing to lend an ear.
He came to establish the reason why
mankind may no longer have to die.

He died - then rose to life again
for Son of God is how He came.
And to do such deeds no other can
proves Him more than mortal man.

He promised followers, every one,
they would not die but follow Him
to eternal life, in a heavenly land
as at beginning God has planned.
And,given His death and resurrection,
of His promise there can be no question.

A promise of life beyond the earth
must come from One surviving death.
From any other the promise is vain,
false prophets fail, they are but men.
And in this world there is no gain
being misled by any one of them.

Follow Christ if life you prize.
This is the choice of the wise.
Deny Him and then ask why
you set yourself prepared to die.
Life is hard but Christians cope
because with Christ they live in HOPE.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 NKJV
-William Sutcliffe-

The Resurrection of Jesus

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ an historical event that really happened, or is it only a myth, as many atheists claim? While no one witnessed the actual resurrection, many people swore they saw the risen Christ after his death, and their lives were never the same.
Archaeological discoveries continue to support the Bible's historical accuracy. We tend to forget that the Gospels and book of Acts are eyewitness accounts of the life and death of Jesus. Further nonbiblical evidence for Jesus' existence comes from the writings of Flavius Josephus, Cornelius Tacitus, Lucian of Samosata, and the Jewish Sanhedrin. The following seven proofs of the resurrection show that Christ did, indeed, rise from the dead.

-The Empty Tomb of Jesus

The empty tomb may be the strongest proof Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Two major theories have been advanced by unbelievers: someone stole Jesus' body or the women and disciples went to the wrong tomb. The Jews and Romans had no motive to steal the body. Christ's apostles were too cowardly and would have had to overcome the Roman guards. The women who found the tomb empty had earlier watched Jesus being laid away; they knew where the correct tomb was. Even if they had gone to the wrong tomb, the Sanhedrin could have produced the body from the right tomb to stop the resurrection stories. Jesus' burial cloths were left neatly folded inside, hardly the act of hurrying grave robbers. Angels said Jesus had risen from the dead.

-The Holy Women Eyewitnesses

The holy women eyewitnesses are further proof that the Gospels are accurate historical records. If the accounts had been made up, no ancient author would have used women for witnesses to Christ's resurrection. Women were second class citizens in Bible times; their testimony was not even allowed in court. Yet the Bible says the risen Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene and other holy women. Even the apostles did not believe Mary when she told them the tomb was empty. Jesus, who always had special respect for these women, honored them as the first eyewitnesses to his resurrection. The male Gospel writers had no choice but to report this embarrassing act of God's favor, because that was how it happened.

-Jesus' Apostles' New-Found Courage

After the crucifixion, Jesus' apostles hid behind locked doors, terrified they would be executed next. But something changed them from cowards to bold preachers. Anyone who understands human character knows people do not change that much without some major influence. That influence was seeing their Master, bodily risen from the dead. Christ appeared to them in the locked room, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and on the Mount of Olives. After seeing Jesus alive, Peter and the others left the locked room and preached the risen Christ, unafraid of what would happen to them. They quit hiding because they knew the truth. They finally understood that Jesus is God incarnate, who saves people from sin.

-Changed Lives of James and Others

Changed lives are yet another proof of the resurrection. James, the brother of Jesus, was openly skeptical that Jesus was the Messiah. Later James became a courageous leader of the Jerusalem church, even being stoned to death for his faith. Why? The Bible says the risen Christ appeared to him. What a shock to see your own brother, alive again, after you knew he was dead. James and the apostles were effective missionaries because people could tell these men had touched and seen the risen Christ. With such zealous eyewitnesses, the early church exploded in growth, spreading west from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. For 2,000 years, encounters with the resurrected Jesus have changed lives.

-Large Crowd of Eyewitnesses

A large crowd of more than 500 eyewitnesses saw the risen Jesus Christ at the same time. The Apostle Paul records this event in 1 Corinthians 15:6. He states that most of these men and women were still alive when he wrote this letter, about 55 A.D. Undoubtedly they told others about this miracle. Today, psychologists say it would be impossible for a large crowd of people to have had the same hallucination at once. Smaller groups also saw the risen Christ, such as the apostles, and Cleopas and his companion. They all saw the same thing, and in the case of the apostles, they touched Jesus and watched him eat food. The hallucination theory is further debunked because after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, sightings of him stopped.

-Conversion of Paul

The conversion of Paul records the most drastically changed life in the Bible. As Saul of Tarsus, he was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. When the risen Christ appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road, Paul became Christianity's most determined missionary. He endured five floggings, three beatings, three shipwrecks, a stoning, poverty, and years of ridicule. Finally the Roman emperor Nero had Paul beheaded because the apostle refused to deny his faith in Jesus. What could make a person willingly accept—even welcome—such hardships? Christians believe the conversion of Paul came about because he encountered Jesus Christ who had risen from the dead.

-They Died for Jesus

Countless people have died for Jesus, absolutely certain that the resurrection of Christ is an historical fact. Tradition says ten of the original apostles died as martyrs for Christ, as did the Apostle Paul. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of early Christians died in the Roman arena and in prisons for their faith. Down through the centuries, thousands more have died for Jesus because they believed the resurrection is true. Even today, people suffer persecution because they have faith that Christ rose from the dead. An isolated group may give up their lives for a cult leader, but Christian martyrs have died in many lands, for nearly 2,000 years, believing Jesus conquered death to give them eternal life.

Why We Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead:

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms His life, message, and atoning work. It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming. Here are some of the reasons we can be so sure.

1. Jesus predicted His resurrection (Matt 16:21; Mark 9:9-10; John 2:18-22).

2. The Old Testament prophesied it (Psalm 16:10; compare Acts 2:25-31; 13:33-37).

3. The tomb was empty and the grave clothes vacant. if those who opposed Christ wished to silence His disciples, all they had to do was produce a body, but they could not (John 20:3-9).

4. Many people saw the resurrected Christ. They looked on His face, touched Him, heard His voice, and saw Him eat (Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:13-39; John 20:11-29; John 21:1-9; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-8).

5. The lives of the disciples were revolutionized. Though they fled and even denied Christ at the time of His arrest, they later feared no one in their proclamation of the risen Christ (Matt 26:56, 69-75).6. The resurrection was the central message of the early church. The church grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and was the Lord of the church (Acts 4:33; 5:30-32; Rom. 5:24).

6. Men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives. We know that Jesus is alive not only because of the historical and biblical evidence but also because He has miraculously touched our lives.

Celebrate Jesus

Sometimes I think the church has forgotten how to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Maybe it's because we have forgotten what Jesus has done for us or maybe it's because the stories of the Bible have gotten old and we haven’t been around any new believers to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Whatever the case let me share with you a story that proves the power of the resurection is still fresh enough to touch lives in a powerful way. 

Ben Paterson tells of what happened to a tribe in the jungles of East Asia, when missionaries showed them the Jesus film. It was a big deal when he was in Seminary and one of his friends was a missionary telling him about all that was going on with the Jesus Film. The movie was being shown as an evangelistic tool to people all ove the world even in the desert and the jungles Not only had some of these people never heard of Jesus, they had never seen a motion picture. And on that one unforgettable evening, they saw it all with the gospel in their own language, visible and real.

Imagine again how it felt to see this good man Jesus, who healed the sick and was adored by children, held without trial and beaten by jeering soldiers. As these East Asians watched this, the people came unglued. They stood up and began to shout at the cruel men on the screen, demanding that this outrage stop. When nothing happened, they attacked the missionary running the projector. Perhaps he was responsible for this injustice He was forced to stop the film and explain that the story wasn’t over yet, that there was more. So they settled back onto the ground, holding their emotions in tenuous check.

Then came the crucifixion. Again, the people could not hold back. They began to weep and wail with such loud grief that once again the film had to be stopped. The missionary again tried to calm them, explaining that the story still wasn’t over, that there was more. So they composed themselves and sat down to see what happened next. Then came the resurrection.

Pandemonium broke out this time, but for a different reason. The gathering had spontaneously erupted into a party. The noise now was of jubilation, and it was deafening. The people were dancing and slapping each other on the back. The Christ is risen, indeed Again the missionary had to shut off the projector. But this time he didn’t tell them to calm down and wait for what was next. All that was supposed to happen—in the story and in their lives—was happening.

"It is Finished"

The disciples surely thought it was finished,
that the world had gone insane.
How could the Father allow this to happen?
Was Jesus teaching all in vain?

Both Mary's surely thought it was finished,
as they witnessed their worst fears,
seeing the Man they both loved near death.
They could hardly see Him through their tears.

The high priests surely thought it was finished,
their voices rising in a victory shout,
as they watched their plan grow to fruition,
thinking their competition had been wiped out.

Pontius Pilate just wanted it finished.
To what crimes can this Man confess?
Since I can find no fault with Him,
I will simply wash my hands of this mess.

Judas conscience surely knew he was finished,
as he regretted his actions too late.
He had betrayed the only Son of God,
and his name would earn history's hate.

The thief surely thought he was finished,
receiving just punishment for his life of sin,
until a single plea, Lord, remember me,
his new home in paradise to win.

The centurion surely thought, we're finished.
What is this wicked deed we have done?
As the earth beneath his feet trembled,
Surely this Man was God's Son.

Jesus cried out, it is finished.
Yet it had only just begun.
The Father and Son were reunited.
The two deities again became one.

Christ cried out, it is finished.
But it was only just beginning.
The apostles would continue His mission.
Hearts and souls they would soon be winning.

Satan's power over us, it is finished,
since Christ played the Sacrificial Lamb's part.
Jesus gave His life for you and me.
He's become the focus of the Christian's heart.
~ Lanette Kissel ~
Copyright © 2013
All Rights Reserved

HE'S NO LONGER IN THE GRAVE

In 1887, twenty two years after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, his coffin was dug up and opened because there were constant rumors that his body was not in the grave. So they dug it up and the body was there. The rumors continued so 14 years later they had to dig it up again. Both times witnesses were present who testified that Lincoln was still in the grave.

Three days after the death of Jesus Christ, similar rumors began to spread throughout the land of Israel. Only this time there were no witnesses who could say that they had seen His body. In fact, to the contrary, many witnesses claimed to have seen him out of His grave and even talked with Him after the resurrection.

As great a man as Lincoln was there were witnesses to prove he was still in the grave. If one of our Presidents or another leader in our government were to cry out today to Lincoln for help, there would be no response. If a scientist were to cry out to Einstein for help today there would only be empty silence. If someone were to call out to Mohammed or Buddha or Gandhi today there would be no help. But if you and I call out to Jesus Christ there is instant power available to us... power to change lives ...why? Because He lives!

EVEN IF IT’S DARK

He was a strong man facing an enemy beyond his strength. His young wife had become gravely ill, then suddenly passed away, leaving the big man alone with a wide-eyed, flaxen-haired girl, not quite five years old. The service in the village chapel was simple, and heavy with grief. After the burial at the small cemetery, the man’s neighbors gathered around him. "Please, bring your little girl and stay with us for several days," someone said. "You shouldn’t go back home just yet." Brokenhearted though he was, the man answered, "Thank you, friends, for the kind offer, but we need to go back home--where she was. My baby and I must face this." So, they returned, the big man and his little girl, to what now seemed an empty, lifeless house.

The man brought his daughter’s little bed into his room so they could face the first dark night together. As the minutes slipped by that night, the young girl was having a dreadful time trying to sleep and so was her father. What could pierce a man’s heart deeper than a child sobbing for a mother who would never come back? Long into the night, the little one continued to weep. The big man reached down into her bed, and tried to comfort her as best he could. After a while, the little girl managed to stop crying, but only out of sorrow for her father. Thinking his daughter was asleep, the father looked up and said brokenly, "I trust You, Father, but it’s dark midnight"

Hearing her dad’s prayer, the little girl began to cry again. "I thought you were asleep, baby," he said. "Papa, I did try. I was sorry for you. I did try, but I couldn’t go to sleep. Papa, did you ever know it could be so dark? Why, Papa, I can’t even see you, it’s so dark." Then, through her tears, the little girl whispered, "But you love me, even if it’s dark, don’t you, Papa? You love me even if I don’t see you, don’t you, Papa?"

For an answer, the big man reached across with his massive hands, lifted his little girl out of her bed, brought her over onto his chest and held her, until at last she fell asleep. When she was finally, quiet, he began to pray. He took his little daughter’s cry to him, and passed it up to God. "Father, it’s dark as midnight. I can’t see You at all, but You love me, even when it’s dark and I can’t see, don’t You?" From the blackest of hours, the Lord touched him with new strength, enabling him to carry on. He knew that God went on loving him, even in the dark.

POSSUMS AND THE GRAVE

I have heard that possums are smart animals. You wouldn’t think so because you hardly ever see one except when it’s dead on the road. There’s a joke that goes, “why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done!”

But possums, it turns out, are smart. They won’t enter a hole if there’s just one set of tracks going into it. They know there’s something in there. But if there are two sets of tracks. The possum will enter and not be afraid.

The message of Easter is that we can enter the grave - we don’t have to fear death because there are tracks leading out of the tomb. Paul preached the proclamation of Easter: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

This is the message that we need to hear this Easter. Jesus is risen!

God Said

God said He would turn it around
God said He would turn it around
What the devil meant for evil
God will make it good
Turn around, Turn around, Turn around


I know it may be midnight
But Joy is soon to come
I know it may be midnight
But Joy is soon to come
I know it feels like midnight
But Joy is soon to come
Give him all the praise
For God is in control

He will give you beauty for ashes
Joy for your pain
Priase for your sadness
As you remember his name
Mourning into dancing
Sorrow into Joy
Every day will be sweeter than the day before

Ode to John Henry Ramsey

When I first met John Henry Ramsey many years ago at our State Senior Adult Retreat he introduced himself to me as a former West Virginia Hillbilly. That was not a slur or a cut by any means because he was proud of his heritage and proud of his history. Little did I know then that Brother John would be my member a few years later and serve on my council and as a ministry leader in my church.

Several things I learned about this man:

-He loved his Lord. He would always tell me and others about his relationship and life for the Lord. He told me just two days ago that he wished he could have helped me more tell people about Jesus and what he could do in their lives.

-He loved his family. Some of the stories he would tell me about he and Little John coon hunting, about the grandchildren, or about growing up in the hills of West Virginia were fascinating. He loved his precious wife and the entire family. I showed him a picture of he and his great grandson Gabriel that was posted on Facebook before church one Sunday morning and you should have seen the look on his face. He loved his family.

-He loved his church family and his pastor. Brother John would have done anything and everything to help keep Donaldson alive. There were times when we didn't agree on everything (as it happens with all human beings), but he cared enough about me and his church family that he wanted things to go forward. He was well respected by his peers and wanted his pastor to have the same respect. In fact he told me again Tuesday night that he wished he would have been physically able to help me more than he was during my administration here.

-He loved his banjo. Let me just say, the man could pick. He had a chance years ago to be a part of the bluegrass band at Dollywood and I asked him Tuesday if he ever regretted passing up that opportunity. He said what all of us musicians, who have had a chance to play professionally say, "Sometimes." He and Earl Scruggs would have enjoyed picking together. The man could make a banjo talk as evidenced by all the awards he won for his playing through the years. Through our website, Youtube, Godtube, and other media he had people from Africa and India who got to hear him play.

Well, Brother John is with Jesus now. His hurting is over and his body is functioning perfectly. All I can say to the Lord is (and He already knows this) if there is a tractor in glory that needs to be overhauled you brought home the right man. And if you need a little bluegrass in that heavenly band, you got the right man. I will miss him here, but I plan to see him again.

John Henry Ramsey, I salute you. Another soldier of the cross has made it home.

The Glory Of The Resurrection

No resurrection no life beyond the grave.
No hope of Heaven for none would be saved.
There would be no forgiveness for our sin
and no hope for mankind to begin again.

Jesus bore our sins and took our stripes
through Him we may have eternal life.
The resurrection was part of God's plan
to settle the sin debt for sinful man.

Had not our Lord hung on the cross
we all would remain hopelessly lost.
Mankind owed a debt we could not pay
the shedding of blood was the only way.

The blood of animals, the spotless lambs
did not suffice to redeem fallen man.
It pleased God for Jesus to give His life
so Jesus became our perfect sacrifice.

Just as winter always gives way to spring,
nature is revived and birds begin to sing.
Death gave way to life on resurrection day
and God raised Jesus to show us the way.

If God can cause nature to bring new birth
after a hard cold winter covers the earth.
Then God can give a fresh start to fallen man
by a new birth and a chance to start again.
~ Lenora McWhorter ~
Copyright © 2013
All Rights Reserved

Are You Ready?

Jesus’ disciples asked Him one day, “ ‘What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ” in Matthew 24:3. This question is still being asked today.

We don’t know when Jesus will come.
During the past century, various groups and individuals have set dates for Jesus’ second coming, among them: 1914, 1964, 1988, and 1994. During the 1990s, some people predicted that Jesus would come on or about the year 2000. However, Jesus said, “ ‘No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father’ ” in Verse 36.

So, it’s useless to set dates for the second coming of Jesus ourselves or to get excited about the dates others set. Many people get burned out when date after date passes and nothing happens, and they give up all hope in Jesus’ return.

We can know when His coming is near. Jesus did say, however, that we can know when His coming is near, just as we know that summer is near when we see leaves sprouting on the trees in Verses 32, 33. And He gave us several signs by which we can know this.

One of these signs is the global preaching of the gospel. “ ‘This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,’ ” He said, “ ‘and then the end will come’ ” in Verse 14.

We will never know when every person on earth has had a chance to hear the good news about Jesus and His offer of eternal life to all who believe in Him. It is very evident that it’s easier today than it ever has been in human history to share the good news with every human being. With the advent of TV, radio, books, magazines, newspapers, and now the Internet and the World Wide Web the whole world could hear the gospel overnight.

The Bible also says that shortly before Jesus returns, the world will be very fascinated with spiritualism and communication with demonic spirits. For example, Jesus said that prior to His return “ ‘false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible’ ” in Verse 24. In a similar passage in Revelation, John said that “demons performing miraculous signs” will gather the kings of the earth for the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16:14–16. And Paul said that at the time of Jesus’ return, Satan will come displaying “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” in 2 Thessalonians 2:9.
Jesus predicted that prior to His return impostors will appear at various places on earth, claiming to be Him. “ ‘Watch out,’ ” He said. “ ‘For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many.’ ” That’s why He warned, “ ‘If anyone tells you, “There he is, out in the desert,” do not go out; or, “Here he is, in the inner rooms,” do not believe it’ ” in Matthew 24:4, 5, 26.

Fortunately, no one has to be deceived. There are three ways you can recognize the real Jesus when He comes.

His coming will be a public event. For one thing, Jesus’ coming will be the most public event in the history of the world. The Bible says, “Every eye will see him” says Revelation 1:7, and Jesus Himself said, “ ‘As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man ” in Verse 27.

Not only will Jesus’ coming be visible, it will also be very, very audible. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God." And he told the church in Corinth that “the trumpet will sound” at Jesus’ second coming in 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Jesus also said that He will come ‘on the clouds of the sky’ in Matthew 24:30, a fact that is repeated several times in the New Testament. For example, in Revelation, John wrote, “Look, he is coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Later, in an actual vision of Jesus’ second coming, John said, “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one ‘like a son of man’ ” (Revelation 14:14).

Jesus said in John 5:28,29 , "A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out." Those who have done good “ ‘will rise to live’ ” (verse 29). Jesus didn’t say just when this will happen, but Paul explained that it will happen at Jesus’ second coming: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, . . . and the dead in Christ will rise first” again in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

So you can know that anyone claiming to be Jesus is an impostor unless he appears on clouds in the sky with the sound of a loud trumpet and raises the dead to life.

You can be ready. Even some people who think they are ready for Jesus’ second coming will discover they aren’t. He warned, “ ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven’ ” (Matthew 7:21).

So, what must you and I do to be ready for Jesus to come?

First, we must recognize the wrong things we’ve done and make them right. If we’ve harmed someone, we should make amends. And while God doesn’t require us to overcome all of our bad habits before He will accept us, He does want us to acknowledge them and put ourselves on the side of overcoming them. The Bible calls this “repentance” and “confession.” We must also accept Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and ask Him to forgive those sins.

When we have met all of these conditions, God does two things for us. First, He forgives us. And second, He transforms our minds and emotions so that the evil things we once loved we now hate and the good things we once hated we now love. Christians call this the “new birth.”

Are you getting tired of pain and suffering and sickness and death? God promises that in the new home Jesus is preparing for us “ ‘he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will have] passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4).

When Jesus comes, those of your friends and loved ones who were believers and have since died will be raised to life. They will join with God’s people who are still alive on the earth, “and so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). No wonder the Bible invites us to “encourage each other with these words” (verse 18).

Wouldn’t you like to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes? All you have to do is ask Him to come into your life.

The best fact of all is that you can say that prayer right now!

The Bible

An unusual thing has happened in America. The number one program on television has been "The Bible". It as amazed me at how many non-church people have watched and commented favorably on this mini-series. It has been done wonderfully even though some critics say it has too much fluff (although I did like the Ninja angels).

Whether you agree with everything or not it has captivated the viewing audience. For whatever reason you believe all I can say is it is working and I hope they give us more. Can't wait until they deal with the resurrection on Easter Sunday night. It will be awesome.

My point of this blog is that we tend to be critical of things that we have our opinion of if it goes beyond our opinion. The older I get the more I ask God to help me be open to new ways to share the gospel. After last night's showing I don't know how you could do much more to make the Word if God come alive on screen.

Yes, I know the fiery furnace was different than we think and so was the den of lions. I also wanted to see the Holy Spirit as a dove descend upon Jesus and a few other nuances, but people are watching and who knows somebody just might get saved.

Now wouldn't that be a kicker-somebody getting saved watching a secular television show about the Bible. I wonder what Jesus would think about that? I think He would just smile and say, "Welcome."

The Church

What is the church? Is the church a building? Is it the place where believers gather to worship? Or is the church the believers who follow Christ? How we understand and perceive the church is quite important in determining how we live out our faith.

Jesus was the first to mention the church in Matthew 16:16–18:
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Though many believe Jesus noted the meaning of Peter's name here as rock, there was no supremacy given to him by Christ. Rather, Jesus was referring to Peter's declaration: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This confession of faith is the rock upon which the church is built, and just like Peter, everyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord is a part of the church.

The word "church" as rendered in the New Testament comes from the Greek term "ekklesia" which is formed from two Greek words meaning "an assembly" and "to call out" or "called out ones." In summary, the New Testament church is a body of believers who have been called out from the world by God to live as his people under the authority of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). This group of believers or "the body of Christ" began in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost through the work of the Holy Spirit and will continue to be formed until the day of the rapture of the church.

The local church is defined as a local assembly of believers or a congregation that meets together physically for worship, fellowship, teaching, prayer and encouragement in the faith (Hebrews 10:25). At the local church level, we are able to live in relationship with other believers.We break bread together, pray for each other, disciple, and strengthen one another. At the same time, all believers are members of the universal church. The universal church is made up of every single person who has exercised faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, including members of every local church body throughout the earth (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23).

The founder of the "home church" movement in England, Canon Ernest Southcott, said it best:
"The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people strengthened by preaching and sacrament go out of the church door into the world to be the church. We don’t go to church; we are the church." The church, therefore, is not a place. It's not the building, it's not the location, and it's not the denomination. We—God's people who are in Christ Jesus—are the church.

The purpose of the church is two-fold. The church comes together (or assembles) for the purpose of bringing each member to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13). The church reaches out (scatters) to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to unbelievers in the world (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the Great Commission. So, the purpose of the church is to minister to believers and unbelievers.

The church is important because it is one of the main vehicles through which God carries out his purposes on earth. The church is the body of Christ—his heart, his mouth, his hands and feet—reaching out to the world.

1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Is Church Still Important?

What does the bible say about church attendance? The Bible tells us to meet together as believers and to encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

The reason I encourage Christians to find a good church is because the Bible instructs us to be in relationship with other believers. If we are part of Christ's body, we will recognize our need to fit into the body of believers. The church is the place where we come together to encourage one another as members of Christ's body. Together we fulfill an important purpose on the Earth.

As members of the body of Christ, we belong to each other.
Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

It is actually for our own good that God wants us in fellowship with other believers. We need each other to grow up in the faith, to learn to serve, to love one another, and to practice forgiveness. Though we are individuals, we still belong to one another.

When you give up on attending church, what's at stake? Well, to put it in a nutshell: the unity of the body, your own spiritual growth, protection and blessing are all at risk when you're disconnected from the body of Christ.

Christ's body is made of many parts, yet it is still one unified entity.

1 Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."

1 Corinthians 12:14-23 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness."

1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Unity in the body of Christ does not mean total conformity and uniformity. Although maintaining unity in the body is very important, it is also vital to value the unique qualities that make each of us an individual "part" of the body. Both aspects, unity and individuality, deserve emphasis and appreciation. This makes for a healthy church body, when we remember that Christ is our common denominator. He makes us one.

We also develop the character of Christ through bearing with one another in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:2 "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love..."

How else will we grow spiritually unless we interact with other believers? We learn humility, gentleness and patience, developing the character of Christ as we relate within the body of Christ.

-In the body of Christ we exercise our spiritual gifts to serve and minister to one another-1 Peter 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; James 5:16

We will discover a satisfying sense of fulfillment when we begin to carry out our purpose in the body of Christ. We are the ones who miss out on all the blessings of God and the gifts of our "family members," if we choose not to be a part of Christ's body.

God has placed us into the body of Christ for our own protection and blessing. Just like every earthly family, it's not always fun. We don't always have warm and fuzzy feelings in the body. There are difficult and unlovely moments as we grow together as a family, but there are also blessings that we will never experience unless we become relational and connected in the body of Christ.

Jesus went to church as a regular practice. Luke 4:16 says, "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." (NIV) It was his custom—his regular practice—to go to church. The Message Bible puts it like this, "As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place." If Jesus made it a priority to meet together with other believers, shouldn't we, as his followers, do so also?
Resolution

So, if you are disillusioned with church, perhaps the problem is not "church in general," but rather the type of churches you have experienced thus far. Have you done an exhaustive search to find a good church? Perhaps you have never attended a healthy, balanced Christian church? They really do exist. I would encourage you not to give up, but continue to search for a Christ-centered, biblically-balanced church. But as you search, remember also, churches are imperfect. They are full of flawed people. However, we can't let other people's mistakes keep us from a genuine relationship with God and all of the blessings he has planned for us as we relate within his body.

Isn't It Funny

Funny how a $20.00 bill looks so big when you take it to church, but so small when you
take it to the mall.

Funny how big an hour serving God looks and how small 60 minutes are when spent
watching television, playing sports, sleeping or taking a lunch break.

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are but how short they are when
watching a good movie.

Funny how we get thrilled when a football game goes into overtime, but we complain
when a sermon is longer than the regular time.

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible and how easy it is to read 200-300
pages of a best selling novel.

Funny how we believe what newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how people scramble to get a front seat at a concert, but scramble to get a
back seat at the church service.

Funny how we cannot fit a gospel meeting into our schedule with our yearly planner but
we can schedule for other events at a moment’s notice.

Funny how we look forward to that big date on Friday night, but complain about getting
up for church on Sunday morning.

Funny how we are rarely late to work, but always late to church.

Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our brother, but find it hard to introduce
them to our family.

Funny how small our sins seem, but how big their sins are.

Funny how we demand justice for others, but expect mercy from God.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning the gospel well enough to tell others, but
how simple it is to understand and explain the latest gossip about someone else.

Funny how we can’t think of anything to say when we pray, but don’t have any difficulty
thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how we are so quick to take directions from a total stranger when we are lost, but
are hesitant to take God’s direction for our lives.

Funny how so many church goers sing “Standing on the promises” but all they do is sit on the premises.

Funny how people want God to answer their prayers, but refuse to listen to His counsel.

Funny how we sing about heaven, but live only for today.

Funny how people think they are going to Heaven but don’t think there is a Hell.

Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffering in the world, but it is not necessary to thank Him for what is good and pleasant.

Funny how when something goes wrong, we cry, “Lord, why me?” but when something
goes right, we think, “Hey, it must be me!”

Or wait…maybe all this isn’t so “funny” after all.

10 Encouraging Bible Verses For Hard Times

The Bible is a great guide for the Christian life. Are you struggling through a situation that seems overwhelming today? Read these Bible Verses for Hard Times to help to comfort and encourage you. Let God be your strength and feel the peace and hope come over your heart.

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?"

Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-8 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit."

Psalm 9:9-10 "The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble, And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee."

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

I pray that these Bible Verses for comfort in Hard Times were what you were needing.

Like a Pencil

Steve Goodier wrote this:

It occurs to me that I have a lot in common with a pencil. That's right – a simple and humble little pencil. Not the fancy mechanical kind. That's too high maintenance for me. And I'm not as showy as a plume pen or as smooth as a ball point. I don't live in bold strokes like a heavy marker. But I'm a lot like a pencil. Here's how:

Like a pencil, I have a built-in eraser. I can correct my mistakes. No, I can't change the past, but I can make it right again. And if I can't erase history (after all, what's done is done) I can at least erase a great deal of guilt and anger with forgiveness.


Like a pencil, I do better if I'm sharpened once in a while. My mind and skills grow dull without occasional honing. Even my spirit and attitudes need refining if I'm to be at my best. And there is something else, too. I find that the difficulties of life wear away at me, and they can either grind me down or shape me into a person who is more capable and creative. The sharpening I get from living through tough times is often painful, but I know it can make me a better person.


Pencils work best in a skilled hand. And like a pencil, I can do some pretty terrific things with a little guidance. Other people bring out the best in me, and with the help of others, I can do far more than I ever can alone.


Like a pencil, I should leave my mark whenever possible. I too often underestimate my influence on another. I have daily opportunities to leave something good behind. That is what it means to leave my mark. It may be in small ways, it may be in the lives of people I love, people I have touched or nurtured, or even in incidental conversations struck with strangers. But, I have a mark to leave and should use every opportunity to leave something good behind.


Like a pencil, it is what is on the inside that matters. A pencil without lead is useless. And a yellow pencil will not do when a black or red pencil is called for. What is on the inside is all important. My outer appearance matters less than I probably think, while it's the stuff on the inside that folks notice about me. Whether it is understanding or intolerance, love or bitterness, peace or unrest, kindness or self-centeredness, hope or despair, courage or fear, what is on the inside matters most.


A pencil works best on paper or canvass. It will never leave its mark on water and will wear itself down against a mirror. I do best knowing my strengths and limitations. I can't do everything well and that is okay. There is still plenty of good to be done by doing what I do best.


And finally, like a pencil, the biggest part of my purpose in this life can be summed up in three words: to be useful. When I'm too broken to hold together, when everything is ground away or worn away, when I no longer have anything to contribute, I know my life is coming to an end.

Like I said, I have a lot in common with a pencil.

What is a miracle?

A miracle is an event which the forces of nature, including the natural powers of man, cannot of themselves produce, and which must, therefore, be referred to a supernatural agency. A miracle is a divine operation that transcends what is normally perceived as natural law; it cannot be explained upon any natural basis.

The miracles recorded in the Bible fall into several categories. The following examples are illustrative, though certainly not exhaustive:

-First, there are supernatural acts of creation. Certain creation activities were accomplished by the word of God (Hebrews 11:3); he merely spoke, and it was done (Psalm 33:9). Obviously, this type of divine action is not being duplicated today since the creation process of the material universe was concluded at the end of the initial week of earth’s history (Genesis 2:1-2).

-Second, there were miracles which involved a temporary and localized suspension of laws regulating nature. Jesus calmed a ferocious storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:23-27), and, on another occasion, he walked upon the waters of the lake (John 6:16-21).

-Third, there were signs which involved the healing of man’s physical body. The blind were made to see (John 9:1-7), and the lame to walk (Acts 3:1-10).

-Fourth, there were signs demonstrating divine power over death. Lazarus, dead four days, was raised (John 11:43-44), and, of course, the resurrection of Christ is the very foundation of the Christian system (1 Corinthians 15:16-19).

-Fifth, some of the wonders of the New Testament age had to do with the expulsion of demons that had entered into human bodies (Matthew 12:22ff). This was evidence of the fact that the Savior’s power was superior to that of Satan.

-Sixth, the exhibition of divine authority was seen in the manipulation of certain material things. Christ turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), and multiplied a lad’s loaves and fishes, so that thousands were fed (John 6:1-14).

-Seventh, miraculous power was demonstrated in both the plant and animal kingdoms. Balaam’s donkey spoke with a man’s voice (Numbers 22:28), and the Lord Jesus, in an object lesson relative to the impending destruction of Jerusalem, destroyed a fig tree with but a word from his mouth (Matthew 21:19). 

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8 KJV

"Ah Lord God ! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee..." Jeremiah 32:17 KJV

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7, 8 KJV

Beauty For Ashes

God gives us beauty for ashes

and His love washes away our tears.

He stills the storms around us

and gives hope to replace our fears.

God gives strength for our weakness

and comfort when we are in pain.

He gives peace to calm our anxieties

and sends sunshine after the rain.

God gives us joy for our sadness

and wisdom to direct our way.

He sends healing for our sicknesses

and His grace keeps us every day.

God gives sweet rest from our labor 

and His mercy eases our sorrows.

He meets us when we are in the valley

and promise a bright tomorrow.

God s compassion never fails

His mercies are new every morning.

He gives living water to quench our thirst

and He satisfies our every longings.

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

Becky, Shane, and I back in the 80's visited the home of Elvis at Graceland, right out of Memphis, Tennessee. Even today so many years after his death, the crowds of people that take the tour and listen to his life’s storyline are amazing. The sad thing is, the story will never change, because he has lived his life and what he has achieved, whether good or bad, will be told over and over again for all eternity.

What will your legacy be? What story will be told about your life after you have lived and died? Will it be something that God will be proud of? If your answer is "no" and you are still alive, you can change your future. However, you must make the choice to change the outcome which will mean making a decision to live totally dedicated to God.

What kind of legacy will you and your mate leave? Will it be lasting? Will it be imperishable and eternal? Or will you leave behind only tangible items such as buildings, money, and/or possessions?

The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to invest his life in faithful men who would be able to pass God's truth on to the next generation. Where does God want you and your mate to invest the time you have been given?

-Fear the Lord and obey Him. Your legacy begins in your heart, in your relationship with God. Psalm 112:1-2 reads: "How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed."

-Recognize the world's needs and respond with compassion and action. In Matthew 9:36 we read: "And seeing the multitudes. He [Jesus] felt compassion for them." You and your mate need to leave a legacy by being committed to doing something about our world. Many Christians today are walking in the middle of the road; they're so focused on what other people think that they are unwilling to take any risks in order to make an impact for Christ. In light of this, Jamie Buckingham wrote, "The problem with Christians today is that no one wants to kill them anymore."

This year thirty million people will die without hearing the name of Christ. Hundreds of millions will pray to idols. Someone needs to reach these people with the Good News.

John F. Kennedy, in Profiles in Courage, described the need for courageous people: "Some men show courage throughout the whole of their lives. Others sail with the wind until the decisive moment when their conscience and events propel them into the center of the storm." If you want to leave a lasting legacy, you need to act with courage to reach out to those in need.

-Pray as a couple that God will use you to accomplish His purposes. As recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prayed, "Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm."

What did Jabez ask God to do? Bless him. Give him new turf and enlarge his sphere of influence. Keep him from temptation. Stay with him. Pray this prayer with your mate, and at the end of the year, see how different your lives will be.

-Help your mate be a better steward of his gifts and abilities. Help your spouse recognize how God has used his gifts and abilities in the past.

Help them plug into the local church, which needs committed laymen and women who have strong, godly character and a vision for their communities.

Help them recognize his convictions. Thomas Carlyle says, "Conviction is worthless until it can convert itself into daily conduct." Help your mate determine what he is willing to die for so he can ultimately determine what he can live for.

-Ask God to give your children a sense of purpose, direction, and mission. The challenge here is to leave your children a heritage, not just an inheritance. As someone once said, "Our children are messengers we send to a time we will not see."

We are stronger than we think

God has a way to lift your spirits when you get knocked down unexpectedly. Our church this week lost a precious young lady that we believed God was healing. We were told by doctors things were looking good and we were trusting the Lord for a miracle. She got her miracle, but not as we expected, for the Lord took her home to be with Him. She was important to our church family and this has devastated many of them because of the good reports we were getting from her medical staff about her condition. While trying to make some sense out of everything that has happened the past few days I found this newspaper story by chance. Or maybe it was Divinely ordered that I read and write about this in Aretta's honor today. The story goes like this:

A woman in rural Florida who was recuperating from a lengthy illness. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch in her wheelchair and, on this day, she watched her son repair his automobile. He raised it on blocks of wood, removed the tires and slid on his back underneath the vehicle.

Suddenly there was a loud crack and the automobile lurched to one side, pinning the young man underneath. She screamed for her husband who ran to assist, but he couldn't budge the car or the young man. He climbed into his own vehicle and sped off for help.

The mother, who hadn't walked in months, realized that her son's groans were growing fainter and she knew that it would be up to her to save the boy. She sensed he was dying and that she had to act immediately.

She rose to her feet and walked on shaky legs to the car. Bracing herself, she lifted. The car rose a few inches and it was just enough to let the boy scramble free. Then she collapsed.

After a thorough examination, she was found only to have suffered strained muscles. And the incredulous doctor's words were most telling: "I will always wonder," he said, "how far she might have lifted that car if she had been well and strong."

We've read similar stories about persons exhibiting almost super-human strength in times of crises. You can call it a miracle, providence, or call it a physiological response to an adrenalin surge. This mother, and others like her, found the strength she needed, when she needed it, to face the crisis at hand.

And so it is with all of us. When life knocks us down and it seems impossible to get back up, when life demands more from us than we are able to give, then more than ever, we need to find a way to do what needs to be done. It is at just these times that we come face to face with a reserve of strength we never knew we had. Ladies and gentlemen, Aretta proved this to us over and over. Best of all she did it with faith in whatever outcome the Lord had for her. She knew if she were healed either way it would be okay. She never wavered in her faith.

She would remind us all today that we are stronger than we think. We have the ability to bounce back. We have emotional, spiritual and even physical resources at our disposal. We may get knocked down, but we don't have to stay down.

When we find strength to stand up on the inside, we will be able to stand up to most anything life throws our way. Remember, even death has lost it's sting for these who have Christ in their hearts.

We are stronger than we think.

In honor of Aretta-A Preacher's Kid

Growing up as a preacher's kid I understand the ups and downs of that lifestyle. I have served churches where preacher's kids were my best members and some where they were my worst. Some of them remember the bad times of living in a parsonage more than they do the good times and it reflects in they way they treat their pastors today. They remember the way supposed Christians talked about their parents or mistreated them, they remember getting laughed at because of the importance God and church was in their lives, and in turn use that as fuel against the men of faith today and their families. Their mentality is, "It happened to my folks, so it ought to happen to you!"Sadly, there seems to be more of that behavior than what I am going to report today.

Tomorrow I will be having a Memorial Service for a preacher's kid who was quite the opposite. She was a valuable to my church, congregation, and to me. She served her church well and it's ministries. She was a teacher, a leader, and very outspoken in a good way for her Pastor. She remembered the hard times growing up in a parsonage, but gained strength from them. She remembered the stigma put on preachers kids and did the best she could to honor God, the church, and her heritage rather than be a negative during my administration. She was a preacher's kid that brought honor to be being a preacher's kid and many lives are the better for having known her.

Did she think she was perfect? Nope, she knew she was as flawed as the rest of us. Did she not make mistakes? Nope, she would confess to you the areas that she was weak in. Did she love her husband? Yes, with all of her heart. Did she love her daughter? You better believe that she did. These are simple questions that bring forth simple answers if you knew her. It was easy to tell the things she cared about by the way she presented herself even in a time when most people would find an excuse to stay away from church.

She loved her church and served it to the best of her ability. She loved each and every child, good and bad, that walked through the doors of our kindergarten program. She cared about the image of our church and how to remold it after it had been tarnished so many times in the past. She cared about her pastor and defended me, stood against my opposition, made her opinion known to my detractors, and prayed for me daily. She worked tirelessly to help keep the area she was in charge of in the building be ready for the next day or service on the weekend. She did much more than her share.

Why would she do that? Was she worried about her job? Was she trying to make a good impression? No. I believe it was because growing up in a glass house known as a pastor's home prepares you for the best and worst in people and challenges you to find a place within the church and do the best you can with it. She was a preacher's kid that remembered why you do what you do because you love God and you honor your heritage.

Aretta, the city of God is brighter today because you are there. I pray that God will give us more preacher's kids who are willing to fill your shoes. It was a honor to be your pastor.

Signs to Ponder

 

 

On a Fence: Salesmen welcome!  Dog food is expensive!

At a Car Dealership: The best way to get back on your feet?  Miss a car payment.

Outside a Muffler Shop: No appointment necessary.  We hear you coming.

 

In a Veterinarian's waiting room: Be back in 5 minutes.  Sit!  Stay!

 

At the Electric Company; We would be delighted if you send in your payment.  However, if you don't, you will be.

In a Restaurant window: Don't stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up.

 

At a Propane Filling Station: Thank Heaven for little grills.

In the front yard of a Funeral Home: Drive carefully.  We'll wait.

 

5 Seconds

 

5 days a week I spend 2 hours exercising this aging body of mine. I do so in hopes of keeping this collection of blood, skin, muscle, and bones healthy and strong for the rest of my time here. When it comes to exercising my soul, however, I know that a daily morning workout just isn’t enough. Our souls are ageless and eternal. They can fill us daily with energy, vitality, love, joy, and light, but to keep them in shape we need to exercise them often. Don’t worry, though. Exercising your soul doesn’t require heavy weights, expensive machines, or gym club memberships. It just requires a willing heart and a giving spirit. In fact, some of the best soul exercises I know can be done in 5 seconds or less. They always leave you feeling better than when you started them and they can be done anytime of the day as well. Best of all they help get your soul fit not just for here but for Heaven as well.

Here are just a few of my favorite 5 second soul strengtheners. Feel free to try them all and then to try out some of your own as well. There is no limit to what you can do to build a healthy soul. You can: give someone a hug, share a smile, hold a purring cat, pet a friendly dog, glance joyfully at the sun setting over the hills, hum a happy song, read an uplifting passage from an inspiring book, smell a flower, listen to a bird sing, jump in a pile of Autumn leaves, share a kind word, think a positive thought, pray for someone, wave at a neighbor, laugh at a good joke, tell someone you love them, tickle a child, smell a baby’s hair, put some money in a Salvation Army kettle, touch a loved one, look them in the eye, and listen to them. Most of all you can take those 5 seconds to say, "I love you God and I thank you for my life here." Have fun exercising your soul then. Five seconds may not seem like a long time, but it is long enough to share some love, spread some joy, change a life, and make Heaven smile.

Proven Ways to Get Along Better With Everyone:

 

-Before you say anything to anyone, ask yourself 3 things: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

-Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.

-Never miss the opportunity to compliment or say something encouraging to someone.

-Refuse to talk negatively about others; don't gossip and don't listen to gossip.

-Have a forgiving view of people. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

-Keep an open mind; discuss, but don't argue. (It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.)

-Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before doing or saying anything that could make matters worse.

-Let your virtues speak for themselves.

-If someone criticizes you, see if there is any TRUTH to what he is saying; if so, make changes. If there is no truth to the criticism, ignore it and live so that no one will believe the negative remark.

-Cultivate your sense of humor; laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

-Do not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; do not seek so much to be understood, as to understand; do not seek so much to be loved as to love.

For who knows tomorrow?

Ecclesiastes 6:12 "For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?"

We do not know about tomorrow, but the Spirit who knows the perfect will of God does know. Let Him be your Helper. If He is your helper then:

-You will realize that living as though the struggle of life was all your own is wrong. Instead of just praying for comforts and seeking deliverance from your circumstances you will pray for development in them through the will of God.

-You will begin to see this life and your relationship with Him from His perspective and not just from your perspective. It's not about my will, but His will that is the ultimate goal.

-You will begin to walk in a sense of victory that you’ve possibly never had since you were first saved because you know God has permitted good and bad to prove His love for you.

-You will step out and face all those doubts, depressions and fears with Him.You are one of the called. You’re marked for God. His and His alone.

The victory has been won and He has already “triumphed over them through Him” according tp Colossians 2:15. So walk in the victory He has provided at the cross.

And we know that in all things, God works together for good, with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose which is to conform us to the image of His Son.

Why?

Because nothing can ever stop Him from loving you.

Be equipped for battle (2)

-The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
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The shoes of the Gospel of peace defend us from Satan’s counter attack as we seek to reconcile man to God and man to man. The devil’s plan is to divide and conquer. The way he divides is through deception. We however can bring peace between God and man, as well as maintain peace and harmony within the body of Christ by bringing God’s word. The message of the gospel is the Good News that establishes peace with God and man.


-The Shield of Faith
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There are two Greek names for shields used by soldiers at that time. One is a small round shield called an “aspis.” The second is called a “thureos” which is a full-length shield made of wood and covered with padding and leather. The “thureos” shield protected the whole body. Do you know which shield is used to describe our shield of faith? “Thureos!” The shield of faith protects you from head to toe. With this shield we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the enemy.
Our faith is in God; the more you know about God the greater your faith will be. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Faith comes by the Word of God. Therefore if you want your shield of faith to increase in its size to give you better protection from the attack of the enemy, then dig into God’s word; study it, memorize it. Let your faith in God grow as you come to know Him more through His word.


-The Helmet of Salvation
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The battlefield is about six inches wide; it takes place between your ears. The battlefield is your mind. However, the helmet of salvation covers your mind; where you are most vulnerable to the attack of the enemy God has placed His salvation to protect you.

Our salvation is not simply a wish; it’s more than a dream. Our hope of salvation is an absolute certainty. Your salvation is a reality in Christ Jesus that no one can take away.

The protective power of prayer

Ephesians 6:18 "...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."


In modern warfare prayer would be your communications equipment, a walkie-talkie or satellite phone. Through prayer we can receive direction from our great Commander and Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. We can also call heaven and request an angelic fly over to drop “smart bombs” on the enemy to ensure our victory. 


Two way communication with God—God talking with us as we listen and God listening to our requests—prayer is vital to making the great escape; only by prayer can we stand firm to live in freedom.

The Old Barn

 

When I was pastoring in Union, SC a gentleman came by the one day with an offer for a friend of mine. He wanted to buy an old barn that he owned that sits out by the highway. My friend told him right off he was crazy. He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. My friend told him he had a funny idea of beauty.  Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their rains, ice, and howling winds. The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that out of towner called it beautiful.

I drove to the field and just stood there, gazing at his old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood. It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. But the Good Lord knows what He's doing. And as the years pass He's busy using the hard wealth of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons, to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks complain because they want life easy.

They took my friends old barn down before I moved to Simpsonville and hauled it away to beautify the rich man's house. And someday you and I'll be hauled off to Heaven and I suspect we'll be more beautiful then for the seasons we've been through here-and just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house. Just trust that God has you exactly where you are meant to be today and will use every lesson of life to prepare you for what He has in eternity.