God's Standpoint Apr.30

All Began from God’s Standpoint

“There is one body and one Spirit . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” [Eph.4:4-6, NKJV].

The nature of the book of Ephesians remains experiential, in other words, it works.

A.   God is living, loving and instant being.

B.   Not just abstract, but real human being in Christ.

C.   We stay the material with which God works.

D.  Example of what Apostle Paul means: Eph.1:13-14.

Ephesians starts with God and proceeds from God’s perspective.

Why Christ's Slow Return Apr.29

Why Christ’s Slow Return

No greater reason than this:

“The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake.

He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have the opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.”  [2Pe.3:9, God’s Word Translation, GWT].

Is God's Law Still Here? Apr.28

Is God’s Law Still Here?

God’s Law given:

To Adam . . . . . . . Gen.2:16-17

To Noah . . . . . . .  Gen. 9:6

To Israelites . . . . . Ex. 20:1-2

By Moses . . . . . . . Ex.31:18

By Angels . . . . . . . Acts 7:53

Must Obey . . . . . .  Ps. 51:6

Defines Sin . . . . . . Ro.3:20

Shows Christ . . . . . Gal. 3:24

Tests Love . . . . . . . 1 Jo.5:3

Absolute and forever…….Matthew 5:18.

What is 100% Christianity? Apr.27

What is 100% Christianity?

“Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him,

Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” [Luke 9:57, NKJV].

Nothing else needs saying.

Sacrifice a Body Part? Apr.26

Sacrifice a Body Part?

“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away . . .” [Mt.5:29, NIV].

I’ve heard Christians say, “I’d give my right arm to love God more.”

Does God really want us to sacrifice a body part for the Kingdom?

In a sense, Yes.

He wants us to give Him our hands and feet so he can take them and lead us through the kingdom principles.

Blessed are the pure in heart.

Struggle or Respite Apr.25

Struggle or Respite?

Much in culture tells us to “struggle on through” some issue and then the right kind of growth will occur.

The Bible suggests another way.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? [Luke 12:25, NIV].

The word of God suggests we approach peaceful rest through some struggle. We learn more relaxed than when tense.

Percentage Christianity Apr.24

Percentage Christianity

I’m concerned we live in a day when we place a percentage upon our Christian beliefs.

Do we really believe God will send people to hell? Yeah, 95%.

Do we believe Christ suffers every time we sin? yeah 95%.

Do we really believe God will destroy this earth?  Yeah 95%.

Do we really believe Jesus is coming again? Yeah 95%.

Are many of our beliefs just percentages?

How would we live if we placed 100% on all our beliefs?

Why Do Peace? Apr.23

Why Do Peace?

As Christ followers, why are we to offer peace?

1.   One often overlooked reason is there is a looping effect when giving out reconciliation.

“If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.”  [Luke 10:6, NIV].

2.   We remain harvesters for the Kingdom.

Why David Impressed God Apr.22

Why David Impressed God

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward . . .” [1Sam.16:13, NKJV.]

From the beginning God’s Spirit was with David and so:

God chose David.

David answered the call.

He prayed before he started something.

He used what he had.

Developed his talents.

He recognized his responsibilities.

David listened to God’s wisdom.

He sang while he worked.

As practicing Christians, the list is good for us.

Authentic Attitude Apr.21

Authentic Attitude

Can an ambitious life yearn mostly for praise and recognition and truly represent the Son of God?

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” “Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interest of others.” [Phil.2:3-4, NKJV].

New or Old? Apr.20

New or Old?

There are some things in the Christian’s life that new should not be injected into the old.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins…”[Mk.2:22, NKJV]

In the day Jesus said this, the literal was that someone would not put new wine in old skins. One reason was the new wine could expand more and tear the old wine skin, losing all.

On the other hand, one parabolic, symbolic meaning was God could not inject a person’s old self with the new of the Holy Spirit. A new creature had to be made to receive a new way.

Being saved, knowing Christ creates that new person who becomes a living partner with Jesus Himself. Old things are passing away.

Walking Instead of Running Apr.19

Walking Instead of Running

For the active Christian, there is an assurance to be able to walk right up to the trouble you face, instead of running from the difficulty.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14:27, NIV.]

Real Peace Apr.18

Real Peace

True peace comes from the alteration of reality. And there can be no genuine amendment to reality unless it’s by God. Peace is interrupted when at the center of it there resides a perplexing doubt that erodes peace of mind. The Holy Spirit removes the doubt.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 4:6-7, NKJV].

Last Life in Poem Apr.17

Last Life in a Poem

“And if you be done to the death, what then if you battle the best you could, if you played your part in the world of man,

The great Master will call it good.

Death comes with a call or comes with a pounce, but whether he’s slow or spry,

It’s not the fact your dead that counts, but only how did you die?”

[Unknown author, copied.]

Verse 55:“O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”

Verse 57: “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [1Cor.15:55; 57, NASB, New American Standard Bible.]

More Life in Poem Apr.16

More Life in Poem

“If you are hurt no matter what, then get up with a smiling face.

It’s nothing against you to fall down flat, but to lie there, that’s a disgrace.

The harder you fall the higher you bounce, be glad of your blackened eye,

It’s not the fact you’re licked that counts, but how did you fight and why . . .” [Unknown author, more tomorrow].

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  [2 Tim.4:7, NKJV].

Life in a Poem Apr.15

Life in a Poem

“Did you tackle the trouble that came your way with resolute heart of cheerful?

Or hide yourself from the light of day and cradle your soul real careful.

More troubles a ton are troubles an ounce or trouble is what you make it,

Not the fact you’re hurt that counts, but only how did you take it . . .”    [More tomorrow, author unknown]

“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” [Gal.6:2, NKJV].

Eternal Insight Apr.14

Eternal Insight

God’s Love is eternal insight.

When you receive God’s insight, that very sight becomes an energy to help you through any challenge of the moment.

“Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”  [Phil.3:15, NKJV.]

Sign of Decay in Church Apr.13

Sign of Decay in Church

The Deacons went to get the offering plates for a church service.

The plates were covered with cobwebs.

Sniffing Perfume Apr.12

Sniffing Perfume

Many Christians are sniffing empty bottles of perfume. Pleasure is not necessarily joy.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  [John 15:11, NIV].

Bible Difficulties Apr.11

Bible Difficulties

Grandad used to say that reading difficult passages from the Bible was kind of like eating fish. When he found a difficult verse he would treat it like a bone and lay it aside. He would say why choke on a bone when there was so much good meat ready for you. Then he would comment that someday maybe a bone would provide him with sustenance.

Tired of Being Tired? Apr.10

Tired of Being Tired?

Little girl said to her Dad: “Daddy in Sunday School Jesus says he would help you if you were tired carrying heavy led.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”  [Mt.11:28, NKJV].

Important Last Apr.9

Important Last

Man gets up 4 o’clock; goes to work---called a “go-getter.”

Prayer required at 4 o’clock---called expecting too much.

Woman spends 8 hours a day at work---called enterprising.

She spends 8 hours at church---called religious nut.

Pay $600 a month for a car---think nothing of it.

Pledge $600 a month to church---people call crazy.

Last things first.

First things last.

God says otherwise.

Jesus Says He's God Apr.8

Jesus Says He’s God

Where does Jesus himself say and show He is the Son of God?

Mark 2:5-10

Luke 22:70

John 9:35-37

Jo. 5:18-19

Jo.10:1-1-11

Jo.11:3-4.

And these are only a few.

Just like Persons Apr.7

Just Like Persons

Tire Repair Sign: “Flat in—Float out.”

Same as God’s people.

Jesus said in Luke 15:7, “I can guarantee that there will be more happiness in heaven over one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts than over 99 people who already have turned to God and have his approval.” [GWT, God’s Word Translation.]

Really Hear Apr.6

Really Hear

My granddad used to say: “Son, you are listening but you don’t harken.”

“He who has ears to hear, let him be listening, and consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.” [Mt. 11:15, AMBT].

One Logic Apr.5

One Logic

How do we accept a fact as fact?

1.   Persons use proof tools to substantiate information.

2.   Does idea or hypothesis create a large enough following to merit further investigation?

3.   The proposed fact leads to other measurable truths.

4.   Fact gets documented and repeated through history and life.

Can a non-fact enter this process?   Yes.

Only guarantee: “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” [John8:32, NKJV].

Think About It Apr.4

Think About It

Someone did the math: It takes approximately 62 muscles for a frowning face. It only takes 13 to smile.

Why overwork your face? Someone said, “Christians need east west faces instead of north-south faces.” Picture it.

“We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy.” [Col.1:11, God’s Word Translation, GWT].

Perspective Apr.3

Perspective

Little boy in church asked his mother: When are we going to go eat peas by the river?”

They were singing song that says, “peace like a river.”

“He who has ears to hear, let him be listening, and consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.” [Mt.11:15, AMBT].

8 Reasons Jesus is Real Apr.2

8   Reasons Jesus is Real

1.   History of a living Jesus recorded by Flavious Josephus,

93-94 A.D. Also historical record of John the Baptist who claimed a Jesus.

2.   Written documentation He was who he said. This person lived, died, and rose again. [Gospel of Mark, 70 A.D.]

3.   The proposition of His Way of life is proved by centuries of followers who testify of miraculous living.

4.   Evidence of the Holy Spirit being within persons who claim transcendence from material living only.

5.   The beyond quality instilled in Christians has stimulated many creative inventions.

6.   The promises of the end times continue to offer hope for the world.

7.   Without the quality of hope for respite, the world would wallow in depression and despair.

8.   The new life in Christ creates other new life to continue the human race.

Careful What You Hear Apr.1

Careful What You hear

Little girl prayed, “Lord, we thank you and pretzel you.”

She meant praise.

“And He said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

[Mar.4:9, NKJV]