1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

My prayer is for those who see the cross as foolishness to come to know and understand what it means. There are people who have read the Word of God and do not understand. This week a young man who did not understand, now understands and it is joyful to see his desire to know more about God.

Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where there are epic deals that start off the holiday season. However, this holiday season is not what several families expected.

A janitor working his shift at a Virginia Walmart. A 40-year-old woman returning home to Colorado Springs for the holidays. A young man at his girlfriend's side, watching her friend perform in a drag show. Three college football players. A mother who worked to help foster children. One bartender who remembered your drink and another who danced. White and black, gay and straight, old and young. The collection of the newly dead from just three of this month's mass shootings are the very picture of the ideals - inclusivity, setting aside differences - that America prides itself on at this time each November. Four-teen people who did not know their last Thanksgiving was already behind them. 

Do you believe in evil? Whether you do or not, evil exists.

Besides the three shootings mentioned in that article there has been Darrell Brooks who recently had his trial for the 2021 Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade attack that killed six and injured over sixty people. I watched the victim impact statements; he rolled his eyes, he laughed; there was no remorse for his evil act.

In the UK a heartbreaking story of an unidentified baby who was found in a recycling yard and laid to rest.

For several days I have been listening to the latest on Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell. Chad has been accused of murdering his wife, Tammy. Both Chad and Lori have been accused of murdering Lori's two children, 16-year-old Rylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow. Prior to this Lori's husband was killed by her brother, Alex, who has since committed suicide.

I know this is morbid stuff to be reading, listening, and watching, however, I have always been fascinated with trials and forensics science.

Michael Wilson, the writer of 'After 3 Mass Shootings, a Thanksgiving With 14 Empty Chairs', wrote this line in his article "White and black, gay and straight, old and young." I would add saved and unsaved: white and black, gay and straight, old and young, saved and unsaved. Many people probably don't even think about whether a person is saved or not. I often think about it when I hear of someone dying.  There is no hope after death. The person has already made their decision.

Most people wonder 'why do bad things happen to good people?"

Why not? Bad things happen because of sin, which is due to the fall of man. We are not good, and we deserve God's wrath. No one is good.

"As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Romans 3:10-12

Satan is our enemy,

"be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8b

The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:45b "for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

As Christians we are not exempt from bad things happening, like cancer, accidents, tornados, and shootings. Perhaps we should ask the question "Why do good things happen to bad people?" The answer would be the same.

I like to watch a YouTube channel called "Active Self Protection." On many of the video the host of the channel will end with talking about spiritual fitness, "Make sure every day you've said everything you need to say to your loved ones. That they know you love them and that you have solved any conflicts and that your relationship with Jesus is strong. You may not get the opportunity to do so. You have to have them ready; you may not get another chance."

Somethings to think about.

ADMIT I am a sinner

REPENT turn from your sin

BELIEVE Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and was resurrected

TRUST & OBEY Jesus' teachings

1 John 1:8-9

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Romans 10:9

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Peter 2:24

and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

John 3:36

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

2 John 1:9

Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teachings of Christ, does not have God, the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

1Peter 1:17-19

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

1 Peter 4:17

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And one last thing to remember is that God is always with us.

Matthew 28:20b

I am with you always even to the end of this age.

November 25, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall 2021: Praise, Being Thankful & Asking for Comfort

 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods for all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; worship the LORD in holy array. Tremble before Him, all the earth; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." 1 Chronicles 16:23-31

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful. Colossians 3:15.

This morning I found out that a staff member of one of the churches I work for went home to the Lord on Saturday. Her husband is still in the hospital with the same illness. Praying for healing for her husband as well as comfort for him and their, children and grandchildren.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18

Father's Day

I know. Yesterday was Father's Day.

I remember when my son was young worrying about how he would know to be a good father and a friend of mine said "He will know to be a good father by what he didn't have." Such prophetic words, for he is an awesome father.

Yesterday I thought about my son as a father, but today I'm thinking of my Dad.

He went home to be with the Lord twenty years ago. The last Father's Day with him, my mother, and two of their friends had dinner at Ledo. I had been teasing my parents prior to their friends joining us. There was a couple sitting near our table and during our meal as the couple was leaving the woman came over, knelt next to me and whispered, "Be good to them. I lost my Father recently." Those words were kind of prophetic as well, for in the next month my father had a diagnosis of throat cancer which was terminal. He never made it to the next Father's Day.

My Dad was a quiet man. He had a wonderful sense of humor; he could be such a clown. He loved to sing and I could listen to him for hours. Mom claimed he made the songs up because she had never heard of them. I figured I inherited that ability from him as I have often made up my own songs. My songs, mind you, have never been very good, however Dad's songs always were, at least in my view.

A psychiatrist who tested me when I was in elementary school (I was a weird, super-introvert) told my parents that I was terrified of my father. Later when I was an adult and was informed of the results of the testing I agreed with two of them but did not with this one. I have never been afraid of my dad; I have always looked up to him with admiration and respect. He wasn't perfect but that is maybe where the empathic side of me would kick in. Dad had a severe hearing loss and at times he could be a little cross when trying to listen to the news or things like that and kids are being loud in their play.

Dad loved the Lord with all his heart, and soul, and mind. I remember seeing him in his room either studying his Bible or praying. He always handed out Bibles to people who visited in our home and gave them as gifts. I believe all my friends received one. At work he had a rack he made filled with tracts and after he died a former co-worker told me that people would come by and pick up a tract or stop and talk to him about God. Dad taught Sunday school and he also preached at a senior housing in our neighborhood. My former husband did not want me to tell my father why we had separated; he told me that my father was the only person he knew who actually lived what he believed. That statement put me to shame as I knew at that time I was not living my faith.

My dad didn't have a Christian upbringing. He lived with his father, who was a musician, and they traveled all over the place. I remember my dad and grandfather sitting together for hours as my father would share the gospel with him. About five years before my dad passed away, I asked him how he came to know the Lord. I always remember going to church together as a family and we had family devotions. I don't remember my dad not being a follower of Christ. He told me that at first my mother shamed him into going to church by taking us children to church. Then one day he picked up my oldest brother's Bible and began to read it. It was through reading my brother's Bible that the Holy Spirit convicted my father of his sin, repenting, turning away from his sin, confessing Jesus as his Lord and Savior; he began a relationship that has gone on into eternity. At that time a light bulb went off in my head; that is why he always handed out Bibles!

I praise God and thank Him for my father who has inspired me to be just like Jesus.

 

What if.....

Have you ever played the what if game? I was doing that the other day. Not necessarily what's listed below but something like it.

• What if my parents stayed in Phoenix, Arizona?
• What if my Dad didn't get a job with Westinghouse in Maryland?
• What if I wasn't the oldest and middle child?
• What if I was an only child?
• What if I wasn't an introvert?
• What if I followed my dream when I was younger?
• What if I married the right person?
• What if I had more than one child?
• What if I didn't lose my job?

I could continue on and on but let's look at it in a different way.

• What if God didn't create anything -- no heaven and earth, no light, no waters, no dry land, no sun or moon, no plants, no birds, no creatures in the sea, no animals on the land?
• What if God didn't create Adam and Eve?
• What if Adam and Eve hadn't sinned?
• What if Cain hadn't killed Abel?

Again, I could continue throughout the Bible but...….

• What if Jesus never came to earth as a baby born to Joseph and Mary?
• What if Jesus didn't die on the cross?
• What if Jesus didn't raise from the dead?
• What if there was no Holy Spirit?
• What if we didn't have the promise and hope of Jesus return?

That's something to think about, isn't it? 

I remember on my way to work a man several mornings on the light rail train walking up and down the aisles talking about Jesus. All the people just looked out the windows as he spoke. It was around five o'clock in the morning so they looked out into darkness. One day just before he got off the train he asked "Have you considered Jesus?" I wondered how many people left the train with that thought on their mind as they either went on to work or wherever they were going. Did it make a difference in their lives? What if what that man said made a difference in someones life? I believe it did. I believe someone on that train, even though they were looking out into darkness, saw the light of Jesus that they so much needed.

What about you, have you considered Jesus?

How Do People See You As The Church?

How do people see your church? Most people think of the church as the building but I'm not asking about the building. The first century church had no building. It was over 300 years before what we know as "church buildings." Prior to that time people gathered together in homes, meeting for fellowship, ministry, and worship.

In Greek "church" means called out ones, a congregation, an assembly of people. The church is a group of people holy, set apart from the world, a body of believers with a purpose, a mission. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church, the prophets and apostles is the foundation. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone. Eph. 2:19-20

Christ is the head of the church.

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:22-23.

By Christ's authority the church was commissioned.

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt. 28:16-20

The church is called to assemble.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb. 10:23-25

The church has two ordinances; baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying. "Be saved from this perverse generation!" Acts 2:37-40

The church has received gifts.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Cor. 12:4-11

As the church we are to do the following.

• Worship: Our worship is to be God-centered, Christ-centered. We are to praise and glorify God in worship.
• Edification: We are to edify believers, nurture them, build them up, help them to mature in Christ.
• Evangelism: We are to reach out to the lost; we should be able to defend our faith, express compassion, mercy, to love others and to share the message of Christ.
• Bible Study: Jesus knew scripture and memorized it. So we should too.
• Praying for One Another: Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
• Acts of Hospitality: contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Rom. 12:13

The following came from "My Booky Wook" by Russell Brand.

"Over the road there was a church: a modern gray building, which constantly played a recording of church bells. Strange it was, why no proper bells? I never went in but I bet it was a robot church for androids, where the bible was in binary and their Jesus had laser eyes and metal claws." 

So my two closing question to you is......

1. How do people see you as the church?
2. How do you see your church?  

If you want to know more about the church and 

how you should be as the church, read the book of Ephesians.

Struggles

I read a facebook post early this morning someone shared that "God does not owe us a happy ending". Everyone is looking for a happy ending; however, for some it seems to elude us. I know that I have struggled a lot in my lifetime and I have often wondered why I just can't get a break. Some of my struggles though are the results of my own making.

Years ago I flipped through the pages of my son's Bible reading scripture that he had highlighted. I smiled to myself when I came across one portion of a verse that said "Oh, why didn't I listen." Yes, I could really relate to that verse and I'm sure there are many who can as well. Whether it's the Word of God that we do not heed or the wise council that God has placed in our lives, sometime we just go our own way and refuse to be obedient.

There are other times when we face hardship or struggles that have nothing to do with our disobedience. Have you ever thought "it's not fair?" Life isn't fair. No, it isn't, for we are engaged in a battle against rulers, against powers, against world forces of darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness. We face an army of dark powers, however, we are not on our own and we know that we are promised victory.

One way to prepare as you go into battle is by praying Ephesians 6:10-17 before you start your day.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

I watched a television series once about the time of King Arthur. As Arthur would begin to lead his soldiers into battle, he would raise his sword into the air and cry out "for the love of Camelot!" I have always imagined starting my morning as I go into battle for the day, with the sword of the Spirit raised high in the air and with a shout "for the love of the LORD and His Kingdom!"

Remember our happy ending is not in this world but it is coming.

Proverbs 5:13
Ephesians 6:12
Romans 8